The Burn

Specified Technologies Inc
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Technology

The Burn takes a dive into the life safety and code requirements for compliance in modern construction. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to design, build or erect a super tall, or how manufacturers test their products to meet codes and standards... then you’ve come to the right place. We are going to be sitting down and picking the brains of thought leaders and subject matter experts at third-party testing agencies, building product manufacturers, architects, contractors, and of course the best of the best in the fire protection industry.

  1. 02/15/2023

    Michael Crowley - Coffman Engineers

    Key Takeaways Mike ’s BackgroundOver 40 years of Fire Protection Consulting ExperienceStudied Fire Protection and Safety Engineering at Illinois Institute of TechnologyLabs were at Underwriters LaboratoriesReceived an MBA from University of Houston Working at Rolf Jensen and Associates and then Jensen Hughes Over 30 years Involved in the code writing process and litigation support.Saw failures of passive systemsGot involved with the healthcare industry and was part of committees related to life safety code.Dealt with Healthcare projects, finding a balance in passive and suppression systems. Faced different life safety issues in different occupancies like assembly spaces, large theaters, and high-rise buildings Healthcare Was sent to a committee meeting as an alternate and eventually became a full committee member. Wife was a nurse, so familiarity with the Healthcare space. Did work with the Military and VA Hospitals. Chaired the fundamentals committee and the entire correlating committeeCurrently chairs the medical gas technical committee Industry Challenges Large energy storage systems / thermal runawayDoors! Fire Rated doors and compliance / testing How numbers were put into codes Labor shortage / hiring process Advice for newcomers to the Engineering Field Find a NicheConsider subcategories of engineering, such as acoustics or corrosion controlBuild a resume with an internship Coffman Engineering Full-service MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) firmWorks in the Fire Protection Group, which has grown rapidly to cover offices all over the countryStarted as a structural engineering company and has expanded its services over 42 yearsDepartment of Defense workOil and GasBroaden horizons by working on a variety of projects like working on the Texans Stadium Speaking EngagementsCovered changes in code at a recent ASHE eventDiscussed findings from fire Data. Where fires are happening in HealthcareHelps determine where the focus should be in limiting...

    28 min

  2. 12/21/2022

    Rich Walke - Technical Director at Creative Technology Inc.

    Key Takeaways Rich ’s BackgroundValparaiso University Grad, ,multi-Fraternity member Always wanted to go into engineeringPassion started in Junior High School when he modified a bikeOriginally wanted to be in mechanical engineering, pivoted to civil engineering.  Working at ULHad a friend who introduced him to the company. Lab work/office work combo was appealing.Did not think of it at Life Safety or Fire Protection.Started in tunnel testingMoved over to fire-resistance group43 years at UL Project Engineer Work Interior finish materials, insulation materials Steiner Tunnel TestInvolved in the MGM Fire investigation. Several major historical fires had impact on testing methods and codes.  Impacting ChangeJoined Fire Resistance Group at UL in 1987Niche group that was into Fire StoppingWanted to move the industry forward. Involved in evolutionary changes to standards. Air Leakage Tests didn’t exist at the time. Many standards didn’t exist, drain systems, perimeter fire containment, etc.  Senior Regulatory EngineerRegulatory Services Group at ULInterfaces with code enforcement committeeInvolved in code developmentOpportunity to do training with code officials  Consulting WorkRecommissioned his side business of racing cars to become his consulting business. Engineering judgementsTrying to avoid conflicts with the fire industry  About Rich I am leveraging my 43 years of experience at UL by providing fire protection related consulting services. Areas of expertise include building materials, fire-resistance-rated construction, and the protection of breaches within fire-resistance-rated construction. Services provided by Creative Technology include teaching, assistance in identifying and interpreting UL Fire-Resistance Designs, engineering judgments, code development, standards development, writing technical articles and technical manuals, and assistance with product certifications. RichWalke61@gmail.com Rich on LinkedIn About...

    32 min

  3. 08/17/2022

    Chris Brown - Jensen Hughes

    Today’s guest is Chris Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Jensen Hughes.  Key Takeaways Chris ’s BackgroundCornell University Board member of the Bucks County Children’s Museum BucksKids.OrgStarted in Software and Information TechnologyCareer evolved through sales, product management and marketing. Exposed to Fire Protection Industry at Tyco. Wanted to be an architect, was fascinated by the built environment.  Chief Commercial OfficerFocus is on the growth side of the business. Sales, marketing & strategy. Promote thought leadership, new opportunities with clients, consulting. By growing the business, the fulfill their mission to make the world more secure safe and resilient.  Jensen Hughes Digital GroupSoftware products to identify areas of risk and hazard.Deliver software to clients. Emergence of smart buildings. Leverage technology.  Generating Insights for ClientsWhat’s going on with design decisions?What implications do building materials have on code compliance? Bring perspective to help think forward about designing facilities to make the safest decisions to survive several decades.  Jensen Hughes Over 1500 engineers.Experts that understand building materials and the work they do in the labTeamwork atmosphereScientists and engineers teaching others. About Chris Specialties: General Management / P&L management, sales & marketing leadership, business strategy and transformation, business development, mergers & acquisitions, acquisition integration, product management, start-ups, turnarounds, lean / Six Sigma Chris on LinkedIn About Jensen Hughes THE GLOBAL LEADER IN ENGINEERING, CONSULTING AND TECHNOLOGY MAKING OUR WORLD SAFE, SECURE + RESILIENT Since 1939, we have dedicated ourselves to fire protection engineering, initially in the United States and now worldwide. Today, our expertise, commitment and passion extend across additional domains —including accessibility consulting, risk and hazard analysis, process  safety, forensic investigations, security risk and emergency management as well as digital innovation across many of our services. https://www.jensenhughes.com About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company...

