- Author
-
Cornelissen, A. A. M.
- Title
- Evaluating the Use of the NRCC Risk-Cost Assessment Model for Low-Rise Non-Residential Occupancies.
- Coporate
- Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA
- Report
-
Thesis
May 1993
198 p.
- Keywords
-
risk assessment
|
costs
|
wooden structures
|
computer models
|
fire dynamics
|
fire protection
|
fire safety
|
scenarios
|
state transition
- Abstract
- An evaluation of four fire risk-cost assessment methods was performed resulting in the selection of National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) risk-cost assessment model. This model will provide the general framework from which to build the proposed risk-cost assessment model for low-rise wood-framed non-residential buildings. The NRCC risk-cost assessment model is a system model consisting of stochastic state-transition and deterministic computer models to represent the complex nature of the interaction between humans, the fire dynamics, and athe building's fire protection and safety features. Presently the model is applicable to residential occupancies only. Modifications to the sub-models of the NRCC system model (in order to extend its application to low-rise non-residential buildings) are described in detail resulting in a proposed research program spanning the next several years. As a first step, fire scenarios were redefined and probability of occurrence values determined using statistical databases. Two model runs were performed demonstrating the importance of using accurate input data and how the model could be used as a tool to suggest engineering improvements.