HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
PROTECTION LEVELS

In this series, we focus on how hazardous material protection levels are applied in codes and design. We introduce why protection levels exist and how they build on core hazardous material concepts. We explore passive and active protection strategies within NFPA standards and the International Fire Code (IFC), connecting these requirements to real-world scenarios.

1. Understand the different protection levels for hazardous materials in NFPA standards and the IFC.
2. Be capable of identifying and assigning different protection levels for different hazardous material situations.
3. Understand the safety measures associated with each protection level.

HZ102 - 2026 - 2 HOURS

TOPICS IN THIS KNOWLEDGE AREA

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

Derek Duval, PE

Fire Protection Engineer, Building and Life Safety Code Expert | San Diego, California, USA
Derek Duval is a licensed Fire Protection Engineering and Fire/Life Safety Code Consulting Expert in the Southern California Region. Mr. Duval holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Since graduating from WPI, he built his experience in Fire Protection Engineering from a diverse background having worked for several organizations. Realizing a need for expanding fire safety education, Mr. Duval working UCSD Extended Studies developed and instructs course work in Fire Protection Engineering intended to help bridge the gap between traditional engineering disciplines and fire protection engineering. Currently, he is working as a Fire Protection Engineer for the City of San Diego, part-time Instructor for UCSD Extended Studies teaching about fire protection engineering, and Owner/Principal of Duval Fire Codes, a small firm dedicated to expanding fire protection engineering knowledge and code consulting. When not working or talking about fire and life safety, he and his wife enjoy the outdoors, visiting new places, taking care of old dogs, movies, Broadway shows, various board and video games.