This year’s CPD event at the University of Edinburgh has been a great success, like always. It broadened and reinforced our understanding of fundamental fire science, provided background on the current test standards that we encounter almost every day at work, and gave us the opportunity to socialise over some delicious food and beverages.

The event was a mix of lecture-based learning, practical laboratory sessions, and team-based social sessions.

This year, the training was aimed at an in-depth understanding of the European Classification system for reaction-to-fire and the pros and cons of various test methods. The discussion helped us recognise and appreciate the logic and fundamentals of a material’s reaction-to-fire performance and its application on our projects.

The training began with an introduction on hazards, fire growth and ignition by Dr. Rory Hadden. Prior to the training, each of us were asked to bring a material or a product with us to burn. The team did not disappoint with their array of materials ranging from cladding, flooring, and artificial turf to toilet roll, towel, tyre tube and surprisingly pizza/bread dough. All the items were tested in a cone calorimeter to determine ignition time, mass loss rate and heat release rate. Some items behaved as expected, while some items didn’t (jelly babies were a surprise). We also used a bomb calorimeter to determine heat of combustion of some of the items.

Compartment fires were also studied during the laboratory sessions. Small-scale compartments were built with three different enclosure materials, two combustible and one non-combustible. A fuel source was ignited in the corner of the compartment and the fire observed. The fires steadily grew, with a smoke layer forming. Flashover was observed in both combustible lining samples, but not in the non-combustible sample.

The experiments were followed by a lecture delivered by Dr. Augus Law on the evolution of tests and the harmonisation of the individual European test standards that led to significantly different results for the same products.

After a long day of history, science and fun experiments, we deserved a treat!

The University’s Fire Research Team and our staff regrouped again at the Whiski Rooms for a team dinner. Everyone enjoyed the evening out and a casual chat with some traditional Scottish delicacies and drinks!

On the second day, the session started with more talks on the underpinning logic of classification systems and the origins of the European Classification system for reaction-to-fire test. A laboratory experiment on vertical and external fire spread was conducted on a sample of OSB.

Despite the busy schedule, some even managed to find the time to hike up Arthur’s Seat.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Fire Research Team at the University of Edinburgh for providing an impressive lecture programme and fascinating series of laboratory tests. It has been an unforgettable event and we look forward to the next event!