Display smoke detector range

Step-by-step guide

Review smoke detector layout and create guides for the position and range of smoke detectors.

1. Open the project E04_01.rvt.
2. Ensure the current view is Smoke Detection > Ceiling Plans > 1 – Smoke Detection.
3. Select a smoke detector from the view.
4. Click Edit Family in the ribbon.

5. From the Project Browser, open the view Ref. Level.
6. If not already set, change the scale to 1/8" = 1'-0".
7. In the Manage tab, click Object Styles.

8. Create a new Subcategory by clicking New.
9. Name the Subcategory “Range”.
10. Click OK.

11. Create another Subcategory named “Position”.
12. Set the Line Color of Range to Red.
13. Set the Line Color of Position to Black.
14. Set the Line Pattern to Hidden for both.

15. Click OK.
16. From the Annotate tab of the ribbon, click Symbolic Line.

17. In the Draw panel, select Circle.
18. Expand the Subcategory menu and select Range.
19. From the center of the smoke detector, draw a circle.

20. From the Annotate tab, click Diameter to add a diameter dimension, and set the value to 42'.
21. In the Create tab, select the reference plane command.
22. Draw 2 horizontal reference planes as shown.
23. Draw 2 vertical reference planes as shown.

24. From the Annotate tab, use the Aligned command to place a horizontal and a vertical continued dimension as shown.
25. Select each line and apply the equality (EQ) constraint to each.

26. Use the Aligned command again to place an overall horizontal and an overall vertical dimension.
27. Set the value to 30' for both dimensions.
28. Lock both dimensions.

29. From the Annotate tab, select Symbolic Line.
30. Select Rectangle in the Draw panel, and set the Subcategory to Position.

31. Draw a rectangle from corner to corner of the reference planes.
32. Apply all 4 lock icons to constrain the geometry.

33. Click Load Into Project to load the modified family, and overwrite the existing version.
34. Review the location of the smoke detectors in relation to the visual guides added for position and range.

The smoke detectors are too far apart and do not provide adequate coverage in this case.

35. On the View tab, click Visibility/Graphics to enter the Visibility Graphics Overrides for this view, and expand the Fire Alarm Devices category.
36. Note the new subcategories and deselect both.

37. Click OK.

The visual guides for range and position are now hidden in this view.

38. Save the project.
39. (Do not save the families for this example.)