Topics
Presentations
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1. State of Union for Codes in Canada: Perspective on Fire Safety Across Canada
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Updates to the National Building Codes and Fire Codes of Canada; Gaps in requirements between provinces and territories; Revision cycle, Current concerns and updates to harmonization of codes.​
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2. Wildfires
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Communities are increasingly at risk from climate-driven wildfires, yet research into fire dynamics and human response remains limited. This presentation highlights York University’s multidisciplinary fire engineering research on wildland–urban challenges. Case studies include: analyzing fire behaviour on slopes and in shifting winds, using LiDAR and photogrammetry, plus Human behaviour during wildfire evacuations.
The session will conclude with emerging directions in technology development and structural interface research to support fire service and engineering practice.
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3. High-rise Fire Safety: Lessons from Recent Fire Incidents
Lessons learnt from recent tactical incidents that changed the requirements in the codes and standards. We will use real examples from a couple of recent fires to see how the code evolved as a result of the incidents.
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Presentation Sponsor:
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Panel Discussions
1. The Role of Fire Engineering in Meeting Net-Zero Building Goals
Sub-topic 1: Fire Safety in Mass Timber and Hybrid Construction
Mass timber is a leading material in low-carbon building design. Encapsulation and charring behavior; Recent code changes (e.g., NBC 2020) allowing taller timber structures and Fire resistance testing and performance-based design for timber buildings.
Sub-topic 2: Retrofitting for Net-Zero: Fire Code Challenges and Opportunities
A large portion of Canada’s building stock needs to be retrofitted for net-zero, posing complex fire safety challenges. Bringing legacy buildings up to modern fire and energy codes, plus Navigating code equivalency and alternative solutions in retrofits.
Sub-topic 3: Lithium-Ion Batteries
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Awareness, understanding and recognizing LIB fire hazards for the general population; Regulations for MoL, MoE and MoT - Parking Structure hazards, pre/post fire hazards and post fire investigations due to LIB caused fires; Changing regulations around the world on LIB Fire Safety, Handling, Storage and Disposal.
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Panel Sponsor:
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2. Future of Fire Engineering in Canada
Subtopic 1: Single Exits
Building design and code changes that allow for a single staircase in residential buildings up to six storeys, by incorporating advanced fire safety measures.
Subtopic 2: Standardized Reporting
Fire protection systems test reporting is now required to be standardized across the country. We will examine the details and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Subtopic 3: S1001 Integrated System Testing Methodology and Documentation
It has been a while since S1001 is being enforced by the Building Code, but how is this being enforced by the Fire Services for existing buildings, under the requirements of the Fire Code.
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