Exploring the Science of Fire Safety in New Xplorlabs Pathway

How do fire sprinklers keep us safe?

Middle and high school students will now be able to explore answers to that question through a new Xplorlabs pathway.

In May, the Office of Research Experiences & Education (OREE) launched The Science of Fire Safety: Engineering Solutions. In this open-access online educational pathway, students learn about the design, use, and efficacy of fire sprinklers, as well as their impact on the built environment using fire safety research from ULRI’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Created with the support of the National Fire Sprinkler Association and leveraging the expertise of scientists at FSRI, the pathway aims to educate students on the complex problem of fire safety and offer explorations on nuanced solutions to designing fire-safe spaces.

• A side-by-side burn demonstration that shows how effective sprinklers are at keeping fires from spreading
• Sprinkler use and efficiency data showing how sprinklers save lives and property
• An interactive experience that lets students explore how fire sprinklers work in different scenarios
• A video walking through how fire sprinklers work

Xplorlabs will continue to add resources to this new pathway to help further understanding of the unique challenges surrounding fire-safe spaces.

This pathway, as well as the Science of Fire Forensics and Science of Thermal Runaway pathway, also offers unique opportunities for professional organizations, including fire departments and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, to partner with teachers and highlight the fire service’s connection to STEM education.

To learn more about how Xplorlabs can support community education efforts in your region, visit our Community Educators page or contact our education team at ULRI.Xplorlabs@ul.org.