How to Act Under Fire Situations - Assignment Example

1. a) There are certain factors that will determine how we will act under fire situations. Discuss any three (3) of the following factors: Physical ability of occupants The physical ability is important because if there are many people with disability that affect their movement in a building then use of lifts in the process of evacuation would result to significant reduction of evacuation time. Where lifts are used as in evacuation during emergency for all occupants then there would no need to have additional facilities specifically targeting the disabled people. But where such a scenario exists evacuation times are likely to be longer more so if there are many occupants with the level of protection of the enclosure of the lifts becoming paramount. The age of the occupants may have an influence on the occupant’s ability of utilizing the stairs in the evacuation process during emergency. Where the occupants are youthful and in good health stairs may serve perfectly as evacuation means but where majority are elderly or children then lifts incorporation as emergency evacuation option is very important. Slow moving people like the disabled people may interfere with free flow of those who does not have any disability and this would serve to reduce flow capacity. This may not be the case where the stairs provided are of adequate width and if the density in the stairs is low then those without disability would be able to move faster and overtake the disabled living them behind to move at the speed of their ability. Alartness The reaction time of the occupants may considerably have effect on their chances of mak9ng use of alternative modes of evacuation or the modes of evacuation. Where there is a fast reaction times then there will be increased chances of the occupants being able to benefit from multiple modes of evacuation or evacuation procedures which are event specific. This will come about as a result of the majority of the evacuation routes being usable in the early stages of fire incident. On the other hand having a short reaction time may result to a situation where a huge number of the occupants may enter the escape facilities in a short time resulting to congestion. In case there is utilization of a number of escape routes including lifts, stairs and escalators, then there would be reduction in congestion risk translating to reduction in evacuation times. This is especially would be witnessed in the case where the building is the work place of the occupants and the incident of fire finds them awake in addition to being very familiar with the building and the systems. In the case where the occupants are well awake but they happen to be unfamiliar with the building as well as the systems, then having a short reaction time would depend on the alarm systems in place and how the trained staff would intervene in the situation and thus on high standard of fire safety management being exhibited. But supposed there is a slow reaction time then use of alternative evacuation modes would pause problems and the benefits from them would not be obvious. Where there are able bodied occupants in sleeping type buildings (whether they are familiar or non-familiar) then it would result to having a highly varied reaction times which would then result to low probability of stairs being congested. This in essence implies that evacuation times depend more on reaction times and travel distances other that queuing. Familiarity with building By having layout knowledge of the building the occupants’ ability to use alternative modes of evacuation is significantly increased. Where all occupants have knowledge of building layout, then there would be increased chance of them choosing amongst the multiple modes of evacuation or would be able to use evacuation procedures which are specific to particular event. This particularly resonates with the case where occupants are at their place of work and they happen to have received training with regards to some specific evacuation provisions and procedures. On the other a hand where the situation is such that very few understand the layout of the building or where visual access is not good, then it could be difficult for the occupants being aware of let alone being able to use the alternative evacuation modes. However the degree of familiarity to be exhibited by the occupants would show variation where some of them would not have any clue on the layout, other may be somehow familiar with the building the building layout by being frequent visitors but may not be familiar with the available alternative modes of evacuation during emergency. In such cases, more so where there is no good visual access, then it would be more difficult for the occupants being aware of the alternatives. b) Calculate the time it takes for an adult male walking along a 100m corridor when density is 0.70 persons / m2, 0.60 persons / m2, 0.50 persons / m2 0.40 persons / m2 Use the equations in Appendix A. Comment on the effect of density on the travel time. For densities D=0.55 persons/m2 We apply Where a is a constant =0.266m2/person For density 0.70persons/m2 =1.139m/s For distance s=100m Time For density 0.60persons/m2 =1.177m/s For distance s=100m Time For density 0.5persons/m2 =1.19 For distance s=100m Time For density 0.4persons/m2 =1.19 For distance s=100m Time Using the data from Table C1 „Floor space factors‟ (Appendix B), calculate the number of people within the building. [15 Marks] Room id Area (m2) Factor(m2/person) RDS Store 7m2 30 1 Clearance star 2.6 m2 30 1 NRM Suite 47 m2 5 10 PREP Area 21.5 m2 1 22 Analytical Lab 144 m2 30 RDS ICPMS 16.5 m2 5 3 RDS Atomic Absorp. 16 m2 5 3 RDS AFM 15 5 3 RDS X-RAY 15 5 3 RDS SEM 15 5 3 RDS TEM 20 5 4 RDS (XPS) 10 5 2 RDS Balance 20 5 4 RDS Staff office 8.5 6 1 RDS Staff office 8.5 6 1 Staff office (meeting) 14.5 6 3 Staff office (Additional) 15 6 3 Staff office 11 6 2 Staff office (Additional) 15 6 3 Staff office 11 6 2 Staff office (Additional) 15 6 3 Staff office (Additional) 15 6 3 Staff office (Additional) 14.5 6 3 Staff office 8.5 6 2 Staff office 8.5 6 2 TOTAL 117 b) According to Table 3 of Approved Document B, determine the minimum number of exits required. [5 Marks] Number of exits= 2 c) Determine how wide should the exit width be as a minimum. [5 Marks] Width of exit =1050mm PART B 5. In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other legislation makes use of the acronyms ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable). The ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable) principle recognizes that there are three broad categories of risks, Explain each of the following; a) Hazard and risk? Give an example of each. A hazard is defined as a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person. Sometimes hazard and risk are used interchangeably but an example that can be used to distinguish the two is where spilled water in a room that can lead to slipping which is a hazard. A risk is defined as likelihood or someone being harmed or to suffer adverse health effects