“Industry Trends and Code Changes for the Future”, Rodger Reiswig, SET, PMSFPE, Fellow & VP, Industry Relations, Global, Fire Detection Products, Johnson Controls

This seminar will focus on technological changes and trends and how they are impacting the life safety systems today and will drive them for the future to come. Research and other code developments are also impacting how life safety systems are designed and implemented. This seminar will focus on those changes and provide a glimpse at where the immediate future is as well as what to expect in the next 10 years.

About Rodger Reiswig ...  Rodger is the VP, of Industry Relations, Global, Fire Detection Products, for Johnson Controls.  He is the Global industry liaison for building codes, installation standards, product certification standards and representative for various life safety industry associations and organizations.

He is a Former Detroit Diesel engine certified technician, re-powering large marine vessels and earth moving equipment.  Rodger is NICET certified level IV for fire alarm systems and then moved to teach others about the life safety industry; Regional Field Sales Engineer with Simplex responsible for product application and field technical support for the east coast.

Education/CommitteesSummary:

- Industry Director, CCFS
- Certification from Two Rivers Technologies as a Master in Telecommunications
- Eastern Technical certification in Electronics Technology and Microprocessor Design
- Master’s Degree in Theology from Evangelical Theological Seminary
- NICET certification in both Fire Alarm and Special Hazard Layout. NICET level IV Fire Alarm Systems
- Certification and NICET level I Special Hazards Layout Certification.

Family/Hobbies:
- Married to Lani since June 1990
- Hobbies include: church, cars, jobs around house and playing with the dogs

Daniel Madrzykowski, Fire Safety Research Institute, UL: A Look Back at Dormitory Fire Safety Research

In the wake of the Boland Hall fire on the Seton Hall Campus in 2000, the United States Fire Administration started an initiative to improve fire safety in college housing. USFA supported research to examine the levels of hazard created by fires in day rooms and sleeping rooms with and without automatic fire sprinklers. The value of smoke alarms and the impact of closed doors was also examined. This presentation will review the results of the dormitory fire experiments and look at their application to off campus housing.  

  Twenty Plus Years of Tragedy and Triumph, Tim Knisely, Training Manager, AFAA.

From on-campus residence halls, fraternities and sororities, to off-campus living – all student housing brings unique dangers. We knew about some of the risks, but many fire tragedies over the years have highlighted why some of these were made worse. This presentation will examine some of these tragedies, the responses and what has been done to reduce the chances of it ever happening again. Learning Objectives include: Review case studies of fire causes and the impact on student housing. Look at how the educational programming has changed as it relates to fire safety ; Highlight how stakeholders have been included in the fire safety process; Examine how new codes, standards and technologies have been developed to reduce this risk. 

About ... Tim Knisely

Tim is the Training Manager for AFAA (Automatic Fire Alarm Association), and a past Treasurer, Director and Member for the Center for Campus Fire Safety.

Back to Forum Registration and Info 

 Fire Alarm System Replacement Considerations, Larry D. Rietz, SET, Global Service Line Leader, Fire Detection & Alarm, Jensen Hughes, Inc.

Nationwide, there are tens of thousands of buildings with aging fire alarm and other fire protection systems.  This presentation will discuss how a facility manager can know if a fire alarm system needs to be upgraded or replaced and what plans can be made to provide a path for a successful fire alarm system replacement.  It will review various design options that are available for a fire alarm system replacement, along with pros and cons on the different approaches.  And it will cover the four key factors that should influence a quality fire alarm system replacement program.  Owners, facility managers and maintenance staff will benefit from this presentation. This presentation will feature the following learning objectives: How do you know if your fire alarm system needs an upgrade or replacement? | How can you plan for a successful fire alarm system replacement? | What design options are available for fire alarm system replacements? | What four factors should influence a quality fire alarm system replacement plan? 

About ... Larry Rietz

Larry D. Rietz, SET is the Global Service Line Leader, Fire Detection & Alarm, Jensen Hughes 

Back to Forum Registration and Info

Performing Hot Work Procedures in University Settings, Nate Smith, CU

Since Facilities groups tend to maintain and operate all built property and physical plants, compliance with adopted codes and standards governing building construction, air quality, sustainability, hazards, etc., is an essential element to promote the wellbeing of all occupants, staff, and visitors. EHS/RM departments typically direct regulatory oversight for Fire Safety as well as other associated hazards. We'll discuss these relationships and look particularly at checks and balances for performing Hot Work in campus communities.  Learning Objectives: 1) Illustrate the general working relationships between Facilities Operations, EHS Risk Management, and the University community.  2) Discuss the importance of oversight, permitting, and application of Hot Work procedures.  3) Discuss University the Emergency Response Plan and Emergency Support Functions. 4) Highlight Building Evacuations and Shelter-in-Place Protocols.

