Fire Resistance Testing of Building Materials - Assignment Example

Engineering Design Student’s Name Tutors’ Name Course Date Engineering Design Part A 1. Discuss the terms “fire resistance testing” and “reaction to fire Testing”. Fire resistance testing is the term used to refer to the test carried on building materials and part of a building to determine their ability to withstand exposure to fire (The Building Test Centre, 2015). Fire resistance testing is carried out on different parts of a building and building materials, and they include floors, walls and partitions, ceilings, beams and columns, doors, glazing, and intumescent seals (The Building Test Centre, 2015; BRE Group, 2014a). Fire resistance test is important in determining how resistant is a material or part of a building is to fire of standard temperature and pressure. Also, it helps in selecting suitable materials used in constructing buildings for different purpose groups. The term reaction to fire testing is the measure of a material would react to fire (BRE Group, 2014b). Reaction to fire testing helps in categorising materials depending whether or not they enhance fire propagation, an important aspect of part of a building or a material during evacuation process. Material behaviour in fire determines the chances of people escaping fire. The testing may involve testing the flame spread both in horizontal and vertical directions, ignitability, non-combustibility and fire propagation among others (BRE Group, 2014b; Exova, 2015). 2. Discuss the functional requirements (B1 to B5) of Approved Document B. The first functional requirement, B1, is the means of warning and escape that must be incorporated in the building designs to ensure prior warnings and means of escape (ODPM, 2007). The requirement of B1 entails that a building should have adequate number of escape routes located appropriately to ensure people are evacuated safely. Also, the escape routes should be well protected from the effects of fire such smoke within the passages. Furthermore, the building should be designed to give early warnings of impending fire breakout. The second functional requirement, B2, is internal fire spread (linings). The requirements of B2 is to ensure that internal fire spread are eliminated or minimized by making provisions in the design of the building (ODPM, 2007). According to the functional requirements of B2, the choice of materials do effects on propagation and spread of fire. Therefore, suitable materials must be chosen for different part of the building. For instance, stairs must be constructed with high fire resistant materials to minimize fire spread to the escape routes during evacuation. The third functional requirement, B3, is the internal fire spread (structure). According to functional requirement B3, a building should be designed in such away it can withstand fire for a reasonable period (ODPM, 2007). Also, a common wall between two or more buildings should be able to resist fire spread between the buildings. Therefore, the designs for a building would ensure minimal fire internal fire spread. Fire resistance can be achieved by ensuring proper columns are erected, any space provisions between elements are able to withstand effects of fire. The fourth functional requirement, B4, is external fire spread. This functional requirements minimizes fire through designs of both the roofing and walls of a building (ODPM, 2007). According to functional requirement B4, the external walls of a building should be designed to resist spread of fire over the walls from one building to another considering the position, use, and position of a building (ODPM, 2007). The external walls of a building should resist ignition and spread of fire over their surfaces. Also, the roof of a building should be designed to prevent spread of fire over the roofs from one building to another considering the use and the position of the building. The fifth functional requirement, B5, is the access and facilities for the fire and rescue services. It requires a building to be designed and constructed with provisions of adequate facilities that can assist fire fighters. Also, a building should designed and constructed with sufficient space to allow access of firefighting equipment at the site. The building must also have adequate access to and from the building to aid firefighters during evacuation and rescue operations. The building should be equipped with adequate heat and smoke venting mechanisms. 3. Discuss the term means of escape and the process of escape. The term means of escape can be defined as the routes in a building a person can use to move to safety when there is a fire breakout. There are provisions in a building that constitute means of escape from a point within a room. Such provisions may include provision of sprinklers, smoke proof alternative escape routes, locks and safety stays on escape windows, among other safety measures (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), 2007). In certain cases, roofing designs are in such a way that provides means of escape. The term ‘the process of escape’ entails what is done when there is an emergency such as fire breakout. The process of escape would involve procedures and protocols used to ensure persons escape to safety. Furthermore, the process of escape can the method of evacuation employed during fire breakout. There are simultaneous and phased evacuations. In the simultaneous evacuation, people are directed through escape routes at once. On the other hand, in phased evacuation, those people who can reduce mobility are evacuated first followed by the rest (Forrest, 2015). 4. Explain the term “travel distance”. The term travel distance is the distance an individual would travel from any point inside a room to nearest exit of a storey or non-storey building (Forrest, 2015). Travel distance is an important aspect in designing escape routes in a building in case of a fire breakout. Different purpose group present different fire risks, therefore, minimum travel distance would also vary. The standards that are required for considerations when designing a building are provided for in the ADB. As a result, travel distance considerations when building enhances the means of escape whenever there is an emergency such as fire among others (ODPM, 2007). 