The BREEAM Ratings - Report Example

Engineering Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: Date of Submission: PART 1 The BREEAM ratings are considered a necessary benchmark rating that allows stakeholders to ensure buildings meet the sustainability performance of the non-domestic buildings such as the commercial building EIC by the UCLan University. Therefore, for the building to achieve a rating of good, there are several factors the building must meet. Good ratings by the BREEAM represent that the building meets an intermediate good practice. In terms of percentage, good rating is given a score of ≥ 45. The good ratings score also consider factors such as the location of the building, ventilations in the building, air conditioning factors and availability of a PFI health centre within the building (Parker, 2012, 12). The ratings are also related to the lightings of the buildings, carbon reduction measures, and ensures the building meets the anticipated environmental credentials during the first phase of constructing the building. Comparison of Good and Excellent BREEAM Ratings The main identifiable difference is the rating score. Good rating score must have ≥ 45 while that of excellent is ≥ 70. Achieving a rating of excellent on buildings means that the building has met the best practice while good stipulates that the building has met the achievements of intermediate good practice. Good ratings are a requirement for all non-residential buildings and the good rating must include a excellent rating in terms of reducing the CO2 emissions in the entire building. The following diagram presents some of the common differences between good and excellent ratings when dealing with some of the sectors presented. The university EIC building to be constructed needs to meet the ratings of good, which as presented are from 0 to 45 while the excellent ratings are those from 45 > 70 or above as presented above (Parker, 2012, 6). The differences can also be perceived in terms of costs as presented below. Additionally, the differences are also perceived in the buildings constructions. That is; the good rating requires the building to be naturally ventilated at a percentage level of 0.4% while to achieve an excellent rating, the rating should be typically 3.4% and 2.5 ratings. In terms of air conditioning, good rating is achieved through 0.1% while excellent requires a rating of 3.3%. In terms of having PFI health centres for a good rating none is required, while to achieve a rating of excellent, 0.6% must be achieved (Parker, 2012, 12). The lighting credits differences are required as presented (Parker, 2012, 22). The ratings also include considerations of factors such as design flexibility. For agood rating, the design flexibility should be atleast at 73% while excellent ratings should be above 73 percent. The information above presents that the differences between good an excellent are linked to the ratings, value and quality of the designs, and materials used in the development of the building. Fire Design Strategies The best fire design challenges for such buildings include would be the need for sprinklers systems, specifically the automatic sprinkler systems. The sprinkler systems are major keys in ensuring the safety of the occupants and the buildings as well. The sprinkler systems will lay major parts in controlling the fires and help in minimising damage. To ensure they are operative, the systems must be maintained effectively through regular check-ups of the systems (bafsa, 2011, 8). Emergency lighting that will ensure during a fire, the people can tell the right direction that will lead them to a safe place. Ensuring that the building has some fire detection systems including alarms is the best and most common way of ensuring fire safety. That is; the warning systems inform people to vacate the building before the fire grows or harms the lives of the people. More importantly, the systems help control the fire before it causes major damages leading to the sustainability of a building (FSF, 2014, 3). Fire safety regulations of the buildings must be followed. It may also include using materials that are highly resistant to heat and those that do not support the spread of fire. Fire resistant materials and systems may include doors or walls, which have been deemed to effectively control the spread of fires (FSF, 2014, 3). The materials used to construct the buildings must be ensured to not pose environmental hazards for an excellent or good sustainability of the building. More importantly, the buildings may include mechanical smoke extracts systems that support the occupants by giving them the opportunities to vacate the building or rooms without any burns (bafsa, 2011, 15). By meeting the intended regulations, it shows that the building has installed all the necessary systems that will ensure that fire is controlled, or the lives of the occupants are protected during such an occurrence (Sullivan, 2007, 30). Conclusion and Recommendations Based on the requirements that BREEAM necessitates to meet the good or excellent ratings, one can conclude that they ensure the buildings constructed meet the sustainability requirement. That is; the ratings are tied to the quality of the materials used, ensuring environmental safety is considered and they ensure the internal and external layouts of the buildings meet the needed requirements to guarantee fire safety of the occupants and protection of the properties in the building. It is recommendable that the construction of