Fire, Life Safety and Building Code Consulting
In an increasingly complex design and construction environment, it is reassuring to have someone who can assist you in determining applicable code rules, explain how they are enforced, what they mean, and how to achieve the required level of safety in your design or building. Forza Consultants can assist:
Our consultants have experience in all major building types and uses. This broad exposure allows us to bring useful and innovative solutions to address life safety and resolve design issues. We have assisted owners, operators, and design teams in the following building types:
Paul J Villotti PE; Fellow, Society of Fire Protection Engineers Registered in 21 States
With over 30 years in the fire protection field, Paul is renowned as a problem solver, teacher, and mentor to all. In addition to his experience on thousands of projects across the United States and overseas, he currently serves as the faculty chair for the IAVM's Academy for Venue Safety and Security where he has access to the top venue risk managers in the world. He teaches AIA certified Health, Safety, and Welfare classes to architects across the country. His deep knowledge of the intent of the code along with his passion and humor resulted in his students proclaiming: He makes building codes sexy!
This manner of presenting technical issues to non-technical audiences greatly increases his credibility in front of building and fire officials, appeals boards, and juries. Paul is happy that through Forza Consultants he can continue to help his many friends bring their dream projects to fruition.
Ben Laxton PE; Registered in Missouri and Kansas
Using his Naval Academy engineering degree as a springboard, Ben has mastered all aspects of fire protection engineering. His experience also extends to the fire service where he spent 5 years applying engineering expertise to fire investigations and building code and fire code enforcement. Honing his skills on a variety of projects, he routinely combines code conformance reviews, fire and smoke modeling, timed egress studies, fire resistance calculations and variance presentations on large and complex projects, including assembly venues, health care facilities and hydroelectric dams. He successfully advocates for his client's projects with authorities having jurisdiction and appeals boards across the country. Ben's project management skills keep him on top of project needs, providing information and review comments in a timely fashion so the design can continue to be developed with confidence. Ben is delighted to continue to assist his many friends who own, operate or design buildings and structures.