Internally intelligent" elements emulate real world construction components in both appearance and performance taking on the exact characteristics of their real life counterparts. An AutoSPRINK VR pipe for example "knows" among other things, its size, pipe type and material, internal diameter, and Hazen/Williams C-factor; it also knows it has two pipe end-preps and must connect to another pipe, fitting or device properly. A pipe will actually "lock-on" and snap into place when it nears another pipe or system device.

The pipe element is simply one of many intelligent components of the system that not only understands its own functionality but is also able to interact and react to all other elements in the drawing. Each component element has detailed, editable properties that define its appearance, behavior and required interaction between all other element components. Alter or change any of these drawing elements either individually or globally at any time during the design process by simply editing its specific property box and clicking OK. The drawing will automatically update with the revised criteria immediately depicted on screen.

AutoSPRINK VR users soon discover that rather than drawing they are actually creating a real world simulation model of a complete functioning fire sprinkler system. This environment greatly decreases the learning curve by promoting an atmosphere of interaction with the software and designer so life-like it makes them feel more like an installer than a draftsperson. The user can grab pipes, valves or any other system component and move or copy them by simply moving the mouse, typing keyboard directions, or using the convenient direction arrow tool on our integrated calculator. The fact that some of AutoSPRINK's most proficient designers are former sprinkler fitters who had little or no previous drawing or CAD experience further exemplifies how easy it is to work with this user-friendly interface, when one is familiar with the codes and has an understanding the construction process.

Try to imagine a completely interactive drawing system so realistic it allows the user to actually turn valves in the system piping or insert an smart backflow preventer that knows its own manufacturer’s flow loss curve. Automatically deducting its exact pressure loss at the actual system flow demand at the point it was installed in the system with corresponding information provided to the automatically generated hydraulic reports. Flow exterior hydrants, or interior hose stations, or both with activated system remote areas and view hydraulic results instantaneously on one of our many hydraulic analysis tools. Be careful though! Install a check valve backwards in the system piping and you won't get any flow!

Integrated stock listing enables the designer to get material listings for all the drawings created in AutoSPRINK VR without manual input.  Because of AutoSPRINK VR's built-in intelligence, our industry is now able to comprehensively gather all information needed to produce a complete and concise stock list with the click of a mouse. Built in listing is a revolutionary development offering unprecedented power and flexibility, eliminating the tedious task of manual stock listing.  It's ease of use and completeness greatly surpasses any existing computer generated or stand-alone listing program.

AutoSPRINK VR will guide you through the stock listing process with the Listing Manager, a tool providing a great deal of flexibility without sacrificing ease-of-use.  Start by entering basic job information and, after a few easy to follow steps, AutoSPRINK VR will generate an accurate material list of the drawing.  The lists will be complete with cut pipe and thread reports, optimization, weld sketches, weld and thread pipe labels, make-ons, loose material, hangers, assembly lists, and much more.

Conflicts will be highlighted as a leak, allowing the user to easily identify and correct connection errors during the design phase.  When using AutoSPRINK VR'4s harmonization process, these leaks can also be automatically eliminated as each fitting is verified against the parts database and appropriate fittings are automatically placed at each intersection, along with other clean-up functions and error resolution.  These conflicts and other error resolutions are automatically corrected when the system is not being used during the idle time clean-up function.

Select the Fab Process and Pipe Optimization scheme that matches the way you do business.  Optimize any number of pipes or do the entire project.  Summary Reports show all material, hangers and assemblies used in the job.  Hanger Reports list all material used by hangers and can be bundled (grouped) by Job, Hanger Type, Line or rod length depending on user-defined options.  Detailed reports list and illustrate all relevant information in an easy to follow logical format.  Export reports to Microsoft Word, Excel or plain text for custom formatting.

Weld and Thread Reports are in an easy to read format displaying measurements, quantities, pipe description and pipe direction.  The format is precise and user friendly, diagrammatic and created without error allowing reports to be read quickly.  Thread Reports layout branch lines in an easy-to-read format, increasing the efficiency of the thread shop.  Corresponding listing line numbers are automatically displayed on the drawing.  Weld Reports graphically represent welded outlets, providing all information for accurately manufacturing welded pipe.

Pipe Cut Reports are clean and concise, graphically representing pipe cuts, making pipe cutting a cost saving and error-free operation.  User options can separate pipe, not only by size and type but also by threaded and welded reports for fabrication shops that have separate facilities.

Pipe Labels display either the make-on fitting for threaded labels or a sketch of welded pipe showing where outlets occur, allowing for quick and easy quality control.  Direction arrows appear on these adhesive labels, with corresponding arrows appearing on the shop weld sketch and in the drawing, providing flawless coordination while eliminating confusion for field installation crews.

List Areas may be used to logically divide the job into smaller areas for stock listing.  Material will be grouped within each list area.  Each List Area will have its own set of reports within the Listing Manager.

Flag or select material in a material list for pre-listing so the purchasing department can order long lead items.

Easily add parts like fittings, valves and pumps to the database that automatically generates element drawings to graphically depict the devices entered.  Create your own intelligent hangers that are automatically sized to the pipe size and established roof planes.  Hangers can have an unlimited number of components and have different fastener configurations based on construction type.  Create your own assemblies that allow efficient grouping of parts.  Parts can be assigned a trim package to automatically include required trim and accessory material.  Trim packages are dynamically assigned to parts based on job type to truly make stock listing a push of one button operation.

