Technical Trophy – IFPO – The Institute of Fire Prevention Officers

The winner of the 2016 Technical Trophy Competition Gary Howe

For his paper: ‘Application of Water Mist to Saunas’

About the Technical Trophy & Winning Research

The IFPO Technical Trophy is awarded annually for an outstanding technical paper or research contribution that advances the science and practice of fire safety engineering and prevention.

Gary Howe received the prestigious 2016 award for his pioneering paper on the application of high-pressure water mist suppression systems in high-temperature sauna environments, demonstrating groundbreaking experimental results in compartment fire control.

Gary Howe

Award Winner 2016

Author of the celebrated study into sauna fire hazard mitigation and specialized water mist technologies.

Active Fire Trials

Empirical Methodology

In-situ live flame propagation tests studying rapid timber ignition above commercial sauna heaters.

Suppression & Damage

Post-Test Evaluation

Analysis of charring patterns and validation of water mist discharge efficiency in preventing structural burn-through.