School of Engineering

Module Code FV3201 Module TutorModule Title Engineering Design ProjectStudent’s name Filip SilovStudent ID Number G 2 0 5 9 6 5 9 6Course/ Subject BEng (Hons) Fire EngineeringAssignment Title/ Number

‘I confirm that this piece of work which I have submitted is all my own work and that all references and quotations from both primary and secondary sources have been fully identified and properly acknowledged in footnotes and bibliography.’

Signature: Date: 7/08/2016 Submission Deadline:

12th August 2016

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The specifics below indicate areas of performance; these are for student guidance only. They are not related directly to the final mark of the assignment and the weighting of each specific will vary according to the assignment brief.

SPECIFICS Excellent (>70%)

Good(60-69%)

Adequate(40-59%)

Poor(<40%)

Relevance to TitleGrammarOverall StructureOverall PresentationCitation/Reference FormatTable/Figure FormatCommand of LiteratureContentWriting StyleAnalytical SkillsOriginal Ideas

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FV3201 Assignment Reassessment

Contents

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3

2. B1 - Means of escape...............................................................................................................4

2.1 Requirements...............................................................................................................................4

2.2 Number of occupants...................................................................................................................4

2.3 Fire alarm and Detection system..................................................................................................7

2.4 Travel distances............................................................................................................................8

2.5 Number of exits............................................................................................................................9

2.6 Width of exits...............................................................................................................................9

2.7 Calculation of Horizontal Escape (Ground floor)........................................................................10

2.8 Calculation for Vertical Escape (First, Second and Third floor)...................................................10

2.9 Open spatial planning.................................................................................................................11

2.10 Width of stairs..........................................................................................................................11

3. B3 – Internal fire spread (structure).......................................................................................12

3.1 General Requirements...............................................................................................................12

3.2 Fire resistance............................................................................................................................12

3.3 Compartmentation.....................................................................................................................13

4. B5 – Access and facilities for the fire service..........................................................................14

4.1 Requirements.............................................................................................................................14

4.2 Perimeter access........................................................................................................................14

4.3 Firefighting shafts.......................................................................................................................15

References................................................................................................................................15

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1. IntroductionThis project involves a building for educational services with its name JB Firth.

The building is designed with ground floor plus 3 floors. Ground floor and all

floors above are mixed occupied by staff offices, teaching / research

laboratories and ventilated chemical storages. It is also noticeable that on

each floor there will be male, female and disabled bathrooms. When building

is fully occupied total number of occupants reaches 586 as per calculations

(section 2.2, page 4 of this document). By the south side of the building are

located 5 parking lots for disabled persons. The building is equipped with two

elevators and two staircases, both situated in a protected lobby. Staircases

are designed with a refuge provision. Open risers are located in the area of

the central corridors.

Area of each level is A = 26.4 m x 36.6 m = 966.24 m2 (<2.000 m2).

Height of each level is 3.90 m, resulting with total building height of H = 3.90

m x 4 = 15.60 m (< 18m)

So far, the initial building plan has been development. The aim of this Review

is verification whether design meets the requirements of the standard

guidance of Approved Document B (Volume 2), and where this is not the

case, to recommend mitigation measures.

Note: the provided layouts are not showing all required dimensions (e.g. exact

width of the staircases and doors) and these were fairly estimated based on

existing dimensions and commonly applied door dimensions (750 mm for

single and 1500 mm for double doors). Width of all staircases is estimated as

1300 mm.

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2. B1 - Means of escape

2.1 RequirementsThe conduct of Requirement B1 of Schedule 1 to the Building regulations 2010

comprising in cooperation “The provisions for the early warning of fire” and the

“appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety

outside the building “(Approved Document B, 2013, p14).

2.2 Number of occupantsAccording to the Approved Document B number of occupancy can be calculated

when total area of a compartment is dividing by floor space factor which can be

found on table C1, page 135.

Floor space factors (Approved Document B, 2013, p135)In this project number of occupants will be divided by floor as it is represented in

Table 1.

No. of floor No of occupants

Ground floor + Parking 113 + 10

First floor 101

Second floor 244

Third floor 118

Total 586

Table 1. Number of occupants

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Occupants are distributed with different number on each floor. The number on

each floor is divided in following tables.

