SARAH MAMAN

Experienced fire protection engineer with a background in project management,

Overview

hazard risk assessment, loss prevention, performance based analysis, code

consulting, and design.

Fire, Life Safety, & Security Institute, Inc.

2002–present

Miami, FL

Senior Vice President

Responsible for the fire protection and life safety initiatives within the company.

Initiated, directed, and conducted building and fire code analyses, computer fire

model studies, the development of performance based building code alternatives,

and fire protection systems design activities for proposed and existing projects.

Reviewed architectural and engineering plans to ensure compliance with the fire

protection and life safety requirements of Building and Fire Codes (i.e. Florida

Building and Fire Prevention Codes, Standard Building Code, International

Building Code, UFC codes, NFPA 1, NFPA 12, NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 72,

NFPA 101, etc.)

Recommended methods for complying with the prescriptive requirements of the

Building and Fire Codes.

Developed performance based alternative methods (equivalencies) for

compliance with Building and Fire Codes, which may include researching test

data and fire research.

Conducted site inspections to determine existing conditions and the level of

protection provided by existing fire protection and life safety systems.

Witnessed on site testing of life safety/fire protection systems to establish that

systems have been installed and operated as designed.

Designed fire protection systems, e.g. sprinkler, fire pump, fire alarm, special

hazards, etc.

Developed and delivered approved courses for Architects, Building Officials, Fire

Officials, etc.

Example of clients/projects

The School District of Lee County, Fort Myers, FL –Project Manager for the fire

alarm retrofit programs in 7 schools. The project involved developing the

background drawings, fire alarm design, negotiating with the local fire departments,

and construction management.

Miami Dade Public School Board, Carol City High School Developed an

alternative fire protection and life safety upgrade program using the Fire Safety

Evaluation System (FSES) for Educational Facilities to address numerous life safety

deficiencies. The alternative developed and approved by Miami Dade County Fire

Rescue saved the district in excess of $1 million.

Florida Fire Marshal & Inspectors Association – Developed a 24 hour course on

NFPA 101, “Life Safety Code,” 2000 edition that was approved by the Florida State

Board of Architects and the Fire College. Delivered this course throughout the State

of Florida.

Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, Savannah River Site Worked as

fire protection engineer on the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility that is being

constructed on the Savannah River Site to dispose of 34 metric tons of surplus

weapons grade plutonium. Duties included being the responsible engineer for

the fire protection systems, performing fire modeling calculations and acting as

Software Program Manager (SPM) for CFast and FPEtool.

Schirmer Engineering Corporation Miami, FL

1998-2002

Project Director and Manager, Miami office

Responsible for the fire protection and life safety initiatives within the company.

Initiated, directed, and conducted building and fire code analyses, computer fire

model studies, the development of performance based building code alternatives,

and fire protection systems design activities for proposed and existing projects.

Reviewed architectural and engineering plans to ensure compliance with the fire

protection and life safety requirements of Building and Fire Codes (i.e. Florida

Building and Fire Prevention Codes, Standard Building Code, International

Building Code, NFPA 1, NFPA 12, NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 72, NFPA 101, etc.)

Recommended methods for complying with the prescriptive requirements of the

Building and Fire Codes.

Developed performance based alternative methods (equivalencies) for

compliance with Building and Fire Codes, which included researching test data

and fire research.

Conducted site inspections to determine existing conditions and the level of

protection provided by existing fire protection and life safety systems.

Witnessed on site testing of life safety/fire protection systems to establish that

systems have been installed and operated as designed.

Directed the design of fire protection systems, e.g. sprinkler, fire alarm, special

hazards, etc.

Developed and delivered approved courses for Architects, Building Officials, Fire

Officials, etc.

Example of projects:

Nova Southeastern University, Library and Information Technology Center,

Davie, Florida Developed a performance based smoke control system using

computer fire models in this new high rise building, which incorporates an atrium

and auditorium.

