Fire Strategy for the Proposed JB Firth Building - Essay Example

Fire Strategy for the Proposed JB Firth Building Introduction We are a consultancy firm working on an analysis of a plan to construct JB Firth building adjacent to Maudland building. This is our report of the analysis of the building plan of JB Firth Building along with the requested Fire Strategy. Fire safety in buildings and structures initially involves careful engineering which requires accuracy and scientific study for engineering application; this is aided with experience and judgement as in other engineering disciplines. Engineering involves the need to evaluate fire hazard and risk and to offer fire safety strategies and designs based on performance not prescription. Safety engineering is much needed in fire safety because engineering involves careful planning. Incorporating safety measures in structures and buildings is a must under the Building Regulations 2000 (Health and Safety Executive, 2007) and other significant legislations on fire safety and prevention. It should occupy careful study by engineers and architects. The principles in the code must enable the engineer to properly plan the fire safety framework. Experience tells us that many causes of fire are due to poor building design, inadequate emergency procedures, and other necessary measures not being implemented, or not adhering to proper regulations. Furthermore, interior furnishings exacerbate the growth of fires, or they could be the primary cause of fire. Engineers and architects should not neglect installing the necessary fire protective devices in buildings and structures. In public buildings, such as the JB Firth Building, owners should be extra careful in installing furnishings or linings which can be said as “fuel load” to possible fires. Our report will cover the fire safety strategy, including conclusions and recommendations from our study with respect to the fire safety measures as incorporated in the plan. This will also evaluate whether these are in accordance with the Building Regulations 2000 on Fire Safety and other important legislations on fire safety and prevention. Also included in the report are the application methods of fire risk assessment. We will also examine the materials used in furnishings, structures and linings which should have the strength to withstand fire or heat. We will provide our assessment and summary of the building, and the provisions of the Building Regulations, whether these are being implemented and executed with respect to the detection and warning systems; the means of escape should there be a fire; the internal fire spread linings; the internal fire spread structure; the external fire spread; the fire fighting access and facilities for the fire service, among many others. One of our aims is to conduct risk management because through this we can have a quality project (Kent, 2004, p. 31). We will therefore assess the risk of fire in the four levels of the proposed building and recommend solutions to the identified problems and risks. In a way, we will be conducting risk management process. Without the proper implementation of the risk management process, the chances of conflagration and other accidents may occur. Risk management planning is important for the success of a project. We can then minimize costs of construction and maintenance of the building and protect the safety and preserve the health of people within the building as well. Risk management involves supervision and management of an establishment or premises which has equipment, structures, and processes that need to be closely monitored. (Gallati, 2003, p. 5) We have noted that fire safety and prevention are broad areas of concern which has many interrelated subtopics relevant to this report. Fire safety is everyone’s concern but puts a lot of pressure and responsibility on the part of the owner of the building. A significant part of the report analysis is about the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, an important legislation on fire safety and prevention, and other relevant laws such as the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and the Explosives Atmosphere Directives 99/92 (ATEX 137), which have provisions for fire safety and prevention in public buildings and premises and which form part of a fire risk assessment. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order 2005) encompasses fire safety methods and prevention which are applicable only for England and Wales. It covers many aspects of fire prevention and puts responsibility to the owner (who is known as the responsible person) on the implementation of fire safety prevention. (Grice, 2009, p. 23) Building Summary The building under proposal will be composed of four levels – level 0, 1, 2, and 3. It will be constructed adjacent to the Maudland Building and linked to the latter through several bridges at levels 1, 2, and 3. At Level 0, JB Firth will have no link to Maudland. At Level 0, we find the analytical lab which provides rooms for the X-Ray, atomic absorption, and the various staff offices. The four levels have one ventilated chemical