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Semester 1

Fire Safety Engineering 4 (CIVE10028)

Subject

Civil Engineering

College

SCE

Credits

10

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course provides a training in engineering approaches to applied problems. The student is introduced to the principles of design for the fire safety engineering of various infrastructures, with an emphasis in the built environment. A variety of different aspects of design are discussed (including: flammability, detection & alarm, smoke management, fire suppression, fire resistance, egress, etc.), with particular attention to systems of classification and design applications. The course distinguishes 'prescriptive' and 'performance-based' approaches to design, with an emphasis on understanding the philosophy of design guidance; references are made to more advanced methods and opportunities to use fire science knowledge and engineering analysis approaches, as well as the interface with structural engineering. The overall aim is to build confidence in tackling simple fire safety engineering design with due consideration to any limitations, uncertainties or conservatisms which may be present.

Course Description

Lecture 1 Introduction to Fire Safety Engineering (wks1,2)Principles of regulations for fire safety, lessons from failures, intro to prescriptive and performance-based design methodologies- Some historical context- Overview of relevant codes and standards (Approved Document B, BS9999, BS7974, Eurocode 1)- Information on course deliveryLecture 2 Flammability (wk3)Concept of 'Flammability' and associated principles of hazard classification- Standard methods for establishing flammability of different compounds- Combustible/Flammable liquids- Buncefield case studyCodes: NFPA 30, ASTM D56-02, etcLecture 3 Fire Detection and Alarm (wk4)Principles of 'Fire Detection and Alarm'- System categories, including life and property protection- Alarm and detection zones- Detector technologies- Advanced systems (FireGrid)Code: BS5839-1Lecture 4 Smoke Control (wk5)Concept of 'stairwell pressurisation'- Fundamentals aspects of smoke movement in buildings (BRE "No Smoke with Fire" video)- Strategies for smoke control, including active and passive systems - Specifications for pressurised spaces- Practical aspects of implementationCode: BS EN12101-6; Bellido et al. paperLectures 5a,b Fire Suppression (wks6,7)Principles of 'Fire Suppression'- Introduction to suppression systems- Design of sprinkler systems- Design of gaseous fire suppression systems- Dry chemical fire suppressionCode: BS EN 12845:2004; Bryan ch. 7; BS ISO 15004-1/6:2008; Ewing et al. - Fire Technology 'Flame extinguishment properties of dry chemicals'Lectures 6a,b Fire Resistance (wks8,9)Concept of 'Fire Resistance'- Fire resistance requirements as function of building/occupancy - Compartmentation concept- Methods for specifying fire resistance of structural elements- Steel, concrete, timber, etc.Codes: ADB/BS9999, BS476-20; BS5950-8, BS8110-2, BS5268-4, Eurocode 3Lecture 7 Egress (wk10)Understand the principles of 'Egress'- Prescriptive methods for egress: travel distances, sizing of corridors and stairways- Simultaneous v Phased evacuation- Risk profiles- Human behaviour aspectsCode: ADB, BS9999, BS7974:6Lecture 8 Revision (wk11)There is a single assessed tutorial encompassing one or more of the above topics. A formative tutorial will also be completed, with feedback provided before the assessed tutorial.[Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes Learning Outcomes summary: SM1b, SM1m, SM4m; EA3b, EA3m, EA4b, EA4m; D3b, D3m; EL5, EL5m; P1, P2, P2m, P10m; G1]

Assessment Information

Written Exam 80%, Coursework 20%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

The assessment will be made on the basis of: Intermittent Assessment 20% and Degree Examination 80%

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