210 - Fire Fundamentals pt. 16 - Turbulence with Randy McDermott
In the 16th part of the Fire Fundamentals series, we invite Randy McDermott from NIST to join us for a deep dive into turbulence and its critical role in fire dynamics modelling. We explore the physics behind turbulent combustion and how it fundamentally shapes fire behaviour, plume dynamics, and simulation accuracy.In this episode we cover:Defining turbulence as the enhancement of mixing and heat transfer through the creation of eddies and instabilitiesUnderstanding length scales in turbulence from the integral scale to the Kolmogorov scalePractical considerations when choosing grid resolutions for different fire engineering applicationsHow turbulence models work in Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and what they representLimitations of the D* criterion for mesh sizing and why higher resolution may be neededDifferences between pre-mixed and diffusion flames in turbulent combustionTime scales in fire and the concept of Damköhler number in determining combustion behaviourEntrainment physics at the base of fire plumes requires centimetre-scale resolutionWhy turbulence modelling ultimately determines the accuracy of fire simulations----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.
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209 - Updates from the SFPE with Chris Jelenewicz
In this podcast episode, I invited Chris Jelenewicz, the CEO of SFPE, to bring me up to date on the society. The SFPE Handbook on Fire Protection Engineering is undergoing a major revision with the sixth edition expected by summer's end, expanding to five volumes with significant new content on emerging topics like wildland fires and lithium-ion batteries. In this episode, we cover how the handbook is written, edited and when it will be released to the public.Some highlights from the episode include:• The new handbook will feature 11 sections, 104 chapters, and contributions from over 200 authors• New innovative "living document" approach allowing updates without waiting for full revision cycles• First-ever introductory chapter on the history and evolution of fire protection engineering• Expanded content on wildland-urban interface fires, growing from one chapter to seven• New chapters addressing lithium-ion batteries, fire safety during construction, and fire extinguishment fundamentals• Multiple access options: print volumes, online subscription, and individual chapter purchases• Available through university libraries via SpringerLink• More global perspective with international contributions We have also discussed the incoming SFPE events, including the Annual Conference in Vancouver (October 2025), celebrating SFPE's 75th anniversary, a Storage Symposium at UL in Chicago (August 2025), and a Battery Symposium in Lisbon (November 2025).----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.
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208 - The basics of fire water supply with Szymon Kokot
Water might seem like the simplest part of firefighting – just point and spray, right? Well, as you can imagine, the reality is a bit more complex. In this conversation with veteran firefighter and CFBT instructor Szymon Kokot, we pull back the curtain on firefighting's most critical resource to reveal the intricate science and logistics behind effective fire suppression.Did you know a standard fire truck carries just 10 minutes' worth of water for a typical residential fire? Or that a water-filled fire hose can weigh up to 45 kilograms per 20-meter section? These physical realities shape every aspect of firefighting operations and explain why building water supply systems are absolutely vital for effective emergency response.Szymon walks us through essential concepts that every fire engineer should understand – from critical flow rates (2 liters per minute per square meter of fire area) to tactical flow rates (4 liters per minute per square meter) that provide both effectiveness and safety margin. We explore how water's cooling capacity works primarily during evaporation, why cooling burning materials is more important than extinguishing visible flames, and how different water application techniques serve different tactical purposes.The conversation demystifies hydrants versus standpipes, dry versus wet systems, and the specialised requirements for different building types – especially the unique challenges of high-rise structures where external water supply is virtually impossible. We also confront the all-too-common reliability issues that plague these systems, from maintenance problems to vandalism.Whether you're a fire engineer looking to design more effective systems, a firefighter interested in the science behind your craft, or simply curious about this intersection of physics, engineering and emergency operations, this episode delivers valuable insights into how water – our oldest firefighting tool – continues to shape modern fire safety design and operations.----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.
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207 - Fire Safety of Balconies with Mike Spearpoint and Konstantinos Chotzoglou
As a consequence of the Grenfell Tower disaster, some strong legislation was proposed, such as a combustible ban on building walls. This, however, affected more than just the building facades, as it excluded materials such as laminated glass used as balcony balustrades. Today, the path forward demands evidence that could inform decisions on the future of laminated glass in this use. In this conversation with Mike Spearpoint and Konstantinos Chotzoglou from OFR Consultants, we dive deep into their groundbreaking experimental research on balcony fire safety that emerged in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster.Through experiments involving three-story balcony setups and multiple configurations, the team quantified how different materials and designs affect external fire spread between floors.What makes this research particularly valuable is how it transforms gut feelings into measurable facts. The researchers tested various combinations of balustrade materials, decking options, and balcony contents to create a comprehensive picture of fire behaviour. Their findings confirmed some expectations while providing surprising insights into flame dynamics around balconies. Most importantly, they established a clear ranking of safety performance: from non-combustible systems and laminated glass (which performed remarkably well) to the dangerous combination of HPL panels with timber decking (which produced fires so intense they had to terminate testing).The implications extend beyond regulatory compliance. This research empowers architects, engineers, and manufacturers to make evidence-based decisions about balcony design while maintaining the essential outdoor spaces people value in high-rise living. It demonstrates that with appropriate material selections and protective measures like non-combustible soffits, balconies can remain both safe and functional.You can read the balcony survey paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-023-01467-8A paper summarising three balcony fire incidents:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-021-01154-6As more research is published, I will try to keep this up to date.----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.
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206 - Fire Engineering Infrastructural Projects with Mukesh Tomar
Today I'm taking you for a sightseeing trip to see what fire safety looks like beyond our usual office, residential buildings and car parks. Fire engineering takes on an entirely different dimension when applied to massive infrastructure projects where conventional building codes provide minimal guidance and engineers must forge their own path.Dr. Mukesh Tomar from Jacobs takes us deep into the world of "non-real estate fire engineering" – the complex realm of cable tunnels stretching dozens of kilometres, nuclear facilities requiring marathon-like design processes, and mega-airports that function as entire cities. These projects demand fundamentally different approaches from traditional buildings, with engineers often working without clear objectives while balancing multiple stakeholders' requirements.The challenges are as fascinating as they are daunting. How do you establish evacuation strategies for maintenance workers in remote utility tunnels? What happens when nuclear safety requirements from different global standards conflict with each other? And how do you integrate new fire safety systems with decades-old infrastructure during airport expansions? We explore these questions while uncovering the frustrations and rewards of engineering at this scale.Perhaps most thought-provoking is how these specialised challenges are increasingly relevant to everyday buildings. As electric vehicle charging brings industrial-scale electrical systems into residential buildings, the line between conventional and infrastructure fire safety grows increasingly blurred. Without clear objectives and specialised expertise, are we adequately addressing these emerging risks?Whether you're a seasoned infrastructure engineer or working primarily in traditional buildings, this episode offers valuable insights into the outer boundaries of fire safety engineering and the critical importance of establishing clear objectives before attempting solutions. Follow the Fire Science Show for more deep dives into the fascinating world where fire science meets real-world engineering challenges.----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.
Fire Science Show is connecting fire researchers and practitioners with a society of fire engineers, firefighters, architects, designers and all others, who are genuinely interested in creating a fire-safe future. Through interviews with a diverse group of experts, we present the history of our field as well as the most novel advancements. We hope the Fire Science Show becomes your weekly source of fire science knowledge and entertainment. Produced in partnership with the Diamond Sponsor of the show - OFR Consultants
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