On June 27 the Research Foundation and NFPA’s international operations department presented a seminar on research to address high challenge storage protection for aerosols, lithium batteries, flammable and combustible liquids, automated storage and retrieval systems, and others. 110 attendees from 17 nations attended this event in Paris, France to explore the latest global research and emerging trends on storage protection. Read more…
The 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal was awarded to the research project on “High Volume/Low Speed Fans and Sprinkler Operation”. This two-phase project was conducted to study the impact of High Volume Low Speed Fans (HVLS) on fire safety. Issues raised on their usage as they relate to general sprinkler performance Read more…
The University of California, San Diego is performing one of the largest fire and structural research projects in the United States. Full-scale fire tests will be conducted on May 9th – 11th 2012 to assess the performance of active and passive fire protection systems and impacts and effects of fire spread and smoke movement in an earthquake-damaged high-rise building Read more…
Recent dust explosion accidents and their aftermath highlighted a renewed need to focus on a better understanding of the methods used in preventing these incidents. A two-phase study was commissioned by the Fire Protection Research Foundation of NFPA to develop and verify a more accurate methodology to assess dust explosion hazards while resolving the controversies associated with the current standards. Part I of this study has now been completed Read more…
A study from the Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine involving 1574 firefighters is shedding light on an underlying cause of heart disease. The study finds that blood vessel lining can predict who is at risk for developing coronary heart disease. By identifying this new marker in patients, doctors may be able to intervene early to prevent the progression of heart disease. Read more at ScienceDaily: Latest Science News
The metallic particles in the smoke emitted by fireworks can pose a health risk to people who suffer from asthma, new research shows. The Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research conducting this study published the report of this research in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. “The toxicological research has shown that many of the metallic particles in the smoke from fireworks are bio-reactive and … Read more…
An unusual new industrial testing product from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a cigarette designed to burn stronger than others, will be used by manufacturers of home furnishings to test the fire resistance of their products. In 1970 NIST started studying the fire starting properties of then available tobacco products. Read more…
