FIRE PROTECTION VETERAN ROB SONTAG, CFPS, TO JOIN AHJ CODE & INTERPRETATIONS PANEL AT THE COLORADO ASSOCIATION of HEALTHCARE ENGINEERS & DIRECTORS (CAHED) FALL CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 4TH

30 Sep FIRE PROTECTION VETERAN ROB SONTAG, CFPS, TO JOIN AHJ CODE & INTERPRETATIONS PANEL AT THE COLORADO ASSOCIATION of HEALTHCARE ENGINEERS & DIRECTORS (CAHED) FALL CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 4TH

TERPconsulting’s Rob Sontag, CFPS, has been selected to serve on a panel at CAHED’s Fall Conference in Breckenridge, CO. The panel, AHJ Code & Interpretations Deep Dive, will be presented on Friday, October 4, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  

“During our panel presentation, we will be offering insights on navigating complex and diverse code requirements and effectively collaborating with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs),” said Rob, a senior fire protection consultant at TERPconsulting. “Our panel will also provide invaluable tips for navigating towards consensus with potentially divergent AHJ interpretations when necessary.”

Rob’s fellow panelists include Jim Peterkin, PE, LEED AP, FASHE, who is a principal with TLC Engineering Solutions; Jeff Schwiethale, PE, an associate principal of RMH Group; and Mark Jelinske, who is a chief mechanical engineer with RMH Group.

“I’m excited to join such a distinguished group of professionals for this in-depth discussion. We aim to provide attendees with practical strategies and real-world examples that they can apply to their projects, especially when dealing with complex fire protection challenges and regulatory interpretations,” said Rob.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Rob Sontag, CFPS, FM, CFPE, CFI-II, CFEI, EFO, has honed his expertise in building systems, fire protection, and firefighting over several decades. His extensive knowledge led him to serve as the Life Safety Code Program Manager and the Fire Code and Life Safety Code Official for the State of Colorado. In this role, Rob conducted comprehensive surveys of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) certified health facilities, ensuring their compliance with federal and state fire codes and life safety regulations.

Jim Peterkin, PE, LEED AP, FASHE, is Principal | Senior Fire Protection Engineer | Life Safety Consultant at TLC Engineering Solutions with 30+ years of experience in addressing life safety/building code compliance in complex buildings, assuring the safety of building occupants. Jim serves on several NFPA technical committees and is an accomplished public speaker who regularly presents at national conferences and industry events.

Jeff Schwiethale, PE, is an Associate Principal of RMH and an electrical engineer with 30 years of experience in project management and engineering design for healthcare projects. Jeff is the market sector leader of RMH’s Healthcare Group and a company vice president. Jeff’s projects have included Children’s Hospital and Centura Health and many relevant projects at Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs.

Mark Jelinske has 35 years of experience in mechanical and fire protection engineering. As a chief mechanical engineer at RMH, Mark has a broad knowledge base with numerous project types, such as manufacturing/industrial facilities, clean rooms, laboratories, higher education, healthcare facilities, and office buildings. Mark’s insight into total building design and operation is well reflected by his professional licensing in mechanical and fire protection engineering disciplines.

The mission of CAHED (Colorado Association of Healthcare Engineers & Directors) is to advance the development of effective healthcare management in the areas of Engineering, Facilities Management, Safety, and Biomedical Engineering by providing educational opportunities and stimulating the exchange of information among healthcare professionals supporting the Environment of Care.