Fire Protection Engineering and Building Code Consulting
Optimize. Innovate. Achieve. "DiBiO."
703-856-6045
Joe Cappuccio Engineering
Let me help you succeed!
Welcome! Since I first learned of the discipline of Fire Protection Engineering as a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student, I focused my academic and professional career on this industry. With 30 years in the profession as a licensed fire protection engineer, my experience has incorporated leading and managing the execution of engineering projects as part of a large engineering firm. I now pivot with the ability to focus more directly on providing engineering solutions for my clients. My passion is protecting life, property and maintaining mission continuity through the application of fire protection engineering. Please take a look around and explore the various services I offer. Read a few, short project descriptions and hopefully understand the passion that I enjoy when engaged in addressing and resolving fire protection related challenges.
About
“DiBiO!”
Pronounced (di’-bee-oh), it refers to a very simplified path for the built environment.
It’s a word that marks my 30+ year career and my professional aspiration for 2022.
Design it.
Build it.
Occupancy!
I collaborate and partner with design professionals, including architects and engineers, to design new and renovated buildings, some are listed as historic.
I collaborate and partner with construction professionals to build these designs.
I collaborate and partner with building owners, developers and property managers to obtain occupancy for their buildings.
Incorporated within these efforts is collaboration and partnering with building and fire officials to obtain occupancy approval through their design review and construction inspection procedures, and by participating in their mission of protecting their communities through the code enforcement process, including equivalent levels of protection analyses.
Designing and building structures has minimal, if any, relevance if they aren’t occupied and serve their community.
Whether it’s a hospital to care for the ill, an elder care home for our seniors, mercantile and/ or storage to provide for commerce, residential that provides homes for families or respite during travel, an assembly facility where we gather for worship or other assembly venues in which we gather for the “The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” (Jim McKay, ABC’s Wide World of Sports! 😊)….. Well, there’s obviously a much longer list of building uses that encompasses every way we want, and need, buildings to perform for us.
Buildings serve a purpose in a community… in their community, and I enjoy bringing them to fruition….to occupancy!
I look forward to collaborating and partnering with you on such endeavors.
DIBIO!
There are various nuances to the application of building and fire codes to large and even small, what should be straight forward, design and construction projects. My experience, training and creativity has served to resolve numerous fire protection related challenges on a wide variety of building types, occupancy types and jurisdictions. My role is to take that burden from you and assist with keeping a project on its schedule and meeting its design intent and occupancy goal. I’m an honest and positive professional whose first priority is always the interests of my clients. It's what I do!
Services
Your Strategic Partner
Fire Protection Engineering Master Planning
My services are focused on assisting clients with developing a holistic approach to the application of fire protection in their facility. This service can be applied to new and existing buildings. There is further discussion of the US Capitol project in the Projects portion of this site. However, it is my most notable master plan project and initially involved a detailed survey to identify deficient or substandard features and then the engineering to develop resolutions to those deficiencies. Typical with masterplanning, separate projects evolve to design and remediate challenges in existing buildings. With new facilities, especially a campus setting, the features are incorporated within individual buildings or portions of buildings as they are constructed and often involve an integration of buildings and their systems, further complicating the design and implementation. Strategic vision and core knowledge of fire protection are combined to Masterplan effectively. That's me.
Engineering Analysis
There are a variety of analytical and quantifiable methods that can be employed to resolve the myriad of challenges in the fire protection realm. Heat transfer and smoke development are important parameters when evaluating fire protection hazards. The fire protection features coupled with building geometry and occupancy type are also important factors requiring consideration as part of an engineering analysis. Often these techniques are utilized to indicate equivalency to a prescriptive building or fire code requirement. Fortunately, these skills were introduced as I pursued my Masters Degree. They were further developed during my 30 years of practice as a Professional Engineer. This is my wheelhouse! I embrace the 'nerd' that I am!
