FireFront 2026 Ignites Innovation in Fire Safety and Engineering Research

Bengaluru, 4th May 2026 - FireFront 2026, a technical fest organised by the Fire and Combustion Research Center (FCRC), JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), in association with FLUENCE and the Department of Student Affairs, brought together students, researchers, and industry experts for a day of immersive learning and innovation on 6 May 2026. Hosted at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology campus, the event focused on emerging challenges and advancements in fire safety engineering, combustion science, battery safety, and industrial risk management.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Benaka Prasad, Deputy Dean, who highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary learning and industry engagement in shaping future engineers. Conceived as a platform to bridge academic concepts with real-world engineering challenges, FireFront 2026 witnessed enthusiastic participation from first-year B.Tech students across disciplines.

Structured around experiential learning, the fest featured three major competitions, the Fire Technology Quiz, Technical Seminar Presentation, and Fire Scenario Challenge with a combined prize pool of INR 75,000. Out of 103 registrations received across categories, shortlisted participants competed in rigorous rounds designed to test technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. The Fire Technology Quiz saw 34 students forming 10 teams, while the Seminar Presentation and Fire Scenario Challenge featured 11 participants each, with the latter involving three competing teams.

A key highlight of the event was a series of expert technical talks delivered by Lakshmi Nair, Sangamesh Hosur, and Mahendra Phal. Their sessions explored topics such as engineering safety standards, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) safety, and industrial operational risk management, offering students valuable exposure to contemporary industry practices.

The competitions reflected strong student engagement with emerging technologies and real-world applications. Seminar presentations addressed advanced themes including AI and IoT applications in fire safety and aircraft fire protection systems. The Fire Scenario Challenge stood out for its practical orientation, requiring participants to develop strategic responses to simulated emergencies such as electric vehicle fire incidents in parking facilities and aircraft fire scenarios.

Among the winners, TEAM STOP, DROP AND SQUIRTLE from the Computer Science Engineering department emerged victorious in both the Fire Technology Quiz and Fire Scenario Challenge, while Rikhil V Nair secured first place in the Technical Seminar Presentation for his work on BESS safety and related topics.

The event concluded with inspiring remarks from H. S. Mukunda, followed by the valedictory session and vote of thanks delivered by C. S. Bhaskar Dixit. Widely appreciated for its structured and application-oriented approach, FireFront 2026 reinforced the growing importance of fire safety engineering and technological innovation in modern industries, while laying a strong foundation for broader participation and deeper technical engagement in future editions.