Robert Michael Gagnon, P.E., S.E.T., F.SFPE

EDUCATION

• University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering, 1995.
• University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering, with Honors in Engineering, 1990.
• McDaniel College, formerly Western Maryland College, Westminster, Maryland; B.A. in Mathematics, 1971.
• Annapolis High School, Annapolis, MD; Accelerated College Preparatory Curriculum, 1966.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Gagnon Engineering
Founder and Principal Engineer, 1993 to present.

• Fire protection engineering-design, inspection, and plans review for sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, and building life safety. Fire protection code consulting.
• Fire protection system design, calculation, and specification for wet, dry, antifreeze, preaction, water spray, foam-water, deluge, standpipe, high and low expansion foam, CO2, clean agent, dry chemical, water mist, explosion suppression, and fire detection and alarm systems.
• Fire protection hazard analysis.
• Life safety design and analysis.
• Fire protection drawing, calculation, review, and supervision.
• Building inspection, certification, code compliance, and consulting.
• Fire protection expert witness work, research, and site investigations.
• Building or plant master planning and development of contract drawings and specifications.
• Fire protection system inspection, analysis, evaluation, and certification.
• Fire protection analyses, testing, problem solving.
• Fire protection contract drawings and specification development.
• Fire protection consultation for numerous overseas projects, including Singapore, Qatar, Marshall Islands, Kwajalien Atoll, Kuwait, Greenland, Bahamas, Antarctica, Bahrain, and Azores.

University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering
Lecturer, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, College Park, Maryland.

• Lecturer, ENFP 255 Fire Alarm and Special Hazards Design, 2000 to present.
• Lecturer, ENFP 310, Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, 1993 to 1999.
• Lecturer, ENFP 315, Fire Protection Systems Design II, 1994 to 1999.

Montgomery College Department of Applied Technologies
Lecturer, Department of Applied Technologies and Fire Science, Rockville, Maryland.

• Lecturer, FS 216, Detection and Suppression Systems, 1994 to 1998 (Interactive T.V.)
• Lecturer, FS 231, Automatic Sprinkler System Design I, 1992 to 1998.
• Lecturer, FS 232, Automatic Sprinkler System Design II, 1992 to 1998.

Robert M. Gagnon, SET
NICET Level IV-certified fire protection system design and consulting technician, 1991 to 1993.

• Layout and calculation of sprinkler, fire alarm, and special hazard fire protection systems.
  

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT, CONTINUED

"Automatic" Sprinkler Corporation of America
Eastern Region Special Hazards Coordinator, 1983 -1991, Baltimore Eastern Regional Office.

• Managed and trained special hazards technicians in the Eastern Region (Puerto Rico to Maine).
• Designed and managed projects involving nuclear power, 18-point quality assurance, ultra high speed detection and actuation, gaseous/particulate media, water spray, and explosion suppression.
• Performed training seminars and wrote handbooks for regional engineering managers, including:

               ~ "Fire Protection Engineering-The Cutting Edge", an update on the profession.
               ~ "Leadership in Engineering", a course in motivation, ethics, and leadership.
               ~ "Sprinklers and the New Technology", a review of current code developments.

• Performed consulting services for Government and industry, including the following examples:

               ~ A risk analysis of explosive hazards in six buildings at a military facility.
               ~ Analysis of a worst-case combined flow scenario for a petrochemical plant.
               ~ A water supply and water spray system analysis of the proposed expansion of a
                        pharmaceutical plant.
               ~ A redundancy/failure analysis of a low expansion foam system in a chemical plant.

Fireguard Corporation
Project Manager, 1977 to 1983, Capitol Heights, Maryland.

• Managed and trained design personnel.
• Designed and managed special hazards and ordinary hazards fire protection projects.     

"Automatic" Sprinkler Corporation of America
District Design Manager, 1975 to 1977, District #23 Office, Arlington, Virginia.

• Hired, managed, and trained all design personnel for the Washington district office.
• Designed all special hazards fire protection systems for the district office.     

"Automatic" Sprinkler Corporation of America
Special hazards designer, 1973 to 1975, Eastern Regional Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• Designed and calculated explosion suppression, water spray deluge, high speed Primac/Telemac and Pilotex, high/low expansion foam, light water ablative, halon, and dry chemical systems.