Building Code Consulting
To me, the building codes are similar to cookbooks. They are prescriptive and state various requirements for "this and that" features, just as a cookbook indicates the variety of ingredients required for a certain recipe. Many of us embrace cooking recipes, but we vary the ingredients to obtain our desired taste. With building features and code compliance, it's not quite that easy. The building and fire code development process cannot incorporate the wide range of creativity that designers, developers and owners desire in their facilities, their "taste." My role is to assist design teams, developers and owners with achieving their desired building features while meeting the holistic and specific safety thresholds indicated in the building and fire codes. In some circumstances, resolution requires the development of Code Equivalencies. In other occurrences, the broader identification of building features and code resource evaluation can be used to justify the adequacy of a proposed approach. Other times, especially with existing buildings and renovation projects, there are numerous stumbling blocks to achieving code compliance. I'm not sure if I owe a royalty for this or not, but....I know a thing or 2 because I've seen a thing or 2! Lots of successes along the way! Let's go make your version of Chili! It'll be safe. I need to sleep at night. However, creative methods exist to resolve many of these code conflicts. This has been a large part of my practice, and I really enjoy finding creative methods for maintaining fire safety while meeting other objectives. These are the "fun" projects!
Construction Administration and System Testing
The roles included in Construction Administration and System Testing are broad. Smoke control special inspection is an established but not completely utilized code requirement. You should do it right, and I can make that happen! Other systems include suppression, fire alarm, and passive fire protection systems. I provide assistance during construction to help affirm system integrity so that when the official test by the fire marshal or building official occurs, you know that the system is correct and that it won't be the cause of construction delay. Early in my career, I was part of a team that my employer established for a project to assist with completing the construction of a shopping mall. (We used to build those, now they are up for various forms of adaptive re-use.) Anyway, our role with the mall project was to assure that the fire protection systems which included automatic sprinkler, standpipes, fire alarm and smoke control all worked and would not cause a delay in the Mall’s certificate of occupancy. Oh, and they were also integrated together and those input/ outputs also had to work. The issue for our client, the mall developer, was potential liquidated damages to each of their 300 tenants for each day of not being ‘open’ after the contracted opening date. I have many stories from this experience! We were invited to the mall's opening party, so we seemingly pulled it off! With today's increased interest in system integration and owners' desires to have documented compliance with the integrated systems testing protocols, an experienced engineer on your site can help you achieve those objectives. I got this! Your subs' subs will know my name! And...It Will Be Done Right!
Passive Fire Protection Analysis
This service is the result of a request that I received in 2012 to participate on an Ad Hoc committee established by a local jurisdiction that was focused on enhancing their processes for evaluating passive fire protection features during construction when a specific listed detail could not be installed. Passive fire protection is generally considered to be fire rated walls and floor/ ceiling assemblies and the penetrations of them by other building features such as pipes, conduit, structural members, etc. My services focus on the evaluation of existing and proposed passive systems. I am very experienced with resolving construction challenges related to meeting specific design requirements of "Listed" and tested systems in the real world/ built environment. I work collaboratively with the architectural designer so as to not adversely impact the architectural fabric that they and the owner desire and, when it is the ....we are building this now moment, I collaborate with the contractor to assure that it's buildable! Heck, I can design or specify many things, but it means nothing if it can't be efficiently constructed. I understand.
Due Diligence
I evaluate existing buildings' fire protection and life safety systems and features, often as part of a broader team of experts and engineers who review areas of their respective practice. These assessments are utilized by building owners and prospective building purchasers to assess the condition of existing features. My assessments focus on evaluating compliance with either, or both, of current or previous code-based requirements. Estimated costs for remediation are provided. These evaluations assist building owners with understanding the current state of fire protection systems. Prioritization of remediation of fire protection systems or features can also be provided.
A few project descriptions
I 'only' have 30 years of experience. However, this still could be a very long, long list! The following are a few highlights, but there have been many others including: other historic structures, other mission critical facilities, other healthcare and penal facilities. I have also participated in the design of stadiums and arenas, laboratories, colleges and universities, hospitality and resorts, industrial and factories, mixed use, residential, warehouses, adaptive re-use, business/ office buildings, new and existing buildings. I have a broad professional experience in varied occupancies and building types. (...I'm no rookie!)
