Faculty Directory

Milke, James A.

Milke, James A.

Professor
Fire Protection Engineering
Center for Risk and Reliability
3104B J.M. Patterson Building

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering (UMD, 1991)
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering (UMD, 1981)
  • B.S. Fire Protection Engineering (UMD, 1976)
  • B.S. Physics (Ursinus College, 1974)

BACKGROUND

A member of the faculty since 1977, Dr. Milke is a Professor in the Department. He served as Department Chair from 2011-2023. His principal areas of expertise involve smoke management, fire detection and analyzing the response of materials exposed to fire conditions. Milke is also director of the distance option for the Master of Engineering Program.

In 1991, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Aerospace Engineering. He received a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland in Mechanical Engineering and is a 1976 graduate of the Fire Protection Engineering program. Dr. Milke also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Ursinus College.

Dr. Milke is a Fellow and a past President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). He is a member of several professional societies, including SFPE, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Association for Fire Safety Science. He is a member of the Fire Council of Underwriters Laboratories and was a member of the NFPA Standards Council. He is a past-chair of the NFPA Technical Committee on Smoke Management Systems and the ASCE/SFPE committee, "Structural Design for Fire Conditions." He was a member of the Core Group of the FEMA Building Performance Assessment Team for the World Trade Center incident on September 11, 2001.

Dr. Milke has served as a Research Fire Prevention Engineer at the Center for Fire Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and as the Fire Protection Engineer for Fairfax County, Virginia.  

HONORS AND AWARDS

Dr. Milke has received awards from several organizations, as indicated below:

  • 2023, American Fire Sprinkler Association, Henry S. Parmelee Award
  • 2023, National Fire Protection Association Distinguished Service Award 
  • 2022, Best Paper Award 2021, Editor’s Choice for best paper in Volume 56 (2020) of Fire Technology
  • 2021, Harmathy Award, for best paper in Volume 56 (2020) of Fire Technology
  • 2018, Fire Industry Leadership Award, Siemens Building Technology Division
  • 2017, ASHRAE 2016 Technical Paper Award
  • 2016, Arthur B. Guise Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • 2013, Ronald K. Mengel Award for best paper at 2013 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Symposium, with R. Zevotek and T. Fabian
  • 2012, 2011 Person of the Year, Automatic Fire Alarm Association
  • 2009, John L. Bryan Mentoring Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • 2007, Founders Award, Chesapeake Chapter of SFPE
  • 2007, Jack Bono Engineering Communications Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • 2006, Faculty Service Award, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
  • 2002, Harry C. Bigglestone Award, for best paper in Volume 37 (2001) of Fire Technology
  • 2002, Harold E. Nelson Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • 2000, Harry C. Bigglestone Award, for best paper in Volume 35 (1999) of Fire Technology
  • 1999, Best Paper for ICFRE2 conference, with S. Hill and J. Quintiere
  • 1996, Harry C. Bigglestone Award, for best paper in Volume 31 (1995) of Fire Technology
  • 1995, John J. Ahern President’s Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • 1994, E. Robert Kent Outstanding Teaching Award, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
  • 1988, Director's Award, Society of Fire Protection Engineers

 

 

  • Analysis of smoke management systems
  • Development of advanced detection systems
  • Analysis of building evacuations
  • Analysis of the performance of fire protection systems

 

 


 

  • ENFP 101, Intro to FPE
  • ENFP 411, Risk-Informed Performance Based Design
  • ENFP 413/613  Human Response to Fire/Advanced Life Safey Analysis
  • ENFP 440/627  Smoke Management and Fire Alarm Systems/Smoke Detection and Management
  • ENFP 655, Smoke Control

Smoke Management:

  • Pongratz, C., Milke, J.A., and Trouve, A., A CFD Study to Identify Methods to Increase Maximum Velocity of Makeup Air for Atrium Smoke Control, ST-16-(RP-1600) ASHRAE, Transactions, Volume 122, Part 2, July 2016.
  • Milke, J.A., “Smoke Control by Mechanical Exhaust or Natural Venting,” SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition, M. Hurley, 2016, Springer, New York.
  • Milke, J.A., “Analytical Methods for Determining Fire Resistance of Steel Members,” SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition, M. Hurley, 2016, Springer, New York. J.H. Klote, J.A. Milke, P.G. Turnbull, A. Kashef, and M.J. Ferreira, Handbook of Smoke Control Engineering, 2012, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.
  • Milke, J.A., “Smoke Management by Mechanical Exhaust or Natural Venting,” SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition, M. Hurley, 2016, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
  • Milke, J.A., and Klote, J.H., Smoke Movement in Buildings,” Fire Protection Handbook, 20th edition, A. Cote, Ed., 2008, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
  • Kerber, S. and Milke, J.A., Using FDS to Simulate Smoke Layer Interface Height in a Simple Atrium,” Fire Technology, 43, 1, March 2007, 45-75.
  • ​Milke, J.A., “Effectiveness of High-Capacity Smoke Exhaust in Large Spaces,” J. of Fire Protection Engineering, 13, 3, 111-128, 2002.
  • Klote, J.H. and Milke J.A., Principles of Smoke Management, 2002, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

