IFE AGM and Conference: Fire Engineering to Improve Sustainability of Communities 21 st – 22 nd July 2010, Hotel Russell, London CLG funded research Martin

IFE AGM and Conference: Fire Engineering to Improve Sustainability of Communities21st – 22nd July 2010, Hotel Russell, London

CLG funded research

Martin ShippTechnical Development Director, Fire Safety

BRE Global

Contents

• About BRE• CLG Project - The Environmental Impact of Fire versus the

Environmental Impact of Fire Protection• BREEAM• Fire investigation for CLG• Existing technologies that have environmental implications in a fire• New sustainable/environmentally friendly technologies that have fire

safety implications• Conclusions

About BRE

About BRE

About BRE

About BRE

About BRE

About BRE

BRE services BRE• BRE Innovation Park - “Green” housing • Construction - methods, materials etc.• Acoustics, thermal properties, durability• Weathertightness• Wind-loading• Structural performance and integrity

BRE Global• Physical security• Electronic security• Passive fire protection• Fire detection• Fire suppression• Construction products• Installation, service and maintenance• Environmental profiles; BREEAM• Inspection services• Quality systems evaluation• Environmental management• H & S management

• Commissioned research• Consultancy • Product testing• Product certification• CE Marking• Education and training• Publications

BRE Group structure

BRE Privatised 1997

CLG Project

• The Environmental Impact of Fire versus the Environmental Impact of Fire Protection

Building Act 1984

1 Power to make building regulations(1)The Secretary of State may, for any of the purposes of—(a)securing the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings,(b)furthering the conservation of fuel and power, and(c)preventing waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water,

1 Power to make building regulations(1)The Secretary of State may, for any of the purposes of—(a)securing the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings,(b)furthering the conservation of fuel and power, and(c)preventing waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water,

Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004

Purposes of building regulations (1) In subsection (1) of section 1 of the Building Act 1984 (c. 55) (which sets out the purposes for which building regulations may be made), for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute— “(b) furthering the conservation of fuel and power, (c) preventing waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water, (d) furthering the protection or enhancement of the environment, (e) facilitating sustainable development, or (f) furthering the prevention or detection of crime,”.

Purposes of building regulations (1) In subsection (1) of section 1 of the Building Act 1984 (c. 55) (which sets out the purposes for which building regulations may be made), for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute— “(b) furthering the conservation of fuel and power, (c) preventing waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water, (d) furthering the protection or enhancement of the environment, (e) facilitating sustainable development, or (f) furthering the prevention or detection of crime,”.

The Environmental Impact of Fire versus the Environmental Impact of Fire Protection

• Commissioned by Communities and Local Government, Sustainable Buildings Division (UK Building Regulations)

• One year scoping study, completion August 2009• Aim to examine the issues surrounding the environmental impact of

fire and the environmental impact of fire protection.• Work involved:

– identify issues and collect relevant information

– review and identify the potential impacts

– Consider specification for cost benefit tool for assessing impacts

– Consider inclusion of fire safety in environmental/sustainability tools

– Identify implications for UK Building Regulations and potential areas for further work

– Produce report

Programme of research

The environmental impact of fire

1. A review of gases released into the atmosphere from a fire and the methods used to estimate the quantities of these

2. A review of solid particulates from fires

3. A review of the origin and quantity of water used by fixed fire suppression systems

4. A review of the origin and quantity of water used for fire service fire-fighting activities

5. A review of contaminants caused by fire-fighting run off


The environmental impact of fire protection systems

• Detailed identification of the materials used within fire protection systems

• Life Cycle Analysis of the data relating to the materials used within fire protection systems

• A review of the data relating to operational impacts of fire protection systems

• A review of the environmental damage caused by flame retardants


Building stock survey and other statistical data

• Estimate of fire size, extent of damage for all fires in the UK by purpose group

