Evaluation of Possible Building Construction Methods and Materials - Assignment Example

FV2003 REPORT ASSIGNMENT Name Institution Instructor Date Part 1: Evaluation of possible building construction methods and materials An excellent BREEAM rating is important for proper environmental assessment as well as the delivery of environmental sustainability. Further, this technique is expected to acts as a measurement in relation to the environmental performance of other buildings around the institution. The possible building construction methods are expected to appreciate the involvement of enclosure system strategies as well as the relationship of design and performance. If there is likelihood for a set of specifications and working drawings to have omissions and errors, then there are possibilities that the interpretation of instructions will have errors. Inconsistency and inaccuracy of methodologies and materials coupled with adverse weather conditions could result in a structure that only fulfills its design intent (Smith, 2012, p. 112). Management methodologies in relation to physical phenomena influencing the system of building enclosure could be identified as being superior to barrier techniques. Not only do they offer redundancy of certain important control roles, but also they are inappropriate for construction, since they bring about greater tolerances than the ones needed in a barrier approach. Enclosures in this particular building are expected to have an adequate control over the transfer of heat, migration of moisture, solar radiation and air leakage. Studies have indicated that when the parameters and specifications in controlling enclosure are satisfied, the other requirements for control also satisfied (Lataille, 2003, p. 210). Relationship between methodologies and materials used in the construction of a low carbon emissions building with a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating offer appropriate guidance to designers in eliminating construction flaws. The materials used in the construction of the seven-storey building should adhere to its physical phenomena. This implies that external and internal environmental conditions should contribute towards the establishment of the phenomena that affects the building enclosure performance. In order to enhance durability and ensure the provision of appropriate moderation of the environment, the design of the building enclosure must have threshold of resistance or control over these phenomena. The use of building and construction materials to be adopted by low carbon technology will strategize on ensuring the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (William, 2015, p. 94). These strategies would be achieved through the reduction of the quantity of materials used in construction and selection of materials having low factors of emission such as recycled materials. Others include the selection of materials suppliers who are closer to the construction site as well as diversion of demolition wastes from incinerations and landfills to recycling. Low carbon building products and materials have been subjected to studies and research for the purpose of development. This has brought about the emergence of various innovative building materials using recycled products and by-products. Some of the possible materials for the construction of the planned as seven-storey building for the University of Central Lancashire would consider recent development of low carbon products and materials such as low carbon bricks which assist in the significant reduction of embodied carbon present in conventional bricks. There is also fly ash, which is a fine glass powder consisting iron, silica and iron as primary components. The other material is green concrete, which serves as a perfect substitute for recycled materials and the byproducts from industrial processes. For instance, carbon intensive cement could be replaced by granulated blast-furnace slag and fly ash. Strategies of design for fire safety, taking into consideration environmental and economic constraints on the building Strategic design for fire safety involves the identification and presentation of objectives of fire safety and sustainability. This strategic design includes aspects such as management of smoke, consideration of natural ventilation, material toxicity as well as material flammability versus thermal insulation for low conductivity. It is also important to consider the strategies in mitigating hazardous materials and systems (Hurley, 2016, p. 164). The consideration of environmental and economic constraints on the building involves strategies that are aimed at ensuring the existence of a balance between materials, fire safety and risks. To obtain a clear picture of the environmental sustainability of this building, all materials and products used in construction must be profiled in relation to their individual sustainability. This would involve considering them in terms of manufacturing, raw materials, recycling and transport as well as their performance in fire. Another strategy is the one involving the setting and maintenance of records for the aims of environmental design (Smith, 2012, p. 129). This should be done alongside documentation of details for explanation of the rationale behind the selection of objectives. It is necessary to come up with a qualitative design review strategy to oversee the incorporation of the design recommendations. This strategy should include individuals such as a range of consultants and stakeholders with direct or indirect involvement in the objectives for the selected design. In this case, the objectives towards environmental impact should include the minimization of the effects that fire would