Miami International Airport, Fuel Distribution System, Miami, Florida

Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the life safety conditions and fire

protection systems protecting the fuel facility, truck loading rack, and piping and

hydrant system. Developed a life safety and fire protection program to improve the

life safety and fire protection within the facility.

Venetian Hotel, and Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada – Assisted in providing third

party commissioning testing of the fire alarm and smoke control systems in this new

mega casino resort.

Omni Center, Miami. FL – Provided expertise in local codes for the owner’s legal

team when the owner sued the previous design team for professional incompetence.

The owner was able to reach a settlement whereby most of the design fee was

recovered. Developed a fire protection and upgrade program for the mall, which was

subsequently approved by the Miami Building and Fire Departments that enabled

the owner to save over $1.5 million.

Miami International Airport Terminal Complex, Miami, Florida – Oversaw the

development of a Life Safety Master Plan to direct the upgrading and renovation of

existing areas, the construction of new additions and the integration of existing fire

protection and life safety systems within the terminal complex. Negotiated the

acceptance of the plan with Miami Dade Fire Rescue and Building Departments.

Miami Dade County Resources Recovery Facility, Miami, Florida – Conducted

an audit of the fire protection and life safety features within the facility including

sprinkler, fire alarm, means of egress, emergency power, and exit signage.

Developed a program to improve fire protection and life safety within the facility and

negotiated the remedial program with Miami Dade Fire Rescue. O versaw the

implementation of the remedial program by designing the sprinkler upgrades and

providing construction management.

1988 1998 Gerling Global General Insurance Toronto, ON

Assistant V.P. & Manager, Loss Prevention Department

Provided loss prevention consulting services to our clients.

Carried out safety and fire protection inspections (covering both large and

industrial complexes), conducted tests on equipment, evaluated existing

protection in accordance with NFPA requirements, identified risks and

recommended remedial actions where required.

Prepared underwriting reports and recommendation letters to improve fire

protection and safety.

Reviewed construction drawings submitted for approval for compliance with

applicable NFPA and FM standards.

Developed training programs to improve the professional qualifications and

expertise of the loss prevention department staff.

Example of clients:

Nortel

Toyota Motor Corporation Canada

1986 1988 Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal Toronto, ON

Fire Protection Engineer, Technical Research, & Consulting Services

Provided technical support to municipal and provincial agencies with fire

investigation problems and the determination of possible fire causes and reasons

for fire spread.

Advised ministries and provincial agencies on matters relating to building design

and construction that resulted in a safer environment for their occupants.

Assisted in the administration of the Ontario Fire Code Regulation and

amendments made under the Fire Marshal’s Act.

Reviewed plans for construction, renovations, or alterations of buildings receiving

provincial funding to ensure compliance with the Building and Fire Codes.

Conducted technical investigations of fires and vapor explosions.

Provided technical expertise in fire protection and life safety at Coroner’s

inquests and criminal and civil litigation.

Assisted in the development and revision of the legislation that was included in

future editions of the Ontario Fire Code e.g. Ontario Fire Code Part 5, “Flammable

and Combustible Liquids.”

Conducted regional educational programs to assist fire departments in enforcing

the legislation.

Maintained representation on codes and standards committees who are

responsible for the development of codes and standards on which the Ontario law

is based as well as technical committees relating to fir matters with the Canadian

Standards Association (CSA), Underwriter’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC), ASTM,

NFPA, etc.

Answered phone and written inquires on fire protection and life safety issues.

1983 1986 Canadian Wood Council Ottawa, ON

Assistant Director of Fire Research

Recommended and coordinated desirable fire research activities and fire testing

programs, coordinated fire research activities directed toward improved

assessment of fire performance of wood and the development of improved

products.

Maintained contact with administrators of fire regulations and building codes,

extending contacts as desirable.

Maintained representations on codes and standards committees so far as

practical and a watch on developments in fire codes and fire regulations and

recommend remedial actions as needed.