• Fire load survey

• Environmental load survey for buildings for contents

• Property survey of all buildings in the UK


Build

No fire


Build

CO2 etc

No fire


Build Live

CO2 etc CO2 etc

No fire


Build Live Demolish

CO2 etc CO2 etc CO2 etc

No fire


Build Live

CO2 etc CO2 etc

With fireWith fire


Build Live

CO2 etc CO2 etc

With fireWith fire

Fire

CO2 etc


Build Live

CO2 etc CO2 etc

With fireWith fire

Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Build Live

Demolish

CO2 etc CO2 etc

CO2 etc

With fireWith fire

Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc

Live

CO2 etc


The difference between no fire and with fireThe difference between no fire and with fire

Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Provide protection e.g. sprinklers (or additional passive protection)

Provide protection e.g. sprinklers (or additional passive protection)

Build


Provide protection e.g. sprinklersProvide protection e.g. sprinklers

Build

CO2 etc


Provide protection e.g. sprinklers – to ALL relevant properties


Build

CO2 etc

CO2 etc




Build

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc


The difference between no fire and with fireThe difference between no fire and with fire


The difference between no fire and with fire

Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Build

CO2 etc

or


The difference between no fire and with fireWhich is greater???

The difference between no fire and with fireWhich is greater???



Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Build

CO2 etc

?


The difference between no fire and with fireWhich is greater???Research needed – data needed

The difference between no fire and with fireWhich is greater???Research needed – data needed



Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Build

CO2 etc

?

The Environmental Impact of Fire versus the Environmental Impact of Fire ProtectionThe Environmental Impact of Fire versus the

Environmental Impact of Fire Protection


Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc

Average fire produces 0.5 tonnes CO2




Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc


Provide protection e.g. sprinklers

Build

CO2 etc


Typical fire protection system hascarbon footprint of 0.01 tonnes CO2




Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc


Typical fire protection system hascarbon footprint of 0.01 tonnes CO2 The Environmental Impact of Fire versus the



Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc Frequency of fire over lifetimeof the building (or the FP system)(say 50 years) is 0.05 (i.e. 1 in 20 chance)




Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc





Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild


Hence, fire “effectively” produces0.025 tonnes CO2


Very sensitive to input data - research needed




Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc





Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild







Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild

CO2 etc



Build

CO2 etc





Fire

CO2 etc

Rebuild



Findings - 1

• Environmental impact assessment detailed design tools could be used to model environmental impact of fire scenarios and fire protection systems. But input data needed.

• Some data/information on all of effluents (gas, liquid, solid products) produced in fires. However, large gaps and suitability of available data as input data to environmental impact models to be determined.

Findings - 2

• ‘Cost’ of embodied energy and other impacts for manufacturing and use of components of fire protection systems could be determined using existing detailed environmental design tools. Relevant input data needs to be collected and reviewed. Each fire protection system will have different environmental impacts but need to be assessed using Life Cycle Assessment for individual systems.

• Current BRE Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) model needs to be extended to include impact of a building fire on environment and environmental impact of providing fire safety components and systems in buildings. New input data and monetary conversion factors required.

Findings - 3• Insufficient data available on UK building stock, e.g. number of

buildings in each purpose group; further work needed to extend CBA tool to broader range of AD B purpose groups.

• Most environmental building level tools cover environmental rather than social issues. Further research needed to introduce social issues relevant to fire safety into tools.

Findings - 4• Impacts associated with fire and fire protection could be included

within environmental building level tools. However, need to obtain and evaluate:– Significance of providing fire protection and safety systems and

differences between different approaches.– Benefit of providing additional fire protection beyond regulation.– Significance of fire events in terms of emissions from fire and

replacement materials.

• Including environmental data within existing fire tools may be an alternative; data gathering required.

Findings - 5

• Substantial amount of further research is needed to resolve these issues.

• It follows that it cannot yet be proven that any particular fire protection or fire prevention measure – considered over whole building stock – has net environmental benefit.

Findings - 6

• But, clearly, any fire protection measure introduced for life safety or property protection will also give an environmental benefit – as bonus.

• It should be noted that scoping study does not include consideration of the assessment of innovative materials used in meeting sustainability agenda and their potential fire performance.

• Full scoping study report to be published by CLG.

