Layout and Configurations of the Building - Case Study Example

1. Description of the place The places are used by the human society through their modifications as in the shape of buildings, roads and other networks as to facilitate the working of the individuals and the society. The structure under consideration is a building with a set of rooms with windows and doors. All these structures have been put in place for the utilization of the building as on optimum basis. The rooms are both of smaller sizes as well as of the larger constructed areas depending on the availability of the space as well as the utilization needs of the building. The main entrance leads into the reception office and into the box office reception. The reception area has its access into the emergency exit incase of any emergency including the fire incidents. The adjacent rooms are used for bookshops, each on the right side and left side of the emergency exit, student shop on the right side of the main hall, which provides spacious accommodation to the students. The other visitors also have an access to the student shop for their day-to-day needs. The student advice/council centre is in the rare area of the box reception area of the building. All these compartments of the buildings are having their connections with the corridors and all these corridors are having their approach towards the outside of the building. The building has been segregated into number of sub-compartments as to utilize the building for educational and business purposes. The building has a number of the windows and the doors, which are the entry point for the individuals as well as for the exchange of gases from and into the building. The layout of the building is based on the concept that the visitors will directly report to the reception area and their further movements will be channelized as per their respective needs as are associated with the appropriate usage of the building. The building has a central main gate on the western side of the building which leads into the reception area which is supplemented with an open hall for the provision of sufficient space to the visitors during the normal business hours as well as during the emergency situations like that of the fire incidents. The doors as used in the building are of various sizes ranging from a single door to a full-fledged door depending on the size of the room as well as mobility of the visitors. The rooms are accomplished with windows especially towards the outer side of the building; these windows are meant for the exchange of gases and free mobility of light into the building during the day timings. The building has a set of stairs especially in the northern and eastern side of the building. These stairs are used for movement of the individuals between different floors of the building. The presence of single emergency exit near the bookshop provides extra passage to the victims of the emergencies during the emergency periods. The building has provided multiple outlets to the visitors in the shape of corridors and doors for their movement in different parts of the building. However, these passages have not been inform to the visitors as part of the information network system as used for the familiarization of the building to the users. The building has a disadvantage in the shape of only single emergency exit in the close proximity of the bookshop, which illustrates that the emergency plan for tackling the probable emergencies will lead troubles for the administrators. The same needs correction by the top executives and administrators of the building. The use of doors, windows, emergency exit and the main gate will facilitates the inmates to cope with the emergencies, adequately. The floor plan of the building is given below for illustrating the layout and configurations of the building as in its original format: The permanent staff, including security staff needs to use their specific skills for communication of the business plan to the visitors for safe usage of the building especially during the emergency hours. 2. Hazard list: The building has a number of potential hazards, which has the capacity to put fire in the building, and their effective handling will provide chances for the safety and security of the building as per approved building standard and healthcare measures. These hazards range from simple oxygen as a supplement of the fire process to the complex materials as are used in the construction, refining and finishing of the building. The hazards are having the potential to affect the human life and property due to their lethal impacts and therefore the experts’ accord priority for taking remedial measures. These measures are included in the emergency plans as are designed for effective control of the emergencies like potential fire incidents in the buildings. Implementation of the plans are the remedial measures as are formulated by the executives, administrators and the policy makers to deal with the emergencies in the probable threatening situations and to protect the life and property of the inmates and all other stakeholders. The risk ranking has been graded as 1= low, 2= medium and 3= high depending on the degree of severity as is associated with the hazard. The organizations are always working for achievement of the low risks to lower their insurance cost and to gain the confidence of the customers and all other stakeholders. These hazards components could be recorded in the shape of the following table: Hazard Who might be harmed and how Risk ranking Control measures Further action 1. Main entrance and emergency exit are on the same plan The inmates are having the chances of being affected at the exit points as during the fire incidents people will rush towards these exit points and will therefore be harmed during the probable fire incidents. The risk ranking is of medium(2) type The hazard could be controlled with the transfer of safety measures to all the inmates of the building and though the use of posters as to educate the visitors about the probable fire incidents in the building The two points could be converted into different plans for the safety and security of the inmates especially during the fire incidents in the building 2. The existence of stairs in the Northern part of the building The permanent staff in the building might be harmed during the probable fire incidents in the building as these stairs are in U shape and will provide an obstruction