Episodes

Nov. 8, 2023

126 - Where is the challange with tunnel smoke control? with Wojciech

I'm known for my rant about critical velocity concept in tunnel ventilation systems, and I tried to really control myself and not go into podcast with it :) But in recent weeks, when I was enjoying sake at IAFSS in Tsukuba t…
Nov. 1, 2023

125 - Enhancing Fire Safety Through Data: EU FireStat Project with Martina Manes and Mohamad El Houssami

Today we go deep into how statistical data about fires is gathered, processed, and used around the world, and what are the ideas on how to improve this in the future. My guests represent the EU FireStat Project - Dr Mohamad …
Oct. 26, 2023

124 - Advancements in Fire Safety of Facades with Eleni Asimakopoulou

In today's episode, I have invited dr Eleni Asimakopoulou from the University of Central Lancashire to discuss her extensive expertise on fire behaviour of facades. In the talk, we will go through Elenis' experiments on vent…
Oct. 18, 2023

123 - Futureproofing fire safety systems with Jaime Cadena Gomez

Balancing the cost and the potential to change a system in the future is a difficult act. Discover a new perspective on this aspect of fire safety systems with our guest, Jaime Cadena Gomez. We discuss the significance of lo…
Oct. 11, 2023

122 - Compartment Fire Behaviour Training with Shan Raffel, CFBT Roy and Szymon Kokot

When I heard that two legends of firefighting training Shan Raffel and CFBT Roy will be visiting my friend Szymon Kokot, I packed my stuff and went to meet them with a microphone and a ton of questions. What I received was …
Oct. 3, 2023

121 - Revolutionizing Civil Engineering Through AI with MZ Nasser

Have you ever wondered how the understanding of AI can revolutionize the field of civil engineering? Today I am discovering this together with our own AI trendsetter, MZ Nasser. His latest book " Machine Learning for Civil a…
Sept. 27, 2023

120 - How we have designed a fire safe green wall

What happens when fire meets a green facade? Tune in as we journey through the unexpected world of green facades and their interaction with fire. For the first time, I am sharing the story of how we built up an interest in t…
Sept. 20, 2023

119 - Different scales needed to model fires with Lukas Arnold

If someone ever tells you they have modelled fire spread for a commercial project, with 20 cm grids and using generic materials from (old) FDS database, please do me a favour and redirect them to this episode. Because modell…
Sept. 13, 2023

118 - Different batteries different challanges with Francesco Restuccia

In this episode dr. Francesco Restuccia from Kings College London takes me on a journey through different types of batteries, and what fire challenges relate to them. We discuss how the batteries burn, and how internal syst…
Sept. 6, 2023

117 - Global wildfire emergency and the key role of FSEs with Albert Simeoni

In the midst of horrible wildfire season around the globe, I have reached out to Prof. Albert Simeoni from Worcester Polytechnic Institute for some hands-on commentary on what is happening around, and why fires all over the …
Aug. 30, 2023

116 - Fire Fundamentals pt. 4 - Natural and Powered Smoke Vents with Wojciech

It is time for some engineering fundamentals in the show. This time in the fire fundamentals series we delve into the details of natural and powered smoke ventilators - what they are, how they work, how they are tested and w…
Aug. 23, 2023

115 - Update on the (near) future of fire engineers toolbox with Bryan Klein

in Episode 39 I had the pleasure to interview Bryan Klein from Thunderhead Engineering on some views and predictions for the near future of fire modelling. Even though it was only 1,5 year ago, some major things have already…
Aug. 16, 2023

114 - Ventilation and fire flow paths with Craig Weinschenk

Most fire engineers would be aware of how openings like doors and windows, the stack effect, and even wind can significantly alter fire outcomes. But there is a considerable difference between knowing that it does, and knowi…
Aug. 8, 2023

113 - Exploring Maritime Fire Safety with Bogdan Racięga

My knowledge about fire safety at sea was pretty limited, at best. I was planning this episode for a long time, and then the disastrous fire happened at a car carrier near the Netherlands coast. In light of these events, I'v…
Aug. 2, 2023

112 - Fire Safety for Energy Storage Systems with Ali Ashrafi and Paweł Woelke

Energy storage systems are vital systems in fuel transition and as a part of technology responding to the challenges of climate change. Not only for their capability to store energy but also for exploring strategies like pea…
July 26, 2023

111 - Experiments that will change fire science pt. 7 - CodeRed with Panos Kotsovinos

In this week's series covering experimental fire science, we venture into a recently finished Code Red project by ARUP, led by my today's guest Dr Panos Kotsovinos. The project was carried out in CERIB with the collaboration…
July 19, 2023

110 - NIST Fire Calorimetry Database with Matt Bundy

Ever wonder how scientists measure the intensity of a fire? Join us on this episode as we invite Dr. Matt Bundy from NIST. We discuss the intricacies of heat release rate, calorimetry, and how NIST is championing open data w…
July 12, 2023

109 - Forensic Fire Science with Richard Roby

In this episode, we uncover the intricate process of fire investigations with renowned combustion scientist and fire investigator, Dr. Richard J. Roby from Combustion Science and Engineering. With over five decades of experi…
July 5, 2023

QA5 - Brainstorming fire safe Mars habitats with Ruben van Coile, Jaime Cadena Gomez and Szymek Matkowski

This time we try out something new! Instead of interviewing experts on subjects of their expertise, this time I took world-class risk specialists for a brainstorming session. And while sitting together, we discussed somethin…
June 28, 2023

107 - Visualization in fires with Matt Hoehler

If you ever wondered how to capture fires in photographs and videos so it is a real science, not just pretty pictures, this episode is for you. With dr Matt Hoehler we explore the world of visualization in fires - from just …
June 21, 2023

106 - Chemistry of smoke - Nitrogen, retardants and cancirogens with David Purser

And so we have reached the fourth and final episode featuring Professor David Purser, a leading expert in fire toxicity. In this episode, we explore the complexities of nitrogen in fires, the impact of fire retardants on fi…
June 14, 2023

105 - How much smoke is made in fires and how we measure that? with David Purser

In this show, we have already ventured into the fascinating world of toxicity in fires, and I have promised you more. So today, I fulfil my word and invite you to another conversation with renowned fire toxicity expert Profe…
June 7, 2023

104 - Experiments that will change fire science pt. 6 - MaCFP with Arnaud Trouve

What makes an experiment truly groundbreaking, and how can researchers plan and execute such experiments in fire science? Join us as we chat with Professor Arnaud Trouve from the University of Maryland, a co-chair of the MaC…
May 31, 2023

103 - The Science and Art of Scale Modeling with James Quintiere

Ever wondered how scale modelling can provide invaluable insights into fire science? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Professor James Quintiere, as we delve into the fascinating world of scale modelling and its …