Fires in vehicles pose a significant threat to life and property. Recently, fires in buses have been in focus due to catastrophic incidents for example in Germany. Train fires are also high on the research agenda due to recent European-based research projects such as TRANSFEU. A nightmare scenario is a large vehicle fire in a tunnel. At the same time new fuels and electrical vehicles are emerging in response to our need for sustainable transport alternatives. Such alternative vehicles introduce new fire challenges that need to be accounted for.
In response to the pressing need for international dialogue SP is organising a new conference: FIVE (Fires In Vehicles). The objective of this conference is to exchange knowledge of fires in vehicles, including both road and rail vehicles. In recognition of the fact that many of the fire problems faced by these vehicles are the same, the solutions to them can also be similar.
FIVE will bring together scientists, regulators, test engineers, industry, suppliers, insurance companies and other organisations from the diverse field of transportation to discuss important fire issues. We believe that this exchange of knowledge will significantly enhance economic and safe solutions – sustainable solutions – to problems in the fire area.
FIVE will be a biannual event, the first conference of which will take place September 29 – 30, 2010 in Gothenburg, SWEDEN. Gothenburg has been selected as the opening site for this event as it is the centre of the West Coast Region, the automotive science centre of Sweden.
For further information please see official website: www.firesinvehicles.com