May 13, 2026
Appointed Member
Richard Hollenbach joins group developing critical fire-safety standards for stationary combustion engines and gas turbines.
Exponent's Richard Hollenbach III, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, CVFI, has been appointed as a Principal Member on NFPA 37: Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 37 establishes criteria for minimizing fire hazards related to the installation and operation of stationary combustion engines and stationary gas turbines fueled by liquid or gaseous fuels — used as the main power sources for emergency generators, fire pumps, and stand-by and peak power systems.
As power demands rise — driven especially by the rapid expansion of data centers — many facility owners and operators are exploring on-site power solutions to enhance resilience and ensure service continuity. This trend is fueling greater interest in stationary gas turbines for both standby and peak power applications.
Dr. Hollenbach's participation on the NFPA 37 committee supports the development of clear, practical requirements that help stakeholders manage fire risk as these technologies are deployed in high-consequence, mission-critical settings. This appointment positions Exponent at the forefront of developing and advancing global fire-safety standards for stationary power systems and gas turbines, including emerging applications in high-demand environments.
At Exponent, Dr. Hollenbach provides technical consulting on thermal-fluid systems, turbomachinery, vibrations, and failure investigations, applying experimental and computational analysis to evaluate performance and identify root causes. He is also a NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, with experience conducting origin-and-cause investigations across large industrial environments.
"I am honored to join the NFPA 37 committee as a principal member, through which I am directly involved in drafting and refining the standard for the installation and operation of industrial gas turbines and stationary combustion engines. I'm excited to combine my experience in turbomachinery with my certifications in fire investigations to aid in the evolution of this standard and assist my clients in the rotating machinery community."
— Richard Hollenbach, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, CVFI, Managing Engineer, Thermal Sciences
Dr. Hollenbach's appointment underscores Exponent's commitment to advancing rigorous, science-based safety standards across complex engineered systems. Exponent's multidisciplinary teams help clients assess and mitigate fire and explosion risks, investigate incidents and failures, and support compliance and defensible decision-making for stationary power and turbomachinery systems.
