GAITHERSBURG, MD — The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has introduced an on-demand course, Introduction to Principles of Fire Protection Engineering, designed to give engineers and technical professionals a foundation in fire protection engineering principles, methods and applications.

The 18-PDH course covers fire science, engineering analysis, building systems, structural engineering and human behavior. It introduces fundamental concepts and terminology used to evaluate fire hazards and develop strategies to protect people, property and the built environment.

Course Covers 11 Fire Protection Engineering Topics

The course includes instruction in 11 subject areas:

• Introduction to Fire Protection Engineering
• Fire Science: Ignition and Combustion
• Heat Transfer
• Enclosure Fire Dynamics
• Fire Modeling
• Fire Protection Systems
• Evacuation and Human Behavior
• Evacuation Modeling
• Performance-Based Design
• Structural Fire Engineering
• Industrial Fire Hazards

Participants develop an understanding of fundamental fire behavior, active and passive fire protection strategies, basic fire scenarios and engineering models used in fire safety analysis. The curriculum also addresses the role of codes, standards, performance-based design and engineering judgment.

“The fundamentals of fire protection engineering provide an essential foundation for engineers and other professionals working in fire and life safety,” stated Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Fire Protection Engineers. “This course brings together key concepts from across the discipline and provides professionals with a practical starting point for understanding fire behavior, fire protection systems, evacuation, performance-based design, and other core areas of fire protection engineering.”

Training Targets Engineers and Technical Professionals

SFPE designed the course for engineers new to fire protection engineering and those transitioning into fire and life safety roles. Intended participants also include mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineers; authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and code officials; fire service professionals; and other technical professionals working with fire and life safety.

The training is intended to help participants communicate more effectively with fire protection engineers, design teams, AHJs and other project stakeholders.

Self-Paced Course Provides Three Years of Access

Participants can complete the course at their own pace and retain access for three years from enrollment. After successfully completing all modules, assessments and the course survey, participants receive a certificate documenting the professional development hours earned.

The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering serves as a primary reference throughout the course, providing foundational concepts, data, tools and methods used in the discipline.

The course was developed under SFPE's direction with contributions from fire protection engineering experts Håkan Frantzich, FSFPE, PhD; Nils Johansson, PhD; Silvia Arias, PhD; Brian J. Meacham, PhD, PE, CEng, EUR ING, FIFireE, FSFPE; Jimmy Jönsson, BSc Fire, MSc Risk, FSFPE; and Joshua Reichert, PE.

Professionals interested in taking the course can learn more and register at sfpe.org.