Firesafety science—the promise of a better future

In the twenty-five years sinceFire Technology first appeared, the idea that a greater detailed quantitative understanding of fire phenomena will lead eventually to a more firesafe environment has received wide acceptance. The question is no longer “Are fundamental studies of fire science worthwhile?” but rather “What are the priorities?” “Just how is the new knowledge best used?” “What accuracy and detail are needed?” and “By what techniques are the new methods to be evaluated and approved?” This paper briefly presents a vista of twenty years of progress, introduces some detail on each of the above problems, and concludes with a vision of the future of firesafety engineering.