Means of Escape from Fire - Assignment Example

Assignment Course Name and Code Institution Name Faculty Name Insert Your Name Insert Your Number Instructor’s Name 9th August 2009 1. Purpose and main elements of a ‘fire safety strategy’ that is based on prescriptive rules The prescriptive rules are the legislations that are passed by governments to ensure that the construction or building guarantees safety e.g. the Approved Document B. The elements with the fire safety strategy includes means of early detection of firm, warning alarms, escape routes, means to monitor and evacuate people, putting off the fire. Following such provisions in the prescriptive rules will ensure that safety is championed (Belington & Ferguson 2002; Communities and Local Government, 2006). 2. Meaning of Available Safe Egress time (ASET) and Required Safe Egress Time (RSET) Available Safe Egress time is the time that is required for individuals within a building compartment or egress pathways and move to areas of safety. On the other hand, required safe egress time is the time that is required for occupants or individuals to move from their position at the beginning of the fire to areas of safety (Diamantes 2004). 3. Requirements of fire fighting lift and lobby According to Approved Document B, buildings that are 18 meters above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level and the basement that is more than 20 meters below the fire and rescue service vehicle access should have a fire fighting lift that is incorporated into the fire fighting shafts. Moreover, there should be enough space in the lobby that will enable the movement of the fire fighters and their equipments (Communities and Local Government, 2006). 4. Analysis of Approved Document B1 Numerous benefits are associated with Approved Document B1 that include decrease in harm caused to occupants because they can egress easily and efficiently, the fire can be extinguished easily because of the warnings and fire fighters can be informed at the most appropriate time. However, the requirements of implementation of these conditions are demanding an aspect that cannot be embraced by many buildings and engineers. Additionally, there are buildings that were constructed before these policies, regulations were passed, and embracing these requirements could be costly (Communities and Local Government, 2006). 5. Analysis of Holroyd Committee Report 1970 The report required that all rules that pertained to buildings should be consolidated into two major branches. The first branch was the one that was applied to new and altered buildings e.g. new flats, shops and factories. Thus, these rules ensure that the developers have certificate of fire safety before construction determining the appropriate strategies to prevent fire and aid in rescue missions. The second branch ensured that the buildings that were occupied should embrace new fire and rescue strategies that will ensure fire safety (Diamantes 2004). 6. Escape Problems faced by Students Ambulatory Difficulties while using lifts Students with ambulatory difficulties are those who cannot walk or stand for a long time. Some of the problems faced by this group is difficult to escape through the staircase or nearest egress. Introduction of evacuation lifts will reduce escape problems for this group of people. This is because the evacuation lift has enough space for wheelchairs and can be controlled manually and hence the safety of the people within the lifts is guaranteed (Health, Safety & Environment 2009). 7. Calculation of a corridor, which is 30m long, and the density to be moved is 0.60 persons/ m2. Formula for speed = k-akd Where k= 1.40, a=0.266 d=0.60 persons/ m2 V= 1.40 – {(0.266) (1.40) (0.60)} V=1.40 – 0.22 V= 1.17656m/s Time =Distance/ Speed =30/1.17656 = 25.50 Second 8. When the density is 0.40 persons/ m2 V=1.40 – {(0.266) (1.40) (0.40)} V= 1.40 – 0.14896 V= 1.25104 Time = Distance/ Time = 30/ 1.25104 =23.98 Seconds 9. Comparison of answers in question 7 and 8 When the density increases, the number of people within a given compartment increases. Since, the egress is designed to support specific number of people; the increase in number of people reduces mobility. Thus, increase in density will decrease the number of people who will be evacuated while decrease in density will increase the number of people who will be evacuated (Diamantes 2004). 10. Stages of Fire Development Fires that are in compartment are usually discussed in terms of temperature development resulting in a number of stages. These stages are five, which include ignition, growth, flashover, fully developed fire and decay. Ignition – this is the time that there is exothermic reaction due to increase of temperature and in can be caused by either spontaneous ignition or piloted ignition. The resulting combustion will be either smouldering combustion or flaming combustion. Growth – after ignition the fire can either grow fast or slow but the rate is dependent on the type of fuel, type of combustion, access to oxygen and surrounding interactions. A smouldering fire releases low energy while produces hazardous amount of toxic gases while flaming combustion results in rapid flame that spreads over its surfaces e.g. fuel packages; those fires that access sufficient oxygen are said to be fuel controlled. Flashover – this