FV3201 Building Assessment

1
School of Engineering
‘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
Extension
Agreed date:
Extension
Agreed
by:
1st Marker Mark 2nd Marker Mark Agreed Mark
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
Comments:
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 Title
Grammar
Overall Structure
Overall Presentation
Citation/Reference Format
Table/Figure Format
Command of Literature
Content
Writing Style
Analytical Skills
Original Ideas
Signature of First Marker:_______________________________________
Module Code FV3201 Module Tutor
Module Title Engineering Design Project
Student’s name Filip Silov
Student ID Number G 2 0 5 9 6 5 9 6
Course/ Subject BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering
Assignment Title/
Number

2
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........................................................................................... 8
2.4 Travel distances................................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Number of exits..................................................................................................................10
2.6 Width of exits.....................................................................................................................10
2.7 Calculation of Horizontal Escape (Ground floor)....................................................................11
2.8 Calculation forVertical Escape (First, Second and Third floor)................................................12
2.9 Open spatial planning .........................................................................................................13
2.10 Width of stairs..................................................................................................................13
3. B3 – Internal fire spread (structure)......................................................................................14
3.1 General Requirements ........................................................................................................14
3.2 Fire resistance ....................................................................................................................14
3.3 Compartmentation .............................................................................................................16
4. B5 – Access and facilities for the fire service .........................................................................17
4.1 Requirements.....................................................................................................................17
4.2 Perimeter access.................................................................................................................17
4.3 Firefighting shafts...............................................................................................................18
References..............................................................................................................................18

3
1. Introduction
This 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.

4
2. B1 - Means of escape
2.1 Requirements
The 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 occupants
According 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

5
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 2
3 RDS 2.19 Staff office 11 6 2
13 RDS 1.21 Ventilated chemical room 7 6 2
14 Cleaners store 2.6 30 1
15 RDS 1.10 Balance room 20 5 4
16 RDS 1.8 XPS 10 5 2
17 RDS 1.12 TEM 20 5 4
18 RDS 1.5 SEM 15 5 3
19 RDS 1.4 X-RAY 15 5 3
20 RDS 1.6 AFM + RAHMAN 15 5 3
21 RDS 1.9 Atomic Absorption 15 5 3
22 RDS 1.7 ICPMS 16.5 5 4
23 RDS 1.11 NMR SUITE 47 5 10
24 RDS 1.3 Analytical Lab 144 30 chairs 30
25 Prep area 21.5 5 5
26 Female WC 4
27 Male WC 4
28 Disabled WC 1
29 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.

6
Table 3. Calculated number of occupants – First floor
Factor
Calc. no. of
Occupants
(A / fsf)
1 RDS 2.6 Research student room 33 8 5
2 RDS 2.7 TYNDALL CTR Directors 17.5 6 3
3 RDS 2.9 Staff offices 20 6 4
8 RDS 2.14 Staff offices 14.5 6 3
9 RDS 1.22 Ventilated chemical store 7 6 2
10 RDS 2.23 Staff offices 17.5 6 3
11 RDS 1.1
Forensics, Science and Chemical
Lab 284 56 chairs 56
12 RDS 3.5A Research student room 24 8 3
14 Female WC 4
15 Male WC 4
16 Disabled WC 1
Total First floor: 101
Table 4. Calculated number of occupants – Second floor
Factor
Calc. no. of
Occupants
(A / fsf)
1 RDS 2.2/2.3 Visitor informal area 115 1 115
2 RDS 2.1 HoS office 21 6 4
3 RDS 2.5 Student research room 40 1 40
4 RDS 3.3 Archieve room 17 5 4
5 RDS 3.1 Photocopier 12 5 3
6 RDS 3.6 Kitchen 5.5 7 1
7 RDS 1.2
Forensics, Science and
Chemical lab 235 56 chairs 56
8 RDS 1.19 Prep room 45 5 9
10 Female WC 4
11 Male WC 4
12 Disabled WC 1
Total Second floor: 244

7
Table 5. Calculated number of occupants – Third floor
Factor
Calc. no. of
Occupants
(A / fsf)
1 RDS 2.4 Student research room 33 1 33
2 RDS 1.18 Research Lab 197 22 chairs 22
3 RDS 1.15 Fire Lab (Research) 67 15 chairs 15
4 RDS 1.14 Fire Lab (Teaching) 138 29 chairs 29
5 RDS 1.16 Fire Lab Store 40 30 2
6 Server 5 5 1
12 Female WC 4
13 Male WC 4
14 Disabled WC 1
Total Third floor: 118

8
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.

9
2.4 Travel distances
It 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)

10
2.5 Number of exits
It 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 exits
Minimum 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)

11
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
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
L3 Central corridor (C-D) (118) =
1050
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

12
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.

13
2.9 Open spatial planning
The 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 stairs
Alternatively 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)

14
3. B3 – Internal fire spread(structure)
3.1 General Requirements
Building 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 resistance
The 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.

15
Minimum periods of fire resistance (Approved Document B, 2013, Appendix
A, p124, table A2)

16
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).

17
4. B5 – Access and facilities for the fire service
4.1 Requirements
By 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 access
From 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.

18
Typical fire and rescue service vehicle access route specification (Approved
Document B, 2013, p111).
4.3 Firefighting shafts
As 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.

FV3201 Building Assessment

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to FV3201 Building Assessment

Similar to FV3201 Building Assessment (20)

FV3201 Building Assessment