§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of research into fire hazards, and fire resistance, of new building materials.
§ Dr. BrayThe Fire Research Station undertakes research into fire properties of new materials and factors affecting the rate of spread and duration of fires in buildings.
New materials under current investigation include plastics, laminated timber columns, new alloys of structural steel, reinforced concrete with various degrees of restraint, and glass fibre used to reinforce cement, plaster and plastics. The degree to which heated materials evolve smoke and toxic products is also studied.