is the transition period between growth and developed stage. This stage may be viewed in terms of temperature; the temperature should be between 500 and 600 degrees centigrade or the flames appear from the enclosing of the compartment. Such occurrences may be attributed to fuel position, conditions in the upper layer, fuel orientation, fuel properties and enclosure geometry. Fully Developed Fire – this is the time that the fire is at its greatest and may be attributed to factors such as limited availability of oxygen. This stage may also be called as ventilation controlled burning since the oxygen that is required for the burning process comes from the compartments openings. At this stage, the temperatures usually range 700 to 1200 degrees Celsius (Gipson 2003). Decay – this is the last stage in which the fuel is consumed and the rate of energy released diminishes translating in decrease of temperature within the compartment. Moreover, this stage may result in temperatures going from ventilation controlled to fuel controlled. 11. Consideration of fire hazard progression It is paramount to consider the progression of fire hazard during the time of evacuation to decrease extent of damage. Understanding fire progression will reduce fire fighters fatalities especially because of traumatic causes. Thus, understanding the development of fires with provide means into which strategies will be developed to ensure that the fire and rescue missions are successful (Gipson 2003). Moreover, the fire fighters will ensure that the people within the building at the time of incident are effectively evacuated to safety. Therefore, it provides means to recognise fire behaviours understand the development of fire and implement the appropriate control measures to ensure that the entire process is effective. 12. Important stage for evacuation during fire development The paramount stage that evacuation should take place is ignition stage or jus before growth. At this stage, the temperature is still low and small amounts of toxins may have been released. Moreover, amounts of smoke are small and chances of asphyxiation are low. This stage also provides means in which all the people within the building can be evacuated easily e.g. those with ambulatory difficulties. 13. Characteristics of occupants during fire incidents Individuals have different reactions towards incidents. Moreover, this person may have different views at different times e.g. one week behaves this way and the next week differently. Some factors that influence behaviour are: Age – In most cases, age can be grouped into young, adults and the elderly. Statistics and studies have shown that the very young and the elderly are vulnerable to the effects of incidents. In addition, these groups view and understand incidents differently. Avoidance - an individual may feel that they are protecting themselves and thus denying unpleasant situations psychologically. This situation of denial is common during the earlier stages of fire. Such denial state makes many people to loose reason e.g. by viewing the alarm as ‘false alarm’ and thus reducing their reaction time. Commitment – Most people may have being working on a project or leisure activities. However, when fire alarm is raised these people will continue working despite the danger that they are in. These individuals will first finish their duties and later evacuate even though the alarm had been sounded. On the other hand, some individuals will start entering the room assuming that nothing is wrong and at that time, there is the warning signal. Affiliation – many individuals usually work in groups and they exhibit social characteristics. At the time of incidents, many individuals tend to move together their speed being determined by their slowest member. This illustrates the reason why parents are forced to move with their children or return into the building to rescue their children. Panic – when a warning alarm goes, many individuals will start panicking and running from one point to another. Others will be screaming and making other people to feel psychologically disturbed (Great Britain 2006). 14. Factors that influence movement time (travel) Some factors that influence travel time are (Great Britain 2006): Size – fat people and lack physical conditioning will take a longer time to travel compared with their counterparts who have physical conditioning Physical Conditions - the physical conditions of a person will determine the amount of time to travel. For example, people who use wheelchair will take a longer time because of flexibility to cover the same distance with a person running on their feet. Gender – gender in this case refers to the speed of female and male to respond and evacuate from a fire incident. Male usually tend to look for the area where the fire is and they try to put out the fire. Female will look for the nearest egress and raise the alarm when they are in safety. Role – the status or role of an individual will determine the way that they will react in incident situation. For example, someone who is new or unfamiliar with a building will take a longer time to travel. At time, people who know the area better or those who have specific responsibility e.g. security personnel and supervisor (Leeds Fire and Rescue Department 2009). Age – the elderly and the very young will take a longer time to travel to safety compared to adults. 