"Automatic" Sprinkler Corporation of America
Special hazards designer, 1973, Corporate Headquarters Office, Cleveland, Ohio.

"Automatic" Sprinkler Corporation of America
Sprinkler Systems Designer, 1970 to 1973, District #9 Office, Baltimore, Maryland.

• Designed and calculated wet pipe, dry pipe, preaction, and antifreeze systems.

Vitro Laboratories
Co-Op Staff Assistant, 1966 to 1970, Wheaton, Maryland.

• Assisted engineers performing Fortran computer services related to wiring interface modifications the Terrier missile launch control system for US Navy destroyer DLG-6.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

• Lighting designer, Mayo Players, Mayo, Maryland, 1964-1966.
• Lighting designer, Mylon Barr Productions, Annapolis, MD, 1966-1970.
• Lighting designer & technical production, Western Maryland College, 1966-1970.
• Lighting designer & electrician, Buck’s Rock Work Camp, New Milford, Conneticut, 1970.
• Lighting designer, Fort Benning Players, Fort Benning, Georgia, 1971-1972.

HONORS, REGISTRATIONS, AND CERTIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL HONORS

• The D. Peter Lund Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) International Career Award, “In recognition of contributions to the advancement of professional recognition of the fire protection engineer”, 2006
• Fellow, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) International Career Award, “For significant stature and accomplishment in engineering”, 2004
• Harold E. Nelson Service Award, SFPE International Service Award “For outstanding service to SFPE by SFPE members”, 2003
• Hat’s Off Award, SFPE International Service Award, “To recognize Society members who, in the course of their SFPE assignments, put forth that extra effort, walk that extra mile, to ensure that the effort expended was the very best”, 2001.
• Selected and biography published in Who's Who in America, 1997.
• Selected and biography published in Who's Who in Finance and Industry, 1996
• Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America Award: Best in Region, for Superior Achievement in Engineering Performance, 1988.
• Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America Award: Professional Excellence in Engineering Performance, 1986, 1987, and 1989.
• Elected to full member status in the International Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 1993.

REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Registered Professional Engineer in Maryland, fire protection engineering, #19875.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia, fire protection engineering, #023916.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, fire protection engr, #PE-044078-R.
• Registered Professional Engineer in the District of Columbia, mech. engineering, #10168.
• Registered Engineer-in-Training (EIT) in the State of Delaware, 1991.
• N.I.C.E.T. Level IV Senior Engineering Technician, Sprinkler System Design, #065345, 1983.
• N.I.C.E.T. Level IV Senior Engineering Technician, Special Hazards Design, #065345, 1989.
• Fire Suppression Systems Certificate, State of Delaware, classes II, IIIa, IIIc, IIId,& IV.

ACADEMIC HONORS

• Biography published in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
• Salamander Fire Protection Engineering Honor Society, Beta Chapter, University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering.
• Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering.
• Mortar Board National Honor Society, University of Maryland.
• Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, University of Maryland.
• Golden Key National Honor Society, University of Maryland.
• Engineering Honors Program graduate, University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering.
• Engineering Honors Finalist, presentation of paper, A Consulting Guide to Ultra High Speed Fire Suppression Systems for Explosive Hazards.
• Certificate of Scholarship, Annual Honors Convocation, University of Maryland.
• Finalist, University of Maryland H.C. Byrd Citizenship Prize for Men, for campus leadership.
• Received Senatorial, Ruritan and St. John's Scholarships, Western Maryland College.
• Blue Ribbon, 1st place, Anne Arundel County Industrial Arts Exhibition, Mechanical Drawing, 1966.
  