have on adjacent facilities or buildings. It is also necessary to consider the lowering of hazardous products and materials into the environment as well as the use of firefighting techniques that do not pollute the environment (William, 2015, p. 94). The strategies in relation to economic constraints for the construction of this building need to incorporate efficient and cost-effective fire protection systems to perform through passive and automatic means. These strategies are effective in the detection and control of fire event during the early stages. Designers must take part in all design aspects for ensuring a reasonable extent of prevention loss of property and of human life through fire (Lataille, 2003, p. 243). Strategic planning for construction of fire protection building involves the knowledge of the possible sources of fire that may attack the building. Further, it is important to consider the approach of integrated systems in analyzing all of the components of the building as an entire package of fire safety system. The analysis should comply with the required codes as well as the minimum legal requirements for safety. In addition, there is need for efficient integration of design strategies with measures of fire safety and other code requirements towards the achievement of a balanced design. In this case, the balanced design should be able to offer all the required levels of safety such as identification of critical systems, recovery and evacuation among others (Spence, 2006, p. 65). Conclusion and recommendations Issues to be considered in the national and international development for sustainability in construction would be expected to address issues of the individuals involved in the design of the building. It is of great significance that the design team involves the services of a fire protection specialist with sufficient knowledge and experience in life safety and fire protection design. The fire protection specialist should take part in all design phases, starting from planning phase to that of occupancy. The criteria and standards of design to be used in the design and construction of a sustainable building should including voluntary requirements as well as statutory requirements. Further, it should address the performance needs of the owner and other requirements that are often imposed on commercial projects through insurance carriers. The minimum requirements for fire suppression should address elements such as the supply of water, the type and mode of operation for fire extinguishing system as well as hose outlets and standpipes at the fire department. Other important considerations include lighting, emergency power and exit Signage. Special requirements for fire protection should address at least fire stopping and fireproofing, engineered systems of smoke control systems, critical facility needs and atrium spaces. Part 2 Case studies On 9 October 2012, at about 1:00 pm, there was an explosion from a flash fire. The fire explosion incident took place at a manufacturing facility called the US Sun Chemical Corporation ink in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The explosion resulted in burn injuries where seven workers were affected. Three of the affected individuals sustained third-degree burns following the incident. The individuals working at the facility were drawn an ink mixing room following the initial flash of the fire emanating from a station used for bag dumping. This was followed by a tremendous thumping sound from the rooftop. As the workers were crowded at the doorway, there was an indication of a small fire emerging from the ductwork of a dust collection system, which had just been installed. The second incidence took place on 21 November 2014, at about 11:40 pm at the five-star Hyatt Regency London. About 14 people sustained burn injuries and were rushed to the hospital. Gas engineers and fire officers ensured the safety of the scene. Following the incident, the first alarm went and the firefighters accompanied by other response units took approximately three minutes to arrive at the scene. Upon arrival, they accessed the plant and proceeded to the pre-mix room where they were unable to see any flames since the sprinklers had been used to extinguish the flames around the enclosed equipment. The response units and firefighters reported that upon examining using their heat sensors, there were detections of several fires within the ductwork. They separated the affected ducts and then used water to extinguish the ducts. The firefighters were able to access the dust collector where they opened the four covers. It was not necessary to extinguish the residual materials from burning since the isolation system and explosion suppression had ensured that the fire did not get to the dust collector following the initial event. Three different events took place at the time of this incident. One of the workers saw a flash that originated from the bag dump location, which caught the attention other employees in the area. At that time, employees heard a tremendous thumping noise that they thought was emanating from overhead. It was accompanied by the shaking of the entire building, which caused workers to get out of the workstations. After approximately three minutes, a flame, which was about one foot, was observed over the building. It is reported that the intensity of the flame was enhanced by the powdery mixture of Gilsonite, clay and accumulated carbon black in the ductwork of collection system. The mixture performed the role of fuel, and there was flashing of fire over the workers who were assembled at the doorway to the pre-mix room. According to the investigations, the fires had three possible points at which it