Fire Safety Evaluation of Urban Buildings

Abstract

As buildings have been getting taller and incorporating more intelligent designs due to industry development and population growth, property damage and the numbers of casualties resulting from fires are increasing, which requires safety evaluations that involve engineering analysis methods. This study analyzes the use of safety measures against fire hazards, by conducting fire simulations to calculate the visibility range and radiant/convective heat in CO/CO2/smoke, and by performing evacuation simulations to analyze the ASET(Available Safety Egress Time)/RSET(Required Safety Egress Time). From the results of the fire/evacuation simulations, it is possible to estimate the impacts that fire hazards (e.g. toxic gases and temperatures) can have on the occupants’ safety, to examine the feasibility of the evacuation/fireproof equipment in buildings for unspecified individuals, and to establish an optimized evacuation plan to minimize damage or loss of life. It is expected that fire simulations will enable the following activities: risk impact evaluation analyses, laboratory safety inspections, establishment of safety assessments for construction works, and future continuous research studies linked to super high-rise buildings.