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS

• The D. Peter Lund Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) International Career Award, “In recognition of contributions to the advancement of professional recognition of the fire protection engineer”, 2006
• Member, Ethics Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 2006 to present.
• Co-Chair, Engineering Licensing Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 2004 to 2006. PE exam development, writing, and review coordinator.
• Fellow, SFPE International, Career Award “For Significant Stature and Accomplishment in Engineering”, 2004
• Harold E. Nelson Service Award, SFPE International Service Award “For Outstanding Service to SFPE by SFPE Members”, 2003
• “Hat’s Off Award”, SFPE Intl. Service Award, “For Efforts and Service to SFPE”, 2001.
• Chair, Engineering Licensing Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 2001 to 2004. PE exam development, writing, and review coordinator.
• Chair/founding member, SFPE International Task Group, SFPE Careers Task Force, 1999-2003. Wrote/edited SFPE Adopt-A-Highschool booklet; edited SFPE Career Guide; edited SFPE Careers PowerPoint presentation. Development committee for SFPE Video.
• Member, SFPE International Task Group, SFPE Careers Task Force, 1999-present.
• Corporate 100 Member Firm, 2005- present.
• Corporate 100 Small Business Member, 2002- 2005.
• Member, Public Awareness Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 2003-present.
• Member, SFPE Goal 2 Public Awareness Committee Task Group on Encouraging Fire Protection and Life Safety Documents to be Prepared, Supervised, and Reviewed for Approval by Licensed FPE’s, 2003-present.
• Member, SFPE Video Development Committee, 2004- 2005.
• Member, SFPE Summit on Fire Protection Engineering Recruitment, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, 2003.
• Mid-Atlantic Regional Editor, SFPE Fire Protection Engineering Magazine, 1999-present.
• Course development committee, SFPE Advanced Sprinkler System Design, 2001-2002.
• Member, task group on development of a FPE Careers PowerPoint Presentation, 2000-01
• Speaker: The SFPE Adopt-a-High School Program, SFPE Senate Meeting, May, 2001
• Author/Editor, SFPE Adopt-A-High School Program Manual,  a guidebook for SFPE members for spreading the word about fire protection engineering in high schools, 2000.
• Editor, SFPE Career Guide, second edition, 2001.
• Course Development Committee, SFPE Fire Alarm Design for Engineers, 1999 - 2002.
• Engineering Registration Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 1999 to present.
• Course Development Committee, SFPE seminar series, Sprinkler Design for Engineers.
• Instructor, SFPE seminar series, Sprinkler Design for Engineers, 1998 to 2000.
• Engineering Education Committee, Society of Fire Protection Engineers Intl., 1998-present.
• Member of the Fire Protection Engineering Professional Engineers exam test group, NCEES cut  score session for determination of standard of minimum competence and passing grades on Professional Engineers exam, 1998 and 1999.
• Presented "A Preview of New Chapter 9 in NFPA 15  on Ultra High Speed Water Spray Systems", a seminar for the SFPE New England Chapter, 1995.
• Presented "Ultra High Speed Suppression Systems for Explosive Hazards",  SFPE International Engineering Seminars - 1990 NFPA Annual Meeting.
• Elected Full Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 1993 to present
• Elected Associate Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 1990 to 1993
• Technologist Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers International, 1983-1990.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS-CHESAPEAKE

• President, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE International), Chesapeake Chapter, two one-year terms, 1997 to 1998, and 1998 to 1999. The Chesapeake Chapter was the sponsoring chapter for the NFPA/SFPE International Annual Meeting in Baltimore, 1999.
• Organizer and coordinator, Fire Protection Engineering Professional Engineer Examination Problem Review Workshop, SFPE Headquarters, 2000.
• Organizer and coordinator, Fire Protection Engineering Professional Engineer’s Problem Writing Workshop, SFPE Headquarters, 1999 and 2002.
• Chair, Nominations Committee, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1999 to 2001.
• Chair, Awards Committee, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1999 to present.
• Proposed and established Chesapeake Chapter Founder’s Award, 2002.
• Immediate Past President, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1999 to 2001.
• Organizer and coordinator, Professional Engineers exams grading session for all fire protection engineering in the United States, in conjunction with the SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1998.
• Chair, Registration Committee, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1998 to present.
• Vice President, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1995 to 1997.
• Professional Engineering exam problem writer and reviewer, 1995 to 2001.
• Graded FPE - PE exams for west coast examines, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1993 - 1996.
• Secretary, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1993 to 1995.
• Editor, The Pyrogram, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter monthly newsletter, 1993 to 1995.
• Executive Committee, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1991 to present.
• Chapter Service Award, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1991.
• Chair, Program Committee, SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1990 to 1992 and 1995 to 1997.
• Presented "Ultra High Speed Suppression Systems for Explosive Hazards", SFPE Chesapeake Chapter Seminar, Fire Protection Update, 1990.
• Joined SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, 1983.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND MISCELLANEOUS

