Engineering Design Project - Case Study Example

ENGINEERING DESIGN PROJECT Name Professor Institution Course Date TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover Page …………………………………………………………………………………1 Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………… 2-4 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 5 Summary of the Building ………………………………………………………………… 5 B1 Means of Warning and Escape ………………………………………………………. 6 Criteria for the Design of Means of Escape ……………………………………… 6 The Unaccepted Means of Escape ………………………………………………… 6 Fire Detection & Fire Alarm Systems …………………………………………… 7 Position for Both Smoke & Heat Alarms ……………………………………..…… .7 The Design & Installation of Fire and Smoke Detecting Systems …………..………8 Means of Escape in the Event of Fire ……………………………………..…….. 8-10 Emergency Windows and External Doors ……………………………..………. 10-11 Inner Rooms ………………………………………………………….….……….. 11 Passenger Lifts ……………………………………………………….….……..….. 12 Balconies & Flat Roofs ………………………………………………..……………12 Galleries ……………………………………………………………….……………12 Atrium Void ………………………………………………………………………...13 Basements …………………………………………………………………………. 13 Provisions on how External Escape Stairs should be Designed ………………… … 13 Calculation of the Number of Occupants ………………………………………….. 15 Alternative Means of Escape ……………………………… ………………………. 16 Single Direction Escape Routes ……………………………………………………. 17 The Size of Exit Height and Width ………………………………………………… 17 The Dining and Café Facilities ………………………………………………………17 Refuge ……………………………………………………………………………….18 Escape Lightings and Exit Signs ………………………………………………..18- 19 B2 Internal Fire Spread (linings) …………………………………………………………19 Wall & Ceiling Linings ……………………………………………………………. 20 B3 Internal Fire Spread (Structure) ………………………………………………………21 Load-bearing Elements of the Structure ………………………………..……………21 Compartmentation …………………………………………………………………..22 Construction of Compartments ……………………………………………………. 22 Openings in Compartmentation …………………………………………………… 22 Compartment size ………………………………………….……….…………….. 22 B4 External Fire Spread (Structure) …….………………………………..…………… 23 Construction of External Walls ………………………………...……………… …. 23 Fire Resistance Standard for The External Walls …………...……………………... 23 External Surfaces ………………….…………………………………………………24 Space separation …………………………………………………………………… 24 Unprotected Area of the External Wall …………………………………………… 25 Roof covering ……………………………………………………………………… 25 B5 Access & Facilities for the Fire & Rescue Service ………………………………… . 26 Vehicle Access …………………………………………………………………….. 26 Regulatory Reform Order & Fire Safety Management ……………………………… 26 Regulatory Reform Order ………………………………………………………… 26 Fire Safety Management ….….……………………………………………….. 27 -29 Conclusion ………………………….……..…………………………………………….29-30 Appendix ……………………………….….……………...…………………………… 31-37 Introduction B1 to Bs forms part of Building Legislations of the Approved Document and deal with varying dimensions on fire safety. They provide guidance on fire safety to both the existing and new buildings within England and Wales. The Students’ Hub under consideration in this report is within a University in England and therefore, its construction has to comply with these fire regulations. Part B of the Approved Documents (also referred to as ADB), is broken down into B1, B2, B3, B4 and B4, and each of them covers a different aspect, as will be detailed in the report. Summary of the Building The Students’ Hub is to be constructed within the University. It is meant to be a new building for different purposes. The design of the building comprises of offices, kitchen, halls, dining space, flexible space, stair, balcony, tea point, Faith Room, reception, group study rooms, LV switch rooms, water room, Projection room, IT facilities, library, lecture theatres, a large atrium space that has access to the balcony in the upper floors, among several other rooms. The building will generally have three floors with the uppermost floor at about 8m above ground floor. The overall dimensions of the building shall be 71m x 52m, the area of which is 2140m2. Its open atrium void rises from the ground floor, through the first floor, and up to the third floor. All the common areas of the entire building are connected to this open atrium void. To the North, the Hub is away from the Site boundary by about 40m and to the South, the main road centre is about 40 m. The economic building is situated at about 8m to the West of the Hub. The second and first floors of the building shall be connected to the Arts Building through a bridge. The Arts building is just nearby, and currently, its upper floors are not supported by lifts. B1 Means of Warning and Escape According to B1 Building Regulations, a building design and construction should give appropriate provisions for means of escape to a safe place out of the building. There should also be means for early fire warnings. However, this rule does not apply to prisons. The assumption behind this rule is that the occupants of any building should be able to escape from the premises without any