Engineering Symposia

SFPE's symposia are structured to convene and educate engineers on emerging topics and challenges facing the fire protection profession. The SFPE's symposia technical program is comprised of presentations solicited by the program committee members as opposed to a general Call for Papers. These programs are delivered by distinguished experts in the relevant field and the format maximizes the exchange of ideas among attendees and speakers through brief technical presentations followed by Q&A discussion periods. For more information, contact Hana Herron, Director of Events & Education, at hherron@sfpe.org.

Engineering Solutions Symposium: Modern Storage Challenges 

Join us for a technical engineering symposium dedicated to modern fire safety challenges in storage facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers. Storage occupancies are among the most challenging occupancies from an overall fire safety perspective. Many variables must be considered when designing fire protection and life safety systems for such facilities. This 2-day, in-person event will discuss fire protection challenges in modern storage facilities. 

An outstanding panel of experts comes together to share their knowledge and best practices with fire protection engineers, designers, manufacturers, facility owners and managers, and first responders. 

Topics covered during the event will focus on automated storage, protection of multi-row racks, cold storage design considerations, lithium-ion battery storage, and fire department response to large storage occupancies. Following the completion of the two days of educational content, day 3 will consist of a large-scale fire test (LSFT) at the nearby UL Solutions campus in Northbrook, IL.

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Past Symposia

2024 - SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium: Progress with Li-Ion Battery Fire Safety: Engineering Solutions to Mobility and Storage Hazards, Pheonix, Arizona

2023 Slovenia Mass Timber Symposium2023 - SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium for Fire Safety and Sustainable Building Design, Ljubljana, Slovenia

2023 Waterloo Mass Timber Symposium

2023 - SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium for Mass Timber, Waterloo, ON, Canada

2022 – SFPE Forum on Fire Protection Engineering: Challenges in Storage, Chicago/Wheeling, IL, USA