• Founder and benefactor, Robert J. Gagnon Memorial Annual Nurses Training Scholarships, Anne Arundel Community College, 1986 to present
• Fire Science Curriculum Advisory Committee-Northern Virginia Community College Fire Science Curriculum, 1996 to 2002.
• Corporate Member, Engineers Club, Engineering Society of Baltimore, 2001– 2002.
• Reunion Planning Committee, Annapolis High School Alumni Association, 2001 to present.
• Nurses Training Committee, Voiture Locale #1230 of the 40 & 8, 1986 to 1990.
• Voiture Locale #1230 of the 40 & 8, war veterans honor and service society, 1980 to present.
• Member, Animal Advocates of Howard County, 1976 to present.
• American Legion, war veterans service organization, Post #226, 1972 to present.
• Captain, United States Army, Infantry, retired.
• Awarded the Eagle Scout Medal, God and Country Medal, and Inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scout Troop #453, Mayo, Maryland and Troop #299, Hyattsville, Maryland
  

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE -MARYLAND SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

• President, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), 1998 to 1999.
• National Director, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 2000 to 2001.
• Initiated candidates into the Order of the Engineer and installed new Maryland Society of Professional Engineers officers, 2001.
• Chair, Awards Committee, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 2000 to present.
• President -Elect, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 1997 to 1998.
• President, Howard County Chapter of Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), 1995 to 1996.
• Immediate Past President, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), 1999 to 2000.
• Completed Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Course: “Effective Expert Witnessing for Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Other Design Professionals”, 2001.
• Licensure and Qualifications for Practice Committee, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), 1999 to 2000.
• Chair, NSPE Task Force on Developing a Tool to Enhance Understanding of the Role of the Engineer, 1999 to 2000.
• Chair, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Task Force on Continuing Professional Competency of Professional Engineers, 1998 to 2000.
• Keynote speaker, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Engineer-for-a-Day program for high school seniors interested in engineering, The Future of the Profession of Engineering, 1999.
• Liaison to University of Maryland, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 1998 to 2001.
• Chair, Nominating Committee, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), 1999-2000.
• Member, NSPE Task Force to Develop a Plan to Increase the Number of Engineering Faculty with Professional Engineering Licenses, 1999 to 2000.
• Member, NSPE Task Force to Develop Tools Encouraging Graduating Engineers to Become Licensed, 1999 to 2000.
• Chair, Annual Meeting, Seminar, and Golf Committee, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 1997 to 1998.
• Re-initiated the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Order of the Engineer Link and inducted new members, 1996.
• Member, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), 1989 to present..
  

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

• President, Board of Directors, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter, 1998 to 1999.
• Board of Governors, University of Maryland Alumni Association, 1998 to 1999.
• Selection Committee, Clark School of Engineering Innovation Hall of Fame, 1999- present.
• Scholarship Committee Chair, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, 1994 to present. Provide scholarship to UM engineering student annually.
• Speaker, “Ethics for the Engineering Professional”, Department of Nuclear and Materials Science Engineering, March 30, 2000.
• Immediate Past President, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter 1999-2000.
• Nominations Committee Chair, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter, 1999 to 2000.
• Engineering Honors Program Evaluation Committee, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, 1998.
• Component Organizations Committee, University of Maryland Alumni Association, 1998 to 1999.
• President - Elect, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter 1997-1998.
• Alumni Advocacy Committee, University of Maryland Alumni Association, 1997 to present.
• Wrote/edited Guidelines for Success in Engineering Practice, a framable scroll given to all Clark School of Engineering graduates at the University of Maryland, 1997-present.
• Keynote speaker, University of Maryland Order of the Engineer Induction Ceremony, Ethical Conduct in Engineering Practice, ‘97, ’98, ‘99.
• Treasurer, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter 1996-1997.
• Chair, Mentor Committee, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter, 1995 to 1998.
• Liaison to Howard County High Schools, Science Fair Committee,  University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter, 1993 to 2000. Select and present the A. James Clark School of Engineering Science Fair Award for the Howard County science fair project that best exemplifies an understanding of engineering principles.
• Board of Directors, University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter, 1993 to 2000.
• Contributor and Fundraiser, Omicron Delta Kappa Reflecting Pool on McKeldin Mall, University of Maryland College Park, Maryland, 1988-1991.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE- AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER ASSOCIATIONS

