Fire Science Show

• 193 - Playing with batteries with Xinyan Huang

  Professor Xinyan Huang from Hong Kong Polytechnic University shares his expertise on battery fires and the various experimental methods researchers use to trigger thermal runaway events under controlled conditions.• Terminology matters - "thermal runaway" more accurately describes battery failure than "ignition" as the critical reactions occur inside the cell• Nail penetration testing is widely used but contains surprising complexities, including nail material, penetration depth, velocity and battery orientation • Mechanical abuse tests (crushing, dropping, squeezing) simulate real-world accidents but often lack repeatability• Thermal abuse via heating typically targets 200°C surface temperature using methods including flame exposure, electrical coils, and laser heating• Electrical abuse through overcharging (150-200% SOC) significantly increases risk, while poor-quality charging equipment creates additional hazards• State of charge plays a crucial role in how batteries respond to abuse tests• New research aims to bridge the gap between micro-scale material testing and cell-level testingProfessor Huang is organising the 4th International Symposium on Lithium Battery Fire Safety (ISLBFS 2025) in Hong Kong from October 30th to November 2nd - the largest battery fire safety conference in the world.I intended to link Xinyan's papers on batteries, but there is 19 of them!?! Let me link the most recent ones:Dynamic thermal runaway evolution of Li-ion battery during nail penetrationModeling liquid immersion-cooling battery thermal management system and optimization via machine learningLaser-induced thermal runaway dynamics of cylindrical lithium-ion batteryEffect of thermal impact on the onset and propagation of thermal runaway over cylindrical Li-ion batteriesA Review of Battery Fires in Electric VehiclesAlleviation on battery thermal runaway propagation: Effects of oxygen level and dilution gasCover image source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111337----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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• 193 - Fire Fundamentals pt. 15 - Extinguishing systems with Bogdan Racięga

  Welcome to another Fire Fundamentals. This time the episode is focused on various extinguishing technologies. Invited guest - Bogdan Racięga, Director at Baltic Fire Laboratory and expert in fire protection systems breaks down the fundamental differences between suppression and extinction technologies and how they work in real-world applications.Clear distinction between suppression systems (control fires while meeting temperature criteria) and extinction systems (must completely extinguish fires)Types of fire protection systems including water-based (sprinkler, water mist), foam, aerosol, and gas systems (no fire-balls :))Technical parameters affecting performance: K-value, nominal working pressure, RTI, discharge areasAreas of application, eg. why water mist systems can often be preferred for high-rise buildings due to smaller piping and reduced weightHow temperature ratings and RTI affect sprinkler activation timing and performanceChallenges with concealed sprinklers including maintenance issues and delayed activationTesting procedures for water distribution patterns and certification processesDifferences between high-pressure and low-pressure systems in various applicationsnuances related to the role of an accredited laboratory (ISO 17025) and a certification body (ISO 17065)----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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• 192 - Fire Fundamentals pt. 14 - Jet fan systems for car parks

  Jet-fan systems effectively control smoke in car parks by creating directed airflows that transport smoke from one point to another, similar to how longitudinal ventilation works in tunnels. These systems offer cost-effectiveness and simplicity by eliminating ductwork while providing powerful smoke management capabilities when properly designed and understood.• Jet Fans create momentum transfer through air entrainment rather than directly moving smoke• Two distinct operational modes exist: smoke clearance (reducing thermal stress) and smoke control (maintaining clear firefighter access)• Systems require careful balancing of extraction capacity with Jet Fan thrust force• Optimal design typically requires CFD modeling followed by hot smoke testing for verification• Jet Fan activation timing presents challenges for evacuation - usually delayed until occupants exit• Systems excel in tunnel-like geometries but struggle with complex layouts (the "Tetris rule")• Particularly effective against heavier-than-air gases like LPG or EV battery fire emissions• European standards now available through EN 12101 family for design guidanceIf you need design assistance with Jet Fan systems for your projects, email me directly at [email protected]. Further reading:- Jet-Fan Systems in Car Parks Design Methods: an Overview and Assessment of Performance- Our in-depth multiparametric study on car park ventilation- A. Król and M. Król, Study on numerical modeling of jet fans- Thunderhead's guide to modelling jet-fans in FDS----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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• 191 - Committee participation with Birgitte Messerschmidt and Kees Both

  This episode explores the invaluable contributions of community participation in fire safety technical committees. Joining committees is not just about sharing expertise; it’s a journey that transforms careers and fosters growth. Our guests, Birgitte Messerschmidt and Kees Both, reveal how their experiences in various committees, including the NFPA, ISO, ASTM and CEN, have shaped their professional paths. As we dive deeper into the intricacies of committee politics, our guests candidly share the challenges and rewards of engaging in this important work. They emphasize how participating in committees enhances one's career and contributes to the greater good by improving fire safety standards. This is an essential discussion for any engineer, especially those starting their careers, as they navigate the complexities of working with diverse stakeholders.If you just felt inspired to join a committee, please look here:https://www.sfpe.org/membership-communities/standingcommitteeshttps://www.nfpa.org/for-professionals/codes-and-standards/standards-development/technical-committees/committees-seeking-membershttps://www.cencenelec.eu/get-involved/small-and-medium-enterprises-smes/tools-for-smes/getting-involved/Or just shoot us an email, or reach out at LinkedIn. We will help you out!----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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• 190 - Car park fires review with Zahir

  With the emergence of electric vehicles, fire safety and dynamics have entered a new domain, raising crucial questions about existing protocols, design fires and data gaps. Today, our Wojciech Wegrzyński welcomes Zahir, Associate Prof. at University Putra Malaysia, to discuss the findings from their latest papers, compare methodologies, and highlight the differences between traditional combustion engines and electric vehicles. The conversation covers various topics, from the nuances of fire dynamics to the importance of context in risk assessment. Zahir shares his extensive experience studying vehicle fires, including the evolution of electric vehicle dynamics that users should never ignore. With thought-provoking insights, this episode emphasises the increasing need for robust, comprehensive data regarding car fires and the unique challenges posed by electric vehicles. Join us in this engaging exploration of fire safety science, and don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!Papers! PAPERS:Miechówka & Węgrzyński: Systematic Literature Review on Passenger Car Fire Experiments for Car Park Safety DesignZahir & César Martín-Gómez: Evaluating Fire Severity in Electric Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles: A Statistical Approach to Heat Release RatesPodcast episode 135 - Contemplating a car park design fire(and the paper by J. Hodges from last year is here)---Badania przedstawione w odcinku podcastu omawiane przez dr Wojciecha Węgrzyńskiego przeprowadzono w projekcie realizowanym an podstawie umowy UMO-2020/37/B/ST8/03839 do projektu badawczego nr 2020/37/B/ST8/03839 pt. Skutki oddziaływania wiatru na pożary budynków w wieloparametrycznej ocenie ryzyka z wykorzystaniem metod numerycznych.----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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