Structural Fire Protection:

  • Milke J.A., “Analytical Methods for Determining Fire Resistance of Steel Members,” SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition, P.J. DiNenno, 2016, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA
  • Ryder, N.L., Wolin, S. D., and Milke, J.A.*, “An Investigation of the Reduction in Fire Resistance of Steel Columns Caused by Loss of Spray-Applied Fire Protection,” J. of Fire Protection Engineering, 12 (1), 2002, 31-44.

Detection

  • Milke, J.A., “Performance Analysis of Simplex TrueAlert ES Addressable Notification Appliances,” for Johnson Controls, Inc., Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, May 2017
  • Milke, J.A., “Comparison of Designs with Simplex TrueAlert ES Addressable and Nonaddressable Notification Appliances,” for Johnson Controls, Inc., Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, May 2017

  • Milke, J.A., Chin, Selena, Schraffenberger, Nicholas, and Lemberos, Irene, Improvements in Aircraft Fire Detection,” for Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Transportation, Johnson Controls, Inc., Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, October 2017

  • Milke, J.A. and Mustafa, S., “Effect of Detector Sensitivity Changes on the Provision of Adequate Warning to Building Occupants,” Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, February 2016. 

  • Milke, J.A., Hanson, Robert E. and Mizrach, Daniel E., “Comparison of the Life Safety Performance of Smoke Detectors and Sprinklers in Commercial, Industrial and Education Institution Housing,” for National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, April 29, 2013.

  • Milke, James A., “History of Smoke Detection: A Profile of How the Technology and Role of Smoke Detection Has Changed,” Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division, Florham Park, NJ, September 8, 2010.
  • Milke, James A., Campanella, A.J., Childers, Cathleen T. and Wright, Brittany D., “Performance of Smoke Detectors and Sprinklers in Residential and Health-Care Occupancies,” for National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, May 14, 2010.
  • Milke, J.A., Mowrer, F.W., and Gandhi, P., Validation of a Smoke Detection Performance Prediction Methodology, Fire Protection Research Foundation, Quincy, MA, October 2008.
  • Cestari, L.A., Worrell, C., and Milke, J.A., “Advanced Fire Detection Algorithms Using Data from the Home Smoke Detector Project,” Fire Safety J., 40, 2005, 1-28.
  • Milke, J.A., Hulcher, M.E., Worrell, C.L., Gottuk, D.T., Williams, F.W., “Investigation of Multi-Sensor Algorithms for Fire Detection,” Fire Technology, 39, (4), 4th Quarter, October 2003, 363-382.
  • S.D. Wolin, N.L. Ryder, F. Leprince, J.A. Milke, F.W. Mowrer and J.L. Torero, “Measurements of Smoke Characteristics in HVAC Ducts,” Fire Technology, 37, (4), 4th Quarter, October 2001, 363-395.
  • Milke, J.A., "Monitoring Multiple Aspects of Fire Signatures for Discriminating Fire Detection," Fire Technology, 35 (3), 3rd Quarter 1999, 195-209.

Other:

  • Milke, J. and McAllister, J., Carbon Monoxide Incidents: A Review of the Data Landscape, Fire Protection Research Foundation, September 2022.

  • Milke, J., Stacy D. and Poole, J., Design Fire and Material Performance Database Report, SFPE Foundation, February, 2022.

  • Milke, J. and Poole, J., Performance Criteria for Aircraft Hangar Fire Protection Systems, Fire Protection Research Foundation, January 2022.

  • Doermann, J., Kuligowski, E.D., and Milke, J.A., “From Social Science Research to Engineering Practice: Development of a Short Message Creation Tool for Wildfire Emergencies,” Fire Technology, 57, 2021. 815-837.

  • Milke, J.A., Gallo, J, and Wong, A. “Fire Safety Challenges in Informal Settlements,” FPEeXTRA, SFPE, August 27, 2021.