during the emergency period like that of the fire incidents in the building The risk ranking is of medium type(2) as a limited number of people will utilize these stairs during the fire incidents The hazard could be controlled with the introduction of proper information mechanism for effective utilization of the building especially during the fire incidents The stairs could be utilized as through the dissemination of the relevant information among all the stakeholders especially the permanent staff of the building 3. The existence of bridge between the advice centre and the WIC The visitors could rush towards these three doors for their exit High ranking (3) The hazard could be controlled with the utilization of information about the layout of the building The location of the middle door needs its shifting from the same plan towards the southern part of the building 4. The existence of large number of doors in the building The inmates will be harmed as the potential target of the fire incidents in the building as the composite materials of the door will provide flammable substances to the burning process in the building The risk ranking is of the low(1) type as these doors will be opened during the fire incidents and will provide multiple exits to the inmates All the doors may be equipped with necessary instructions for their safe usages both during routine hours and during the fire incidents in the building Capacity building of the inmates will help them to utilize the building as on healthy lines. 5. The presence of sufficient oxygen in the building The oxygen will provide sufficient input as in the shape of necessary gas for the combustion process and the inmates will be affected during the fire incidents The risk ranking is of the low type(1) The hazard could be controlled with avoidance of the other components of the fire process as fuel and a source of ignition for the initiation of the fire incidents in the building The doors of the building could be used with utmost care and their opening may be regulated as on purposeful basis. 6. The existence of extra corridors in the northern area of the building The visitors are the potential targets of the hazards Low (1) The potential risk could be avoided with the proper utilization of the building The closure of inward doors will minimize the hazards as are associated with this component of the building 7. The presence of Hazardous substances like petroleum products as fuel in the vehicles All the inmates are exposed to the hazards relating to the petroleum products Medium(2) All the vehicles may be kept outside the building A car parking may be established outside the main building to save the life and property during the emergencies like fire incidents 8. The procession of inflammable substances by the permanent staff All the inmates especially the permanent staff is prone to the hazards substances Low(1) The staff may be educated to use the inflammable substances in safe mode Spread of relevant education among all the stakeholders 9. The inflow of material including chemicals All the visitors are the prime target Medium(2) The building safety code and the inflow of chemicals may be regulated in the building The use of chemicals may be restricted in the open areas 10. The dangerous openings used to extend wires and ducts to other rooms of the building The workers, staff and visitor. As in case of fire, the openings may allow smoke to spread to other parts of the building. Medium(2) In the workplace, there were portable fire extinguisher and sound fire alarms present for the safety of the building and the inmates. These openings should be closed and allows the wires and ducts to other room with ensuring no smoke could pass to other rooms of the building. 3. Risk ranking: The risk ranking in the building especially relating to the fire incidents ranges in the medium to low band depending on the formula of likelihood and impact of the risk. The chances of emergency incidents like those that the fire incidents are calculated based on the probability theory and there potential threats are calculated based on their likelihood as in direct proportion to their impacts. The risks are the chief basis to design safeguard measures for the building as well as for the inmates. The structure of the building along with its location and utilization patterns by the trained workforce will help in lowering the risks and on the other hand, risk prone buildings with little precautionary measure will enhance risk ranking in the buildings (2). The observance of the guidelines will help in the achievement of the targets as per designed objectives of the plan by all the stakeholders. A matrix is used for the risk assessment, which is a two-dimensional array. Each array is made of rows and columns. In the process, the risk matrix visualizes these two dimensions to display the ranking of the risk attached. It is composed of the consequences of a risk when the risks are occurring and the likelihood of the risk to occur. The number of rows and columns in a risk matrix can be varied depending on how much refined the risk assessment shall be completed. Very common risk matrices are 5x5 or 9x9. The risk matrix is constructed with the division of the likelihood and consequences into steps. For example, a 5x5 matrix is as under: Very unlikely Unlikely Occasional Likely Very likely The existence of bridge between the advice centre and the WIC (hazard # 3 as in part 2 above). 2. The existence of extra corridors in the northern area of the building (hazard # 6 as in part 2 above). 3.The inflow of material including chemicals (hazard #7 as in part 2 above). The existence of stairs in the Northern part of the building (hazard # 2 as in part 2 above). 2. The presence of Hazardous substances like petroleum products as fuel in the vehicles (hazard #7 as in part 2 above). 3.The procession of inflammable substances by the permanent staff (hazard #8 as in part 2 above). The dangerous openings used to extend wires and ducts to other rooms of the building (hazard #10 as in part 2 above). Main entrance and emergency exit are on the same plan(hazard #1 as in part 2 above). 