Fire Safety Systems and Engineering - Assignment Example

Fire Safety Systems (Author’s name) (Institutional Affiliation) Key words: Principles, Competitors Week One 1. Fire Safety Engineering This is a type of study that is concerned with the development and prevention of fire and the means through consequences of fire may be reduced to a minimum in human, financial and environmental terms (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). 2. The Difference between Fire services Engineering and Fire Safety Engineering While fire safety engineering involves developing means that can be applied to prevent or reduce consequences that are related to fire outbreaks, fire services engineering stipulates the actual types of services that can be developed to achieve the process of minimizing the effects of fire both concerning finance, human and the surrounding (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). 3. Team Members and other Stakeholders in Fire Project Fire management project consists of various personnel. The structure consists of chief fire brigade chief and his assistant. Under the brigade, there are communication personnel, evacuation, medication, security and traffic, search and rescue and firefighting (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Under fire fighting department, other personnel that is included the nozzle, backup, linemen, and hydrant. 4. The regulatory framework for fire safety engineering in VIC Fire safety regulations are set to enforce high standards of safety in buildings so that we create secure and safe homes and work places (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). The requirements for safety focus of the storage of petroleum, transportation and various forms of fire hazards. 5. The Regulatory Framework for fire safety engineering in NSW The regulations were meant for use in various parts of the world. Both national and international guidelines are associated with the regulations that are provided within the documents. The regulations provide a set of rules that should be adopted to minimize effects of fire in case of an outbreak (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). NSW regulatory framework provides ways that can be adopted for instance suppression of fire by keeping the three elements of fire i.e. heat, oxygen, and source of fuel. 6. Alternative solution/ Performance Solution. Performance solution involves a series of stages that correlate with key phases of development (Guide to NCC, 2016). Such stages include comment in fire engineering brief and concept meeting, both initial and final fire safety report. 7. The Role of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Reduced beam sections have a central role to play during outbreaks. The sections are designed in a manner that help reduced the speed at which fire consumes the various components of a structure (Guide to NCC, 2016). The sections are laminated and are thick enough to sustain the intensity of fire which delays the collapse of a building that can be as a result of fire risks before the evacuation of the building occupants. 8. Permit Process for various Stages of Building Construction in VIC There are various steps to be followed to obtain the permit during the process of a building construction. It is crucial to research for property information that helps in the planning of the project. Identify the restrictions and the incentives for the proposed project. Begin the process of the permit application, submit plans, obtain the permit, schedule inspections and finally, complete the project (VIC Building Regulations, 2016). 9. According to regulation 309 of Building Regulations of 2006, if any of the prescribed fire safety matters described do not meet the necessary provisions of the BCA, Chief Officers’ consent must be obtained before the issuance of the building permit. Under regulation 309A, three laws were introduced by the amendment of Building Regulations 2006 (VIC Building Regulations). The rules include regulation 808 for supplying water to the process of firefighting, 809 for access to an emergency vehicle and 309A that stipulates requirements for bushfire safety matters. 10. Form 5 is a special type of document that is used by the chief fire during a communication to other levels of management within safety engineering organization in adopting appropriate measures for instant fire suppression or control (Guide to NCC, 2016). The use of Form 5 document is adopted in the final stages of the project. 11. . Building Appeals Board (BAB) BAB is an independent statutory body that is established under the Building Act of 1993. It is empowered to determine any matter that relates to the Building Regulations of 2006 and other specified provision of the Building Act of 1993 (VIC Building Regulations). BAB roles include making a decision on modification of the application of building regulations. It also decides on an appeal by the director against individual decisions by the building certifier. Finally, BAB also makes a decision on an appeal against by the Director when it is working in the capacity of the building modifier. 