Fire Protection

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Become one of the most sought-after professionals in the industry with a Fire Protection Engineering degree.

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Fire protection engineers are among the most sought-after professionals in the industry. Performance building codes and the international trend towards performance-based fire safety analysis and design approaches in construction have increased demand for fire protection engineers. The University of Maryland’s fire protection engineering degree programs represent the Department of Fire Protection Engineering’s commitment to preparing engineers for the challenges of this rapidly growing field.

Courses are taught by the university’s foremost experts in fire protection engineering as well as international experts from business and industry. Established in 1956, the Fire Protection Engineering Department is one of only a few graduate fire protection engineering degree programs in the US. Our programs in Fire Protection Engineering are geared toward working engineering professionals and are offered both on campus and online. 

Students taking courses on campus for the Master of Engineering degree work with an advisor to identify a course of study based on the student’s professional interests.  Fire protection engineering courses are available to explore basic processes of fire behavior, prediction of fire development, the combustion of materials and furnishings, the effects of fire on structures and the environment, smoke management, evacuation and tenability analysis and the law.  Courses may also be approved from other engineering departments or technical areas, e.g. mathematics.

In addition to the general rules of the Graduate School, certain special degree requirements are set out in departmental requirements.  The degree requirement is to complete ten approved courses, including a minimum of six fire protection engineering courses.

Course Finder

  • ENFP415 Fire Dynamics (3 Credits) | Core

    Introduction to premixed and diffusion flames; ignition, flame spread and rate of burning; fire plumes; flame radiation. ...

  • ENFP425 Enclosure Fire Modeling (3 Credits) | Core

    An introduction to the elements of enclosure fires through the development of fire modeling algorithms and the application of computer-based fire modeling techniques. Numerical techniques, including curve-fitting, root-finding, integration ...

  • ENFP426 Computational Methods in Fire Protection (3 Credits) | Elective

    An introduction to computer-based fire modeling: zone modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD); documentation of input data, validation and verification tests.

  • ENFP611 Fire Induced Flows (3 Credits) | Core

    Theoretical basis is presented for fire induced bouyancy driven flows. Plumes, ceiling jets, vent flows, compartment flows. Dimensional analysis for correlations and scale model applications. Smoke movement and combustion products. ...

  • ENFP613 Advanced Life Safety Analysis (3 Credits) | Core

    Fractional effective dose (FED) methods for predicting time to incapacitation and death of fires for use in fire safety engineering calculations. Physiology and toxicology of fire effluent components, decomposition chemistry of common materials, ...

  • ENFP620 Fire Dynamics Laboratory (3 Credits) | Core

    Laboratory experiments are designed to illustrate fire phenomena and test theoretical models. Diffusion flames, ignition and flame spread on solids, liquid pool fires, wood crib fires, fire plumes, compartment fires. ...

  • ENFP621 Analytical Procedures of Structural Fire Protection (3 Credits) | Core

    Analysis procedures for structural components of wood, steel, concrete, composites. Structural capabilities, modifications under fire induced exposures. Calculations, computer models for predicting fire resistance ratings of structural components. ...

  • ENFP625 Advanced Fire Modeling (3 Credits) | Core

    Validity, utility, reliability of current computer models. Applications of models in risk assessment, underwriting, loss prediction, hazard analysis. Development and validation of specific application models. ...

  • ENFP626 Computational Fire Modeling (3 Credits) | Elective

    Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based fire modeling; governing equations of turbulent reacting flows; numerical approaches to the treatment of turbulence (DNS, LES, RANS); numerical methods for partial differential equations; ...

  • ENFP627 Smoke Detection and Management (3 Credits) | Elective

    Analysis of hazard smoke. Response analysis of smoke detectors based on characteristics of detectors and properties of smoke. Performance characteristics and limitations of smoke management systems. Capabilities and limitations of analytical ...

  • ENFP630 Diffusion Flames and Burning Rate Theory (3 Credits) | Elective

    Basic principles of diffusion flames for gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels. Droplet burning, B number, jet combustion, boundary layer combustion, generalized methods.

  • ENFP651 Advanced Fire Dynamics (3 Credits) | Elective

    A review of the basic chemistry and physics necessary to understanding fire dynamics; and of the physics of heat transfer and turbulent fluid flow will be given. The nature and structure of premixed and diffusion flames will be presented. ...

  • ENFP664 Industrial Fire Safety (3 Credits) | Elective

    This class is designed to introduce students to the basics of process safety with a focus on the methods and techniques that may be utilized when evaluating the existing or proposed safety protection solutions in industrial facilities. An emphasis ...

  • ENFP665 Fire and Explosion Investigations (3 Credits) | Elective

    This course covers many advanced aspects of fire and explosion investigation and reconstruction. Information on field techniques, applicable standards, and best practices are presented with an emphasis on how advanced fire science and fire ...

