Why I Wrote Principles of Fire Engineering
By Duncan Winsbury
Author of Principles of Fire Engineering – Science, Safety and Solutions
Introduction
When I first began my career in fire engineering, I was struck by how much of our profession existed in two separate worlds — the science of fire behaviour and the practice of keeping people safe.
Over time, I realised that what we lacked was not information, but connection — a bridge between technical understanding, real-world application, and the human purpose behind it all.
That realisation became the seed of Principles of Fire Engineering – Science, Safety and Solutions.
1. The Purpose Behind the Book
Fire engineering is a discipline built on both precision and responsibility. Every calculation, model, and design decision ultimately exists for one reason: to protect life, property, and community.
Yet much of what defines good fire engineering is often hidden in project reports or specialist documents. I wanted to bring those insights together — not as another manual, but as a comprehensive foundation that explains why we do what we do, not just how.
My goal was to create a book that could serve three audiences simultaneously:
- Students and early-career engineers looking to understand the fundamentals;
- Practitioners who want to revisit the science behind their daily work; and
- Decision-makers and designers who need clarity on fire principles in the wider context of building safety.
2. Writing from Experience, Not Just Theory
Much of the book draws from decades of hands-on work — from complex fire strategy development to site inspections, design coordination meetings, and post-incident reviews.
I’ve seen first-hand the difference that sound fire engineering makes:
- Buildings that perform exactly as designed when fire strikes;
- Others where a small oversight escalated into a major loss;
- And many where collaboration — or the lack of it — defined the outcome.
These experiences shaped the structure of the book. Each chapter combines scientific explanation with practical interpretation, showing how the theory translates directly into safer, better-performing buildings.
3. Science, Safety, and Solutions — The Three Pillars
The subtitle wasn’t accidental.
Every concept in the book is built around three interlocking pillars:
| Pillar | Focus | Purpose |
| Science | The chemistry and physics of fire behaviour, combustion, and heat transfer. | To ground engineers in the fundamentals that never change. |
| Safety | Human behaviour, evacuation, fire dynamics, and risk management. | To ensure the human element remains central. |
| Solutions | Systems, materials, and design integration. | To apply theory through engineered protection and innovation. |
Together, these define what I believe fire engineering truly is — a balance of understanding, empathy, and application.
4. A Call for Clarity and Collaboration
One of the recurring frustrations I’ve seen in the industry is the disconnect between disciplines.
Architects, engineers, building control officers, and fire authorities all play vital roles — but without shared understanding, design intent can easily be lost in translation.
I wanted Principles of Fire Engineering to help change that.
The chapters are written in plain, accessible language, backed by technical rigour but free of unnecessary complexity.
It’s a book designed to unite rather than divide — a reference that different professions can read and understand together.
5. Shaping Safer Buildings for the Future
The last decade has reminded us, through tragic events, why competence, accountability, and clear communication are non-negotiable.
Fire safety cannot rely solely on rules — it must be grounded in principle and purpose.
My book is my contribution to that movement:
- To reaffirm the importance of engineering judgement;
- To celebrate the expertise of fire engineers; and
- To equip the next generation with the tools, confidence, and curiosity to do better.
6. Gratitude and Ongoing Work
The process of writing Principles of Fire Engineering reinforced my belief that our profession is both technical and deeply human.
It would not exist without collaboration — from colleagues who reviewed early drafts to peers who shared insights from across the world.
The response since its completion has been humbling. Many readers have said it has changed the way they view their own role in fire safety — and that’s exactly what I hoped it would achieve.
Of course, it’s not the end of the journey.
The book laid the foundation, but the series continues:
- Performance-Based Building Design expands the scientific framework into modern, risk-informed practice.
- Fire Protection Systems, Fire Risk Management, and Fire Engineering Science build upon those same principles.
Together, they form a continuous conversation about safety, design, and innovation.
Conclusion
Writing Principles of Fire Engineering was never just about producing a textbook — it was about creating a resource for change.
If it helps one designer make a better decision, one student grasp a concept that once seemed abstract, or one engineer argue confidently for a safer solution, then it has served its purpose.
At its heart, the book is about people, not pages — and the enduring belief that science, when guided by responsibility, can make our world safer.
About the Author
Duncan Winsbury is a UK-based Fire Engineer and author of Principles of Fire Engineering – Science, Safety and Solutions and a growing series of professional books on fire safety, building performance, and human behaviour in fire.
His work focuses on integrating engineering science, design innovation, and practical safety management across the built environment.
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