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Join the SFPE Chesapeake Chapter for a full day symposium of learning and networking including the following discussions.  The day will include time with sponsorship vendors, food, and a total of 5 CEU’s.

• An engaging Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) panel featuring representatives from Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and the State of Maryland. This panel will explore critical fire protection and life safety design issues impacting the DMV region, including performance-based design, third-party review processes, high-rise wood construction, and more. Attendees will gain valuable insights into jurisdictional expectations, permitting trends, and common design pitfalls, helping design professionals better navigate local code requirements.
• Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC. will be providing a presentation on updates to stationary energy storage system codes with a focus on indoor installations. The presentation will center around the 2020 Edition of NFPA 855, as the state of Maryland is in the process of adopting this standard, and how the 2023 update has modified this code. FRA will provide a framework for understanding the relevance of this information by describing Maryland's history with adopting NFPA standards, providing information on how BESS installations are classified by the standard, and explaining BESS characteristics that trigger the applicability of NFPA 855. FRA will also highlight general changes that are expected from the 2026 update to the standard as well as updates to relevant test standards.
• The Maryland State Fire Prevention Code plays a critical role in ensuring consistent and effective fire and life safety standards throughout the state. As a member of the Code Adoption Committee, Christopher Koch was directly involved in the recent adoption process that culminated in the approval of the 2024 editions of NFPA 1 (Fire Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) as the foundation of Maryland’s statewide fire code. This significant regulatory update was officially adopted on June 23, 2025.  In this session, Mr. Koch will provide attendees with an in-depth overview of the Maryland fire code adoption process, including the stakeholder engagement, review procedures, and approval timeline that led to the current code update. He will highlight the most impactful changes between the 2018 and 2024 editions, with a focus on Maryland-specific amendments that reflect the unique needs and priorities of the state’s jurisdictions.
• An in-depth examination of fire protection requirements for parking structures, with a focus on sprinkler system design and compliance with NFPA standards. It covers the evolution of fire protection guidelines, recent changes in regulations, and challenges associated with modern vehicle hazards. Attendees will gain insights into occupancy classification, fire risks in parking facilities, and best practices for ensuring safety through effective fire suppression strategies.

Contact Kristin Weniger at kweniger@koffel.com with any questions or concerns.