The IAFC is working closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) on a project to conduct full-scale fire testing of engineered lightweight wood floor and roof assemblies and their relationship to firefighter safety. Funded by a Fire Prevention and Safety Research Grant from DHS, the project involves representatives of the Fire & Life Safety and the Safety, Health and Survival Sections of the IAFC, as well as the Chicago Fire Department and Michigan State University.

The Firefighter Safety Research Project is aimed at enhancing firefighter safety in modern fire scenarios. The test series is examining the structural stability of widely used engineered wood products under fire conditions in comparison with more-traditional wood structural methods. Large-scale tests are examining fully involved floor assemblies and roof structures. All of the tests were conducted at UL’s fire testing facilities in Northbrook, Ill.

IAFC representatives have been deeply involved in project planning and witnessing the test burns. They are currently working with UL to examine data and develop communication materials to make the results widely available to the fire service, code-making organizations and organizations involved in the development and production of construction systems. The Chicago Fire Department has had a major role in the project to ensure that the tests are representative of real situations encountered by firefighters.

When the report is finalized, the results will provide valuable information for firefighters, as well as code-development and code-enforcement agencies. "We have wanted to conduct these tests for at least 15 years and the opportunity finally presented itself as a result of the UL research initiatives and DHS grant funding," said Gordon Routley of IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section. "The test results have validated some issues we suspected as true and also dispelled some myths and assumptions."

"These tests should provide valuable information to be used in the codes arena and firefighting strategy and tactics," added Shane Ray, representative for IAFC’s Fire & Life Safety Section. "All of the information will improve firefighter safety, as well as protecting the safety of citizens."

UL expects to release the Firefighter Safety Research Project report in fall 2008.

"The Firefighter Safety Research Project will provide the fire community with an even better understanding of the evolving issues in fighting fires and help develop alternative methods and materials to further advance fire science," said Tom Chapin, UL’s director of research and development. UL is also working on a second research project aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of extinguishing agents used to fight fires in modern structures.

Stay tuned to the IAFC and UL for the release of this life-saving information.

Chief Shane Ray is a board member of the IAFC’s Fire & Life Safety Section; Chief Gordon Routley, Ret., is a board member on the Safety, Health & Survival Section’s board.