ASFPI Fire Compartmentation Seminar David O Reilly TIFireE Operations Officer Association for Specialist Fire Protection in Ireland Republic of Ireland Branch Council Member Institution of Fire Engineers European Association for Passive Fire Protection (EAPFP) E-mail: david.oreilly@asfpireland.ie Website: www.asfpireland.ie
Key Objective Provide Support for FM s in Managing Fire Safety Fire Compartmentation Fire Safety Legislative Compliance Fire Safety Management Fire Safety Risk Assessment Preventing Costly Mistakes Legacy Issues The Way Forward Construction Industry Overview (Challenges & Opportunities in 2015)
Learning - Financial Industry Failures We need invasive scrutiny & effective sanctions if self certification is to work Matthew Elderfield - Financial Regulator in 2009
Legacy Issues The Way Forward History - Legislation & Practice Reality Understanding where are we now? How the System Works? Moving Forward Challenge in Managing PFP Systems?
History of Irish Construction Legislation Local Development (Planning Development) Act 1963 Draft Building Regulations 1969-1976 Proposed Building Regulations 1983 Building Control Act 1990 Building Regulations 1991 (1997-2001) Building Control Regulations 1991 (1997 2014)
Building Control Act 1990 The Building Control Act 1990 established A System of Self Certification Clear Legal Standards Building Regulation & Building Control Regulation Technical Guidance Documents TGD B Fire Safety Statutory responsibility for professionals to design & Contractors to build in accordance with the building regulations 2012 DoECLG Statement: In the light of a number of recent high profile failures on the parts of developers/builders and their agents to meet their statutory responsibilities it is considered that sticking with the existing arrangements is no longer tenable. Almost 25 Years on: Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (BCAR)
No Change to Building Regulations - TGD B Review Fire Compartmentation Sections B1 B5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 Means of escape in case of fire Internal fire spread (linings) Internal fire spread (structure) External fire spread Access and facilities for the fire service Compliance with TGD B is considered Prima Facie Compliance with Building Regulations
BCAR Changes Building Control Regulations DECLG Code of Practice for Inspecting & Certifying Buildings and Works was published in February 2014 Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (BCAR) 1 st March Mandatory certification of compliance and lodgement of documents demonstrating compliance at both project commencement & on completion Created new roles for Assigned & Design Certifiers who must be registered professionals and be competent to carryout their design and to co-ordinate the design activities of others for the works concerned. Semi-formal system of Ancillary Certification
2011 First ASFP Ireland Seminar Educated & Informed Delegates Fire Industry Understanding Frustration Background Opinions of Compliance Lack of Inspection Prosecutions????? Industry Reports & Recommendations
Industry Reports & Recommendations Common Theme ACEI, BRAB, CFOA, IEI, RIAI, SCS and the National Consumer Agency Mandatory certificates of compliance for Design & Construction underpinned by an Audit Process Separate Properly Resourced Building Control Section in each Local Authority Enhanced & Targeted Inspections
Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 Code of Practice for Inspecting & Certifying Buildings & Works The purpose of the lodgement of plans, mandatory inspection by registered professionals, statutory certificates of compliance and registration of certificates and accompanying documentation is to ensure a strong culture of compliance with the Building Regulations, and greater transparency in the process So who is responsible for buildings constructed before BCAR? Who Inspected & Certified Buildings before BCAR? How significant are the issues and what can be done about them?
Legislative Responsibility The Fire Services Acts 1987 2003 require that a building is managed and maintained in accordance with building regulations. The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires that suitable and sufficient fire safety risk assessments are carried out to ensure continuing compliance.
Conveyance by way of Opinions of Compliance Architects / Fire Consultants typically using phrases such as visual inspection only no opening up substantial compliance with building regulations providing evidence for title purposes not a report on the condition of the building we were not retained to supervise construction
Irish Government April 2012 Strengthening the Building Control System In the light of a number of recent high profile failures on the parts of developers/builders and their agents to meet their statutory responsibilities it is considered that sticking with the existing arrangements is no longer tenable. Longboat Quay Apartments
Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings ASFP Guidance - TGD B 2006 Revision Based on research which showed that many buildings are constructed and operated with Passive Fire Protection either badly installed or missing altogether. This situation is compounded by subsequent alterations to the building as changes in occupancy, occupations and systems take place. An Accurate Description of Buildings Today
Priory Hall
North Dublin Apartments
South County Dublin Apartments
Ceiling Voids - Partitioning Systems
Service Riser Cupboards
Ceiling Voids - Fire Resisting?
Fit for Purpose?
Commercial Offices Dublin Office Block 7 th Floor Plant Room well built and fire stopped at other floor levels
West Dublin Apartment Complex
Plant Room Compartmentation Pioneering fire prote- ction through innovation and professionalism
Fire Resisting Door Set?
Service Riser Cupboard Fire Resisting Doorset?