external assistance. The main danger related to fire at its initial stages is not the flame but the noxious gases and smoke produced by the fire. This may lead to causalities or even obscure exits and escape routes. Criteria for the Design of Means of Escape In situations where there is no direct escape route to a safe ground, there should be means of reaching the stairway on the exit within reasonable time and distance. The escape route should be an alternative means of escape, and the escape conditions may vary depending on the height and size of the building, the number of people the building accommodates and the risks associated with the building. The Unaccepted Means of Escape The following means of escape are not considered as suitable alternatives of escape, according to B1 Building Regulations: Lifts Portable ladders Throw-out ladders Manipulative appliances and apparatus, such as chutes and fold—down ladders Fire Detection & Fire Alarm Systems This section provides for provision of appropriate arrangements in giving early warning to the occupants in the event of fire. The use of alarm systems or smoke alarm, and automated fire detecting systems can be used to give early warnings to the occupants. Additional detectors should be introduced in order to provide a higher level of protection. Generally, the alarms are divided into smoke and heat alarms, and are supposed to be mains operated. They should be enabled to a standby power-source. The Students’ Hub under consideration has got three floors. This, according to B1, makes it to be categorized under large houses. Such houses are supposed to be fitted with fire alarms and fire detectors, under Grade B, and category LD3 as indicated by the BS 5839-6:2004. Position for Both Smoke & Heat Alarms The smoke alarms are supposed to be situated in the circulation spaces that lie between the open spaces and the places where fire incidents are more likely to originate. This will ensure that the alarms pick up the smoke at early stages. Every floor should have at least one smoke detector, and the kitchen area should be installed with heat detectors, especially in the circulation spaces. The smoke alarms must not be mounted on surfaces that normally get hotter, warmer, or colder than other surfaces because temperature differences may create air currents that will divert smoke away from the alarm units. The smoke alarms should also not be placed next or direct to air-conditioning outlets or heaters. The Design & Installation of Fire and Smoke Detecting Systems The requirements of B1 are that all the fire detecting and alarm systems should properly be designed, installed, and maintained. Fullest assurance can be ensured by use of third party certification schemes that are related to fire protection services and products. For the purpose of this student’s hub, such a scheme will ensure provision of reliable, quality and safe systems within the construction. Means of Escape in the Event of Fire Vertical Means of Escape The means of escape from the building should be simple. For higher floors, the internal stairway should be protected from fire, since escape through windows is considered dangerous. Glazing done is areas on or near stairs shown be fire-resisting. External stairs should be protected from weather damage. The doors that give access to the stairs of the students’ hub are fire resisting. The diagram below shows how the stairs should be designed in order to be fire-resisting. Figure 1: How fire resistance applies in areas close to external stairs. Lifts should not be misconstrued for vertical means of escape. However, stairs are the most appropriate means. The internal escape stairs should remain within protected enclosures. The diagram bellow summarizes how the students’ hub should be designed in order to comply with B1, Section 2. Figure 2: The General Design for Means of Escape across the Floors Emergency Windows and External Doors The windows designed for emergency egress should meet the following conditions: The openable area of the window should be unobstructed and have a minimum area of 0.33m3, with at least 450mm wide and 450mm high. The bottom side of the openable area of the window should not exceed 1100 mm above the floor. The door or window should enable the individual who is escaping to reach a safe place, free from any danger of fire. Doors in the building should open in the direction of escape. For compliance with ADB, non-automatic swing doors have been installed next to the revolving doors in the ground floor. Inner Rooms An inner room is defined as a room whose only exit is through other rooms. An inner room is at risk if the room providing part of the escape route is also at risk. Open-plan layouts should be considered for inner rooms’ design. The inner rooms of this Hub have got the right travel distance, and the number of occupants is less than 60 persons. Further, sufficient L2 fire detectors have be installed in order to give sufficient warning to the occupants in the inner rooms in the event of