originated. These possible points included the ductwork above the building, the dust collector, within and within T-306. Even though minor cracks were evident on the external part of the building wall; this fire incident did not cause any apparent damage in the structural design of the building. Equipment and other facilities in the pre-mix room were subjected to extensive thermal damages. There were separations in certain parts of the dust collection ducting, and the end caps of some housekeeping connection blew off. Conclusion Building requirements should be strictly adhered to in the course of construction of a sustainable building. A fire safety design for the site design would be expected to integrate performance requirements in association with fire department suppression, separation distances, access as well as building security (Christian, 2003, p. 113). Accessibility into fire department should be incorporated in the design of the building to allow for ease of location by the fire-fighters in case of fire. There should be a rapid provision of accessibility features and facilities such as elevators, horse valves, key boxes, annunciators and fire department connections among others. It is also critical to ensure the accommodation and easy accessibility of fire apparatus within the building site. The systems used in the detection and notification of fire are expected to address elements such as mass notification, detection and survivability of other systems. Part 3: 1. The nomenclature for halon involves a description of halogenated hydrocarbon. The halons are made of halogen atoms, which are attached to the carbon atoms. That of freon refers to one of several CFCs gaseous chlorofluorocarbons that are represented by formula CF x Cl 4−x or C 2 F x Cl 6−x. The impact of halons on the environment involves its reactions to produce ozone. This can cause potential damages to materials and plants in the environment. The long lifetimes of halons in the atmosphere causes them to get to the stratosphere which can lead to potential destruction of the ozone layer, thus subjecting the inhabitants of the earth to sun's harmful UV rays. The reason for halon replacement in fire protection engineering industry is closely associated with the Montreal Protocol determination that halon was responsible for depletion of the ozone layer. The exceptional cases when halon can be used involve instances where no existence of alternative extinguishing agent. Halon replacement at the international level was a right decision considering that it was in agreement with the environmental conservation policy. 2. Calculation of thermal radiation emission from the compartment Thermal radiation emission, QR = ε· σ ε = 0.85 σ = 5.67×10-8 W/m2K4 Thermal radiation emission, QR = (0.85) x (5.67×10-8) = 4.82×10-8KJ The thermal radiation emission is higher than that of maximum radiant heat flux for indefinite skin exposure. 3. The Kelvin temperature scale is used in the International System of Units (SI), to measure the temperature while The Fahrenheit/Rankine scale is useful in thermodynamic calculations. In Fahrenheit/Rankine scale (°R) zero is considered absolute zero. However, unlike the Celsius/Kelvin scale, the Fahrenheit/Rankine scale degree is considered as representing one degree Fahrenheit, as opposed to one degree Celsius, which is the case with the Kelvin scale. A temperature of −459.67 °F is represented as to 0 °R. 4. Calculate the lower flammable limit concentration for the mixture and the concentration of each component: Using Le Chatelier’s relationship: LFLmix = 1/{(.25x16)+(.45x28)+(.3x2)} = 0.058 Concentration of components: Methane =.25x16/(100)=0.04 Carbon monoxide = .45x28/(100)=0.126 Hydrogen =.3x2/(100)=0.006 5. Calculating the flame height under the normal atmospheric conditions: H/1.1=42 x {(500)/[1.29x(9.81x1.1).5].061 H/1.1=900.61 H=900.61x1.1=990.67m 6. The effect of temperature on the rate of chemical reaction: With the activation energy being at 120 kJ/mole the highest rate of reaction is at 500 K while the lowest is at -300 K and that of 400 K comes between the highest and the lowest. Increasing the temperature increases the rate of chemical reaction due to a large increase in the amount of collision energy. 7. Calculation the wavelength for infrared thermal radiation with frequency 1014 Hz: Wavelength = Wave speed/Frequency λ = C/F λ = (299.792 m/s)/ 1014 Hz λ = 2.998 x 10-12m The wavelength is much lower than that of Smooth Radio 100.4 FM and visible radiation for to the human eye 8. Calculation of time is needed for the person to achieve the fire exit assuming that AD is 5 m, BC is 10 m and α = 30: Time = Distance / Speed Time = [(5/Cos30)/1.2] + [10/0.316] =58.7sec 9. The minimum time needed to reach the fire exit Min time=Min distance/Speed Min time=[(15/Cos30)/(0.5 + 1.25] Min time= 55.57 Sec The right direction for his evacuation is towards the right to enhance his speed towards the fireexit point 10. If air movement changes its direction on opposite (U = - 0.5 m/s), then the minimum time needed to reach the fire exit Min time=Min distance/Speed Min time=[(15/Cos30)/(-0.5 + 1.25] Min time= 129.67 Sec References Christian, S. D. (2003). A guide to fire safety engineering. [London], BSI. Hurley, M. J. (2016). SFPE handbook of fire protection engineering. Lataille, J. I. (2003). Fire protection engineering in building design. Amsterdam, Butterworth-Heinemann. Smith, M. (2012). Building construction: methods and materials for the fire service. Boston, Pearson. Spence, W. P. (2006). Construction methods, materials, and techniques. Clifton Park, NY, Thomson Delmar Learning. William P. (2015). Construction Materials, Methods and Techniques. Cengage Learning. Read More