Safety, Health and Environment - Assignment Example

SАFЕTY, НЕАLTH АND ЕNVIRОNMЕNT Name Institution Subject Instructor Date Part A 1. Different types of fire testing The exercise of fire testing is a key and fundamental exercise when it comes to the investigation of materials. This is further significant in the current construction industry which involves the use of various materials for different applications (Vitoriano, Montero and Ruan, 2013). The various types of fire testing methods used when dealing with material include; Restrained beam fire testing method In this method of fire testing, a beam of a material is subjected to testing through exposing it to heat at extremely elevated temperatures. The elevated temperature then creates an observable impact and results on the beam as well as, surrounding slab. Corner bay fire testing method This type of fire testing method is mostly applicable for steel material testing. It involves subjecting steel beams to heat at various temperatures. The impact caused on the steel beam as a result of the temperatures changes displays the necessary information in determining the fire characteristics of the material. Large compartment fire testing method In this type of fire testing method, a room containing columns and beams is subjected too heat at extremely elevated temperatures. The impact and he results of the heat are them observed and used in determining the features and qualities of materials under test. 2. Relationship between small scale experiments and large scale experiments for real fire situations There is a relationship that exists between large scale experiments and small sale experiments. In this relationship, the large scale experiments are used in testing that involves situations taking place in real life fire situations whereas small scale experiments are carried out prior to the large scale experiments. Small scale experiments are carried out purposely to reduce the costs incurred in carrying out large scale experiments. They are also carried out to avoid extreme losses that may be experienced during the large scale testing. They are useful as they assist in determining beforehand whether or not the large scale experiments will be successful. Larges scale experiments are involved to a very large extent with real life experiences since the materials subjected to experimental testing are actually used in various construction operations (Bryon and Bryon, 2011). 3. Objectives of fire safety The aim of fire safety is to offer prevention to the loss of life and property. It also aims at minimizing injuries experienced in case of a fire breakout. The tact adopted in realizing theses aims include the prevention of fire ignition, fire outbreak communication, containing the fire as well as, evacuation. Fire engineering refers to the use of scientific and engineering principles in studying the impact of fire. It also involves the determination of human behavior in the event of fire outbreak with the aim of protecting human, environment and property and environment (Grice, 2009) . 4. The parameters that can be determined using a cone calorimeter There are four parameters that can be determined by the use of cone colorimeter. These include; The time duration of ignition and is measured in (s) The quantity of heat released measured in (MJ/M2) The quantity of smoke released measured in (M3) The rate of heat release measured in (KW/M2) 5. Positive Pressure Ventilation Positive pressure ventilation refers the situation at which the use of external fans is involved in forcing air through ventilations into a building under fire to assist in reducing smoke as way of escaping and evacuating the building (Christian, 2003). 6. Flash point of a fuel This is the temperature point at which the evaporation of fuel into ignitable gas begins. The flash point of a fuel is the lowest ignition temperature of a fuel. A low amount of fuel is consumed for fuels with high flash points (Grice, 2009) . 7. Limiting Oxygen Index test action and its limitations Limiting oxygen test acts to assist in the determination of the lowest amount of oxygen that can be used in causing the fuel to be combustible. Its limitation is that it has a higher likelihood of failing in case the fuel I impure. 8. The meaning of a sample having a high LOI or a low LOI A sample having a high limiting oxygen index implies that the fuel from which the sample is obtained needs more oxygen supply before the commencement of the burning process. A sample having low limiting oxygen, on the other hand, implies that the fuel is flammable (Great Britain, 2002). 9. Piloted-ignition and Auto-ignition Piloted ignition refers to the instance at which fire starts through the engagement of manual sparks. Auto-ignition refers to the automatic starting of fire due to temperature changes and the fact that the fuel is highly inflammable (Rasbash, 2004). 