The Burn

Michael Crowley - Coffman Engineers

Key Takeaways * * Mike ’s Background * * * * Over 40 years of Fire Protection Consulting Experience * * * Studied Fire Protection and Safety Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology * * * Labs were at Underwriters Laboratories * * * Received an MBA from University of Houston * * * * Working at Rolf Jensen and Associates and then Jensen Hughes  * * * * Over 30 years  * * * Involved in the code writing process and litigation support. * * * Saw failures of passive systems * * * Got involved with the healthcare industry and was part of committees related to life safety code. * * * Dealt with Healthcare projects, finding a balance in passive and suppression systems.  * * * Faced different life safety issues in different occupancies like assembly spaces, large theaters, and high-rise buildings * * * * Healthcare  * * * * Was sent to a committee meeting as an alternate and eventually became a full committee member.  * * * Wife was a nurse, so familiarity with the Healthcare space.  * * * Did work with the Military and VA Hospitals.  * * * Chaired the fundamentals committee and the entire correlating committee * * * Currently chairs the medical gas technical committee * * * * Industry Challenges  * * * * Large energy storage systems / thermal runaway * * * Doors! Fire Rated doors and compliance / testing  * * * How numbers were put into codes  * * * Labor shortage / hiring process * * * * Advice for newcomers to the Engineering Field  * * * * Find a Niche * * * Consider subcategories of engineering, such as acoustics or corrosion control * * * Build a resume with an internship * * * * Coffman Engineering  * * * * Full-service MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) firm * * * Works in the Fire Protection Group, which has grown rapidly to cover offices all over the country * * * Started as a structural engineering company and has expanded its services over 42 years * * * Department of Defense work * * * Oil and Gas * * * Broaden horizons by working on a variety of projects like working on the Texans Stadium * * * * Speaking Engagements * * * * Covered changes in code at a recent ASHE event * * * Discussed findings from fire Data. Where fires are happening in Healthcare * * * Helps determine where the focus should be in limiting damage * * About Michael Great fire protection and life safety design integrated into the design of a building is Mike’s approach to a safe built environment. Mike is a principal advisor with over 40 years of fire protection consulting experience in unique structures around the world ranging from NFL Football stadiums to high-rise atrium office buildings. He is a subject matter expert in healthcare fire protection and life safety. Other industry-related activities include NFPA Codes and Standards development. Mike is an instructor for NFPA’s Life Safety Code Course (NFPA 101), NFPA 99, and ASHE on NFPA 99, and a frequent speaker on topics including code compliance in healthcare and fire protection engineering in the built environment. Mike lives in Houston and is establishing Coffman’s fire protection practice in the area and throughout Texas https://www.coffman.com/team_members/michael-a-crowley-pe/ [https://www.coffman.com/team_members/michael-a-crowley-pe/] About Coffman Engineers  Since Dave Coffman founded our firm in 1979, we’ve added offices across the country and expanded into dozens of service offerings, but our commitment to innovative work and enduring relationships remains unchanged. Each of our offices is locally managed with staff actively engaged in the community, so you will find us to be focused, proactive, and excited about each new opportunity. We’re also committed to the team effort it takes to make our clients and company successful. We pride ourselves on working with integrity, honesty, and respect for all. We strive to be good neighbors, supporting many charitable efforts with donations of time and capital. We stand in solidarity against any societal construct that inhibits thriving. https://www.coffman.com/ [https://www.coffman.com/] About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com [https://www.stifirestop.com]

Rich Walke - Technical Director at Creative Technology Inc.

