About the author  ⁄ Richard L. Emberley

Richard L. Emberley is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department and Fire Protection Engineering Program at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). He may be reached at remberle@calpoly.edu.

Part 3

Many structural engineers have not traditionally been involved in the analysis or design of building fire safety. When they have been, their focus has generally been on structural fire protection and, with some exceptions, their scope has been limited to ensuring compliance with prescriptive building code requirements for the fire resistance ratings of different building elements. However, structural fire protection is just one aspect of a comprehensive framework for building fire safety.

Read More →

Part 2: Fire Safety Systems and Features

Described in Part 1 of this three-part series overviewing fire protection for structural engineers, fire safety objectives dictate the design of fire protection systems and features in a building. From life and property protection to the continuity of services and preservation of heritage sites and the environment, an understanding of the objectives of a project is necessary for the correct design of protection features within a building. Part Two of the series details fire safety systems and features used to fulfill the fire safety objectives chosen for a project.

Read More →

Part 1

Structural engineers are not traditionally involved in the analysis or design of building fire safety. When they are, their focus is generally on structural fire protection and, with some exceptions, their scope is limited to ensuring compliance with prescriptive building code requirements for the fire resistance ratings of different building elements.

Read More →
STRUCTURE magazine