• The world’s leading rating tool for sustainable buildings and communities

• 200,000 buildings certified, over 1 million registered

• Over 5 million tonnes of carbon saved

• Reduced environmental impacts• Improved functionality, flexibility and

durability • Higher user satisfaction• Demonstrate improved performance

(design & operation)

• Energy

• Potable Water Consumption

• Waste

• Materials

• Water Surface Run-off

• Pollution

• Health & Wellbeing

• Management

• Energy

• Potable Water Consumption

• Waste

• Materials


• Pollution

• Health & Wellbeing

• Management

Tra

dab

le C

red

its

• Waste

• Materials


• Waste

• Materials

• Water Surface Runoff

Man

dat

ory

S

tan

dar

ds

Energy

Potable Water Consumption

En

viro

nm

enta

l Wei

gh

tin

gs

Issu

e C

ateg

ory

Sco

res

OverallScore

Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4 Level 5Level 6

Ecology•

•

•

• Lifetime Homes

• helps reduce environmental impact and running costs of existing buildings

• covers the Asset, Building Management and Organisational Effectiveness

• helps building managers reduce the running costs and improve the environmental performance of existing buildings.

• is a standard, an easy-to-use assessment methodology and a 3rd party certification process provideing a clear and credible route map to improving sustainability.

• sits alongside the well established BREEAM schemes for assessing the environmental performance of buildings at the design and construction stages.

• all those involved in occupying, procuring or managing existing buildings can now evaluate - and improve - the performance of their property assets and the quality of their management regimes.

BREEAM In-Use

To recognise and encourage the implementation and maintenance of effective security measures that will reduce the opportunity for, and fear of, crime on the site by installing robust security systems.

Has an intruder alarm system been fitted, and if so was the intruder alarm system installed and maintained by a company approved by NSI or SSAIB?

To recognise and encourage the implementation of effective security measures that will reduce the opportunity for, and fear of, crime on the site by installing robust security systems.

Is the intruder alarm system connected to a remote manned centre?

To recognise and encourage going beyond the statutory minimum fire risk assessment .

Has the fire risk assessment been extended to cover the building, contents and potential environmental hazards?

To ensure that fire safety risks are fully understood, reviewed and up to date.

Are fire risks reviewed, monitored (and Managed) continuously?

To recognise and encourage fire risk assessments that ensure that fire safety risks are fully understood and include actions taken to minimise risks to the environment.

Does the fire emergency plan included ways to minimise (as far as is possible) the environmental risks associated with fire incidents?

To ensure that fire safety risks are fully understood and actions are taken to minimise material risks.

Does the fire emergency plan include strategies for protection of building and contents?

To ensure that fire safety risks are fully understood and actions taken to minimise risks are adequate by seeking advice from competent independent advisors.

Have the fire service or suitable competent person been involved in the development of the emergency plan?

To ensure that fire safety risks are minimised by ensuring a rapid response time.

Is the fire alarm system connected to a remote manned centre?

BREEAM In-Use: fire

Fire investigation for CLG• Communities and Local Government Sustainable Buildings Division has

commissioned a project titled “Investigation of Real Fires 2009”. • Contract has a duration of approximately 31 months: from 4th January 2010 to

31st July 2012. • Specific objectives are to monitor and provide timely feedback to CLG from

fire incidents on the following issues;– The effectiveness of Part B of the Building Regulations and the guidance

in Approved Document B (AD B) in achieving its fire safety objectives, with particular consideration of the impact of the 2006 revisions.

– Compliance with Part B of the Building Regulations and its associated guidance and standards and how this affects fire safety in practice where fires have occurred.

– The impact of British and European Standards on building products and systems.

– The impact of new designs and new methods of construction, and the use of innovative or unusual materials.

– The role and use of Fire Safety Engineering approaches and other means of meeting the Building Regulation requirements.

– To monitor the impact of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 on fire safety in buildings and particularly the interface with Part B.

Fire investigation for CLG• Communities and Local Government Sustainable Buildings Division has

commissioned a project titled “Investigation of Real Fires 2009”. • Contract has a duration of approximately 31 months: from 4th January 2010 to

31st July 2012. • Specific objectives are to monitor and provide timely feedback to CLG from

fire incidents on the following issues;– The effectiveness of Part B of the Building Regulations and the guidance

in Approved Document B (AD B) in achieving its fire safety objectives, with particular consideration of the impact of the 2006 revisions.

