University of British Columbia awarded Factory Mutual arson grant
Factory Mutual (FM) has awarded a $4,000 grant to the University of British Columbia (UBC). The award will benefit students pursuing master`s degrees in two workshops on the use of fire modeling in fire investigations. Students in the program interact with fire investigators and use classroom techniques to address real concerns of the fire services.
“Fire modeling has become increasingly effective in confirming the cause and growth of suspicious fires as well as discovering and successfully prosecuting arsonists,” according to Dr. Jim Mehaffey, associate professor of fire protection engineering at UBC. “Fire modeling potentially impacts not just arson investigations, but it can help engineers build better buildings that can withstand fire longer and allow occupants to escape. Fire services in Canada are starting to realize that this technology can assist them.”
