Brian Meacham's guest appearances

Brian Meacham

WNHH Community Radio

Fire Science Show

Matt Bonner

Peter Thompson

Michael Kinsey

John Gales

David Lange

Steve Kerber

Dan Madrzykowski

Bryan Klein

Rino Lovreglio

Gus Gagliardi

OwlTail

Do we need another fire handbook? If so, what handbook would that be? I guess a question like this must have gone through Brian Meachams' mind when he got the idea for a handbook of fire and environment. And he got a brilliant co-editor - Margaret McNamee to support him in this tough work. The effect - a complete piece on the environmental effects of fires - but beyond just smoke and contamination. A piece that deals with the complexities of the modern world, sustainability and resilience. One that considers product lifecycle assessment as much as the toxicity of its combustion products. A holistic view gives us fire engineers a different lens to view our work through.In this episode, I interview Brian and Margaret on why this handbook came to life.  That why is probably the most important question to be asked. If there was no reason, why go through all this effort to structurize and condense the knowledge we have so far amassed? If why does not exist, why would anyone go through the hassle of considering one more (difficult) thing in their project? Well, I hope I won't spoil the episode, but the why exists. And it is a pretty good one. And to learn it, you have to dig into this episode!You can find the handbook here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94356-1#about-this-bookIt is behind a paywall, but many universities and institutes should have free access! The publisher describes this handbook as:The fundamental purpose of this handbook is to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of fire and fire suppression, primarily within the fire engineering and firefighting communities, but also within the environmental engineering and planning disciplines. The Handbook provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the problem and its magnitude and includes a set of tools and methods for assessing environmental, social and financial impacts, and a set of tools for identifying and selecting appropriate mitigation options.Presents previously unavailable material on identification, assessment and mitigation of environmental firesFacilitates readers with knowledge in one area to focus on topics where they lack expertiseExtensively cites detailed studies and reports to support in-depth study in each of the topic areas

Do we need another fire handbook? If so, what handbook would that be? I guess a question like this must have gone through Brian Meachams' mind when he got the idea for a handbook of fire and environment. And he got a brilliant co-editor - Margaret McNamee to support him in this tough work. The effect - a complete piece on the environmental effects of fires - but beyond just smoke and contamination. A piece that deals with the complexities of the modern world, sustainability and resilience. One that considers product lifecycle assessment as much as the toxicity of its combustion products. A holistic view gives us fire engineers a different lens to view our work through. In this episode, I interview Brian and Margaret on why this handbook came to life.  That why is probably the most important question to be asked. If there was no reason, why go through all this effort to structurize and condense the knowledge we have so far amassed? If why does not exist, why would anyone go through the hassle of considering one more (difficult) thing in their project? Well, I hope I won't spoil the episode, but the why exists. And it is a pretty good one. And to learn it, you have to dig into this episode! You can find the handbook here: <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94356-1#about-this-book" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94356-1#about-this-book</a> It is behind a paywall, but many universities and institutes should have free access! The publisher describes this handbook as: The fundamental purpose of this handbook is to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of fire and fire suppression, primarily within the fire engineering and firefighting communities, but also within the environmental engineering and planning disciplines. The Handbook provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the problem and its magnitude and includes a set of tools and methods for assessing environmental, social and financial impacts, and a set of tools for identifying and selecting appropriate mitigation options.<ul><li>Presents previously unavailable material on identification, assessment and mitigation of environmental fires</li><li>Facilitates readers with knowledge in one area to focus on topics where they lack expertise</li><li>Extensively cites detailed studies and reports to support in-depth study in each of the topic areas</li></ul>

063 - Why do we need a handbook of fire and the environment with Brian Meacham and Margaret McNamee

Do you sometimes feel that fire safety engineering is not making a footprint as it should? With all our knowledge, models, technology...why do huge fires exist? Why fire is such a threat to billions of humans? In today's episode, I'm hosting a guest who spent three decades researching what performance-based fire safety engineering is, and what it could be. And I'm not completely sure if I like the answers I got from this talk. However, based on my experience of 17 interviews with world-class fire scientists I confirm - Brian has a great point in seeking the breakthrough in a change on how we perceive fire safety.It is a socio-technical system. A part of a much larger system of the built environment. If we don't learn how to treat it as such a system, if we continue to live in our silo separated from the rest of the engineering branches, there is not much that can change.This is an important episode. It does not give you easy wins or short answers. But it certainly provokes you to think about what role do you play in the big picture. And to realize that, I reckon it is worth an hour of your time.Learn more about Brian at his webpage:https://meachamassociates.com/or connect through LinkedInBrian is currently the Chairman of the IAFSS and past President of SFPE. Are you a member of these organizations? If not, maybe you should! Learn more at: https://www.iafss.org/https://www.sfpe.org/homeHere are some chosen papers by Brian, illustrating how his concepts evolved over time:(1999) International experience in the development and use of performance-based fire safety design methods: Evolution, current situation and thoughts for the future(2005) Performance-based building regulation: Current situation and future needs(2010) Accommodating innovation in building regulation: Lessons and challenges(2013) Twenty years of performance-based fire protection design: Challenges faced and a look ahead(2018) A socio-technical system framework for risk-informed performance-based building regulation

Do you sometimes feel that fire safety engineering is not making a footprint as it should? With all our knowledge, models, technology...why do huge fires exist? Why fire is such a threat to billions of humans? In today's episode, I'm hosting a guest who spent three decades researching what performance-based fire safety engineering is, and what it could be. And I'm not completely sure if I like the answers I got from this talk. However, based on my experience of 17 interviews with world-class fire scientists I confirm - Brian has a great point in seeking the breakthrough in a change on how we perceive fire safety. It is a socio-technical system. A part of a much larger system of the built environment. If we don't learn how to treat it as such a system, if we continue to live in our silo separated from the rest of the engineering branches, there is not much that can change. This is an important episode. It does not give you easy wins or short answers. But it certainly provokes you to think about what role do you play in the big picture. And to realize that, I reckon it is worth an hour of your time. Learn more about Brian at his webpage: <a href="https://meachamassociates.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://meachamassociates.com/</a> or connect through <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-meacham-5576b210/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> Brian is currently the Chairman of the IAFSS and past President of SFPE. Are you a member of these organizations? If not, maybe you should! Learn more at: <a href="https://www.iafss.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.iafss.org/</a> <a href="https://www.sfpe.org/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.sfpe.org/home</a> Here are some chosen papers by Brian, illustrating how his concepts evolved over time:<ul><li><a href="https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84555189760&amp;origin=resultslist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(1999) International experience in the development and use of performance-based fire safety design methods: Evolution, current situation and thoughts for the future</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0961321042000322780" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(2005) Performance-based building regulation: Current situation and future needs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09613218.2010.505380" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(2010) Accommodating innovation in building regulation: Lessons and challenges</a></li><li><a href="https://jfe.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/1042391513484911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(2013) Twenty years of performance-based fire protection design: Challenges faced and a look ahead</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09613218.2017.1299525?journalCode=rbri20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(2018) A socio-technical system framework for risk-informed performance-based building regulation</a></li></ul>

020 - Fire Safety Engineering as a socio-technical system with Brian Meacham