For information on current course schedules, syllabi, and more, please visit the course schedule page.
 

Online Program

*Note: Fire Protection Online is transitioning from a 12 week schedule to the regular semester schedule as of Fall 2021.
We will evaluate whether we continue offering the 6 courses per year as listed above, or add courses for 8 courses per year in FY22 onward and update this site accordingly.

Courses are divided into the following groups:

Group A Courses: ENFP 625, 655, 651, 652, 653

Group B Courses: ENFP 613, 661, 662, 663, 664

Students should complete all of the Group A courses prior to taking Group B courses.  

View our Online Class Schedule for Upcoming Terms

This sequence of courses may be modified as a result of the experiential or academic background of the student.  Students taking two courses per term may want to defer doing such until they have completed all of the Group A courses.  Any student seeking an exception to the noted sequencing should communicate such a request to the program advisor.

Course Finder

  • ENFP613 Advanced Life Safety Analysis (3 Credits) | Core

    Fractional effective dose (FED) methods for predicting time to incapacitation and death of fires for use in fire safety engineering calculations. Physiology and toxicology of fire effluent components, decomposition chemistry of common materials, ...

  • ENFP625 Advanced Fire Modeling (3 Credits) | Core

    Validity, utility, reliability of current computer models. Applications of models in risk assessment, underwriting, loss prediction, hazard analysis. Development and validation of specific application models. ...

  • ENFP651 Advanced Fire Dynamics (3 Credits) | Core

    A review of the basic chemistry and physics necessary to understanding fire dynamics; and of the physics of heat transfer and turbulent fluid flow will be given. The nature and structure of premixed and diffusion flames will be presented. ...

  • ENFP652 Fire Assessment Methods (3 Credits) | Core

    This on-line course offers a comprehensive review of experimental techniques to assess fire performance characteristics of materials, products and assemblies. ...

  • ENFP653 Advanced Fire Supression (3 Credits) | Core

    Issues related to the suppression of fires and the design of fire suppression systems. Theoretical aspects of fire suppression and extinction are considered to provide the foundation for the practical design of different types of fire suppression ...

  • ENFP655 Smoke Control (3 Credits) | Core

    This course is designed to introduce the student to smoke control needs, design approaches and analytical methods. Students should develop an understanding of the performance characteristics and limitations of smoke control systems and the ...

  • ENFP661 Forensic Fire Analysis (3 Credits) | Core

    This on-line course addresses the forensic analysis of structural fire incidents in terms of enclosure fire dynamics and the impact of fire safety subsystems used to prevent or mitigate the consequences of fire. These subsystems include: ...

  • ENFP662 Performance Based Design (3 Credits) | Core

    This on-line course demonstrates how fire science can be used to solve fire protection problems in the built environment and will provide an understanding of their performance-based design process, deterministic and risk-based analysis techniques, ...

  • ENFP663 Advanced Fire Risk Modeling (3 Credits) | Core

    This on-line course addresses the fundamentals of fire risk modeling from both theoretical and applied perspectives. ...

  • ENFP664 Industrial Fire Safety (3 Credits) | Core

    This class is designed to introduce students to the basics of process safety with a focus on the methods and techniques that may be utilized when evaluating the existing or proposed safety protection solutions in industrial facilities. An emphasis ...

Online Course Schedule 

Courses are divided into the following groups:

Group A Courses: ENFP 625, 655, 651, 652, 653

Group B Courses: ENFP 613, 661, 662, 663, 664

Students should complete all of the Group A courses prior to taking Group B courses.  

View our Online Class Schedule for Upcoming Terms

This sequence of courses may be modified as a result of the experiential or academic background of the student.  Students taking two courses per term may want to defer doing such until they have completed all of the Group A courses.  Any student seeking an exception to the noted sequencing should communicate such a request to the program advisor.

Requirements specific to the fire protection engineering program include:

  • A bachelor’s degree, GPA of 3.0 or better, in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution
  • Courses in structural mechanics*, differential equations, fluid mechanics and heat transfer

For a complete list of admission requirements, visit the Application Process page. 

*Structural mechanics is only required for students applying to the Master of Engineering degree on campus who are interested in taking a course in structural fire protection, either ENFP 405 or ENFP 621.    

Master of Engineering: 30 Credits or 10 Courses

Students taking courses on campus for the Master of Engineering Degree work with an advisor to identify a course of study based on the student’s professional interests.  Fire protection engineering courses are available to explore basic processes of fire behavior, prediction of fire development, the combustion of materials and furnishings, the effects of fire on structures and the environment, smoke management, evacuation and tenability analysis and the law.  Courses may also be approved from other engineering departments or technical areas, e.g. mathematics. No thesis is required for the degree.

On-Campus or Remote Site: The degree requirement is to complete ten approved courses, including a minimum of six fire protection engineering courses. No thesis is required for the degree.
 
