In other words, the height of the building is measured from the ground level where fire trucks can park and reach the building with their ladders and hoses to the floor of the topmost story where people live or work (habitable) . Factors Affecting Fire Hazards in High-Rise Buildings Fire risk in high-rise buildings is influenced by many factors, such as the building design, construc�on materials, occupancy, fire protec�on systems and human behavior.
FIRE HAZARD AWARENESS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Ali Al Musabih, MSc , CFPS, CFI-I Lead Consultant at Jensen Hughes
Fire is a dangerous hazard that can cause severe damage to both human life and property. Many fire incidents have occurred in high-rise buildings in different parts of the world, raising a lot of concern for authorities and the public. High-rise buildings have unique characteristics that make fire prevention and control more difficult than in other types of buildings, such as longer evacuation times, higher wind speeds, complex fire spread patterns and limited access for firefighters. Rescuing people trapped above ground level also carries
increased risk and requires special equipment and training. Fire safety measures and regulations for high- rise buildings should be carefully designed and implemented to reduce the risk of fire and its consequences. What is a High-Rise Building? High-rise buildings are structures of significant height requiring special considerations for fire safety and evacuation. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the leading authorities on fire codes and standards, a high-rise
S takeholders involved in the design, construc�on, opera�on, and maintenance of high-rise buildings must give serious considera�on to these factors and their impact on fire hazards. Potential Sources of Fire in High-Rise Buildings
Potential Sources of Fire in High- Rise Buildings Fire sources are any materials or equipment that can ignite or fuel a fire if they are exposed to heat, sparks or flames. In high-rise buildings, some of the common sources of fire include: electrical components, such as wiring, outlets, appliances and lighting fixtures; heating and ventilation systems, such as furnaces, boilers, ducts and fans; cooking equipment, such as stoves, ovens, microwaves and toasters; flammable liquids and chemicals, such as gasoline, paint, solvents and cleaning products; and combustible materials, such as paper, wood, fabric and trash. These sources of fire can be found in different areas of the building, such as offices, kitchens, storage rooms, mechanical rooms and balconies.
building has an occupied height of 75 feet (23 meters) or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. In other words, the height of the building is measured from the ground level where fire trucks can park and reach the building with their ladders and hoses to the floor of the topmost story where people live or work (habitable). Factors Affecting Fire Hazards in High-Rise Buildings Fire risk in high-rise buildings is influenced by many factors, such as the building design, construction materials, occupancy, fire protection systems and human behavior. Stakeholders involved in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of high-rise buildings must give serious consideration to these factors and their impact on fire hazards.
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