Report from Case Studies: Fire Chemistry and Fire Visualisation in the Classroom

In the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences higher education curriculum “Fire Chemistry and Physics” module learning outcomes state that students should be able to describe indoor fire dynamics phases and carry out simple thermal engineering fire safety and combustion chemistry calculation tasks. The aim of the study is to make suggestions to lecturers of fire chemistry on how to support students’ learning in the area of wood ignition and burn with the help of simulations. We analysed case studies conducted by students individually (n = 34) as well as in groups (n = 9). Out of the materials chosen for fire chemistry calculation tasks in our sample, wood is the most used material because it exists in almost each room selected by students. The study combines theoretical analysis with practical educational approaches to provide an overview of the importance of wood in fire chemistry and physics. It gives insights into what tasks have helped the students’ comprehension of wood combustion processes. The results indicate that there are rare cases (e.g. sauna fires) when the kindling material is wood. However, students have selected substances in wood composition like cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose for oxygen consumption calculations. Our results indicate that providing significant tasks where the students are autonomous in choosing the target case and simulation software, deep learning is supported. We suggest that a new visualisation and modelling software should be developed to improve students’ knowledge and skills about fire chemistry and physics.