Our Story

Helping Code Users Navigate Hazardous Materials Since 1989

HMEx (The Hazardous Materials Expert) was founded in 1989 by Larry Fluer to help building and fire officials, facility owners, and design professionals safely manage hazardous materials in the built environment. Long before digital compliance tools were common, Larry recognized the growing complexity of fire codes and created HMEx to make those regulations more accessible and easier to apply in the field.

In 1993, the HMEx Assistant was launched — a searchable database that made it simple to look up the properties and code-defined hazards of thousands of substances, all mapped to the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC).

Though Larry has since retired, the mission he started continues with a new generation of leadership. Today’s HMEx Assistant is a modern, web-based platform enhanced with automation and compliance logic that simplifies chemical classification, inventory tracking, and report generation for code enforcement and permitting.

Our Mission

To equip professionals with smart, transparent, and defensible tools for hazardous materials compliance.

At HMEx, we believe regulatory compliance shouldn’t be left to chance or guesswork. Whether you’re managing a small lab or a complex industrial site, our goal is to give you the confidence that your classifications are correct, your inventory is code-compliant, and your documentation can stand up to inspection.

We’re more than a software provider — we’re a team of consultants, engineers, and code experts dedicated to supporting safe facilities, informed decision-making, and streamlined regulatory engagement.

What We Stand For

  • Code Alignment – Our platform is built directly on the language of the IFC and IBC.

  • Technical Defensibility – Every result is backed by rules, references, and real-world expertise.

  • User Empowerment – We turn complex regulations into clear, usable outputs for code officials and facility teams alike.

  • Legacy and Innovation – From Larry Fluer’s early vision to today’s automated GHS classification tools, we honor our history while building for the future.