Occupancy classification, the real design decision sequence, survivability, elevator recall, and smoke control interfaces — the module that turns the components from Module 3 into an actual design.
Every design decision in this module traces back to one first choice: occupancy classification. It doesn't just decide whether a fire alarm system is required — it sets the risk-driven design philosophy (general evacuation vs. defend-in-place) that every downstream decision inherits, which is exactly why the two Module 14 case studies in this program end up looking so different despite using the same underlying components.
From there, this module walks the design sequence in the order decisions actually get made in practice — device selection, spacing, circuit topology, power budget, voltage-drop verification, and survivability — plus the two places fire alarm design responsibility extends beyond the panel itself: elevator recall and smoke control interfaces. Every calculation step referenced here already has a free interactive worksheet live in this studio; this module is about the judgment that connects them.