July 15, 2011 is Deadline to Submit Self Evaluation Forms for SFPE Chapter Excellence Awards

Is your SFPE Chapter doing a great job in promoting the science and practice of fire protection engineering?

If yes, please tell us about it by applying for a Chapter Excellence Award.

Self evaluation forms for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) 2010-2011 Chapter Excellence Awards are due no later than July 15, 2011.

To download a copy of the Self Evaluation Form please visit http://www.sfpe.org/About/Chapters.aspx. If you have any questions please contact Elle Andracsek at eandracsek@sfpe.org.

Plumbing Engineer Magazine Features SFPE Members

A very nice article about sprinkler hydraulics can be found in the May, 2011 issue of Plumbing Engineer Magazine. It was written by SFPE members Thomas W. Gardner, P.E., FSFPE, Alex Munguia, P.E. and April M. Musser, P.E.

Click here to see this article in the digital edition of Plumbing Engineer.

In this issue there is also an article about Aircraft Hanger Fire Protection in the FPE Corner Column by Past SFPE President Samuel Dannaway, P.E., FSFPE.

SFPE 2011 Annual Meeting is Coming to Portland, Oregon -- October 23 - 28, 2011

Mark your calenders! The 2011 Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Annual Meeting:Professional Development Conference and Exposition is coming to the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Oregon on October 23 - 28, 2011.

In Portland, getting around is a breeze. You're always just a short walk or ride from limitless recreation, fabulous dining and flourishing culture. And, oh yes — the nation's largest variety of local microbrews. See for yourself, and come early or stay late to enjoy all that Portland has to offer.

With no sales tax, Portland is a haven for shoppers. You'll find retailers large and small, international and indie within easy reach of downtown hotels. The nearby Pearl District is home to galleries, boutiques, chic restaurants and the legendary Powell's City of Books.

An award-winning airport, efficient light rail system, pedestrian-friendly city blocks and free train rides in the central city make getting around town a real pleasure.

For more information about this event visit the SFPE 2011 Annual Meeting Page on the SFPE website.

SFPE Engineering Standard Now Available

The SFPE Engineering Standard on Calculating Fire Exposures to Structures provides methodologies to predict thermal boundary conditions for fully developed fires to a structure over time.

Information developed using this standard will provide input to thermal response and structural response calculations undertaken as part of an engineered structural fire resistance design.

This standard addresses fully developed fire exposures, which include exposures arising from a fully developed fire within an enclosure and exposures from a localized fire involving a concentrated fuel load that is not affected by an enclosure.

To order a copy go to www.sfpe.org.

Time to Upgrade Your SFPE Membership?

The next Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Qualification Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2011. If you wish to upgrade your membership please submit an application by the close of business on Friday, May 27, 2011. For more information http://www.sfpe.org/Membership/Levels.aspx.

FSSA Members Participate in Fire Protection PE Exam Problem Writing Session

Left to Right: Timothy Carman, Paul Rivers, William Meyring, Joseph Senecal and Daniel Hubert writing new PE exam problems

On May 9, 2011 the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) hosted a problem writing session for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination in Fire Protection. This event was held in Glenview, Illinois. Five licensed engineers from FSSA participated in this session.

FSSA is an organization of manufacturers, suppliers, and designer-installers, dedicated to providing a higher level of fire protection. FSSA members are specialists in protecting high value special hazard areas from fire.

“This is the first time FSSA and SFPE worked together to write problems for the PE exam. During this session the FSSA members wrote problems that were specifically related to special hazard fire suppression systems.” said SFPE Engineering Program Manager Chris Jelenewicz. “These types of collaborations are instrumental to the success of the Fire Protection Engineering PE Exam and the fire protection engineering profession.”

Additionally, the SFPE Licensure Committee would like to thank the following SFPE Chapters for holding PE Exam problem writing sessions in 2011:

• Greater Atlanta Chapter

• Central Savannah River Area Chapter

• New England Chapter

• Rocky Mountain Chapter

• Hawaii Chapter

If your chapter or organization is interested in hosting a PE Exam problem writing session please contact Chris Jelenewicz at chris@sfpe.org.

For more information about the Fire Protection PE Examination go to the Licensure Page on the SFPE website at http://www.sfpe.org/Profession/ProfessionalLicensure.aspx.

Careers Task Group of the SFPE Public Awareness Committee Seeking a New Chair

The SFPE Public Awareness Committee recommends and oversees programs designed to enhance the public’s awareness of the fire protection engineering profession. The Careers Task Group that is part of the SFPE Public Awareness Committee is seeking a new chair. The Careers Task Group is responsible for promoting fire protection engineering as a rewarding career with perspective fire protection engineering students. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please contact SFPE Engineering Program Manager, Chris Jelenewicz at chris@sfpe.org.