Rhoda Mensah, Associate Senior Lecturer in Fire Technology, and Elif Kaynak, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fire Technology at Luleå University of Technology, stand next to the new advanced analytical instrument that enables researchers to study the gases produced in smoke during fires.
24 June 2026
New Analytical Instrument Strengthens Fire Research at Luleå University of Technology
Luleå University of Technology is strengthening its position in international fire research through the installation of a new advanced analytical instrument—the only one of its kind at a university in Europe. The new equipment, financed by the Kempe foundations, makes it possible not only to study how materials burn, but also to determine exactly which hazardous gases are produced in smoke during a fire.
The new technology combines the university’s existing cone calorimeter, TCC 918, with an advanced FT-IR system from NETZSCH and Bruker. This combination enables researchers to analyze the chemical composition of smoke in real time during the fire process itself.
“Previously, we could mainly measure how quickly a material burns, how much heat it generates, and how much smoke is produced. Now, we can also see exactly what the smoke contains while the material is burning,” says Rhoda Mensah, Associate Senior Lecturer in Fire Technology at Luleå University of Technology.
This means researchers can identify toxic and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, and other hazardous substances – compounds that are often critical in determining how dangerous a fire becomes for people.
From Studying Fire to Understanding Smoke
For the general public, the technology can be described as a major step forward in fire safety. Traditional fire tests show how a material behaves when exposed to fire. The new system also makes it possible to understand what people are actually at risk of inhaling during a fire.
“It is a bit like moving from simply looking at how materials burn to actually understanding what is present in the smoke. This helps us develop safer materials and products as well as better protection for people in the event of fires,” says Rhoda Mensah.
The technology is particularly important in areas where fire safety is critical, such as the construction industry, the transport sector, and electronics. The system can be used to analyze everything from plastics and textiles to cables and construction materials.
A Unique Research Environment in Europe
The installation of the new system means that Luleå University of Technology is the only university in Europe with this particular advanced combination of a cone calorimeter and FT-IR technology from NETZSCH.
This opens up new opportunities for both research and collaboration with industry.
“This places Luleå University of Technology at the forefront of fire and safety research. We gain opportunities to work on issues that are important for society, industry, and sustainable development,” says Rhoda Mensah.
The advanced gas analysis enables more comprehensive safety assessments of materials and products. In the long term, this can contribute to safer public environments, vehicles, and buildings—and provide better conditions for preventing serious consequences in future fires.
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