Rich Walke - Technical Director at Creative Technology Inc.

Key TakeawaysMike ’s BackgroundOver 40 years of Fire Protection Consulting ExperienceStudied Fire Protection and Safety Engineering at Illinois Institute of TechnologyLabs were at Underwriters LaboratoriesReceived an MBA from University of HoustonWorking 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 systemsGot 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 buildingsHealthcare 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 committeeCurrently chairs the medical gas technical committeeIndustry Challenges Large energy storage systems / thermal runawayDoors! Fire Rated doors and compliance / testing How numbers were put into codes Labor shortage / hiring processAdvice for newcomers to the Engineering Field Find a NicheConsider subcategories of engineering, such as acoustics or corrosion controlBuild a resume with an internshipCoffman Engineering Full-service MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) firmWorks in the Fire Protection Group, which has grown rapidly to cover offices all over the countryStarted as a structural engineering company and has expanded its services over 42 yearsDepartment of Defense workOil and GasBroaden horizons by working on a variety of projects like working on the Texans StadiumSpeaking EngagementsCovered changes in code at a recent ASHE eventDiscussed findings from fire Data. Where fires are happening in HealthcareHelps determine where the focus should be in limiting...

Key TakeawaysRich ’s BackgroundValparaiso University Grad, ,multi-Fraternity member&nbsp;Always wanted to go into engineeringPassion started in Junior High School when he modified a bikeOriginally wanted to be in mechanical engineering, pivoted to civil engineering.&nbsp;Working at ULHad a friend who introduced him to the company.&nbsp;Lab work/office work combo was appealing.Did not think of it at Life Safety or Fire Protection.Started in tunnel testingMoved over to fire-resistance group43 years at ULProject Engineer Work&nbsp;Interior finish materials, insulation materials&nbsp;Steiner Tunnel TestInvolved in the MGM Fire investigation.&nbsp;Several major historical fires had impact on testing methods and codes.&nbsp;Impacting ChangeJoined Fire Resistance Group at UL in 1987Niche group that was into Fire StoppingWanted to move the industry forward.&nbsp;Involved in evolutionary changes to standards.&nbsp;Air Leakage Tests didn’t exist at the time.&nbsp;Many standards didn’t exist, drain systems, perimeter fire containment, etc.&nbsp;Senior Regulatory EngineerRegulatory Services Group at ULInterfaces with code enforcement committeeInvolved in code developmentOpportunity to do training with code officials&nbsp;Consulting WorkRecommissioned his side business of racing cars to become his consulting business.&nbsp;Engineering judgementsTrying to avoid conflicts with the fire industry&nbsp;About RichI 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 [email protected]<a...

Today’s guest is Chris Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Jensen Hughes.&nbsp;Key TakeawaysChris ’s BackgroundCornell University&nbsp;Board member of the Bucks County Children’s Museum BucksKids.OrgStarted in Software and Information TechnologyCareer evolved through sales, product management and marketing.&nbsp;Exposed to Fire Protection Industry at Tyco.&nbsp;Wanted to be an architect, was fascinated by the built environment.&nbsp;Chief Commercial OfficerFocus is on the growth side of the business. Sales, marketing &amp; strategy.&nbsp;Promote thought leadership, new opportunities with clients, consulting.&nbsp;By growing the business, the fulfill their mission to make the world more secure safe and resilient.&nbsp;Jensen Hughes Digital GroupSoftware products to identify areas of risk and hazard.Deliver software to clients.&nbsp;Emergence of smart buildings.&nbsp;Leverage technology.&nbsp;Generating Insights for ClientsWhat’s going on with design decisions?What implications do building materials have on code compliance?&nbsp;Bring perspective to help think forward about designing facilities to make the safest decisions to survive several decades.&nbsp;Jensen Hughes&nbsp;Over 1500 engineers.Experts that understand building materials and the work they do in the labTeamwork atmosphereScientists and engineers teaching others.About ChrisSpecialties: General Management / P&amp;L management, sales &amp; marketing leadership, business strategy and transformation, business development, mergers &amp; acquisitions, acquisition integration, product management, start-ups, turnarounds, lean / Six SigmaChris on LinkedInAbout Jensen HughesTHE GLOBAL LEADER IN ENGINEERING, CONSULTING AND TECHNOLOGY MAKING OUR WORLD SAFE, SECURE + RESILIENTSince 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&nbsp;safety, forensic investigations, security risk and emergency management as well as digital innovation across many of our services.<a href="https://www.jensenhughes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Key TakeawaysLuke’s BackgroundAttended Worcester Polytechnic Institute&nbsp;Time on the football team helped develop skills needed in the professional world.&nbsp;Studied mechanical engineeringSystem design engineer at Kidde-Fenwal, assessing explosion riskWent to Tyco and worked on the suppression side of the businessIntroduced to the lab and fire testingPatents&nbsp;Developed and patented a mist fire protection system&nbsp;Use less water than sprinkler&nbsp;Joined business development role at Tyco as the first engineer brought it.&nbsp;Combining education with the know-how to help people.&nbsp;Conquest FiresprayOn the passive side of the Fire Protection Industry&nbsp;Fire Rated Ventilation Systems&nbsp;FlamebarFlamebarEngineering product first, duct work product second&nbsp;2 levels of protection, fire outside &amp; fire inside&nbsp;Always meets code requirements for whole range of tested sizesAlways going to be the most cost effective &nbsp;Luke on LinkedInAbout Conquest FiresprayConquest 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.comAbout STI FirestopSince 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