store each, which are situated in the lobby that proceeds to the Maudland Building. At level 1, we find the forensic science and chemistry lab. At level 2, the Forensic Science and Chemistry Teaching Lab can be found. It also has an adjacent ventilated chemical store, and near it are archive room, photocopier and kitchen. These areas can be susceptible to fire; the chemical store should be relocated in such a way that it is far away from the archive room, photocopier and kitchen. The materials used in these areas can easily catch fire, and thus they should be situated in a place where fire prevention equipments are easily available. If the archive room, photocopier and kitchen cannot be relocated, then it might be possible to transfer into another location the ventilated chemical store. Level 3 houses the Fire Lab Research. This is where the entrance to the entire building is located, a rather awkward situation. The sloping should not have adequate space for an entrance and exit. Routes can be constructed to provide the entrance/exit. The entrance at Level 3 should not be the only available route, because this runs counter to the Building Regulations 2000. It is dangerous for the students and workers inside the JB Firth Building. Building Analysis In our initial observation, our first concentration focuses on the location of the proposed building. The area is a sloping site. We can then focus our observation and analysis on the lowest portion of the proposed building, Level 0. This is the only portion of the building that has no link or bridge to the adjacent Maudland Building. It can run out of equipment and materials to prevent fire. Moreover, if and when fire occurs, where would the firefighters pass through and make their way to attack and put off the fire. They have to make their entrance at Level 3. We recommend an excess connecting the ground floor of Maudland to Level 0 of the proposed building. The Fire Lab and Research Lab on Level 3, Forensic Science and Chemistry teaching lab on Level 2, the Forensic Science and Chemistry lab on level 1, the Analytical Lab on Level 0, and the various Chemical stores, may contain hazardous substances and explosives, and they have to be covered and regulated under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and the Explosives Atmosphere Directives 99/92 EC (ATEX 137). (DSEAR and ATEX Regulations, n.d.) The HSE and Local Authorities, Fire Brigades and Petroleum Licensing Authorities are tasked to enforce laws for the safety of premises and occupants therein. (Health and Safety Executive, 2009) Detection and warning systems Detection and warning system is embodied in B1 of the Building Regulations. Appropriate measures should be provided in the building so that a warning system can warn individuals within the premises when a fire occurs. A warning device should be installed in the building. Moreover, fire detection alarms are a necessity in buildings and structures to warn occupants of an existing fire. Computerized fire-detection alarms are now available at reasonable prices. These alarms are applied with the necessary IT tool or software which can aid the engineer or designer in planning the fire-safety measures in buildings. Nowadays, high-rise buildings and structures use sophisticated fire detection alarms to warn occupants and maintenance crews of an existing fire. There is also the surge of sophisticated smoke detectors to increase fire-detection methods. The addressable fire alarm system is both automatic and manual operated. The photoelectric smoke detector is composed of a sensitive electronic circuit that provides alarm in case smoke is detected. Photoelectric detectors can be installed in high-ceiling areas and spaces with medium to high-velocity airflow at the ceiling level. The air-sampling detection system uses a laser beam-based photoelectric smoke detection. Warning and protective devices are also installed in air-conditioning units which may add “fuel load” to an existing fire. It is clear that warning devices and detection alarms are not found in the proposed building. Fire protection alarms should be installed within the four levels of the proposed building. A licensed electronic engineer should be able to install the alarms. We recommend that this will be given another careful study with the services of IT professionals, or electronics/electrical engineers. Means of escape The required means of escape is also provided in B1. This will ensure that the four levels – Levels 0, 1, 2, 3, will have a means of escape in case of fire. There is no means of escape at Level 0. Occupants of the building will have to pass through the stairs or the lift to go up to Level 3 to make their exit. Level 0 should be connected to the ground floor of the Maudland Building. Vertical evacuation through the lifts and stairs of the building is not feasible. In the event of fire where the different levels are occupied by a large number of people, the two lifts and stairs of the building may not be enough. It is clear that JB Firth Building is not rightly planned and it is a fire hazard itself. Exit routes at Level 0 are