About ... Nate Smith

I am a Chicago native who migrated to Washington, DC and stumbled upon life in the local fire service during the 80s. I spent 10 years at one of the Nation's busiest firehouses (where I learned to pray fervently... among other things) before serving here as a fire inspector and cause and origin fire Investigator.  Currently, I am a Safety and Health Spc./Fire Safety Officer at The Catholic University of America serving from Nov 2011 - Present. I manage the Catholic University of America’s Fire Safety program which includes fire safety training, maintenance of Fire Life/Safety systems, and as a liaison to the DC Fire & EMS Department, Resident-Life, Housing Services, Campus Ministry, various Code Officials, Contractors, Federal, State, Local Officials,  and the Washington Consortium of Universities. My immediate supervisor is the University's Senior Director of Environmental Health Safety and Risk Management.  My areas of responsibility also entail the coordination of Facilities work requests, coordinating Student/Staff activities and training, maintaining compliance with applicable fire safety regulations; Strategic Code Consulting; Oversight of Fire Protection Systems and infrastructure; Emergency Management Planning and related Emergency Support Functions.; Property Inspections; and the management of The Catholic University/ Automatic Electronic Defibrillator Program (A.E.D). I'm privileged to Work in conjunction with other University officials and staff focusing on our people, and residential, assembly, and commercial properties in our University community of Brookland. Our goal is to maintain and foster "safe environments" for all Staff, Visitors, and the Student Body. Finally, I maintain and perform updates of the University’s Environmental Health and Safety / Fire Safety Web page. This site provides notification of certain fire prevention initiatives, safety, and maintenance procedures that impact the general university community, visitors, and staff.

 Back to Forum Registration and Info

Reducing commercial fire alarm responses by understanding the relationship between Supervising Station Fire Alarm System Types and fire service data, Todd M Iaeger, UL Solutions and John Oats, International Public Safety Data Institute. 

What if national fire response data to commercial fire alarms systems data could be compiled and analyzed to provide and substantiate model code and standard fire alarm system methodology? For example, do fire departments in jurisdictions requiring Central Station Service respond to less commercial fire alarm calls than jurisdictions not requiring Central Station Service? Do fire departments in neighboring jurisdictions of those requiring Central Station Service benefit from this requirement? Within the framework of model building and fires codes, where a fire alarm system is required, it shall be monitored by an approved Supervising Station Alarm System Type in accordance with NFPA 72. There are three supervising station alarm system types: Central Station Service, Remote Supervising Station Service, and Proprietary Supervising Station Service. Each have specific service delivery requirements. Of the three approved supervising station alarm types, Central Station Service provides a strong methodology for alarm system oversight and compliance. This methodology translates to a greater sense of confidence and reliability for code officials, Alarm Service Companies, and building owners that installed systems are designed, installed, maintained and monitored in accordance with NFPA 72. And based on data analysis, Central Station Service provides for reduced fire alarm responses to commercial fire alarm installations.

This presentation explores the relationship between the requirements of Central Station Service and commercial fire alarm response data from a variety of national jurisdictions reporting their data through International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI). The presentation addresses model code and technical standard requirements and results of data compilation and analysis related to respective commercial fire alarm responses in jurisdictions requiring Central Station Service, jurisdictions not requiring Central Station Service but neighboring jurisdictions that do, and jurisdictions that neither require Central Station Service or neighbor jurisdictions requiring Central Station Service. This presentation explores the relationship between the requirements of Central Station Service and commercial fire alarm response data from a variety of United States cities and towns. The data was obtained from users of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) National Fire Operations Reporting System (NFORS) Analytics platform. The presentation addresses model code and technical standard requirements and results of data compilation and analysis from those communities. That data was evaluated to determine trends related to: Jurisdictions requiring Central Station Service; Jurisdictions not requiring Central Station Service but having neighboring jurisdictions that do; Jurisdictions neither requiring Central Station Service nor have neighboring jurisdictions requiring Central Station Service.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will understand model building and fire code requirements for fire alarm systems installation,  Attendees will understand the elements and benefits of Central Station Service,  Attendees will understand the importance and benefits of fire service data analysis that can aid communities to reduce risk and increase the effectiveness of their fire and life safety efforts. 

