New Approaches to Design for Fire Safety

Transcription

1 New Approaches to Design for Fire Safety Tuesday, 20 th July 2010 Allister Smith UK Property Risk Manager Aviva Insurance Peter Wilkinson Associate Director Fire Protection Association

2 Overview Financial climate - headlines & facts Design methods Essential principles Case study

3 Headlines Insurers very concerned about the increasing cost of fire losses Fire costs now at record levels - rose by 16% between 2007 and 2008 to 1.3bn ( 3.4m every day!) Business Interruption claims cost a further 200m per year We are seeing more multi-million pound fire claims Insurers agree that the number of fire incidents is decreasing, but the average cost of fire is increasing!

4 Cost of fire claims notified m 1,400 1,200 1, Commercial Domestic Source: ABI statistics

5 Commercial property damage claims costs by cause 13% 1% 6% 7% 5% 10% 11% Accidental Damage Misc Burst Pipes Explosion Fire 3% Other Subsidence 44% Theft Weather (Storm/Flood) Source: Aviva statistics

6 Fire does not just cost us money Economic cost Wider effects on society Causes death and injury Disrupts peoples lives and destroys their most valued possessions Affects local community Can cause businesses to close down Job losses Environmental impact insured costs uninsured costs the iceberg principle the claim defence costs lost time lost reputation lost customers investigation time overtime replacement staff insurance premiums fines

7 Fire safety design The Building Act 1984 Health Safety Welfare Convenience Energy Efficiency Water Efficiency The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004 Security Sustainability

8 Fire safety design Means of warning and escape Internal fire spread (linings) Internal fire spread (structure) External fire spread Access and facilities for the fire service

9 Fire safety design LABC Approved Inspector Fire Authority

10 Fire safety design General approach Advanced approach Fire engineering

11 General approach Approved Document B HTM Firecode BB100

12 Advanced approach

13 Fire engineering the application of scientific and engineering principles, rules and expert judgement, based on an understanding of the phenomena and effects of fire, and the reaction and behaviour of people to fire, to protect people, property and the environment from the destructive effects of fire Institution of Fire Engineers

14 Fire engineering

15 Fire engineering Start Qualitative design review (QDR) Quantitative analysis of design Assessment against criteria Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Reporting and presentation of results End

16 The protection of the business From a business protection and resilience point of view, buildings complying just with statutory requirements may be substantially under-protected Any building is at risk from fire - architects and fire engineering consultants wherever possible need to be asking their client. If you have a fire, will you be back in business in 24/48 hours?

17 Property insurance objectives To reduce the likelihood of fire, either accidental or malicious. To protect the buildings within the business. To minimise the effect of fire on a business. To limit the effects of business interruption and to allow the business to be trading as quickly as possible following fire. To maintain the health and safety of those in and around the building (incl firefighters). Building Design Life Safety Property & business protection Fire safe

18 Essential Principle No 1 The building shall be constructed in such a manner that if a fire starts, the extent of fire and smoke damage will be minimised and confined as close to the source of fire outbreak as is practicable/feasible.

19 Essential Principle No 2 The building shall be constructed from building materials and products that will not make a significant contribution to the early stages of a fire or contribute to the spread of fire.

20 Essential Principle No 3 Measures shall be taken to prevent premature structural collapse and excessive deflection.

21 Essential Principle No 4 Consideration at the design stage regarding potential impact from fire-fighting water, and to ensure the effect on the environment of the fire effluent will be minimised.

22 Essential Principle No 5 All fire protection products to be third party certified to an appropriate product or performance based standard.

23 Essential Principle No 6 All fire protection products/systems shall be designed and installed by adequately trained accredited specialist installers.

24 Essential Principle No 7 The building shall be fitted with an appropriate automatic fire alarm system.

25 Essential Principle No 8 The fire protection systems shall be regularly maintained so that they are able to perform their intended function throughout the life of the building.

26 Essential Principle No 9 There shall be adequate provision to prevent an arson attack.

27 Essential Principle No 10 The building shall be constructed that fire cannot spread into the premises from an adjoining building or other external fire source.

