FIRE HAZARD AWARENESS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Ali Al Musabih, MSc , CFPS, CFI-I Lead Consultant at Jensen Hughes
Protecting Against Fires in High-Rise Buildings Fire safety is a critical characteristic of high-rise buildings. It is therefore essential to implement fire protection measures that can effectively prevent, detect, and control fires and ensure the safety of the occupants and the property. Fire risk assessments identify and evaluate potential fire hazards and risks in a building and the appropriate actions needed to eliminate or reduce them. Assessments should be conducted by a qualified person or team and cover all aspects of the building, including the structure, design, layout, materials, equipment, systems, activities and occupants. A fire risk assessment should also include recommendations for improving fire safety and preventing fire incidents. Fire management plans outline the policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities for ensuring fire safety in the building. This document should be developed based on the fire risk assessment findings and comply with the relevant codes and standards. Fire management plans should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in the building or its use. Preventive maintenance programs involve inspecting, testing, servicing, and repairing the fire safety systems and equipment in the building on a
that can contribute to fires in high-rise buildings, such as flammable materials, faulty wiring, human error, inadequate maintenance and environmental conditions.
History of Fires in High-Rise Buildings Tragic high-rise building fires throughout history have claimed many lives and caused extensive property damage. Along with exposing various flaws and weaknesses in the design, construction, maintenance and management of high-rise buildings, these fires have called into question the effectiveness of the defend-in- place tactic, which advises occupants to remain in their apartments during a fire scenario. The lessons learned from these fires have led to improvements and innovations in fire safety standards, regulations, technologies and practices for high- rise buildings. Past high-rise fires serve as a reminder that these events are not hypothetical or rare but a real and recurring threat to life, property and reputation. Table 1 demonstrates the diversity of causes and factors that can contribute to fires in high- rise buildings, such as flammable materials, faulty wiring, human error, inadequate maintenance and environmental conditions.
High-Rise Building
Fire Cause
Stories
Date
Reason for Fire Spread
Trump Tower, New York
April 7, 2018
Electrical fault
58
Faulty wiring or appliances ignited nearby combustible materials
Grenfell Tower, London
June 14, 2017
Electrical fault
Cladding system acted as a chimney and allowed the fire to bypass the compartmentation of the building
24
Plasco Building, Tehran
Jan. 19, 2017
Short circuit
Combustible materials and lack of fire safety measures in the building, structural collapse
17
The Address Downtown Dubai Hotel Lacrosse Docklands, Melbourne
Dec. 31, 2015
Electrical short
63
Flammable cladding on the exterior, strong winds.
Nov. 25, 2014
Discarded cigarette
Flammable cladding on the facade, lack of fire alarms and sprinklers, inadequate evacuation plan
23
Windsor Tower, Madrid
Feb. 12, 2005
Welding work
Lack of sprinklers above the 17th floor, flammable materials on the facade and interior, strong winds
32
Beijing Television
Feb. 9, 2009
Flammable scaffolding materials and lack of fire protection systems in the unfinished building
34
Fireworks
Cultural Center (TVCC) Tower
Faulty television set
Flammable cladding and insulation on the facade, lack of fire barriers and compartmentation, confusing layout and signage, stay-put policy
Lakanal House, London
March 7, 2009
14
Table 1: High-rise building fires from 2009 to 2018 Protecting Against Fires in High-Rise Buildings
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