2. The existence of large number of doors in the building (hazard #4 as in part 2 above). The presence of sufficient oxygen in the building(hazard #5 as in part 2 above). Similarly the consequences could be arranged as under: Negligible minor moderate major extreme A Risk Matrix in Risk Register for the fire incident is as: In Risk Register the selection of the type of the risk matrix is very significant as 9x9 risk matrix or 5x5 risk matrix. A 5x5 risk matrix for the probable fire incident is as under: 4. PRELIMINARY HAZARD ANALYSIS (PHA) Comments criticality rank frequency Contingencies safeguards warning devices consequences possible accident Trigger(s) location of hazard source of hazard reference number Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Medium medium Sound fire alarm Known Known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Rapid mobility At workplace Main entrance and emergency exit are on the same plan 1 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Medium Medium Fire alarms and extinguishers Un-known Un-known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Rapid mobility At workplace The existence of stairs in the Northern part of the building 2 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff High High Portable fire extinguisher and sound fire alarm Known Known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Obstacle in the free mobility At workplace The existence of bridge between the advice centre and the WIC 3 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Low Low Fire alarms and extinguishers Un-known Un-known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Obstacle in the free mobility At workplace The existence of large number of doors in the building 4 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Low Low Portable fire extinguisher and sound fire alarm Known Known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Obstacle in the free mobility At workplace The presence of sufficient oxygen in the building 5 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Low Low Fire alarms and extinguishers Un-known Un-known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Obstacle in the free mobility At workplace The existence of extra corridors in the northern area of the building 6 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Medium medium Portable fire extinguisher and sound fire alarm Un-known Un-known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Obstacle in the free mobility At workplace The presence of Hazardous substances like petroleum products as fuel in the vehicles 7 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff Low Low fire alarms and extinguishers Known Known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion The chances of fire and related incidents At workplace The procession of inflammable substances by the permanent staff 8 Capacity building of the visitors and the security staff medium medium fire alarms and extinguishers Un-known Un-known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion The chances of fire and related incidents At workplace The inflow of material including chemicals 9 The holes should be closed Low Low Portable fire extinguisher and sound fire alarm Known Known Restrict people from escaping Fire and explosion Allowed smoke and flame to passed to other room At workplace The holes on the wall 10 5. Trees: 1. Event tree Even tree analysis provides a framework for the review of probable incidents like fire incidents in the closed structures like major business centers, offices and residential blocks for taking necessary steps for the safety and security of the buildings as well as inmates. The building under consideration has provided an opportunity through its layout plan as in the associative format for all the factors to combine for a comprehensive emergency plan (3). The successful implementation of the plan will result in the achievement of the desired objectives with the utilization of optimum resources for its completion within minimum possible reaction time. The event tree is based on the two assumptions as (a) the final reward determines the nature of the outputs as in shown in the form of questions A and B. Similarly, the assumption (b) is based on the assumption that the two target objectives determine the nature of the reward as given in the following two diagrams, respectively. For example 2. Fault tree Fault tree analysis provides an arrangement for the completion and implementation of the business plan during the state of emergency like probable fire incidents (4). The likelihood of the fire incidents is directly proportional to the impacts depending on the timing of the incidents. Fault trees provide a method of breaking the failures of the systems into the contributing factors for the achievement of the final objectives. The logical arrangement of these contributing factors could be examined along with their contribution for the common cause. These steps provide criticality of each individual factor into the final total. The reward in the fault tree analysis could be established on the basis of the questions as are designed for the calculation of the reward as per their cumulative answers as calculated with the help of the following table depending on the nature of the questions and the answers as received in response to the questions in their individual as well as collective position. Each positive question carries 1 number and each negative question as 0 number as illustrated in the given below hypothetical table: Question (a) answer Question (b) answer Reward 1 0 0 0(No) 2 1 1 1(Yes) 3 0 1 0(No) 4 1 0 0(No) 5 1 1 1(yes) The correct answers in both the variables provide a correct reward and in any of the given situation a negative answer will automatically leads to the final negative reward .The rewards finally lead to the constructive output of the overall strategy of the emergency plan for tackling the situations like fire management .The individual components work for the creation of an overall scenario in the whole system with all other details. Terminal events provide data for the development of the top events as through the fault tree analysis .The fault is name or a symbol for the final event in the overall system for the achievement of the desired objectives of the system as through the fault analysis. The plan has provided horizontal arrangements with different tears of hierarchical arrangement with varied responsibilities during the execution of the proposed emergency plan to deal with the fire incidents (5). The same could be explained with the help of the following diagram 3. Success tree Success tree analysis provides a mechanism with forward and backward linkages for the execution of the emergency plan. The successful