Session 9

Alternative Solutions and Alternate Measures: How Engineering and Life Safety Discovered the Secret Sauce to Make the Seemingly Impossible, Possible

This presentation will feature two dynamic speakers addressing the challenges of balancing building and fire code requirements with practical operational needs. Through case studies, the speakers will highlight innovative, performance-based solutions used to overcome obstacles in real-world projects, demonstrating how these approaches gained approval from building and fire officials, allowing the projects to proceed despite regulatory constraints.

Case 1: The second busiest train station in North America, which serves 91% of commuter traffic daily, faces a major issue: the primary egress route will be closed for four years, posing a challenge to maintaining the hub's operational capacity for 200,000 daily commuters.

Case 2: An abandoned coal generator plant, lacking basic safety systems, needs to be transformed into a venue for a 17-day cultural event accommodating 6,500 people. The venue must host activities such as base jumping and performances, and be built in just three weeks before being dismantled after the event.

The presentation will explore how innovative, performance-based solutions helped solve these complex problems.

Judith Myddelton, LRI Engineering

Judith Myddelton has over 24 years of experience in municipal fire service, earning the respect of her peers for her dedication to fire prevention and public education. She mentors young women through her volunteer work at Camp Molly and holds an Honours Fire Protection Engineering Technologist diploma from Seneca Polytechnic. Judi is NFPA certified in several areas, including Fire Prevention Inspections, Public Education, Hazmat, Fire Investigations, and Fire Service Instruction. She also taught the Pre-Service Fire Program at Georgian College for 10 years and is an active member of CFSA, OMFPOA, and SFPE.

Farzan Ikhlas, LRI Engineering

Farzan Ikhlas is a project consultant with a strong background in Chemical Engineering, holding a Masters of Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Specializing in code consulting, Farzan brings technical expertise to phased occupancy reviews and alternative solutions. Known for his problem-solving skills, he is frequently sought after for his work on complex and challenging projects.