SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

Upcoming events

    • 13 May 2024
    • 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM
    • The Grand - Long Beach
    Register

    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.

Past Events list


Combustible Dusts & Explosion Protection, May 8th, 2023, Geffrey Mitchell

Product Showcase - New & Emerging Fire Protection Technology, April 10th, 2023

AIM Act Impacts to FP Industry + Viking OXEO Gaseous Suppression Systems, March 13th, 2023, Doug Meyers

Basic Hazardous Materials and Major Code Changes, February 13th, 2023, Elley Klausbruckner

2022 CBC - Significant Changes, January 9, 2023, Steven Dannaway

Flame Detection, November 14, 2022, Bob Barker

Annual Symposium Event, October 25, 2022

SFPE Foundation, September 12, 2022, Joseph Talbert

Beam Smoke Detection for Large Spaces, June 13, 2022, Dean Rushin

Hybrid NFPA 770 Systems, May 9, 2022, Frank Broidy

Clean Agents and Foam, April 11, 2022, Doug Meyers

Confessions of a Fire Marshal, March 14, 2022, James Frater

Current Topics in Hazmat: Pharma and Extraction Facilities, February 14, 2022, Elley Klausbruckner

Latest Tools & Resources from NFPA, ICC, & UL, January 10, 2022, Ray Bizal & Susan Dowty, & Jon Roberts

Annual Symposium Event, December 6 & 7, 2021, Various Speakers

Protection of Top-Loading Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems, November 8, 2021, Wes Baker

Please contact a board member with any suggestions you have for the chapter. We hope to see you at our next event.

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