fire. Passenger Lifts The building has got passenger lifts. Since the building is more than 4.5 m, these lifts are mandatory, as per the ADB requirements. Also, the lifts are located in an enclosure that is protected by the stairway as shown in the figure bellow: Figure 3 : The Location of the Floor in the Ground Floor Section of the Plan Balconies & Flat Roofs Flat roofs which form part of the escape route should meet the following requirements: The routes across the roof should direct to an external escape route The roof has to be part of the same building. The roof that is part of the escape route, together with its supporting structures and any openings near the escape route by 3m, should be able to resist fire for at least 30m. Galleries The galleries should have alternative exits, and where galleries do have alternative escape window or exit, it must meet the following requirements: The distance between any point on the gallery and the head of access stairs should be less than 7.5 m. The cooking facilities in the gallery should be enclosed by constructions that can resist fire or be remote from the stairs and be positioned in a manner they cannot prejudice escape from the gallery. The gallery has to overlook at least more than half of the room that is below it Atrium Void The atrium void for the Students’ Hub should not be confused for an escape route. ADB provides that escape routes should not be within 4.5 m from any opening, except when there are alternative escape routes or the direction of travel is away from any opening. The escape routes for the entire building should meet this requirement, except for the Study Rooms 1 to 5 in the ground floor, and the Projection Room that is opening directly to the atrium void. In order to meet the fire safety requirements, L2 fire alarm systems have been provided to give early fire warnings. Figure 5: A Section of the Plan showing how different rooms open to the Atrium Void Basements The Student Hub will not have Basements. Provisions on how External Escape Stairs should be Designed The entrances that give access to the stairs should be able to resist fire. The stairs that are more than 6m from the ground should be protected from severe weather conditions. The transfer grilles must not be fitted in any door, wall or floor that is enclosing stairways that are protected. Calculation of the Number of Occupants In order to calculate the number of occupants in any storey, building or room, the following formula is used: This calculation has been fully illustrated in Table C1 of the Approved Documents, Part B as shown in the Appendix. In Fig 4 bellow, the area for the reception is about 30m2. The floor space factor, according to Table C1 of the Approved Document, Part B in the appendix, is 1 m2 per person. Figure 4: Student Reception on the Ground Floor A summary of all the occupants for the entire Student’s Hub is shown in the Appendix, Table 1. The total number of people the building can support is 2130. Alternative Means of Escape Alternative means of escape from a building help the occupants to avoid getting trapped by smoke or fire. According to ADB, the layout for alternative means of escape for final exits is as shown. Figure 5: The layout for alternative means of escape to final exits Single Direction Escape Routes In cases where the travel distance is not more than 18m, and the number of occupants is less than 60, then single direction escape routes are recommended. For the case of the Student’s Hub, the Faith Room meets this requirement. Its travel distance is about 9.35 m whereas its occupants are 21. However, the number of escape routes and exits depend on the capacity of the room. Table 2 of the ADB shows the limits of the travel distance with regard to the nearest exit. The Hub has got sufficient escape routes. The Size of Exit Height and Width All the exits of the building have got the appropriate height and width, as required by the ADB. The size of the escape route depends majorly on the number of occupants of a given room. This has been summarized in Table 4. The largest exit is supposed to be discounted. After discounting, the number of people who can be accommodated by two or more of the available exits is found through adding the maximum number of people who can be accommodated by each exit width. The Student Hub has got a lecture theatre whose six exits are 1680 mm wide each. After discounting one of the exits, the number of stairs in the room is found to have a total capacity of persons. This is more than the room capacity by a difference of about 150 occupants. The Dining and Café Facilities These facilities are situated on the ground floor as shown in Figure 6. They have got three exit facilities, thus meeting the ADB requirement that demands only two. Further, this routes lead directly to the storey exit, and do not enter into the kitchen area. Also, this area is compartmented in the right manner, thus making is acceptable by the ADB standards. Figure 6: A Section of the Dining Facilities in Relation to the