Course Title: AM Session 1 - Utilizing NFPA 101 The Life Safety Code in Plan Review

Course Description:   

NFPA 101 The Life Safety Code® can be hard to navigate or compare to the ICC’s International Building Code because of its functional differences in requirements as well as text layout and references. This introduction session will provide participants who are not experienced with NFPA 101 with an outline for utilizing the Life Safety Code during plan review as well as consideration for NFPA 101 as a tool for assessing fire safety.

Objectives:

• Be able to describe the intent of NFPA 101 The Life Safety Code® and how it differs from ICC’s International Building Code and Fire Code.

• Be able to use the layout of text in NFPA 101 to find applicable requirements.

• Explore some differences between the IBC and NFPA 101.

• Determine when NFPA 101 can be applied by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Presented by: Alise Howlett

Presenter Bio: Alise Howlett has over thirty-three years of experience working with the built environment as both a code compliance expert and intern architect. She has over twenty years of focused experience working in hospitals and healthcare environments. Her unique experience with design, construction management, and historic buildings provides valuable insight into communicating compliance issues and collaborating on solutions for safer environments.

She has been a life safety surveyor, instructor, and standards advisor for the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), an accreditation agency with federal deeming authority from CMS. Alise provides other plan review services as an IBC certified plans examiner under the International Code Council, including management consulting services for municipal permitting authorities. Her plan review, audit, and consultant services are under contract to organizations and service groups nationwide. Ms. Howlett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and has served on local, state, and national American Institute of Architects(AIA) boards at the executive level. She resides in Northern Illinois where she has also served as Chairman for the local Zoning Board of Appeals and on Executive Boards of local charities.

Course Title: AM Session 2 - Integrated Fire and Life Safety Systems and Commissioning

Course Description:   

Integrated fire and life safety systems are common in most buildings and structures. Elevators, fire suppression systems, HVAC systems, door release systems, and high-volume low speed fans are common examples of systems that must integrate with a building’s fire alarm system. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, addresses emergency control systems but only up to the interface with equipment and systems provided by others. This session will look at the requirements of NFPA 72 related to emergency control functions and the testing needed to satisfy commissioning requirements for systems that are integrated with the fire alarm system.

Objectives:

• The attendee will be able to describe at least three systems that are integrated with a fire alarm system.

• The attendee shall be able to explain how systems integrated with a fire alarm system receive signals directing them to operate as designed.

• Explain the importance of end-to-end testing as related to emergency control functions.

Presented by: Warren Olsen

Presenter Bio: Warren Olsen has spent more than 50 years in fire protection. He is a retired Battalion Chief from the Hoffman Estates Fire Department where he served for more than 30 years.

Currently, he is a Senior Building and Life Safety Consultant with the consulting firm of Fire Safety Consultants in Elgin, IL. Warren is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist and a Certified Building Code Official.

Warren is a past chairperson of NFPA 72, Chapter 26, Technical Committee on Supervising Station Alarm Systems, and serves on Chapter 18, Notification Appliances, and NFPA 3 and NFPA 4. He teaches National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code and Water-Based Sprinkler System Inspection seminars nationally and internationally for NFPA. Warren has been a contributor for four editions of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Handbook, and the latest edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook.

Course Title: PM Session 1 - Data Centers – Fire Protection

Course Description:   

This course provides an overview of the fire protection systems commonly used in data centers. Topics include preaction sprinkler system requirements in accordance with NFPA 13, fire alarm system requirements outlined in NFPA 72, and the application of VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) systems for early smoke detection. Participants will gain an understanding of the design, operation, inspection, and testing requirements for these systems.

Objectives:

• Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and operation of preaction sprinkler systems used in data centers.

• Describe the applicable NFPA 13 requirements for the design and installation of preaction sprinkler systems.

• Explain the fire alarm system requirements for data centers in accordance with NFPA 72.

• Identify the components and operation of VESDA smoke detection systems.

• Recognize common inspection, testing, and maintenance considerations for data center fire protection systems.

Presented by: Michael Carnduff

Presenter Bio: Michael Carnduff has been with Fire Safety Consultants Inc. since 2017. He is the Vice President of Fire Protection. His responsibilities include overseeing all fire protection services offered by FSCI such as plan reviews, inspections, consulting, training, and education.

Mike holds a NICET Level 2 certificate for Fire Alarm Systems as well as a Level 2 NICET certification in water-based systems layout. He also holds the ICC Fire Plan Examiner Certification.

Course Title: PM Session 2 - Backflow Assemblies and Fire Sprinkler System

Course Description:   

This course is intended to introduce the attendees to the importance and the different factors to be considered when altering or replacing an existing backflow assembly that supplies a buildings automatic sprinkler system. We will start with proper fire hydrant flow testing methods to determine accurate water supply information. Look at the differences in requirements between the Illinois Plumbing Code and NFPA 24 for testing underground piping. Establish the need for the forward flow testing of the backflow assembly, and their requirements, that most Illinois municipalities are not enforcing. Finally, we will touch briefly on the different types of fire sprinkler systems and why it is important to know if the existing sprinkler system will still work as designed after the new backflow assembly has been installed.

Objectives:

• The participants will learn the differences between a single hydrant and two hydrant flow testing and when each should be used.

• This course will discuss the conflicts present between the Illinois Plumbing Code and NFPA 24 requirements for testing underground water mains supplying automatic fire sprinkler systems.

• The attendees will have a much better understanding of the complexities of replacing old, non-compliant backflow assemblies and how this affects the operation of existing automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Presented by: Matt Davis

Presenter Bio: Matt Davis has been with Fire Safety Consultants for nearly 30 years. Back in 1997, Matt was hired as the company’s 5th employee, handling simple fire alarm and sprinkler plan reviews. Over the years, he took on larger plan review projects and became involved with conducting field inspections. In 2004, he was promoted to Senior Fire Protection Consultant, being able to complete plan reviews and inspections for all fire protection systems, including kitchen hood and clean agent systems. In 2022, Matt was promoted to Fire Protection and EPR Supervisor. Leading our team of dedicated fire protection plan reviewers and heading up FSCI’s newest service of Electronic Plan Review. In 2026, Matt became Director of Fire Protection Inspections, overseeing our team of experienced fire protection inspectors.

Matt holds an associate degree in Applied Science, NICET level III certifications in water-based layout and fire alarms, as well as being an ICC preferred Provider Instructor.