Topic: STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING OVERVIEW
Date: May 13th, 2024
Location: The Grand - 4101 E Willow St - Long Beach, CA
Speaker: Nate Wittasek of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
NOW OFFERING VIRTUAL CALL-IN OPTION
Meeting Flyer: May Event Flyer
Schedule:
11:15 - 11:30 AM: Check-in & Networking
11:30 - 11:45 AM: Chapter Business
11:45 - 1:00 PM: Key Note Presentation
Description:
Structural Fire Engineering is a specialized field of engineering that focuses on the analysis, design, and optimization of building structures to withstand fire and ensure they can maintain their integrity and stability. Learn essential updates on evolving standards and practices within the industry that are influencing design and construction decisions.
- AHJs – Learn about the latest engineering practices that impact regulatory and safety standards, especially regarding ASCE-7 and related approaches being used throughout the country.
- FPEs – Deepen your understanding of these innovative approaches and methodologies.
- Insurance Underwriters - Learn about risk mitigation strategies, the impact of engineering solutions on property insurance considerations, and how these can address risks beyond minimum prescriptive requirements.
- Manufacturers – Learn insights into how your products can be effectively utilized within current engineering designs and potentially influence future developments.
We’ll cover:
- Prescriptive vs. Performance-Based Design for Structural Fire Resistance
- Concrete Case Study using Fire Element Analysis (FEA)
- Steel and Composite Construction Case Studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Membrane Action of Composite Structures in Case of Fire (MACS+) and Abaqus
Biography:
Nate Wittasek, P.E., C.F.E.I., LEED AP has 25 years of experience working in fire protection engineering, code consulting and failure analysis. Nate has knowledge of fire and life safety principles, scientific method, building and fire codes, federal and state accessibility requirements, NFPA & OSHA standards, forensic investigation of fire cause & origin as well as system failures analysis. Having served as a fire science research professional, firefighter, consultant in the Engineering industry, and educator at UCLA and Cal Poly Pomona, Nate is uniquely positioned to assist in proactive (fire engineering and codes consulting) and reactive (forensic, and fire investigation) projects. Nate serves on technical committees addressing life safety, tall buildings, evacuation, fire protection systems, and air/smoke movement.
