Overview
This guide covers the complete validation workflow using the Design Assistant and validation commands. Validation ensures your fire alarm system design meets NFPA requirements, circuit limits are not exceeded, and all reports are current.
Prerequisites
- A FireCAD project must be open
- Devices should be connected to circuits
- Wirepaths should be drawn
Step 1: Run Drawing Validation
Before using the Design Assistant, validate your drawing to ensure the database is synchronized:
- Type
ATVALIDATEin the AutoCAD command line - Validation runs through four steps:
- Validate segment intersections
- Validate devices and entities
- Sync project properties
- Refresh labels
This creates and updates database records for all devices and segments in the drawing.
Step 2: Open the Design Assistant
- Type
ATDESIGN_ASSISTANTin the AutoCAD command line - The Design Assistant panel opens
- Validation runs automatically on first open
Step 3: Review Results
The Design Assistant displays results as cards grouped by category:
Severity Levels
| Color | Severity | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Pass | No issues found |
| Yellow | Medium | Warning — review recommended |
| Red | High | Critical issue — must be addressed |
Common Validation Categories
Battery Capacity — Checks that required battery amp-hours don't exceed the panel's charging capacity
- Red: Required capacity exceeds maximum battery size
- Yellow: No battery sizes configured in database
Current Limits — Checks standby and alarm current against circuit limits
- Red: Current exceeds the circuit limit
- Yellow: Current exceeds the warning threshold (default 80%)
Circuit Quantity Limits — Checks device count against maximum allowed per circuit type
- Includes recursive counting through passthrough devices and child circuits
Unconnected Devices — Finds devices with required connections that aren't connected to circuits
- Checks
RequiredConnectionQtyon each device type
Report Validation — Checks if placed reports match current database state
- Uses fingerprint comparison to detect out-of-date reports
Step 4: Fix Issues
For each issue, the Design Assistant provides:
- A description of what's wrong
- The affected device or circuit
- Specific values (e.g., "Used 1.250A but maximum is 1.000A")
Common Fixes
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Current limit exceeded | Reduce devices on circuit or increase limit in Project Circuits Editor |
| Battery capacity exceeded | Add larger battery option in database or reduce standby/alarm current |
| Unconnected device | Connect device to a circuit using ATCONNECT
|
| Quantity limit exceeded | Move devices to another circuit or increase quantity limit |
| Out-of-date report | Click Refresh on the validation card |
Step 5: Recheck
After fixing issues:
- Click the Recheck button in the Design Assistant header
- Validation reruns with fresh database data
- Results update to reflect your changes
The Recheck button always creates a fresh database connection, so changes made in other windows (like the Project Circuits Editor) are immediately reflected.
Step 6: Enable Auto-Refresh (Optional)
Check the Auto-refresh checkbox in the Design Assistant to automatically rerun validation after each save. Rapid saves are coalesced into a single validation run.
Understanding the Score
The Design Assistant calculates an overall score (0-100):
- 90-100 — Design is ready for production
- 70-89 — Minor issues to review
- 50-69 — Several issues need attention
- Below 50 — Significant issues must be addressed
Validation Commands Reference
| Command | Scope | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
ATVALIDATE |
Full drawing | After placing, moving, or deleting devices |
ATVALIDATE_SELECTION |
Selected devices | Quick check on specific devices |
ATVALIDATE_SEGMENTS |
Segments only | After segment modifications |
ATDESIGN_ASSISTANT |
Design rules | Comprehensive design quality check |
ATDESIGN_ASSISTANT_REFRESH |
Design rules | Force Design Assistant to rerun |
Tips
- Run
ATVALIDATEbefore opening the Design Assistant to ensure data is current - The Design Assistant checks database state, not drawing geometry — run
ATAUTO_DRAW_CIRCUIT_WIREPATHbefore validation if circuit connections have changed - Use
ATVALIDATE_SELECTIONfor quick spot-checks on a few devices without validating the entire drawing - Red (critical) issues should always be resolved before finalizing construction documents
Quick Reference
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ATVALIDATE |
Sync drawing with database |
| 2 | ATDESIGN_ASSISTANT |
Run design validation |
| 3 | Review cards | Identify issues by severity |
| 4 | Fix issues | Address each problem |
| 5 | Click Recheck | Verify fixes |
| 6 | Enable Auto-refresh | Continuous validation |
What's Next
- Generating Reports — Generate reports once validation passes
- Data Maintenance — Clean up data integrity issues
FireCAD is the industry-leading AutoCAD add-in for fire alarm system design — from circuit layout to wire routing to code-compliant reports.
Learn more and get started at getfirecad.com →
Inspect Point Integration — Fire alarm system device lists and bill of materials can be pushed directly from FireCAD into Inspect Point, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring every device is ready for inspection scheduling and ongoing asset management.
Learn more here →