Fire Protection Hangers Documentation

Installation

System Requirements

• Autodesk Revit: 2025 or 2026
• Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
• .NET: 8.0 or higher (included with Revit 2025+)
• Disk Space: ~50 MB

Installation Steps

1. Download the installer from the Download page
2. Close all running instances of Revit
3. Run the installer (FireProtectionHangers.msi)
4. Follow the installation wizard
5. Launch Revit - you'll see "Fire Protection Hangers" in the Add-Ins tab

License Activation

1. Launch the add-in from the Add-Ins tab
2. Click "Activate License" in the welcome screen
3. Enter your license key (received via email after purchase)
4. Click "Activate"

For demo licenses, the activation is automatic - just start using the software within the trial limits (50 hangers/day for 14 days).

Quick Start Guide

Get up and running in 5 minutes:

Interface Overview

Main Window

The main window has two tabs:

Select and Apply Tab

• System List: Shows all fire protection piping systems in your project and linked files
• Checkboxes: Select which systems to process
• Select All / Clear: Quick selection buttons

Settings Tab

When you switch to the Settings tab, the previously used rule file is automatically loaded. First-time users will see a warning to import or configure rules.

• Rules Grid: Editable grid showing all rules. Every cell in the grid can be manually edited - just click on any cell and type to change the value.
• Hanger Family: Can be set individually for each pipe diameter. Click the family column and browse to select a different family file.
• Param:Diameter: The parameter name in your hanger family that controls pipe diameter (not standardized across families)
• Param:Rod Length: The parameter name in your hanger family that controls rod length (not standardized across families)

Settings Tab Buttons

• Select: Select a row to edit. You can modify any column value directly in the grid.
• Import: Browse and import a previously prepared CSV rules file
• Export: Save the current grid to a new CSV file. The original file is preserved.

Status Panel

During placement, the status panel shows:

• Current system being processed
• Progress bar (pipes processed / total)
• Hangers placed count
• Clashes avoided count
• Elapsed time

CSV Rules Format

Spacing rules are defined in CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files. This makes it easy to create, edit, share, and version control your rules.

Basic Structure

Each row in the CSV defines rules for a specific pipe diameter:

PipeDiameter,PipeType,ConnectionType,DistanceFromStart,DistanceToFinish,MinimumDistance,MaximumDistance,IterationStep,FamilyPath,FamilyFullPath,ClearanceDistance,DiameterParamName,RodLengthParamName
DN25,Steel,Grooved,300,300,100,3600,10,MBSP_Clevis Hanger.rfa,C:\ProgramData\...\MBSP_Clevis Hanger.rfa,100,Nominal Diameter,Rod Length
DN32,Steel,Grooved,300,300,100,3600,10,MBSP_Clevis Hanger.rfa,C:\ProgramData\...\MBSP_Clevis Hanger.rfa,100,Nominal Diameter,Rod Length

CSV Column Reference

Sample Rule Files

The following pre-configured rule files are included with the installation:

Clash Detection

Fire Protection Hangers automatically checks for clashes before placing each hanger. Unlike other tools that detect clashes after placement, we prevent them entirely.

Elements Checked

Smart Filtering

The algorithm intelligently ignores certain elements to prevent false positives:

• Pipe Insulation - Hangers are placed based on actual pipe geometry
• Duct Insulation - Same as above

Iterative Positioning

When a clash is detected at the initial hanger position, the algorithm automatically searches for the nearest valid position.

How It Works

1. Calculate initial position based on spacing rules
2. Check for clashes at that position
3. If clash found, move by IterationStep (e.g., 10mm)
4. Check again
5. Repeat until clear position found or MinimumDistance exceeded
6. Place hanger at clear position

[14:32:16] Pipe #142587 | DN50 | Length: 4250mm
[14:32:16]   → Position 1: 850mm - CLASH with Tee fitting
[14:32:16]   → Position 2: 860mm - CLASH with Tee fitting  
[14:32:16]   → Position 3: 870mm - CLEAR ✓
[14:32:16]   → Hanger placed at 870mm | Rod: 2340mm

Configuring Iteration

Adjust these CSV columns to control iteration behavior:

• IterationStep - Smaller = more precise, slower. Larger = faster, less precise. Default: 10mm
• ClearanceDistance - Minimum gap from obstacles. Default: 100mm
• MinimumDistance - If iteration exceeds this, skip to next position

Linked Models

Automatic Detection

When you open Fire Protection Hangers, it automatically scans:

• Host model fire protection systems
• All linked Revit files for fire protection systems
• Each system shows its source (host or link name)

Clash Detection in Links

Clash detection works across all linked files:

• Structural links (beams, columns)
• Architectural links (walls)
• MEP links (ducts, other pipes)

Audit Mode (QA/QC)

Fire Protection Hangers can be used to audit delivered projects and detect design errors in existing hanger placements.

What It Detects

• ❌ Hangers placed on fittings (tees, elbows, etc.)
• ❌ Hangers placed on valves
• ⚠️ Spacing violations (exceeding maximum allowed)
• ⚠️ Missing hangers on pipe runs
• ❌ Structural clashes (hangers intersecting beams/columns)
• ⚠️ Insufficient clearance from fittings

Audit Workflow

1. Receive project model from contractor/subcontractor
2. Open in Revit
3. Run Fire Protection Hangers → Audit Mode
4. Review the log file for detected issues
5. Send error report back for corrections

Log Files

Location

Log files are saved to your Desktop:

What's Logged

• Every hanger placement (pipe ID, position, family, rod length)
• Pipe Element IDs for each pipe in the system - useful for locating specific pipes in Revit
• Every clash detected and how it was resolved
• Iteration steps when searching for clear position
• Skipped pipes and reasons (too short, vertical, no matching rule)
• Run statistics (total processed, placed, skipped, time elapsed)

Sample Log

[14:32:15] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════
[14:32:15] FIRE PROTECTION HANGERS - Run Started
[14:32:15] Selected Systems: 3 | Total Pipes: 247
[14:32:15] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════

[14:32:16] Processing: Wet Sprinkler - Level 1 (89 pipes)
[14:32:16] ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
[14:32:16] Pipe #142587 | DN50 | Length: 4250mm
[14:32:16]   → Position 1: 850mm - CLASH with Tee fitting
[14:32:16]   → Position 2: 860mm - CLASH with Tee fitting  
[14:32:16]   → Position 3: 870mm - CLEAR ✓
[14:32:16]   → Hanger placed at 870mm | Rod: 2340mm

[14:32:18] Pipe #142601 | DN20 | Length: 890mm
[14:32:18]   → SKIPPED: Pipe too short for min spacing (1200mm)

[14:32:45] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════
[14:32:45] RUN COMPLETE
[14:32:45] Pipes Processed:    247
[14:32:45] Hangers Placed:     418
[14:32:45] Clashes Avoided:    52
[14:32:45] Pipes Skipped:      12
[14:32:45] Time Elapsed:       29.4 seconds
[14:32:45] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════

Troubleshooting

System Requirements