February Monthly Meeting 2013

Please Join Us for the February Chapter meeting to hear

  Atrium Smoke Control: A Lesson in Black Magic

Thomas W. Gardner, PE FSFPE, LEED AP
The Protection Engineering Group, Inc.
Duluth, GA

Smoke control as an idea started in the late 1960s with pressurization systems.  Atrium smoke control systems were introduced into building codes in the 1980s and have continually advanced.  Often times these advancements have been misunderstood. 

In the legacy model codes (pre-2000), atrium smoke control was based on Air Changes per Hour (ACH), while today’s smoke control systems are based on algebraic formulas that have been empirically verified. 

This session will discuss how building and life safety codes have changed with respect to atrium requirements; the impact architectural features have on achieving compliance with code requirements; and alternatives that are available to the prescriptive code requirements (performance-based design). Additionally, examples of performance-based smoke control designs will be reviewed.

SPEAKER: Thomas W. Gardner, PE FSFPE, LEED AP

Tom holds a degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and is a registered Professional Engineer (Fire Protection Engineering) with 31 years of experience.  He has held positions with the US Fire Administration, several fire protection engineering consultants, Grinnell Fire Protection Systems, and has over 20 years as a volunteer firefighter.  He was the editor of the 6^th and 7^th Editions of the NFPA 99 Handbook, and coauthored two editions of NFPA’s Fire and Life Safety in Health Care Facilities. 

Tom is also the Past Chair of the NFPA’s Health Care Section, is a Fellow in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and is a Principal with The Protection Engineering Group, Inc. in Duluth, Georgia.   

THEME: Membership and Research Promotion

To attain accurate catering counts, please register for this event in advance. Day-of and on site registration will result in an increased cost of $20.