Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Fire protection in
buildings
The design, construction, layout and furnishing of build-
ings has a key role to play in any fi re safety management
strategy. The building and how it is furnished has a huge
impact upon not only whether a fi re is likely to start,
given the furnishings within, but also if the building itself
can withstand a fi re long enough for persons to safely
escape in the event of a fi re.
As the building has such a key role to play in relation
to fi re safety and risk management it is imperative that
a knowledge of the Building Regulations Approved
Documents, British Standards and offi cial guidance is
included within any course of study. Each of these areas
is covered within this chapter and will have a signifi -
cant impact on the preventive and protective control
measures identifi ed within a 'suitable and suffi cient' fi re
risk assessment (see Chapter 14).
following defi nitions:
Building
- any permanent or temporary building but
not any other kind of structure.
Fire resistance
- the ability of a component of
a building to maintain its integrity and stability when
exposed to fi re for a given period of time.
Means of escape
- a structural means whereby
a safe route is provided for persons to escape in case
of fi re, from any point in a building to a place of safety,
clear of the building, without outside assistance.
Flashover
- In relation to the behaviour of fi re in
buildings and other enclosed spaces fl ashover is the
point at which the whole room or enclosure where the
fi re started becomes totally involved in fi re. It is caused
by the radiated feedback of heat. Heat from the growing
fi re is absorbed into the upper walls and contents of the
room, heating up the combustible gases and furnishings
to their autoignition temperature. This build-up of heat in
the room triggers fl ashover.
9.1
Defi nitions
Throughout this section reference is made to some tech-
nical words which have the meanings provided in the
This chapter covers the following areas relating
to the fi re protection of buildings:
➤
Legislative requirements
➤
Construction; preventive and protective
measures
➤
Means of escape
➤
Fire detection and alarm systems
➤
Means of fi ghting and suppressing fi re
➤
Access and facilities for the fi re and rescue
service.
Figure 9.1
Temporary building
