Course Curriculum: Engineering Hazard Analysis and Control (Fire Aspect

in Building Design)

1. Fundamentals of Fire Dynamics in Buildings

• Combustion and Heat Transfer: Basic principles of combustion, fire spread, and
heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation).
• Stages of Fire Development: Incipient stage, growth stage, fully developed fire, and
decay stage.
• Smoke Movement and Control: Understanding smoke dynamics in buildings and
the importance of smoke control systems.
• Fire Load and Fire Severity: How fire load is quantified and its impact on building
design.

2. Fire Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

• Fire Risk Factors in Buildings: Identifying common fire hazards, such as electrical
faults, combustible materials, and human factors.
• Fire Hazard Analysis Techniques: Methods like HAZOP, Fault Tree Analysis
(FTA), and Event Tree Analysis (ETA) applied to fire risks.
• Quantitative Fire Risk Assessment (QRA): Tools for assessing fire risk probability
and consequences in building environments.
• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Planning and implementing fire prevention measures to
reduce hazards.

3. Building Fire Safety and Regulatory Framework

• Fire Codes and Standards: Introduction to key international and national fire safety
regulations (NFPA, IS, Eurocodes).
• Building Design for Fire Safety: Overview of designing buildings to prevent and
control fire, including compartmentation, escape routes, and fire-resistant construction
materials.
• Fire Resistance Ratings: Understanding fire-resistance classifications for walls,
floors, and structural elements.
• Passive vs. Active Fire Protection Systems: Detailed comparison of systems such as
firewalls, fire dampers (passive) vs. sprinklers, alarms, and smoke extraction systems
(active).

4. Fire Behavior of Building Materials

• Concrete, Timber, and Glass in Fire: Thermal and mechanical properties of

common building materials when exposed to fire.
 • Fire Protection Strategies for Building Materials: Insulation, fire-resistant
coatings, and treatments to enhance material performance during fire.
• Fire-Induced Structural Collapse: Mechanisms of structural collapse due to fire,
focusing on load-bearing elements and structural integrity.
• Thermal Degradation of Materials: Effects of high temperatures on the structural
and mechanical properties of materials.

5. Fire Modeling and Simulation

• Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS): Introduction to computational tools used for fire
simulation in building design.
• Performance-Based Fire Design (PBFD): Application of fire modeling for
performance-based fire safety engineering.
• Evacuation Modeling: Using software to model human behavior during building
evacuations and optimize egress routes.
• Real-Time Fire Simulations: Case studies of how fire models are used in designing
safe evacuation strategies and assessing fire risks in complex structures (e.g., airports,
stadiums).

6. Active Fire Protection Systems

• Sprinkler Systems: Design, performance, and limitations of automatic sprinkler

systems in controlling building fires.
• Fire Detection and Alarm Systems: Modern technologies in fire detection, including
smoke detectors, heat sensors, and alarms.
• Fire Suppression Systems: Use of water, gas, and chemical-based fire suppression
systems for different building environments.
• Fire Extinguishers and Firefighting Techniques: Types of extinguishers and their
suitability for different fire classes (A, B, C, D, K).

7. Structural Fire Engineering

• Design of Fire-Resistant Structures: Understanding how to design buildings that

remain structurally stable during a fire.
• Fire-Resistant Design of Key Building Elements: Focus on columns, beams, floors,
and walls, using fire-rated materials and techniques.
• Failure Mechanisms During Fire: Structural response and failure mechanisms in
buildings during fire exposure.
• Post-Fire Structural Assessment: Techniques for evaluating and repairing fire-
damaged structures.

8. Human Behavior in Fire and Egress Planning

 • Human Behavior During Fires: Psychological and physiological responses of
occupants during a fire emergency.
• Design of Egress Systems: Design principles for escape routes, stairwells, emergency
exits, and fire doors.
• Evacuation Time Calculations: How to calculate safe evacuation times using models
and simulations.
• Smoke Management and Egress: Systems to control smoke flow and ensure
visibility and breathable air during evacuations.

