This paper presents an overview of activities related to jet fires interacting with obstacles as carried out within the CEC-sponsored project JIVE. A modelling technique and experimental data related to the determination of heat transfer from jet fires to obstacles such as pipework and vessels are presented. Conclusions can be drawn from these studies regarding the maximum heat flux to be expected in methane jet fires. The heat flux distribution on obstacles can be very non-uniform, depending on the distance between the origin of the flame and the obstacle. This non-uniformity leads to thermal stresses in the obstacle and will obviously affect the resistance of the obstacle to the fire.