Our expertise: fire safety research
The applied research scientists in our fire safety team work with industry partners to develop and implement practical solutions to a range of fire safety issues, from designing robust tests for innovative fire detection systems to preventing false alarms.
OverviewHow we work on fire safety research and the impacts of our work. Leading facilities and expertiseThe fire safety team conducts research in BRE’s outstanding UKAS-accredited laboratories, as well as at client facilities when appropriate. The team has access to BRE’s world-leading built environment expertise in areas that include fire safety engineering, building technology and social science. Collaborative partnershipsWith the necessary financial and in-kind contributions agreed at the outset, the team collaborates with stakeholder groups on projects – that often attract funding support from the BRE Trust – proposed by the industry or initiated by BRE. The combination of our independent, technical expertise and industry involvement, gives this work the added credibility that promotes wider acceptance and support. Presenting findings to a wide audienceThe findings from the work are regularly presented to stakeholder group members for input and agreement throughout the programme, at the end of which they receive a comprehensive technical report on the findings and proposed next steps. As a key aim of this research work is to make new knowledge widely accessible, in addition to the technical reports, freely available briefing papers are produced to summarise the main findings and recommendations for industry professionals. Short videos are also produced when the topic is of interest to non-technical people, summarising the findings and explaining the project. These have been very effective in delivering research findings to a much wider audience and are often played at conferences and exhibitions, and promoted on social media. Impacts and achievements of our researchThe impacts of the research completed by the fire safety team and industry partners so far include:
How collaborative partnerships workCollaborating with partners is vital when conducting research and developing and implementing practical solutions to fire safety issues. For more on collaborative research at BRE, see the infographic below or download it as a PDF. Further information on impacts of collaborationAn article was published in International Fire Protection magazine summarising the process of collaborations and explored the impacts of those for a number of research projects. |
Current projects
The effectiveness of visual alarm devices
Building on previous work, this project is researching the warning effectiveness of visual alarm devices (VADs). We’re looking at how factors such as the VAD colours, pulse durations of LED devices and whether the VAD is viewed directly (face-on) or indirectly, influence their attention drawing effectiveness. Additionally, this project is investigating how the colours of walls in the ambient environment and background light levels contribute to the perception of flashing lights used for warning. This work will result in a public briefing paper that will inform of how VADs can be used most effectively in buildings and the findings will support revisions to relevant codes of practice including LPCB CoP 0001.
Loss Prevention Standard for video flame detectors
Following on from previous work, five detector manufacturers together with the Fire Industry Association have commissioned BRE Global to develop a loss prevention standard to test and assess the performance of video flame detectors. As well as writing a comprehensive robust standard, the group have funded the necessary research to develop required performance tests. This will ensure that when video flame detectors are certified to the standard, they will be fit for purpose in the service environment responding in the event of a fire
Contamination of heat alarms
Most fires start in domestic kitchens and heat alarms are vital to provide an early warning to occupants. Heat alarms in the kitchen are subjected to environmental factors that may influence their alarm response during a fire. A number of used heat alarms obtained from kitchens of different ages, types and with varying levels of contamination are being measured and the resulting data is being analysed. The findings from this work may be used to support replacement periods of heat alarms in the future or may result in an update to the heat alarm standard BS 5446-2. If you are in a position to provide used heat alarms, please contact BRE as these could be included in the study.
Developing unwanted alarm tests
Nine detector manufacturers, one fire detection consultant and the Fire Industry Association have commissioned BRE Global to develop five tests that will support a Loss Prevention Standard to assess the resistance of smoke and multi-sensor detectors/alarms to common unwanted (false) alarms. The five tests were initially developed during the collaborative research work investigating multi-sensor resistance to false alarms and the tests are now being developed to demonstrate greater repeatability for standardisation purposes. The group have already developed cooking and toast tests and are now working on dust, steam and aerosol tests.
Contamination of heat detectors
Five detector manufacturers, one fire detection consultant and the Fire Industry Association have commissioned BRE Global to investigate if the response of heat detectors in commercial premises may be affected by contamination. A number of used heat detectors alarms obtained from kitchens of different ages, types and with varying levels of contamination will be measured and the resulting data analysed. The findings from this work may be used to support replacement periods of heat detectors in the future or may result in an update to the heat detectors in the future or may result in an update to the heat detector standard EN 54-5. If you are in a position to provide used heat detectors, please contact BRE as these could be included in the study.
Engaging in research
If you are interested in taking part in any of our current projects or if there are other areas of research in fire safety that you are interested in pursuing, either collaboratively or privately, then please email enquiries@bregroup.com or use the online form to get in touch.
Contact usPast projects
Below are links to published briefing papers (and some videos) of collaborative and private research work that we have performed to date.
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Your feedback
If you have feedback or observations about any of these projects, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us using the feedback form.
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