Boletim Técnico do GSI / NUTAU / USPAno I / No 0
THE FIRE RESEARCH GROUP (GSI)
The Fire Research Group (GSI) of the Research Center on Architecture and Urban Design Technology (NUTAU) of the University of São Paulo (USP)
NUTAU - Rua do Anfiteatro, 181 - Colméia - Favo 11 - Cidade Universitária - 05508-900
São Paulo - Brasil / Telefax: (011) 818-3209 / e-mail:
Boletim Técnico do GSI / NUTAU / USPAno I / No 0
The Fire Research Group (GSI) of the Research Center on Architecture and Urban Design Technology (NUTAU) of the University of São Paulo (USP)
Background
A Brazilian researchers group has developed studies on Firesafety in the last 25 years at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo (FAU-USP) and at the Technological Research Institute of São Paulo State (IPT).
In the Seventies, efforts were made to assure a technical staff and to implement the Fire Laboratory at IPT. During this period, Professor Teodoro Rosso, who was writing his thesis entitled “Architecture and Fire”, in order to get his PhD degree, passed away, leaving a significant gap in the developing program.
In the last five years, priority is being given by the group to the graduation of professionals in fire safety through courses abroad and at FAU-USP.
Introduction
Today, the firesafety in buildings is being developed in order to provide safety to the increasing complexity of human activities and risk to life and property.
In Brazil, there is a lack of fire countermeasures and the number of technical standards concerning firesafety is insufficient to cover its basic concepts. As a consequence, the small group of researchers and experts is facing serious problems which have to be solved.
Efforts are being made to disseminate information, organize technical seminars and set up professional associations, however, among these activities, fire research has been the least considered. Today, the University of São Paulo seems to be the proper site for the development of this field.
Goals
A fire safety group was founded at NUTAU (Research Center on Architecture and Urban Design Technology) of the University of São Paulo to do research on firesafety due to the need of development in this field of knowledge in this country.
Accomplishment
The group called GSI (Fire Research Group) has been organized by NUTAU to be composed, initially, by the following members:
Dr.Prof. Ualfrido Del Carlo - Professor of the Department of Technology of FAU-USP. Former Dean of FAU-USP and former Chief of the Environmental Technology Group at IPT (Technological Research Institute of São Paulo State), where he set up the Fire, Accoustics and Higrothermic Laboratory and, Researcher at Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment - CSTB from 1969 to 1971. Former President of the Latin American Group for Acoustics and author of : “Controle do Ruído Industrial (Industrial Noise Control) ” and “Nível de Satisfação em Conjuntos Habitacionais da Grande São Paulo (Level of Satisfaction of Residential Apartment Buildings in Great São Paulo)”.
Alexandre Itiu Seito - Chemical Engineer, Lecturer in Safety Engineering Specialization Course at Mackenzie Engineering College. Former President of Brazilian Committee for Fire Protection (CBPI) at ABNT (Brazilian Technical Standards Association), former Chief of the Fire Safety Group of IPT and Consultant of SãoPaulo Fire Department. Courses on fire tests (reaction and resistance to fire) in the U.S.A. (NIST) and Japan (BRI).
Colonel Alfonso Antonio Gill - Working at the São Paulo Fire Department since 1967, Mechanical and Safety Engineer, Vice-Fire Chief of the Fire Department of São Paulo State. Former Director of the Technical Activities Section of the Fire Department and former Dean of the Training Center for Firefighters of São Paulo State. Courses in several fire departments in Germany.
The Mission of GSI
The group’s aims is development and spread of scientific and technological knowledge of firesafety through research and academic activities at the University of São Paulo and to:
1. promote projects and research on firesafety;
2. organize and publish technical papers and books ;
3. hold technical meetings, seminars and congresses;
4. promote the technical exchange with international experts;
5. give consultancy and technical support to projects;
6. work on new technical standards;
7. take part in meetings related to the field and
8. prepare and give firesafety courses.
GSI Participants
The Group is composed by professionals that study or work on firesafety and graduate students from USP invited by GSI members.
For further information, please contact the GSI at the address below:
The Fire Research Group (GSI) of the Research Center on Architecture and Urban Design Technology (NUTAU) of the University of São Paulo (USP)
NUTAU - Rua do Anfiteatro, 181 - Colméia - Favo 11 - Cidade Universitária - 05508-900
São Paulo - Brasil / Telefax: (011) 818-3209 / e-mail: