Performance Design Technologies, Inc.

Knoxville, TN

Public profile details are available below.

Services: 50
Offices: 1
Projects: 6
Leaders: 7

Overview

Performance Design Technologies, Inc. (PDT) is a fire protection engineering consulting practice specializing in cost-effective, performance-based solutions to fire protection problems. It combines in-depth fire protection engineering experience with current decision analysis tools to use a performance-based approach to supplement prescriptive codes when prescriptive requirements cannot be met. PDT professionals hold degrees in Fire Protection, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering and are registered professional engineers by exam in fire protection engineering in multiple states.

Services

Fire Alarm System Design

Fire alarm designs for a wide variety of industries and facilities, from small single-panel installations to fully-integrated multi-panel systems using spot-type, air-aspirating, video, UV/IR, and duct detection, alongside sprinkler and pump monitoring.

Fire Sprinkler System Design

Fire sprinkler designs for a wide variety of industries and facilities, including single-riser residential installations, shotgun risers in industrial spaces, and combination standpipe systems in high-rises.

Single-Riser Residential Installations Shotgun Risers Combination Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems Multi-Riser Industrial Facilities Ceiling-Level Sprinkler Protection In-Rack Sprinkler Protection ESFR Protection Control Mode Sprinklers

Water Supply and Fire Pump Design

Design of fire pump systems and supplemental water supply sources such as tanks and ponds when municipal water supply cannot meet required fire flows or pressures.

Water Storage Tanks Retention Ponds Fire Pump Systems Independent Water Supply Design

Special Extinguishing Systems

Design and application of alternative suppression systems for hazards not adequately protected by standard water-based sprinklers.

Foam Systems Clean Agent Systems Water Mist Systems Hybrid Systems

Code Consulting

Expert consulting on building and fire code compliance, including performance-based approaches when prescriptive requirements cannot be met.

Building Code Consulting Fire Code Consulting Life Safety Analysis Performance-Based Code Compliance

Hazard and Risk Assessments

Systematic analysis of fire hazards, life safety risks, and process risks for commercial, industrial, and nuclear processing facilities.

Fire Hazards Analysis Life Safety Analysis Risk Analysis

Performance-Based Fire Protection Design

Holistic fire and life safety designs that integrate individual components into an overall building safety analysis, moving beyond prescriptive regulations while maintaining safety intent.

High-Rise Fire Safety Design Existing Building Evaluations Historic Building Protection

Smoke Management

Development of smoke management plans and design of systems for atriums, stadiums, large venues, and monumental stairs to direct combustion products away from egress paths.

Active Smoke Exhaust Systems Passive Systems (Natural Ventilation & Smoke Traps)Combined Active and Passive Systems Egress Path Smoke Protection

Fire and Smoke Modeling

Advanced computational modeling to evaluate performance-based designs, design smoke management systems, and establish equivalent protection methods.

Algebraic Equation Methods Zone Modeling (CFAST)CFD Modeling (FDS - Fire Dynamics Simulator)

Litigation Support and Expert Witness

Expert consulting and testimony in litigation involving fire losses, system failures, and structural responses.

Cause and Origin Investigation System Performance Evaluation Structural Response Assessment Code Compliance Assessment

Third Party Review

Independent design reviews for local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), building owners, and architects, including on-site system testing.

AHJ Compliance Reviews Owner & Architect Design Verification On-Site Installation Testing

Industries

Education Nuclear Federal Government Commercial Industrial

Firm type

Fire Protection Engineering

Project types

High-rise building performance-based fire protection design Nuclear station fire detection and alarm systems FAA air traffic control facility fire/life safety assessments Stadium and arena fire protection design University campus fire protection engineering Nuclear processing facility fire hazards analysis

Projects

The Tower at Morgan Hill (formerly Kingston Tower)

Knoxville, TN | Multifamily Residential

A performance-based fire and life safety design for a 22-story high-rise apartment building in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The project took a holistic approach to fire and life safety in an existing building, utilizing fire modeling, active and passive systems, and extensive communication with local code officials to transform a building incapable of meeting prescriptive codes into a safe facility.

Performance-Based Fire Protection Design Fire and Smoke Modeling

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FAA Fire/Life Safety Assessments

USA | Federal Aviation Administration | Aviation

Fire and life safety evaluations conducted at selected Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) for the Eastern Service Area Planning and Requirements EOSH Team. Assessments included inspections of fire protection systems, life safety features, and reviews of testing and maintenance records.

Hazard and Risk Assessments Code Consulting

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Neyland Stadium Renovation

Knoxville, TN | University of Tennessee | Sports & Recreation

Engineering support for the multi-phase renovation of Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee, including sky boxes, new club levels, press areas, concourses, and locker rooms. Services included structural fire resistance evaluation, fire alarm system design, automatic sprinkler system design with freeze protection, and egress analysis.

Fire Alarm System Design Fire Sprinkler System Design Code Consulting

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Duke Power Catawba and McGuire Nuclear Stations

Charlotte, NC | Duke Power | Nuclear

Complete fire detection and alarm system design and installation support for Catawba Nuclear Station and McGuire Nuclear Station near Charlotte, North Carolina. The scope included detailed design drawings, design basis documents, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and main transformer fire suppression design.

Fire Alarm System Design Special Extinguishing Systems

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Uranium Processing Facility (UPF), Y-12 National Security Complex

Oak Ridge, TN | Y-12 National Security Complex | Federal

Analysis and design support for the creation of the Preliminary Fire Hazards Analysis (PFHA) at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The project involved evaluation of chemical and mechanical processes, special atmosphere furnaces, life safety, building and glovebox fire suppression, gas detection, and code compliance.

Hazard and Risk Assessments Code Consulting Fire Sprinkler System Design Fire Alarm System Design

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University of Tennessee System Campus Projects

Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN | University of Tennessee System | Education

Comprehensive fire protection engineering, code consulting, and performance-based design support for various renovations and new construction projects across the Knoxville and Chattanooga campuses. Work has included projects at Ayers Hall, Thompson-Boling Arena, Hodges Library, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Strong Hall, and periodic safety assessments for housing.

Code Consulting Performance-Based Fire Protection Design Smoke Management Fire Sprinkler System Design

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