Fire is still a comparatively young science and over the past years the main
aim of the Fire Research Station has been to establish a basic theory of fire
behaviour: the work on 'Ignition and Growth' and 'Fires in Compartments' are
examples of what has been achieved in this direction. The task for the future is
to apply the basic theory to the practical problems of fire protection related to
the sophisticated planning, constructional techniques, services and contents of our
present day buildings. The achievement of this aim will require considerable effort
in experimental research. However, the limitations of laboratory experiments are
such that it will be necessary to reinforce this work by observation of the
behaviour of actual fires in buildings and effects of fires upon buildings. Only
in this way can the value of existing and proposed building regulations and means
of escape requirements be properly assessed and rationalised.
In April 1970 the Fire Research Station set up a Fire Survey Group and
commenced a pilot exercise in surveying actual fires to investigate the
possibilities of obtaining the required information. This report gives an account
of the organisation of the group, the nature of the information obtained from the
pilot exercise and analyses some of the first results.
