Description of Presentation:
Tracing the journey of façade fire testing from its early roots to today’s large-scale methods, this session highlights key milestones in the UK and international practice. By revisiting the BS 8414 test, including its use of the wood crib fire source and the heat fluxes it produces, we will reflect on what these methods capture — and what they miss. We will explore possible future directions in testing and modelling, and how fire engineers can make better use of evolving evidence to guide design, regulation, and innovation in façade safety.
Speakers: Konstantinos Chotzoglou
Speakers Bio:
Konstantinos is an Associate at OFR Consultants with over a decade of experience in fire safety engineering. He manages projects across different sectors, helping clients tackle complex technical and regulatory challenges. Drawing on his background in fire testing and research, he brings a strong technical foundation that supports finding optimum, tailored solutions for each client rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Before joining OFR, Konstantinos held senior roles at Efectis UK/Ireland, a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, where he led fire engineering and testing teams and delivered research for the Building Safety Regulator and OPSS. Alongside project delivery, he mentors junior engineers and drives research to keep practice at the cutting edge. With a PhD in Fire Dynamics and active roles on BSI standards committees, he combines deep technical expertise with practical insight, ensuring his advice is both robust and forward-looking. Konstantinos is a Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), an Individual Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and recently voted as Secretary of SFPE UK Chapter.