Key Takeaways * * Rich ’s Background * * * * Valparaiso University Grad, ,multi-Fraternity member  * * * Always wanted to go into engineering * * * Passion started in Junior High School when he modified a bike * * * Originally wanted to be in mechanical engineering, pivoted to civil engineering.  * * * * Working at UL * * * * Had a friend who introduced him to the company.  * * * Lab work/office work combo was appealing. * * * Did not think of it at Life Safety or Fire Protection. * * * Started in tunnel testing * * * Moved over to fire-resistance group * * * 43 years at UL * * * * Project Engineer Work  * * * * Interior finish materials, insulation materials  * * * Steiner Tunnel Test * * * Involved in the MGM Fire investigation.  * * * Several major historical fires had impact on testing methods and codes.  * * * * Impacting Change * * * * Joined Fire Resistance Group at UL in 1987 * * * Niche group that was into Fire Stopping * * * Wanted to move the industry forward.  * * * Involved in evolutionary changes to standards.  * * * Air Leakage Tests didn’t exist at the time.  * * * Many standards didn’t exist, drain systems, perimeter fire containment, etc.  * * * * Senior Regulatory Engineer * * * * Regulatory Services Group at UL * * * Interfaces with code enforcement committee * * * Involved in code development * * * Opportunity to do training with code officials  * * * * Consulting Work * * * * Recommissioned his side business of racing cars to become his consulting business.  * * * Engineering judgements * * * Trying to avoid conflicts with the fire industry  * * About Rich I am leveraging my 43 years of experience at UL by providing fire protection related consulting services. Areas of expertise include building materials, fire-resistance-rated construction, and the protection of breaches within fire-resistance-rated construction. Services provided by Creative Technology include teaching, assistance in identifying and interpreting UL Fire-Resistance Designs, engineering judgments, code development, standards development, writing technical articles and technical manuals, and assistance with product certifications. RichWalke61@gmail.com [RichWalke61@gmail.com] Rich on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walke-53445b50] About UL A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions transforms safety, security, and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 100 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. https://www.ul.com/ [https://www.ul.com/] About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com [https://www.stifirestop.com]

Chris Brown - Jensen Hughes

Today’s guest is Chris Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Jensen Hughes.  Key Takeaways * * Chris ’s Background * * * * Cornell University  * * * Board member of the Bucks County Children’s Museum BucksKids.Org * * * Started in Software and Information Technology * * * Career evolved through sales, product management and marketing.  * * * Exposed to Fire Protection Industry at Tyco.  * * * Wanted to be an architect, was fascinated by the built environment.  * * * * Chief Commercial Officer * * * * Focus is on the growth side of the business. Sales, marketing & strategy.  * * * Promote thought leadership, new opportunities with clients, consulting.  * * * By growing the business, the fulfill their mission to make the world more secure safe and resilient.  * * * * Jensen Hughes Digital Group * * * * Software products to identify areas of risk and hazard. * * * Deliver software to clients.  * * * Emergence of smart buildings.  * * * Leverage technology.  * * * * Generating Insights for Clients * * * * What’s going on with design decisions? * * * What implications do building materials have on code compliance?  * * * Bring perspective to help think forward about designing facilities to make the safest decisions to survive several decades.  * * * * Jensen Hughes  * * * * Over 1500 engineers. * * * Experts that understand building materials and the work they do in the lab * * * Teamwork atmosphere * * * Scientists and engineers teaching others. * * About Chris Specialties: General Management / P&L management, sales & marketing leadership, business strategy and transformation, business development, mergers & acquisitions, acquisition integration, product management, start-ups, turnarounds, lean / Six Sigma Chris on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrownprofile/] About Jensen Hughes THE GLOBAL LEADER IN ENGINEERING, CONSULTING AND TECHNOLOGY MAKING OUR WORLD SAFE, SECURE + RESILIENT Since 1939, we have dedicated ourselves to fire protection engineering, initially in the United States and now worldwide. Today, our expertise, commitment and passion extend across additional domains —including accessibility consulting, risk and hazard analysis, process  safety, forensic investigations, security risk and emergency management as well as digital innovation across many of our services. https://www.jensenhughes.com [https://www.jensenhughes.com] About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com [https://www.stifirestop.com]

Luke Connery - Conquest Firespray

Key Takeaways * * Luke’s Background * * * * Attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute  * * * Time on the football team helped develop skills needed in the professional world.  * * * Studied mechanical engineering * * * System design engineer at Kidde-Fenwal, assessing explosion risk * * * Went to Tyco and worked on the suppression side of the business * * * Introduced to the lab and fire testing * * * * Patents  * * * * Developed and patented a mist fire protection system  * * * Use less water than sprinkler  * * * Joined business development role at Tyco as the first engineer brought it.  * * * Combining education with the know-how to help people.  * * * * Conquest Firespray * * * * On the passive side of the Fire Protection Industry  * * * Fire Rated Ventilation Systems  * * * Flamebar * * * * Flamebar * * * * Engineering product first, duct work product second  * * * 2 levels of protection, fire outside & fire inside  * * * Always meets code requirements for whole range of tested sizes * * * Always going to be the most cost effective   * * Luke on LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeconnery] About Conquest Firespray Conquest Firespray markets Flamebar fire rated architectural and engineered solutions to contractors, engineers and architects. Conquest Firespray is affiliated with Conquest Manufacturing, a company that has been serving HVAC mechanical and sheet metal contractors since 1998. Conquest fabricates rectangular and spiral duct, and applies coatings in its large U/L certified facility. The company manufactures in two locations totaling 125,000 square feet. Conquest headquarters is located in Warren, Michigan. Our experienced staff is project oriented and brings a field perspective to project support services. We bring extensive technical experience in fire safety, general and mechanical contracting, from pre-construction conceptual and guidance planning through field construction to completion. Our project support platforms are fully integrated, offering direct data exchange from estimating through detailing, to manufacturing and delivery. Superior control processes assure timely, accurate material supply services. Our experience ranges from new automotive plants to mega malls to laboratories, hospitals and university projects. https://www.conquest-firespray.com [https://www.conquest-firespray.com] About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com [https://www.stifirestop.com]

