Sprinkler research whets the appetite

CRC PhD student Alan Green has presented his research on sprinkler systems at the latest Research Advisory Forum.

Alan says he gained a greater understanding of the CRC after he was given the opportunity to gain exposure and present his findings on bushfire resilience as part of a three-minute-thesis presentation.

The presentation highlighted issues surrounding bushfire sprinkler systems and gave Alan the opportunity to network with researchers, policy makers and industry personnel.

Alan’s findings will enable researchers to accurately compare the performance of different sprinkler systems.

The research project has developed and validated methods to use water sprays and predict their performance in the face of strong winds and high temperatures that occur during bushfires.

“Many of these types of sprinkler systems are in use, yet they have been paid very little attention by the scientific community,” Alan explained. 

Alan is leading the External water spray systems to improve bushfire resilience of buildings project which focuses on retrofitting Australian buildings with external water spray systems which will mitigate against bushfires.

Alan says he hopes to improve public safety through continued research and development.

Three other PhD students presented their findings as part of the ongoing three-minute-thesis feature at the biannual RAF’s.

120 end-users and researchers attended the NSW Rural Fire Service across the two-day event which placed a focus on the social science projects which the CRC is associated with.

The next Forum is scheduled for October.