10. Importance of carrying out fire testing on materials Fire testing on materials is important in determining the appropriate construction materials in ensuring the safety of humans and that of property. 11. The cause of a “V” pattern during fire in a compartment The formation of a “V” pattern in a fire compartments is caused when the substance burning takes place in a small space and air comes in from a wider space. In this case the hot air is pushed up due to the conventional movement of both cold and hot air (Christian, 2003). 12. Definition of the term “heat release rate” and heat release rate diagrams for thermally thin and thermally thick, charring and non-charring materials. Heat release rate refers to the quantity of energy released from burning or hot substance at a specific time. This quantity is affected by the nature of compartment and the fuel quality. The heat release diagrams for various materials are shown as follows; (Vitoriano, Montero and Ruan, 2013) 13. Factors that affect the development of fire growth within a compartment and their categories. Fire growth within a compartment is affected by factors which include the change in the fire environment, the location of fire, ventilation, availability, and mass. These can be divided into two categories which include the natural and the artificial factors (Nolan, 2010). 14. Heat release rates for a piece of laminated wood at 25.00kW/m2. Test X F U U2 1 44.8 1 1.255 1.57502 2 42.15 1 -1.395 1.94603 3 42.97 1 -0.575 0.33063 4 43.6 1 0.055 0.00302 5 43.88 1 0.335 0.11223 6 44.8 1 1.255 1.57502 7 42.79 1 -0.755 0.57003 8 45.1 1 1.555 2.41803 9 41.62 1 -1.925 3.70563 10 43.74 1 0.195 0.03803 total 435.45 10 12.2737 Where; U = (X-43.545) U2 = (X-43.545)2 X = Heat Release Rate at 25.00kW/m2 F = Frequency of test Range = highest number - lowest number = 45.1- 41.68 = 3.42 Mean = = = 43.545 Standard deviation SD= = = 1.107865 Uncertainty in SD using 95 %( Um) = here t and s are factors in standard deviation Um = =0.781 Standard uncertainty (Us) =; Us = =0.35 15. Bang Box experiment Bang box data table Number of Drops 2 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 Height attained by lid (cm) 0 20 40 80 120 150 110 90 Graph of Bang Box experiment The graph indicates that there is an increase in the number of drops with increase in attained height. This trend continues up to an optimum point where the number of drops stands at 16. At this optimum point, the saturation point of the fuel is attained and a decrease in height attained by the lid is experienced with increase in the number of drops. This suggests that the relationship existing between the height attained by the lid and the number of drop is positive before the fuel saturation point and negative beyond the fuel saturation point (Ramachandran, 1998). Part B 1) maximum compartment size recommended for the various case as shown: a) A single storey shop having sprinkler protection. Maximum size recommended size is 200m2 b) A single storey of industrial unit. Maximum size recommended size is 4000m2 2) The maximum size of an unprotected area or an opening that can be discounted in consideration of separation space between buildings. This is dependent upon the limiting space and is obtained as; 0.24[(2 x limiting space) -1.2]2 if limiting space is less than 2 3) Determination of the recommendation for a fire fighting shaft and firefighting lift in various cases. a) An office building with a top occupied floor of 250m2 located at 19m above fire service vehicle access level. Both a firefighting lift and a firefighting shaft are recommended b) A four storey assembly building with a top storey of 1400m2 located 10m above fire service vehicle access level. Both a firefighting lift and a firefighting shaft are recommended 4) The minimum fire resistance periods recommended for various structures as follows: a) A 30m high sprinkler protected residential building Minimum recommended time period is sixty minutes b) A single storey shop with sprinkler protection Minimum recommended time period is thirty minutes. 