Research

The FIA is a not-for-profit organisation. We are committed, as part of our key mission, to promote, improve and perfect fire protection methods, devices, services and apparatus; to ultimately improve fire safety for the public.

As Europe’s largest fire related trade association our resources, values and ethics are dedicated to support and improve fire safety, not only within the UK but also Internationally with our works on EN and ISO standards. Part of our commitment to our members and public safety is to re-investing money into fire safety research. Throughout the years the FIA has repeatedly collaborated with many prominent organisations in the funding, developing and assisting on a multitude of industry-leading research projects. The choice of research projects we get involved with is driven by our councils who recommend areas of research; then the FIA Board will then prioritise projects (or reject them) based on many factors such as cost, effectiveness, speed of delivery, profile etc. Below is a list of the most recent projects, please peruse and investigate further by clicking on the links.

 

FD&A Council

Extinguishing Council

Fire Risk Assessment Council 

Export Council

FIRESA Council

FD&A Council

21 June 2019

The development of test methods to assess video flame and smoke detectors

This research has identified the repeatable methods to test VFD and VSD that can support the development of a product test standard and related codes of practice

FD&A Council/BRE

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01 April 2018

Detection of Stratified Smoke (Phase 2)

Fire Industry Association research sheds light on detection of stratified smoke

FD&A Council/ University of Edinburgh          

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01 October 2017

Video Fire Detectors (VFD) research on Performance sensitivity test/assessment method                   

FD&A Council/BRE


01 December 2017

Life expectancy of old smoke detectors

FD&A Council

In Progress - due to be published soon


01 October 2016

Use of smoke detectors where stratification can be expected           

FD&A Council


  1 April 2016

VAD Effectiveness Research Project

FD&A Council /BRE


01 October 2015

Photo-Heat Multi-Sensor Detector Research Project 

FD&A Council/BRE


30 July 2015

Visual Alarms Project - Gather Evidence to improve the European Standard

FD&A Council

In Progress


15 May 2014

Video Fire Detectors - Phase 1

FD&A Council


Extinguishing Council

01 December 2017

High air flow Phase 1         

Extinguishing Council/WG Gases

 

High air flow Phase 2         

Extinguishing Council/WG Gases

In Progress


01 October 2017

Foam - Biomass/waste fires Part 2                     

Extinguishing Council/WG Foam


01 October 2016

Foam - Biomass/waste fires         

Extinguishing Council/WG Foam


Fire Risk Assessment Council     

01 July 2017

Scottish Fire Deaths

The causes of fire fatalities and serious fire injuries in Scotland and potential solutions to reduce them- Phase 1: IRS review

Fire Risk Assessment Council     

Phase 1 complete

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Phase 2 complete

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2 October 2014

Live Investigations of False Fire Alarms

The research, called ‘Live investigations of false fire alarms’ was an investigation into the exact causes of false alarms.  The research was carried out by BRE in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services to analyse the exact reasons behind a false alarm.  This research, sponsored by the FIA and other key industry stakeholders, lead to 35 recommendations for changes or further investigation.

Fire Risk Assessment Council

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Export Council

06 June 2016

FIA Export Council Publishes Fire Protection Market Research on Turkey and South Africa

Export Council

Reports on highly successful FIA Export Overseas Missions to:

Turkey - November 2008 involving eight UK fire protection companies.

South Africa - June 2012 involving six UK fire protection companies.

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FIRESA Council

12 November 2015

Quantifying the costs of FRS R&D Activities in England and Wales

The Fire Industry Association commissioned research from Kingston University on the English and Welsh Fire and Rescue Services’ current Research and Development activities. Financed through the FIA Research Fund, the work was carried out by Emily Martin, Post Graduate Researcher at Kingston University, under the direction of Dr Ian Greatbatch, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science, Engineering and Computing.

FIRESA Council/ Kingston University

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