- Author
-
Fire Code Reform Centre Ltd.
- Title
- Project 3: Fire Resistance and Non-Combustibility. Part 1. Objectives and Performance Levels for Fire Resistance.
- Coporate
- Fire Code Reform Centre Ltd., NSW Australia
- Report
-
Project 3; Part 1
October 1996
195 p.
- Keywords
-
fire resistance
|
fire codes
|
fire incidence
|
fire severity
|
performance based codes
- Abstract
- Fire Code Reform Project 3 is one of a series of projects designed to introduce flexibility and modem technology into the "deemed to satisfy" prescriptions of the BCA. This report describes Part 1 of the Project 3 study. The purpose of this part of the study was to examine the basis and status of current requirements pertaining to fire resistance, and to establish a rational approach upon which any proposed change may be founded. The report begins by examining the historical basis for the current BCA requirements in some detail. The review traces the BCA back to its predecessors and shows how the amalgamation of different earlier codes has given rise to a lack of clarity in the goals to be achieved by the requirements as they stand. Inconsistencies were identified. The changes introduced in bringing about the performance BCA have not altered the deemed-to-satisfy provisions, and have not removed anomalies. A review of the current requirements confiied this assessment, noting that the BCA is very complex in the area of fire resistance, and fails to give due weight to the other fire safety systems in a building when considering FRL's. A survey of industry showed that whilst there is not widespread dissatisfaction with fire resistance levels generally, there is a view that the regulations show inconsistencies and that certain requirements are unduly onerous. A survey of Australian fire incident statistics has provided valuable information on fire casualties, fire spread and property losses. The data appears to indicate that the fire-rated compartment of fire origin has little effect in limiting casualties, fire spread and property damage. Spread of a fire beyond the room of origin signifies a considerable increase in the likelihood of casualties and the cost of damage. The proportion of fires with flame damage extending beyond the room of origin is increased fourfold in the absence of sprinklers. In order to satisfy the identified need for a rational and consistent approach to fire resistance levels in buildings, the project team sought to determine the objectives for fire safety systems in buildings. These were related to the protection of life and property, and were interpreted into more specific aims to which fire resistance contributes. These aims are to do with the protection of escape routes, the protection of firefighting access, the containment of fire within and between buildings and the maintenance of structural stability. A set of performance levels were defined which would have to be met by fire resisting building elements in order for them to function as intended in meeting these aims. Modified definitions of fire compartment and critical structure were found to be useful. Once the performance levels have been defined a methodology is developed to show how building elements could achieve them. In the final chapters of the report it is shown how these performance levels could be applied to building elements as they appear within the BCA, giving a procedure whereby the fire resistance levels can be reappraised.