What DGA consulting delivers.
Licensed fire protection engineering across design, code consulting, life safety analysis, and federal compliance. Every deliverable is sealed and signed by a Professional Engineer, and priced by a firm that carries no national firm overhead.
When you need it
- New building design requiring independent FPE review
- Tenant fit outs in protected or unprotected spaces
- Legacy system upgrades
- Special hazard occupancies
Sprinkler, fire alarm, and hydraulic design integrated with architectural and MEP drawings.
Fire protection engineering design
DGA Consulting prepares code compliant fire protection system designs for new construction, tenant fit outs, and existing building upgrades. The firm's design work spans hydraulic calculations, sprinkler layouts, fire alarm riser diagrams, and coordination documents suitable for both construction and AHJ review.
On complex projects, DGA brings additional rigor: seismic bracing analysis for mission critical systems, preaction and deluge design for sensitive occupancies, specialty agent systems where water is inappropriate, and design basis documentation suitable for insurance underwriter review.
All design deliverables are sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer and include the written design basis needed to defend decisions during AHJ review.
Relevant standards
- NFPA 13, 14, 20, 22, 24, 72
- FM Global Data Sheets
- State building codes (NY, NJ and PA)
Special letters & equivalency reports
When a prescriptive code requirement cannot be met economically, practically, or at all, the solution is rarely a shortcut. It is a well supported equivalency argument that demonstrates the alternative approach provides an equivalent or superior level of life safety.
DGA Consulting drafts and submits these technical letters on behalf of clients, backed by specific code references, performance-based analysis where appropriate, and documented engineering judgment. The firm maintains working relationships with AHJs across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and DC, and understands how to frame arguments to maximize the likelihood of approval.
Every letter is prepared and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer and includes the engineering basis required for AHJ acceptance.
When you need it
Code modification requests Alternate means and methods submissions Occupancy classification changes Equivalency arguments for existing conditions Variance support for historic structures
What DGA delivers
Sealed technical letters Engineering basis documentation Code citation and analysis AHJ pre submission coordination
When you need it
- Early design code gap analysis
- Multi jurisdictional code coordination
- Occupancy reclassification support
- Variance applications
- Due diligence for acquisitions
Code interpretation and application across NFPA, FM Global, state, municipal, and federal requirements.
Fire code consulting
Fire and building codes are a dense, evolving, and sometimes contradictory body of requirements. DGA Consulting provides expert interpretation to help clients understand what applies, what does not, and where the real flexibility exists within the rules.
Typical engagements include gap analysis on early design concepts, code coordination across overlapping jurisdictions, occupancy classification consultation, and strategic advice on whether to pursue prescriptive or performance based approaches. The firm also supports variance applications from initial assessment through AHJ approval.
This service is often embedded within larger engagements but is also available on a standalone basis for specific questions or short duration consulting needs.
Code frameworks covered
- NFPA codes and standards
- FM Global Data Sheets
- NYC Building & Fire Codes
- State building codes (NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, and select others)
- Federal requirements
Occupant load, travel distance, and egress capacity evaluation, including performance based analysis.
Life safety & egress analysis
Life safety is the foundational purpose of the building code. When occupancies are unusual, buildings are historic, or layouts do not fit standard egress templates, proper engineering analysis is required to demonstrate that occupants can evacuate safely.
DGA Consulting performs full life safety evaluations including occupant load derivation, egress capacity calculations, travel distance and common path analysis, stairwell configuration review, and where appropriate, performance based egress modeling. For historic structures, the firm has particular experience reconciling modern life safety expectations with existing construction constraints.
Deliverables include sealed reports and code compliance documentation suitable for AHJ submission, insurance underwriter review, or owner due diligence.
Analysis types
Occupant load calculations Egress capacity sizing Travel distance measurement Stairwell and corridor configuration Performance based egress analysis
When you need it
New building life safety planning Historic building life safety retrofits Assembly occupancy analysis Mixed use and complex occupancies Travel distance equivalency
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Tell us about your project.
Every DGA Consulting engagement starts with a short discovery call to understand the code environment, the building, and the outcome you need. Responses within one business day.