Discussion on Modern Vehicle Hazards & Parking Garages

Discussion on Modern Vehicle Hazards & Parking Garages

Presented by Lt. Chris Towski of Cambridge Fire Department and Brian O'Connor, P.E. of NFPA

With the advancement of automotive transportation technology, the fire hazards of modern vehicles and vehicle storage have changed. This presentation will be a discussion addressing the relevant codes and standards as well as new technologies and how they influence fire protection engineering decision making. We’ll take a look at some large loss vehicle storage fires and review the latest research reports as well as other resources related to the fire hazards of modern vehicles. 

Chris Towski is the Manager of MCM Industries LLC which a company that provides safety code consulting under MCM Code Consulting and electrical services under MCM Electrical Solutions. He is also a Fire Lieutenant for the City of Cambridge Massachusetts Fire Department with over twenty-seven years of service. His current position is with the Emergency Preparedness and Coordination Office that is under the Fire Prevention Bureau. He spent over sixteen years with the Fire Prevention Bureau where the primary duties were to enforce State laws and codes related to Fire Prevention and Protection. He is a Massachusetts Licensed Electrician and Construction Supervisor. He has been his department’s Electrical Safety Officer for over fifteen years. He instructs for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with their Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Systems Safety Training, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training, and the Hot Works Certification Program. He is a Technical Committee Member on NFPA 3&4 for Commissioning and Integrated Testing, 241 for Safeguarding Construction Alteration and Demolition, 1620 for Pre-Incident Planning, 855 for Stationary Energy Storage Systems and 88A for Parking Structures. He is a Standards Technical Panel Member for UL 9540 and 9540A. In addition, he is currently the Immediate Past President of the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts. He is also a Governor of MA appointed board member representing the MA Department of Fire Services on the Board of Elevator Regulations.

Brian is an Engineer in the Technical Services department at the National Fire Protection Association and Past President for the New England Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Brian is a professional engineer registered in the states of Texas and Massachusetts. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rowan University and a Master’s Degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland. At NFPA he focuses on topics such as aviation, portable extinguishers, water-based fire protection, energy storage systems and health care facilities.