Boston – Code Consulting services are now being offered by AKF Group. This new specialty group will provide building, fire, life safety, and accessibility code consulting for new construction and existing building projects as well as expert witness services/litigation support.
“Today’s building and construction codes are evolving rapidly and adding significant complexity to the design and construction process”, explained Managing Partner Paul Bello. “We decided this was the perfect opportunity to add code consulting services in recognition of the growing importance of this field, and the added value AKF can provide to our clients. We are especially proud to introduce James Ierardi and Vernon Woodworth, two highly respected professionals who have joined our firm to lead the Code Consulting Group.”
Dr. James A. Ierardi, PhD, PE, has over 14 years of experience in providing fire safety and code consulting services. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Massachusetts and holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Masters of Science in Fire Protection Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is certified as a Building Plans Examiner, Fire Plans Examiner, and Accessibility Plans Examiner by the International Code Council and is certified by the National Fire Protection Association as a Fire Protection Specialist. He is a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and was a contributing author of the SFPE Engineering Standard for Calculating Fire Exposure to Structures.
Mr. A. Vernon Woodworth, AIA, LEED AP, has over 30 years of experience in architecture, code enforcement, and code consulting in numerous project sectors. He is a licensed architect in the State of Massachusetts and a member of the faculty at the Boston Architectural College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from New College in Urban Design and a Masters degree from the Harvard Divinity School. He is a Certified Building Official by the International Code Council, a LEED Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council, and has served as a member of the drafting committee of the International green Construction Code (IgCC), as well as on two subsequent code amendment hearing panels. Mr. Woodworth is the 2012 President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (MA AIA) and currently serves as Public Policy Commissioner for the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).
Both Ierardi and Woodworth have been extensively published and are Internationally recognized speakers and lecturers at professional symposiums and leading universities.
“Vernon and I have long admired AKF Group’s prestigious reputation and the innovative approach they bring to every assignment”, says Ierardi. “We are delighted to join the firm and to bring our expertise to AKF’s diverse client base. Code issues are central to project delivery at all phases, and AKF code consulting will provide the expertise to successfully negotiate the key approval and permitting processes, serving clients directly or in combination with AKF Group’s specialized engineering disciplines.”