12. Sections in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) The Building Code of Australia (BCA) has various technical provisions in different sections. Some of these sections address issues related to fire resistance. Section A of BCA contains the definition of an effective height in clause A1.1 and the necessities of clauses A4.1 and A4.2 with regards to the united buildings (Guide to NCC, 2016). Some of the performance requirements according to BCA that are related to fire include smoke alarm technology, the assessment of combustible assemblies for external walls., residential care facilities such as fire sprinkler facility system for the class 3 buildings that are used for residential, class 9a for residential aged care and 9c. 13. Registered Building Practitioners (RBP) Building Practitioners Board plays the role of registering building practitioners, they also supervise and monitor. Registered Building Practitioners (RBP) include surveyors, inspectors Quantity Surveyors (QS), civil engineers, draft persons, demolitionist among other personnel in the construction discipline (National Construction Code, 2016). To become an RBP, you have to register with the Victorian Building Authority (VBP). For a fire safety engineer to gain an eligible RBP, he or she must follow the registration procedure by VBP so that his conduct and ability is monitored. It is a requirement also that he or she conduct a domestic building insurance for the protection of the consumers. 14. IFEG and the Guidance it Provides for Fire Safety Engineers International Fire Engineering Guideline was developed and made ready for use in Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia. It provides an insight into issues that go past the actual fire engineering (National Construction Code, 2016). It also provides a perspective on the roles of fire engineering in both the regulatory and non-regulatory systems for a given country. It is an important reference for persons involved in developing alternative solutions for fire engineered designs. Trial design Week Two Fire Engineering Brief (FEB) Fire engineering brief plays the role of identifying and discussing the safety fire design solutions with various stakeholders at an early stage (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). FEB meetings may be needed for projects that safety design solutions are different from the Acceptable solutions. Fire Engineering Report (FER) This is a report that details and analyses fire safety design solutions against the objectives that are developed in the fire engineering brief (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). FER nominates various levels of performances to be achieved by timber based products in fire tests. In this case, the additional documents are presented to the regulatory authorities. Differences between FEB and FER One of the main differences between FEB and FER is that FEB communicates with relevant authorities and stakeholders concerning various objectives and basic strategies through which engineering safety analysis will be completed (International Fire Engineering Guidelines). On the other hand, FER presents the required calculations, fire test evidence analysis, and fire modeling which support the recommendations for the formulated safety design solutions for a building (Guide to NCC. 2016). Different Sub-systems in IFEG During the consideration of fire safety within a building, six sub systems are used in the analysis of the best fire safety analysis. The subs systems are represented by SSF to SSA, and they have an interaction with each other in different phases. SSA- Fire initiation, development, and control: The door is wedged open and therefore breaches fire compartmentation which does not contain the fire in the fire rated compartment (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). SSB- Smoke development, spread, and control: the door remains open as for a serious impact on the spread of smoke into the adjoining compartments. SSC- fire spread, impact, and control: due to barrier failure, fire may spread beyond the started compartment. SSD- Fire detection, warning, and suppression: even though the suppression system may be activated and the door can be open, smoke may still spread to the adjoining compartment. SSE- Occupants evacuation and control: since the door cannot be fully opened, the evacuation of occupants may be jeopardized. Besides, the entering smoke may further hinder the evacuation of the occupants (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). SSF- fire service intervention: this has an impact on research, rescue, control, attack and the fire extinguishment. Risks and Safety Measures in each Sub-System Sub-System Risk and safety measure SSA There is production of too much smoke and heat during fire outbreak SSB There is continued spread of smoke into the adjoining compartments which may hinder the process of putting off fire and prompt serious injuries to the occupants (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005) SSC There are high chances of barrier failure which can escalate the speed of fire spread to the other compartments. SSD Due to the opened door, there are higher chances of spread of smoke to the other compartments. SSE There is jeopardizing occupants' evacuation since the door is not fully opened (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Besides, there is the continuous entrance of smoke that may further hinder the process of occupant evacuation. SSF There is a challenge of extinguishing fire, and the occupants are exposed to major burning risks. (Mendham, Cliff and Horberry, 2012) Fire Engineering Assessment Methodologies The Identification of Fire Hazards Identification of fire hazards is crucial within the premises. In this case, three elements are responsible for the occurrence of fire, i.e. an ignition, fuel and an oxidation agent (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Prevention of