Tom Hardiman - Modular Construction

Today’s guest is Tom Hardiman, the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry.  Key Takeaways * * Tom ’s Background * * * * MBA from Marshall University  * * * Had a passion for entrepreneurs and small business owners.  * * * Director of the Associated Builders & Contractors  * * * * Modular Construction  * * * * Modular Construction is a process of constructing a building or home in an off-site factory in modules, transporting to the site and then assemble.  * * * Shortened schedule with offsite construction. Allows you to have 2 sites going simultaneously.  * * * Much less material waste in modular construction. Whatever doesn’t get used is saved for later projects, not going to waste.  * * * Worker safety is improved by transporting the construction site into an indoor factory setting.  * * * * Life Safety standards  * * * * IBC * * * Construction has to meet the local building codes wherever the site is, regardless of modular construction.  * * * 36 states have their own modular programs.  * * * Half of the total construction process occurs in the factory, the rest is site build. That is the jurisdiction of the local officials.  * * * * Modular Building Institute * * * * Have great relationships with local agencies. Can help with dealing with state programs and local officials regarding the modular process.  * * * Biggest barrier has been lack of understanding amongst code officials who are not familiar with modular.  * * * Perception of modular has changed.  * * * * Modular Homebuilders Association * * * * Single family modular industry * * * Been director for 10 years.  * * * * Hardiman and Williams  * * * * Residential and other forms of offsite construction work.  * * * Able to put the offsite construction umbrella under the same management team. Cost sharing, etc.  * * * Offsite Construction Expos. Coming up in Sacramento, DC & Denver.  * * * World of Modular Expo coming up in San Antonio.  * * About Tom As the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry, Tom has been involved in leadership roles in modular construction since 2004 when he was named the Executive Director for the Modular Building Institute, the international non-profit trade association for the commercial modular industry. In 2012, he took on the additional role as Executive Director for the Modular Home Builders Association, the national non-profit trade association serving the modular home industry. Tom has extensive experience as an industry advocate on various legislative, regulatory, and building code issues at the state and federal levels. He was one of the leading forces behind the creation of the Offsite Construction Council at the National Institute of Building Science and has served on the Council’s board since its inception. He also serves on the Wells Fargo/NREL Innovation Incubator Board. In 2015, along with his business partner Steven Williams, he launched the first “Offsite Construction Expo” in North America. The Expo has since been delivered in person and virtually over a dozen times to more than a thousand attendees. Hardiman was previously the Executive Director with Associated Builders and Contractors of West Virginia where he lobbied for pro-business and pro-growth legislation. Prior to association management, Hardiman assisted small businesses and entrepreneurs as Director of a Small Business Development Center. He has also worked in the economic development, banking, and insurance fields. He earned bachelor’s and M.B.A. at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and the designation of Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives. Additionally, he has successfully completed several leadership courses at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Tom has spoken at numerous conferences around the world including modular construction events in England, Ireland, Spain, and Hong Kong. As a tireless advocate and spokesperson for the modular industry specifically and non-profits in general, he brings his entrepreneurial background and passion to his presentations. Tom has been interviewed and regularly cited in publications such as ENR Magazine, Fast Company, USA Today, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Tom has served on the Board of Directors for both the West Virginia and Virginia Society of Association Executives. For the past decade, he has served various roles with his local Boys and Girls Club, including Board Chair, Treasurer, and interim director. Tom on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhardiman] https://www.worldofmodular.org [https://www.worldofmodular.org] About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com [https://www.stifirestop.com]