  • Milke, J., Norwood, L., Ball, A., Cobbs, J., DeLucca, A., Tan, G. and Widenhofer, Z., “Occupant Evacuation Behavior in Wildland Fires,” Fire Protection Research Foundation, May, 2021.

  • Milke, J.A., Brondum, N., Dunne, S., Whitcomb, C.,Review of Foam Fire Suppression System Discharges in Aircraft Hangars,” for Poole Fire Protection, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, February 22, 2021. 

  • Dunne, S. Lee, Candice, Nguyen, Nam, Slingluff, Caroline, Milke, J., “Railing Height, Design and Criteria Review,” for Fire Protection Research Foundation, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, June 2019.  

  • Milke, J.A., Behera, S., Lee, Kelliann and Slingluff, Caroline, “Review of Foam Fire Suppression System Discharges in Aircraft Hangars,” for National Air Transportation Association, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, November 2019. 

  • Milke, J.A., Isman, K.E., and Ryder, N.L., “Bangladeshi Garment Factory Fire Safety,” Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, January 2016.

  • Milke, J.A., “Fire Protection as the Underpinning of Good Process Safety Programs,” Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries,” Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Jan. 2016, 329-333.
  • ​Milke, J.A., “Analysis of Observations of People Movement Characteristics during Evacuation of High Rise Office Buildings,” for National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, April 2013.  
  • Hoskins, B. and Milke, J.A., “Differences in Measurement Methods for Travel Distance and Area for Estimates of Occupant Speed on Stairs”, Fire Safety Journal, 48, February 2012, 49-57.
  • Gwynne, S.M.V., Kuligowski, E.D., Kratchman, J., and Milke, J.A., “Questioning the Linear Relationship Between Doorway Width and Achievable Flow Rate”, Fire Safety Journal, 44, January 2009, 80-87.

Sueños Sin Fronteras: The Clark School Celebrates Latine Engineers

At Maryland Engineering, we recognize and celebrate the diversity of stories and contributions among our students, faculty, staff, and alums.

Registration Open for UMD/NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Symposium

The event brings together a multi-disciplinary group of participants to learn about the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem and explore its application to address contemporary fire safety challenges.

Applications Open for James Milke Endowed Professor of Practice

Search open for a professional-track faculty position in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering.

Celebrating Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Engineers

The impact made by APIDA engineers—at the Clark School, and on our country and world—improves our community and field in numerous and significant ways.

Celebration the “Milke Way” Brought Former Chair’s Term to a Wonderful Finale

Professor Emeritus Jim Milke’s retirement dinner in Bethesda gathered 350 alums to commemorate his legacy in the department.

Dean's Circle Spotlight: Sparking Opportunity and Success

Fifty-one years and two UMD degrees since he first suited up, Randy Shearman '85, M.S. '92 continues his firefighter service with West Hills Regional Fire Department.

FPE Welcomes New Class of Ph.D. Students

The department rejoices on the arrival of four new fire safety researchers. 

Former Fire Protection Engineering Chair Receives American Fire Sprinkler Association’s Highest Honor

Dr. Milke becomes the second FPE former chair to earn this recognition. 

Leonard Ramo and Douglas Fisher Join FPE's Board of Visitors

The BOV is instrumental to the success of the department, helping it gain recognition and support as leader in the field of fire safety.

Jim Milke Receives NFPA 2023 Distinguished Service Award

Milke was honored at the NFPA Stars at Night gala in Las Vegas on June 18.

Kyra Cromwell Reed Wins 2023 John Bryan GRA Award

Reed will begin her master’s program in the fall of 2023.

The End of an Era

FPE Chair, Jim Milke, retires, leaving some very large boots to fill.

Engineering at Maryland magazine spotlights research to reduce fire risks in refugee camps

In the Spring 2023 issue, read how Maryland fire protection engineers are working to better understand the causes and order of magnitude of fires in humanitarian settlements.

Collaborative Engineering Team Awarded Grand Challenges Grant

Funding will support an interdisciplinary project geared towards wildfires and WUI fire behavior.

FPE Alum Nicholas Melly Awarded 2023 NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year

A fire protection engineer, and an FPE alum, Nicholas Melly is recognized for developing advanced hazard modelling and fire mitigation measures

Fire Protection Engineering Academic Award Celebration

The Fire Protection Engineering Department celebrates the excellence of outstanding students at an annual award ceremony.

