The rapid expansion of urban underground facilities—such as subways, underground parking, utility tunnels, and shopping malls—has introduced complex fire safety challenges that demand urgent research attention. The enclosed nature of these structures, combined with high occupant density and limited escape routes, significantly increases the potential for catastrophic outcomes during fire incidents. Key hazards include rapid heat release, toxic smoke accumulation, structural failure, and severe difficulties in emergency intervention. Effective emergency response in such environments rely on the integration of fire science, fire engineering systems, and coordinated management strategies. This Special Issue aims to gather innovative studies that enhance the resilience and safety of underground urban infrastructures against fire threats.

This Special Issue seeks to present high-quality research and case studies that address the challenges of fire engineering and emergency management in urban underground spaces. We welcome contributions that explore fire behavior, ventilation systems, and evacuation efficiency, as well as the integration of new technologies in detection, mitigation, and emergency response. The issue will highlight the synergy between fire dynamics understanding, engineered safety solutions, and operational management practices.

We invite the submission of original research, review articles, and case studies related to, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Fire dynamics and combustion behavior in confined underground environments
• Design, evaluation, and optimization of fire engineering systems
• Performance of fire detection and alarm systems in complex underground layouts
• Intelligent firefighting equipment and real-time decision support systems
• Smoke and toxicity control strategies in underground buildings
• Evacuation route planning and crowd management in emergencies
• Emergency response and public safety in underground fires
• Submission Guidelines

Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their completed manuscript to https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/safems with “Fire Safety in Urban Underground Space” marked in the cover letter section. Further information about the journal is available at https://www.sciopen.com/journal/3079-501X. 

Important Date

Manuscript Due: November 30, 2026

Guest Editors

Dr. Dong Yang
Professor, Chongqing University, China
E-mail: yangdong@cqu.edu.cn

Dr. Junfeng Chen
Associate Professor, Chongqing University, China
E-mail: chenjf@cqu.edu.cn