NameDr. Harpal Singh
Date of Birth04.12.1964
E-mailharpal@cbri.res.in , harpalcbri@yahoo.com
Present DesignationChief Scientist
DivisionFire Research Group

Educational Attainments

Degree / DiplomaMain SubjectUniversity/Institution with DistinctionCountryYear of Passing
B.Sc.Chemistry, Zoology, BotanyMeerut UniversityIndia1986
M.Sc.Chemistry (Organic)Meerut UniversityIndia1988
Ph.D.Fire retardant cellular polymerIndian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247667India2008

Specialization

a) Main Area of SpecializationFire retardant materials
b) Sub-area of SpecializationFire retardancy of combustible building materials and cellular polymers

Countries visited in connection with higher studies, research training, employment and other scientific assignments:

Country visitedPurposeFromTo
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Publications
  1. J. P. Jain and Harpal Singh, “Performance of Ceramic-block Fire Stops for Power Cable Installations”, Fire Technology (An International Journal Published by National Fire Protection Association USA), Volume. 32, No.3, pp.272-280, August-September 1996
  2. Harpal Singh, T. P. Sharma and A. K. Jain, “Reactivity of Raw Materials and Their Effects on Structure and Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foams”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 106, No. 2, pp. 1014-1023, 2007
  3. Harpal Singh, A. K. Jain and T. P. Sharma, “Effect of Phosphorus-Nitrogen Additives on Fire Retardancy of Rigid Polyurethane Foams”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 109, No. 4, pp. 2718-2728, 2008
  4. Harpal Singh and A. K. Jain, “Effects of Blowing Agents on the Characteristics of Rigid Polyurethane Foam”,Appliance, A canon communications LLC publication, Los Angeles, USA, Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 22-27, February 2008
  5. Harpal Singh and A. K. Jain, “Ignition, Combustion, Toxicity and Fire Retardancy of Polyurethane Foams: a Comprehensive Review” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 111, No. 2, pp. 1115-1143, 2009
  6. Harpal Singh, “Studies on flame inhibition for imparting flame retardancy in polymeric rigid foam”, Ph.D. thesis, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 2008
  7. J. P. Jain and Harpal Singh, “Agani Se Aprabhavit Chappar”, ( Fire Retardant Thatch), Vigyan Pragati, pp.19, October 1992
  8. Sahab Singh and Harpal Singh, “Fire Stop Technology for Fire Protection in Cable Installations”, Chemical Engineering World, Volume.31, No.9, pp.127-131, September 1996
  9. Harpal Singh and J.P .Jain, “Ab Aag Se Bachaye Ja Sakege Samarohsthal”( Fire Retardant Banquet Hall ), Vigyan Pragati, pp.15-17, December 1999
  10. Harpal Singh and J. P. Jain, “Performance of Fire Resistant Sealant Under Live Power and Intense Flame”, Paint India, Volume 1, No. 6, pp.41-46, June 2000
  11. Harpal Singh and T.P.Sharma, “Polyurethane Foams – Combustion and Flame Retardant Studies”, Fire Engineers, Volume 26, No.4, pp.11-22, October-December, 2001
  12. A.A.Ansari and Harpal Singh, “Fire Propagation Index of Lining Materials : Effect of intumescent coating”, Paint India, Volume L II, No.1, pp. 41-46 January, 2002
  13. Harpal Singh and T.P. Sharma, “Kapdo ki Agni Avrodhakata evam Uchch Tapkaram par Vayavahar (Flame retardancy of textiles and behaviour at elevated temperature)”, Bhatiya Vagyanik evam Anusandhan Patrika, Year 12, No. 1 pp. 26-33, June, 2004
  14. Harpal Singh, Suvir Singh and T.P. Sharma, “Performance Characteristics of Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Under Severe Fire Exposure”, India Polyurethanes, Volume 7, pp. 28-36, October-December, 2006
  15. Harpal Singh, “Kapde ki Jawalanshilata evam Aagni Avrodhi Upchar (Flammability of Textile and Fire Retardant Treatment)”, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, Gigyasa, Number 21, pp. 98-109, 2007
  16. Harpal Singh, “Aab Aag se Be-asar Honge Kapade evam Kapade ke Shamihane (Now Fire Unaffected Textile and Shamiyanas)”, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Manthan, Number 5 , pp. 41-47, 2007
  17. Harpal Singh and Suvir Singh, “Burning Behaviour Characteristics of Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) in Flexible Polyurethane Foam Fire Environment”, Fire Engineer, Volume 33, No. 1, pp. 13-21, January-March, 2008
  18. Harpal Singh and A. K. Jain, “Density, Cell Morphology and Flammability Characteristics of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Blown with Chemical and Physical Blowing Agents”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 39-45, January-March, 2008