when exposed to a hazard. In the case of the spilled water if access to the water is prevented by use of a physical barrier then the risk would have been minimized even though the hazard would still remain. b) Negligible risk This is where there is no foreseeable risk of harm of creation of any form of discomfort and any risk that is foreseeable would not be more than an inconvenience. In this case is where even if the risk is unlikely it would be more of an inconvenience. c) Tolerable risk This is what is described as being in the middle band where there may be need to have some risk reduction measures but there implementation may not be forthcoming suppose the cost is disproportionate in comparison to achievable benefit. d) Unacceptable risk This occupies the upper at the upper band and in this band reduction measures are very necessary as the risk can cause a great harm. The Fire safety legislation of the UK has been simplified rationalised and consolidated with respect to fire safety in buildings in use. a) Explain the key stages of a Fire Risk Assessment. [20 marks] Stage 1 The first stage is identifying the fire hazards which include the source of ignition, fuel and oxygen. All the hazards are to be present for there to be fire and therefore measures taken to avoid the three coming together would considerably reduce the chances of occurring of fire. It is important to identify the likely sources of fire ignition in the building by looking for possible sources of heat that are likely gain temperatures to the extent that they could cause ignition to the materials present. Some of the sources smoker’s materials such as cigarettes and lighters; naked flames such as candles and cooking equipments among others. The sources that are likely to fuel the fire also need to be identified where the target is to be materials that can burn reasonably fast and the quantities should be enough to provide fuel for a fire or be able to facilitate the fire spreading to another source of fuel. The common fuels that may be present include paints, adhesives, vanishes, cooking oils and solvents. The sources of oxygen are also to be identified where in building those are enclosed ventilation system provides the oxygen. The sources of oxygen in a building may be categorized as natural airflow coming through doors , windows and any other opening in the building capable allowing significant level of oxygen to enter or may be due to mechanical air handling system. . Stage 2: Identifying People at Risk Identifying the people at risk is a very important fire risk assessment whenever there is a fire incident. This is done by identifying the areas people are working be it permanent work stations or even occasional locations in the vicinity of the premises, considering any other person that may be at risk be it the contractors, customers and others. All people using the building are to be put into consideration but special attention is required to some special groups including Employees working alone or their work stations are isolated Groups of people that do not have thorough understanding of the building layout including those visiting, customers, seasonal workers and contractors Those with disabilities or those that may not evacuate quickly such as parents accompanied by children or the elderly. Stage 3: Evaluate, Remove, Reduce and Protect From Risk Evaluating the risk of a fire occurring There will be minimal chances of fire occurrence if few fire ignition sources are present in the premises. Fires are started any one of the three sources: accidentally, deliberately or by act f omission. It is important for one to look critically in their premises with the aim of identifying any accidents that may be likely to occur and acts and omissions that may lead to fire outbreak. Situations that may be favorable to arson attacks should also be looked into. Evaluation of risk to people Most likely there will be some chances of a fire starting somewhere in the premises and this makes it necessary for actual risk to people to be evaluated in event of fire starting and spreading from somewhere in the premises. Toxic gases are contained in the smoke and these are harmful to premises occupants. A fire that starts in a building that has modern fittings and furnishings would normally generate thick black smoke that would make vision impossible and would make it difficult for occupants to breath with high chances of the escape routes being blocked. It is very important for the means of escape are made adequate so as to ensure all occupants are able to escape to safety areas before fire and its related effects traps them in the building. Removing or reducing the hazards With the fire hazards having been identified, the hazards are to be removed whenever practicable. Where removal of the hazards is not possible then steps towards their reduction need to be taken. This is considered to be a very important component of fire risk assessment and it needs to be prioritized before any other action being undertaken. In taking actions in removing or reducing the fire hazards caution need to be taken so that there will be no substitution by other hazards. 0ther important components in step three are Flexibility of fire protection measures Fire-detection and warning systems Firefighting equipment and facilities Escape routes The type and number of people using the premises The number of escape routes and exits Management of escape routes Emergency escape lighting Signs Notices Installation, testing and maintenance Stage 4: Record, Plan, Inform, Instruct and Train In recording of important findings and undertakings which may include: fire hazards that have been identified; the action that have been undertaken or yet to be undertaken so as to remove or reduce the chance of occurrence of fire among others. Where some very small premises are involved , the record keeping may no more than some few sheets of paper that will have the significant findings the action taken if any and a copy of emergency plan. Where complex premises then keeping of dedicated record would be the best approach which would include the significant findings , the action taken if any, emergency plan copy and maintenance of a fire protection equipment and training. An emergency plan is very important when it comes to dealing with any fire situation and this is supposed to be based on the outcome of the fire risk assessment and should be accessible by the employees, the representative where applicable as well as the enforcing authority. For small premises the plan may be very similar to a fire action notice while in multi-occupied and more complex premises the emergency plan would be required to be more detailed and it would be compiled after there being consultation with other occupiers as well as other responsible people. b) Define the term “competent person”. [5 marks] This is a person with the skills which are necessary, knowledge and experience such that they are well placed to manage health and safety. Reference The Building Regulations 2010. Fire safety. Approved Document B. Read More