Online: The 30-credit curriculum includes 10 three-credit courses that can be completed entirely online.
 

Graduate Certificate in Engineering: 12 Credits or 4 Courses

On-campus or Remote Site: Four courses are required for the Graduate Certificate in Engineering.  The requirements for the four courses are:
  • All courses must be fire protection engineering courses.
  • One of the courses must be ENFP 651.
  • The three remaining courses can be from any other ENFP 600 level courses.
 
Online: The 12-credit curriculum requires completion of the following 4 three-credit courses that can be completed entirely online:
  • ENFP 655 Smoke Control
  • ENFP 625 Advanced Fire Modeling
  • ENFP 651 Advanced Fire Dynamics
  • ENFP 653 Advanced Fire Suppression

Degree Planning Sheets

All students are expected to complete a preliminary course plan for their intended degree program (10-course for MEng or 4-course for GCEN) with the Senior Academic Advisor by the end of their first semester of study. The Degree Planning Sheet lists the core and technical elective requirements for each program, and all courses that are pre-approved for that program. Alternative technical electives must be approved by the same academic advisor. 

Master of Engineering Degree Planning Sheets:

Graduate Certificate in Engineering Degree Planning Sheets:

Degree planning sheets for all academic programs can be found here.

 

Please note: MAGE students are assessed the MAGE tuition rates, on campus / remote sites and online as it applies, when enrolled in Professional Master of Engineering (ENPM), Engineering (ENGR) and Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) courses only. MAGE students taking any course outside of ENPM, ENGR or CMNS are assessed the tuition appropriate to the particular course’s tuition rate and/or student's residency status, that is, in-state or out-of-state.

Fall 2022 - Summer 2023 Tuition and Fees
On Campus (College Park) Courses
Tuition: $1,086.53 per credit hour
Fees: $312.50 for part-time (1 - 8 credits) graduate students taking classes at the College Park campus. 
  $605.00 for full-time (9 or more credits) graduate students taking classes at the College Park campus.
(Tuition x Credit Hours + Fees) One course: $1,086.53 x 3 = $3,259.59 + $312.50 = $3,572.09
  Two courses: $1,086.53 x 6 = $6,519.18 + $312.50 = $6,831.68
  Three courses: $1,086.53 x 9 = $9,778.77 + $605.00 = $10,383.77
Online Courses  
Tuition: $1,340.39 per credit hour
Fees: N/A
(Tuition x Credit Hours) One course - $1,340.39 x 3 = $4,021.17
  Two courses - $1,340.39 x 6 = $8,042.34
  Three courses - $1,340.39 x 9 = $12,063.51
  • Note regarding Summer Semesters: All students who register for undergrad courses with Office of Extended Studies sections are subject to the summer deadlines. Graduate courses and those with non-Office of Extended Studies sections are subject to the regular billing deadlines as stated on the monthly statements from Student Financial Services, generally the 20th of the month.
  • ENPM Students taking BMGT Courses: The Robert H. Smith School of Business charges differential (higher) tuition to all students who enroll in master's level (600-799) courses. Taking the differential tuition into account in course planning is a student's individual responsibility. Please visit the Smith School of Business website that contains detailed information on the differential tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students.
  • Please note that Advanced Special Students will pay either the in-state or out-of-state graduate tuition rate based on their current status. If you are unsure of your status, please contact the Residency Classification Office.
  • Please note that any student enrolled in an online course will pay the online tuition rate ($1,340.39/credit hour) regardless of their status (including non-degree seeking students (GRAD)).
  • International Students: Effective Fall 2017, the University of Maryland (UMD) began charging a fee of $125 per semester for all newly enrolled students requiring an I-20 issued by the University or degree seeking students in J-1 status.   Students  enrolled in an academic program operating on the 12-week calendar, who require an I-20 isssued by UMD  or a DS-2019 will be charged a fee of $62.50 per term.  UMD will use the revenue from this fee to enhance support for our international students to include improved academic support, expanded assistance for students transitioning to the U.S. and international student-focused cultural events to foster an engaged, supportive community.

Program Content Advisor (Online)

Dr. James A. Milke

3104F J.M. Patterson Building
301-405-3995
Email: milke@umd.edu

Program Content Advisor (On Campus)

Dr. Arnaud C. Trouve

3104D J.M. Patterson Building
301-405-8209
Email:  atrouve@umd.edu

Admissions Contact

Caitlin Gover

301-405-7712
cgover@umd.edu

Attend An Open House

Join us for an Open House to learn more about the University of Maryland Master’s of Engineering degree programs. You can attend an Open House either on campus or online. Information covered will include academic program options, application requirements and deadlines. Individuals attending will have the opportunity to ask questions about the master of engineering program, in addition admissions coordinators will be on hand to answer admission questions.

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