  19. Harpal Singh, “A Profile of a Scientist: Fire Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foam”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 30-33, June, 2008
  20. Harpal Singh, “Fire retardant rigid polyurethane foam: use of phosphorus-nitrogen additives”, Fire Engineer, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 21-32, July-September, 2011
  21. Harpal Singh, “Recent progress in phosphorus-based fire retardant additives for polyurethane foams”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 32-36, June, 2011
  22. Harpal Singh, T.P. Sharma and A. K. Jain, “Morphological, Elemental, Thermal and Burning Behaviour Properties of Flame Retardant Additives Incorporated Rigid Polyurethane Foams”, International Conference on Polyurethane,PUTECH 2005, pp. 175-192, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India, October 26-27, 2005
  23. Harpal Singh and A. K. Jain, “Effect of Chemical and Physical Blowing Agents on the Density, Cell Morphology and Flammability of Rigid Polyurethane Foam”, Polyurethanes 2007 Technical Conference, in partnership with UTECH North America Exhibition. Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center Orlando, Florida, USA, pp. 1-15, September 24-26, 2007
  24. Harpal Singh and A. K. Jain, “Phosphorus-Nitrogen (P-N) Based Additives Impregnated Fire Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foam (RPUF)”, International Conference on Polyurethane, PUTECH-2008, pp. 217-228, India Expo Centre, Greater Noida (New Delhi), India, March 12-13, 2008
  25. Harpal Singh and J.P. Jain, “Fire Retardant Treatment of Cotton Textile”, Indian Building Congress, Volume 3, No. 2, Seminar on Fire Hazards in Built Environment, Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, pp.96-102, July 12-13, 1996
  26. Harpal Singh and T.P.Sharma, “Fire Retardant Studies on Polyurethane Foams at Fire Research Laboratory, Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee”, Workshop on Safety Fire Prevention and Environment Standards for the Polyurethane Industry, Polyurethanes India, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi,  pp.1-11, October 2001.
  27. Harpal Singh and T.P.Sharma, “Flame Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foam for Building Applications”, Seminar on Indian Habitat and Infrastructure – need for innovative approach, pp. 51-64, Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, September 25-26, 2003
  28. Harpal Singh, “Fire retardant insulation foam for buildings”, National seminar on Modern trends in architectural and civil engineering practices, Institution of Engineers, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, pp. 185 – 198, November 23-24, 2007
  29. Harpal Singh, “Calculation of blowing agents and the flammability characteristics of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF)”, Conference on Challenges and Applications of Mathematical Modeling Techniques in Building Science and Technology (CAM2TBST), Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Vol. II, pp. 511-520, February 7-8, 2008
  30. Harpal Singh, “Fire retardant rigid polyurethane foam – A fire safe insulation building material”, Conference on Trends and Challenges in Structural Engineering and Construction Technologies (TCSECT), Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, pp. 196-206, February 11-12, 2009
  31. Harpal Singh, “Effect of Chemical Impregnation on the Properties of Water and Methylene Chloride Blown Rigid Polyurethane Foam”, National Conference on Scientific Achievements of SC/ST Scientists and Technologists(NCSCST), National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, pp. 146-156, April 14-16, 2009
  32. Harpal Singh, Sunil K. Sharma, A. A. Ansari, Rakesh Kumar and M. P. Singh, “Flammability performance of rigid polyurethane foam: use of different blowing agents”, Conference on Fire Science and Technology-research & its implementations (FIRST-2011), CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, pp. 24-34, November 3-4, 2011
  33. A. A. Ansari, Sunil K. Sharma, Harpal Singh and Rakesh Kumar, “Fire propagation index & heat release studies of plywood treated with chemical surface barrier”, Conference on Fire Science and Technology-research & its implementations (FIRST-2011), CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, pp. 44-56, November 3-4, 2011