– Compliance with Part B of the Building Regulations and its associated guidance and standards and how this affects fire safety in practice where fires have occurred.

– The impact of British and European Standards on building products and systems.

– The impact of new designs and new methods of construction, and the use of innovative or unusual materials.

– The role and use of Fire Safety Engineering approaches and other means of meeting the Building Regulation requirements.

– To monitor the impact of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 on fire safety in buildings and particularly the interface with Part B.

Issues identified

• Existing technologies that have environmental implications in a fire

• New sustainable/environmentally friendly technologies that may have fire safety implications

Existing technology that have environmental implications in a fire

– Fire retardants– Wildfire– Firefighting foams– Coalmines fires– Release of soot– Release of toxic material – asbestos, dioxins etc

In 40 years time we will still be using 80% of the buildings that currently exist

In 40 years time we will still be using 80% of the buildings that currently exist

Fire retardants

• The fire performance of many materials and products is dependent on the use of fire retardants

• These include insulation materials, pipes, cables, protective coatings, and tensile fabrics (stretch-skin protective skins), as well as household goods (such as television sets), household fabrics, furnishings and some construction materials, such as timber

• The fire retardant industry global market is estimated to be worth $3billion• The industry is under very close legislative scrutiny and faces significant

challenges to meet European and other legislative requirements to remove certain chemicals and reduce their environmental impact

• Fire retardants currently attract significant interest in terms of their polluting potential

• There is evidence to show that they are finding their way into the food chain in significant quantities

• Hence, they potentially have a significant impact on the environment • The BRE Trust is funding a project titled “Fire retardants – a balancing

act” - part of the BRE Trust Thematic Research Programme on Low Impact Processes, Materials and Products (LIPMP).

Wildfire

• CO2 production• Soot production• Loss of CO2 absorption• Loss of habitat• Soil erosion

Fire fighting foamsFoam Environmental Properties• Oil Emulsification• Acute and chronic toxicity and aquatic Toxicity• Oxygen Demand and Biodegradation• Biodegradation• Persistence (especially of fluorosurfactants)• Bio-accumulation potential.

Coal mines

• Estimated that the Chinese fires alone consume 120 million tons of coal annually• Damage to the environment is as troubling as the economic losses• Underground fires may produce as much carbon dioxide as about 1 per cent of the total burnt as fossil fuels (although estimates vary)• The fires could release as much as 360 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — as much as all the cars and light lorries in the United States.

New sustainable/environmentally friendly technologies that have fire safety implications

Modular construction

Yarl’s Wood 2002 Cavities in modular constructionMeans of escape vs securityProblems of multiple seats of ignitionQuality of constructionEquipment reliability (e.g. magnets)

Timber frame

Manchester, 2007

Timber – TF2000

• TF2000 project was a Partners in Innovation project involving TRADA, BRE, TFIA and a large project stakeholder group

• The primary output from the project was a publication "Multi-storey timber-frame buildings - a design guide (BR 454)“

– BR454 provides design guidance on how timber-frame can be properly built based on the outcomes from the research

– Quality of workmanship is vitally important in relation to the success of fire safety provision

– The correct location of cavity barriers and fire stopping is important to maintain the integrity of the structure wherever the cavity of the building provides a medium for fire spread

SIPSStructural Insulated Panel Systems

• BRE research for CLG – “The Performance in Fire of Structural Insulated Panel Systems”•Report to be published

• BRE research for CLG – “The Performance in Fire of Structural Insulated Panel Systems”•Report to be published

Engineered joists

• BRE research for CLG – “The Performance in Fire of Structural Insulated Panel Systems – work on engineered timber floor joists”•Report to be published

• BRE research for CLG – “The Performance in Fire of Structural Insulated Panel Systems – work on engineered timber floor joists”•Report to be published

MMC Guides by BRE

Innovative ConstructionProducts and Techniques

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/628281.pdf




Innovative ConstructionProducts and Techniques





LPS 1501• The primary objective of LPS 1501 is to provide

insurers, fire service and regulatory authorities with evidence that innovative building systems can maintain acceptable levels of fire performance in the event of a fire.

