FIRE AND PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING

MEC 5003

Ing. Johan A. Psaila

Fire Safety Strategy Report

The aim of this report is to set-out the tactics- objectives and design
information for the fire safety design of the building
BS 9999

BS 9999:2017- Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the design, management

and use of buildings

This document provides a transparent and flexible approach to fire

safety design through use of a structureed approach to risk-based
design where engineers can take account of varying physical and
human factors- Prescriptive Approach
Occupancy Characteristics & Risk Profiles

The Occupancy Characteristic is principally determined according to

whether the occupants are familiar or unfamialir with the building and
whether they are likely to be awake or asleep
Fire Growth Rate

The Fire Growth Rate is the rate at which it is estimated that a fire will grow.
Fire growth rates should be categorised in accordance with the following
table
Risk Profile

Risk Profiles are given as a combination of occupancy characteristic and

fire growth rate, as shown in the following table

Where a number of risk profile apply within one building, the higher risk
profile should be used
Variation of Risk Profile

Automatic sprinkler systems can provide an efficient means of fire control

within a building compartment. Such provision restricts fire growth,
prevents fire spread, limits heat and smoke generation, and can extinguish
the fire.
This means that if sprinkler systems are installed, the fire growth rate can be
reduced by one level e.g. B3 will become B2.
Sprinkler systems should be designed and installed in accordance with BS
EN 12845, BS 5306-2 or BS 9251.
However, where sprinklers are used to change the risk profile, only those
installed in accordance with BS EN 12845 (new systems) or BS 5306-2
(existing systems) can be used to adjust the fire resistance periods.
Establishing Management Levels
There are three types of management levels, namely:
Establishing Management Levels
Establishing Management Levels
Resources and Authority
Establishing Management Levels
Staffing Level- Level 1
Establishing Management Levels
Staffing Level- Level 2 and Level 3
Establishing Management Levels
Fire Training
Establishing Management Levels
In addition, Management Levels determine the following:

• Work Control

• Communication Procedures

• Maintenance and testing of fire safety systems

• Liaison with the fire and rescue service

• Contingency Planning
Determination of Number of People
Designing Means of escape

Determine the minimum number

Designing Means of escape

Travel Distance
Width of Doors, Corridors & Escape Routes

Width of Doors
Width of Doors, Corridors & Escape Routes

Width of Doors
Width of Doors, Corridors & Escape Routes

Width of Corridors and Escape Routes

Width of Doors, Corridors & Escape Routes

Width of Escape Stairs

Fire Alarm/detection Systems
Emergency Escape Lighting
Exit Signs
Fire Resistance Periods
Fire Resistance Periods
Compartmentation
Compartment sizes should be not more than the maximum
sizes given in the following table for the appropriate risk profile
Compartment sizes can be increased in a sprinklered building
or compartment
Facilities to assist the fire & rescue service
Fire-fighting shafts should be provided in tall buildings,
buildings with deep basements, and buildings with large floor
areas
Facilities to assist the fire & rescue service
Provision for Heat & Smoke Control

Means should be provided to ventilate the fire-fighting shaft of smoke. The

objective of such ventialtion is to minimise the possibility of serious
contamination of the fire-fighting stairwell
Fire-fighting shaft serving basements more than 10 m below ground floor or
floors higher than 30 m above ground floor shall be provided with a
pressure differential system in accordance to BS EN 12101-6:2005,
otherwise naturally ventilated through a smoke shaft
Provision for Heat & Smoke Control