5. Discuss the importance of space separation between buildings. Space separation is an area left between two walls of different buildings. Space separation plays vital role in controlling the spread of fire from one wall (building) to another (Chitty, 2015). Consequently, there are provisions as provided for in ADB that must be incorporated in the design of buildings. The most importance of space separation between buildings is preventing the spread of fire from one adjacent building to another. Space separation provides both the protected and unprotected areas between buildings. Therefore, it helps building designers to determine areas between buildings under which fire cannot reach (protected areas), and those that would catch fire (unprotected areas) (ODPM, 2007). Minimum unprotected areas reduce external fire spreads between buildings. Also, space separation between buildings can be used to mount fire fighting machineries such as vehicles during fire. Enough and adequate space provision would ease firefighting during a breakout. PART B 1. What is the maximum recommended compartment size for each of the following cases: a) A single storey shop with sprinkler protection There is no limit on the maximum recommended compartment size (ODPM, 2007) b) A single storey industrial unit There is no limit on the maximum recommended compartment size for floors not more than 18m above ground level. However, compartment size does not apply for floors more than 18m above ground level (ODPM, 2007). 2. The maximum size of an opening (unprotected area) that can be discounted when considering space separation between buildings is given by considering small unprotected areas within protected areas that are considered to pose a negligible risks in spread of fire. According to Approved Document B, unprotected area that can be discounted should not be more than 1m2 and may consist of smaller areas within an area of 100mm by 100mm (ODPM, 2007). 3. What is the minimum recommended fire resistance periods for the following structures: a) A 35m high sprinkler protected residential building The minimum period of fire resistance is 90 minutes. b) A ten storey shop with sprinkler protection The minimum period of fire resistance is 120 minutes. 4. In each of the following cases state whether a fire fighting shaft is recommended and if so whether or not a fire fighting lift is also required: a) An office building with a top occupied floor of 250m2 located at 19m above fire service vehicle access level A firefighting shaft not recommended since the floor area is less than 900m2 and not needed either (ODPM, 2007). b) A four storey assembly building with a top storey of 1400m2 located 10m above fire service vehicle access level A firefighting shaft recommended since the storey area is more than 900m2, and the firefighting lift is not required. 5. What purpose groups would be appropriate for the following premises? a) A hospital Purpose group 2(a) (Residential (Institutional)) b) A hotel Purpose group 2(b) (Residential (Institutional)) c) A manufacturing factory Purpose group 6 (Industrial) d) A swimming pool building. Purpose group 5 (Assembly and recreation) 6. According to Table 2 of ADB, what are the recommended travel distance limitations (single direction & more than one direction) for the following: a) A normal hazard storage facility Maximum travel distance in one direction is 25m and in more than one direction is 45m. b) A place of special fire hazard Maximum travel distance in one direction is 9m and in more than one direction is 18m. c) The bedroom of an apartment Maximum travel distance in one direction is 9m and in more than one direction is 18m. d) A lecture theatre with fixed seating in rows Maximum travel distance in one direction is 15m and in more than one direction is 32m. e) Shop floor Maximum travel distance in one direction is 18m and in more than one direction is 45m f) A residential care home Maximum travel distance in one direction is 9m and in more than one direction is 18m. 7. According to Table 3 of ADB, what is the recommended minimum number of escape routes from a storey with: a) 50 people The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 1. b) 400 people The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 2. c) 550 people The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 2. d) 605 people The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 3. 8. According to Table 4 of ADB, what is the minimum exit width required to accommodate: a) 109 people The minimum exit width required is 850mm. b) 218 people The minimum exit width required is 1050mm. c) 10 people The minimum exit width required is 750mm. d) 500 people The minimum exit width required is 5mm per person. 9. A building with four above ground floors is served by two escape stairs without lobby protection. Using Table 7 of ADB, what is the minimum width of the escape stairs if each floor accommodates: a) 75 persons Two escape routes provide two stairs. So, the number of population during simultaneous evacuation is approximately 75/2=38 people per floor. In total, there are 38*4=152 people. Therefore, the minimum width of the escape stairs is 1000mm. b) 130 persons Similarly, the number of population during simultaneous evacuation is 130/2=65 people per floor. In total, there are 65*4=260 people Therefore, the minimum width of the escape stairs is 1000mm. 10. A building with five above ground floors is served by three escape stairs with lobby protection. Using Table 7 of ADB, what is the minimum width of the escape stairs if each floor accommodates: a) 155 persons Three escape routes provide three stairs. So, the number of population during simultaneous evacuation is approximately 155/3=52 people per floor. In total, there are 52*7=364 people. Therefore, the minimum width of the escape stairs is 1000mm. b) 230 persons Three escape routes provide three stairs. So, the number of population during simultaneous evacuation is approximately 230/3=77 people per floor. In total, there are 77*7=539 people. Therefore, the minimum width of the escape stairs is 1300mm. 11. Assuming 100 occupants from the ground floor accommodation also exit through the ground