Fire Analysis

CarbonLight House® 2020

Herlev, Denmark
 Summary

1. Fire alarm and detection systems

2. Means of escape from the dwelling
3. General provisions
4. Wall and ceiling linings
5. Loadbearing elements of structure
6. Construction of external walls
7. Roof coverings
8. Access points
Specific aims of Document B1

 Satisfactory means of warning and escape;

 Restriction of fire spread over internal surfaces;
 Sufficient stability of the building under fire load;
 Sufficient fire separation within the building and between adjoining buildings;
 Restriction of fire and smoke spread within concealed spaces;
 Restriction of fire spread over the external envelope and from one building to
another;
 Satisfactory access for fire appliances and firefighters up to and within the building in
saving of life.
 Fire alarms and detection systems

Requirement B1 makes specific reference to the early warning of fire and the appropriate
provisions for fire alarm systems. Suitable provisions for dwelling-houses and flats are:

A fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with BS5839:Part 6:2004 to at least
grade D category LD3 standard. Smoke and heat alarms should be fitted according to BS5446:Part 1
and Part 2
 General provisions

All doors and escape routes should not be fitted with a lock, latch or bolt. Simple fastenings
operated from the escape side of the door may be used where only one mechanism needs to be
manipulated without the use of a key.

Doors should be hung to open in the direction of escape. The swing of a door should be at
least 90 degrees, be clear of any change of floor level (except a threshold or single step), not reduce
the effective width of a landing or corridor and incorporate a vision panel if hung to swing both
ways.
Wall and ceiling linings

Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (Linings)

1. To inhibit the spread of fire within the building, the internal linings shall:
a) Adequately resist the spread of flame over their surfaces;
b) Have if ignited, either a rate of heat release or a rate of fire growth
which is reasonable in the circumstances.
2. In this paragraph ‘internal linings’ means the materials or products used
in lining any partition, wall, ceiling or other internal structure.

Internal wall and ceiling linings for the project must meet the following requirements:

 Class 1 (C-s3, d2)

Other rooms (including garages) and circulation spaces within dwellings.

 Class 0 (D-s3, d2)

Other circulation spaces, including common areas to flat and marionettes.

In order to reach this requirement and ensure maximum stability in case of fire we have
chosen to install fiber gypsum lining on all ceilings and walls.

The fiber gypsum boards are all classified as K110, A2-s1, d0.

By utilizing the boards we are sure that we are able to meet the requirements for all linings.
 Loadbearing elements of structure

Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (Structure)

1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that, in the event of fire, its
stability will be maintained for at least two or more hours.
2. A wall common to two or more building shall be designed and constructed so
that it adequately resists the spread of fire between those buildings. For the
purpose of the sub-paragraph, a house in a terrace and a semi-detached house
are to be treated as a separate building.
3. Where reasonably necessary, to inhibit the spread of fire within the building,
measures shall be taken to an extent appropriate to the size and intended use of
the building, compromising either or both of the following:
a) Subdivision of the building with fire-resisting construction;
b) Installation of suitable automatic fire-suppression systems.
4. The building shall be designed and constructed so that the unseen spread of fire
and smoke within concealed spaces in its structure and fabric is inhibited.

In this chapter concerning loadbearing elements of the structure we are working on the
following building parts:

 Structural frames
 Beams
 Columns
 Loadbearing wall (internal and external)
 Floor and gallery structures.

Depending on the location of the structural element, it will need to satisfy test criteria in
regards to its loadbearing capacity (resistance to collapse), integrity (resistance to fire penetration)
and insulation (resistance to heat transfer).

This means the loadbearing elements of structure must comply and fulfill the requirements
as a REI structure.
 In order to determine the minimum periods of fire resistance for
loadbearing elements in this project, it has been necessary to utilize
Table A1 and supplemented by the usage of Table A2.

Floor separation (REI 60)

Table A1, section 3 (b), indicates that the minimum provision when tested to European
standards is an REI construction. The method of exposure is from the underside.

Table A2 deals with specific time requirements in minutes. It states that the building part
must be a 60 min. construction due to the fact that the height of the top floor above ground level
exceeds 5m.

This means that our floor partition must be a REI 60 building part.

External walls (REI 60)

Table A1 section 5 (a)

Any part less than 1000 mm from any point on the relevant boundary.

Taking the limited amount of space available between houses on the developed plot into
consideration, it is necessary to fulfill the given requirement as a REI building part.

The method of exposure is from each side separately.

Table A1 refers to the use of Table A2 for further provisions. To meet the requirements all
external walls must be constructed as an REI 60 building part.

Walls and ceilings facing an integral garage (REI 30)

An integrated garage demands specific attention in terms of separating from adjacent

building parts. A garage often contains many fire hazardous chemicals which gives and enhanced
risk of self-igniting fires.

Specific requirements are given in Table A1 section 8.

Wall or floor separating on attached or integral garage from a dwelling house.

Specific requirement for this building part is REI 30.

Listing of the tables used for this section of the analysis:
 Construction of external walls

Requirement B4: External fire spread

1. The external walls of the building shall adequately resist the spread of fire
over the walls and from one building to another, having regard to the
height, use and position of the building.
2. The roof of the building shall adequately resist the spread of fire over the
roof and from one building to another, having regard to the use and
position of the building.

As previously established, the distance to point on the relevant boundary in this project is
very limited. To ensure a valid permission to position the houses as planned, it is necessary to
ensure that all vertical external cladding meets the requirement of:

Class B-s3, d2.

Roof coverings
Closely related to the previous subject of external wall cladding, fire restrictions apply to
roof coverings as well. As the developed plot does not leave much space between relevant
boundaries, a fire retardant must be applied to all wooden shingles performing as a pitched roof
covering.

No further restrictions in terms of distance to relevant boundaries to roofs in class AA or AB.

Wooden shingles must be treated with fire retardant under directions of BS476.

Specific requirements for roof coverings and distance to boundaries are to be found in Table
A5.
 Access

Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service

1. The building shall be designed and constructed so as to provide reasonable

facilities to assist firefighters in the protection of life.
2. Provision shall be made within the side of the building to enable fire appliances
to gain access to the building.

For buildings not fitted with fire mains, vehicle access should be provided in accordance with
section B5.

Section B5 states:

Any ‘dead-end’ access route exceeding 20 m should be provided with a turning circle in accordance
with the criteria.

In relation with site planning, all ‘dead-end’ access routes have been eliminated to accommodate
the entrance of any pumping appliances.

Section B5 additionally states according to tables that a standard pumping appliance would be
sufficient to serve the building in case of fire.