Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Mark Hopkins, PE, FSFPE has nearly 30 years of expertise in all aspects of fire protection engineering. His extensive expertise in the fire and life safety arena includes conducting hazard assessments, forensic engineering examinations, corrosion investigations, and consulting on life safety and building code issues for various occupancies. During his almost three decades in the fire protection industry, Mark’s experience and knowledge have established him as a leading expert in the field with proficiency in the study of fire sprinkler systems and corrosion. He has designed fire protection systems that have included sprinkler systems, water mist systems, water spray systems, fire alarm and mass notification systems, and clean agent systems. Additionally, he has directed fire sprinkler research, promulgated standards, and taught classes on fire protection systems-related topics. Most notably, Mark’s expertise in corrosion resulted in him being selected to write a chapter entitled “Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems” for the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Protection Handbook, 21st Edition, published in 2023. This is a significant development in the handbook’s history because no chapter has ever focused on this topic. Prior to joining TERPconsulting, Mark was Vice President of Engineering at the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) where he oversaw the operations of the engineering department and was the chief technical expert on fire sprinkler systems for the national trade organization. He served as secretary and senior staff representative on multiple NFSA technical committees and councils as well as participated in 19 technical committees involved in the development of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards. He currently serves on NFPA 13, 72, 200, and 909/914TCs, and is co-chair of the Wet Collections Task Group (909), chair of the Water Supply Task Group (13), and is on numerous other task groups. Before his role at NFSA, Mark worked for Hughes Associates, Inc., which later became Jensen Hughes, for 18 years.