Nicholas Reding, PhD, CFEI, is a Senior Associate in the Thermal Sciences practice at Exponent, Inc. (10370 Richmond Ave, Suite 230, Houston, TX 77042; Email: nreding@exponent.com). Reding has executed dozens of dust hazard analyses, code compliance audits, process hazard analyses (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA, SIL), cause and origin investigations for fire/explosion incidents, and equipment failure analyses. Reding also has considerable experience with consequence and risk assessment using PHAST and FLACS computational modeling for both facility siting analysis and the proposal of performance-based explosion prevention and protection solutions. Prior to joining Exponent, Reding worked as an Explosion Protection Application Scientist at Fike Corp., where he facilitated research for application extension and new product development, managed guidelines for explosion protection design, and provided internal consultation for nonstandard hazards (dust, gas, hybrid) and unique applications within the pneumatic conveyance and bulk powder storage industries. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in chemical and petroleum engineering, all from the Univ. of Kansas. He also serves as an alternate member of the NFPA 484 technical committee for Combustible Metals & Metal Dusts and the NFPA 652 technical committee for Fundamentals of Combustible Dusts.