Today’s guest is Tom Hardiman, the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry.&nbsp;Key TakeawaysTom ’s BackgroundMBA from Marshall University&nbsp;Had a passion for entrepreneurs and small business owners.&nbsp;Director of the Associated Builders &amp; Contractors&nbsp;Modular Construction&nbsp;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.&nbsp;Shortened schedule with offsite construction. Allows you to have 2 sites going simultaneously.&nbsp;Much less material waste in modular construction. Whatever doesn’t get used is saved for later projects, not going to waste.&nbsp;Worker safety is improved by transporting the construction site into an indoor factory setting.&nbsp;Life Safety standards&nbsp;IBCConstruction has to meet the local building codes wherever the site is, regardless of modular construction.&nbsp;36 states have their own modular programs.&nbsp;Half of the total construction process occurs in the factory, the rest is site build. That is the jurisdiction of the local officials.&nbsp;Modular Building InstituteHave great relationships with local agencies. Can help with dealing with state programs and local officials regarding the modular process.&nbsp;Biggest barrier has been lack of understanding amongst code officials who are not familiar with modular.&nbsp;Perception of modular has changed.&nbsp;Modular Homebuilders AssociationSingle family modular industryBeen director for 10 years.&nbsp;Hardiman and Williams&nbsp;Residential and other forms of offsite construction work.&nbsp;Able to put the offsite construction umbrella under the same management team. Cost sharing, etc.&nbsp;Offsite Construction Expos. Coming up in Sacramento, DC &amp; Denver.&nbsp;World of Modular Expo coming up in San Antonio.&nbsp;About TomAs 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...

Today’s guest is STI’s Director of Strategic Accounts, Eric LacroixKey TakeawaysEric’s BackgroundBorn in Massachusetts, grew up in the Carolina’s, went to college at Umass Dartmouth and then moved back south to work for STI in the Carolinas.&nbsp;Studied History at Umass Dartmouth, interested in going into EducationWorked at a construction supply company while in College.&nbsp;Background is in plumbing, but crossed over into FireStop and Fire Protection.&nbsp;Path to STIWorked closely with STI as a distributer. Met VP of Sales, and eventually met others within the company.&nbsp;Hired as a territory manager for the CarolinasBuilt relationships with contractors etc, became a regional manager.&nbsp;Southeastern regional managerCurtain Wall became an area of expertise.&nbsp;Testing for Perimeter Fire Containment Systems&nbsp;Identify opportunities and build relationships with partners.&nbsp;Engineers overview the scope of the test specimen.Goals are to test real world designs.Complicated process that could take 9-12 months.&nbsp;Testing at UL and Intertek. Run tests in different labs. All are subjected to requirements.&nbsp;The STI Advantage&nbsp;Works closely with partners of all levels from all over the worldDeveloped many of industry firsts over the years&nbsp;Always working on something new and innovative.&nbsp;Industry best All Weather Spray. Developed new Water Based Spray. New Hybrid Window Wall system.&nbsp;Book of SolutionsProvides a roadmap to the latest and greatest designs.&nbsp;Broken down by Wall type, Insolation type etc.&nbsp;Eric on LinkedInAbout STI FirestopSince 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...

Key TakeawaysRuben’s BackgroundBorn and raised in Houston, Texas. Gained “Street Smarts” during his upbringing.&nbsp;Stumbled into Life Safety after getting a job with Johnson Control in the Fire Alarm industry.&nbsp;Learned code and developed his own Fire Alarm business.&nbsp;Came in as a maintenance technician at Texas Children’s Hospital.&nbsp;Developed a passion for Life Safety after expanded his knowledge base.&nbsp;Director of Facilities Management at Baylor St. Lukes Medical CenterManage day to day operations, capital projects, fire alarm testing, systems upgrades, etc.&nbsp;Barrier Management ProgramsAbove Ceiling Permit Program&nbsp;Required to list UL System&nbsp;Host trainings with contractorsLife Safety Podcast3rd season coming soonGreat marketing toolSharing education by bringing in other industry professionalsStaying up to dateWent after all certifications pertaining to his field&nbsp;Currently working on formal education&nbsp;Constantly looking at the newest codes and standards&nbsp;Currently on the 2012 edition of the Life Safety CodeRuben on LinkedInAbout STI FirestopSince 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

