PipeCAD is a Computer Aided Design tool that is used to model the aspirating smoke detector and sampling pipe network and predict performance. Pipe networks can be easily and simply drawn onto a ‘snap grid’ in either two or three dimensional formats as needed using simple easy to use design tools. Once the sampling pipe network has been defined, performance characteristics can be adjusted to provide optimum results to suit site conditions and/or specification requirements.
A typical PipeCAD pipe run in plan view is shown to the left (click on the picture to view it at full size). The green lines are the protected area outline, blue crosses are sampling holes, the blue square is the detector and the blue circle is the endcap. A context menu has been displayed by right-clicking on a hole (shown in red). The snap grid used for alignment of objects is displayed here but can be turned off if required.
An automatically generated bill of materials screen, shown left gives the quantities, part numbers and prices (if set) of all pipe components used to make up a sampling pipe layout.
Prices as well as other variables can be configured by the user to reflect component pricing and other variables. For more information on customizing PipeCAD, please review application note AN005.
PipeCAD supports NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator allowing the complete system response time to be modeled.
Currently only version 4 of the Fire Dynamics Simulator and Smokeview (FDS-SMV) is supported by PipeCAD. Visit the Fire Dynamics Simulator web site for information about FDS.