fire can be achieved through keeping the three elements separate. Identification of people at Risk These people include employees, visitors, customers, and contractors. It is important to consider the people within the vicinity of the fire. Other than considering people within your premises, it is crucial also to consider people who are outside your premise such as pedestrians, neighbors among other persons (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Evaluation of hazards and risks You may asses the results of hazards on the people exposed to such risks, taking into account all the existing control measures (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). A decision on further control measures is critical for elimination of further risks. Recording of the Findings It is important to record findings which show whether the existing control measures are enough or inadequate for the reduction of risks to the acceptable levels (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Reviewing and Revising This involves monitoring and auditing the existing control measures to verify if they still function effectively. Alterations may occur within the premises such as the purchase of new fire types of equipment to effect on the risks and precautions necessary for the control of fire incidences (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Sensitivity, Redundancy and Uncertainty Studies This involves the study of how sensitive the fire safety engineers should regard a call that concerns an outbreak of fire. Redundancy majorly concerns with the means that can be employed by the safety engineers to suppress and control fire in incidences of an outbreak (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). Uncertainties are things that can happen without anyone's awareness, for instance, fire outbreaks. It is, therefore, important for fire safety engineers to undergo the uncertainty studies so that they are prepared for fire emergencies. AS2419 – Fire brigade fire suppression activities Week Three Fire Triangle: this is a simple model that is meant for understanding chemical reaction which must take place for the fire to be created. The triangle consists of three elements i.e. heat, fuel and oxygen. All the three must be present for the fire to ignite. The triangle also explains the relationship between the three ingredients of fire and teaches that withdrawal of any one of the three would put off or extinguish the fire (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). In the extinction or mitigation of fire, one of the three elements in the triangle must be removed. If there is no fuel to burn, the fire will smolder out, and in case oxygen is removed, the fire will suffocate and finally when heat is removed, there will be no spread and maintenance as it removes moisture that is contained in the fuel. The Behavior of Solid Timber in Fire When solid timber is exposed to fire, the temperature of the exposed layer is almost equal to the temperature of the fire. When the outer later reaches its burning point, I at about 300 degrees centigrade (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005), there are an ignition and rapid burning of the wood. After the wood is burnt, it becomes a layer of char that loses all its strength and assumes the role of an insulator that prevents an excessive rise in temperature to the inner side of the timber. However, in the case of a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), it has an excellent resistance to fire due to the thickness of its cross section i.e. there is slow charring. CLT provides static strength and stability in all directions (LeVan and Winandy, 2007). Systems Available for Automatic Fire Suppression One of the automatic fire extinguishing systems is Dry chemical powder. This powder when introduced directly into the fire, it extinguishes the flame almost immediately. This system best suits industries and vehicles. The second system is gaseous fire suppression system which employs the use of chemical gas in instantly putting out the fire (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). This system is waterless that deploys faster and cleanly without leaving any oily residues, water or particulate. Fire sprinkler system is the third method that can be adopted. It consists of a system of water supply that is connected to a piping system that distributes and discharge water at the scene of the fire as fine sprays to suppress the fire (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). There is also water mist system. This is a fixed protection system discharging fine sprays of small water droplets. The droplets remove heat and displace the oxygen within the flame leading to an instant suppression. Finally, there is vehicle fire suppression system which is designed in the harsh working environment leading to limited damages. Week Four Standard Fire Test This refers to the type of a test in which the specimen of relevant decks are being exposed to in a test furnace to a temperature which corresponds to the standard time-temperature curve as described in Annex 1 the third part of IMO procedures of fire test (Hong and Varma, 2009). Conducting Standard Fire Test While undertaking the test, the specimen to be used should have its surface exposure of not less than 4.65 square meters and height should be 2.44m that resembles so that it includes an appropriate one joint at least. The standard time temperature will be defined by a smooth curve that is drawn through the temperatures given, i.e. after 