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Education

Bachelor of Science, Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, 1979

Registered Professional Engineer, Fire Protection (Texas #73271)

Management Experience

John R. Cochrane founded Protection Development, Incorporated (PDI) with Robert C. Andrews Jr. in 1985. During the start-up and early years of the business, he was closely involved in all technical and project management aspects of the business. Concurrent to managing his own business, John continued his service to our country in the US Navy Reserve, where he has attained the rank of Captain.

Technical Experience

Until he was called to full time duty in the fall of 2001, John served as PDI's primary Fire Protection Engineer and life safety specialist.

He has over fifteen years of experience in sprinkler, fire alarm and specialized fire protection system design. Additionally, he specializes in the integration of building and fire code provisions in fire-safe building design and construction. Past projects have routinely involved use of model construction codes (International, Uniform, National & Standard), National Fire Codes, especially the Life Safety Code, and military regulations including Military Handbook 1008, Military Handbook for Facilities Engineering, Design and Construction.

Past projects include turnkey fire protection and code compliance designs for manufacturing facilities, evaluation and design of hangar fire suppression systems for new and existing facilities, and life safety reviews of assembly, university and office buildings. He routinely designs sprinkler, standpipe, fire pump and fire alarm systems; evaluates fire protection water supplies, analyzes and recommends cost-effective approaches to code compliance, and coordinates with authorities having jurisdiction. Other experience includes fire pump testing; smoke control and AFFF extinguishing systems design, and high-piled storage protection for warehouses. Many projects have involved analytical methods such as equivalency analyses, development of alternative approaches and calculated fire resistance.

His experience with computer-based fire modeling allows him to quantitatively assess fire risks and develop appropriate protection. He employs fire modeling, egress, hydraulics, and other programs for design and evaluation. This analytical approach allows identification of innovative solutions to fire and life safety problems based on performance criteria and fire protection engineering principles.

Authority and Responsibility

Review building plans and inspect existing structures to ensure conformance to fire protection codes and standards

Review construction site plans and building plans for compliance with fire protection codes and standards

Provide technical assistance to architects, contractors, and other private industry personnel in interpreting and complying with fire codes and standards;

Evaluate the fire resistance of buildings and structure

Analyze industrial, commercial, and public buildings and other structures before and after construction;

Evaluate the availability of water supplies and water delivery;

Determine whether water availability and water delivery systems are adequate to protect buildings

Evaluate entrance/exit capabilities;

Make recommendations for changes in design, materials, or equipment, such as structural components protection, fire protection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems;

Managerial responsibility over clerical, professional and technical employees

Develop processes to continuously improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service

Professional Development

John R. Cochrane. P.E. has maintained his Fire Protection expertise through his participation in professional conferences and specialized courses. He maintains membership, and is active in, a number of professional organizations devoted to the science of fire protection engineering.

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (Vice President-Austin/San Antonio Chapter)

International Conference of Building Officials

National Fire Protection Association

National Society of Professional Engineers

Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Salamander Honorary Fire Protection Engineering Society (past President)

Southern Building Code Congress International