floor of the stair enclosures for Questions 9 and 10, how wide do the final exits need to be? (i.e. a merging flow – diagram 15 and associated equation). The merging flow is calculated by equation; W= ((N/2.5) + (60S))/80 (ODPM, 2007) Where W=width of final exit (m), N=number of people served by ground floor, S=stair width (m) For question 9 9(a) For a minimum stair width of 1m, N=100 W= ((100/2.5) + (60*1))/80=1.250m wide. 9(b) For a minimum stair width of 1m, W= ((100/2.5) + (60*1))/80=1.250m wide. For question 10 10(a) For a minimum stair width of 1m W= ((100/2.5) + (60*1))/80=1.250m wide. 10(b) For a minimum stair width of 1.300m W= ((100/2.5) + (60*1.3))/80=1.475m wide 12. According to Table C1, what floor space factors would be appropriate in the following areas? a) An office The appropriate floor space factor would be 6.0. b) A bar within 2m of serving point The appropriate floor space factor would be 0.3. c) A shop sales area The appropriate floor space factor would be 2.0 d) A restaurant The appropriate floor space factor would be 1.0. 13. For a square room, 40m by 40m, calculate the number of occupants using the floor space factors obtained in Question 12. In each case what is the minimum number of exits required and how wide should each exit be as a minimum. Floor area=40*40=160m2 Number of persons=Floor area/Floor space factor= Question 12(a) Number of persons=160/6=27 persons The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 1. N=27, S=1.000m W= ((27/2.5) + (60*1))/80=0.885m Question 12(b) Number of persons=160/0.3=534 persons The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 2. N=534/2=267, S=1.400m W= ((267/2.5) + (60*1.4))/80=2.385m Question 12(c) Number of persons=160/2=80 persons The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 2. N=80/2=40, S=1.000m W= ((40/2.5) + (60*1))/80=0.950m Question 12(d) Number of persons=160/1=160 persons The recommended minimum number of escape routes is 2. N=160/2=80, S=1.000m W= ((80/2.5) + (60*1))/80=1.150m 14. What is meant by the following terms: a) Life safety Life safety is the safe guarding a person’s life by following provided standards in case of a fire breaks out. b) Property protection Property protection is safeguarding a person’s property from destruction by fire by following laid down procedures and standards. c) Fire resistance Fire resistance is a term used to refer to areas or items that far from regions that can be affected by the heat flux from fire. d) Cavity barrier Cavity barrier is an additional safeguard provided to escape routes to prevent smoke from entering the routes. 15. Figure 1 and Figure 1a below represents a two storey office building, from the dimensions give an estimate for internal room sizes. With reference to Figures 1 and 1a determine: Room sizes of the storey building are estimated as follows; Since both floors have the same floor plan, each floor has similar room sizes. The width of each room of the stair enclosure is estimated as 2.5m. Rooms on the side of the staircase Rooms from left to right are estimated as 4m, 9m, 2m, and 5m respectively. The dimensions of the rooms give internal areas of 4×5=20m2, 9×5=45m2, 2×5=10m2, and 5×5=25m2 respectively. Rooms on the side without staircases From left to right again, rooms’ sizes are 10m, 3m, 3m, 4m, and 5m wide respectively. The dimensions of the rooms give internal areas of 10×5=50m2, 3×5=15m2, 3×5=15m2, 4×5=20m2, and 5×5=25m2 respectively. a) Travel distances from each room and each floor. Rooms on the ground floor Rooms adjacent to the stairs enclosures. From left to right First room  to the left-side exit Second room  to the left-side exit Third room  to the right-side exit Fourth room  to the right-side exit Opposite rooms from left to right First room 5m to the left-side exit Second room  to the left-side exit Third room  to the right-side exit Fourth room  to the right-side exit Fifth room 4m to the right-side exit Rooms on floor 2 Assumptions Persons from rooms on this floor cover approximately the same distance to the nearest stairs similar to those on the ground floor cover to the nearest exit. The total distance of each stairs is 10m and it is 1.5m from each stairs to the nearest exit giving additional distance to 11.5m for those travelling from the top floor. Rooms adjacent to the stairs enclosure. From left to right. First room  to the left-side exit Second room  to the left-side exit Third room  to the right-side exit Fourth room  to the right-side exit The opposite rooms from left to right First room  to the left-side exit Second room  to the left-side exit Third room  to the right-side exit Fourth room  to the right-side exit Fifth room  to the right-side exit b) Occupancy load Number people in each room are determined by using a space factor of an office, which is 6.0m2/person. The total number of people per floor is given as follows;         The total number of persons per floor  c) Purpose group The building falls under purpose group 3 (An office) d) Exit and final exit widths The exits from the top floor W= {(N/2.5) + (60S)}/80 N=43/2=21.5 S=1 W= {21.5/2.5 + 60×1.00}/80=0.858m. The stair cases are 858mm wide each The final exists The total number of people through the final exists is 43*2=86 people N=43 S=1m W= {43/2.5 + 60×1.00}/80=0.965m Hence the finale exists should be at least 0.965m wide each. e) Stair widths and Based on the number of people in the upper floor (43 people), the minimum stairs width is 1m (1000mm). f) Classification of wall and ceiling linings (ODPM 2007, 63) References BRE Group, 2014a. Fire resistance testing of building materials. Available at: [Accessed 08 Dec 2015] BRE Group, 2014b. Reaction to fire testing. Available at: [Accessed 08 Dec 2015] England. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) (2007) Fire safety: Approved document B (Vol 2). London: The Stationary Office. Exova, 2015. Measuring reaction to fire. Avaialable at: [Accessed 05 Dec 2015] Lawrence Webster forrest, 2015. Means of escape assessment – The basics. Available at: [Accessed 06 Dec 2015] Richard, Chitty, 2015. External fire spread and building separation distances. Available at: [Accessed 06 Dec 2015] The Building Test Centre, 2015. Fire resistance. Available at: [Accessed 08 Dec 2015] Read More