M.E.P.CAD’s experienced team of fire sprinkler designers working hand-in-hand with skilled CAD programmers has once again set new standards that greatly surpass any and all competiting programs in the fire sprinkler industry.

Systems designed in AutoSPRINK VR require no manual input to perform complete hydraulic calculations and provide complete and concise printouts. Because AutoSPRINK VR is a true 3-D drawing system, all elevation input is automatic and precisely collated as the fire system is drawn. Required notations will automatically be displayed on all hydraulic reports. Calculations can be conducted at any point during the design process from one pipe and sprinkler or hydrant to complex systems with unlimited pipe geometry. A complex design with a tree system being supplied from a grid system within a grid system can be calculated instantaneously with all node tags placed automatically. Use the In-rack System Wizard and create a completely designed, hydraulically calculated multi-level in-rack sprinkler system with face and flue sprinklers in minutes.

Easily reconfigure any remote area by simply editing its properties box and obtain results instantaneously. Make modifications to any system such as pipe size, pipe configurations, added loops or fittings and obtain results immediately with required node tags automatically added and placed in the drawing at necessary locations. It is possible to flow more than one remote area simultaneously, which is great for calculating and balancing in-rack systems at the supply. Imagine you will never have to manually input another hydraulic calculation or place a node tag again.

AutoSPRINK VR with all its internally intelligent components actually creates a working simulation of a complete, functioning fire sprinkler system. It allows the designer to actually pan or drag a predefined remote area cursor over the entire system while providing live calculations. This action graphically simulates opening sprinklers as they enter the remote area boundary. Numeric pressure and flow statistics are instantaneously displayed on the screen along with a continually updated flow demand graph. This incredible advancement in hydraulic analysis (patent pending) enables the designer to monitor system performance in real-time, making short work of finding the true remote area of any system. Numerous remote areas can be dropped with the click of a mouse, have the calculator keep the hydraulically most remote area or automatically generate complete hydraulic reports for each. Just imagine the savings a click of a mouse can now accomplish by calculating areas closer to the supply reducing pipe sizes that until now was not worth the tedious effort to recalculate each additional area.

The calculator can also be directed to perform on a supply driven basis (reverse driven flow). In this mode, the numeric displays will show exact densities for the full flow of the supply. It will indicate density at the remote sprinkler and an average over the entire area flowing. Drag the remote area closer to the supply and watch the densities increase. Irregular custom remote areas can be created with the Remote Area Boundary tool by drawing an irregular boundry around only, the sprinklers you want to flow. Upon completion of the defined custom area it will be immediately calculated, placing all required hydraulic nodes and displaying the actual square footage of the established remote area. Easily grab the remote area outlines and move them in any direction to change the size and shape. See the results for both area and hydraulic calculations. The user can drag remote areas to other parts of the system with results displayed on-screen. Multiple supplies or fire pumps can be used or graphed separately and turned on or off with the push of a button.

AutoSPRINK VR's powerful System Optimizer is yet another revolutionary sprinkler system design aid. (Patent Pending)

In one elegantly designed tool, an entire system’s pipe component categories can be changed, immediately affecting the system demands generated by the Hydraulic Calculator. Changes made to pipe materials or diameters from within the System Optimizer immediately update the system’s demand characteristics displayed both numerically and graphically.

Take snap shots to easily remember and compare different pipe configurations. Upon completion, update the drawing to include the desired pipe sizes with the push of a button. The optimizer will then perform an "autopeak" of the system to ensure the correct hydraulic results from any modifications that may have caused relocation of the hydraulically most remote area. Our autopeaking process is not restricted by crossmain placement; sprinklers placed outside the piping grid on outriggers are also analyzed to find the true remote area, not just between the crossmains.

AutoSPRINK VR provides continuous access to extensive data generated by the Hydraulic Calculator at any time during the design process. These reports not only display detailed hydraulic information, they also maintain active links to corresponding elements in the drawing. All hydraulic data relevant to the design process is accessible with the online reporting system.

Filters can be applied in the reports to help isolate specific pressures, velocities, etc. in the design. Isolate problems in the system by tracking them down in the quick reports. Select data in the reports and see the corresponding drawing elements highlight on the drawing with the touch of a button.

Graphically portray hydraulic performance right in the drawing using colored pipes to depict flows, velocities, pressures or distance from supply automatically. For example, with default settings at red-green, select color by velocity. The pipes with the highest velocities appear bright red, medium velocities will be orange, while the lowest velocities are dark green. This tool is excellent for finding the pipes that most effect system performance at a glance.

The hydraulic reports and drawings printed by AutoSPRINK VR are the best in the industry, bar none. Reports and drawings can be printed to any output device that has a Microsoft Windows driver, including printers, plotters and fax devices.

Print reports detailing hydraulic analysis of pipes, supply graph, riser tags or statistics at checkpoint gauges set in the drawing. A general summary of the entire system is automatically generated from the drawing criteria and works as a cover page for the complete report. AutoSPRINK VR's reports are not confined to text and numeric data.

The Hydraulic Supply and Demand Graph presents a graphic view of the system’s performance and is printed along with 2D and 3D Hydraulic Flow Diagrams capable of depicting velocity and flow, or both, per pipe thus completing the highest quality hydraulic submittals in the industry.