Research
Fire engineering is a rapidly evolving area of science, engineering, social and economic endeavour.
A significant proportion of the OFR Consultants team have a background in research through their formal education and previous professional experience.
We recognise the value of being involved in research to maintain our position at the forefront of fire engineering practice and innovation. Our development and sharing of knowledge involves in-house projects and the application of research to projects, often through collaboration with other industry, public and academic organisations.
(Research images supplied as part of OFRs work with the ITB in Poland)
Formal and informal links are maintained with several Universities around the UK and further afield including the University of Sheffield, the University of Manchester and the University of Edinburgh in the UK, the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and the University of Ghent in Belgium. We contribute to the supervision of thesis students, pass on practical knowledge to the next generation of fire engineers as well as collaborating with academic staff on research publications.
We regularly publish papers in international peer-reviewed journals, industry publications and present at major conferences. The team are also often asked to carry out reviews for journals such as Fire Safety Journal, Fire Technology, Fire and Materials and the Journal of Fire Sciences. Several OFR Consultants staff are represented on standards committees including the revision to PD 7974.
Our research
A list of recent publications and ongoing projects are available on the OFR ResearchGate webpages.
Go to ResearchGate
Latest research projects
All research news
OFR contributes to evacuation research
Contributing their time to future fire safety and policy, our colleagues Amir and Luis recently volunteered in a high rise evacuation exercise. Here, Luis tells us more. p>
Our Technical Director has co-edited a new book
Our OFR team are experts in fire engineering, committed to delivering pre-eminent expertise to protect people, property and the environment; today our colleague and technical director Dr Danny Hopkin has further cemented our position in the industry, co-editing a newly released book, whilst co-authoring several chapters. p>
Review of large-scale fire tests on cross-laminated timber
Concerns about the environmental impact of building construction is leading to timber being more commonly used. p>
An improved reliability-based approach to specifying fire resistance periods for buildings in England
For common building situations in England, the contemporary fire safety design guidance recommends structural fire resistance periods for elements based upon occupancy and building height. p>