Fire Prevention in Modern Construction: A Practical Guide

Fires continue to be an increasing threat to buildings and construction sites. Under construction, buildings are very vulnerable to fire hazards. Modifications made to buildings overtime, whether for maintenance, repair or improvements, can significantly hinder a building’s life safety degree if fire safety is not considered.

Fire Prevention in Modern Construction: A Practical Guide introduces and explains the fundamentals of construction fire safety. It explores applicable codes and standards while providing a fundamental understanding of common fire protection and life safety systems found in buildings. It offers guidance on inspection techniques and how to foster cooperative communication between the Fire Protection Program Manager (FPPM), design team, general contractor, subcontractors, authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), and owners. The book features several examples and real-life applications, highlighting best practices that can be applied to a variety of job sites.

Written by a fire protection engineer with extensive experience developing, implementing, and enforcing construction fire safety plans, this book is an essential resource for those serving as a Fire Protection Program Manager (FPPM), but also equips professionals in the construction, real estate, engineering, property management sectors with the necessary fire prevention fundamentals to support real estate projects and keep them safe.

Matthew J. Bourque is a fire protection engineer who is currently the Director of Fire Protection and Construction Operations at a leading real estate development firm. Matthew is involved in the Boston Seaport development, the largest single real estate project in city history.He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer (P.E.) in Fire Protection Engineering and is also a certified local building inspector and licensed construction supervisor. He was appointed to serve on the Committee on Construction and Demolition for NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations and was selected to speak at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) headquarters on construction fire safety as well as support the development of training material related to fire protection program management. In partnership with the NFPA, he created a training course for the fire protection program manager role. His background and construction experience provide him with a unique perspective on construction fire safety.