• Member, American Fire Sprinkler Association, Chesapeake Chapter, 1991 to present.
• Judge, American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Essay Contest, 2002- 2005.
• Legislative Committee, American Fire Sprinkler Association, Chesapeake Chapter, 1993-98.
• Chair, Industry Committee, American Fire Sprinkler Association, Chesapeake, 1994 -95
• Member, National Fire Sprinkler Association, Chesapeake Chapter, 1991 to present.
• Instructor, Fire Protection System Plan Review for Authorities Having Jurisdiction,     National Fire Sprinkler Association, Radford University, 1988.
  

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - TAU BETA PI NATIONAL ENGINEERING HONOR SOCIETY

• President, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, 1999 to present.

President, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, 1994 to 1997.

• Voting Delegate, Tau Beta Pi 99th National Convention, Orlando, Florida, 2004.
• Vice President, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, 1993-1994.
• Secretary, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, 1992-1993.
• Scholarship Committee Chair, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, 1994 to present.
• Editor, Tau Beta Pi Baltimore Alumnus Chapter Newsletter, 1994 to present.
• Elected student member, Maryland Beta Chapter, University of Maryland.

 

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH-DEPARTMENT OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING

• Editor-in Chief, Department of Fire Protection Engineering 50th Anniversary History Book, 2007.
• Founder and benefactor, Robert M. Gagnon Centennial Fire Protection Engineering Annual Scholarships, University of Maryland, 22 scholarships awarded from 1993 to present. Scholarship endowed in 2006.
• Adjunct Lecturer, 1993 to present.
• Editor-in Chief, Department of Fire Protection Engineering 40th Anniversary History Book, 1996.
• Career Day Committee, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, 1996-1998.
• Editor, FPE Hotline, Alumni publication of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering, 1996-2001.
• Development Committee, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute’s Water Supply Officer Program, 1998.
• Chair, FPE Reunion Committee, Department of Fire Protection Engineering 40th Anniversary Alumni Reunion, College Park, Maryland, 1996.
• FPE Reunion Committee, Department of Fire Protection Engineering Alumni Reunion, NFPA Meeting Reunion, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999.
• Fire Science Course Evaluator, American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service, 1994.

 

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH – MCDANIEL COLLEGE (WESTERN MARYLAND COLLEGE)

• Member, Nominations and Governance Committee of the Alumni Council, McDaniel College, (2006 to present).
• Member, Class of 1971 35th Reunion Committee (fundraising, alumni calling, organizing), 2006. Class of 1971 won the Old Main Award for highest contributions to Annual Fund, 2006.
• Editor, Class of 1971 Reunion Directory, 2006.
• Endowed Robert M. Gagnon, P.E. Annual Mathematics Award, 2006.
• Member, McDaniel College Founders Society, 2004- present.
• Founder and benefactor, Robert M. Gagnon, P.E. Annual Mathematics Award, scholarship awarded to a distinguished sophomore, junior or senior mathematics major with demonstrated aptitude and financial need, 2000 to present.
• Participant, Top of the Hill Alumni Association Leadership Program, 2000.
• Alumni Association regional representative, fundraising campaign, 1984.
• Alumni Association panelist/speaker for program, Welcome to the Class of 1988, 1984

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE- NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

 

NFPA Technical Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Systems

• Member- Nonvoting, Technical Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Systems, 2003-present.

NFPA Technical Correlating Committee on Health Care Facilities

•    Member, Technical Correlating Committee on Health Care Facilities, 2007-present.

NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

• Secretary, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems, 2001 - 2005.
• Principal Member, Special Expert, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems, 2001 to present.

NFPA 15 Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection

• Secretary, Technical Committee on Water Spray Systems, 1998 to present.
• Chair & editor, Task Group on metric conversions, 2000; Task Group on Piping Corrosion and Protection; TG on Velocity in Hydraulic Calculations, 2000.
• Chair /editor, Task Group on total rewrite of chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8, 1995 to 1996.
• Chair /author, Task Group writing draft of new chapter on ultra-high speed water        spray systems, 1995 to 1996.
• Principal Member, Special Expert, 1993 to present.