Today’s guest is Sharron Halpert, owner of Halpert Life Safety Consulting. Sharron has been involved in multiple aspects of the Passive Fire Protection industry for over 15 years. She is truly a pioneer in a traditionally male dominated industry.&nbsp;Key TakeawaysSharron’s BackgroundA rich history of volunteer work.&nbsp;Santa’s Helper at Ranfurley Home for Children in Nassau, Bahamas as well has the HOPSHA Christmas Party.&nbsp;Humane Society.&nbsp;Habitat for Humanity&nbsp;Passion for TeachingStarted when she was 12 helping exchange students learn English.&nbsp;Taught Kindergarten in JapanPassion for teaching has helped her in teaching building code by adapting her style.&nbsp;Helping people build better.&nbsp;$19 Billion worth of Projects in the last 14 yearsWorked on Baha Mar in the Bahamas on site.&nbsp;One Ocean Condominiums in the Bahamas&nbsp;City Center Las Vegas&nbsp;Other Services&nbsp;Identifying issues in current buildings.&nbsp;Following attacks on 9/11, helped development testing and evaluation to comply with Department of Homeland Security standards.&nbsp;Woman Owned Business in New JerseyCertified by Port Authority of New York/New JerseyStarted in Firestop over 20 years ago and fell in love with the impact it had on building safety.&nbsp;No intention of being an entrepreneur, but has been in business for over a decade.&nbsp;Work with ClientsAnyone who wants to do things the right way and build better. IE Contractors, building owners etc.&nbsp;Series of videos to teach new skillsets.&nbsp;Help understand requirements, codes and standards.&nbsp;3rd party special inspection and Fire StopAbout Sharron&nbsp;Passionate. That’s the first word that comes to mind when you meet and work with Sharron Halpert and her firestop team. She understands how critically important firestop is to the level of life safety of a building. Sharron has the utmost concern for the safety of the building’s occupants, the first responders, as well as the building and its contents. Sharron has been

Welcome to The Burn, Beyond Fire Stop. Our show is dedicated to life safety and code compliance in the built environment, which puts me on a mission to find the most interesting people in this space to get their unique perspective. Our hope is that our listening audience walks away with an understanding of how our guests and their businesses and organizations contribute to the promotion of life safety of whatever is being built. Our show is brought to you by Specified Technologies, Inc. Also known as STI Fire Stop. And since 1990 STI has been a leading global provider of innovative fire protective solutions that help stop the spread of fire, smoke and hot gases.Today’s guest has more than 15 years of experience in fire protection, life safety and code compliance. Aaron Johnson is an independent consultant and Chief Fire Strategists specializing in innovative fire protection solutions for emerging technologies.Key TakeawaysAarons ’s BackgroundFather was a preacher and went to Bible School for a year and a half.&nbsp;Coaching with Upward Sports.&nbsp;Serves with Our Community Table, distributing food to those in need.&nbsp;Wanted to get into the Fire Department, went to school to become an EMTTransitioned from EMT into Fire Service.&nbsp;Hired in Aircraft rescue.&nbsp;Became municipal fire inspector.&nbsp;Consulting PracticeStarting Blogging about his fire inspection.&nbsp;Consulted on Fire Code compliance in the built environment, fire-stopping, etc.&nbsp;Commercial vs Aviation Fire Protection&nbsp;Fire prevention approaches are different.&nbsp;Risks are different in the community vs aviation.&nbsp;Different codes for municipal inspector vs aircrafts.&nbsp;Specific training is needed.&nbsp;NFP418Standard for HeliportsOn a task group called Verti Ports task group&nbsp;Several manufacturers making electric powered aircraft for urban air mobilityWriting the Fire Protection standards for these heliports.&nbsp;Published 6 BooksLatest book is Being Chief - leadership principles for the ARFF ProfessionalInterviewed Chiefs and leaders in the industry.&nbsp;Books can be found at <a href="http://www.AaronJ.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Today’s guest is an innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking industry leader with extensive experience building vision and driving financial results for growth-oriented organizations in Fire Protection &amp; Life Safety, John Mackey.&nbsp;Key TakeawaysJohn ’s BackgroundNavy Veteran, served in the Gulf WarGrandfathers were WWII vets, one a Navy PilotServed in Reserves for 5 years after active duty&nbsp;Used the GI Bill to attend CollegeWorked at a local lumber yard after schoolTransitioned into HRFound his way to Tyco, where passion for Fire Protection &amp; Life Safety grewFrom Manufacturing to UsersGot into the field, traveled with sales team and met his customersLeft Tyco and went to work for his largest customer, HillerTechnology was growing, used Tech to support growthStarted a Consulting CompanyRecognized that there are companies who don’t understand dynamics of acquiring businesses and what the customer expectsWanted to educate on how the market is structuredHelped with the integration processCreate an environment where they aren’t skipping a beat with the customerThe Mackey GroupMergers and AcquisitionsHelping clients understand Market DynamicsKeeps pulse on what’s going on in all aspects of Fire ProtectionBuild strategies for clients successHelping clients understand emerging technologiesNAFEDAttended Executive Retreat for NAFEDFocused on company owners and leadersPreparing for Transition in the Fire and Life Safety Business&nbsp;Wrote blog about how to get better in this business.&nbsp;First focus is on FireAbout JohnI am an innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking industry leader with extensive experience building vision and driving financial results for growth-oriented organizations in Fire Protection &amp; Life Safety. I have robust strategic, operational, and relationship...