About .... Todd M. Iaeger, UL Solutions

Todd has worked for UL since 2016 assigned to the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina facility as an AHJ Education Specialist / Alarm System Auditor. Prior to his career with UL, Todd retired from the fire service after serving 26.5 years in Pennsylvania and North Carolina as a police officer, firefighter/EMT and Fire Marshal. Todd has extensive experience in many disciplines associated with the built environment, the fire service, and Community Risk Reduction and holds certifications in building and fire code inspection and fire investigation. He has been an Adjunct Instructor at the National Fire Academy and has presented training courses nationwide and contributed to publications related to building and fire code enforcement, Administration of Code, Fire Protection Systems, Code Enforcement Technology, Fire Investigation, Evidence Collection, Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony, Courtroom Testimony for Code Officials, and Fire Investigations Involving Fire Protection Systems. He represents UL on NFPA Technical Committees 950, 1031, & 1033. Todd works remotely from the suburban Philadelphia region.

About .... John Oates, International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI)

John is the President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute, the fire service’s leader in data and analytics. As CEO, he is responsible for growth, adoption, and continuous improvement of the NFORS Analytics, Exposure Tracker and FireCARES programs. Prior to being appointed I-PSDI CEO in November 2021, John served as Chief of the East Hartford, Connecticut Fire Department for 13 years. Prior to that, he served in West Hartford, CT for 20 years, reaching the rank of Battalion Chief. John has a BS from Franklin Pierce University, a MS from Oklahoma State University, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and holds numerous professional certifications. He has been an Advocate for the NFFF’s Everyone Goes Home Program since the inception of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. He serves the First Responder Center for Excellence as member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Chief Oates serves as a member of the NFPA 3000 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Technical Committee and the Technical Committee for Safety at Motorsports Venues (NFPA 610) where he served as Chairman from 2005 until 2016.

 Back to Forum Registration and Info

Be Fire Smart ™,  by Sandy Mills-Alford, CEO, AliveTek, Chief Ferrara and John Keane, Montclair State University. 

2020 changed the nature of higher ed in many ways. Some of those ‘adjustments’ we were glad to leave behind, but others proved to be not only effective during a pandemic – but better.  When social distancing prevented the use of the typical fire drill, Montclair State went online! Using Be Fire Smart! TM  training, they could be assured that students were learning essential information about these risks.  By customizing the course, they were able to bring in their own policies and floor plans — delivering the right information to the right users — and getting time and date stamps showing when learners agreed to abide by the policies. By formalizing the training process, Montclair substituted the fire-drill based training, which – in the case of Shawn and Alvaro – led to fire-drill fatigue and a lack of urgency among students when a real fire did break out.  We’ll share our data and success stories with all who join us!

About ... Sandy Mills-Alford

Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, AliveTek began delivering e-Learning services in 2001. Sandy Mills-Alford, President and CEO, enjoys working directly with each client to plan programs and design relevant instructional materials. 

Back to Forum Registration and Info

Remote Access, Fire Alarm Systems & the Cloud- Guidelines for Successful Design & Application, Maria Marks, Siemens

This course will provide education for Owners, Consulting Engineers and other Technical Professionals on the guidelines for a successful design of Cloud services for Fire alarm systems. Remote services and technological advances are changing the way an owner or service provider can access/ respond to events in their building. This presentation will address some of the challenges and issues that the design community will need to understand to provide these capabilities in a building.

About ... Maria Marks

With a Life Safety focus on the building design and construction industry Maria looks to create Safe Smart buildings and communities. Her focus is on the balance between adoption/development of codes and standards and the potential of Emerging Technologies, while maintaining resiliency, and reliability of Life Safety systems. Maria has been active in the Fire Life Safety and Security industry for over 25 years. She is active with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), SFPE and NFPA. Maria holds several board seats including the SFPE Foundation Board of Governors and the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering.  

Back to Forum Registration and Info 

Carbon Monoxide Detection: Frequent Questions and Code & Standards Updates, by Richard Roberts

An informative presentation covering frequently asked questions about CO detection, provide overview of the key changes to the 2018/2021 ICC and NFPA model codes as well as the CO requirements in the 2019 edition of NFPA 72®. Also, the presentation will provide a sneak peek at the extensive changes to the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC).

Presentation Agenda:  Frequent Questions; 2018/2021 ICC and NFPA Model Code Changes; Changes to the 2019/2021 Edition of NFPA 72®; Sneak Peak at the Changes to the 2024 edition of the IFC.

About ... Richard Roberts
Richard Roberts is the Industry Affairs Manager at Honeywell Fire Safety. He has over thirty-five years of experience in the installation, sales, commissioning and product management of code compliant commercial fire alarm, carbon monoxide detection, emergency communication and security
systems. Currently Mr. Roberts is responsible for codes & standards development at the federal, state and local level as well as legislation. Richard is a member of 14 NFPA Technical Committees, 2 Underwriters Laboratories Standards Technical Panels for carbon monoxide detection and involved in the ICC Fire Code Action Committee (FCAC).