15. Fundamental Principle of Escape Design The basic fundamental principles of escape route design are that there should be an alternative means of escape from any situation that may occur and if there is no direct route towards safety, there should be to reach relatively safe position that can be reached within reasonable distance. 16. The 450 rule when designing means of escape Sometimes, the escape routes might be there but are vulnerable to simultaneous disabling. Thus, utilising the 450 rule provide a means to reduce such risks. Thus, the escape routes should be in directions of more than 450. If the direction is less than 450, then there should be a partition of fire resisting construction (Communities and Local Government, 2006). 17. Meaning of prescriptive solution and fire engineered solution Prescriptive solution is the use of provisions within prescriptive rules to ensure that the building fire safety is ensured. This may utilise such documents as Approved Document B during construction and provision of fire safety measures. On the other hand, fire engineered solution is the use of engineers capability (if prescriptive solution is not practical) to ensure that safety is guaranteed e.g. if the building is innovative and cannot allow the application of Approved Document B requirements (Communities and Local Government, 2006). 18. Difference between travel distance and direct distance Travel distance is the distance from any point of a building to a place of safety and can be in terms of ultimate safety or relative safety. Direct distance is the shortest distance that can be taken to safety and usually can be measured as two thirds of the travel distance. The functional fire safety requirements are: Means of warning and escape Internal fire spread (linings) Internal fire spread (structure) External fire spread Access and facilities for the fire and rescue services (Communities and Local Government, 2006) 19. The difference between quantitative and qualitative risk assessment methods Quantitative risk assessment is the use of numbers to calculate the changes of risks occurring and the potential loss that the risk can cause. On the other hand, qualitative risk assessment uses comparison and analysis of risks to enable the formulation and implementation of appropriate strategies to guarantee safety. 20. Advantages and disadvantages of risk based fire safety legislation The advantages of such legislations are: Identification of potential risks are averted at the building construction or introduction to the building Develops a safety culture and developers may be hold accountable for their actions Provides a means of determining those events that require closer review Its implementation is compulsory otherwise thus all institutions embrace the culture of safety Disadvantages of such measures Such directives and legislations may not be applicable to certain buildings or times Sometimes are expensive to introduce to complete construction that there is occupied It can be faced by a number of criticism and court proceedings due to extent of its applicability and enforcement 21. Merits and demerits of the UK current law of fire safety in buildings Merits of such fire safety law in UK buildings are (Communities and Local Government, 2006): The local authorities and government can determine the safety of buildings Responsibility and duty is left for developers and building orders to guarantee safety The laws ensure that fire spread is prevented and adverseness is controlled Penalties, fine and disciplinary actions can be taken to people who do not embrace fire safety The demerits are There are many laws and regulations that may contradict each other Certain laws may not be applicable to certain situations and penalties may be adverse Leaving implementation to the fire safety laws to developers and building owners may prevent enforcement of such legislatives 22. Difference between ‘fire resistance’ tests and ‘reaction to fire’ tests Fire resistance tests are carried out to determine the ability of a building component e.g. the door to resist to effect of fires while reaction to fire tests are used to analyse and evaluate the contribution of certain building material to the growth of the fire (Patterson 1993). References Belington, M. & Ferguson, A., 2002, Means of Escape from Fire, New York: Blackwell Publishers. Communities and Local Government, 2006, The Building Regulations 2000: Fire Safety – Approved Document B, London. Diamantes, D., 2004, Principles of Fire Prevention, London: Cengage Learning. Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006, Fire Safety Risk Assessment, London. Gipson, L., 2003, Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Strategies, New York: Prentice Hall Publishers. Great Britain, 2006, Fire Safety, London: The Stationery Office. Health, Safety & Environment, Introduction, Accessed at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/hse/fire/index.html [Accessed on 8 August 2009] Leeds Fire and Rescue Department, Fire Safety Strategy and Operational procedures, Accessed at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/fire_safety_strategy.pdf [Accessed on 8 August 2009] Patterson, J., 1993, Simplified Design for Building Fire Safety, New York: Wiley-IEEE. Read More