Table 2. Calculated number of occupants – Ground floor

No. ID Use of room Area Floor Space Factor

Calc. no. of Occupants

(m2) (m2)/person No.=round(A / fsf)

1 RDS 2.17 Staff office 8.5 6 22 RDS 2.18 Staff office 8.5 6 23 RDS 2.19 Staff office 11 6 24 RDS 2.20 Staff office 11 6 25 RDS 2.21 Staff office 8.5 6 26 RDS 2.22 Staff office 8.5 6 27 RDS 2.26 Staff office 14.5 6 38 RDS 2.27 Staff office 15 6 39 RDS 2.28 Staff office 15 6 3

10 RDS 2.29 Staff office 15 6 311 RDS 2.30 Staff office 15 6 312 RDS 2.8 Staff office 14.5 6 313 RDS 1.21 Ventilated chemical room 7 6 214 Cleaners store 2.6 30 115 RDS 1.10 Balance room 20 5 416 RDS 1.8 XPS 10 5 217 RDS 1.12 TEM 20 5 418 RDS 1.5 SEM 15 5 319 RDS 1.4 X-RAY 15 5 320 RDS 1.6 AFM + RAHMAN 15 5 321 RDS 1.9 Atomic Absorption 15 5 322 RDS 1.7 ICPMS 16.5 5 423 RDS 1.11 NMR SUITE 47 5 1024 RDS 1.3 Analytical Lab 144 30 chairs 3025 Prep area 21.5 5 526 Female WC 427 Male WC 428 Disabled WC 129 Parking places 5 2 occ. / pp 10

Total Ground Floor: 123

In addition on the ground floor, there is parking with 5 disabled spaces and total

number of occupants will be 10 on this parking.

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Table 3. Calculated number of occupants – First floor

No. ID Use of room Area Floor Space Factor

Calc. no. of Occupants

(m2) (m2)/person No.=round(A / fsf)

1 RDS 2.6 Research student room 33 8 52 RDS 2.7 TYNDALL CTR Directors 17.5 6 33 RDS 2.9 Staff offices 20 6 44 RDS 2.10 Staff offices 15 6 35 RDS 2.11 Staff offices 15 6 36 RDS 2.12 Staff offices 15 6 37 RDS 2.13 Staff offices 15 6 38 RDS 2.14 Staff offices 14.5 6 39 RDS 1.22 Ventilated chemical store 7 6 2

10 RDS 2.23 Staff offices 17.5 6 3

11 RDS 1.1Forensics, Science and Chemical

Lab 284 56 chairs 5612 RDS 3.5A Research student room 24 8 313 Cleaners store 2.6 30 114 Female WC 415 Male WC 416 Disabled WC 1

Total First floor: 101

Table 4. Calculated number of occupants – Second floor

No. ID Use of room Area Floor Space Factor

Calc. no. of Occupants

(m2) (m2)/person No.=round(A / fsf)

1 RDS 2.2/2.3 Visitor informal area 115 1 1152 RDS 2.1 HoS office 21 6 43 RDS 2.5 Student research room 40 1 404 RDS 3.3 Archieve room 17 5 45 RDS 3.1 Photocopier 12 5 36 RDS 3.6 Kitchen 5.5 7 1

7 RDS 1.2Forensics, Science and

Chemical lab 235 56 chairs 568 RDS 1.19 Prep room 45 5 99 Cleaners store 2.6 30 1

10 Female WC 411 Male WC 412 Disabled WC 113 RDS 1.23 Ventilated chemical store 7 6 2

Total Second floor: 244

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Table 5. Calculated number of occupants – Third floor

No. ID Use of room Area Floor Space Factor

Calc. no. of Occupants

(m2) (m2)/person No.=round(A / fsf)

1 RDS 2.4 Student research room 33 1 332 RDS 1.18 Research Lab 197 22 chairs 223 RDS 1.15 Fire Lab (Research) 67 15 chairs 154 RDS 1.14 Fire Lab (Teaching) 138 29 chairs 295 RDS 1.16 Fire Lab Store 40 30 26 Server 5 5 17 RDS 1.29 Ventilated chemical store 6 6 18 RDS 1.30 Ventilated chemical store 6 6 19 RDS 1.31 Ventilated chemical store 7 6 2

10 RDS 1.28 Ventilated chemical store 7 6 211 Cleaners store 2.6 30 112 Female WC 413 Male WC 414 Disabled WC 1

Total Third floor: 118

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2.3 Fire alarm and Detection system

As per paragraph 1.24, ADB, 2013, page 18, the type of occupancy and means

of escape strategy must be determined prior to the selection of the Fire alarm and

Detection system. To ensure realistic determination, the author of this review

refers to BS9999:2008, “Code of practice for fire safety in the design,

management and use of buildings”, 2008. As stated in section 1. Introduction, the

building is designated for educational services within the existing university. This

means that the occupants are awake and familiar with the building. Risk profile

A2 (Medium fire growth rate) is associated to Office premises, and A3 (Fast

growth rate) is associated to Ventilated chemical storages and Teaching

laboratories. (ref. Tables 4&5, BS999, 2008, p. 27&28).

