Last week, the Fire Safety Engineering team at Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) was hard at work conducting important research in Northbrook, Illinois. Funded through the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, their focus was on studying modern fire service ventilation practices and how they interact with changes in contemporary house designs. Over the past few decades, there have been significant shifts in the residential fire landscape, and this research aimed to explore those changes and their implications for firefighting strategies.
This ongoing series of experiments is shedding light on how fire behavior has evolved and how it affects the tactics firefighters use when ventilating structures. The goal of this project is to gather empirical data that will help quantify fire behavior in these scenarios and develop practical firefighting techniques to minimize risks to firefighters' safety. By understanding these dynamics better, the hope is to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities among first responders.
To conduct these experiments, two full-scale residential homes were constructed within UL's large-scale fire testing facility in Northbrook. These structures allowed researchers to simulate various fire conditions and test different ventilation methods under controlled settings. A comprehensive summary of the findings, along with the detailed report, is available for review HERE.
Tim Olk, who was present during some of the burns, generously shared some photographs capturing the intense scenes. One image shows one of the houses being used for testing inside the Northbrook facility, highlighting its realistic design. Another photograph captures firefighters skillfully applying water into a window during one of the burns, showcasing their dedication and expertise. A third shot features a firefighter standing by as flames engulf one of the test structures, emphasizing the critical nature of their work.
For those interested in seeing more of Tim’s photos from the event, they can be viewed HERE. This research not only contributes valuable insights but also underscores the importance of continuous innovation in fire safety engineering to protect both civilians and firefighters alike.
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