  34. Harpal Singh, “Characterization of smoke and toxicity from burning polyurethane foams, Fire Engineer, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 19-23, April-June, 2012
  35. Harpal Singh, “Advances in halogen-based fire retardant additives for polyurethane foams”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 36-39, June, 2012
  36. Harpal Singh, “Additives filled rigid polyurethane foam-A fire retardant and energy efficient building material”, Conference on Emerging Trends of Energy Conservation in Buildings (EECB), CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, pp. 37-46, November 1-3, 2012
  37. Harpal Singh, “Effect of char generating compounds towards the flammability of energy efficient expanded polystyrene”, International conference on Advanced materials for energy efficient buildings (AME2B-2013), pp. 143-144, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, February 13-15, 2013
  38. Harpal Singh, “Effect of isocyanurate and carbodiimide groups towards the flammability of polyurethane foams”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 30-37, March, 2013
  39. Harpal Singh, “Effect of synergism and char formation on the fire retardant properties of rigid polyurethane foam”, Fire Engineer, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 7-10, April-June, 2013
  40. Harpal Singh, “Impact of nitrogen and silicone containing additives on the fire retardancy of polyurethane foams”, Polyurethanes Today, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 45-49, December, 2013
  41. Harpal Singh, “A Review of Fire Retardants for Commercially Important Polyurethane Foams”, Journal of Construction Engineering, Technology & Management, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 1-36, 2013
  42. Harpal Singh, “Effect of Phosphorus-Nitrogen Synergism towards the Flammability of Rigid Polyurethane Foam”, National Conference on Fire Research and Engineering (FiRE 2014), Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247667, pp. 398-410, March 1-2, 2014
  43. Harpal Singh, “Investigation on Ignition, Pyrolysis and Combustion of Commercially Important Polyurethane Foams”, Fire Engineer, Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 7-11, January-March, 2014
  44. Harpal Singh, “Preparation and Properties of Fire Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foam with Synergistic Charring Agent”, International Conference on Polyurethane, PUTECH-2014, pp. 2-10, India Expo Centre, Greater Noida (New Delhi), India, March 12-14, 2014
  45. Harpal Singh, “Investigation on Properties of Water and Methylene Chloride Blown Rigid Polyurethane Foam”, Journal of Polymer & Composites, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 46-54, 2014
  46. Harpal Singh, Book (entitled, Materials and Tchnologies in Construction with Reference to Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development) chapter on, “Rigid Polyurethane Foam: Versatile Energy Efficient Material”, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Churerstr.20, 8808, Pfaffikon, Switzerland, ISBN-13: 978-3-03835-658-5, Vol. 666, pp. 88-98, October 2015 
  47. Harpal Singh, “Prakartik kapade ki jawalanshilata tatha agni avrodhi upchar”, (Flammability and fire retardancy of natural cotton fabric), CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Nirmanika, vol. 1, pp. 45-50, 2015
  48. Harpal Singh, “Synergistic Effect of Phosphorus-Halogen Fire Retardant Additives on the Flammability of Polyurethane Foams”, Polyurethanes, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 26-29, September, 2015
  49. Harpal Singh, “Fire Behavior of Polyurethane Foams and Generation of Smoke and Toxicity”, Fire Engineer, Communicated, January, 2015
  50. Harpal Singh and Sushil Kumar, “Agni avrodhi tatha urja kushal rigid polyurethane foam (Fire retardant and energy efficient rigid polyurethane foam)”, Avas Prakartik Apdha Evam Jalvayu Privartan ki Chunotiya (Habitat, Natural Disaster and Climate change-A Challenge), Rastriya Vagyanik Sangosthi (National Conference), CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee-247667, pp. 8, December 10-11, 2015
  51. Harpal singh, “Fire Retardant and Thermally Insulative Rigid Polyurethane Foam: A Versatile Building Material”, International Seminar on “Emerging Building Materials and Construction Technologies”,pp. 433-441, Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India, Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, March 21-22, 2016