all buildings locally and internationally; residential and non-residential meet the requirements that BREEAM demands. This will ensure the buildings meet quality standards, all regulations that are tied to the development of buildings; more importantly, they meet environmental demands by meeting the CO2 emission reduction. Ensuring that the construction of buildings meets the BREEAM requirements stipulates that the buildings are using renewable energies, natural ventilations in buildings is installed, the materials used are of high quality and are resistant to heat. It is the perfect strategy that the global world would use to ensure sustainability and meet the global environmental challenges of high CO2 emissions in the world. PART 2 Case Study: Tainjin Port Explosions During August the year of 2015, on a working day the port experienced a series of explosions that lead to the death of about 173 people. The number of the injured people was higher; abut 700 and above people. The port was developed in 2011, whose main operations involved handling of hazardous chemicals. It handled both corrosive, flammable and compressed air substances. The port had several warehouses that handled multiple hazardous products. The first explosions involved ammonium nitrate detonations. The firefighters could not control the fire, leading to about a whole two days for the fire to burn. The explosions were said to have started due to the overheating of a dry container that continued nitrocellulose. Fire fighters were unaware of the chemicals in the area. Thus, when they fought the first fire with water, other chemical reactions occurred leading to more explosions. The explosions were great in that they led to the development of shock waves, which also lead to more damages and injuries within wider areas of the ports. That is; the fire was spreading very fast, and fireballs in the sky led to blasts in other areas of the port. Many people living beyond the port were either hurt from blast injuries, burns or health hazards due to the chemicals the fires released. The explosions led to a very high damage to the environment and the people mainly due to the pollution it exposed the people to (Rosenfeld, 2015). Lessons from the Fire The fire was one of the most deteriorating fires in China. The fire, however led to a number of lessons. Prior to such warehouses having licences, it is important that they meet numerous safety requirements. The requirements should not only be from China but also international standards. That is; if the port had met the safety regulations from regulation bodies such as BREEAM, British Standards, and other approved documents, it could have contained the fire and saved many lives. For instance, prior to the operation of the port, it could have presented how it would ensure the safety of the occupants in case a fire arose. More importantly, given that it dealt with hazardous chemicals, it could have been required to provide advanced technological ways of controlling the fire. Safety is an issue that would have been met, before 2011 when the port started its operations (Thomas, 2012). The company would have had an emergency plan that would provide the firefighters with all relevant information regarding the chemicals in the port. The information would have helped the firefighters not fight the fire with water, but use other techniques such as gas or air. More importantly, the fire led to a key lesson on the need of training people to handle hazardous chemicals. If the ports personnel was well trained, the dry container should have been detected earlier and controlled, which would have played a major role in controlling the fire (BREEAM, 2011). It also informs on the need of period reviews of the facility and the products within the facility. Such a port must install all necessary systems that contain, control and stop the spread of fires in the buildings. The explosions led to the identification on the need of meeting the international requirements of ensuring fire safety within such a commercial business. Recommendations It is recommendable that the buildings dealing with such chemicals have their specific regulations that ensure they guarantee the safety of the employees and environmental sustainability. Chemical corporations are the key challenges that the firefighters face in dealing with fire explosions. However, if they were informed, they would learn to control the fires and damages. Building designs also play a major role in guaranteeing the safety of the people. Thus, the internal and externa designs of such commercial buildings should meet the BREEAM ratings, which ensure the safety of the company is guaranteed. Installing fire protection systems that meet all standards should be mandatory to control and limit the spread of fires. PART 3: Fire Modelling Problems 1. Freon are the CFSs, used in engineering blowing agents, packing materials, and aerosol sprays, packing materials among others. The CFCs are titled over archaic statistics of three numerals. That is I = carbon atoms minus one; J = hydrogen atoms minus one; and K = fluorine atoms. Halons nomenclature involves I, j, k, l. That is; I represents the carbon atoms in the halon. J = fluorine atoms. K = chlorine atoms; l = bromine. For instance, Halon 1301 = CBrF3 Halons environmental effects, which is considered the most dangerous was the depletion of the Ozone layer in the atmosphere (Snyder, 2008, 1). The ozone layer depletion led to the replacement of the halon as a fire suppresnt agent under the Montreal protocol. The halting of using the halons under the Montreal protocol was also due to the agreement that 25 countries developed, Halon 1301 is not very dangerous, but its usage has completely reduced (noaa.gov, 2010, 1). Replacing the Halons was the appropriate decision based on the environmental damages it would have caused had it continued depleting the Ozone layer. 