Episodes
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 an...
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 th...
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 modelli...
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 syste...
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 g...
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 wh...
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 knowin...
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've...
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 peak...
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 wi...
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 experie...
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 something...
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 s...
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 fir...
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 Profes...
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 MaCF...
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 a...
May 24, 2023
102 - Fire Safe Design Competent Architect with Michael Woodrow
We all agree competencies are key to fire safety. We have discussed this. We have argued about this. We have come up with decent sets of core competencies, course curricula and numerous courses and modules that help us be com...
May 17, 2023
101 - The Society of Fire Protection Engineers with Chris Jeleniewicz
What is the Society of Fire Protection Engineers? I just got a really good answer from the Interim CEO Chris Jeleniwicz. It is our profession. It is us. With this important definition sorted, we dig into what SFPE is doing (a...
May 10, 2023
100 - Fire Fundamentals pt. 3 - Smoke plumes (and other flow phenomena) with Wojciech
This week we cover the fundamentals of smoke flow (proliferation!), entrainment and smoke plumes. All the basics that impact the spread of the smoke in our buildings. You will learn: the ideal gas assumption for a smoke mixtu...
May 3, 2023
099 - Electric vehicle fires in tunnels with Peter Sturm
Do you have any idea how bad the tunnel fire will be if there is an EV involved? That is a question I hear a lot, way more often than I would like. And usually, my answers do not get approval. I guess telling people "doesn't ...
April 26, 2023
QA4 - Wojciech in Smart Firefighting podcast episode 151 - fire science, innovation and built environment
This week in place of a normal episode I would like to share an interview I gave to my friend Kevin Sofen in his podcast. In this episode I am interviewed by Kevin on the science of fire, how I understand the built environmen...