Fire and Built Environment - Airport Terminal Fire in Dsseldorf - Assignment Example

Fire and Built Environment Course Name and Code Institution Name Departments Name Students Name Students Number Instructors Name December 3, 2008 Introduction There has been an increase in building fire cases. Such fires cause economic, social and environmental complications. It results to deaths, loss of properties and pollution to the environment. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to analyze four fire incidents that occurred within the past 25 years. It brings into consideration the short comings of the structural design and construction, what caused the fire and other issues that involves engineering weaknesses. Hence, analysis of Airport Terminal Fire, Düsseldorf, Germany, One Meridian Plaza Fire – Pennsylvania – United States, The Windsor Tower Fire – Madrid, Spain and Carcas Tower Fire – Venezuela. It will bring into consideration weaknesses associated with engineering deficiencies. Airport Terminal Fire, Düsseldorf, Germany The fire occurred in the passenger terminal building on April 11, 1996 resulting in the death of 17 people and injuring 62 others. This building was a five level building in which the ground level was used by passengers to pick their language and rental facilities. The first level had a height of 4.6m (15 feet) with the roof of the level having blocks of polystyrene that was three inches thick. The second level had shops, restaurants and ticket desks. This floor was the same has the first level because it had a length of 1850 feet with height of 30 feet. The third level which was also the mezzanine had the conference rooms, VIP lounges and restaurant. The fourth floor had an observation deck and restaurant while the fifth level had a restaurant (Klaene 2000). The fire started in the expansion plates that were on the lower level of the terminal which was ignited by a welder in the polystyrene insulation that was covering the void below the second level. Flames and smoke spread upwards to the second level through unprotected escalator openings and the openings that were on the stairwells. Moreover, the smoke spread to the fourth level through the unprotected openings. The fire and smoke destroyed stairwells and the smoke damaged entirely the second and third levels (McNulty 2002.). Engineering Issues Many issues relating to fire safety were not considered. There were no automatic sprinkler systems; dry pipes were there but no connected to municipal water supply and the lack of smoke detectors. Moreover, the welders had no adequate precautions during the time of welding. Most openings were unprotected resulting in the fire and smoke spreading to other levels. The presence of the polystyrene, which is combustible insulator, resulted in a lot of smoke. There were no available or convenient openings that allowed for escape. Nevertheless, communication or alarm was no right e.g. wrong messages were sent resulting to many deaths. An example is when people were using the elevators to escape, however, the elevators lead to the death of many passengers. Alarm timing resulted in firefighters coming 27 minutes after the fire started. Moreover, the alarms send emergency signals to the Airport Fire Brigade rather than the inclusion of Düsseldorf Fire Brigade (Osborne 2004). Lessons Learned Fire resistant mechanisms should have been derived that could have reduced the rate that the fire spread. People should be educated on emergency when it comes to fire issues. For example many people had to use the elevators; this means that posters should have been placed on the right places to inform people on the route to follow when an emergency occurs. The insulators should have been fire resistant rather than the polystyrene material which caught fire easily. Recommendations Automatic fire sprinklers should be installed in every level and smoke detectors. This will reduce the speed that the fire will spread and raise alarm. Fire resistant insulators should be placed in each level to reduce the extend that the fire spreads. Smoke screen should be installed so that fire could not move from one level to another. Floor space should be mixed and walls having the support of fire resistance mechanisms (Leslie & Alread 2007). Conclusion The Düsseldorf fire resulted to 17 deaths and 61 injured people. The fire began on the roof of the first level after an incident occurred with a welder. The building did no have the right fire resistance mechanisms resulting to fire spreading to other levels. Installation of fire resistant equipments such has sprinklers, reducing space size and employing the right alarm system and its management will ensure that such fires are managed (Howard 2007). One Meridian Plaza Fire – Pennsylvania – United States This is the worst building scenario that occurred in Philadelphia – United States. The building was a 38 storey building and the fire started in the 22nd floor in February 23, 1991. The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion due to a pile of linseed oil that was soaked in rags (Smith 2003). The fire burned for 19 hours. The fire was extinguished when it reached the 30th floor because an automatic sprinkler that was installed in this floor. The fire killed three firefighters, 24 firefighter’s injuries. The fire was extinguished by 15 ladder companies, 51 engine companies, and more than 300 firefighters. Engineering Issues The fully is