According to functional requirement B3, a building should be designed in such away it can withstand fire for a reasonable period (ODPM, 2007). Also, a common wall between two or more buildings should be able to resist fire spread between the buildings. Therefore, the designs for a building would ensure minimal fire internal fire spread. Fire resistance can be achieved by ensuring proper columns are erected, any space provisions between elements are able to withstand effects of fire. The fourth functional requirement, B4, is external fire spread.

This functional requirements minimizes fire through designs of both the roofing and walls of a building (ODPM, 2007). According to functional requirement B4, the external walls of a building should be designed to resist spread of fire over the walls from one building to another considering the position, use, and position of a building (ODPM, 2007). The external walls of a building should resist ignition and spread of fire over their surfaces. Also, the roof of a building should be designed to prevent spread of fire over the roofs from one building to another considering the use and the position of the building.

The fifth functional requirement, B5, is the access and facilities for the fire and rescue services. It requires a building to be designed and constructed with provisions of adequate facilities that can assist fire fighters. Also, a building should designed and constructed with sufficient space to allow access of firefighting equipment at the site. The building must also have adequate access to and from the building to aid firefighters during evacuation and rescue operations. The building should be equipped with adequate heat and smoke venting mechanisms. 3. Discuss the term means of escape and the process of escape.

The term means of escape can be defined as the routes in a building a person can use to move to safety when there is a fire breakout. There are provisions in a building that constitute means of escape from a point within a room. Such provisions may include provision of sprinklers, smoke proof alternative escape routes, locks and safety stays on escape windows, among other safety measures (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), 2007). In certain cases, roofing designs are in such a way that provides means of escape.

The term ‘the process of escape’ entails what is done when there is an emergency such as fire breakout. The process of escape would involve procedures and protocols used to ensure persons escape to safety. Furthermore, the process of escape can the method of evacuation employed during fire breakout. There are simultaneous and phased evacuations. In the simultaneous evacuation, people are directed through escape routes at once. On the other hand, in phased evacuation, those people who can reduce mobility are evacuated first followed by the rest (Forrest, 2015). 4. Explain the term “travel distance”.

The term travel distance is the distance an individual would travel from any point inside a room to nearest exit of a storey or non-storey building (Forrest, 2015). Travel distance is an important aspect in designing escape routes in a building in case of a fire breakout. Different purpose group present different fire risks, therefore, minimum travel distance would also vary. The standards that are required for considerations when designing a building are provided for in the ADB. As a result, travel distance considerations when building enhances the means of escape whenever there is an emergency such as fire among others (ODPM, 2007). 5. Discuss the importance of space separation between buildings.

Space separation is an area left between two walls of different buildings. Space separation plays vital role in controlling the spread of fire from one wall (building) to another (Chitty, 2015). Consequently, there are provisions as provided for in ADB that must be incorporated in the design of buildings. The most importance of space separation between buildings is preventing the spread of fire from one adjacent building to another.

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