§ 68. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research is being undertaken by the Joint Fire Research Organisation, into means of escape from fire, both at home and at the place of work.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Joint Fire Research Organisation is engaged on a number of projects with a direct bearing on means of escape. Following are details:
- 1. Experimental studies on the flow of smoke in corridors, passages and tunnels.
- 2. Development of tests for assessing materials in relation to flammability and smoke production, including some large-scale room experiments.
- 3. Identification and measurement of toxic products from various materials burnt in rooms with smoke flowing down a corridor.
- 4. A study of the behaviour of persons who have escaped from fire (extra-mural project placed with Loughborough University).
- 5. Pressurisation of air in stairways and on escape routes to prevent leakage of smoke on to them.
- 6. A study of the fire resistance of doors, this work to be extended to a study of doors as barriers to smoke.
- 7. One of the main experimental projects is on the fire hazards of town centre developments, with particular reference to shopping arcades. These are places where not only shop assistants but also large numbers of the shopping public could be at risk, and where there are special escape problems.