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Prof Walls helps to keep homes and informal settlements fire safe
Author: Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking
Published: 20/05/2022

​Prof Richard Walls from the Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN) in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University recently delivered his inaugural lecture titled “Fire safety engineering – where physics and disasters meet". Walls spoke to the Division of Corporate Communication and Marketing about how his research helps to keep towns, homes, and informal settlements fire safe.

Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.

Our work focusses on fire safety engineering and structural fire design. Topics of research include informal settlement fire safety, structural fire design, materials at high temperature (i.e., what happens to materials as they get very hot and the bulk storage of agricultural or plastic materials). We try to understand what happens when a fire breaks out and how to mitigate the impacts of destructive fires.  

I got into the field by accident through my PhD supervisor, Dr Hennie de Clercq, who suggested a topic in structural fire engineering. I subsequently became very interested in the field in general.

How would you describe the relevance of your work?

Our work helps makes the world a safer place. It can help guide and promote the development of towns, plastic recycling facilities, high-rise buildings, wildland areas and agricultural facilities. Through developing practical solutions, we can keep towns, homes, petrochemical facilities, and informal homes fire safe.

Can you tell us more about the social impact of your research?

Our work has been extensively focussed on enhancing informal settlement fire safety and providing guidance for organisations working in such areas. The work has looked at understanding fire dynamics and spread between informal dwellings so that we can evaluate solutions to find what works, and what doesn't. Also, work on structural fire engineering can help keep all types of buildings safe and can guide the repair of fire-damaged structures.

Which aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

Burning things down during fire experiments, working with students and finding innovative ways to make the world safer.

The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. What keeps you motivated during these times?

My wife and children, the Bible, prayer and trying to have an impact through our work.

Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.

I used to be an outdoors instructor for rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, canoeing and high ropes. I also have a degree in theology.

How do you spend your free time away from lectures and research?

Looking after my kids and doing outreach work through our church. I also love to run.