    18 min

  4. 07/13/2022

    Luke Connery - Conquest Firespray

    Key Takeaways Luke’s BackgroundAttended Worcester Polytechnic Institute Time on the football team helped develop skills needed in the professional world. Studied mechanical engineeringSystem design engineer at Kidde-Fenwal, assessing explosion riskWent to Tyco and worked on the suppression side of the businessIntroduced to the lab and fire testing Patents Developed and patented a mist fire protection system Use less water than sprinkler Joined business development role at Tyco as the first engineer brought it. Combining education with the know-how to help people.  Conquest FiresprayOn the passive side of the Fire Protection Industry Fire Rated Ventilation Systems Flamebar FlamebarEngineering product first, duct work product second 2 levels of protection, fire outside & fire inside Always meets code requirements for whole range of tested sizesAlways going to be the most cost effective   Luke on LinkedIn About Conquest Firespray Conquest Firespray markets Flamebar fire rated architectural and engineered solutions to contractors, engineers and architects. Conquest Firespray is affiliated with Conquest Manufacturing, a company that has been serving HVAC mechanical and sheet metal contractors since 1998. Conquest fabricates rectangular and spiral duct, and applies coatings in its large U/L certified facility. The company manufactures in two locations totaling 125,000 square feet. Conquest headquarters is located in Warren, Michigan. Our experienced staff is project oriented and brings a field perspective to project support services. We bring extensive technical experience in fire safety, general and mechanical contracting, from pre-construction conceptual and guidance planning through field construction to completion. Our project support platforms are fully integrated, offering direct data exchange from estimating through detailing, to manufacturing and delivery. Superior control processes assure timely, accurate material supply services. Our experience ranges from new automotive plants to mega malls to laboratories, hospitals and university projects. https://www.conquest-firespray.com About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general...

    28 min

  5. 03/30/2022

    Tom Hardiman - Modular Construction

    Today’s guest is Tom Hardiman, the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry.  Key Takeaways Tom ’s BackgroundMBA from Marshall University Had a passion for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Director of the Associated Builders & Contractors  Modular Construction Modular Construction is a process of constructing a building or home in an off-site factory in modules, transporting to the site and then assemble. Shortened schedule with offsite construction. Allows you to have 2 sites going simultaneously. Much less material waste in modular construction. Whatever doesn’t get used is saved for later projects, not going to waste. Worker safety is improved by transporting the construction site into an indoor factory setting.  Life Safety standards IBCConstruction has to meet the local building codes wherever the site is, regardless of modular construction. 36 states have their own modular programs. Half of the total construction process occurs in the factory, the rest is site build. That is the jurisdiction of the local officials.  Modular Building InstituteHave great relationships with local agencies. Can help with dealing with state programs and local officials regarding the modular process. Biggest barrier has been lack of understanding amongst code officials who are not familiar with modular. Perception of modular has changed.  Modular Homebuilders AssociationSingle family modular industryBeen director for 10 years.  Hardiman and Williams Residential and other forms of offsite construction work. Able to put the offsite construction umbrella under the same management team. Cost sharing, etc. Offsite Construction Expos. Coming up in Sacramento, DC & Denver. World of Modular Expo coming up in San Antonio.  About Tom As the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry, Tom has been involved in leadership roles in modular construction since 2004 when he was named the Executive Director for the Modular Building Institute, the international non-profit trade association for the commercial modular industry. In 2012, he took on the additional role as Executive Director for the Modular Home Builders Association, the national non-profit trade association serving the modular home industry. Tom has extensive experience as an industry advocate on various legislative, regulatory, and building code issues at the state and...

    25 min

  6. 03/09/2022

    Eric Lacroix - STI

    Today’s guest is STI’s Director of Strategic Accounts, Eric Lacroix Key Takeaways Eric’s BackgroundBorn in Massachusetts, grew up in the Carolina’s, went to college at Umass Dartmouth and then moved back south to work for STI in the Carolinas. Studied History at Umass Dartmouth, interested in going into EducationWorked at a construction supply company while in College. Background is in plumbing, but crossed over into FireStop and Fire Protection.  Path to STIWorked closely with STI as a distributer. Met VP of Sales, and eventually met others within the company. Hired as a territory manager for the CarolinasBuilt relationships with contractors etc, became a regional manager. Southeastern regional managerCurtain Wall became an area of expertise.  Testing for Perimeter Fire Containment Systems Identify opportunities and build relationships with partners. Engineers overview the scope of the test specimen.Goals are to test real world designs.Complicated process that could take 9-12 months. Testing at UL and Intertek. Run tests in different labs. All are subjected to requirements.  The STI Advantage Works closely with partners of all levels from all over the worldDeveloped many of industry firsts over the years Always working on something new and innovative. Industry best All Weather Spray. Developed new Water Based Spray. New Hybrid Window Wall system.  Book of SolutionsProvides a roadmap to the latest and greatest designs. Broken down by Wall type, Insolation type etc.  Eric on LinkedIn About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… a...

    26 min

  7. 01/26/2022

    Ruben Garcia - The Life Safety Guy

    Key Takeaways Ruben’s BackgroundBorn and raised in Houston, Texas. Gained “Street Smarts” during his upbringing. Stumbled into Life Safety after getting a job with Johnson Control in the Fire Alarm industry. Learned code and developed his own Fire Alarm business. Came in as a maintenance technician at Texas Children’s Hospital. Developed a passion for Life Safety after expanded his knowledge base.  Director of Facilities Management at Baylor St. Lukes Medical CenterManage day to day operations, capital projects, fire alarm testing, systems upgrades, etc. Barrier Management ProgramsAbove Ceiling Permit Program Required to list UL System Host trainings with contractors Life Safety Podcast3rd season coming soonGreat marketing toolSharing education by bringing in other industry professionals Staying up to dateWent after all certifications pertaining to his field Currently working on formal education Constantly looking at the newest codes and standards Currently on the 2012 edition of the Life Safety Code Ruben on LinkedIn About STI Firestop Since 1990 Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is a global leader in the firestopping industry. The company manufactures a wide array of products and technologies to provide passive fire protection. Headquartered in Somerville, NJ, STI has sales offices all over the globe. STI Marine is a Division of STI that specializes in marine fire protection in the cruise line, offshore oil and gas, and general maritime industry. STI Marine’s product line consists of a full range of products used for penetration seals and cable transits in fire-rated bulkheads and decks, including water-tight firestop sealants, firestop collars for plastic piping, and an innovative cable transit device. All products comply with the IMO FTP Code and are subject to various Type Approvals include MED, DNV GL, Lloyds Register, ABS, USCG, BV, RINA and more… https://www.stifirestop.com

    21 min

  8. 01/19/2022

    Sharron Halpert - Halpert Life Safety Consulting

    Today’s guest is Sharron Halpert, owner of Halpert Life Safety Consulting. Sharron has been involved in multiple aspects of the Passive Fire Protection industry for over 15 years. She is truly a pioneer in a traditionally male dominated industry.  Key Takeaways Sharron’s BackgroundA rich history of volunteer work. Santa’s Helper at Ranfurley Home for Children in Nassau, Bahamas as well has the HOPSHA Christmas Party. Humane Society. Habitat for Humanity  Passion for TeachingStarted when she was 12 helping exchange students learn English. Taught Kindergarten in JapanPassion for teaching has helped her in teaching building code by adapting her style. Helping people build better.  $19 Billion worth of Projects in the last 14 yearsWorked on Baha Mar in the Bahamas on site. One Ocean Condominiums in the Bahamas City Center Las Vegas  Other Services Identifying issues in current buildings. Following attacks on 9/11, helped development testing and evaluation to comply with Department of Homeland Security standards.  Woman Owned Business in New JerseyCertified by Port Authority of New York/New JerseyStarted in Firestop over 20 years ago and fell in love with the impact it had on building safety. No intention of being an entrepreneur, but has been in business for over a decade.  Work with ClientsAnyone who wants to do things the right way and build better. IE Contractors, building owners etc. Series of videos to teach new skillsets. Help understand requirements, codes and standards. 3rd party special inspection and Fire Stop About Sharron  Passionate. That’s the first word that comes to mind when you meet and work with Sharron Halpert and her firestop team. She understands how critically important firestop is to the level of life safety of a building. Sharron has the utmost concern for the safety of the building’s occupants, the first responders, as well as the building and its contents. Sharron has been involved in multiple aspects of the firestop and passive fire protection business for over 15 years. As a successful...

    18 min
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5
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15 Ratings

About

The Burn takes a dive into the life safety and code requirements for compliance in modern construction. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to design, build or erect a super tall, or how manufacturers test their products to meet codes and standards... then you’ve come to the right place. We are going to be sitting down and picking the brains of thought leaders and subject matter experts at third-party testing agencies, building product manufacturers, architects, contractors, and of course the best of the best in the fire protection industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Specified Technologies Inc
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2023
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Specified Technologies Inc
  • Show Website
    The Burn