DOPE and TAPE ep160 Mark Hopkins

This episode of the Dope and Tape show features Mark Hopkins, a fire protection engineer with extensive experience in the field. He began his career working for his father's sprinkler installation company, where he gained hands-on experience in various roles.He pursued fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland, where he conducted full-scale fire tests and studied the interaction of sprinklers with different building materials. He worked at Hughes Associates (now Jensen Hughes), where he gained expertise in corrosion and its impact on sprinkler systems. He served as the Vice President of Engineering for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), where he gained a broader perspective of the fire protection industry. He currently works at Summit Fire Consulting and is involved in various committees and organizations, including the NFPA 13 committee and the Maryland Fire Prevention Commission. Mark discusses the causes of corrosion in sprinkler systems, emphasizing the role of trapped air and oxygen in accelerating the process. He also highlights the impact of changes in design approaches, joining methods, and material types on corrosion rates. Mark explains the importance of venting in sprinkler systems to release trapped air and reduce corrosion. He also discusses the challenges in implementing venting requirements in NFPA 13 and the need for practical solutions. Mark provides insights into the role of NFPA committees in developing and updating fire protection standards. He encourages listeners to get involved in these committees to contribute to the industry and expand their knowledge. Mark emphasizes the importance of community involvement and outreach to high school students to promote the fire protection industry as a viable career option.