Dr. Jowsey obtained a PhD in Structural Fire Engineering from the University of Edinburgh in 2006.  He worked as a consultant Fire Engineer in London for several years and now leads a global team of Structural Engineers and Fire Engineers within AkzoNobel’s fire protection division.  Dr. Jowsey sits on numerous global technical committees and standards development bodies.  His work involves overseeing research and design activities while also generating practical solutions through liaisons with engineers, contractors and steelwork fabricators around the world on projects in the built environment and oil and gas markets.

1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars on fire design?

We speak to many designers and engineers across the contract chain about roles, responsibilities and possibilities when it comes to the fire resistance of structures.  We find that there is a thirst for knowledge in this area and a webinar provides a great platform to educate those in the industry to allow them to benefit and influence their individual projects.

2. What do you hope people will take away from your webinar on fire design?

Ideally people will appreciate that aspects of fire resistance and fire design warrant closer attention than merely adopting what is stated in a code or standard without fully understanding the basis of that decision.  The webinar will highlight that significant savings in weight and cost can be achieved while still adhering to the required levels of safety and robustness demanded by design.  Once designers understand the basis for a decision, it provides them with the ability and confidence to question its applicability.

3. What has been the highlight of your career?

Educating practicing engineers on fire resistance and providing them with the ability to start assessing structural performance of their buildings and assets in terms of enhanced and robust design checks in the event of a fire.

4. Where is your favorite place in the world and why?

On top of a hill or mountain anywhere in the world.  It’s a great escape that allows me to spend time with my family, to exercise and to think clearly.

Dr Allan Jowsey will be presenting alongside his colleague Robin Wade in AkzoNobel’s Webinar ‘Achieving weight savings through intelligent Fire Design’ on the 7th July at 3PM London/10AM New York. Register for the webinar here.