Edinburgh University led scheme pushes for increased fire safety in homes

Edinburgh University is aiming to be at the fore front of fire safety in building design with the launch of its Integrating Technical and Social Aspects of Fire Safety Engineering & Expertise (IT-SAFE) project.

The project aims to collaborate insight from architects, fire fighters, legislators and social scientists to find new and innovative ways of incorporating fire safety into the early stages of building.

Researchers are also hoping to discover methods which will create buildings that are aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly without sacrificing fire safety.

The £662,000 venture is in conjunction with the Ove Arup Foundation and the Royal Academy of Engineering. The wealth of social science research available from the various partners in the project could generate ground-breaking insight which has the potential to transform practice and policy in fire safety regulation and standards.

Government statistics show that people from a poorer background, especially children, are more vulnerable to fires in their homes. Those on the lowest incomes are sixteen times more likely to die in a house fire and 31 times more likely to suffer from an arson attack. IT-SAFE will be investigating ways in which lifestyle changes for those with a lower socio-economic status can minimise fire risk and save lives.

Fire related deaths are at their lowest since 1959, between April 2010 and March 2011 there were 321 fire fatalities in Britain, but the trend towards poorer young people being the most at risk is still a cause for concern for authorities.

The initiative could also be good news for fire-fighters. In the last year, 96 fire-fighters have suffered major injuries at work, while 539 were forced out of work for a period due to injuries sustained.

William MacDonald, Community Safety Manager at Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service praised the initiative: “It is great news to hear that Edinburgh University are researching innovative ways to combine the expertise of social scientists, architects and fire-fighters in the design and construction stage of buildings.

“Building design hugely effects the way fire-fighters can fight fires within buildings. Greater structural stability during a fire is one of the key design features that can facilitate the possibility of fire-fighters being able to fight the fire from inside the building, reducing damage.

"However, the major factor in all building design is the safety of its occupants and the design must ensure that they can escape the building safely before the onset of untenable conditions.”