28 Essential Principle No 11 The building owner/occupier shall ensure an adequate standard of fire safety management throughout the life of the building.

29 Essential Principle No 12 Any fuel burning appliance and services or electrical appliance and services shall be designed, constructed and installed so as to reduce their potential as an accidental source of ignition.

30 Loss Mitigation Risk Control (RC) Documents DG Management sections F&RS community initiatives Support for 3 rd party accreditation DG Essential principles Sprinkler Rules F&RS Intervention Support for 3 rd party accreditation Business Continuity Planning Event High LIKELIHOOD Low Low CONSEQUENCE High

31 Loss Mitigation Modern Methods of Construction Fire Engineering Changes to the Fire & Rescue Services Changes to Standards & Certification Drive to sustainability Changes to the RRO Event High LIKELIHOOD Low Low CONSEQUENCE High

32 Loss mitigation Specifies additional criteria Protect the building structure Limit loss of building contents Maintain ongoing business viability

33 Loss mitigation Familiar format Appendix J

34 Current major issues The cost of fire losses is increasing although the number of fires remain constant Modern Methods of Construction almost certainly contributing to this Poor BC planning not helping Inappropriate application of fire engineering To influence requires evidence - insurance industry has recently put in place an improved mechanism that should provide us with better and more focussed MI about fire losses. Many other factors may be in play also and will contribute to a greater or lesser degree.

35 Timber Frame Buildings Advantages: Genuinely sustainable Energy efficient Quick: Low dry-out time Brickwork independent Helps meet Gov. targets for: Energy efficiency No. of homes

36 3. Advantages of Timber Frame Timber Frame Buildings Also: Low weight Weather independent Prefabricated units Less waste Less site handling Flexibility of design

37 4. Disadvantages of Timber Frame Timber Frame Buildings Numerous site fires: Very rapid fire spread Complete destruction Extra precautions during construction Major disruption Increased costs including insurance?

38 4. Disadvantages of Timber Frame Timber Frame Buildings Incomplete construction Finely divided fuel Arson

39 4. Disadvantages of Timber Frame Timber Frame Buildings TF 2000 tests No problem once completed? Is there a concern for finished buildings? Building life-cycle

40 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Case Study 1 Typical building used in urban regeneration 5/6 storey high quality apartments Fire started in consumer unit travelled into a timber void unhindered spread to the top of the building broke into: Source apartment (from consumer unit) Neighbouring apartment Two apartments below F&RS had to tear apart (carefully) ALL apartments to the top to locate and tackle the fire.

41 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame No fire stopping behind consumer unit

42 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Hole for twin plug socket

43 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame No protection to socket (not fire resisting)

44 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Numerous unstopped penetrations for services

45 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Fire stopping Incomplete (hidden under false ceiling)

46 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Incorrect use of intumescent mastic

47 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame Use of collars in wood surround?

48 5.2 Issues with Timber Frame F&RS had to chase fire through the building

49 Case Study 2- Manchester F&RS

50 Incident Timeline Initial Call two appliances sent

51 Incident Timeline two further appliances requested

52 Incident Timeline aerial appliance requested

53 Incident Timeline fire spread across roof and subsided

54 Incident Timeline previously undetected fire spread emerges

55 Further Attendances 9 th December Cavity Fire 10 th December Cavity Fire 11 th December Cavity Fire Demolition Completed 12 th December We were only convinced the fire was out for good once the building had been demolished

56 Cause

57 RISCAuthority Administered by the Fire Protection Association. Currently 30 participating insurers Remit includes Fire, Security & Business Continuity Provides a consistent approach to fire risk management and design. Almost all guidance and tools are available FREE OF CHARGE Government Business ABI RISCAuthority Insurers F&RS Standards

58 Summary The cost of fire is increasing Designing for life safety, whilst important, is only part of the solution. Essential principles and the Design Guide are key documents to help you achieve the total solution It is in the hands of brokers, risk managers, building designers and fire safety professionals to fully recognise the benefits of the Design Guide and to encourage and support its use in the field.

59 Further information Allister Smith Peter Wilkinson