Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Summer School, Fire Fundamentals for Performance-Based Fire Safety Design, organized by ZAG (FRISSBE) and ITB. The event, held from the 1st to the 8th of September in Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland, was a fantastic opportunity for me to refresh my knowledge on the fundamental aspects of fire safety engineering, while also connecting with both old and new friends from around the world.

The summer school aimed to provide fire professionals and early-career researchers with a science-based perspective on performance-based design for fire safety in buildings. What stood out for me was the impressive lineup of international lecturers, including leading figures in the field such as Prof José Torero (University College London), Dr Michael Spearpoint (OFR Consultants), Dr Ruben van Coile (Ghent University), and Prof Bart Merci (Ghent University), to name just a few. Their sessions covered a broad range of critical topics, from fire behaviour and smoke & heat control to evacuation strategies and probabilistic performance-based design. These lectures sparked many thought-provoking discussions, often continuing well beyond the scheduled sessions, creating an enriching environment for learning and exchange.

One aspect that made this experience unique was the close interaction between the lecturers and participants. The relaxed atmosphere allowed for easy conversations, enabling us to not only discuss technical aspects of fire safety but also share insights into our respective fields of work. The poster session, where participants showcased their research, provided another platform for collaboration and networking, which I found particularly valuable.

A highlight of the week for me was witnessing a car fire test in person. Having worked on car fire topics for more than 10 years, this was something I had eagerly looked forward to experiencing. Seeing the test live was both fascinating and informative, reinforcing the importance of continued research in this area. It was a remarkable opportunity to witness firsthand something I’ve been deeply involved in throughout my career.

All in all, the 2024 Summer School was not only a fantastic educational experience but also a great way to reconnect with colleagues from around the globe. I left Poland feeling reinvigorated, with a deeper understanding of performance-based fire safety design and a renewed sense of purpose in my own research and practice. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned and continuing the discussions started in Poland in the months to come.

We would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to Victor Debeuré for his valuable contribution during his short internship with our department at the Universidad de Navarra. During his time with us, Victor conducted an insightful literature search on battery fire safety, an area that is increasingly important in today’s technological landscape.

His dedication, thorough research, and keen attention to detail have left a positive impact on our ongoing projects. Though his internship was short, the quality of his work speaks volumes about his commitment and potential as a researcher. We are confident that his skills and drive will take him far in his future endeavors.

On behalf of everyone in the department, we wish Victor all the best for the future, and we look forward to seeing his continued success. Thank you, Victor, for all your hard work!

We are thrilled to welcome Victor Debeuré to our EVRisk research project as an internship student. Victor brings a wealth of experience from his ongoing master's program in industrial engineering at IMT Nord Europe, complemented by hands-on experience at Renault Group's Douai plant, where he worked on optimizing welding robots for electric car production. We look forward to his contributions and innovative insights in advancing our research objectives. Welcome aboard, Victor!

Zahir took his time to visit HK Poly U as he was invited by Associate Professor Xinyan Huang. Zahir shared his expertise at the prestigious SureFire 2024 conference. His visit was a highlight for attendees, providing valuable insights into his experience in XFire Innovation Challenge.

Zahir recently returned from FireAsia 2024 where he was invited to speak about the growing concern of electric vehicle fires. He had a fantastic time reconnecting with industry peers and meeting new potential collaborators. Engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of fire safety in the electric vehicle era was truly inspiring. We look forward to sharing more about the potential collaborations that may arise from this event. Can't wait to see what the future holds!

Great news! Our researcher, Zahir Tohir, just returned from the Fire Dynamics Modeling Summer School at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany).

This intensive program provided a deep dive into fire simulation software, with lectures from developers themselves and hands-on exercises using FDS.

Zahir not only gained valuable knowledge but also connected with a network of fire safety experts. These learnings will surely fuel our ongoing research efforts!

On the 1st of May 2023, the project has officially started. The official link of the researcher's arrival to the beneficiary institution can be accessed through the following link.

https://www.unav.edu/noticias/-/contents/15/05/2023/tres-investigadores-se-han-incorporado-a-la-universidad-con-becas-marie-curie/content/lovPblW1fC70/45615814

On the 4th of July 2023, our team had the opportunity to visit a privately operated underground car park and a public underground car park in the city of Pamplona. Both of these car parks could potentially be a suitable case study for this project.