United States Capitol
What a privilege to have participated in this Masterplan and follow up remediation design projects! Wow! The United States Capitol! ......and I was fortunate to survey it, inspect it, and develop concept solutions for its fire protection challenges. With this project, I collaborated with architects, curators, historians, and security (Sergeants at Arms) to assess and develop strategic solutions for a very historic edifice, who's longevity is required, but who's historic fabric should not be compromised. Talk about a challenging design environment! That's a landmark project in my career! I was able to gain access to portions of the building that few ever gain....the top of the Rotunda (ok, some tours get your there) the attic, the roof, the basement....the whole basement...anyway, it was an incredible project that endured for about 8 years between Masterplan and follow-on projects. It was an amazing example of collaboration and incorporating very competing visions of historic preservation, security and fire safety criteria. I loved it!
Subterranean Military Command and Control Facility
Located a half mile or so underground with the 'ginormous' blast doors, like those shown in the movies, this was quite a project, and I was brought back 15 years later for another evaluation and was able to see the changes to the site. This is supposedly a secret site and requires some form of clearance to gain access, so I won't jeopardize that trust with too much information, but the crux of the challenge is....the facility is essentially a large underground building. When it is "buttoned-up," it's on its own......water, air, food, power....fire protection and life safety....ya know, the essentials. Kinda like a submarine......think about it.....and it can't surface. Let's say there's a fire. So as you look at the picture associated with this text, it's under there...SOMEWHERE! Oh, and it helps to keep us safe! A truly Mission Critical project! I was also a member of NFPA 520, Standard for Subterranean Spaces.
Healthcare
I have many healthcare project experiences. I have surveyed hospitals as part of their Joint Commission assessments. (Yah, lots of ceiling tile remnants down my back...itchy!) I have collaborated on the design of multiple hospitals, including VA hospital and clinic facilities, private hospital and clinic facilities, and perhaps the most nameworthy, the Landstuhl Medical Center located in Germany, which is the largest US medical center outside of the United States. My family has several medical professionals, so these projects have a special place with me.
Penitentiaries, Prisons and Jails - Penal Institutions
I include this occupancy, in part, because I was on-site at one of them, Lee County Penitentiary, on 9/11. Although I had a radio, it didn't work well through the concrete and steel as I performed a site inspection of this construction project. There was no one around in the areas that I inspected, so I worked "dumb and happily" for hours. I returned to the construction trailer park to learn the world had changed. For about 10 years of my career, I found myself highly involved in the design and/or evaluation of federal penitentiaries, state prisons and jails. Keeping inmates safe from fire while maintaining security are seemingly opposing goals, but with an understanding of the management theory and code requirements, it is accomplishable. Human safety to fire is more challenging when incarcerated and one cannot just go outside. The employees are also at more peril due to the security features. Property protection and mission continuity are also an element of jail, prison and penitentiary design. (Oh, and I have a funny smoke control testing story from the Lee County site!) Give me a call, and I'll tell you about it!
Resume
Passionate and Experienced
I’m a highly passionate and detail-oriented Engineering Consultant with a knack for strategy and the ability to prioritize effectively. I take pride in my academic and professional achievements — take a look at my CV below.
JOSEPH CAPPUCCIO, P.E.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Professional Engineer with 30 years of broad and in-depth experience in fire protection engineering, project management, and operations management. Engineering experience includes concept design through construction implementation. Resourceful problem solver with proven ability to bring quick resolution to challenging situations as well as building lasting relationships with various stakeholders including clients and team members.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jensen Hughes, Inc., Fairfax, VA
Multi-disciplinary engineering firm consisting of approximately 1,400 staff.
Vice President Southeast Region
Directed the operation of 5 office locations.
Developed and executed the region’s office business development programs.
Developed and executed the region’s project management program.
Executed project management process incorporating proposal through cash collection systems in each office.
Maintained staff retention and participated in new staff recruitment for the region.
Performed approximately 20% direct engineering services.
Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc, Fairfax, VA
Niche engineering firm specializing in fire protection engineering and security consulting and design consisting of approximately 220 staff. Rolf Jensen & Associates merged with Hughes and Associates in 6/2014 to form Jensen Hughes, Inc.
Executive Vice President of US Operations
Directed all US based operations which included approximately 15 office locations.
Developed growth and operations strategies with 3 regional operations vice presidents.
Performed occasional direct engineering services when skills, including quality assurance oversight were needed.
Responsibility continued until 12/2014 to accommodate merger responsibilities.
Senior Vice President Northeast Region
Directed 5 office locations.
Developed and executed the region’s offices business development programs.