fully covered by fire safety standards. However, the way that it operates and the supportive staff made the fire to escalate. The first smoke detector alarm went off in the 22nd floor. This was after spreading due to incomplete detector coverage. Moreover, the building staff was not able to call fire department at the time of activation; they waited until after rescuing an employee who was investigating. Moreover, the private services that usually monitor the building were no able to call the fire department on time. Electricity connectivity disrupted the flow of electricity because the fire burnt and damaged conductors that were shorted to the ground. Moreover, the emergency generator that was powered by natural gas failed (Craighead 2003). There were unprotected penetrations in the fire resistance assemblies and the absence of the fire-dampers in the ventilation space ensured that smoke and fired spread horizontally and vertically. Thus, fire was able to move through the stair case and the unprotected enclosure that is in the walls. Firefighting was impaired by the standpipe and the pressure reducing valves that inconvenienced the flow of water. Moreover, the stairway doors were locked and it forced the firefighters to use a lot of energy in looking for entry points to put of the fire. Lessons Learned Communication is important during emergency and any planning. The building staff and the service company were not able to communicate with the fire department on time. Communicating would have reduced the effect of the fire dramatically. In most cases, oil soaked rags usually ignites fire and the ignorance of the contractor contributed to the initial cause of the fire. Incomplete installation of fire safety equipments such has the sprinklers could definitely have given false of in terms of security. Recommendation Communication is an important thing in any emergency issue. There was completely the lack of communication and the way that the fire safety measures were set. Communication could have been possible if the smoker detectors were operating well, right exchange of communication between concerned bodies and obtaining right information concerning the building. The fire department should know the specifications of buildings and have structural drawings concerning all buildings that are in their jurisdiction. Conclusion One Meridian plaza had 38 floors in which eight were affected by the fire. It resulted in the death of three firefighters with loss of million worth of properties. Poor communication and incomplete installation of fire safety matters caused the adverse effect of the fire. Understanding the buildings, complete installation of fire safety equipments and alarm setting likely reduces the chance of the fire spreading or affecting a large portion of a building. Carcas Tower Fire – Venezuela This is a plaza that is located in the capital city of Venezuela. It is a fifty six stored building that was built in 1976. The building accommodated business and private homes and the five began on October 18, 2004. The fire began in the 34th floor on the inside of the East Tower and it burned for 17 hours destroying 26 floors. The floors that were affected were from the 34th to the 49th floor. The building during the fire break was empty but the fire due to poisonous gases injured 40 firefighters and high temperatures that were on the building. Before the fire broke out, the 34th building was under repair and it is believed that complications that resulted from the painting work could have caused the fire. It resulted in the falling of ceilings, collapse of two floors and some staircases. Engineering Issues When the fire broke out, the government thought that the fire will stop in the 34th floor. However, because of poor ventilation the fire spread upwards to the 44th floor. Poor management of water system ensured that no enough water was supplied. The building had passive sprinklers rather than the active. During the time of the fire the sprinklers had been turned off. While in other floors the sprinklers had been replaced by temperature sensitive sprinklers. Some of fire safety that was in the building included steel framing that contained Portland cement and mineral wool. The beams were fireproofed by one think insulators while the deck was insulated by 1U2 inches insulator. Moreover, there was the poor management of appliances and equipments that were in place. Sprinklers, water pipes and fire proofing material was not maintained. Thus, this may have been caused by laxity of enforcement of codes that monitors fire safety in buildings in the country. Moreover, there were few fire extinguishers that were in place and were few in maintaining the fire incident. Lessons Learned Ignorance is a key issue that played in ensuring fire safety standards is maintained. There was no enough water and some of the pipes were not functioning. Ignorance by the painters through leaving behind of paintings materials and paints may have caused the fire. Policies that were developed had weak points. The switching off of the sprinklers and using the passive water sprinklers rather than the active may have been some issues that contributed to the extent of damage. Security alarms were improperly installed while sprinklers were inappropriately installed. Recommendations An important issue that should be put into consideration is the way that they great and follow policies. For example switching off the