EVs are becoming more of a 'normal' part of fire safety engineering rather than an 'exotic problem'. I've invited two colleagues from Thornton Tomasetti - Ali Ashrafi and Pawel Woelke, to discuss what this engineering looks like.

In the episode, we discuss insights into how fire risks differ between electric and internal combustion engine vehicles and why the focus is shifting from cars to more pressing hazards like electric scooters and energy storage systems. We explore the different approaches in the US and Europe, discussing the importance of performance-based solutions and timely detection to manage fire risks effectively. W We'll also discuss the critical role of ongoing education and adaptation in the fire safety industry as technology evolves.

An important aspect is the practical strategies for mitigating fire spread and explosion hazards in vehicle design and parking facilities. From the significance of separation distances and sprinklers to the potential dangers of gas accumulation, our conversation dives deep into the intricacies of ensuring a safer environment for both people and property. We also highlight the importance of early planning and thoughtful design in integrating EV infrastructure into building designs, and how real-world incidents shape our understanding and approach to EV safety.

If you would like further reading, please refer to the phase 2 report from NFPA at
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/fire-protection-research-foundation/projects-and-reports/modern-vehicle-hazards-in-parking-garages-vehicle-carriers

You may also be interested in the investigation of the explosion hazards researched by FSRI - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236124019677?via%3Dihub=

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.

Fires in the waste industry are not discussed much unless one sees a giant smoke plume in the media, followed by advice to close your windows. In these (rare?) cases, we remind ourselves of the massive industry related to storing, sorting and recycling garbage, and the obvious environmental hazards such fires pose.

From 2017 to 2020, Poland experienced a challenging time with fires at landfills, primarily caused by arson or negligence. A bit later, when I was working on my chapter for the Handbook of Fire and the Environment, I saw Ragni Fjellgaard Mikalsen working on hers about waste fires, and I found that work very relevant and useful. Finally, it is time to dive deeper into the subject, and hence, I have Ragni on the podcast, and we talk about garbage!

Her expertise in smouldering fires and collaborations with Norwegian authorities bring invaluable insights into the unique fire risks faced by waste handling, processing, and storage facilities. From outdoor landfills to indoor recycling centres, Ragni shares how accurate fire reporting and comprehensive data analysis can significantly enhance fire safety protocols in this crucial sector. She introduces us to the "traffic light" system to illustrate the risks at different facilities.

Balancing ideal waste storage practices with economic realities is no small feat. In this episode, Ragni discusses the intricacies of managing waste storage, from controlling moisture and temperature in storage piles to proper sorting practices to minimise impurities in incoming waste. We also cover the urgent need for governmental intervention and innovative insurance solutions to tackle the high-hazard waste mismanagement issues in places like Poland.

And here are the promised further reading resources from Ragni:

Link to waste paper:

Fires in waste facilities: Challenges and solutions from a Scandinavian perspective, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2020.103023

Link to Handbook:

Chapter 13 on Mitigation Strategies for Waste Fires in Handbook of Fire and the Environment: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94356-1

The Norwegian info is based on work by RISE Fire Research in Norway:

• R.F. Mikalsen, K. Glansberg, K. Storesund, S. Ranneklev, Branner I Avfallsanlegg (Fires in Waste Storage) RISE-report 2019:61, RISE Fire Research, Trondheim,2019. https://risefr.no/media/publikasjoner/upload/2019/rise-rapport-2019-61-branner-i-avfallsanlegg.pdf

The Swedish info is based on work by RISE in Sweden:

• A. Lønnermark, P. Blomqvist. Emissions from Fires in Electrical and Electronics Waste ISSN 0284-5172, SP report 2005:42, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Sweden, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn¼urn%3Anbn%3Ase%3Ari%3Adiva-4695 .
• A. Lønnermark, H. Persson, P. Blomqvist, W. Hogland, Biobränslen Och Avfall - Brands€akerhet i Samband Med Lagring (Biofuels and solid waste – fire safety in connection with storage) SP Report, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Sweden, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn%3Anbn%3Ase%3Alnu%3Adiva-3575
• A. Lønnermark. Analyses of Fire Debris after Tyre Fires and Fires in Electrical and Electronics Waste ISSN 0284-5172, SP report 2005:44, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, 2005.

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.

In this episode we talk with Jonathan Hodges of the Jensen Hughes on his experience with using advanced modelling in the realm of fire safety engineering. Jonathan sheds light on how the modelling is used at various Jensen Hughes offices around the world, highlighting interesting differences they see across their practice.

The core of the talk revolves around using CFD for modeling the consequences of fires, versus using it to assess the fire growth. While the first one is a commonly practiced in offices across the world, the growth part is kind of a challenge. We go into how CFD can help us develop better fire scenarios, and how they can be further improved through an influx of experimental data.

In the final part of the talk we are looking ahead, as we explore the transformative potential of AI-driven CFD surrogate modeling and GPU-based solvers, including the possibility conducting real-time CFD simulations without the prohibitive computational costs—this could soon be a reality.

As we discuss these innovations, it becomes clear how they could impact fire safety engineering globally, providing deeper insights into fire dynamics and more robust engineering solutions.

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.