Fire/Life Safety Considerations When Designing the Building Enclosure     

This presentation is intended to educate building envelope designers and consultants on fire/life safety inputs. During this presentation, Loren Brandford, Evan Lacroix and Emile Wang will explain the inputs to envelope design that pertain to fire and life safety, the key building code sections that pertain to the building envelope, understand when an engineering judgement is required and allowed and finally, hear case studies where the building envelope design was severely impacted by fire and life safety requirements. 

 Loren Brandford is an Architect with 25+ years' experience in the design and construction of multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial buildings. Twenty of those years have been in the Puget Sound area. With his realm of knowledge,  he has an excellent understanding of building codes, building envelopes, and accessibility and has had significant roles in the design or construction of more than 2,500 dwelling units, and has contributed in other roles on hundreds more. Mr. Brandford is also a Stamping professional for existing building improvement projects and an ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner. Mr. Brandford is also currently a member of the City of Seattle Fire Code Advisory Board. 

 Evan Lacroix has a strong passion for ensuring the safety and compliance of built environments. With 6+ years of experience, Evan has become a trusted expert in navigating the complex landscape of building codes and fire protection systems. As a consultant, Evan has worked with a diverse range of clients, including architects, developers, and contractors. His project experience ranges from high-rise residential buildings and large warehouse facilities to office suite renovations and additions. From initial evaluations to final inspection. Evan has meticulously analyzed plans, conducted site visits, and collaborated closely with stakeholders to ensure that every aspect of the project adheres to the applicable codes and regulations. Evan is passionate about leveraging their expertise to create built environments that prioritize safety, compliance, and the well-being of occupants. His unwavering commitment to their profession and their ability to solve complex challenges solidified his reputation as a trusted advisor and consultant in the industry. Evan's comprehensive knowledge of building codes combined with fire protection engineering expertise helps achieve project goals while ensuring compliance and safety. 

 Emile Wang applies his 15+ years of industry experience and versatile skillset to best provide clients with a solution-based approach to decision-making while working with teams internally and externally to ensure that deliverables meet the expectations and bring value to all stakeholders. His project experience ranges from high-rise new construction (including marquee projects in Las Vegas, New York City, and Seattle), as well as restoration and tenant improvement projects, with involvement ranging from pre-design all of the way through post-construction reviews. As a Professional Engineer and Registered Roofing Observer, he has benefited from a combination of a strong base of field experience and staying informed on industry best practices to work with project teams to maximize the performance of various building envelope systems while understanding any risks associated with design approaches. 

This presentation is approved for 1 hour of AIA continuing education credits.