We are pleased to inform you that submissions are now open for the research topic on Electric Vehicles Fire Risk Assessment in Indoor Car Parks in the Frontiers of Future Transportation journal.

Click here to access to the research topic page.

Two weeks ago, I had the enriching opportunity to attend a symposium in Slovenia, focusing on sustainability in fire safety. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Ljubljana, the city's charm added a delightful layer to our experience. Its selection as the venue was impeccable, blending cultural heritage with modern vibrancy.

The symposium itself was a melting pot of expertise, covering everything from sustainable construction products to the challenges of sustainable technologies like PV systems. Discussions on the role of digitalization and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in fire safety were particularly enlightening, showing new ways to mitigate construction errors and promote sustainability.

The event was also a personal joy, reuniting with old friends and forging new connections. The networking sessions went beyond professional formalities, fostering deep, meaningful conversations.

A special highlight was our visit to the fire laboratory at ZAG Logatec on the final day. Witnessing the expansive and immaculate facility was awe-inspiring. It was a testament to the advanced research and dedication in the field. I left the symposium with renewed enthusiasm and a hope to revisit the members of FRISSBE in the future.

This symposium wasn't just a professional gathering; it was a community united in the pursuit of a safer, more sustainable world.

Our article on Electric vehicles and the challenge of fire risks in car parks is now available online in The Conversation website.

Our article link is as follows;

https://theconversation.com/electric-vehicles-and-the-challenge-of-fire-risks-in-car-parks-218567

Our work has been gaining throughout the globe. One recent highlight is from Elektrik Tersisat Portali from Turkey which has translated our work in Turkish language for wider readability in Turkey.

The link is as follows;

Part 1

https://www.elektriktesisatportali.com/son-yazilar/hata-agaci-analizi-kullanilarak-elektrikli-arac-yangin-riski-degerlendirme-cercevesi-bolum-1.html

Part 2

https://www.elektriktesisatportali.com/hata-agaci-analizi-kullanilarak-elektrikli-arac-yangin-riski-degerlendirme-cercevesi-bolum-2.html

Our article on Electric vehicles and the challenge of fire risks in car parks is now available online in The Conversation website in Spanish.

Our article link is as follows;

https://theconversation.com/los-vehiculos-electricos-y-el-riesgo-de-incendio-en-los-aparcamientos-220701

Our work is highlighted by Radio Télévision Suisse showing the importance of the study.

https://www.rts.ch/info/sciences-tech/14657255-voitures-electriques-le-defi-inattendu-de-la-gestion-des-risques-dincendie-de-batteries.html

Our latest article on emerging technologies issue.

https://theconversation.com/valencia-apartment-block-fire-can-safety-regulations-keep-up-with-innovation-in-construction-224321

EVRISK is proud to announce that we are invited to present our work in Fire Asia 2024 in Hong Kong. The theme of the conference this year is "Collaboration and Technology - Better Prepare the Community for Emergency".

Website for Fire Asia 2024 - https://fireasia2024.com/en/index.html

Our work is selected for research spotlight in Open Research Europe online blog. Click here to access the research spotlight.

I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to be a panelist in this webinar on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) about Understanding MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships. Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded of how, three years ago, I was one of the many beneficiaries of similar talks, gaining invaluable insights and guidance. Euraxess, with its dedication to organizing these impactful programs, played a crucial role in my development, and I am forever grateful. It is incredibly rewarding to now have the chance to give back and support other researchers in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

Click here for the link of the webinar.

In a positive development for electric vehicle safety, our EVRISK team met with researchers at Universidad Publica de Navarra on June 17th, 2024. The focus of the discussion was exploring the possibility of applying for a research grant from the Government of Navarra. Both sides agreed that electric vehicle fires are a pressing issue and solutions need to be developed swiftly. 

Beneficiary Institution

The University of Navarra is the most international of Spanish universities, according to the CYD ranking. It is among the top 100 universities in the world in 6 areas of the QS rankings. The university has 4 teaching areas that are among the best in the world according to Times Higher Education ranking. The University of Navarra has consistently been ranked as the best private university in Spain. In 2021, the university’s School of Law was ranked best in Spain and 44th in the world by Times Higher Education’s international ranking.