Christian Merryfield was introduced to fire protection early in his journey to becoming an engineer. After connecting with a hiring manager when he was a college student in Livermore, California, he worked as a fire sprinkler system designer for about six years while he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“I was able to learn something that was engineering adjacent and pretty important,” Christian said of the experience. “There will always be buildings being built, so there will always be a need for sprinklers.”

As one of Harrington Group’s newest fire protection consultants, Christian joined the team in early November. He brings his sprinkler background and an eagerness to expand his expertise to include fire alarms and performance-based design, which he said aligns with his early engineering interests because of the in-depth analysis involved. He plans to become a licensed P.E., and looks forward to collaborating with and learning from his new colleagues.

“It seems everyone I speak to says joining Harrington Group was the best decision they ever made, and I anticipate learning everything the company has to offer,” he said.

Christian and his wife recently moved to Hermosa Beach, a city near Los Angeles, where they live about a block away from the ocean. They enjoy exploring their new neighborhood, working out at the gym, and hanging out with their 10-year-old golden retriever, Kodiak.