9. Fire Safety Audits and Compliance

• Conducting Fire Safety Audits: Methods and checklists for performing a

comprehensive fire safety audit of buildings.
• Regulatory Compliance and Certification: Ensuring building designs meet fire
safety regulations and obtaining necessary certifications.
• Fire Safety Training and Drills: Importance of regular fire drills and safety training
for building occupants and staff.

10. Case Studies in Fire Engineering

• High-Profile Fire Incidents: In-depth analysis of major building fires (e.g., Grenfell
Tower, Station Nightclub) to extract key lessons.
• Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Challenges of fire safety in tall buildings and
innovative solutions for firefighting and evacuation.
• Sustainable and Fire-Safe Building Design: Integrating fire safety into green
building design, materials, and construction techniques.
What is hazard?

Anything or condition with the potential to cause harm

The potential of a substance, person, activity or process to cause harm (injury or illness)

Anything (material/substance, machine, methods or matters) in the workplace that has the
potential to cause harm

e.g.
toxic chemicals, electricity, working on ladders, etc.

Hazard classifications

• Natural – (geological) a threat of a naturally occurring event that will have a negative effect on
people or the environment. (flood, lightening, wildfires, earthquake, soil erosion, high winds,
hurricanes, volcanic eruption, sink holes, tsunami, drought, famine, heat waves, climate
change
• Manmade - (sociological) threats having an element of human intent, negligence, or error; or
involving a failure of a human-made system. It results in huge loss of life and property. It
further affects a person's mental, physical and social well-being. (fire, flood, crime, arson, c,
terrorism, war)

Areas of potential hazards

Sources:

• Physical – doors, stairs, platforms, ladders, fire, falling objects, manual handling, noise,
vibration, temperature, radiation, lighting, air quality.
• Mechanical – electricity, machinery, equipment, pressure vessels, dangerous goods,
forklifts, cranes
• Chemical – chemical substances, liquids, cleaning agents, dust and fumes from
processes, acids, poisons, dangerous substances
• Biological – bacteria, viruses, pathogens, mould, mildew, insects, vermin, fungi, animals
• Psychological – workplace stressors, ergonomics, strain, overexertion
India, as a rapidly urbanizing country, faces significant challenges related to fire safety in
buildings. With increasing population density, high-rise structures, and complex infrastructure,
the risk of fire-related incidents is a critical concern.

1. Urbanization and Fire Risk: Rapid growth in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru
has led to the construction of high-rise buildings and commercial spaces. However, these
often lack proper fire safety measures, creating hazardous environments.
2. Compliance with Fire Safety Codes: The National Building Code (NBC) of India
provides comprehensive guidelines for fire safety. However, implementation and
enforcement of these codes can vary widely across regions, contributing to unsafe building
practices.
3. Common Causes of Fire: Electrical malfunctions, inadequate maintenance, combustible
materials, and poor escape route designs are major causes of building fires in India.
Incidents in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings highlight the importance of
addressing these hazards.
4. Recent Fire Incidents: High-profile fire disasters such as the Uphaar Cinema fire (1997),
Kamala Mills fire (2017), and Surat coaching center fire (2019) have highlighted the need
for stronger fire safety regulations and public awareness.
5. Challenges in Fire Response: India's urban areas often suffer from congested streets, poor
access for firefighting vehicles, and insufficient fire department resources, delaying
emergency response and increasing the damage caused by fires.
6. Emphasis on Fire Safety Awareness: Increased focus on fire safety audits, training
programs, and community awareness campaigns are essential to reducing fire risks and
safeguarding lives.
1. Combustion and Heat Transfer

Combustion:

• Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs between a fuel and an oxidizer (usually
oxygen) which results in the production of heat and light (fire).
• Types of Combustion:
o Complete Combustion: Occurs when there is an adequate supply of oxygen,
producing carbon dioxide (CO₂), water, and energy.
o Incomplete Combustion: Happens when the oxygen supply is limited,
leading to the production of carbon monoxide (CO), soot, and less energy.

Key Concepts in Combustion:

• Ignition: The process where a material reaches its ignition temperature and starts to
burn.
• Flame: Visible part of the fire, which consists of hot gases and reacting fuel particles.
• Fire Triangle: Three essential elements for fire – heat, fuel, and oxygen. Removing
one of these stops the fire.

