SIK513 Fire Laboratory and Experiments

Contents and structure

Experiments are essential in fundamental research, consideration of material properties and certification of products and product solutions. It is difficult to imagine how fire safety could be engineered for all aspects of society without the knowledge gained from experiments.

This course seeks to both introduce and provide in-depth knowledge on fundamental aspects of experimental and laboratory work. The course shall provide the candidates with the necessary theoretical foundation to plan, perform, process and analyse experimental work safely. Emphasis shall be given to critical consideration of performed experiments and identification of potential threats to validity.

The course includes aspects such as risk identification and implementation of risk-reducing measures, knowledge of test standards, developing case-specific standards, developing test procedures, instrumentation, equipment, data collection, data processing and data analyses.

Since this is an elective course, there will be a physical gathering for some days in the lab. More information will be announced later.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student has the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

The student…

• has thorough knowledge of safe operations in laboratory/experimental settings through identification of risks related to both the surroundings and related to the particular experiment in question, lifting operations, and safety of constructions
• has in-depth knowledge of safety measures related to the identified risks
• knows essential standards/methods for fire testing of materials and constructional solutions and their limitations
• has thorough knowledge of essential equipment used in fire experiments
• knows how to analyse the test and test environment to identify external and internal threats to validity

Skills

The student…

• can develop basic risk assessments and implement necessary measures
• can develop general laboratory safety procedures and test-specific safety procedures
• can develop case-specific methods and tests to acquire identified parameters/solve problems
• can plan experiments, both from standards and other individual fire tests, and provide detailed test procedures
• can process raw data into the desired data format
• can analyse test data using knowledge of fire dynamics
• can describe the use and set-up of essential equipment

General Competence

The student…

• can work individually to gain new knowledge
• knows how to make use of research to support findings and statements
• knows how experimental work is planned, performed, processed and analysed

Entry requirements

Successful completion of SIK508 Explosions and Industrial Fire Fire Safety and SIK509 Structural Fire Safety.

Recommended previous knowledge

Fire Science and basic Excel knowledge (or similar)

Teaching methods

Asynchronous/Synchronous digital lectures, herein, exercises, problem-based learning and demonstrations. Group Work and self-guidance are also used. The latter is essential in a digital course as part of a web-based master's degree.

Compulsory learning activities

To be announced.

Assessment

Part 1: Portfolio assessment, count for 50 % of the final mark.

Part 2: Digital oral exam, 30 minutes, count for 50 % of the final mark.

The students must pass both parts to receive a course grade.

Graded scale from A to E for pass, and F for fail.

Examination support material

Portfolio: All aids available

Oral exam: No aids available

More about examination support material