Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Ralph Bless recently joined RIMSCAST podcast host Justin Smulison to discuss Evolving Fire Risks. In Episode 240, he explored how new and mixed commodities introduced into commercial and industrial buildings are adding to the evolution and omnipresence of fire risks. Bless also identified these materials, as well as new processes, and explains the benefits of full-scale fire testing.
Full-scale fire testing examines difficult to protect commodities, storage or display arrangements and rack configurations. This testing is a vital component to solving real work problems such as solid shelves, blocked flues, and aisle storage and is conducted in general accordance with NFPA 13, Chapter 24, Alternative Sprinkler System Designs. The result is insightful analysis and answers to the most pressing fire protection questions as well as solutions to address situations where prescriptive answers are not always the best option.
Bless, Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Executive Vice President, Innovation and Excellence, is uniquely qualified to speak on the topic. He has more than 40 years of experience in fire protection, including a broad range of water-based and special hazard system design, code consulting and fire protection engineering services. He has served as a liaison between customers, authorities having jurisdiction, and contractors/suppliers.
He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in six states, is a Level IV NICET Senior Water Based Fire Sprinkler Layout Technician, and holds a Level III in Inspections & Testing of Water Based Systems, a Level II in Fire Alarm Systems, a Level II in Special Hazards Systems Layout and a Level I in Special Hazards Systems. In addition, Bless holds multiple state and national certifications, including that of Certified Fire Protection Specialist.
Bless serves on six National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committees. These include chair for Record Storage, NFPA 232, as well as NFPA 1, NFPA 13 SSI (Installation) and the Correlating Committees, NFPA 15, and NFPA 915.
Listen to the Evolving Fire Risks podcast in its entirety at RIMSCAST.
Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC (TEC) is a full-service global design, engineering and risk mitigation consulting firm providing professional services related to the protection of people, property, information and organizational mission against preventable losses. These include security risk consulting, strategic / enterprise risk management, fire protection engineering and environmental health and safety.
For media interviews with Ralph Bless please contact Susan McNeill, Corporate Communications Manager at smcneill@telgian.com.