Telgian’s Jim Antell recently shared his knowledge and provided expert insight into the fire safety challenges for international design projects of very tall buildings with Contraincendio Magazine. The magazine, which is distributed throughout Mexico, highlights prevention, protection, and human security in Mexico, promotes legislative changes, and showcases trends and technologies in the industry. “Fire Safe Design for Very Tall Buildings” addresses the proliferation of tall buildings around the globe. According to Antell, “Many of these mega-projects have been built in developing parts of the world where the codes and standards are just beginning to evolve to address the fire and life safety needs of these complex structures.”
Major challenges for international design projects include creative designs with unique fire safety challenges, such as atriums of over 40 stories in height, or observation decks on top of 100-story buildings. The designers are faced with many and varied fire safety standards being used in different countries. Unfamiliarity with these codes creates confusion over acceptable products that can meet fire safety needs, as well as a lack of understanding of the local authorities’ approval process.
To read “Fire Safe Design for Very Tall Buildings” please visit Contraincendio Magazine.
About James Antell, AIA, PE
James Antell is a Regional Practice Leader for Telgian Engineering & Consulting and has 35+ years of fire protection engineering experience. He has acted as an advisor to design teams and building owners on compliance with local and international fire safety codes and standards, and his experience includes development of fire protection design strategies using both code and performance-based approaches, as well as other special studies related to specific code compliance issues. In addition, he has negotiated acceptance of alternative fire protection approaches with regulatory officials throughout the world.
Antell’s specific areas of concentration include high-rise buildings, public assembly facilities, stadiums, exhibition halls, and healthcare, as well as buildings that house cultural resources such as museums, libraries, historic properties, opera houses, and theaters. His global high-rise fire engineering experience includes many of the world’s tallest structures, including projects in the U.S., Asia and the Middle East. He is a recognized expert in high-rise fire safety design and he has lectured worldwide on high-rise fire safety, and has published numerous articles on the subject.
Antell is a Registered Architect (RA) and a Professional Engineer (PE). He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
For media and interview inquiries: Please contact info@telgian.com.