020 - Fire Safety Engineering as a socio-technical system with Brian Meacham

Do you sometimes feel that fire safety engineering is not making a footprint as it should? With all our knowledge, models, technology...why do huge fires exist? Why fire is such a threat to billions of humans? In today's episode, I'm hosting a guest who spent three decades researching what performance-based fire safety engineering is, and what it could be. And I'm not completely sure if I like the answers I got from this talk. However, based on my experience of 17 interviews with world-class fire scientists I confirm - Brian has a great point in seeking the breakthrough in a change on how we perceive fire safety.It is a socio-technical system. A part of a much larger system of the built environment. If we don't learn how to treat it as such a system, if we continue to live in our silo separated from the rest of the engineering branches, there is not much that can change.This is an important episode. It does not give you easy wins or short answers. But it certainly provokes you to think about what role do you play in the big picture. And to realize that, I reckon it is worth an hour of your time.Learn more about Brian at his webpage:https://meachamassociates.com/or connect through LinkedInBrian is currently the Chairman of the IAFSS and past President of SFPE. Are you a member of these organizations? If not, maybe you should! Learn more at: https://www.iafss.org/https://www.sfpe.org/homeHere are some chosen papers by Brian, illustrating how his concepts evolved over time:(1999) International experience in the development and use of performance-based fire safety design methods: Evolution, current situation and thoughts for the future(2005) Performance-based building regulation: Current situation and future needs(2010) Accommodating innovation in building regulation: Lessons and challenges(2013) Twenty years of performance-based fire protection design: Challenges faced and a look ahead(2018) A socio-technical system framework for risk-informed performance-based building regulation----The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.