non-existent. Escape from fire will have to pass through the main entrance at Level 3, or through the bridges and links to the adjacent Maudland Building. We can provide a clear scenario here. What if fire originates at Level 0? There is no way out for the occupants except through the lift and the stairs, going up to Level 1 where there is a bridge going to the Maudland Building. What if fire has started at Level 1? It is obvious that the occupants of the building can be trapped. Those at Level 0 will have no way out. It will be a very dangerous situation considering that Level 0 contains laboratories and offices. Our recommendation is to have an exit route for Level 0. It is also obvious that the provisions of B1 of the Building Regulations 2000 are not being considered as a guideline. The provisions of B1 are stated here: a. The routes should be able to accommodate the number of individuals and the capacity to hold this number or load. The number of routes should be sufficient so that there will be no overcrowding in case of fire and any emergency. b. The routes should also be fire-proof, meaning the individuals escaping from fire and passing through these areas are protected from the effects of fire; c. There should be enough and adequate lighting, which means the people escaping from fire should not be left in the dark; d. There should be adequate signs and the escaping individuals know where to go; e. Appropriate facilities are provided such as protection from excess inhalation of smoke and fire cannot penetrate the routes. f. The approximate size and height of the routes should provide space for the escaping residents of the building. g. Early warning will allow the persons in the building of the presence of fire. Additionally, the bridges linking JB Firth and Maudland buildings, are not fire-proof. Some adequate measures should be taken. Firefighting systems should be installed along these areas. Internal fire spread linings The internal fire spread (linings) provisions are embodied in B2 of the Building Regulations 2000. The provisions state that the internal linings should be adequate enough “to resist the spread of fire over their surfaces” and once ignited these linings should be able to withstand the heat and fire growth that is reasonable. The law provision defines “internal linings” as those materials which are used in the rooms, partitions, walls, ceilings, and other materials used inside the rooms and the premises. (Legislation.gov.uk, 2000 - B2, p. 62) At Level 0, it is not clear whether the internal linings can withstand fire, but at Level 1, there are voids which of course have a purpose, i. e. to withstand heat or to separate one partition from another. It is also the same with Level 2 and 3 where there are “lines of smoke”. Internal fire spread structure B3 of the Building Regulations 2000 state that there should be a wall to separate two buildings in order to contain the spread of fire. It is clear that there will be two buildings in this situation, the JB Firth and the Maudland Buildings. The provision states that these should be treated as two buildings. There should be measures to be taken that the spread of fire will be undertaken and included in the structure design, for example the two buildings should be divided in such a way that fire will be easily controlled, and that fire suppression facilities are available. (Legislation.gov.uk, 2000 – B3, p. 67) In our assessment of the plan, we can say that there is adequate separation from the two buildings, and that JB Firth and Maudland Buildings are connected only through bridges and links. In this case, there should be adequate firefighting equipment and utilities so that in the event fire occurs at the JB Firth, it can be contained and not spread out to the adjacent building. External fire spread The Building Regulations 2000 states that the walls of the building should be strong enough to resist the further growth of fire. JB Firth walls should be able to withstand the spread of fire. This also applies to the roof of the building, which should be strong enough so that fire may not spread. (Legislation.go.uk, 2000 – B4, p. 91) Fire fighting access and facilities for the fire service Sprinklers effectively act by reducing the temperature of the burning contents. Any fire-fighting system installed as part of the fabric of the structure should be supplemented by the supply of both suitable portable fire extinguishers and by hose reels for local fire fighting. The value of installing an automatic sprinkler system for life safety and property protection has been well documented over many years of service in a variety of specific applications. The sprinkler system should also be maintained in such a condition that it is always ready to discharge water on in the event of fire. (Leber, 2003, p. 43) The original plan not to include sprinklers in the building (to save cost) is not a good decision because this would jeopardize the safety of the people inside during fire. Sprinklers can help in controlling the spread of fire. Absence of sprinklers will violate the Building Regulations 2000. Sprinklers should be provided in