FPE Accepting Applications for UL Fire Safety Research Institute Fellowship

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 15, 2023. 

National Science Foundation Awards Nearly $600K Grant to UMD/Morgan State University Partnership

First-of-its-kind funding will support behavioral fire research at an HBCU and aid in the improvement of home fire safety.

UMD/MFRI Research Team Explores Fireground Contaminants via FEMA Grant

This 12-month study will include research and workshops focused on identifying the challenges faced by health and safety officers responsible for implementing post-incident exposure control and decontamination protocols.

Maryland Engineering ranked #12 public undergraduate program in the country

For the third consecutive year, the Clark School's rises in U.S. News & World Report ranking.

Fire Safety Challenges in Informal Settlements

FPE Chair Jim Milke and students weigh in on the fire hazards of improvised communities. 

9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration

Join us on September 10 for a reflection and lessons-learned discussion.

FPE Research Team Wins 2021 Harmathy Award

The award is issued annually to the best fire technology paper. 

Fired Up Over Inequities

A team of engineering undergraduates explores factors behind disproportionate fire risk in developing nations.

Standing with our Asian-American Community

The Clark School community stands united with our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders colleagues.

Andre Marshall Appointed VPR of George Mason University

Marshall will begin his new position effective July 1, 2021.

FPE and Coffman Engineers Team Up to Discuss Epidemic Preparedness in Public Spaces

Webinars offered as part of the FPE Non-Degree Program.

Inclusion Makes US Stronger

A note from FPE Chair, Jim Milke

FPE Remembers Orville "Bud" Slye, Jr.

Slye, the first graduate of FPE's program, passed on April 13, 2020.

Legacy of Warren Isman Offers New Opportunity for FPE Students 

Endowed Memorial Scholarship provided by the NFPA will be available to incoming undergraduates. 

FPE Recognizes Outstanding Students at 2nd Annual Academic Luncheon

February event generously sponsored by Jensen Hughes.

FPE Welcomes Katie Donlin, Third Recipient of UL Fellowship

Originally from Illinois, Donlin will use the funding to develop and research a fire service topic.

Wood Fuels FAA’s Fire Research

UMD Student Jennifer Wood is using an FAA research grant to help the agency develop fire detection systems.

High School Students Present Fire Suppression Designs in Annual UMD Event

Hosted by the ATF, and sponsored by multiple industry partners, FPE hosted its 5th annual competition.

FPE Hosts 1st Annual Academic Recognition Luncheon

The event was graciously sponsored by Jensen Hughes.

FPE MOOC Hits 2K Participant Milestone

Course provides flexible learning and opportunity to network.

FPE Chair James Milke Receives Award from Siemens

Milke was honored at the 2018 NFPA Conference in Las Vegas on June 12.

FPE Chair Receives UL Fire Council Award

James Milke recognized for 30 yrs of service to UL on May 7.

Alumna Profile: Amy Murdock

When Murdock first started in the Dept. of Fire Protection Engineering, she moved into a nearby firehouse.

FPE Leads 3rd Annual Design Challenge

Outreach project geared towards increasing high school student awareness of STEM and more specifically, fire protection engineering.

FPE and Sponsor Jensen Hughes Offer Holistic ‘Think Tank’ Course

Students are tasked with developing a product, business plan and marketing strategy as a means of advancing the fire protection industry. 

WUSA9 'Geeks Out' Over Fire Tornado

FPE Chair and undergraduate students interviewed by WUSA9 reporter on the topic of wildland fire phenomenon.

FPE Department Featured on NSTA Blog

March Career of the Month: Fire Protection Engineer

FPE Researchers Receive 2017 ASHRAE Award

Jim Milke, Arnaud Trouve and Christine Pongratz received an award for their research on atrium smoke control.

The Value of International Collaboration: FPE Continues to Put People First

The Department provided a training course to Bangladesh engineers in an effort to extinguish factory fires that have become all too common.

University of Maryland to Establish Research Center of Excellence with UTC Climate, Controls & Security and Otis

The University of Maryland announces plans to establish new research center of excellence with United Technologies Corporation’s commercial businesses.

Siemens, Koffel Gifts Help Fire Protection Engineering Reach $2.5M Milestone in Legacy Campaign

A $100,000 gift from Siemens, matched by a gift from Bill Koffel, has helped the department raise $2,500,000 towards its endowed Clinical Professor fund.

New Fire Protection Engineering MOOC Available

The First FPE MOOC Course Launched by UMD Will Commence August 1, 2016.