• has been developed by BRE Global to enable LPCB certification of innovative building systems in different building types, such as offices, hotels and schools

• addresses concerns of key industry stakeholders including insurers and the fire service.

• provides a means of assessing performance for novel forms of building systems that do not have a proven track record in relation to performance in fire.

• covers different building types by defining alternative nominal fire loads and floor loading, dependent on the intended use.

Cladding systems

Unexpected construction –Problems for firefighters?

Cladding systems

Timber cladding – fire spread?

Natural insulation

Sheep’s wool is a natural insulation made into slabs from wool from British hill sheep and is absolutely safe to use. It is suitable for timber walls, floors, sloping ceilings and lofts.

Phase change materials• Phase change materials (PCMs) may be used to

reduce the energy consumption of any building• PCMs offer a solution for improving the thermal

performance and comfort of the low thermal mass buildings currently being constructed using modern materials and techniques

• Also provide a simple and cost effective solution for improving thermal properties when renovating existing housing stock

• PCMs come in different physical forms, from wax sheets to inorganic powders, and with different transition temperatures

• PCMs are now becoming available in different building products e.g. gypsum wall boards, concrete blocks, paints.

• The BRE Trust is funding a project titled “Phase Change Materials” - part of the BRE Trust Thematic Research Programme on Low Impact Processes, Materials and Products (LIPMP).

Green walls

Green walls

These are cladding?These are cladding?

Rubber/plastic substrateRubber/plastic substrate

Air gap behindAir gap behind

Rather dead vegetationRather dead vegetation

Energy saver light bulbs

“One of the xxxx energy saver light bulbs that I installed recently went off with a loud bang and a flash that took out all the other lights in my house. When I examined it I found that it had partially melted and sooty deposits were around the tubes.This worried me as I leave a light on when out and at night while sleeping and think this could have caused a fire.”

“I bought some from xxxx. After many hours of use one of them went off with a bang that put out my lights and melted the plastic.” Postings on http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com

“One of the xxxx energy saver light bulbs that I installed recently went off with a loud bang and a flash that took out all the other lights in my house. When I examined it I found that it had partially melted and sooty deposits were around the tubes.This worried me as I leave a light on when out and at night while sleeping and think this could have caused a fire.”

“I bought some from xxxx. After many hours of use one of them went off with a bang that put out my lights and melted the plastic.” Postings on http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com

Conclusions

• We need to consider the environmental impact of fire

• We need to consider the environmental impact of fire protection systems

• We need to ensure that the innovations in designs, products and materials that are supporting more sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings do not introduce unexpected fire risks

• We need to ensure that the fire issues are dealt with logically and professionally and not subject to simple commercial pressures

• So it is time for the wider fire safety community to engage fully with the sustainability agenda

Thank you

Martin Shipp, Technical Development Director, Fire SafetyBRE GlobalT: +44 (0) 1923 664960E: [email protected]: +44 (0) 1923 664910W: www.bre.co.uk/fireBRE, Garston, Watford WD25 9XX, UK

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bre.co.uk/fire

Postscript -

• Understanding the fire safety implications from modern methods of construction and innovative building products

• Concerns:– Designers and fire safety engineers– Approvers – building control bodies and fire safety officers– Contractors and installers– Users – the “responsible person” and other users– Inspectors – fire safety officers and fire risk assessors– Maintenance engineers– Fire fighters– Fire investigators

The buildings

Proposed IFE/BRE workshop

• At BRE, Garston, Watford –14th October 2010

– Opportunity to hear about modern methods of construction and innovative building products

– Opportunity to see modern methods of construction and innovative building products in real buildings

– Discuss fire safety implications

• Information will be made available soon

• Expressions of interest welcomed

Thank you – finally!

Martin Shipp, Technical Development Director, Fire SafetyBRE GlobalT: +44 (0) 1923 664960E: [email protected]: +44 (0) 1923 664910W: www.bre.co.uk/fireBRE, Garston, Watford WD25 9XX, UK

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bre.co.uk/fire

Documents

IFE AGM and Conference: Fire Engineering to Improve Sustainability of Communities 21 st – 22 nd July 2010, Hotel Russell, London CLG funded research Martin