This series will provide a global perspective on the process of framing fire safety systems, and the incorporation of sociotechnical and system safety thinking approaches to buildings and infrastructure and to performance-based design for fire safety that result in better quality and safer outcomes. The series will conclude with a live panel discussion of all presenters.

Live Webinar Presentations included in the series:

1) Date: Monday, March 7, Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m. EST

Presenter: Saskia Holditch
Title: QA of Fire Safety Systems

This webinar will go through the steps in the process for checks on the quality of fire safety systems in New Zealand and the roles and responsibilities of those involved. The role of the fire engineer will be highlighted.

2) Date: Wednesday, March 9, Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m. EST

Presenter: Peter Johnson
Title: Greater Design Responsibility and Enhanced Professionalism

In many countries, performance-based design for fire safety has been held back by a lack of the discipline being seen as a full and proper profession. The contention is that many fire safety engineers lack the high-level design skills and experience to lead the fire safety design of buildings and infrastructure from the early concept design stage through to the project completion stage and handover. As a result, fire safety engineers often end up more as technological analysts, justifying design solutions proposed by others. In Australia, research at the Warren Centre and more recent research has suggested if fire safety engineers can achieve greater competency in design, take the lead and responsibility for all aspects of fire safety, and demonstrate their great value to clients and designs teams, they will achieve enhanced professional status and recognition and reward. This means adopting a holistic and integrated approach to the development of the fire safety strategy and the detailed package of fire safety measures and all their specifications, as well as comprehensive inspection and commissioning regimes for which the fire safety engineer takes responsibility. An essential ingredient of this whole approach to reform is proper recognition of competency professional accreditation and registration, which incorporates audit and enforcement functions to keep competition between design consultants on a level playing field. The result will be better quality and safer outcomes for buildings, infrastructure and all their occupants.

3) Date: Monday, March 14, Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m. EDT

Presenter: Brian Meacham
Title: Incorporating Sociotechnical and Safety Systems Concepts

The approach to performance-based design (PBD) for fire safety has not significantly changed since the early 1990s. This would not be a problem if PBD for fire safety was considered mature and widely accepted. However, this is not the case, especially when compared to other building-related engineering disciplines. The approaches to PBD for fire vary widely. As a result, designs often lack a ‘whole of systems’ approach, are based on inconsistent assumptions, widely varying input parameters, and inconsistent target outcomes, and are developed by practitioners who lack competence across the spectrum of knowledge and experience needed to develop holistic and integrated fire safety designs. It is suggested that such issues can be addressed through consideration and incorporation of sociotechnical and system safety thinking approaches to buildings and infrastructure and to PBD for fire safety. A proposed framework based on these concepts is presented.

4) Date: Wednesday, March 16, Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m. EDT

Moderators: Beth Tubbs, 2022 SFPE President
Panelists: Saskia Holditch, Peter Johnson, Brian Meacham
Title: A Framework for More Robust Fire Safety Engineering - Power Hour

All live webinars in the series are recorded and provided on-demand for later viewing. After viewing the webinars and completing webinar evaluations, you can claim your Certificate of Completion. Each webinar is eligible for 1.5 PDH credits.


Questions? Please email us at education@sfpe.org.