the four levels of JB Firth Building to ensure the immediate control of fire. However, if for some reason, such as to minimize the cost of installing the fire protection system, there are some parts of the building which do not necessarily need the installation of sprinklers. Level 0 needs sprinkler, especially at the analytical laboratory. This is a rather large area for a laboratory, and for sure there will be many people, including guests and students who will be concentrated in this area. Adequate fire fighting access and facilities should be instituted, including sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipments. Electronic alarms and circuit breakers should be installed on all levels of the building. The external parts of this portion of the building may not necessarily need sprinklers, but the internal parts will need sprinklers. All inside portions of Level 1 will also need sprinklers, but the bridge and the outside may not necessarily need sprinklers. The presence of firefighting equipment at the stairs can provide a substitute for the sprinklers. This is a good location and it is commendable. The forensic science and chemistry lab will require sprinklers. The voids in front of the science and chemistry lab are recommended because they can provide enough space in case of fire; fire can be easily controlled. These voids also allow firefighters to have enough space to control the fire. Fire fighting facilities from level 0 to level 3 are in the location of the stairs, which is adjacent to the lift. On level 3, where the entrance to the building is located and where access to the Maudland Building is also located. Regulatory Reform Order and Fire Safety Management Under the 2005 Order, the owner or employer acts as the ‘responsible person’ who is entrusted to prevent the risks of fire in his/her business premises, the area of responsibility, and must do everything in his/her power to conduct the necessary risk assessment. The provisions of the 2005 Order are clear about the different circumstances when fire can occur. The responsible person must ensure that structures are constructed and maintained within the guidelines prescribed by law. Fire prevention is safety itself, and this may correlate or link with the use of the right materials prescribed by the 2005 Order to ensure the safety of the persons in the premises. Conclusions There are some missing parts in the planning of the JB Firth, and this includes fire safety and prevention. The provisions of the Building Regulations 2000 should be considered and incorporated in the planning of proposed building, for without this step, there will be possible problems in the future with respect to fire safety and prevention for the proposed building. This may not however involve major changes in the planning for the building; some parts have to be modified, while others will be added to ensure that there is safety for the hundreds of occupants in the building at one time or another. It was not stated in the case scenario as to how many occupants will there be in the building at one time, but for sure there will be many students, teachers, guests and researchers. The building is large and contains laboratories and offices which can be in danger of fire if no adequate fire risk assessment is conducted. References DSEAR and ATEX Regulations (n.d.). What do DSEAR and ATEX stand for? [online]. Available at: http://www.dsear-regulations.co.uk/ [Accessed 10 Mar 2011]. Grice, A., 2009. Fire risk: fire safety law and its practical application. London: Thorogood Publishing Ltd. Gallati, R., 2003. Risk management and capital adequacy. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing, Inc. Health and Safety Executive, 2009. The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 [online]. Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/dsear.htm [Accessed 10 Mar 2011]. Kent, J., 2004. Risk management. [e-journal] Available through: www. Housingzone.com [Accessed 10 Mar 2011]. Leber, F., 2003. “Fire Alarm System Interfaces.” Operation of Fire Protection Systems. A. Cote, Ed., Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association, Inc. Legislation.gov.uk., n.d. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [online]. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/14/made [Accessed 10 Mar 2011]. Legislation.gov.uk, 2000. Building Regulations 2000 (Fire safety: Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwelling houses (online version). Available at: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/2531/contents/made [Accessed 11 Mar 2011]. Appendix 1 - Means of escape calculation This is the portion of the floor plan where Level 0 of JB Firth can have access to the Ground Floor of Maudland Building. This should be opened as soon as construction begins. It can act as exit route and entrance to the proposed building. Without this portion, Level 0 becomes dangerous in the event of fire. Appendix 2 Level 0 lobby to entrance of Ground Floor of Maudland Building is closed. This becomes a dead end and unless this is open to connect to Maudland Ground Floor, it becomes a death trap. Read More