The SFPE Greater Atlanta Chapter Hosts the 5th Annual Fire Safety Conference on March 17-18, 2009 in Duluth, GA

Early Registration for the 5th Annual Fire Safety Conference hosted by the Greater Atlanta SFPE Chapter ends in just 3 weeks.  Register now for only $299… an amazing value!  This is also a good and relatively inexpensive way to pick up the CEU’s needed to maintain various certifications and licensures. Proceeds  benefit the Greater Atlanta Chapter's FPE Scholarship and Outreach Programs.

To review the details of the outstanding technical program and register CLICK HERE> 

 The first day consists of a choice of one out of four all day seminars, and the second day consists of up to 3 choices, one each of 3 groups of five 1.5 hour courses.  Each year the chapter tries to present a conference programs that will benefit participants from  all branches of the fire safety community, engineers, contractors, fire service members, and insurance underwriters.   Some highlights include:

·         A presentation by Bob Brindle on the new FM Storage requirements in DS 8-9, and how and why they came about;

·         Applications for water mist technology;

·         A presentation on dust explosions and protection mechanisms against them 

·         A discussion by Jim Golinveaux on new warehouse fire tests, and how they relate to code requirements

·         A lunch hour presentation on the collapse of 7 World Trade Center

·         A thought provoking session on just what should be included in Sprinkler System Contract Documents, with Kenneth Isman from NFSA

·         Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage FAQ’s, by Robert Benedetti of NFPA 

 If you have any questions e-mail them to Conference@sfpe-atlanta.org or phone Tracy at (770) 355-0774.

SFPE Offers CEU/PDH Credits For Its Members Attending The NIST BFRL Annual Fire Conference, April 28-30, 2009

As a co-sponsoring organization of the NIST / BFRL Annual Fire Conference, SFPE will be monitoring the sessions on behalf of its members so that they can earn CEU/PDH credits for their participation.  SFPE encourages its members to participate in the conference that this year will be looking ahead to develop a “Roadmap for the Future of Fire Research.” This conference will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to help NIST shape the next generation of fire research. NIST staff, grantees, representatives of code developing organizations, fire and building professionals, and experts from government, academia, and industry are invited to attend for one, two or all three days. There is no registration fee for the conference, and no cost to SFPE members for the educational credits earned.  SFPE will issue certificates after the conference to its members based on the number of hours of participation in the three-day meeting.  Non-members may join at the conference and earn credits. Additional information on the conference content may be found at www.bfrl.nist.gov/info/fireconf/ .

SFPE Fellow Spearheads An Effort to Help Victims of the Australian Bush Fires

SFPE Fellow Jonathan Barnett is spearheading an effort to raise funds to help the victims of the bush fires in Australia.  For those who live in the greater Boston area there will be a fund raising benefit event on Saturday, February 21 MORE>.  For those who cannot attend the the event, direct donations can be made through the American Australian Association's Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund MORE> or as part of the SFPE members coordinated donation.  Jonathan is collecting contributions made by check payable to American Australian Association with a note stating that is for the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.  Checks should be mailed to: Jonathan Barnett, FSFPE, 12 Hampton Street, Auburn, MA 01501-2614.  Donations are deductible for income tax purposes in the U.S. as charitable contributions. Required receipts for donations of $200 or more will be provided by e-mail.  Please include you name, mailing address, phone number and email address with your donation.

Rocky Mountain Chapter Presents Best Fire Protection Engineering Award

On January 23, 2009 RJ Dussart and Josh Elvove of the Rocky Mountain chapter served as judges during the Colorado Future Cities contest.  As part of this event, the chapter presented the Best Fire Protection Engineering Award to the "Tammet" team from the Challenger Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for designing a city that mitigated the risk of fire spread and ensured the rapid response of emergency personnel to a fire. RJ Dussart, Vice President is shown presenting the award to Tammet team members Taryn Adams, Madeline McWhorter and Emily Tallant. [Click on picture to enlarge it.]

SFPE Member André Marshall Earns NSF Early Career Award

André W. Marshall, Associate Professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland received the 2007 National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE). Dr. Marshall was honored at the White House on December 19, 2008, and was among only 20 researchers who received this prestigious award. Professor Marshall was recognized with this award for his research entitled "Exploring Jet Fragmentation and Atomization for Combustion and Fire Suppression Systems.  In this research he uses advanced diagnostics and models to analyze and improve fire sprinkler discharge characteristics, seeking to develop better systems to save lives of fire victims and first responders.  Fire was mentioned in 3 of the 20 awards -- egress / crowd movement, control for fire fighting robots, and fire suppression spray characteristics.  NSF staff commented that this was unprecedented.  "It is clear that fire is a truly multi-disciplinary application for fundamental research with high visibility, broad scope and obvious significance," said Professor Marshall. 

 

The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, established in 1996, honors those beginning researchers deemed to be the most promising in the nation within their fields. Eight federal agencies and departments annually nominate scientists and engineers, at the start of their careers, whose work shows the greatest promise to benefit the nominating agency's mission.

For more details CLICK HERE>

NIST Adopts Strategic Goal For Fire Protection

The Building and Fire Research Laboratory at NIST has adopted a strategic goal of Measurement Science for Innovative Fire Protection. NIST states that incomplete understanding of fire behavior hinders the development of innovative fire protection. Current prescriptive fire standards and codes stifle innovation in fire safety systems, technologies, and building design. To ensure fire safety in a cost-effective manner and to reduce fire losses, it is essential that adequate science-based tools are developed to enable the implementation of the next generation of standards, codes, and technologies that address the U.S. fire problem. Measurement science is lacking to reduce the risk of fire spread in buildings, to reduce fire spread in WUI communities, to ensure effective and safe use of emerging fire service technologies, and to derive lessons from fire investigations.

Addressing these measurement science  needs is essential, if fire losses are to be reduced and the resilience of buildings and communities (people and property) are to be increased.  

Insert: Simulation characterizing PPV fan flow using FDS/Smokeview.

Leo Turgeon, SFPE Chicago Chapter Passes

Leo Turgeon was a very active member of the the SFPE Chicago Chapter years ago.  He died on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the age of 80.  Mr. Turgeon served in the Army in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. After the Army, he earned a degree in civil engineering from Rhode Island University in 1956. From 1956 through 1972, Leo worked for Factory Mutual Engineering out of Detroit. In 1972, Leo moved to Chicago, working for the Protection Mutual Insurance Company, until his retirement in 1991. During his life, Leo was active in the YMCA (Livonia, Mich. chapter). After moving to Illinois, Leo started a fencing club through the Schaumburg Park District.  For information about arrangements call 847-882-5580.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW/SIGN GUEST BOOK