Kitchen Refuge A refuge should be provided for each protected stairway, thus affording egress from each storey. Each refuge should provide an area accessible to a wheelchair of at least 900mm x 1400mm in which a wheelchair user can await assistance. shows that each stairway has a space that can be used as a refuge. To facilitate effective evacuation of people from refuges, an emergency voice communication (EVC) system should be provided. Escape Lightings and Exit Signs For easy escape from buildings, the escape routes should be clearly marked using the right emergency exits. The signs should have adequate size that complies with the Health and Safety Regulations of 1996 and the BS 5499-1:2002. This students' hub is a complex building and should be fixed with additional exit signs. Besides, the escape routes should have enough lighting to illuminate the routes, in case the main power supply fails (Yung, 2004). . B2 Internal Fire Spread (linings) This part of the Approved Document, part B in meant to inhibit the spreading of fire within the buildings, and the internal building linings. The building should be capable of resisting fire spread through its surfaces. Internal linings refer to all products or materials that are used for lining walls, ceiling, partitions or any other internal structure. The material chosen for the building structures may easily impact on the spread of fire, and even the rate of fire growth. Materials used for the construction of the main building structures of this hub cannot give off heat when burnt. Linings are classified as shown in the Table bellow. Figure 7: ADB Classification of Linings Wall & Ceiling Linings Any wall should adequately resist the spreading of fire. The building design should be able to inhibit the spread of smoke and fire within the hidden spaces of the building. The inner lining should meet the requirements outlined in the ADB. Lighting Diffusers form part of the ceilings. They also are translucent and therefore, allows light to pass through. The diagram bellow shows a layout for the roof lights and lighting diffusers. Figure 10: A layout for the roof lights and lighting diffusers. Suspended ceilings should also satisfy lining classifications in Table 10 of ADB. Whereas thermoplastic materials, roof lights and lighting diffusers should comply with ADB limitations given in Table 11 of ADB. B3 Internal Fire Spread (Structure) B3 regulations hold that the buildings should be constructed and designed so that in case of fire, the building stability is maintained for a reasonably longer period of time. The structure of a wall between any two adjacent buildings should be able to resist the spread of fire between buildings. The general requirements of B3 include: The load bearing members of a building structure should be able to withstand the impacts of fire for a longer time before the building loses its stability. The building should be subdivided into compartments in order to reduce fire spread. The fire separating elements should be protected so that they can maintain their integrity in terms of structure. The hidden voids in the building should be sealed so as to inhibit unseen spreading of fire. This will reduce the cases of structural failure. Load-bearing Elements of the Structure Structural members of a building such as frames, columns, beams and some load bearing walls should meet the fire-resistance requirements provided for in Table A1 and A2 of ADB (as shown in the Appendix). The purpose of having fire-resisting structures is to minimize the risk to occupants, fire-fighters, and vicinity. Compartmentation Sub-dividing the building into compartments that are separated by wall or floors will help in preventing the spread of fire. Rapid spread of fire is dangerous because it can lead to trapping of occupants within the building. Also, Compartmentation plays the role of reducing quick spread of fire. Construction of Compartments The compartment walls and floors to be constructed should be able to create complete barrier between the compartments separated. The compartments should have sufficient fire resistance as indicated in Table A1 and A2 of the Appendix in the ADB. Also, the compartment walls should run full height of the rooms being separated by forming a continuous vertical plane. Openings in Compartmentation The openings in Compartmentation normally include the escape routes for buildings. Compartment size The building has got a total area of about 2130 m2. It exceeds the maximum dimension of compartment area provided for in Table 13 of the ADB. The Students’ Hub, therefore, is classified under Assembly & Recreation purpose groups. This building should be provided with sprinkler systems. The maximum allowable area for the compartment is 2000m2 (ADB, Table 13). The building is only 11.5 m. Since it does not exceed 18m, then each storey should not be constructed on each storey. B4 External Fire Spread (Structure) B4 of the ADB provides for protection of external fire spread. The external building walls should sufficiently