Evacuation strategy: Total, simultaneous, single staged evacuation is

determined, since none of other strategies can be applied to the design of the

building (ref. Para. 12.3 Evacuation strategy, BS999, 2008, p. 54&55).

Due to significant percentage of premises being category A3 (5 major and 8

minor laboratories, and 7 ventilated chemical storages, archive, photocopier) with

total area of 1031 m2, all evenly distributed through the building, proposed

category L2 of the fire alarm and detection system is suitable and in accordance

with Table 8: Minimum level of fire alarm/detection system for premises, BS999,

2008, p. 63.

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2.4 Travel distancesIt is necessary to set the traveling path distance. For this type of building

applicable item is “3. Office” where maximum traveling distance is 18 m in one

direction and 45 m in more than one direction. The given layouts have been

reviewed and maximum travel distance is fully satisfied according to

recommendation (Approved Document B, 2013).

Limitations on travel distance (Approved Document B, 2013, p33)

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2.5 Number of exitsIt is crucial to know number of occupants in order to decide the width and number

of exits to be installed. Table 3, Approved Document B, page 34 defines the

minimum number of escape routes based on number of occupants. As per

calculation section 2.2 Number of occupants table 1, page 4, the number of

occupants that this building serves is 586, therefore the number of escape routes

to achieve complete life safety in this occupancy is two, whilst the design is

providing three. Therefore, the layout meets the ADB requirements.

Minimum number of escape routes and exits from a room, tier or story (Approved Document B, 2013, p34)

2.6 Width of exitsMinimum width of exits is calculated from table 4 from Approved Document B,

page 36 where is clearly shown that if there are more than 220 occupants, each 5

mm/ person will be used to calculate maximum width of exit required. So, in this

building the calculated total width of final building exits is 3.020 mm. Ground floor

of this building is equipped with 3 sets of exit doors, each 1500 mm wide, giving

the total of 4500 mm (> 3010 mm).

Widths of escape routes and exits (Approved Document B, 2013, p36)

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As for the remaining of the areas / premises, the following Table shows

calculations of minimum widths and compares with designed dimensions:

Table 6: Calculated minimum escape widths compared with designed dimensions:

Level Description / Location Calc. min. width (mm)

Designed width mm)

Comment

L0/GF

Protected lobbies (side corridors, 1-2 & 6-7)

586 x 5 =2930

3900 (x2) Acceptable

Central corridor (C-D) 123 =1050

App. 2000 Acceptable

Analytical laboratory with all compartments

(60) = 850

App.1100 (x2)

Acceptable(RDS 13-1.12)

Office internal corridor(B-C, 2-5)

(30) =750

App. 1000 - 1500

Acceptable(RDS 2.8, 2.17-2.22, 2.26-2.30)

L1 Central corridor (C-D) (101) =850

App. 1500 Acceptable

Office internal corridor(B-C, 2-5)

(25) =750

App. 1000 - 1500

Acceptable(RDS 2.7, 2.9-2.14, 2.23)

L2 Central corridor (C-D) 244 x 5 =1220

App. 1500 Acceptable

L3 Central corridor (C-D) (118) =1050

App. 1500 Acceptable

Premises Other than those serving <60 occupants or calculated above

L2 RDS 2.1 – 2.3 (119) =1050

App. 750 (x3)

Acceptable

2.7 Calculation of Horizontal Escape (Ground floor)Ground floor entrance number 1 represents final exits with merging flows (Diagram

15, ADB). The width of this final exits will be calculated as per formula from

Approved Document .B, page 37,

w=( (N /2.5 )+ (60S ) )/80

W = ((123/ 2.5) + (60 x 1.3)) / 80

W = 127.2 / 80

W = 1.59 meters

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Where:

W - Width of final exit

N – Number of people served by ground floor (123)

S – Stair width in meters (1.3 m)

The width of escape corridor is 3.9 m > w = 1.59 m. It is estimated that escape exit

door is sufficient (the measure of the door in layout is not shown in the layout).

