U.S., China fire experts gather in Beijing for fire protection seminars

Experts from the United States and China gathered in Beijing to study fire sprinklers and fire detection systems in roadway tunnels at a seminar conducted by the Fire Protection Research Foundation. The seminar took place April 9-11.

Participants had an opportunity to share information on topics of interest related to fire sprinklers and detection systems in roadway tunnels including standards, emerging technologies, research projects and findings, and new products and applications.

“The topics studied at this event are significant to the identification and development of future improvements in fire protection. We are pleased to have had an opportunity to present our research and learn from others,” said Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation.

The Foundation is sponsoring and coordinating Seminars on Emerging Technology and Standards Development: Fire Sprinklers and Roadway Tunnels in cooperation with its affiliate, the National Fire Protection Assn., and the National Electrical Manufacturers Assn. (NEMA). The seminar is part of the Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program of the U. S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The Foundation has worked with NEMA, USTDA's program management agent, through its office in Beijing to coordinate the event.

“This particular workshop is exactly the sort of event we envisioned in putting this program together with USTDA,” said Gene Eckhart, NEMA director of international operations.

“It brings together the leading edge experts from U.S. industry and their counterparts from China to exchange critical information that can lead to safer systems for the citizens of China, while giving U.S. companies insight that could lead to new commercial opportunities,” he said.

The Fire Protection Research Foundation presented an overview of research findings from a project on detection system performance in roadway tunnels.