Management needs to Understand the System A fire safety certificate is an approval by a local building control authority of the fire safety design to be incorporated into the overall design of a proposed new building. It is a certification of the fire safety design, as presented and does not certify the construction of the finished building. Prior to BCAR: In many cases nobody actually inspected the construction before issuing an Opinion of Compliance.
TGD B on Fire Safety Management Guidance contained in this Document has been based on the assumption that there will be an adequate level of fire safety management when the building is in use. It describes the importance of the management of both Active & Passive Fire Protection Systems to ensure that deterioration over the life of the building will not impair the level of Fire Safety. It draws attention to duties under the Fire Services Acts in relation to certain premises. It also draws attention to duties under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 EC Framework Directive (89/391/EC) & EC Workplace Directive (89/654/EC) Irish Law in the HSA General Applications 2007
Building Regulations - Planning Stage Fire Safety Certificate (FSC)- Application Process Designers Demonstrate Compliance Compliance Report sets out the fire strategy for the proposed design demonstrating compliance with the requirements of B 1 B 5 Drawings showing locations and specified fire resistance ratings of fire compartment walls & floors. Approval - The local authority inspect this design and if satisfied grant a Fire Safety Certificate approving the design.
Managing Fire Safety Information The FSC approves the design. The FSC doesn t approve the construction. The FSC application contains relevant information on the design strategy essential for management Fire Compartmentation
Active & Passive Systems Work Together Active Fire Detection Systems provide warning time to escape. Passive Fire Protection Systems Protect Escape Routes time to escape. Active Systems can be tested press a button, read a display. P F P Systems can t be tested on site.
PFP = Passive in Nature Total Reliance on Installed Systems. Certification provided by Manufacturers. Certification based on Fire Testing. System Installer Competence & Integrity Ability to Install in accordance with the Manufacturer s instructions Replicate Fire Tested System on site
Understanding the process of PFP
Understanding Fire Test Data How to interpret fire test evidence for Passive Fire Protection Products
Understanding Fire Test Data ASFP Advisory Notice Indicative & Ad-hoc Testing
Understanding Fire Test Data Pecking Order 1. Certificate from a Third Party Certification Body 2. Assessment / Expert Judgment from an accredited fire test laboratory or qualified fire consultant 3. Fire test report I. Standard test II. Indicative test III. Ad-Hoc test
Understanding Fire Test Data Third Party Certification bodies
Understanding Fire Test Data Pecking order 1. Certificate from a Third Party Certification Body 2. Assessment / Expert Judgment from an accredited fire test laboratory or qualified fire consultant 3. Fire test report I. Standard test II. Indicative test III. Ad-Hoc test
Understanding Fire Test Data Pecking order 1. Certificate from a Third Party Certification Body 2. Assessment / Expert Judgment from an accredited fire test laboratory or qualified fire consultant 3. Fire test report I. Standard test II. Indicative test III. Ad-Hoc test
Understanding Fire Test Data Standard tests are the best type of test report and are the ideal
Understanding Fire Test Data Indicative reports are just that indicative They are not a proper test result and should not be use to confer approval
Understanding Fire Test Data Ad-hoc tests are a last resort usually if there is no test method Always query why an ad-hoc test has been used Ad-hoc tests should be supported by an assessment or expert judgment The issuing laboratory will give guidance if asked
Problem - Anyone can buy a Fire Collar Manufacturers provide installation instructions Intumescent Fire Collars Example: For surface mounting instructions state Secure pipe collar to the structure with 50mm x 8mm masonry screws or minimum 50mm expanding metallic bolts Remember the purpose is to protect the hole in the structure after the pvc pipe has melted and fallen away
Manufacturer s Instruction based on Fire Test Evidence
Fire Compound is Designed to be load bearing
What is Tested Certified? Fire Resisting Doorset?
Common Problems Fire Resisting Doorset?
Understanding the process of PFP
Understanding the process of PFP
North Dublin 1981 - The Stardust Tragedy St. Valentines Disco 14 th February Celebration turned into Tragedy by Fire 48 Young People Died (18 25) 214 Seriously Injured
2011 Priory Hall Apartment Complex A Lesser Tragedy No Fire? High Court Eviction of 246 residents DCC Fire Prevention Office - Fire Safety Wall to Wall Media Focus Joe Duffy Financial Loss to Residents & DCC Human cost Residents, Architects, Engineers etc.
What happens when things go badly wrong! The Station Nightclub Fire Rhode Island, USA February 2003
What happens when things go badly wrong!
What happens when things go badly wrong!
What happens when things go badly wrong!
What happens when things go badly wrong!
What happens when things go badly wrong!
What happens when things go badly wrong! 96 Deaths 115 Injuries 219 Escaped
ASFPI Fire Compartmentation Seminar David O Reilly TIFireE Operations Officer Association for Specialist Fire Protection in Ireland Republic of Ireland Branch Council Member Institution of Fire Engineers European Association for Passive Fire Protection (EAPFP) E-mail: david.oreilly@asfpireland.ie Website: www.asfpireland.ie