NFPA 16 Standard for Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Spray Systems

• Chair, Technical Committee on Foam-Water Sprinkler and Spray Systems, 2003 to present.
• Secretary, Technical Committee on Foam-Water Sprinklers, 1999 to 2003.
• Chair, Task Group on consolidating discharge & design criteria for NFPA 16A and    NFPA 16, 1998.
• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to present.

NFPA 16A Standard for Installation of Closed Head Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems

• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to 1998, TC on Foam-Water Sprinklers.
• Standard was consolidated into NFPA 16 in 1998.

NFPA 22 Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection

• Secretary, Technical Committee on Water tanks, 2000 – present.
• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to present, Technical Committee on Water Tanks.

NFPA 24 Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains

• Secretary, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems, 2001 - present.
• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to present, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems.
• Committee reports to NFPA 13 Technical Correlating Committee, 2001.

NFPA 26 Supervision of Valves Controlling Water Supplies for Fire Protection

• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to 1995, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems.
• Standard was consolidated into other NFPA standards in 1995.

NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities

• Principal Member - Special Expert, 2007 to present, TC on Health Care Facilities.

NFPA 214 Standard on Water Cooling Towers

• Principal Member -Special Expert, 1994  to present, Technical Committee on Water Cooling Towers.
• Member, Task group on Pilot Sprinklers, 2003-2004.

NFPA 291 Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants

• Secretary, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems, 2001 - present.
• Principal Member - Special Expert, 1994 to present, Technical Committee on Private Water Supply Systems.
• Task Group member: Fire Flow Test Formulae and Tables Editing, 2001.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE-NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

FIRE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATORS SECTION

• Vice Chair, NFPA Fire Science and Technology Educators Section, 2002 - 2004.
• Member, nominating committee, 2008-2009.
• Chair, Nominating Committee, NFPA Fire Science and Technology Educators Section, 2000.
• Board of Directors, NFPA Fire Science & Technology Educators Section, 1999 - present.
• Member, NFPA Fire Science and Technology Educators Section, 1998 - present.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE-NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

SECTION MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE

• NFPA Industrial Section, 1999 to present.
• NFPA Education Section, 1997 to present.
• NFPA Aviation Section, 1997 to present.
• NFPA Building Fire Safety Systems Section, 1997 to present.
• NFPA Technical Committee Leadership Conference, completion certificate, 1996.
• NFPA Architects, Engineers, and Building Officials Section, 1989 to present.
• National Fire Protection Association member, 1989 to present.

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE-NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Speaker, NFPA World Fire Safety Congress, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2005, “A Designer’s Guide to Automatic Sprinkler Systems”.
• Speaker, NFPA World Fire Safety Congress, Minneapolis, MN, May 2002, “Performance Based Fire Alarm Design”.
• Speaker, NFPA World Fire Safety Congress, Anaheim, CA, May 2001, “Smoke Detection Evaluation in Enclosures with High-Velocity Airflow”.
• Author/editor, "Ultra High Speed Suppression Systems for Explosive Hazards", NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition.
• Peer Manuscript Reviewer, Fire Technology, 2000.
• Robert M. Gagnon, P.E., Author, "Ultra High Speed Suppression Systems for Explosive Hazards", NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition, 2003, Volume II, Section 10, Chapter 16, pages 10-275 to 10-299; 18th Edition, 1997, Section 6, Chapter 14, pages 6-198 to 6-215.
• Speaker, NFPA World Fire Safety Congress and Exposition, Baltimore, Maryland, May, 1999, “High Expansion Foam - An Unusual Application in Singapore”.
• Speaker, NFPA World Fire Safety Congress, New Orleans, November, 1999, “A Methodology for Selecting the Appropriate Fire Suppression System for a Given Application”.
• Speaker, NFPA Annual Meeting Exhibitor’s Showcase for Delmar Publishers, Cincinnati, Ohio, May, 1998, “Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems and Design of Special Hazard and Fire Alarm Systems”. 
  