Back to Forum Registration and Info  

Sneak Peek into the 2024 I-Codes and Looking to the Future, by Beth Tubbs, PE, FSFPE, Senior Staff Engineer ICC Codes and Standards Development

This presentation will provide a sneak peek into the more significant changes coming for the 2024 I-Codes. More specifically the changes will relate to the IFC, IBC and to a certain extent the IEBC. From there time will be spent discussing issues and trends that may affect what will be addressed in the upcoming 2027 cycle. Finally, the ICC code development process including the timeline and upcoming changes to that process will be reviewed.  Learning Objectives:  Participants will learn the at least 5 significant fire safety related changes in the I-Codes for 2024;  Understanding of pressing fire safety issues likely to be discussed for the 2027 I-Codes; Provide the tools to attendees to participate in the ICC Code Development; Process for the development of the 2027 I-Codes.

About ... Beth Tubbs
Beth Tubbs is a Senior Staff Engineer with the International Code Council (ICC) Codes and Standards Development department.  She has been with the ICC since 1995, and in her current role has active involvement in a wide variety of activities including code development and support and representing ICC in various committees both on a national and international level.  She is a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and 2022 President for the Society.  She is also currently the staff secretariat to several ICC committees including the International Existing Building Code, the International Fire Code, and ICC Performance Code. In addition, she is currently the lead staff on the ICC Fire Code Action Committee which has been dealing with topics such as exterior wall finishes/cladding and energy storage systems. She holds a professional fire protection engineering license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and State of California.  Back to Forum Registration and Info

Formalizing Your Fire Safety Program – Preparing the Next Generation of Fire Safety Professionals, By James Rainer and David Zeiger, Texas A&M

This program will provide an overview of the process of formal documentation of the fire and life safety program at Texas A&M University.  This presentation will discuss the steps that led to the development and formally defining standard operating procedures, forms, templates, applications, and permits.  Various program areas and the documents for several program areas, a summary of the groups strategic plan, and ideas for employee growth and advancement within your programs will be discussed.  Learning Objectives: Discuss the various program areas within a campus fire and life safety program; Discuss the steps in developing a Fire and Life Safety Strategic Plan; Review and consider methods for employee development within your organization to move your organization forward

About ... James Rainer

James serves as an Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Texas A&M University, as the university Fire Marshal, and co-lead the University’s 20 plus member Haz-Mat Team for many years.  As assistant director his duties include overseeing the Fire and Life Safety program, having overseen the FLS program for over 28 years.  He has been with EHS for over 31 years as a student worker, fire inspector, manager, and assistant director.  He also served as a part-time faculty member in the Fire Science program at Blinn College for the last 24 years, developing and teaching courses such as Building Codes and Construction for the Fire Service, Fire Detection and Suppression Systems, and Fire Inspection Principles.  Additionally, James served as a member of the University Police Department Training Advisory Board, Campus on the Built Environmental Deferred Maintenance Sub-council, and the Blinn College Fire Science Program advisory board for the past several years. 

As Fire Marshal, his duties include all aspects of fire safety in the 775 plus campus facilities, plan review for all new construction and facility remodels, permitting all pyrotechnics, flame effects, and prescribed burns, assisting in the coordination of athletic and other special events on campus as well as serving as the liaison between Texas A&M and our local fire departments and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.   

James holds an AA degree in Education along with a BS in Construction Science and a MS in Construction Management, both from Texas A&M University.  He is a Certified Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, and Plans Examiner along with holding licenses as a Flame Effects Operator, Pyrotechnics Operators, and Pyrotechnics Special Effects Operator.

About ... David Zeiger

After serving in the U.S. Navy (4 years), Dave enjoyed a career with the El Paso Fire Department and retired as a Captain after 24 years of service. A second career began in October of 2014 as a Fire & Life Safety Manager at Texas A&M University in the Environmental Health & Safety Department. He is also a part time instructor for Blinn College in the Fire Science Program as well as an Adjunct Instructor in the Fire Leadership Development Program at Texas A&M Engineering Extension (TEEX Fire School). Most recently achieved ‘Credentialed’ status for Texas A&M EHS as a Fire Prevention Department through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP). Currently holds certifications through TCFP in the following fields: Fire Inspector, Cause & Origin Investigator, Fire Instructor, Fire Suppression, Fire & Life Safety Educator, & Incident Commander. Married to his wife Lezlie for 31+ years, They have 2 kids who are both married and successful.

Back to Forum Registration and Info