Developed and executed the region’s project management program.
Executed project management process incorporating proposal through cash collection systems in each office.
Maintained staff retention and participated in new staff recruitment for the region.
Performed approximately 20-25% direct engineering services.
Other Roles with Rolf Jensen & Associates:
Vice President/ Engineering Manager
Office management with additional responsibilities related to the larger company performance perspective.
Engineering Manager
Directed office operations, leadership and financial performance.
Associate Manager
Supported Engineering Manager with office operations.
Developed Engineering Manager acumen.
Senior Consulting Engineer
Performed more robust and larger project management and project execution.
Participated in heightened client interactions and service.
Consulting Engineer
Achieved licensure status.
Performed technical oversight and project management of various fire protection projects.
Project Engineer
Executed technical excellence on a variety of project types and engineering skills.
Project/ Building Types Portfolio Includes:
Healthcare/ Hospitals
Laboratories
Penitentiaries/ Detention Centers
Hospitality/ Hotels and Convention Centers
Industrial/ Factory
Mixed Use Retail/ Residential
US Embassies
Colleges/Universities
Storage/ Warehouses
Large adaptive re-use projects such as shopping malls
Business Use/ Office Buildings
EDUCATION
MS, Fire Protection Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
“Development of Analytical Techniques for Risk Management Training”
BS, Mechanical Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
PUBLICATIONS
MEP Roundtable, “Shopping Around,” Consulting-Specifying Engineer
“Fire Suppression Systems,” Consulting Specifying Engineer – Roundtable
"Planning for Terrorist Trauma - Fire Safety Lessons of September 11," Facility Management Journal
"Fire Safety in Buildings,” The Military Engineer
"Validation of the Wall Heat Program," presented to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, New England Chapter
"Analytical Techniques for Risk Management Training," Master’s Thesis
"A Fire Risk Assessment Methodology," presented to the National Fire Protection Association
"Predicting Fire Safety in Industrial Structures," Industrial Fire World
"The State of the Art in Computer Fire Modeling," presented at the WATTec Conference
"Comparison of Code Prescriptive Egress with an Analytical Determination of Safe Occupant Egress," presented to the National Fire Protection Association
"Architectural CAD-Based Topological Building Models for Fire Hazard Analysis," presented at the 1st International Conference on Fire Research and Engineering
"Pitfalls of Building Fire Performance Evaluation," presented to the Fire Risk and Hazard Assessment Symposium
“FireCAD Development for Fire Hazard Analysis,” 2nd International Conference on Fire Research and Engineering
“Smoke Control Testing Protocol,” presented at the Joint SFPE and ASHRAE Symposium
“Performance Evaluation in Virtual Environments: The Integrated Design,” presented at the Second International Conference on Performance-Based Codes and Fire Safety Design Methods
“Computer Fire Modeling: A Building Design Tool,” Consulting Specifying Engineer
“Development of the PathFinder Timed Egress Simulation,” presented to NFPA Research Foundation
“Pathfinder: A Computer-Based Timed Egress Simulation,” Fire Protection Engineering
"Fire Safety Issues in Historic Structures," presented at VAPPA
"Existing Buildings," Security Technology & Design
"Threat Assessment/Vulnerability Analysis of Building Systems," presented at the AIA Building Security Through Design Symposium
"Case Study – Application of Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering at the U.S. Capitol,” presented at the Fire Suppression and Detection Research Application Symposium
AFFILIATIONS
NFPA 520 – Standard for Subterranean Spaces (former member)
NFPA 550 – Fire Safety Concepts Tree (former member)
NFPA 551 – Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments (former member)
SFPE – Subcommittee for Professional Ethics and Standards (current member)
SFPE – Subcommittee for Professional Credentialing (current member/ Vice Chair)
Member of the Prince William County, VA Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate and establish a protocol for evaluating and certifying ‘non-listed’ passive fire protection features/ resolutions during construction.
ENGINEERING LICENSES
VA, No. 25733
MD, No. 21810
WV, No. 15132
NJ, No. GE46598
US GOVERNMENT CLEARANCE
Top Secret
AWARDS
George Kelm Directors’ Award – Recognition for advancing the goals and principals of the organization and the profession.
President’s Award – Recognition for technical achievement.