resist fire spread from one building to another or from lower floors to other upper or lower floors. The roof should also prevent fire spread to the adjacent buildings, regardless of the use and location of the building. B4 is further separated into 2 broad Sections which include: Construction of External Walls Space Separation Roof Coverings Construction of External Walls As outlined in the building description, the student hub is bordered by some boundaries. For instance, the Northern boundary is about 40 m away from the external wall. The main road to the South is also separated by another boundary at 40 m away from the external walls of the students’ hub. According to Table D1 of the ADB Appendix, the “Student Hub” is classified as an Assembly and Recreation facility. As a result, all its requirements are based on this classification. Fire Resistance Standard for The External Walls The standard requires that the external wall of the Student Hub should be able to resist fire for not less than 60 minutes before collapsing. This recommendation is highlighted in Table A2 of ADB. External Surfaces The external walls’ surfaces that lie within a distance of 1000mm from any relevant boundary should comply with Class 0 (National Class) or European class. Space separation The provisions of space separation requirement assume the following: Fire intensity is related the building use. The fire size depends on how the building is Compartmentalized Assembly and Recreation Purpose building pose more risk than other uses The radiation given out through the external walls that are resistant to fire may be discounted. There is a building (s) on other sides of the boundary, and has got an elevation similar to the building in question and that other building is at same distance away from the common boundary. In cases where more than one building is considered on a common site, then notional boundaries have to be considered because a fire threat posed on one building can easily affect the other (Ronald, 1998). The economic building and the Student Hub are connected using a bridge. This demands that there should be fire detectors between them. The notional boundary between the Student Hub and the Economic building is about 2m. Such a distance helps to prevent the spread of fire from one building to another. Diagram 18 of the ADB shown bellow is used to illustrate the concept of a notional boundary. Figure 11: A Diagram Showing a Notional Boundary Between two Buildings The notional boundary is supposed to be set in an area that lies between any two adjacent buildings. Unprotected Area of the External Wall Using Table 15 of the ADB, the unprotected area of the external wall that is facing the economic building is about 48%. Roof covering The roof coverings should restrict the spread of fire from one building to another, through the roof (Glendon, 1998). Therefore, such buildings should have the right load-bearing capacities and should offer an insulation of at least 30 minutes, in the event of fire. There are several roof coverings suggested by the ADB, all of them can fit the Students’ Hub because the roof is about 20m away from any relevant boundary. Roof coverings can be situated on Stairs 2, 3 & 4. The corridor between the staff changing room and the kitchen manager office can also be fitted with roof coverings. The approved document B provides variety of roof covering types. In case of this building, all types are applicable and acceptable to use. The document states that, B5 Access & Facilities for the Fire & Rescue Service The B5 regulation requires that buildings have to be designed and installed in order to have reasonable number of facilities that can support firefighters in their efforts to protect life. The building sites should have sufficient provisions to ensure that fire appliances have got access to the building. The operation of fire-fighting is normally carried out within the building. Vehicle Access The access of vehicles to the exterior part of the building is very necessary to enhance access of appliances, such as hydraulic platforms, and turntable ladders that can be used to enable pumping devices for water supply. The access routes for vehicles can be anything such as roads or other forms of routes. Such routes should meet the standards outlined in Table 8 of the ADB. In the dead end access routes, the turning facilities are supposed to be provided. For example, it can be a turning circle or hammerhead. Regulatory Reform Order & Fire Safety Management Regulatory Reform Order According to Regulatory Reform Order 2005, the persons in charge of premises should undertake continuous risk assessment in order to identify, manage and reduce the fire risks (Arthur, 2003). This order was enacted on 1st October, 2006 and governs in both England and Wales. PRFSO 2005 outlines on the importance of keeping premises safe at all the time. Proper adherence to the Regulatory Reform Order forms the basis towards a healthy, safe and well-being of the occupants. Fire Safety Management