Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the concern for public safety has never been greater. Fire safety, however, should never be sacrificed due to social distancing concerns. But, as retail businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues across the nation begin to reopen, too often they are implementing coronavirus safety measures that have unintended consequences for fire and life safety. Telgian Engineering & Consulting Regional Practice Leader addresses these safety measures in her recent article “5 Steps to Incorporate Social Distancing Without Creating Fire Hazards” in Chain Store Age magazine. In the piece, Musser explores crucial topics for facilities managers and business…

Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Senior Fire Suppression Designer Ben Young will present a Fire Smarts Online Training Opportunity on July 9, 2020, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern Time. Young’s topic, “Non-Technical Understanding of Fire Sprinkler Systems Design” webinar provides an overview of important fire sprinkler system design considerations for those who do not have a design background. The presentation will include the basics of occupancy hazard classification, sprinkler location and spacing, special sprinklers, obstruction and temperature issues, as well as basic water supply analysis, information needed to complete plans and calculations. It will also explore some basic survey…

Buildings magazine recently featured fire and life safety recommendations from Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Regional Practice Leader April Musser in the article “5 Important Tasks for Reopening Buildings During COVID-19.” In the piece, the myriad decisions facing facilities managers and building owners are examined as buildings, which were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now reopening. The closing of buildings for weeks, or even months, has resulted in many unintended consequences for facilities managers and building owners, such as fire safety systems concerns. According to Musser, social distancing requirements and new layouts may impact fire safety plans. This includes rearranged…

According to Telgian Engineering & Consulting Regional Practice Leader James Antell, “Tall buildings have always relied on a combination of passive building elements and active fire detection, alarm/notification and suppression systems to control fire and its effects. What has changed are the ways in which we use these passive and active elements, and the intended results of these fire safety strategies.” Antell explored this topic in detail in the recently published article “The Evolution of Fire Safety in Supertall Buildings” in Structure magazine. The evolution of fire safety in supertall buildings is the result of both advances in structural and…