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Scott E. Dillon, P.E., CFEI

Managing Engineer

Thermal Sciences

Professional Profile


Mr. Dillon applies his knowledge of fire protection engineering and fire science to the analysis and investigation of fires, explosions, other thermal events, and product liability issues. Mr. Dillon specializes in fire protection engineering; fire performance of materials; full-scale fire reconstruction, flammability and heat transfer testing; thermal test instrumentation; evaluation of fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems; standard fire test methods; fire dynamics; fire and smoke modeling; and the ignition of liquid and solid fuels. He routinely performs origin and cause investigations of fires and explosions, as well as analyses of fire protection and alarm systems to determine code compliance and mechanisms of failure.

Mr. Dillon’s research has focused on the prediction of material performance using bench-scale test results; ignition and flame spread of solid fuels; heat release rate measurements from a variety of fuels and compartment configurations; full-scale heat flux mapping of intermediate sized fire exposures; the development of material properties from small-scale test methods; and the modeling fire growth and material reaction to fire.

Mr. Dillon is knowledgeable in numerous fire test methods and is a member of several ASTM and NFPA committees involved in the development and revision of several fire test methods and standards. He has extensive experience in conducting standard fire test methods and interpreting the results of fire tests. He designs and conducts custom fire tests and experiments in support of fire investigations and product liability issues including the design of data acquisition methodologies and data analysis.

Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Dillon was employed as a fire research engineer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Fire Research Laboratory (FRL). He has performed numerous small- and large-scale fire tests and simulations to assess the ignition and growth of fires. He also provided engineering analyses, technical assistance, and scene support to ATF Certified Fire Investigators and the ATF National Response Team in the areas of ignition and flame spread, fire modeling, fire performance of materials, fire growth, and fire dynamics. He specialized in the design and execution of standard and nonstandard fire tests in support of fire investigations and research projects, fire testing methods and large-scale heat release rate calorimetry. He has also implemented engineering calculation methods and computer fire models to interpret fire development and conducted engineering analysis of building fire protection and alarm systems.

  • M.S., Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, 1998
  • B.S., Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, 1996

    • Licensed Professional Engineer, Illinois, #062060342
    • Certified Fire and Explosions Investigator (CFEI)
    • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120