2.8 Calculation for Vertical Escape (First, Second and Third floor)As per page 46, Approved Document B, close 4.20 and close 4.21b there is no

need for discounting for escape stairs since both are situated in a protected lobby.

Therefore the calculated number of persons per stair is:

P = 463 / 2 = 232 occupants / staircase

P=200w+50(w−0.3)(n−1), as per paragraph 4.25, ADB, page 47, 2013

232= 200 w + 50 (w – 0.3) x (n – 1)

232= 200 w + (50 w – 15) x (3 - 1)

232= 200w + (50 w – 15) x 2

232= 200 w + 100 w – 30

232= 300 w

w = 874 mm

The designed width of stairs is approximately 1.2 m – 1.4 m > 874 mm. Since the

width of the stairs is equal throughout the building and the number of occupants

evacuating from second floor to first floor and third floor to second floor is less than

number of occupants evacuating to ground floor, there is no need for calculating

width of stairs for the upper levels.

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2.9 Open spatial planningThe recommendation for open spatial planning is not met because occupants

evacuating from offices located on the east side of first floor to third floor are

evacuating toward the opening and the distance is less than 4.5 m (Diagram 14,

ADB, case C, page 35).

2.10 Width of stairsAlternatively of horizontal escape calculations, as per close 4.23, point b width of

stairs serving buildings with open spatial planning should be determined using

table 7, Approved Document B, page 46. For 3 stories building and calculated

number of occupants per staircase of 232, recommended width is minimum 1100

mm. The designed width of staircase (1300 mm) is satisfying requirement of table

7.

Capacity of stair for the simultaneous evacuation of the building (Approved Document B, 2013, p46)

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3. B3 – Internal fire spread (structure)

3.1 General RequirementsBuilding should be designed and constructed with its stability which shall be

maintained for appointed period to prevent any event of fire. In places where

spread of fire in the building can be suppressed, calculations should be taken in

place to extend normal size and use of the building including two perimeters:

a) Sub division of the building with fire resisting construction

b) Installation of suitable automatic fire suppression system

Also, Building should be designed and constructed to have unseen spread of fire

and smoke inside concealed spaces with its structure and fabric is inhibited.

3.2 Fire resistanceThe general occupancy of this building is defined as non- sprinklered offices (item

2.a.). In accordance with ADB, page 124, Appendix A, Table A2, the required fire

resistance of the building is 60 min. In addition all doors of ventilated chemicals

stores and teaching laboratories must be fire rated 90 min as per item 6.a. of the

same table A2, ADB.

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Minimum periods of fire resistance (Approved Document B, 2013, Appendix A, p124, table A2)

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3.3 Compartmentation This building does not require any compartments walls, neither the compartment

floors because area of each floor does not exceed 2000 m2.

Maximum dimensions of building or compartment (Approved Document B, 2013, p74).

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4. B5 – Access and facilities for the fire service

4.1 RequirementsBy the Approved Document B the building should be designed and constructed to

provide facilities to help firefighters in protection of life and to gain access inside

the building in case of fire.

4.2 Perimeter accessFrom table 19, page 108 from Approved Document B it is shown that buildings that

are not exceeding 2000 m2 per floor and do not have more than 11 stories, there

should be firefighting truck access at least 15 % of perimeter or 45 m within each

point on the project plan on the building, whichever is less difficult.

Fire and rescue service vehicle access to buildings Approved (Document B, 2013, p108)

So, on this project it would be recommended for fire service in case of fire to park

the truck on the south side of the building near the disabled parking, where there is

dry riser installed in order to make easy entering for fire service in case of fire.

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Typical fire and rescue service vehicle access route specification (Approved Document B, 2013, p111).

4.3 Firefighting shaftsAs per Approved Document B, provision of firefighting shafts in buildings with

purpose group 4, 5, 6 with the stories larger than 900 m2 or more in area with its

floor higher than 7.5 m above fire and rescue access level, should include

firefighting shafts but not firefighting lifts. Also if building is provided with automated

sprinkler system, then firefighting shafts should be provided on each floor which is

18 m above the fire and rescue service truck level, or if there is no more than 60 m

from the main outlet inside the shaft measured on the route which is safe for laying

the hose.

References

1. “The Building regulations 2010, Fire Safety, Approved Document B, Volume 2,

Buildings other than dwelling houses, 2013”

2. BS9999 “Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of

buildings”, 2008.

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