2. Fahrenheit Rankine Celsius Kelvin DIFFERENCES Zero point is at 459.67 degrees (-459.67 °F) absolute zero is zero 0 R Absolute zero is at 273.15 degrees (-273.15 °C absolute zero is zero (0 K) In the novel, Fahrenheit 451 high temperatures meaning the absolute boiling water level temperature, which is at 211.97102 °F. Other differences are presented as: 3. (ε = 0.75) The solution is mainly applied to the Stefan-Boltzmann Law equation with an identification of the following terms: q = σT4 j/m2s A σ = 5.6703 * 10-8 watt/ m2K4 Q = heat transfer T= absolute zero of Kelvin A = emitting body area If temperature is 500oC of the room that is burning; the emitted radiation is given through the following equation 0.75 (5.67 * 10 -8 W/m2 .K4) (500K)4 Radiant emittance from the compartment = 2657.86W/m2 Maximum radiance heat flux for the indefinite skin exposure= 846.022 W/m2 /SR The heat emitted from the compartment was higher than the heat from the skin exposed to the flames. 4. frequency 1014 Hz Waves of the radio frequency are 108 Hz, Gamma rays = 1020 Hz. Electromagnetic radiation = 7 × 10−7 m (700 nm, or 4.3 × 1014 Hz) Infrared frequency = 108Hz Wavelength = VT; V/F. Thus; 3 * 108/ 1014 = 3 * 10-6m; V = 3* 1014m/s FM: 88 -108 MHz (modulation of the frequency) (Hypothesis) FM = 100.4 * 106 Hz 3 * 108/ 100.4 *106 = 2.988m Thus, wavelength of the infrared is minor likened to the others. 5. Rate of the reaction as provided is = 1/t The energy of activation is = 100kj/mole 100c Temperature Change -25c 1/t (reaction rate) Molecules increase with temperature increases. The energy activation molecules also increase. The increase is a major necessity for the reaction to occur. 6. Element CH CO H Volume present 2.55 0.35 0.10 LFLmix = 1 / ∑xi/ lfl Le chatelier ratio of mixing Xi = the i-th component fraction of the molar LFL = lesser flammability of the mixtures given i-th component ∑ 1/ (0.55/ 0.55 + 0.35/ 0.35 + 0.1/ 0.1) = 1/3 LFL = 0.3333, The LFL given provides the volume concentration percent in the mixture. 7. Diameter pan = 0.80m Intensity of the heat release – 450km/m2 the surface area while at the standard pressure/ temperature. P = 1.204 kg/m3 Cp = 1.005kj/ kg T ͚ = 293k g =9.81m/s2 L = 1.02D + 0.235 (Q 2/5) To = x (Q 2/5 c / (Z –ZO)) 5/3 + T ͚ The height of the flame is therefore = 1.89m 8. B C 9 = -0.01m/s2 30 60 BC = 15m; AD = 3m A 3m D SOH CAH TOA Tan 30 = 9/3 A = 3 Tan 3 d = 1.7321 Cos 30 = 3/H Hyp = 3/ cos 30 Hyp = 3.464 T = D/S = 3.464/ 1.25 = 2.7713 sec to B = (v – u/ t) T = (v-u/9) U2 = v2 – 295 V2 = u2 -295 V2 = 1.5625 – 0.3 V2 = 1.2625 V = 1.1236 t = 1.1236 – 1.5625/ - 0.01 For BC time = 43.89 seconds Total time = 43.89 + 2.7713 The person need = 46.6613 seconds to achieve the fire exit 9. B C 10m Vo = 1.25m/s U = 0.45 30 A Cos 30 = 10/ Hyp Hyp = 10/ cos 30 = 11.5470 Base = 10 tan 30 = 5.7735 Time = distance/ speed = 10/ (1.25 + 0.45) Time = 10/ 2.8 = 12.5 seconds (A to B) Time B to C = Distance/ speed = 5.7735/ (1.25 + 0.45) = 3.3962 seconds Minimum time required therefore to reach the fire exit is = 12.5 + 3.3962 = 15.8962 seconds NOTE: Consequently, as the person is heading towards/through the passageway, the movement of the air competes with his movements. Thus, it generates a hindrance but when he travels from point B to the direction of the fire exit, the air moves in his course without opposing his movements. Thus, boosting his movements. 10. Time = Distance / Speed = 10/ (1.24 - 0.45) = 12.5 seconds Tb = D / S = 5.7735/ 0.8 (1.25 -0.45) Tb = 7.216875 Total time = 1.25 + 7.216875 = 19.716875 seconds The total time increases, as at both situations the movement of the air will oppose his directional movements. References bafsa, 2011. Using Sprinkler Systems in Buildings and Structures. Compliance with Current Fire Safety Guidance. bafsa: Technical Guidance Note No 2, pp. 1-41. BREEAM, 2011. BREEAM New Construction: Non-Domestic Buildings.. bre: Technical Manual; SD5073, pp. 1-445. FSF, 2014. Fire Safety and Sustainability in Building Design. Fire Sector Federation. Technical Guidance Workstream, pp. 1-13. noaa.gov, 2010. Has the Montreal protocol been successful in reducing ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere. section iv: Controlling Ozone-Depleting Substances, pp. 1-4. Parker, J., 2012. The Value of BREEAM. The BSRIA Report, pp. 1-42. Rosenfeld, E., 2015. Asia Pacific News: Death Toll in China's Tianin Explosion Rises to 50. CNBC. [Online] Available at: http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/12/explosion-in-tianjin-china.html [Accessed 10 3 2017]. Snyder, L., 2008. Fire Safety: Why Halon Fire Suppression Systems were Banned. [Online] Available at: http://www.facilitiesnet.com/firesafety/article/Why-Halon-Fire-Suppression-Systems-Were-Banned-Facilities-Management-Fire-SafetyProtection-Feature--10300 [Accessed 21 2 2017]. Spectral, 2017. Spectral. [Online] Available at: http://www.spectralcalc.com/blackbody_calculator/blackbody.php [Accessed 10 3 2017]. Sullivan, L., 2007. A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland. pp. 1-44. Thomas, G., 2012. Sustainable Building Design and Fire Safety Issues and Opportunities. pp. 1-20. Read More