CSFP Research Studies




  • Fire Logic 
  • Travelling Fires
  • Context
  • De-coding
  • Contexts
  • Processes
  • Signatures
  • Behavior
  • Potentials
  • Dynamics
  • Hazards
  • Solutions
  • Triggers
  • Escalation
  • Mechanism
  • Counter-measures
  • Heat transfers
  • Pyrolysis



Studies and Research Areas

Coming or Ongoing

SFD conducts via ILFP advanced and basic research on fire dynamics under uncertainty. The work starts from Bengtsson’s practical Grey Areas – the real, often poorly separable transitions between flashover, backdraught and smoke gas explosion – and examines how phases of high latent energy at still moderate visible intensity can be described and recognised in modern environments. From this physical basis it investigates the associated risks, physically grounded countermeasures, the training of decision-making under stress, and the human and organisational factors that determine whether that competence holds in future interior-attack conditions.


Modern Fire Dynamics

1.Grey Areas in Modern Fire Dynamics


Keywords: Grey Areas · Bengtsson · Connection · Reaction Cascades · Energy Indicators


How can we connect to Bengtsson’s practical description of Grey Areas – the real, hard-to-separate transitions between flashover, backdraught and smoke gas explosion – in order to physically capture early and asymmetric phases of high latent energy in modern operational environments – and thereby more reliably absorb future changes in fire dynamics as well as their risks and reaction cascades?

Countermeasures

2. Adaptive Countermeasures


Keywords: Energy Management · DWC · Timing · Energy Factors



Which physically grounded countermeasures can suppress the fast and risk producing 

adverse effects of latent energy build-up in under-ventilated systems and create controlled working spaces – and how must energy management, DWC, timing and energy factors evolve to remain effective against shorter time windows and higher latent energy loads in future fire scenarios?

Uncertainty

3.Decision-Making under Uncertainty


Keywords: ATUS · Risk Assessment Models ·   Pattern Recognition · False Patterns 


How can the ability to recognise physically coherent patterns – and to identify false or incomplete patterns created by oversimplified training – be developed under stress and incomplete information, so that decision-making and timing remain reliable in real, high-dynamic conditions?

Human Factors

4. Human Factors in Interior Attack



Keywords: RPD · Cognitive Capacity · Future Readiness



What cognitive and organisational prerequisites are required so that firefighters and instructors remain capable of action under increasing uncertainty and hidden risks – and how must human resource development adapt to the narrower error margins and higher complexity of tomorrow’s fire environments?

STUDY V

thermal logic, main and secondary thermal flows, fire dynamics and ventilation conditions in active isolated basement -like fire areas and the determining propagation factors (thermal logic)
active partial research study V

Simulation Kellerbrand

in cooperation with the zurich building insurance company, we are investigating underventilated primary and secondary fires in complex multi-storey cellar and building geometries for their hazard potential for intervention forces, we are recording a large number of interacting fire phenomena and dynamics and documenting their effects on the further course of the fire and the forces and materials used in the interior attack.


the extensive thermal effects on a burning cellar system are just as much a part of this study as the recognition and identification of thermal logics in the areas of fire propagation and thermal distribution.


the GVZ instructor training education 2024 will be one of the outcomes of this study programme. 

STUDIE 2

thermal chemical/physical fire phenomena & hazards in active isolated fire areas and the effect of propagation factors (thermal system transitions - thermal logic)
active research study II (2022-23) preparatory research study III & IV (2024-25)

Simulation Gefahrenpotential

in collaboration with FIRE AND RESCUE THUN, we are investigating under-ventilating primary and secondary fires in complex multi-storey cellar and building geometries for their hazard potential for intervention forces, we are recording a large number of interacting fire phenomena and dynamics and documenting their effects on the further course of the fire and the forces and materials used in the interior attack.


the thermal effects of redirecting the flow of thermally processed smoke and pyrolysis gases through central stairwells is also part of this study, as are detailed measurements on volunteer FF personel to record personal exposure to thermal stress.

STUDY Ib

interior attacks & effectiveness of smoke gas cooling for active basement fires in confined spaces
completed research study

Simulation Gefahrenpotential

in cooperation with the luzern fire inspectorate, we investigate the effectiveness of standard extinguishing attacks and procedures for primary and secondary fires in complex basements and building geometries and document their possibilities as well as their limitations and identify possible sources of danger and signatures.

STUDIE IA

thermal room fire heat transfer mechanism and its further effects on already active and activatable fire loads
completed research study

Simulation Gefahrenpotential

in cooperation with the LUZERN FIRE BRIGADE INSPECTORATE and FIRE AND RESCUE THUN, we are investigating thermal and thermodynamic room charges in primary fires in long, complex basement and corridor geometries with extensively distributed activatable fire loads - the influence of various active or passive impulses will also be investigated.