Episode 103: Disaster Prevention 101: What Building Owners and Managers Can’t Ignore

In this episode of Building Knowledge, we take a hard look at how building owners and managers can prevent disasters before they happen. Our guest is Miguel Quintanilla, Principal of Collado Engineering and a frequent contributor to the podcast.Miguel analyzes recent and past tragedies—including a deadly New Year’s Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort and the Station Nightclub fire—to identify critical life-safety warning signs and recurring failures. The discussion highlights the most important lessons owners and managers must take away, from the dangers of unpermitted renovations and inadequate egress to the risks posed by crowd density, special events, and pyrotechnics.The episode also examines the role and effectiveness of automatic sprinkler systems, underscoring why proactive planning and code compliance are essential to protecting lives and properties.