implementation of the plan chiefly depends on the participation of all the major stakeholders including the safety and security staff for fire management, emergency officer, municipal officer and chief police officer with the coordination of the information department. The other departments of the execution team like health and sanitation are critical for the success of the success trees analytical model during the fire incidents. A success tree analysis is the logical conjugate of a fault tree analysis which starts with a top-event in the overall system. The arrangement is a good thing for the overall system and moves to consider the factors that lead to that positive result within the given framework. The success tree is designed from the fault tree as a method and procedure to check the logic of both the systems. There are total three steps in this mechanism as: 1) Redraw the tree for the analysis and omit the gates and the words 2) Substitute the symbols AND gates to that of OR gates and 3) Write the word logical ‘NOT’ in the opposite of each box through avoiding double negatives in the system. Success tree and fault tree analysis could be explained in comparison as under: 6. Tree analyze (math analysis about the tress) The tree analysis has been completed with the use of gate names, icon, truth table, set notations and mathematical formulae. The gate names as used in the analysis include AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates. The icons as applied in the mathematical calculations are A, B and C with different variables. The truth table as applied for the completion of the calculations includes false-false or false-true arrangement or true-true arrangement. The set notations include addition, subtraction, or equal to of the participants like C, A and B. Finally, the mathematical formulae as applied in the analysis include the formulae. For example, C= AB, C=A+B-AB, C=1-A, C= 1-AB, C=1-A-B+AB or C= (A+B-AB) (1-AB) where A, B and C are the major targets for the achievement as through the implantation of the emergency plans for the fire incident management in the major buildings. The mathematical calculations as applied in the tree analysis has resulted in the mathematical shape like C=AB where C is the desired results A and B are the variables which have been applied for the completion of the task as on successful basis. The variables are put into the formulae for the determination of the unknown variable. Use of specific numbers help in the achievement of the desired objectives as is linked with the application of the specific formula for each specific category of the analysis (6). 7. Reliability study The reliability of the study has been confirmed from the available data for the buildings of the similar sizes and structures. The study has established its reliability based on the associated results as are linked with the study in the shape of tangible results. These results are primarily base on the two presumptions as probability of the one variable to happen as with the fulfillment of all the essential requirements. These requirements include availability of the fuel to be used in the fire, oxygen as the gas for the start and execution of the fire incident and the ignition material for the fire to start in the place that is in the building. The other assumption as is used in the study includes that execution of the study will help in the reduction of losses as are associated with the probable fire incidents in the buildings including an incident in the building under consideration. The list of the hazards, their probable targets and a set of precautionary measures are in line with the relevant building laws and safety codes as to deal with the emergencies like the fire incidents. The methods as proposed will provide a strategy to deal with the probable situation as on effective lines and the proposed model is in a position that could be replicated in any other part of the world for the achievement of the similar results. The Reliability study provides framework for the researchers and the scholars for the analysis of the model as in accordance with their utility during the emergencies. These models have the ability to deliver their objectives as these have been designed on the assumptions of probability and as on mathematical basis. The only prerequisite for these models is their implementation as per the guidelines of the emergencies plans for a specific time period of the incident as like that of the fire incidents in the buildings of the public utility(7). 8. Business continuity plan The business continuity plan as proposed for the building covers the health and safety of all the inmates with a target to secure safety and security with possible minimum losses. The business continuity plan ensures the implementation of health and safety laws during the fire incidents. The application of health and safety laws has its utility for all the occupants of the business centre that is the building under consideration. The use of precautionary measures, fire alarms, fire extinguishers and all other equipment are centrally focused to the major objectives of the business plans. The plan has its wide circulation among all the stakeholders including the security staff, regular staff and the visitors of the building (8). The layout of the building has played its major role in the formulation of the business activity plan and the use of outdoors as exit points during emergency or associative factors for the success of the plan. The plan has its objectives, execution plan, review and analysis and finally, the option of modifications. It is expected that successful implementation of the plan would result in the achievement of the desired objectives. A critical point for the success of the business continuity plan mainly rely on the capacity building of the security staff and all other staff relating to the fire incidents. The coordination mechanism is the backbone of the business plan and the chief coordination officer will serve as a focal person for the execution of the business activity plan as on successful pattern. The business plan will provide an arrangement for the display of posters relating to the emergency plan and its familiarization to the regular visitors of the building. These posters will be a part of the information section of the overall business activity plan. All these components will work in a coordinated mechanism for the achievement of the central objective of the business activity plan that is to ensure security and safety of both the building, and the inmates with minimum losses as through the fire incidents. The plan has the potential to provide necessary guidelines to all the major stakeholders to improve their respective capacities for successful implementation of the plan. The results of the plans are the necessary feedback for the review and amendments of the business plans for the achievement desired results in future. Any deviation will also be taken as an opportunity to modify the overall business plan for the improved future utility of the plan and with better work environment with determination and on realistic terms. The business activity plan is the central instrument for the success of the overall plan of the study with all its components. 