How do you incorporate passive fire protection strategies in your design process?

latest National Building Code of India 2016 Part – IV “Fire & Life Safety” covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structures.

Conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment for the building which includes factors such as the building's purpose (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial), occupancy type, size, location, and the potential ignition sources. Identify potential fire hazards within the building and its surroundings. This includes sources of ignition (electrical equipment, heating systems), flammable materials (chemicals, fuels), and the presence of occupants who may not be able to evacuate easily (elderly or disabled individuals). Analyze how a fire might grow and spread within the building. This analysis helps identify critical areas where passive fire protection measures should be focused to slow down fire progression.

As rightly highlighted earlier the National Building Code of India Part IV specifies the area where passive fire stopping is needed in a building. Whereas the IS12458 and UL1479 standardises the requirements and gives the details of What needs to be done in order to save the lives of the inhabitants and the integrity of the building. The question is why would someone take the risk of fire hazard in their construction keeping their reputation at stake?

Use fire-resistant materials. Create fire compartments. Provide adequate means of escape. When designing a new hospital, the architect would first identify all potential fire hazards and risks, such as the kitchen, pharmacy, and operating rooms. They would then design fire compartments to isolate these areas and prevent the spread of fire and smoke. For example, the kitchen would be separated from the rest of the hospital by fire-rated walls and doors. The architect would also use fire-resistant materials throughout the hospital, such as concrete and gypsum board. By incorporating passive fire protection strategies into the design process, the architect can help to ensure the safety of patients and staff in the event of a fire.

Siempre el primer paso debe ser: Capacitar / Concientizar / Entrenar Capacitar: Para que no suceda el incendio, ya sea con mantenimiento que minimice las causa que lo producen, y sabiendo que cosas pueden producir un foco ígneo para que no se produzcan. Concientizar: Un gran porcentaje de incendios se produce por falla humana, debemos ser concientes para que no sucedan. Entrenar: Estar entrenado minimiza riesgos

Thoughtful selection of interior finishes will go a long way to guard against fire and fire-related damage. Interior finishes have the potential to contribute to a fire in four discreet ways: 1. They can affect the rate of fire buildup by flashover, i.e. simultaneous ignition. 2. They can contribute to fire extension by flame spread over their surface. 3. They can add to fire intensity by increasing fuel load. 4. They can produce smoke and toxic gases that contribute to life hazard and property damage. Noncombustible finishes like brick and ceramic tile check none of these boxes. In fact, we need fire to manufacture these materials. It is the fire in the kiln that gives them their strength.

There are three ways for fire control; passive methods, active or positive method and education. for Passive control of fire included but not limited to the following: 1. Fire hazard analysis ( Reference: NFPA 1- Fire Code & NFPA 704- Identification of hazard) to mention the potential source of harm. 2. Fire risk analysis to register possibility and impact of each possible harm or hazard ( Reference: NFPA 551) 3. Fire suppression methods : to study the material of building; cladding, sandwich panels, fire rated walls/ ceilings/ firestop material ( NFPA-5000- Building and construction code) & NFPA 101- Life safety 4. Strength study of structure; concrete, wooden, or steel and how sustainable against fire event. (NFPA-5000)

5. Means of Egress to maintain safety for people in case of fire, travel distance and dead distance to be considered according to NFPA-101 6. Smoke management system; smoke extraction fans and pressurization fans in stairs ( NFPA 92A,B)

Education is considered a passive method to control fire by raising awareness of staff including training sessions, Fire event simulation, check manuals and trouble shooting of systems periodically, installing fire hose cabinets and fire extinguishers with instructions to use. contact list for emergency to be distributed for Fire fighter safety department, accessible access for fire truck and external aids.

In my experience, smoke screens and curtains can be essential controls one can place in a multifamily development setting to enhance fire safety. These systems can be installed in strategic locations like hallways/stairwells and at fire-rated partitions of two buildings to contain smoke and reduce the risk of inhalation injuries. These controls can buy firefighters critical time in high-density dwelling spaces like a large apartment building where quick and safe evacuation is paramount.

Collaborate with fire protection engineers and other experts who specialize in fire safety. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions and ensure compliance with regulations. Document all findings and decisions related to fire risk assessment and performance requirements. This documentation will guide the design and construction processes and serve as a reference for inspections and maintenance. Continuously evaluate and update your fire risk assessment and passive fire protection strategies as the building evolves. Changes in occupancy, building use, or renovations may necessitate adjustments to your fire protection measures.