Thomas J. Klem, MScFPE
Fire Protection Engineer
24 Robert Road, Stoughton, Massachusetts 02072
Phone: (781) 344-1115
E-mail: TJklem@aol.com
Experience
1994- Present
T. J. Klem and Associates, LLC, Stoughton, MA
Owner and principal engineer. T. J. Klem and Associates, LLC, is a full service fire protection engineering firm, providing expert consultation of diverse fire protection matters, including fire protection system performance, flammable and combustible liquid hazards assessment, pressurized vessel explosions (both combustible and non-combustible), natural gas leak assessments, fire origin and cause determination, fire growth and spread dynamics, and compliance with national (such as NFPA and ASTM), state and local fire and building codes and standards.
Analyses have utilized fire protection engineering principles and methods, such as volumetric flow rates of materials, energy release rates, explosion venting and building reaction calculations, ease of ignition determination, and active and passive fire protection system intervention regarding life safety and building protection strategies. Such assessments also have utilized nationally developed and recognized computer fire models (FDS, CFAST, DETACT, etc.) to predict detector and sprinkler activation times, fire growth rates, flashover times and fire ignition probabilities of adjacent materials (ie furniture, interior finish, clothing, etc.). Fire protection analyses have been of a wide range of occupancies/protection issues including one million sq. ft. warehouse, high-pile rack storage, restaurant vapor exhaust systems, multiple-fatality single-family and public assembly incidents, BLEVE of oxygen and compressed gas vessels, and arson-murder incidents where quantifying fire protection systems and fire growth rates were vital determinations. After origin and cause determinations have been made, applied research of fire scenarios has been utilized to complement other forms of analysis. Applied research of ignition phenomenon involving combustible liquid portable heaters and stoves, heat flux determinations of heating appliances necessary for adjacent material ignitions, fuel geometry considerations for combustible and flammable liquid ignition, and the ease of ignition of various clothing/materials items ignitions has been performed.
Appointed "fire expert" by Chief Federal Judge in order to provide counsel and report on fire safety findings based on the analysis of a detention center within a high-rise building complex. Provided expert testimony in over 100 cases. Lectures on fire protection engineering topics to various technical groups throughout the country, including IAAI chapters, fire safety groups, etc. Volunteers to assist local and state fire investigators on various fire protection engineering issues.
1982 - 1994
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA
Director, Fire Investigations (Chief Fire Investigator). Oversaw the association's aggressive fire investigations program. Analyzed technically significant fire occurrences and integrated results into ongoing association standards-making, resulting in meaningful changes in codes and advancement of the state of the art of fire protection and life safety. Prepared and directed dissemination of technical reports to the fire protection community. Integrated state-of-the-art technology into program and among key engineering staff. Selected to represent the association on technical matters to outside organizations including DOT Committee on Aircraft Fire Safety, the national media, and in testimony before the United States Congress.
1976 - 1982
United States Fire Administration, Washington, D.C.
Investigative Officer, National Fire Data Center. Managed the Administration's major fire investigations and applied research fire study programs. Selected to provide information and testimony to Congress and key government agencies regarding topical fire protection issues. Developed national fire investigative protocols for electrical fires, fires involving thermal insulation, and manufactured home fires.
1966 - 1976
Prince George's County Fire Department, Upper Marlboro, MD
Served in various positions with steadily increasing responsibility, up to Executive Officer to the Fire Chief, accountable for department management and development of long-range planning. As Captain, Operations and Engineering Division, and Captain, Hazardous Materials Division, had responsibility for developing standard operating procedures and fire code enforcement and interpretation. Also served as firefighter, fire sergeant, fire inspector and fire investigator.
Education
- B.A., Fire Protection, University of Maryland,
- M.S., Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators
Memberships and Affiliations
- Professional Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (National)
- Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (New England Chapter)
- Member, International Association of Arson Investigators
- Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Member, NFPA, Architects Engineers Building Officials (AEBO) Section
- Member, NFPA Technical Committee on Telecommunications and Chair, Fire Prevention, Pre-Fire Planning and Emergency Response and Recovery Sub-Committee
- Associate Member, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1619, Retired, Prince George's County Fire Fighters
Significant Fire Investigations: Click Here
Published Articles and Products: Click Here
Expert Testimony: Click Here