9. Insurance The building has been ensured as per standard terms and conditions. The premium is being paid on regular basis as per payment schedule. The insurance parameters will provide an opportunity to the owner's of the building to realize their claims as in case of any emergency like that of the fire incidents. The step has an advantage for all the participants as on win-win basis. The individuals as well as the organizations have guarantee of their businesses and the owner of the building had already executed other valuable items as through their participation in the insurance plan as with the insurance firm. The insurance of the emergency plan as to deal with the fire incidents in the buildings is a multidimensional discipline with a variety of results. However, all these results have been centrally directed towards the major theme of the study that is to secure the life and property during the fire incidents in the buildings. These results provide a baseline data for the insurance company to participate in the insurance process with all its details. Insurance plan inculcate confidence in all the participating members to take part in their businesses as with determination and with proactive approach in the whole business process. 10. CBA (cost benefit analysis): The cost benefit analysis has been explained with the assistance of the above given graphic representation where two variables have been indicated each on x-axis and y-axis. The variable as at the x-axis depends on the utilization of the variable at the y-axis. Three slopes have been shown as on the basis: (a) Do nothing approach which has higher cost in terms of its negative results. The approach will lead to the destruction of both the building as well as injuries to the inmates of higher degree both in terms of material losses and the losses of human life as are present in the building. (b) The application of fault tree analysis has provided an opportunity to assess the potentials of all the different variables as on cost benefit ratio with different approaches. These analyses are of intermediate benefit in terms of cost of the execution of the plan and the overall value as attached with the business model. The approach will help in the development of a critical review of all the available opportunities for the achievement of the objectives of the business plan. The associative component of the fault tree analyses has an edge over all other available options as the concept provides am alternative approach for the execution of the business plan within the shortest possible reaction time. The model has a number of advantages as easy to understand with all its details, easy to bifurcate into components and subcomponents and with plausible implementation arrangements. C) The application of fire safety plan with the associative business model: The application of the fire safety plan with associative business model has an edge over all other available options that is do nothing approach and associative business model as the plan has a draft fire safety plan for its execution during the fire incidents. The success of the business model depends on the observance of all the recommendations with the utilization of resources as per demand of the plan and as in accordance with the business plan. The model has an edge over all other available options as the model provides a workable plan for the achievement of the objectives of the plan. 11. Utility: The business activity plan has its utility for the building under consideration and all other businesses with the observance of building laws and safety regulations for the safety and security of all the major stakeholders as are associated with the building. The business plans are planned with the utilization of available data on the subject of the fire incidents in the buildings. These plans are implemented with the utilization of all the inputs on optimum basis for the achievement of the maximum benefits as are linked with the implementation of the plan on successful basis. The utility of the plan is checked as based on the results of the plan as in terms of losses both of the human and that of the property through the execution of the emergency plan for the control of the fire incidents in the buildings. The success of the business is linked with the minimum losses both of the property and that of the human life during the fire incidents in the buildings. References: 1. Oakes, William C.; Leone, Les L.; Gunn, Craig J. (2001), Engineering Your Future, Great Lakes Press, ISBN 1-881018-57-1  2. Mitchell, James Kenneth (1993), Fundamentals of Soil Behavior (2nd ed.), John Wiley and Sons, pp 1–2 3. Shroff, Arvind V.; Shah, Dhananjay L. (2003), Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Taylor & Francis, 2003, pp 1–2 4. Wisner, Ben; P. Blaikie, T. Cannon, and I. Davis (2004). At Risk - Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters. Wiltshire: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-25216-4.    5. Alexander, David (2002). Principles of Emergency planning and Management. Harpenden: Terra Publishing. ISBN 1-903544-10-6.  6. Jaffin, Bob (September 17, 2008). "Emergency Management Training: How to Find the Right Program". Emergency Management Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-11-15. 7. Buchanan, Sally. "Emergency preparedness." from Paul Banks and Roberta Pilette. Preservation Issues and Planning. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000. 159-165. ISBN 978-0-8389-0776-4 8. Griggs, Francis E Jr. "Amos Eaton was Right!". Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, Vol. 123, No. 1, January 1997, pp. 30–34. Read More