Behind the Scenes with Nicholas Schaaf at Metropolitan Fire Protection
Every great installation starts with a great design and at Metropolitan Fire Protection, design and engineering is where the magic happens. For Nicholas Schaaf, a NICET Certified Fire Sprinkler Systems Designer, a great design masterfully balances code integrity with exceeding client expectations.
With 12 years of experience, Nicholas has built an impressive portfolio that spans diverse projects, including commercial spaces like the Den Theatre and Skokie Hospital, as well as numerous private homes on the North Shore. This breadth of experience equips him to design and engineer fire sprinkler systems for any space, no matter the challenges. As Nicholas puts it, “My job is to find solutions based on what’s available and turn a difficult concept or idea into a simpler one by designing an easy-to-understand plan for anyone to use.”
Because no application looks the same, Nicholas always starts with extensive research before beginning his design. “Each project is so different so I have to gather as much information as possible to manage and creatively solve design problems,” Nicholas says. He also strives to stay up to date on any changing regulations or new fire suppression technology to provide the highest level of service to his clients. “I am always reviewing the latest NFPA, IBC, and local codes pertaining to the project location, taking refresher training courses throughout the year, and coordinating with construction teams to meet the latest criteria for an accurate and complete system design,”
Nicholas says.
Not only is a great design efficient, it is also full of collaboration. When Nicholas creates a design, he always keeps his fitter and installation teams in mind so the plan can be executed perfectly. He says, “However practicable, I strive to make every project as easy as possible for our fitter to visualize and understand what needs to be done. When the plan reaches a job site, it should be accurate and useful for reference, being quick to read and effective for answering foremen or other tradesmen questions.”
Nicholas takes the most pride in projects where he can tackle complex challenges and transform them into clear, straightforward solutions. “When I can draw details (sketches) of system components like a riser or fire pump room, I’m very satisfied with a chance to clearly communicate and teach about the most complicated parts of a design,” Nicholas says. “Each of these projects have a completely different dynamic and design which rewarded me with a lot of teamwork and challenged me to produce some of the most necessary drawings and plans of my time.”
For expert-designed fire sprinkler systems, Metropolitan Fire Protection is the team to call. Get in touch with our team by calling 847-758-9820.