We’re delighted to welcome Rachel Ho and Muneeb Kazmi to our team in Sheffield.

Rachel Ho, Graduate Engineer

Rachel has recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering. Throughout the course of her studies, she has been exposed to various fire engineering topics where she had the chance to learn different aspects of fire engineering, such as the technical parts of fire science, fire strategies, and the relevant codes related to fire safety designs. She has become aware of the importance of fire engineering in structural designs owing to new emerging construction methods, technologies, and building materials. She is looking forward to further enhancing her understanding and engagement in this field.

In her leisure time, she enjoys doing activities that engender creativity, including drawing and photography.

Rachel has commented: “On my first week, I have attended DFC’s annual CPD programme in Edinburgh which was a fruitful and productive experience. Topics such as structural fire and fire protection were explored throughout the two days, along with laboratory sessions to consolidate our understanding. There were also some good and causal discussions with the academics on topics like the Eurocodes and their implications for fire engineering. It was a valuable learning opportunity and I look forward to next year’s CPD in Edinburgh.”

Muneeb Kazmi, Graduate Engineer

Muneeb holds a joint MSc. in Fire Safety Engineering from Ghent University, Lund University, and the University of Edinburgh as well as an MSc in Hydraulic and Civil Engineering from Institut Nationale Polytechnique de Grenoble, and a BSc in Civil Engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad.

Muneeb’s thesis at the University of Edinburgh, titled, ‘State-of-the-Art Design of Design Fires’, identifies uncertainties and complications within literature regarding the methods of analysis, input parameters, codified prescriptions, models for representing fire development, and assumptions made throughout the pre-flashover design fire process. Having established the uncertain nature of the process, the research seeks to identify common practices, with the view to ascertaining if the problems are addressed appropriately, amongst practicing fire engineers through surveys and interviews.

Muneeb has experience working as a Structures Laboratory Engineer and as a Civil Engineer on residential projects. Currently, his interests include structural fire engineering, performance-based design, and evacuation modelling.