Although Approved Document, Part B does not provide for fire safety management, this is well taken care of by the BS 9999 standards. BS 9999 outlines that any building whose risk profile is similar to that of the Student Hub should meet the minimum requirement of Level 2 of management. In order to achieve this kind of management, the following strategies have to be considered (Glendon, 1998). Liaison with Fire & Rescue Services Fire & Rescue services are mandated with a lot of responsibilities in fire safety management. Therefore, it is wise to notify them about fire growth characteristics, abnormal occupancy, and other fire-related factors that need clarification. Appropriate Planning The changes in risk profile require good planning in order to identify and react to changes as they come. Appropriate management plans should be employed while reacting to risk changes, and implementing new plans. Sufficient Staffing Any institution should have sufficient number of staff members. The rationale behind is to provide the occupants with sufficient information of fire safety management. The quality of fire safety management largely depends on staff occupant ratio (Marsh, 2010). Fire Training The staff should be trained on a continuous basis in order to be at bar with current technological changes in fire safety management. Carrying of responsibilities Different institutions have unique management teams that are charged with different responsibilities. For quick and efficient performance, those responsibilities must be divided among different authorities. All the stakeholders must be consulted before implementing changes related to fire safety management. Contingency planning This is a more proactive approach that will take into account the cases of possible accidents and emergencies. Proper Communication Procedures Those involve in fire-related accident should rapidly and efficiently be informed about the relevant procedures. Maintenance & testing of fire safety systems The fire safety systems must be monitored and tested to ensure that they are functioning at all times while the building is in use. In case such systems fail to function appropriately, then alternative procedures should be adopted. In order to uphold high standards in fire safety management, the following fire safety duties should be upheld: The premises, facilities and fire equipment should be properly maintained. The process of risk assessment should be reviewed of a regular basis in order to keep it up to date and incorporate all the crucial changes. Observing fire precautions so as to ensure that the occupants are safe from fire risks. Non-compliance to fire safety regulations can lead to severe fire risks. Further, it can attract penalties (punishment or imprisonment) from the interested parties. An institution that disregards the provisions will be served with Enforcement notices by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Conclusion The Students’ Hub is a crucial facility that will host several occupants. The building must meet the fire regulations of the Approved Document (B1 to B5), cutting across provision of means of escape and warnings, internal fire spread and external fire spread, access for fire services. B1 to Bs part of Building Legislations of the Approved Document deals with varying dimensions of fire safety. The Students’ Hub is a new building meant for different purposes within the University. It comprises an open plan, and a large atrium space that has access to the balcony in the upper floors. Other things the Students Hub building will consist of include the flexible social spaces, lecture theatres, dining facilities, Offices, IT facilities, and the library. The Building Regulations (B1 to B5) of 2010 are supposed to provide guidance on fire safety to both the existing and new buildings of the clients within England and Wales. These regulations are a constituent of the Approved Document, and since this student’s hub is situated in England, it will be supported by other building codes. In most cases, fire is an unavoidable risk, and therefore, the construction of this Students’ Hub has to comply with these fire regulations. Part B of the Approved Documents which offers guidance of fire safety is broken down into B1, B2, B3, B4 and B4, and each of them covers a different aspect. Appendix Table 1: Occupants Capacity.   Room Area (m2) Converting Factor (m2 per person) Number of People Ground Floor Common Area 1102 1 1102 Kitchen 213 7 30 Student Reception 30 6 5 Total   1137 First Floor Student Service 420 6 70 First Aid 12 6 2 Faith Room 22 1 22 Group Study Rooms 41 2 21 Conference Rooms 110 1 110 Social Learning Area 300 2 150 Total   375 Ground and First Floor Lecture Theatre 370 1 370 Second Floor Library 969 7 138 Quite Study 90 2 45 Group Study Area 90 2 45 Video Editing 62 5 12 Photocopiers Area 23 10 2 Meeting Room 6 1 6 Total       248 Table 2: Final Exits Capacity.  