5 minutes temperature is 576 degrees Celsius, 10mins-679, 15mins- 738, 30mins- 841 and 60 minutes is at 945 degrees centigrade (International Fire Engineering Guidelines, 2005). The Australian document for the set fire standards is the Fire Resistance Test for Construction Elements which was first published as AS A30-1935. The second edition was produced in 1958. It was revised and redesignated in various parts as AS, the fifth edition 2005 (National Construction Code, 2016). For structural adequacy, integrity and adequacy, the RFL requirement for a wall are 90/60/30. This means that the wall maintains relevance for 90mins, integrity for 60mins and finally insulation for 30minutes according to the test AS 1530.4-1990. An Analysis of ASET vs. RSET This analysis is usually conducted for the performance based on the design of smoke control systems and an atrium smoke control system. ASET refers to the duration of time which elapses between fire ignition time and the development of untenable conditions (National Construction Code, 2016). RSET, however, is the amount of time from ignition that is needed to evacuate a building and reach the protected exit enclosure. ASET is determined through the application of fire modeling. RSET is the sum of alarm time, delay in evacuation time and the movement duration. ASET is the time at which the heat or smoke amount first exceeds the tenability criteria as calculated by the fire model or any other similar tool (National Construction Code, 2016). ASET can be increased through the limitation of combustibles and provision of separate distances between the packages of fuel, provision of fire suppression system to limit peak heat release rates or through the provision of active or passive smoke controlling systems. Week Five 1. Undertaking Hazard Safety Fire Review During conducting fire risk assessment, it is important to focus on the potential fire hazards. It is critical to identify the possible sources of heat, fuel, and oxygen within the surrounding of a building (National Construction Code, 2016, 2016). It is also important to determine the individuals that are exposed to such risks. For instance, it is crucial to consider people within the surrounding area building, i.e. users such as employees, or staff members. Evaluate, remove and reduce the risks that are likely to cause fire outbreak within the structure. Some of the features of a building that requires maximum attention include the exits. Doors and windows, for instance, should be of materials that are relatively more resistance to fire so that they delay the period of full burning in case of an outbreak (National Construction Code, 2016, 2016). This is also important to allow the users to evacuate the building before the exit is completely on fire that can hinder their outward movement. It is important also to consider elements of the structures such as slabs, columns, and the beams since the most weight of the building are supported by those sections. These items should be adequately thick with higher fire resistance ability to delay the collapse of a building during fire outbreak to allow enough time for occupants to evacuate without sustaining many injuries. 2. Possible Hazards in Various Types of Buildings a. 20-storey office building Hazards in office buildings are more likely to occur as a result of electrical short circuiting and default connections within the office setting (Guide to NCC, 2016). b. 20 storey Residential Building High rise buildings are associated with numerous challenges and risks that are connected to fire outbreaks. Due to the multiple floors, it is a requirement that most people travel through greater vertical distances through the stairs to evacuate a building during fire outbreak (Guide to NCC, 2016). Most individuals are at a much higher risk of losing their lives during the process of evacuation since the corridors maybe narrow and cannot accommodate many people at the same time who are rushing through the exists to escape the fire. c. 3 storey aged care building The aged care facility/ buildings maybe are faced with numerous challenges during fire outbreak. One of the risks is that patients may lose their lives during evacuation due to the congested nature of buildings (Guide to NCC, 2016). Congestion may, therefore, slow down the process of evacuation in case of an outbreak of fire. d. 2 storey Building in Shopping centre Hazards that mostly take place in buildings that are within the market centers are majorly as a result of the risk of adjoining properties (VIC Building Regulations, 2016). In the market places, several buildings are adjoined together in a way that if one building catches fire, then the neighboring buildings are all exposed to the risk of catching fire too due to the connection between the buildings. Bibliography Hong, S. and Varma, A.H., 2009. Analytical modeling of the standard fire behavior of loaded CFT columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 65(1), pp.54-69. LeVan, S.L. and Winandy, J.E., 2007. Effects of fire retardant treatments on wood strength: a review. Wood and Fiber Science, 22(1), pp.113-131. Mendham, F., Cliff, D. and Horberry, T., 2012. A quantitative approach to engineering fire life safety in modern underground coal mines. International Fire Engineering Guidelines .(2005). Guide to NCC. (2016) Commonwealth of Australia and States and Territories of Australia. National Construction Code.(2016) Commonwealth of Australia and States and Territories of Australia. VIC Building Regulations (2016). Read More