Abstract
The paper provides a probabilistic framework for identifying a fire protection system or combinations of systems likely to meet any standard for fire safety implicit in a building code. The standard can be quantified in terms of target values for probable damage or probability of damage (or fire spread) exceeding a level acceptable to the society. This approach incorporates overall systematic procedures and would introduce flexibility in designing, particularly industrial and other large buildings, for fire safety. For example, as discussed in the paper, buildings equipped with sprinklers and detectors can be allowed some concessions in regard to compartment or building size, fire resistance requirement and evacuation time. The framework recognizes the interaction between structural (pas sive) fire protection and active fire protection systems.
Subject to some limitations, the use of fire incidence statistics in the estimation of proba bilities is explained with examples. Problems for further studies and research are also suggested for refining the framework and validating the numerical results. These include the application of the framework based on "collective risk" for evaluating the risk for a specific building.
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