Floor No. Final Exits (before discount) Capacity Occupancy Ground Floor 6 1145 1137 First Floor and Second Floor 4 1008 623 A. Limits on the application of uninsulated glazed elements on the escape routes B. Limits on fire protecting suspended ceilings C. Maximum duration of fire resistance D. Regulations on fire doors E. Method Use for Measuring the Height of the Top Storey F: Classification of Buildings into Purpose Groups References Arthur, C 2003, Organizing for Fire & Rescue Services, Newbury Park, London. Glendon, AL, 1998, How to Manage Fire Risk, Newbury Park, Sage. HM Government, The Building Regulations 2010. Emanuel, H 2008, Fire Risk Management, Wiley-Blackwell, Sussex. Marsh, G, 2010, Fire & Life Safety Education, Griffins and Co, London. Michael, W 2005, Fire Officer: Principles and Practice, Professional Publishing Ltd. Neil, 2006, In Case of Fire, Cengage, London. PAS79, 2007, Fire Risk Assessment Kandola, B 2004, Evaluation of Fire safety, Wiley Ronald, R 1998, Risk Assessment & Risk Management, ME Sharpe, NY. Yung, D 2004, The Principles of Fier & Risk Assessment in Buildings, Wiley & Sons. Read More

B1 Means of Warning and Escape According to B1 Building Regulations, a building design and construction should give appropriate provisions for means of escape to a safe place out of the building. There should also be means for early fire warnings. However, this rule does not apply to prisons. The assumption behind this rule is that the occupants of any building should be able to escape from the premises without any external assistance. The main danger related to fire at its initial stages is not the flame but the noxious gases and smoke produced by the fire.

This may lead to causalities or even obscure exits and escape routes. Criteria for the Design of Means of Escape In situations where there is no direct escape route to a safe ground, there should be means of reaching the stairway on the exit within reasonable time and distance. The escape route should be an alternative means of escape, and the escape conditions may vary depending on the height and size of the building, the number of people the building accommodates and the risks associated with the building.

The Unaccepted Means of Escape The following means of escape are not considered as suitable alternatives of escape, according to B1 Building Regulations: Lifts Portable ladders Throw-out ladders Manipulative appliances and apparatus, such as chutes and fold—down ladders Fire Detection & Fire Alarm Systems This section provides for provision of appropriate arrangements in giving early warning to the occupants in the event of fire. The use of alarm systems or smoke alarm, and automated fire detecting systems can be used to give early warnings to the occupants.

Additional detectors should be introduced in order to provide a higher level of protection. Generally, the alarms are divided into smoke and heat alarms, and are supposed to be mains operated. They should be enabled to a standby power-source. The Students’ Hub under consideration has got three floors. This, according to B1, makes it to be categorized under large houses. Such houses are supposed to be fitted with fire alarms and fire detectors, under Grade B, and category LD3 as indicated by the BS 5839-6:2004.

Position for Both Smoke & Heat Alarms The smoke alarms are supposed to be situated in the circulation spaces that lie between the open spaces and the places where fire incidents are more likely to originate. This will ensure that the alarms pick up the smoke at early stages. Every floor should have at least one smoke detector, and the kitchen area should be installed with heat detectors, especially in the circulation spaces. The smoke alarms must not be mounted on surfaces that normally get hotter, warmer, or colder than other surfaces because temperature differences may create air currents that will divert smoke away from the alarm units.

The smoke alarms should also not be placed next or direct to air-conditioning outlets or heaters. The Design & Installation of Fire and Smoke Detecting Systems The requirements of B1 are that all the fire detecting and alarm systems should properly be designed, installed, and maintained. Fullest assurance can be ensured by use of third party certification schemes that are related to fire protection services and products. For the purpose of this student’s hub, such a scheme will ensure provision of reliable, quality and safe systems within the construction.

Means of Escape in the Event of Fire Vertical Means of Escape The means of escape from the building should be simple. For higher floors, the internal stairway should be protected from fire, since escape through windows is considered dangerous. Glazing done is areas on or near stairs shown be fire-resisting. External stairs should be protected from weather damage. The doors that give access to the stairs of the students’ hub are fire resisting. The diagram below shows how the stairs should be designed in order to be fire-resisting.

Figure 1: How fire resistance applies in areas close to external stairs.

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