Fire Investigation

Summary

The UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute investigates fire dynamics in full-scale structures to understand fire growth and spread. They study the effects of ventilation changes on fire patterns, using probes and sensors to measure temperature, gas velocity, and oxygen levels. This research aids firefighters in understanding fire behavior and assists investigators in determining fire origin and cause. The project aims to bridge the gap between suppression and investigation, enhancing overall fire service effectiveness.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Over the past decade, the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute has been conducting research to better understand fire dynamics and improve firefighter safety.
• 🏠 The project focuses on how fires grow and spread in homes, especially how ventilation changes through doors or windows impact fire behavior and damage patterns.
• 🔄 Replicate fires are conducted with varying conditions, first with the structure closed and then with openings to observe how it affects fire growth and investigator findings.
• 📏 The research uses bidirectional probes to measure gas velocity and temperature, allowing scientists to track the movement of hot and cool air in and out of the building.
• 🌡️ Thermocouples are placed throughout the structure to measure temperature at different heights, giving insights into the hot gas layers and cooler air near the floor.
• 🧪 Oxygen concentration is monitored at various points to understand how the presence or absence of oxygen influences fire patterns and behavior.
• 📸 Detailed documentation of the house occurs before, during, and after the fire to help investigate the relationship between fire damage and the conditions that caused it.
• 💡 The project also focuses on observing how household items like lamps, phones, and TVs are affected by the fire, providing valuable insights for investigators.
• 🧩 The research aims to help both firefighters and investigators understand the impact of fire suppression tactics on fire patterns and investigation outcomes.
• 🎓 The project will result in an online training program, helping to bring these scientific findings to fire investigators around the world.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the research conducted by the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute?

The research focuses on fire dynamics, particularly how fires grow and spread in homes, and how firefighters can operate safely and efficiently on the fireground.

How does the project benefit fire investigators?

The project helps fire investigators by studying burn patterns, fire damage, and how changes in ventilation (such as opening doors or windows) affect the investigation of a fire's area of origin and cause.

What is the significance of ventilation in the study?

Ventilation is a key variable in the study, as it impacts fire growth, burn patterns, and fire damage. The researchers aim to understand how ventilation affects fire behavior and investigation outcomes.

What tools are used to measure the fire's dynamics during the experiments?

The tools include bidirectional probes to measure gas velocity and temperature, thermocouples to monitor temperature at different heights, oxygen intakes to measure oxygen concentration, and pressure taps to measure high and low-pressure areas.

Why are energized outlets and devices included in the experiments?

Energized outlets, lamps, clocks, and televisions are included to observe how different objects react to fire, such as how they melt, fail, or come apart, providing insight into fire behavior and damage patterns.

What specific data is collected during the fire experiments?

Data collected includes temperature, gas velocity, oxygen concentration, pressure, and fire damage patterns, along with observations of object behavior during fire exposure.

How is the documentation process carried out during the experiments?

The house is documented with photographs before and after the fire, and additional documentation is done as furniture is removed and layers of the structure, such as flooring and subfloor, are revealed.

What happens during the 'sofa ignition' phase of the experiment?

The sofa is ignited, and researchers observe the temperature rise, oxygen levels, and fire behavior. They note when the fire starts to extinguish itself as oxygen levels drop and temperatures decrease.

Why is the project important to both firefighters and investigators?

The project enhances understanding of fire patterns for firefighters and helps investigators comprehend how suppression tactics and ventilation affect their ability to determine the fire's origin and cause.

What are the expected outcomes of the project for the fire service and investigation community?

The project aims to foster cross-discipline communication between firefighters and investigators, improve fire investigation techniques, and develop an online training program for fire investigators worldwide.