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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present University Relations 11-13-1981 Fire prevention is aim of UM professor's research University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations, "Fire prevention is aim of UM professor's research" (1981). University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present. 7187. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases/7187 This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Relations at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. /^Universityof MontanaOffice of University Relations •  Missoula, Montana 59812 •  (406) 243-2522MEDIA R ELEASEbraun/rv 11/13/81 state, w/picFIRE PREVENTION IS AIM OF UM PROFESSOR’S RESEARCHBy Virginia Vickers Braun Office of University of Relations University of -MontanaMISSOULA--Last year, according to statistics provided by the National Fire Pro­tection Association, nearly 3 million fires caused death and destruction in the United States. An estimated 6,505 people died. Over $6 billion was lost in property damage.A University of Montana professor of chemistry thinks more can be done to prevent such drastic losses. Dr. Fred Shafizadeh, director of UM's Wood Chem­istry Lab, has been studying the behavior of fires for 14 years. To continue his research, the National Bureau of Standards has awarded him a three-year grant to study the chemistry of smoldering combustion. A budget of $71,960 has been approved for the first year beginning Oct. 1."In the past, a major approach was flame-proofing flammable materials," Shafizadeh said. "But," he said, "statistics at the Center for Fire Research showed that 70 percent of the fires start with smoldering." He said a dropped cigarette often will start smoldering in the batting of a bed or chair. "Then, in the middle of the night when everyone's asleep, the bed will burst into flames and burn the house down."Shafizadeh said the strategy now is to prevent the fire before it develops and bursts into flames."The process of smoldering combustion is entirely different from flaming(over)FIRE PREVENTION--add onecombustion,” Shafizadeh said. He said scientists know a great deal about flaming combustion but very little about smoldering fires.”In flaming combustion, the material is first converted into combustible gases that, when mixed with air, could fuel rapidly spreading flames.”Smoldering combustion, on the other hand, is a much slower process. In­stead of burning, the gases that are formed generally escape as smoke. The char that is left behind burns gradually until it gathers enough momentum and energy to burst into flames.”We have been highly successful in finding out how smoldering takes place and how it could be controlled,” Shafizadeh said.Further research, he said, will provide information on what materials will smolder, what keeps them smoldering, and how to avoid smoldering fires. Assisting Shafizadeh in the fire research project are William DeGroot, a UM graduate, and Dr. Yuki Sekiguchi, a graduate of Nihon University, Tokyo,Japan.###IIbraun/rv 11/13/81 s t a t cClITL 1NFI —RIJN SOPHISTICATED MACH INF.--Wi 11 i am DcC.root, left, and Dr. Uki Sckiguchi run tests at the University of Montana $40,000 infrared spectrophotometer which was acquired to aid research into smoldering combustion. (UM photo by Virginia Vickers Braun)#

Fire prevention is aim of UM professor\u27s research

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Fire prevention is aim of UM professor\u27s research

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