Heat Transfer Mechanisms in Fire:

• Conduction: The transfer of heat through solid materials. In buildings, this can
happen through walls, floors, and structural elements.
• Convection: The transfer of heat by the movement of fluids (gases or liquids). Hot
gases rise, spreading fire and smoke vertically.
• Radiation: The transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves. This can heat
materials across open spaces, igniting nearby objects without direct contact.

2. Stages of Fire Development

Fires in buildings typically progress through four stages, each with distinct characteristics:

1. Incipient Stage:

• Initial stage of fire development.

• Fire is small and localized, with low temperatures.
• Limited oxygen is consumed, and smoke production is minimal.
• Fire can be easily extinguished with simple measures like a fire extinguisher.

2. Growth Stage:

• The fire begins to spread and consume more fuel.

• Increased heat release rate (HRR), producing more heat and smoke.
• Flames spread across surfaces, and flashover (when all combustibles in a space ignite
simultaneously) may occur, dramatically increasing fire intensity.
• The environment becomes less survivable, and escape routes become critical.
3. Fully Developed Stage:

• The fire reaches its maximum intensity and involves all available fuel in the
compartment.
• The temperature is at its peak, often above 1000°C.
• Fire spreads to adjacent areas, and structural elements may begin to fail due to
extreme heat.

4. Decay Stage:

• The fire consumes the available fuel or is controlled by firefighting efforts.

• The heat release rate decreases, and temperatures drop.
• Smoldering may continue, but the fire’s intensity diminishes.
• Even during the decay stage, structural collapse or re-ignition risks may persist.

3. Smoke Movement and Control

Smoke Movement in Buildings:

• Convection is the primary mechanism that drives smoke movement in buildings. Hot
smoke rises and spreads through stairwells, elevators, and vents, moving to upper
floors.
• Stack Effect: In tall buildings, temperature differences between indoor and outdoor
air can cause vertical smoke movement. This can either aid or hinder evacuation,
depending on the design.
• Pressure Differences: Smoke can spread horizontally if there are pressure
imbalances, such as between rooms or across open doors.

Key Challenges of Smoke in Buildings:

• Reduced Visibility: Smoke obscures vision, making evacuation more difficult.

• Toxicity: Smoke contains harmful gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide),
which can cause injury or death.
• Heat: Smoke also carries heat, which can cause burns or heat stress.

Smoke Control Systems:

• Passive Systems: Fire-rated walls and doors help compartmentalize smoke, limiting
its movement.
• Active Systems:
o Smoke Ventilation: Systems designed to extract smoke from a building to
prevent its spread, such as mechanical fans or automatic vents.
o Pressurization Systems: These maintain higher air pressure in escape routes
(stairwells, corridors) to keep smoke out.
o Smoke Curtains: Physical barriers that guide smoke away from critical areas
like exits.
4. Fire Load and Fire Severity

Fire Load:

• Fire load refers to the amount of combustible material within a space, which
determines the potential energy that could be released in a fire.
• It is quantified in megajoules per square meter (MJ/m²) and is calculated based on
the heat of combustion of all the materials present in a given area.
o Example: In a residential building, furniture, papers, and wooden structures
contribute to the fire load.

Types of Fire Loads:

• Live Fire Load: Movable combustible items such as furniture, curtains, and personal
belongings.
• Dead Fire Load: Non-movable items like structural elements that can burn (e.g.,
wood beams).

Fire Severity:

• Fire severity is a measure of the thermal impact of the fire, determined by both the
fire load and fire duration.
• High fire loads and prolonged burning result in higher fire severity, which increases
the demand on structural fire resistance.
• Time-Temperature Curves: These are used to represent fire severity. For example,
the ISO 834 curve shows the rise of temperature in a fire over time, commonly used
for fire resistance tests.

Impact on Building Design:

• Buildings must be designed to withstand anticipated fire loads through:

o Use of fire-resistant materials.
o Implementation of compartmentation to contain fires.
o Incorporation of fire suppression systems to lower fire severity.