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Book The Power of Fire
The book The Power of Fire – Science Captured in Photography originated as a loose continuation of a successful 2023 exhibition of fire experiments held in the atrium of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
The project builds on research in fire safety engineering and connects science and art through authentic photographs from real fire experiments. The project was created by Ing. Jakub Šejna, Ph.D., a young researcher and passionate “fire starter,” with photographic collaboration by Bc. Jiří Ryszawy, who has long documented experiments conducted by fire research teams, including those at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of CTU in Prague.
The publication was issued by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. The graphic design was prepared byRoman Werner. Czech language proofreading was carried out by Jana Militká, and English language proofreading byStephanie Krueger. The book contains 160 pages and was published in 2026 with a print run of 200 copies. It presents more than 200 photographs of fire experiments accompanied by popular-science texts in both Czech and English.
ISBN: 978-80-01-07536-4 (printed), 978-80-01-07537-1 (online)
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Keywords
fire, photography, science, popular science, flame
Additional
physics of fire, experiment, research, technology, engineering, fire science
The Power of Fire
Science Captured in Photography
Book Authors
Ing. Jakub Šejna, Ph.D.
Department of Timber and Steel Structures,
Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Czech Technical University in Prague
Author of the book
Scientific lead of the project
A researcher specializing in fire safety engineering, with a long-term focus on experimental research into the behaviour of structures and materials under fire conditions. His work combines laboratory and real-scale fire experiments with analytical and numerical models, aiming to transfer scientific knowledge into engineering practice.
The Power of Fire project was created with the intention of bringing fire science closer to a wider audience and demonstrating its importance through authentic experiments and visual storytelling.
Bc. Jiří Ryszawy
IT Centre Informations,
Czech Technical University in Prague
Photographer
A photographer and an enthusiastic supporter of fire science. He has long collaborated with research teams at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of CTU and other institutions, systematically documenting fire tests and experimental work. His photographs are not merely illustrative, but a key part of the project—capturing moments where exact science meets emotion and the power of visual imagery.
Co-authors
The creation of the book The Power of Fireinvolved a broader team of experts, researchers, and students who contributed through research activities, experimental work, and professional consultations. Their collaboration made it possible to connect different perspectives on fire-related issues—from material research and structural design to practical experience in fire protection.
Main Partners of the Book
The creation of the book The Power of Fire – Science Captured in Photography would not have been possible without the support of the main partners, who supported the project and made it possible to connect scientific research, experiments, and their visual documentation. We would like to thank them for their trust, cooperation, and support of the idea that understanding fire and fire safety is of fundamental importance for both professionals and the general public.
DMC Dřevostavby
The DMC Group has more than thirty years of experience in the field of wooden buildings and wooden structures.
Simple timber buildings have gradually been replaced by large wooden structures and complex timber constructions.
HB-PRO
HB-PRO Fire & Safety s.r.o. is a company providing services in the fields of occupational health and safety, fire protection, process safety, prevention of major accidents, and crisis management.
Allianz pojišťovna a. s.
Allianz pojišťovna a. s.is a leading insurance company providing comprehensive insurance services for individuals and corporate clients. The company offers a wide range of life and non-life insurance products, including property, liability, motor, travel, and industrial insurance, as well as risk management and claims handling services.
Sipral a. s.
Creativity is one of the key characteristics ofSipral. Approximately80% of projects involve the development of new technical solutions or technological processes.
Sipral’s team of experts designs custom façade systems that meet both the aesthetic ambitions of clients and the highest technical standards. Newly developed façade envelopes undergo comprehensive structural, thermal, and acoustic analyses.
Media Partners
We thank our media partners who help spread the message of the Power of Fire project to both professional audiences and the wider public.
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Partners
The realization of the book involved several partners and supporters who contributed to its scientific, graphic, and production quality. Their involvement helped present the results of Czech fire safety research in a form that is accessible, visually compelling, and open to a wide audience.
We greatly appreciate their support and cooperation.
Friends of the Book
Special thanks go to everyone who supported the book The Power of Fire and contributed to its creation. Every contribution—whether financial, professional, or moral—helped make this project possible, to bring fire science and its importance closer to society.
Contact and
Collaboration
Are you interested in the book The Power of Fire, its technical content, or opportunities for further collaboration?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’d be happy to provide additional information about the project, the publication, or related activities.
Contact person:
Jakub Šejna, Ph.D.,
Department of Steel and Timber Structures
Faculty of Civil Engineering, CTU in Prague