James Milke Awarded 2016 Arthur B. Guise Medal

FPE Professor & Chair James Milke is the 2016 Guise Medal Recipient.

FPE Design Challenge Gets High School Students Excited About Engineering

“Junior fire protection engineers” learn about fire phenomena, core strategies in new student-run program.

FPE Capstone 2015: National Museum of the American Indian

Seniors challenged to demonstrate how to protect life, property in unusual building.

2015 Alumni Dinner: Distinguished Alumni Ceremony, Photos

Surprise 11th alumnus included in inaugural group of honorees.

FPE Announces Inaugural Class of Distinguished Alumni

Ten honored for contributions to the department and the field.

What We Can Learn–and Teach–from the Annapolis Mansion Fire

Fire Protection Engineering educates students, public to help prevent future tragedies.

WUSA-9 Consults Milke on Deadly Metro Smoke Incident

Fire Protection Engineering Chair featured in news report.

FPE Alumnus Among First to Receive Glenn L. Martin Medal

Jack Poole (B.S. ’86) was one of nine honored by the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

UMD Clark School Highlights Disaster Resilience at Mpact Week

Five-day event focused on role of engineers in disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.

FPE Professors Highlight Work on Fire Resilence

Presentations part of Mpact Week's Multi-hazard Resilience session.

Lund University FPE Students Visit Maryland

FPE@UMD hosts tours, presentations.

Fire Protection Engineering Appoints First Clinical Professor

New applied faculty position made possible by Legacy Campaign, Clark School support.

2013-2014 FPE Undergraduate Awards

Exceptional students recognized at annual ceremony.

UL Contributes $250K to UMD Fire Protection Engineering Legacy Campaign

Largest single gift in department's history to support new professor of the practice.

FPE Research Paper Wins Fire Protection Research Foundation Award

FPE research on cooking fire prevention wins best paper award at conference.

J. L. Bryan Chair Visiting Scholar

Endowment to support applicants of high standing from around the world at UMD.

Fire Protection Engineering Chair to Speak at NASA Safety Center

Dr. James Milke to discuss field performance of fire protection systems at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Alumni Rally to Support Fire Protection Engineering Legacy Campaign for a Professor of the Practice

Campaign for professor of practice to help ensure students stay current on the latest technologies used in the field.

Baker to Receive System Staff Award and Campus Recognition

FPE's Pat Baker selected as a USM Board of Regents’ Staff Award recipient

Dr. Michael Gollner to Join FPE Faculty

Dr. Michael Gollner to join faculty of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland

AFAA Honors Milke

Professor and Chair James A. Milke Honored as the AFAA Person of the Year

Smith Receives Outstanding Sophomore Award

SFPE Presented Award to Sophomore Philip Smith

Milke Takes Office as President of SFPE

University of Maryland Professor to Lead Fire Protection Engineering Society in 2012.

Fire Protection Mourns Undergraduate Student

John Sivert “Johnny” Brungot died unexpectedly in a fall at his home

Milke Recognized as Provost’s Faculty Academic Advisor of the Year

James Milke selected as 2010-2011 Provost’s Faculty Academic Advisor of the Year

Clark School ENGAGED Faculty Announced

The first class of Clark School ENGAGED Faculty are announced.

New Department Chairs Named

Balakumar Balachandran, James Milke picked to lead mechanical engineering, fire protection engineering.

Milke Elected President-Elect of SFPE

FPE Professor James Milke has been elected president-elect of SFPE for 2011.

Prof. James A. Milke to Receive the SFPE John L. Bryan Mentoring Award

At its Annual Awards Luncheon, Professor James A. Milke will receive the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) John L. Bryan Mentoring Award.

James A. Milke promoted to Professor

James A. Milke’s promotion to the rank of professor has been approved by University of Maryland President C. D. “Dan” Mote, and will be effective July 1, 2008.

Prof. Milke receives SFPE 2007 Founders Award

The 2007 recipient of the Chesapeake Chapter Founders Award is Chesapeake Chapter member Dr. James A. Milke, P.E., FSFPE.

Dr. James A. Milke Honored as “Top Terp”

Fire protection engineering professor also selected as 2007’s grand prize winner.

Faculty Position Available In Fire Protection Engineering

Applications are invited for a tenure track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.

UM Blazes Trail with Fire Protection Engineering Program

The department celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 14 with a gala event hosting alumni.

LOOK OUT FIRE...YOU'RE ON CAMERA

axonX, University of Maryland to Validate Most Advanced Video Fire Detection System

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)