Bearing in mind the need for an international dialogue concerning the problem of fires in vehicles, SP will arrange a new conference: FIVE (Fires in Vehicles). There is at present no conference of a suitable coverage that concentrates on this particular problem.
Fires in vehicles constitute a significant threat to life and property. Fires in buses, for example, have recently been in focus as a result of several catastrophic events, such as the bus fire in Germany in 2008, in which 20 persons died. Fires on trains are also well up the research agenda, with new EU based research projects such as TRANSFEU having been initiated. A nightmare scenario is that of a vehicle fire in a tunnel involving several heavy goods vehicles.
At the same time, new fuels and electric vehicles are being developed in response to our need for sustainable motor fuels/energy carriers. They, in turn, present new challenges in terms of fire safety, which must also be considered and investigated.
In response to the significant need for an international dialogue, SP is arranging a new conference – FIVE (Fires in Vehicles) – with the aim of exchanging knowledge concerning fires in vehicles, both road and rail, as well as in contractors’ machinery. Many of the fire associated problems of these vehicles are the same, which means that problem solutions can be similar.
FIVE will bring together scientists, regulators, test engineers, industry, suppliers, insurance companies and other organisations from the diverse field of transportation to discuss important fire issues. We believe that this exchange of knowledge will significantly enhance economic and safe solutions – sustainable solutions – to problems in the fire area.
FIVE will be held every second year, with the first conference being held at the end of September 29 – 30, 2010 in Göteborg, the centre of the automotive industry in Sweden.
Focus on a number of core areas
FIVE will focus on a number of core areas that we believe will be of particular interest for delegates.
Fire safety in buses
Every day, several bus fires occur throughout the world. Why do these fires start, and how can they be prevented? Relevant safety regulations specify only that interior materials must be able to withstand a single horizontal spread of flame test. This is obviously insufficient, as it means that even materials with poor fire resistance can be approved. The requirements for both trains and aircraft are considerably more stringent. SP has been involved at the international level and, as a technical expert, has a submitted a joint Norwegian/Swedish proposal to UNECE (United Economic Commission for Europe) in Geneva for new and improved routines for testing such materials. SP has also carried out research and full scale development and investigation projects for fire fighting systems in engine compartments, and on the spread of fire in interior materials.
Alternative fuels
What are the challenges faced by the automotive industry in dealing with new alternative fuels or energy carriers, and what is known about their safety? These fuels are of great interest, and many discussions are in progress. There are many different alternative fuels/energy carriers, such as hybrid technology, fuel cells, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, such as biogas (CNG), LPG and dimethyl ether (DME). What trends does the automotive industry see, and what can be forecast in respect of new alternative fuels or energy carriers in the future? Can we spot which fuels/energy carriers are likely to take the lead? In all these considerations, fuel safety aspects must be a part of the overall development work.
Electric and hybrid vehicles
What do the fire and rescue services have to say concerning their impressions and experience of fires in electric or hybrid vehicles? Incident management is based to a large degree on experience of previous incidents and as new vehicle technologies emerge new strategies need to be developed. First responders are in dire need of guidance concerning how to respond to fires in new vehicles. What are their tactics and procedures for dealing with such fires? How can they be further developed? Where is research needed, and what kind of training is required?
High interest
There is considerable interest from all concerned in dealing with fires in vehicles. At present, there is no conference that concentrates specifically on the problem of fires in vehicles to this extent or with this much coverage. This interest has been particularly manifested by the large number of honorary sponsors, both national and international, who have made the FIVE conference more widely recognised.
To date, the following have signed up as honorary sponsors:
FISITA - International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies
SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers
NASFM - National Association of State Fire Marshals
ABA – American Bus Association
IRU Academy – International Road Transportation Union
NFPA Research Foundation (National Fire Protection Association)
SFPE – Society of Fire Protection Engineers
IAFSS – International Association for Fire Safety Science
ARAI - The Automotive Research Institute of India
ERA - European Railway Agency
RIFA - UK Rail Industry Fire Association