The Department of Safety Engineering has a long and distinguished history in teaching and research in Safety Science and Engineering. The Department originated from the former Department of Mine Ventilation, which was established in 1952. In 1953, the University enrolled its first graduate students in mine ventilation research. Over the years, many distinguished scholars have worked in the Department, including Guan Shaozong, Sui Pengcheng, Wang Yingmin, and others.

The Department pioneered safety engineering education in China. It launched the nation’s first undergraduate program in Safety Engineering in 1983, followed by master’s education in 1987 and doctoral education in 1993. In 2001, the discipline received support from the Liaoning Province Leading Academic Discipline Project. Subsequently, the Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Non-Coal Mine Safety Science and Technology was established in 2009. Since 2011, the discipline has been authorized to confer doctoral and postdoctoral degrees in Safety Technology and Engineering. In 2012, the postdoctoral research station in Safety Technology and Engineering was established.

The Department currently has 19 full-time faculty and staff members, including 5 full professors, 7 associate professors, 5 lecturers, and 2 laboratory technicians. More than 70% of the faculty members hold doctoral degrees, and three faculty members serve as members of the China Safety Engineering Society.

The Department has developed integrated strengths and distinctive characteristics in four major research areas: system safety theory and technology, ventilation and dust removal technology, prevention and theory of industrial dust and gas explosions, and fire dynamics and key fire prevention technologies.

Significant achievements have been made in these research fields. The Theory of Two Types of Hazards has greatly promoted the development of Safety Science and Engineering in China. Research on emergency evacuation in major accidents was initiated at an early stage, leading to the establishment of fire safety assurance and emergency response systems for typical public facilities and mining enterprises. Extensive research has been conducted on the principles and technologies of occupational health engineering. A comprehensive disciplinary framework has been developed and continuously improved in the areas of dust and gas movement mechanisms and control technologies. The National Filter Test Center and the Liaoning Engineering Research Center of High-Tech Filter Materials were established. The Department has participated in the drafting of numerous international and national standards, as well as technical specifications for environmental protection product certification. In addition, a new research field, Explosion Reaction Engineering, was proposed, and the explosion experimental systems developed by the Department have reached the national advanced level.

The Department consistently emphasizes the integration of academic research with economic development, as well as the combination of fundamental research and practical applications. In the past five years, more than 300 research projects have been completed, with total research funding exceeding RMB 50 million.

The Department attaches great importance to international academic exchange and cooperation. It has established collaborative relationships with several internationally renowned institutions, including the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan), FSA (Germany), the University of Bergen (Norway), and the University of Minnesota (USA). Since 2006, the International Colloquium on Safety Science and Technology has been successfully organized four times by the Department.

Supported by the national 211 Project and 985 Project, more than RMB 150 million has been invested in the development of Safety Science and Engineering at Northeastern University. The funding has been primarily used for the construction of experimental facilities, talent recruitment, and related development initiatives. Established in 2009, the Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Non-Coal Mine Safety Science and Technology covers an area of 1,500 m² and is equipped with 15 advanced research facilities, including the Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) Testing System, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) System, Digital Mine Virtual Reality System imported from Canada, and a Dust Explosion Pipeline Network System.

The Liaoning Filter Test Center was established as the sole authorized institution of its kind in China. The Department’s fire and explosion experimental systems, including large-scale vessel and pipeline systems and MIE testing systems, have reached the national advanced level, with some facilities achieving international standards. These systems are capable of determining all explosibility parameters of combustible dusts. More than 20 domestic patents have been granted, including patents related to explosion venting panels, positive explosion prevention methods, and associated devices.

The Department has also established advanced experimental systems for high-pressure water mist fire suppression and thermal environment control. These facilities support research on fire dynamics, smoke control, water mist extinguishing mechanisms, and fire suppression performance in tunnels, subways, underground mines, and oil storage facilities. The systems have also reached the national advanced level for studies on geothermal heat hazard control.

To date, nearly 300 academic papers have been published, including more than 200 papers indexed by SCI, EI, and ISTP. In addition, the Department has produced numerous research achievements, including 10 textbooks, one National Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, 15 provincial-level scientific and technological awards, and 12 authorized patents.