Fire Safety Strategy for Students Academic Building - Article Example

Download file to see previous pages Each floor has a height of approximately 4m with the basement being 4m deep, the total height of the building is 16 meters with an overall dimension area of 3249m2. This firing strategy has been developed to meet the Building Regulations requirements based on the codes and guidance of the Approved Document B (ADB). The ADB classifies this building as a college of higher education under group purpose 5 of assembly and recreation.
2.0 CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

This firing strategy aims at achieving the following client requirements for the Uclan Academic Building:
• The clients wanted a reduction in the cost of fire protection systems as well as the avoidance of the use of sprinklers unless when necessary.
• The client does not want any changes to be made to the surrounding buildings
• The client does not want the buildings’ fire alarms to be linked to those of the neighboring buildings.
2.1 Project Description
The design of the building is an open plan with a spacious atrium with balconies on the upper levels. Some of the facilities present include:
• Science Laboratory
• Workspace for groups
• Dining and Cafés
• Classrooms and lecture theatres
• IT facilities
• Staff facilities and offices
• Medical services
The building has five floors:
• Basement-level 0
• Ground floor –level 1
• First floor- level 2
• Second floor-level 3
• Third Floor-level 4
3.0 KEY ISSUES FROM THE INITIAL STUDY.

The initial study carried out on the building identified the following key issues on a range of probable solutions for the final design of the building under guidance from the Approved Document B (ADB).
• Ventilation systems
• Compartmentation
• Means of escape stairs
• Smoke control systems
• Mean of escape stairs
• The open spatial design which has the possibility of increasing smoke spread in the early stages of fire development

This paper explores the fire safety requirements for the buildings as the recommendations address the need for reducing the impact of fires together with the issues of business continuity and property protection. All these concerns have to be addressed to ensure the client can clearly understand the benefits and risks of providing additional safety measures. The building has to meet the specific standards and requirements of the ADB Volume 2. This compliance will lead to satisfactory safety for the building and its occupants. Failure to comply on the other hand can result in risks to occupants as well as the building. ...Download file to see next pages Read More