Sparking a passion for structural fire

In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Lydia Frater.Lydia's journey through her HERA internship has been nothing short of transformative. As a third-year engineering student at UC, she stepped into the world of structural fire engineering with minimal prior exposure—only to come out with hands-on experience, deep insights, and a newfound passion for the field. From modelling structural members to analysing fire protection methods, she shares how working on real-world projects has shaped her understanding of both fire engineering and sustainability in construction.In this episode, Lydia reflects on the highs and challenges of her seven-week internship, including tackling complex modelling software, problem-solving independently, and collaborating with industry experts. She breaks down her work on the HERA Intumescent Optimisation Tool, concrete-filled steel tube research, and steel columns in fire-rated walls—highlighting the crucial link between cost efficiency, carbon savings, and fire safety.If you're an engineering student or just curious about what it's like to dive into a research-based internship, this is a must-listen. Lydia’s experience shows how hands-on learning can open unexpected doors and shape the future of fire engineering in Aotearoa. 🔥Resources and linksConnect with HERA team - https://hera.org.nz/about-us/our-people/hera-team/Learn more about HERA's Industry 4.0 rangahau: https://hera.org.nz/research/industry-x-0/Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.hera.org.nz/podcasts/For live updates, follow us on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hera-innovationinmetals/📬 Got questions or feedback? Reach us at [email protected]