Structural Fire Engineering

Prepared by the Fire Protection Committee of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE Structural Fire Engineering provides best practices for the field of performance-based structural fire engineering design. When structural systems are heated by fire, they experience thermal effects that are not contemplated by conventional structural engineering design. Traditionally, structural fire protection is prescribed for structures after they have been optimized for ambient design loads, such as gravity, wind, and seismic, among others. This century-old prescriptive framework endeavors to reduce the heating of individual structural components with the intent of mitigating the risk of structural failure under fire exposure. Accordingly, the vulnerability of buildings to structural failure from uncontrolled fire varies across jurisdictions-which have differing structural design requirements for ambient loads-and as a function of building system and component configuration. As an alternative approach, Standard ASCE 7-16 permits the application of performance-based structural fire design (also termed structural fire engineering design) to evaluate the performance of structural systems explicitly under fire exposure in a similar manner as other design loads are treated in structural engineering practice. Structural fire engineering design is the calculated design of a structure to withstand the thermal load effects of fire, which have the potential to alter the integrity of a structure, based on specific performance criteria. This manual, MOP 138, addresses the current practice, thermal and structural analysis methods, and available information to support structural fire engineering design. It covers - Background information on the protection of structures from fire and the effects of fire on different types of construction, - Key distinctions between standard fire resistance design and structural fire engineering design, - Guidance for evaluating thermal boundary conditions on a structure because of fire exposure and on conducting heat transfer calculations based on the material thermal properties, - Performance objectives for structures under fire exposure, and - Analysis techniques that can be used to quantify structural response to fire effects. This Manual of Practice is a valuable resource for structural engineers, architects, building officials, and academics concerned with performance-based design for structural fire safety.

Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition Andrew H. Buchanan, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Anthony K. Abu, University of Canterbury, New Zealand A practical and informative guide to structural fire engineering This book presents a comprehensive overview of structural fire engineering. An update on the first edition, the book describes new developments in the past ten years, including advanced calculation methods and computer programs. Further additions include: calculation methods for membrane action in floor slabs exposed to fires; a chapter on composite steel-concrete construction; and case studies of structural collapses. The book begins with an introduction to fire safety in buildings, from fire growth and development to the devastating effects of severe fires on large building structures. Methods of calculating fire severity and fire resistance are then described in detail, together with both simple and advanced methods for assessing and designing for structural fire safety in buildings constructed from structural steel, reinforced concrete, or structural timber. Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition bridges the information gap between fire safety engineers, structural engineers and building officials, and it will be useful for many others including architects, code writers, building designers, and firefighters. Key features: • Updated references to current research, as well as new end-of-chapter questions and worked examples. •Authors experienced in teaching, researching, and applying structural fire engineering in real buildings. • A focus on basic principles rather than specific building code requirements, for an international audience. An essential guide for structural engineers who wish to improve their understanding of buildings exposed to severe fires and an ideal textbook for introductory or advanced courses in structural fire engineering.

This Handbook is focused on structural resilience in the event of fire. It serves as a single point of reference for practicing structural and fire protection engineers on the topic of structural fire safety. It is also stands as a key point of reference for university students engaged with structural fire engineering.

Actionable strategies for the design and construction of fire-resistant structures This hands-on guide clearly explains the complex building codes and standards that relate to fire design and presents hands-on techniques engineers can apply to prevent or mitigate the effects of fire in structures. Dedicated chapters discuss specific procedures for steel, concrete, and timber buildings. You will get step-by-step guidance on how to evaluate fire resistance using both testing and calculation methods. Structural Fire Engineering begins with an introduction to the behavioral aspects of fire and explains how structural materials react when exposed to elevated temperatures. From there, the book discusses the fire design aspects of key codes and standards, such as the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, and the NFPA Fire Code. Advanced topics are covered in complete detail, including residual capacity evaluation of fire damaged structures and fire design for bridges and tunnels. Explains the fire design requirements of the IBC, IFC, the NFPA Fire Code, and National Building Code of Canada Presents design strategies for steel, concrete, and timber structures as well as for bridges and tunnels Contains downloadable spreadsheets and problems along with solutions for instructors

The core principles of structural firefighting are fire behavior, building construction, strategy, tactics, safety and training. Each core principle is examined with relevant on-the-job stories to bring lessons home. Fire departments must constantly train their firefighters and officers in these core principles if they want them to be safe and effective at structure fires. Training is the foundation of all the other core principles, and must be realistic, scenario-based, and hands-on. Never stop learning during your time as a structural firefighter. If you come to a point where you mistakenly believe that you know everything there is to know about fires in and around buildings–watch out–because you have just fallen into the complacency trap. FEATURES --Gain a deeper understanding of how firefighters should approach fires in buildings, with an emphasis on safety and effectiveness --See the latest research from UL and NIST on fire behavior and flow paths, with a discussion of best-practices and up-to-date tactical advice. --An essential, easy-to-read fundamental resource on how to safely and effectively fight fires in buildings of any size or type. “Fire Under Control is a riveting new book that allows you to learn while also seeing how street experiences coincide with printed tactical and scientific fire service information. I always have said that eyes, ears, and experience will equal your education in the fire service and Capt. Steve Bernocco has managed to bring it to light.” -- Lt. Mike Ciampo, Fire Department of New York

Major events notably the Broadgate fire in London, New York‘s World Trade Center collapse, and the Windsor Tower fire in Madrid as well as the enlightening studies at the Cardington fire research project have given international prominence to performance-based structural fire engineering. As a result, structural fire engineering has increasingly at

Designing structures to withstand the effects of fire is challenging, and requires a series of complex design decisions. This third edition of Fire Safety Engineering Design of Structures provides practising fire safety engineers with the tools to design structures to withstand fires. This text details standard industry design decisions, and offers expert design advice, with relevant historical data. It includes extensive data on materials’ behaviour and modeling -- concrete, steel, composite steel-concrete, timber, masonry, and aluminium. While weighted to the fire sections of the Eurocodes, this book also includes historical data to allow older structures to be assessed. It extensively covers fire damage investigation, and includes as far back as possible, the background to code methods to enable the engineer to better understand why certain procedures are adopted. What’s new in the Third Edition? An overview in the first chapter explains the types of design decisions required for optimum fire performance of a structure, and demonstrates the effect of temperature rise on structural performance of structural elements. It extends the sections on less common engineering materials. The section on computer modelling now includes material on coupled heat and mass transfer, enabling a better understanding of the phenomenon of spalling in concrete. It includes a series of worked examples, and provides an extensive reference section. Readers require a working knowledge of structural mechanics and methods of structural design at ambient conditions, and are helped by some understanding of thermodynamics of heat transfer. This book serves as a resource for engineers working in the field of fire safety, consultants who regularly carry out full fire safety design for structure, and researchers seeking background information. Dr John Purkiss is a chartered civil and structural engineer/consultant and former lecturer in structural engineering at Aston University, UK. Dr Long-Yuan Li is Professor of Structural Engineering at Plymouth University, UK, and a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers.