This project developed a module that addressed the topics of fire development, structural fire-safety and risk from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Traditionally fire safety has been divided between architects, who tended to look at human behaviour in a fire, and engineers, who looked at the physical aspects of the problem. Within engineering the topic has historically been further subdivided between stress analysis and fluid and fire dynamics. Architects on the other hand have a passive approach to the problem focusing rather on the application of precautionary measures.

With the advent of new design codes, such a divided and prescriptive approach is no longer tenable. Over the last five years practising designers have moved to a much more holistic approach to structural fire safety that concentrates on the actual design of the building. This is particularly true as one needs to accommodate new challenging designs, and provide a safe, yet economical, global solution. September 11th has been a catalyst in many countries, including the UK, to review their practice. This transition needs to be reflected in University teaching and the aim of this module is to combine the expertise of three academics who work in the fire dynamics and structural safety field to provide an innovative and multi-disciplinary course.