John P. Stoppi

How Philadelphia Codified Fire Safety

With degrees in mechanical and fire protection engineering, John P. Stoppi has become multi-experienced as an architectural and fire protection engineer and building code consultant. Through his company based outside Philadelphia, he works with domestic and international clients in fields throughout the private and public sectors. John P. Stoppi’s decades of work at the executive level, as well as his dedication to continuing education, enable him to offer expertise in building plan review, forensic engineering, and local, state, and national code compliance.

The City of Philadelphia only adopted its first fire code in 1952. Before that year, officials had used a variety of different regulations governing fire safety. The event that precipitated the change was the transitioning of the fire marshal’s office out of the local police department and its incorporation into the Bureau of Fire. A committee set up through the office of the mayor assembled a thoroughgoing set of regulations designed to boost public safety through stepped-up fire prevention measures.

The resulting Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code, amended and adapted over the decades to cope with new types of hazards, continues to guide enforcement today.

Forty years after the issuance of this first fire prevention code, the city adopted its first-ever model code, based on best practices as interpreted by a panel of experts and based on national standards. The city continues to address emerging threats by revisions to the model code every three years.

The city used several sequential editions of the nationwide Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) fire code as its model fire code from 1994 to 2003. After the 2000 merger of the BOCA with other model code-issuing organizations, the work of the resulting International Code Council became the basis for Philadelphia’s regulations. Pennsylvania has since stipulated that all municipalities must use the ICC code, revising it in tandem with revisions on the state level.

The current code addresses all aspects of fire safety, including those dealing with buildings, materials storage, fire alarm use, and day-to-day procedures, as well as with the safety of the fire department first responders.

The Health Benefits of Probiotics

Based in Pennsylvania and active in the Philadelphia community, John P. Stoppi serves as the owner, principal engineer, and chief code consultant of Stoppi Engineering, which he founded in 2010. In his free time, John P. Stoppi enjoys hiking, kayaking, and biking. He also has an interest in health and staying current on the latest health news and trends.

Many doctors, scientists, and health professionals have advocated on behalf of probiotics, which are live microorganisms consumed through fermented foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchee, as well as supplements. Here are some of the many health benefits linked to probiotics:

1. Digestive system balance. Probiotics include good bacteria that are able to restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. This is especially helpful for people who have too many bad bacteria, which occurs as a result of illness, poor diet, and more.

2. Enhanced mental health. Probiotics have been linked to improved mental health. One study showed that individuals who consumed 100 grams of probiotic yogurt daily experienced benefits relating to general health, depression, anxiety, and stress.

3. Reduce digestive disorder symptoms. Some strains of probiotics have been found to improve symptoms in people suffering from digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Boost immune system. Probiotics have been shown to promote the production of natural antibodies in the body and prevent the growth of harmful gut bacteria.

How to Become a Fire Protection Engineer

John P. Stoppi leverages more than two decades of experience as a fire protection engineer in his current role as principal engineer and chief code consultant for Stoppi Inspection Agency. John P. Stoppi earned a degree in mechanical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a master of engineering in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland.

Fire protection engineers study the causes of fire, and the ways architecture and design can affect the prevention and suppression of fire. To become a fire protection engineer, many people complete the following three steps:

1. Enroll in an accredited engineering program. This training provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this career. Many fire protection engineers have a BS degree in civil, mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering. This is because there are very view BS degrees focusing on fire protection engineering in the US.

2. Join a firefighting agency. In addition to studying at the college level, many fire protection engineers gain experience as professional or volunteer firefighters. This kind of experience is attractive to fire agencies in the public sector.

3. Get licensed. Finally, fire protection engineers must earn a license by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam. Each state has its own requirements to sit for either exam. The passing of the PE exam is the culmination of licensure. Engineering licenses are state specific, so most engineers get licensed in more than one state.

ASHRAE Issues Guide on Smart Grid Integration

Drawing on close to two decades of experience in the industry, John P. Stoppi is a chief code consultant at Saturn Inspection Agency in Philadelphia. John P. Stoppi is also a member of various industry organizations, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

The organization, which regularly produces educational content focusing on the area, recently released ‘Smart Grid Application Guide: Integrating Facilities with the Electric Grid,’ which forms a part of ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter’s 2018-19 presidential initiative. The new guide, released at the end of January focuses on smart guide regulations and standards, best practices, and more.

Speaking about the new release, Ms. Hayter stated that it was developed specifically to help construction professionals in building and implementing a smart grid successfully. Alongside this, she claimed that these grids could provide benefits compared to previous systems, such as allowing for more flexible and dynamic building systems.