Worldwide, there are increasing efforts to better understand the performance of buildings and infrastructure under a wide range of events, from accidental to deliberate, fire to natural hazards, climate change to terrorism. There is also an increasing focus on understanding the perceptions and responses of people to these events. This knowledge can then be employed in developing technology and policy solutions that better meet societal expectations for building and infrastructure safety and performance, resulting in a better allocation of resources focused on critical needs. My research and consulting addresses risk-informed and performance-based approaches to fire protection engineering analysis, design and regulation, fire impacts on buildings, infrastructure and the environment, and human behavior and egress during fire. In addition to creating new knowledge that is beneficial to the profession, these efforts influence regulatory decision makers in the United States and abroad, increasing safety and lowering risks to the public. This requires close collaboration with government agencies responsible for developing regulatory policy, particularly for performance-based building regulations.
Experience
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2008–presentAssociate Professor of Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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2000–2008Principal, Arup
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1997–2000Research Director, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
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1995–1997Technical Director, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Education
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2000Clark University, PhD, Risk & Public Policy
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1991Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MS, Fire Protection Engineering
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1984Worcester Polytechnic Institute, BS, Electrical Engineering
Professional Memberships
- IAFSS, IFireE, NFPA, SFPE, SRA
Honours
Fellow, Society of Fire Protection Engineers; Fellow, Institution of Fire Engineers
- Shrewsbury, MA, USA
- Website
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- brian@meachamassociates.com
- ORCID
- Joined
