An invitation for fire protection professionals to the SFPE symposium

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), a premier global professional society dedicated to fire protection and fire safety engineering, has invited fire protection engineering professionals to participate in their Engineering Solutions Symposium on Mass Timber. The event is scheduled to take place on August 24-25, 2023, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Focus on mass timber and associated engineering solutions

This symposium aims to provide engineering solutions related to fire protection with new, high-performing mass timber products, encapsulated mass timber construction, and job site safety, among others. Competency needs for the fire-safe design of tall timber buildings will also be addressed.

Visiting a modern mass timber structure and other symposium highlights

The symposium’s itinerary includes a site visit to One Young Street in Kitchener, Ontario, the first modern building in the Waterloo region utilising a mass timber structural system. Perspectives from the insurance industry, building officials, new research, case studies, and future research requirements are also included in the event’s programme.

Announced speakers: A blend of industry professionals and academics

The speakers enlisted for the symposium bring a blend of practical and academic insights. For instance, “understanding competency needs for the fire safe design of tall timber buildings” will be addressed by Jose Luis Torero, from University College London. Ying Hei Chui from the University of Alberta will cover “next-generation wood construction.” Neil Chaudhuri from FM Global will give the “insurance perspective,” while Rick Cheung from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services will offer the “perspective of a fire official.”

In addition to the speakers, two panel discussions will be conducted: one on the role of building officials, and another on industry-to-academic connectivity.

This SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium has been made feasible due to the support of various groups, including Conspec Controls, LMDG, The Pontem Group, and Senez Consulting. There are still a limited number of sponsorships and exhibit opportunities available.