sprinklers and using passive sprinklers rather than active sprinklers are some of the policies that were made wrong. Policies that are made should maximize security concern and ensure that fire safety security is not compromised. Maintenance is an important aspect in ensuring security is achieved. Laxity of following laws and code of conduct should be corrected and hence will increase the chance of prevention of fire related and general security matters. Conclusion Caracas tower fire building did not cause deaths but spoiled one of the tallest buildings and causing injuries to up to 40 firefighters. The building was 56 stored and the fire began in the 34th floor and spread upwards to the 49th floor. Ignorance and poor maintenance of fire safety standards made the fire spread faster and was not easily put off. Thus, ensuring that all equipments and facilities concerning fire safety should be put into control will definitely reduce the effect of fire. The Windsor Tower Fire – Madrid, Spain The fire incident occurred in a 32 stored building in February 12, 2005. The building was strong because it was constructed by concrete mostly in the floors while there was a reinforced central core. When the building was constructed there was no fire proof safety that was in place. According to the safety codes during construction time, the internal steel beams and the perimeter walls were not supposed to be protected. The building is heavily reinforced in the 2nd and 3rd floor and in the 16th and 17th floors. It is believed that the fire started in the 21st floor and was started by a short circuit. The fire spread upwards to other floors and it lasted 19 hours. At the time when the building was on fire, renovation was underway in which fire protection system was been developed in the internals steel beams and was been protected by the sprayers. The fire protection system included new sprinkler system and aluminum cladding was been processed. When the fire broke out, renovations had reached the 17th floor but there were some parts that remained in the 9th and 15th floor. The resulted in the 17th and upper floors to collapse but the 17th floor prevented the building from completely collapsing because of the heavy reinforcement. Engineering Issues The building was strong; however, there were some engineering complications that were there. The floor space of the building that spanned more than 1000 meters and lack of the right fire protection system resulted in poor control of the fire. Moreover, the vertical compartments due to its failure to prevent fires contributed in the collapse of the building. The steelwork was not protected and sprinklers were not in place. Additionally, the floor slabs and the cladding had gaps that were not fire proof (Sanders 2007). The installation of fire protection system was not systematic. Other floors were incomplete such as the 9th and the 15th floor. If the renovators had done the work systematically, it is likely that the fire could have not have affected adversely the building. Lessons Learned It this fire incident inconsistency played a major role. The incomplete fire protection of certain floors should have been avoided. It is crucial to install the fire safety equipments systematically. The large floor span contributed to the speed in which the fire moved within the floors and upwards through the vertical and horizontal gaps. The floor space should be in a size that can be fitted with fire safety measures easily. Recommendations In the case of this building, the floor span should be reduced and the walls that form the compartments should be fitted with aluminum claddings and all gaps that are in the building should be controlled or completely sealed off. Moreover, there should be appropriate and inconsistent sprinklers at the right places and double up with smoke or fire alarms. The ventilation spaces and other spaces should be completely sealed off to prevent the smoke and fire from reaching other floors. Conclusion Windsor Tower is located in Madrid and it is a 32 stored building which was burnt on February 12, 2005. The building was strong support by central core with reinforcement floor in the 2nd and 17th floor. These prevented the complete collapse of the building. The building was originally constructed without the right safety measures and was at the time of fire been renovated and was been fitted with measures that could have improved fire security. At the fire the renovation had reached the 21st floor. Poor fire protection system and structural designs made the fire to spread. Sprinklers and large floor space contributed to the extensive nature of the building. References Craighead, G. 2003. High-rise Security Fire Life Safety. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers. Howard, K. 2007. Structural Design and Fire Safety Mechanisms. Jakarta: Prentice Hall of Jakarta. Klaene, B. 2000. Structural Fire Fighting. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Leslie, T. & Alread, J. 2007. Design-tech: Building Science for Architects. New York: Architectural Press. McNulty, G. 2002. Quality, Reliability and Maintenance. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Osborne, M. 2004. Analysis of High-rise Fires. London: Macmillan Publishers. Sanders, E. 2007. Structural Firefighting: Strategies and Tactics. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Smith, L. 2003. Building Fires. London: Prentice Hall Publishers. Read More