- Author
-
Snell, J. E.
- Title
- Fire Hazard and Risk: Evaluating Alternative Technologies.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Book or Conf
- National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS); Council of American Building Officials; Department of Housing and Urban Development; National Association of Home Builders; National Fire Protection Association; National Fire Sprinkler Association and National Institute of Standards and Technology. Sprinklers in Residential and Commercial Buildings. August 19-20, 1990,
Natl. Conf. States on Bldg. Codes and Standards,
Charleston, SC,
McIntyre, M., Editors,
1-23 p.,
1990
- Keywords
-
sprinklers
|
sprinkler systems
|
residential buildings
|
commercial buildings
|
fire hazard
|
fire risk
|
fire safety
|
risk analysis
|
fire protection
|
smoke detectors
|
smoke control
|
sprinklers
- Identifiers
- compartmentation; HAZARD I
- Abstract
- Fire safety decisions typically involve difficult choices between safety, cost and functionality. Obviously, buildings could be made completely fire safe by making sure they, and their contents simply do not burn, or by providing technologies that would clearly overpower any possible fire threat. Unfortunately, few would like, could afford or would be comfortable in such surroundings. Typically, the cost and functionality aspects of designs and products are well understood and effectively communicated. However, until recently means have not been available to quantify the fire hazard or risk people face, or to measure the effectiveness of fire protection technologies in specific real world situations. This paper reviews the status and potential of new tools for evaluating fire hazard and risk, cites examples of recent applications, and offers observations relevant to the current debate on the best means to provide fire safety in residential and commercial buildings.