The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), a division of UL Research Institutes, announced on April 1, 2024, its efforts to assemble a technical panel for an ambitious research project focusing on firefighting strategies in multi-story residential buildings, specifically targeting modern townhomes and traditional rowhomes.
The initiative, set to take place at FSRI’s Sharon Hill, PA, testing facility, aims to construct replicas of these structures to facilitate a series of experiments.
These will explore various aspects of fire dynamics, the effectiveness of firefighting tactics, and their implications for occupant safety.
FSRI’s objective with this study is to deepen the understanding of how fires develop and spread in such residential environments and to evaluate the effectiveness of different firefighting techniques.
The ultimate goal is to enhance victim survivability through improved tactical recommendations.
“This research is crucial for advancing our knowledge on fire safety in multi-story residential structures and will provide firefighters with data-driven strategies to effectively combat these incidents,” FSRI stated.
The institute is calling for a diverse group of candidates with relevant experience in communities featuring townhomes and/or rowhomes to join the technical panel.
Participants will have a hands-on role in shaping the study, from designing and selecting experiments to analyzing data and formulating practical tactical guidance.
FSRI emphasizes the importance of an open-minded, collaborative approach, and a readiness to both share expertise and engage with the insights of other panel members.
The research project spans multiple years and includes at least three in-person meetings: an initial planning session in summer 2024, an opportunity to observe the experiments firsthand, and a concluding meeting to summarize findings.
Although FSRI will cover travel expenses, compensation for time away from work is not provided.
While not required, FSRI encourages participants to seek approval from their fire department’s management.
Prospective panelists have until 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2024, to submit their application for consideration.
Selections for the panel will be finalized and communicated by May 15, 2024.
Apply here: https://forms.gle/o4YvsTiMhmVMjZ4WA
The FSRI’s initiative to recruit a technical panel for studying fire safety in multi-story residential structures reflects a proactive approach to addressing the complex challenges presented by urban residential fires.
By focusing on modern townhomes and traditional rowhomes, the research targets a significant segment of urban housing that poses unique risks and challenges in fire management.
The collaborative nature of the technical panel, emphasizing diversity and expertise from varied backgrounds, underscores the comprehensive perspective FSRI aims to integrate into its study.
The outcomes of this research promise to equip firefighters with enhanced strategies and tactics, potentially transforming the approach to firefighting in densely populated residential areas.
