Designing buildings for fire safety: a risk perspective

Abstract

This paper considers the basis of current regulation for fire safety. It recognizes that regulation and design of buildings for fire safety are both really about managing the risks associated with fire events. A picture of the range of fire events and their effects is presented from the available statistical data. It is found that fatalities in fire are associated with factors other than the behaviour of the building structure. Fire, by its nature, is quite different from other 'loads' for which buildings are designed. The various measures used to manage the risks associated with fire are presented and the effectiveness of these measures are discussed. The effects of fires in buildings are complicated, and various methods of assessing the associated risk have been developed. These methods are based on a number of assumptions that are not always recognized. Acts of destruction are then considered in comparison with the 'normal' range of fire events and the characteristics associated with extreme acts such as the World Trade Center attack are considered. It is recognized that these events fall well outside those currently envisaged. Risk management of fire events and acts of destruction is considered. Current fire-safety measures are aimed at mitigating the risks associated with common acts of destruction in the form of arson. However, in the case of extreme acts of destruction, the most cost-effective way to manage the risk is to prevent the occurrence of such events.

Predictive Agent-Based Crowd Model Design Using Decentralized Control Systems

“…The aim of the fire suppression and alarm control system is to reduce damage caused by fire, while the guidance controller aids the evacuation of occupants. A well-designed fire suppression system has sprinklers with high efficiency, especially in the early stages [37]. The control system components are sensing agents, acting agents, and two controller agents.…”

Performance of steel–concrete composite structures in fire

“…The present paper may be seen to complement the review of Plank by describing and assessing more recent advances in this area after the Cardington fire tests. This journal also contains a number of excellent papers that are relevant to the topic under discussion, including the paper by Bennetts & Thomas7 on overall fire safety design and the implications of fire risk, by Galvanessian & Holicky8 on specification of loads for the fire limit state, and detailed reviews by Bennetts & Thomas9 and Kruppa10 focusing on steel structures.…”