Other Publications

  1. J.P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Fire Retardant Seats in IA Air-craft, Chemical Weekly Magazine, 1994
  2. J.P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Sitting Cool, Down to Earth Magazine, September, 1994
  3. J.P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Havai Jahaj ki Gaddiyo ka Aag se Bachav (Fire protection of air-craft seat cushions against fire)”, Vigyan Anvesan Sandesh Magazine, year 4, No.3, March, 1996
  4. J.P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Fire Proof Building, Loss Prevention, volume 20, No.4, October-December, 1998
  5. J.P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Fireproofing Venkateswara, Loss Prevention, volume 21, No.3, July-September, 1999
  6. J P.Jain and Harpal Singh, Fire Retardant Shamiyanas, CSIR News Letter, volume 49, No.22, November, 1999
  • Tech. Reports: 30 Nos.
  • Scientific Books / Book Chapters: 
  • Harpal Singh, Book (entitled, Materials and Tchnologies in Construction with Reference to Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development) chapter on, “Rigid Polyurethane Foam: Versatile Energy Efficient Material”, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Churerstr.20, 8808, Pfaffikon, Switzerland, ISBN-13: 978-3-03835-658-5, Vol. 666, pp. 88-98, October 2015
  • Articles: NIL
  • Patents filed / granted: NIL
  • Processes Developed:
    • Fire Blocking Layer (FBL) suitable for intermittent lining materials such as air-craft seat cushions etc.
    • Fire retardant and water repellent cotton canvas suitable for temporary shelters, tents, pandals, hangers for military personnels and vestibules etc.
  • Process Under Utilization:
    • Fire Blocking Layer (FBL)
    • Fire retardant and water repellent cotton canvas

Awards and Distinctions (including fellowships of the learned societies):.

Name of AwardAwarded byAwarded forYear
Ph.D.IIT, RoorkeeStudies on flame inhibition for imparting flame retardancy in polymeric rigid foam2008
Professional Experience:
  • More than 20 years R&D experience in the area of fire research for imparting fire retardancy in combustible building materials particularly cellulosic (fabric, hessian cloth, canvas, carpet and wood etc.) and cellular polymeric materials (flexible and rigid polyurethane foams,  expanded polystyrene etc.).
  • Developed fire retardant reactive and additive chemical formulations for rigid polyurethane foam suitable for building insulation, cold storage, transportation, packaging, automotive industries, refrigeration technology and appliances, ship buildings etc.
  • Developed fire retardant chemical compositions for flexible polyurethane foam suitable for cushioning in furniture, mattresses, transportation and automobiles etc.
  • Developed fire retardant chemical compositions for cotton fabric suitable for curtains, sofa covers, pillow covers, banquet halls, shamiyanas etc.
  • Developed Fire Blocking Layer (FBL) suitable for intermittent lining materials such as air-craft seat cushions etc.
  • Developed fire retardant and water repellent compositions for cotton canvas suitable for temporary shelters, tents, pandals, hangers for military personnels and vestibules etc.
  • Developed fire retardant chemical compositions for polystyrene foam suitable for insulation, transportation, packaging, ship buildings etc.
  • Developed fire retardant chemical compositions for wood suitable for doors, windows, ventilations, door frames, partitions, cup-boards etc.
  • Developed chemical composition of fire resistant sealant suitable for cable fire stops, power cable installations, power cable galleries etc.
  • Prepared Fire Blocking Layer (FBL) and execute its application effectively for the fire protection of air-craft seat cushions used by Air India and Indian Airlines.
  • Prepared Fire retardant water repellent canvas and execute its application effectively as temporary shelter for the fire and water protection of Ram Lala idol at Ram Janam Bhoomi, Ayodhaya.
Any other:
International referee for reviewing manuscripts of Journals

  • Journal of Applied Polymer Science, A John Wiley Publication, USA
  • Iranian Polymer Journal, An International publication of Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Iran
  • International Polymer Processing, The Journal of the Polymer Processing Society, Carl Hanser Verlag Publisher, Munich, West Germany
  • Journal of Polymer & Composites, STM Journals, Consortium E-Learning Pvt. Ltd. (CELNET), Noida, New Delhi, India has selected as an external referee for reviewing manuscripts of Journal of Polymer & Composites. I am reviewing the manuscripts for the Journal of Polymer & Composites regularly since 2013.