Conflagration to Code: How Historic Building Fires Shaped Modern Codes

Continuing for Spring 2022: PDHs will be available to Chapter members at no cost.  If you are not a current member you may still enjoy the presentation at no charge, or pay $10 at registration to be granted a PDH.

This is an online event.  You must join from a computer, no dial-in only information is available. The meeting details will be made available when you register.

This presentation offers an in-depth analysis of the causes and contributing factors in some of the most notorious structure fires in the U.S. and outlines how the lessons learned eventually translated into modern code requirements. The discussion will include many well-known fires such as Coconut Grove, Our Lady of the Angles, Iroquois Theater, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, The Winecoff Hotel, and others.   

Learning Objectives:

After this session, attendees should be able to: 

1. Recall historically significant fires (in terms of their impact on Codes). 
2. Understanding the building’s pre-fire configuration. 
3. Understand the causes and contributing factors that led to the severity of these fires. 
4. Understand the lessons learned because of these fires.  
5. Understand what eventually translated into code requirements as a direct result of the fires.  
6. In addition, session attendees will be able to recognize the resulting requirements in modern codes as some have changed due to more than one fire. 

With this knowledge, attendees will be able to apply these code requirements in a manner consistent with their intent. 

Presenter - Tom Gardner
Harrington Group, Inc.

Tom holds a BS in General Science from Fordham University and a BS in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland.  He is a registered Professional Engineer (Fire Protection Engineering) in 14 states and has over 40 years of experience.  Additionally, Tom has 20 years’ experience as a volunteer firefighter achieving the rank of Captain.  He was the editor of the 6th and 7th Editions of the NFPA 99 Handbook and co-authored two editions of NFPA’s "Fire and Life Safety in Health Care Facilities."  Tom is the Past Chair of the SFPE’s Engineering Education Committee, Past Chair of the NFPA’s Health Care Section, is a Fellow in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and is a Senior Project Manager with the Harrington Group.