Life SafetyAssessing life safety of a building is a

process of estimating the quality of security against fire and its effects.

Life safety implies avoiding exposure to harmful levels of products of combustion.

This goal is usually achieved by:controlling the fire processseparating endangered individuals from the

harmful effects

Characteristics of Occupants:Age is the most easily identifiable characteristic

on an exposed occupant. Very young and very old are more likely to die in a

fire.Mobility

Can be a function of age but also handicapped individuals, purpose of the occupancy (IE: hospitals, prisons, mental institutions)

AwarenessAre occupants awake and alert? Drugs and alcohol

play an important role in awareness as well as ageKnowledge

Familiarity with the premises, use of drills increase a persons 'self-preservation knowledge.

DensityDensity is measured as the number of

persons in a given area.The greater the number of people in a

given area the greater the potential loss of life.

Relationship between density and speed of movement of the occupants.

Life Safety StrategiesFire prevention, fire management,

occupant managementFire Prevention

Prevent the fire from beginning. Attack the fire pyramid components

Fire ManagementControl the rate of production of smoke and

heat through altering fuel and/or environment, control the combustion process through manual or automatic fire suppression, control products of combustion through venting

Occupant ManagementAlerting occupants of a fire

Emergency egress system development and implementation.

Emergency signs. lighting, protected egress routes, etc.

BehaviorsPanic Behavior

Fires resulting in multiple fatalities identify a panic behavior.

Panic is a flight or fleeing type of behavior that is not limited to one person but transmitted and adopted to a group of people.

Re-entry behaviorStudies have found that people are often

injured re-entering a building.Re-entry creates 2 way movement.Re-entry most often occurs to rescue or

assist children and people.

Fire fighting behaviorPeople want to put out the fire when there

is an economic or emotional tie to the fire (Homes, assigned role as a result of training).

Life Safety CodesLife Safety Codes actually began as early

as 1913 in the U.S. In 1921, they compiled the information into

the Building Exits Code.

NFPA 101 Life Safety Codes The predominant overall guides to life

safety from fire in buildings in the US. They are considered the minimum

acceptable guidelines for Life Safety.The 2009 Edition of the Life Safety Codes is

broken down into 43 Chapters.

Chapter Summary1.0 Administration - scope, purpose,

application (new & existing buildings).2.0 Fundamental Requirements3.0 Definitions4.0 General5.0 Performance Based Options

Chapter Summary6.0 Classification of Occupancy7.0 Means of Egress8.0 Features of Fire Protection 9.0 Building service & Fire Protection

Equipment10.0 Interior Finishes11.0 Special Structures and High-rises12.0 - 42.0 Occupancy Classifications 43.0 Building Rehabilitation

Occupancy DeterminationThe most important first step in using the

Life Safety Codes is to make the correct determination about the occupancy classification.

Using the definitions of the occupancies, one will be able to follow the specific codes properly.

Mixed OccupanciesIn some situations, occupancies can be

classified as a mixed occupancy. When the exits, means of egress,

construction, etc, are so intermixed, the building can be classified as mixed.

In this situation, the most stringent classification codes must be followed.

Operating FeaturesFocuses on how individuals can augment

the fixed life safety systems and other building features.

In the codes, an asterisk may follow the code number.

Presented at the end of each occupancy chapter.

Life Safety CodesLife Safety Codes actually began as early

as 1913 in the U.S. In 1921, they compiled the information into

the Building Exits Code.

NFPA 101 Life Safety Codes The predominant overall guides to life

safety from fire in buildings in the US. They are considered the minimum

acceptable guidelines for Life Safety.

Chapter Summary1.0 Administration - scope, purpose,

application (new & existing buildings).2.0 Fundamental Requirements3.0 Definitions4.0 General5.0 Performance Based Options

Chapter Summary6.0 Classification of Occupancy7.0 Means of Egress8.0 Features of Fire Protection 9.0 Building service & Fire Protection

Equipment10.0 Interior Finishes11.0 Special Structures and Highrises 12.0 - 42.0 Occupancy Classifications

Occupancy DeterminationThe most important first step in using the

Life Safety Codes is to make the correct determination about the occupancy classification.

Using the definitions of the occupancies, one will be able to follow the specific codes properly.

Mixed OccupanciesIn some situations, occupancies can be

classified as a mixed occupancy. When the exits, means of egress,

construction, etc, are so intermixed, the building can be classified as mixed.

In this situation, the most stringent classification codes must be followed.

Operating FeaturesFocuses on how individuals can augment

the fixed life safety systems and other building features.

In the codes, an asterisk may follow the code number.

Presented at the end of each occupancy chapter.

NFPA Chapter 7: Means of EgressWhen applying Chapter 7, first address

means of egress issues in the appropriate Occupancy Classification chapter

In many instances, the Occupancy chapter will send you to Chapter 7 for the Means of Egress requirements

NFPA Chapter 7: Means of EgressMajor parts to Chapter 77.1 General Requirements7.2 Means of Egress Components7.3 Capacity of Means of Egress7.4 Number of Means of Egress7.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress

NFPA Chapter 7: Means of Egress7.6 Measurement of Travel Distance to

Exits7.7 Discharge from Exits7.8 Illumination of Means of Egress7.9 Emergency Lighting7.10 Marking of Means of Egress

NFPA Chapter 7: Means of Egress7.11 Special Provisions for Occupancies

with High Hazard Contents.7.12 Mechanical Equipment Rooms, Boiler

Rooms, and Furnace Rooms.