Design Fire Consultants (DFC) is pleased to share that Iolanda Del Prete and Edwin Ayala will be speaking at the inaugural SFPE UK Chapter Conference in Manchester this October. The conference will bring together fire safety professionals from across the industry to discuss current challenges, research and emerging developments in fire engineering.

As a long-standing supporter of the SFPE UK Chapter, we are pleased to contribute to the conference programme as part of Session 1, with two technical presentations exploring how reliability-based approaches can be applied to structural fire engineering.

The conference marks an important milestone for the SFPE UK Chapter and provides a valuable opportunity for technical discussion and knowledge sharing across the fire engineering profession.

Conference Session 1: A Reliability-Based Approach to Structural Fire Engineering

As part of Session 1 on the opening day, Iolanda and Edwin will each deliver a technical presentation exploring the application of reliability-based approaches to structural fire engineering.

The presentations will consider how structural fire engineers assess how buildings respond in fire and how this understanding can inform fire protection measures. Using two high-rise projects as case studies, they will explore how engineering analysis can support safe, practical and proportionate design solutions.

Drawing on both research and real-world project experience, the session will provide insight into the role of structural fire engineering in modern building design.

Subject: A Reliability-Based, Consequence-Differentiated Framework for Structural Fire Engineering
Time: 15 minutes
Speaker: Edwin Ayala, DFC’s Senior Engineer

Drawing on a high-rise case study, Edwin’s presentation will examine how reliability-based approaches can be applied to structural fire engineering. The session will explore how a better understanding of building performance in fire can support more proportionate fire protection measures and informed engineering decision-making.

Subject: From Variability to Reliability: Probabilistic Fire Resistance Assessment of Existing RC Slabs
Time: 15 minutes
Speaker: Iolanda Del Prete, DFC’s Senior Associate

How do you assess the fire performance of an existing structure when both the building and the fire are inherently uncertain? At the SFPE Conference, Iolanda will present a probabilistic, risk-informed methodology that combines realistic fire scenarios, Monte Carlo simulations and structural reliability concepts to evaluate the fire resistance of existing reinforced concrete slabs. Developed for a Grade II listed refurbishment project, the approach supports more informed, evidence-based fire engineering decisions for existing buildings.

Meet the Speakers

Iolanda Del Prete, Senior Associate | Structural Fire Engineering (SFE)

Iolanda is a Chartered Engineer, Senior Associate and Structural Fire Engineering (SFE) specialist. She holds a PhD in Structural Fire Engineering and has more than fifteen years’ experience delivering performance-based structural fire design on complex projects.

Her portfolio includes major stadia and other high-profile projects such as Battersea Power Station, Everton Stadium and Manchester City Football Club.

Alongside her project work, Iolanda is an active contributor to the wider profession. She is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers’ Fire Resistance Special Interest Group Committee and regularly shares her expertise through industry events, technical presentations and research-led discussions.

Edwin Ayala, Senior Engineer | Structural Fire Engineering (SFE)

Edwin has a background in both structural engineering and fire safety engineering. His experience spans a range of projects and includes structural fire assessments and performance-based design studies, helping clients and design teams understand the behaviour of structures in fire and develop practical engineering solutions.

We look forward to joining colleagues in Manchester and contributing to what promises to be an excellent event.