Damageability of buildings, contents and personnel from exposure to fire

Abstract

This paper attempts to review the relevant literature considering the effects of the products of combustion, essentially the thermal exposure, the smoke exposure and the toxic gases, on the physical structure and contents of the building including the occupants. Under the concept of damageability, the paper considered only the direct effects of the exposure to the products of combustion and the indirect effects of such exposure were considered beyond the scope of the paper. This paper initially examined the damage to the structural elements of the building from the products of combustion and the current test and analysis procedures for determining the damageability of these elements. The interior finish and the furnishings of the building have been the subject of research studies, and these studies were reviewed relative to furniture, doors, finish materials and electrical cables. The established criteria of flashover and the research determining these criteria were also examined. Finally, the tenability limits for personnel were reviewed in relation to the thermal, visual and toxic effects of the products of combustion.