Assembled and recorded useful facts and data on the fire performance of wood.

Kept the wood industry informed on fire regulations and codes and fire subjects.

Answered phone and written inquires on fire protection issues related to wood

products and the use of wood products in building construction.

1981 1983 Rolf Jensen & Associates Toronto, ON

Fire Protection & Building Code Consultant – Associate

Responsible for providing fire protection and Building Code consulting services

to engineers, architects, building owners, etc.

Worked closely with project design teams concerning general fire safety, identify

potential structural or process risks and determine preventive measures, ensure

that building codes and fire protection practices are adhered to and that concepts

are cost effective and practical.

Negotiated with Building and Fire officials on behalf of owners, cost effective

equivalencies, which do not affect fire protection or life safety.

Reviewed architectural and engineering plans.

Prepared evacuation and emergency instruction manuals and procedures.

Example of Projects:

CN Convention Center, Toronto, ON

West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, AL

1981 AON Reed Stenhouse Toronto, ON

Fire Prevention & Loss Control Engineer

Carried out safety and fire protection inspections (covering both large and

industrial complexes), conducted tests on equipment, identified risks and

recommended remedial actions where required.

Prepared underwriting reports.

Consulted with the Clients regarding recommended improvements and assisted

them in implementing the changes.

Analyzed fire protection for both new and existing buildings, checked drawings

for large projects prior to tender calls to ensure adherence to applicable standards

(e.g. NFPA) and later inspected the finished premises and the installed

equipment.

1976 1981 Insurers’ Advisory Organization Toronto, ON

Representative, Loss Control Engineering Department

Conducted periodic inspections of commercial and industrial risks.

Analyzed and reported on the fire protection for new and existing risks.

Prepared plans or revised existing ones covering all inspected risks.

Inspected fire protection systems to ensure they conformed to established

procedures, engineering practices, IAO standards, NFPA standards, etc.

Carried out extensive tests on equipment and fire protection systems e.g.

sprinkler, Halon, carbon dioxide, foam systems, etc.

Prepared underwriting reports and developed recommendations for upgrading

fire protection methods and practices.

Education 1970-1975 University of Toronto Toronto, ON

B.A.Sc. in Applied Science and Engineering – Chemical

1987-1991 Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, ON

Masters in Business Administration

1995-2000 Worcester Polytechnic Institute,Worcester, MA

M.Sc. Fire Protection Engineering

G.P.A. 4

Professional Engineer (Fire Protection) Florida

Registrations

Professional Engineer – Ontario, Canada

Fire Safety Inspector – Florida

Associate of the Insurance Institute of Canada (A.I.I.C.)

Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada (F.I.I.C.)

Associate of Canadian Risk Management (C.R.M.)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTEP)

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (Member)

Professional

Affiliations

National Fire Protection Association (Member)

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers

(Member)

Institute of Fire Engineers (Member)

National Fire Protection Association

Commissions and

Technical Committee on Airport Facilities – Former Member

Committees

Member Advisory Committee – Former Member & Canadian

Representative

Ontario Building Code Commission – Past Chair

Ontario Fire Code Commission – Past Vice Chair

Ontario Building Materials Evaluation Commission – Past Member

Executive Committee of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire

Codes –Past Member

Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada

Committee on Fire Tests – Past Member

Experience in Performance Based Designs – developing and negotiating

Skills

with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Expertise on the computer fire models e.g. CFST, FDS, Smokeview,

FPETool, Hazard, Fireform, FASTLite, Jasmine, CONTAM

Knowledgeable on Model Building and Fire Codes i.e. ICC, Standard,

Uniform, BOCA, National Codes of Canada, NFPA standards, UFC codes.

Conversant in HASS, The13, HYNET and other hydraulic design computer

programs.

Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SmartPlant.

Good verbal and writing skills.

Contact this candidate