SELECTED PROJECT EXAMPLES

Maryland Port Authority, Baltimore, Maryland- For many buildings from 2001 to present, Sprinkler, fire alarm, fire pump and deluge system design. Sprinkler, hydraulic, and fluid delivery time calculations. Creation of specifications and contract drawings, performance of shop drawing and submittal review, performance of field inspections. Recent examples: Shed 4 Locust Point, 215K Building Locust Point, Cruise Terminal, Multi-Building analysis of existing storage buildings, National Harbor waterfront, Investigation of pipe corrosion-multi-building, Clinton Street Boatel.

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland- For many buildings from 1993 to present, Sprinkler, fire pump, explosion suppression, fire detection and alarm, and foam system design. Sprinkler calculations. Preparation of shop drawings. Field survey and inspections. Recent examples: Building E-4230, E-3549, 638, 2480, 5188, E-5101, A-4117, 4303.

High schools, Baltimore County, Maryland- For numerous high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools from 1993 to present, sprinkler and fire alarm design and calculation. recent examples: Sparrows Point HS, Perryville Middle School, Chestnut Ridge, Golden Ring Middle School.

Expert witness cases throughout the US- Numerous cases involved investigation of frozen sprinkler pipes, failure of fire pumps, valve failure, suppression inadequacy, etc. Cases are confidential-cannot reveal details.

Carpenter Corporation, Foglesville, Pennsylvania- Chief Fire Protection Engineer for all projects and expansions for Corporation. Sprinkler, fire alarm, deluge, preaction, foam design and calculation. Creation of contract drawings and specifications, and review of shop drawings and submittals. Recent examples: Carpenter Company expansion-Foglesville, Carpenter Altoona.

Superior Automatic Sprinkler Corporation- Chief Fire Protection Engineer for all projects, 1993-present. Sprinkler, fire alarm, deluge, foam, clean agent, carbon dioxide, explosion suppression system design and calculation. Recent examples: Record Armory, Rooted Bible Church, Ft Meade Building 2480, Old Emmorton, Parkville Senior Center, Food Lion Columbia, Chestnut Ridge Fire Department, Chinook Helicopter Hangar-Ft Meade, Church of the Redeemed, MD State Police-DNA Evidence Storage-Pikesville.

Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America- Special hazard design for all projects in Eastern Region, 1970 to 1995 (Automatic Sprinkler ceased to exist in 1995). Design and calculation of industrial fire suppression and detection for numerous clients, including Dupont, BF Goodrich, Monsanto, Picatinny Arsenal, Boston Edison, Pennsylvania Power and Light. Examples: Deepwater Power Plant, Delmarva Cooling Tower, Picatinny Arsenal Explosion Protection, Sartomer Corp., Boston Edison, Merck Danville, PP&L Holtwood, Monsanto TCE, Semass Boston, Union Carbide Transformers, International Paper, Lederle Labs, Epsilon vessel protection, Saranac Energy, JK Storage, Giant Cascades, Ft Belvior CEETA, Kwajalien Atoll suppression, Washington National Airport, Walter Reed AMC.

 

SHORT BIO:

• Fellow, Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
• Holds BA in Mathematics from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), and a BS and MS in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland
• Serves as Lecturer at the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering
• Has performed design, calculation, specification, and consultation on fire suppression and detection systems since 1970.
• Serves as President of Gagnon Engineering, a fire protection engineering consulting firm
• Registered Professional Engineer in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia
• Author: Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, Author: Design of Special Hazard and Fire Alarm Systems, Co-Author: A Designer’s Guide to Fire Alarm Systems, Editor/Author:  A Designer’s Guide to Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
• Past President of the following organizations: SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, and the Board of Directors of the University of Maryland Engineering Alumni Chapter.
• Currently President of Tau Beta Pi Baltimore Alumnus Chapter, the National Engineering Honor Society.
• Serves as Chair of NFPA 16 (Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems).
• Secretary and Principal member (Special Expert Category) for the following committees: NFPA 13 (Private Water Supply Piping Committee), NFPA 15, NFPA 22, NFPA 24, and NFPA 291.
• Serves as Principal member, Special Expert for NFPA 214.
• Author of chapter on Ultra High Speed Deluge Systems in the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook.
• Founder and benefactor of the Robert M. Gagnon Endowed Scholarship, the Robert J. Gagnon Memorial Nurses Training Scholarship, and the Robert M. Gagnon Endowed Mathematics Award.
• Author of numerous journal articles and scholarly papers.