IAWF releases program schedule for International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference

by EventsFeatured News

Conference program and format

The 8th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with early registration on Monday 27 April and sessions running from Tuesday 28 April to Friday 1 May.

The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) has released the detailed program schedule.

The schedule includes keynote and panel sessions from Tuesday to Thursday, alongside topic streams, exhibitors and an opening and poster reception on Tuesday.

The programme also lists oral presentations, lightning talks and more than 100 poster presentations.

IAWF said: “We are pleased to release the detailed program schedule.

“In addition to the dymamic keynote presentations and panels, we will offer oral presentations, lightning talks and over 100 poster presentations.”

Registration, workshops and field trips

The conference is fully in-person with no virtual presentations, with access to program sessions included for full registrations or for the nominated day of attendance for one-day registrations.

Registration also includes refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks, a social reception on Tuesday evening, a dinner or gathering on Wednesday evening, and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

IAWF Member and Student rates are available.

Workshops are scheduled for Friday 1 May from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a cost of $50 per workshop and morning tea included.

The workshop titles listed are Big Weather Data for Fire Management, Igniting research – Fire Behaviour and Fuels research translation workshop, Measuring fire management effectiveness using performance indicators, and Navigating the Social Dimensions of Cascading and Compounding Disasters.

Field trips are also scheduled for Friday 1 May and run at the same time as the workshops.

The field trips listed are Applied pyrogeography: from field to laboratory and kunyani/Mt Wellington Bushfire Risk Management.

IAWF describes the conference as a forum to document past fire management experience, showcase current work, and share emerging research, innovation and techniques on fire management.

Flammability of recycled plastic pellets studied by South African researchers

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringResearch

Exploring the fire behaviour of recycled plastic

A recent study published in the journal Fire and Materials has evaluated the fire behaviour of recycled plastic pellets.

The research was conducted by Courtney Devine, Natalia Florez-Quiroz, and Prof. Richard Walls from Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN) and co-authored by Carlo Kuhn from Ignis Fire Testing.

The study, titled Fire Parameters of Recycled Plastic Pellets, investigates critical properties such as ignition time, heat release rates, flame spread, and smoke production to understand the fire risks associated with recycled plastics.

Findings revealed that factors such as material composition, processing methods, and additives significantly influence fire performance.

The research underscores the importance of implementing stringent fire safety measures for industries relying on recycled plastics, such as manufacturing and construction.

The study balances the rising demand for sustainability with the necessity for robust safety standards.

Academic and industry collaboration enhances fire safety research

The study highlights the collaboration between FireSUN and Ignis Fire Testing.

The partnership bridges academic research and industry practices to address practical challenges in fire safety.

Carlo Kuhn from Ignis Fire Testing said: “This collaboration bridges academia and industry to address real-world challenges.

“As the demand for recycled materials rises, understanding their fire behaviour is essential to ensure safety standards are met without compromising sustainability goals.”

Ignis Fire Testing supports initiatives such as training postgraduate students, co-authoring academic articles, and advancing fire safety knowledge.

Dirk Streicher, CEO of Ignis Fire Testing, added: “Our facilities and expertise enable us to support innovative research projects like this one.

“By contributing to studies like these, we’re not only addressing current safety concerns but also shaping the future of fire safety in a more sustainable world.”

Promoting South Africa’s role in fire safety innovation

The research highlights South Africa’s contributions to fire safety and sustainability.

Prof. Richard Walls, head of FireSUN, emphasised the global impact of local expertise.

“Research like this demonstrates South Africa’s capability to lead on a global stage,” said Walls.

“It’s exciting to see local expertise pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact on fire safety and sustainability worldwide.”

The study not only focuses on the flammability of recycled plastics but also strengthens South Africa’s position as a contributor to international fire safety research.

Summary: flammability of recycled plastic pellets studied by South African researchers

A study published in Fire and Materials evaluates the fire behaviour of recycled plastic pellets, highlighting the need for safety protocols in industries using these materials.

Conducted by researchers from Stellenbosch University’s FireSUN and Ignis Fire Testing, the research examines ignition time, heat release rates, and other key parameters.

The partnership between FireSUN and Ignis demonstrates how academic and industry collaboration can advance fire safety while addressing sustainability goals.

Prof. Richard Walls of FireSUN praised the study’s global impact, showcasing South Africa’s leadership in fire engineering research.

For the full article, visit: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fam.3248