About
Summary
Specialties
Professional Organizations
Professional History
Ralph K. Foster, P.E.
Ralph Foster is Principal of Foster Engineering and Consulting and is a licensed Fire Protection Engineer in multiple states. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and is an NPFA Certified Fire Inspector I and Certified Fire Plans Examiner.
He began working for the state in 1986 as an elevator and amusement ride inspector. In 1989, he started working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office on the Engineering Staff where he reviewed plans for compliance with adopted codes. In 1994, Mr. Foster became the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal supervising 19 Deputy State Fire Marshals who inspect facilities for fire and life safety. In 1999, Mr. Foster became the Manager of Engineering Services with the State Fire Marshal’s Office supervising the Engineering Section. In 2003, the office was reorganized and he served as the Senior Staff Engineer. His duties included evaluating “Performance Based Designs”; teaching the State Fire Marshal’s Certification Course, NFPA’s Certified Fire Inspector I and Certified Plans Examiner I; providing interpretations of International Codes, NFPA standards, state laws and regulations; and reviewing and evaluating complex or unusual projects. In 2008, he left the Fire Marshal’s Office to be a consulting Fire Protection Engineer. His firm, Foster Engineering & Consulting was founded in 2006.
Mr. Foster is a Lieutenant Colonel in the SC Army National Guard. His current assignment is the state’s Surface Maintenance Manager with SC JFHQ. He volunteers as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 10 and resides in Columbia SC with his family. He is a member of SFPE, NFPA, ICC, and AFSA. He is active in the SC Fire Marshals Association, the Central Savannah River Chapter of the SFPE and the SC Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association.