5) The purpose groups considered to be appropriate for various premises as follows: a) A students union building (e.g. 53°) As indicated from table D1, the purpose group is going to be 2b. b) A department store As indicated from table D1, this belongs in purpose group 4 (Commercial and shop) c) A factory As indicated from table D1, this belongs in purpose group 6 (Industrial) 6) The recommended limitations in distance in accordance with Table 2 of ADB (single direction and more than one direction) for the various facilities as shown: a) A normal hazard storage facility. For Single direction, 25m is recommended For more than one direction, 45m is recommended b) A place of special fire hazard. For Single direction, 9m is recommended For more than one direction, 18m is recommended c) The bedroom of an apartment For Single direction, 9m is recommended For more than one direction, 18m is recommended d) A lecture theatre with fixed seating in rows For Single direction, 15m is recommended For more than one direction, 32m is recommended e) Shop floor For Single direction, 18m is recommended For more than one direction, 45m is recommended f) Plant room that exits through the accommodation within a building For Single direction, 18m is recommended For more than one direction, 45m is recommended 7) In accordance with Table 3 of ADB, the minimum number of escape routes for people is as follows; a) 10 people; one escape route. b) 100 people; two escape routes. c) 200 people; two escape routes. d) 500 people; two escape routes. 8) In accordance with Table 4 of ADB the required minimum exit width for accommodating various numbers of people are as follows; a) 219 people; 1050mm b) 61 people; 850mm c) 10 people; 750mm d) 500 people; 2500mm 9) For this building; a) 75 persons There are no stairs on the ground floor, thus 75people × 3 storey=225people = P 225= (200w + 50[n-1] [w-0.3]); = (200w + 50[w-0.3] [2]) 225=200w +100w-30 Therefore, W= 850 mm = 0.85 meters b) 130 persons W= [390 + 30]/150 + (50 x n) = 1400 mm = 1.4 meters 10) For this building; a) 155 persons 155people × 4 storey =620 people; all stairs in use P = (620/3); P =207 W= P+15n-15/ (150+50n); W=207+60-15/ (150+200); W= 720 mm = 0.72 meters b) 230 persons 230 people ×4 storey = 920people P = (920/3); P = 307; W=307+60-15/(150+200); W= 1000mm = 1 metre 11) For 100 occupants W= (60S + (N/2.5)) / 80 For W= 0.85 meters, final exit required = ((60×0.85) + (325/2.5) + /80 =2.26meters 12) According to Table C1, appropriate floor space factors; a) An office; 6.0 m2 per person b) A bar; 0.3 m2 per person c) A shop; 2.0 m2 per person d) A students union (e.g. 53Degrees) : 0.3m2 per person 13) For a square room, 40m by 40m; Area of floor =1600m2 Occupant load for the office =1600/6=267 occupants Exit units =267/ (40×3) =2.225 Exit number =1 + U/4 =0 .45, thus a single unit is to be provided. For the bar, 1600/0.3=5333 occupants; U=5333/120=44.4; 44.4/4 Exit number = 8.88 = 9 exits For the shop; (1600/2) = 800 occupants; U= 800/120=6.67 Exit number = 1 + 6.67/4 =1.3, thus a single unit is to be provided. Student union, (1600/0.3) = 5333 occupants 14) Meaning of the following terms: (a) Life safety It refers to the concern for human life as well as, their wellbeing. (b) Property protection It includes the requirements and steps put in place to prevent fire damage (c) Fire resistance: It is the capability of a material not to yield to fire so that for a certain given temperature and definite duration of time without failing (d) Cavity barrier. These are constructions provided specifically to close concealed spaces and offer prevention to penetration by smoke and fire (Grice, 2009) . 15) For the two storey building; a) Travel distances from each room and each floor, A maximum of 10 - 2.5 =7.5 meters b) Occupancy load, Office area = 2 x (25×5) = 250 sq. metres c) With a workspace factor of 6 Load of occupancy = 250/6 = 42 occupants d) Purpose group According to table D1, the Purpose group is 3 (office) e) Exit and final exit widths Unit number required = Number of occupants / (42× flow time Where flow time considered is (3 minutes for class A, 2.5 Minutes for class B and 2 Minutes for class C) Therefore Unit number required =42/ (42×3) =0.35= 0.4 units ≤1 therefore the width=0. 750 metres wide f) Stair widths For 42 occupant, stair width = 42 x the capacity factor Stair width = 42×7.62= 0. 320 metres of stairway width g) Classification of wall and ceiling linings. Ceiling linings and walls for this block of flats are in zero class References Bryon, M., & Bryon, M. (2011). How to pass the UK's national firefighter selection process: everything you need to know to succeed in the national assessments. London, Kogan Page Christian, S. D. (2003). A guide to fire safety engineering. [London], BSI. Great Britain. (2002). The event safety guide: a guide to health, safety and welfare at music and similar events. Norwich, HSE Books. Grice, A. (2009). Fire risk: fire safety law and its practical application. London, Thorogood Pub. Ltd. Nolan, D. P. (2010). Handbook of Fire and Explosion Protection Engineering Principles for Oil, Gas, Chemical and Related Facilities. Burlington, Elsevier Science. Ramachandran, G. (1998). Economics of Fire Protection. London, Spon Press. Rasbash, D. (2004). Evaluation of fire safety. Chichester, West Sussex, England, J. Wiley. Vitoriano, B., Montero, J., & Ruan, D. (2013). Decision aid models for disaster management and emergencies. Amsterdam, Atlantis Press. Read More