sustainable and fire resilient (safr) buildings · 2020. 9. 11. · sustainable. reduction in -...

Sustainable And Fire Resilient (SAFR) BuildingsBrian J Meacham, Ph.D., P.E., EUR ING, C.Eng., FIFireE, FSFPEManaging Principal – Meacham Associates

9/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 1

Basis of Presentation

35 years of working in risk-informed and performance-based building design and regulation

Former Principal and leader of Risk Consulting at Arup & Associate Professor in FPE at WPI

Fundamental principle: buildings have multiple performance objectives, some of which may be competing, but they can be managed with good design


Overview

Sustainability in the context of buildings

Resiliency in the context of buildings

What is meant by fire resilient buildings

Types of challenges faced in trying to achieve building fire resiliency

Potential ‘competing objectives’ between sustainability and fire resiliency of buildings

Opportunities to for creating Sustainable And Fire Resilient (SAFR) buildings


Sustainability

Environmentally friendly

Socially responsible

Economically beneficial

Appropriate use and respect of natural resources

Minimize environmental harm while meeting societal needs


https://www.uwlax.edu/sustainability/

Sustainability Strategies

Reduce direct environmental impacts Extraction, processing and transport of raw

material Reduce water use Reduce materials / waste Reduce pollution

Reduce carbon emissions / climate change potential Energy production Transportation Built environment


Sustainability Strategies for Buildings

Energy reduction Natural lighting,

natural ventilation, increased insulation, alternative energy, ...

Material reduction Less material, less

transport, recycling,...

Better IAQ


https://architecture2030.org/new-buildings-embodied/

Sustainability Strategies for Buildings

High density building / housing Reduce transportation needs

Vertical construction Limit land use for building

Reduce materials / mass Reduce embodied energy Reduce new construction Increase building rehabilitation

Reduce energy use More insulation Reduce powered HVAC, lighting, … Increase renewable energy sources


http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/images/200707P1.jpg

High Density & High-Rise


Courtesy of Peter Weismantle, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

High Density & High-Rise

Shanghai, 1990

Shanghai, 20109/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 9

Courtesy of Peter Weismantle, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill

Architecture

Reducing Materials Impact on Environment

• Reduce construction material (lower embodied energy)

• Smaller structural member dimensions – less mass

• Increase use of more sustainable materials

• More timber – lightweight engineered and mass (CLT) systems

• Increase use of recycled materials

• Reduce construction waste


https://www.consolis.com/references/mucem/

https://www.summitengineeringinc.com/sitemap/structural-design-light-gauge-steel/


https://www.consolis.com/references/mucem/

https://www.summitengineeringinc.com/sitemap/structural-design-light-gauge-steel/

http://timberfirst.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/clt-image_mm-kaufmann.jpg

Reducing Fossil Fuel Energy Requirements

• Reduced electrical lighting loads• Increased natural lighting• Increased glass façade systems

• Reduced mechanical heating and cooling equipment

• Reduced fans and heating and cooling loads / power demands

• Increased natural ventilation

• Increase thermal insulation• Better energy performance

• Green & blue roofs• Better water management


Reducing Fossil Fuel Energy Requirements

• Increased use of alternative energy sources

• Photovoltaic panels, skins and coatings

• Energy storage systems (ESS) and fuel cells

• Wind turbines

9/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 12Courtesy of Peter Weismantle, Adrian Smith +

Gordon Gill Architecture

Resiliency

The ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events.

Plan upfront to minimize future loss, disruption and cost


Meacham, B.J. (2018). Building Community Resilience through Modern Model Building Codes, ICC, Washington, DC.

Resiliency at the Community Level


Hurricane Katrina (Photo Credit: Jocelyn Augustino / FEMA)

Zion Park fire (Photo Credit: US National Park Service)

San Francisco Fire (Harry Sterling Hooper, 1906)

Resiliency at the Building Level – Natural Hazard Events


Hurricane Katrina (Photo Credit: FEMA)

Rancho Bernardo Fire (Photo Credit: FEMA)

Northridge Earthquake (Photo Credit: FEMA)

Resiliency at the Building Level –Technological Hazard Events

9/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 16Photo Credit: FEMA

TU Delft (Bryan Tong Minh, 2008)

Grenfell Tower Fire (Natalie Oxford, 2017)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing

Resiliency Strategies forBuildings

A ‘defense in depth’ mindset Use of multiple / redundant / more robust systems and

approaches to reduce the potential for ‘single point of failure’ to result in unacceptable performance Avoid disproportionate collapse due to structural loads

A holistic, multi-hazard approach Eliminate the silos and better integrate building

performance analysis across the disciplines, e.g., structural, energy and fire performance

A risk-informed performance-based approach Stop assuming single events only and more explicitly

address range of scenarios that could occur, addressing uncertainty, variability, cost and safety issues


Resiliency Strategies forBuildings

Hazard-specific safety systems Seismic resilience: rigid or flexible Wind resilience: bending without

breaking Fire resilience: non-combustible,

compartmentation, control of fuel load, suppression systems Moisture resilience: foundation and

envelop protection


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sprinkler.jpg

Fire Resiliency?


Photo Credit: World Bank

Photo Credit: Madrid FD

Photo Credit: Government of Delft


Photo Credit: Captain John Bonadio, Waltham Fire Department

Sustainability and Fire Resiliency –Competing Objectives?

Green / sustainable buildings are now a global focus.

Climate change impacting weather, which can impact loads on buildings: wind, snow and flooding. Other hazards remain concern as well, including earthquake and fire.

However, the extent to which the resiliency of buildings is impacted by sustainable practices, and whether potential hazards may be created by sustainable building elements and features, has only recently begun to be studied.


Sustainability and Fire Resiliency –Competing Objectives?

Goal: Sustainable and Resilient Buildings

Safety: Structural stability, fire safety, trip / fall protection, …

Sustainability: Energy reduction, material reduction, more insulation…

Health: Sanitation, IAQ, mold, …

Zoning: Building density, shading of buildings…

Double-skin façade: good for energy, how about fire spread?

High density good for sustainability: how about FD access?

Trees good for shading: how about fire & FD access?

Material reduction good for sustainability: how about structural stability?

Tight building good for energy: how about IAQ?


Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings

In 2012, the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) commissioned a literature review on fire safety challenges with green buildings (materials, systems and features) - https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Building-and-life-safety/rffiresafetygreenbuildings.ashxThe work identified 80 green building features, and

22 risk / hazard conditions of potential concernRelative risk / hazard matrices were developed In 2020, the FPRF commissioned an update to the

report. The draft report suggests that while progress has been made, challenges remain, and new items need to be considered.


https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Building-and-life-safety/rffiresafetygreenbuildings.ashx


More that 100 materials, systems and features grouped into 9 categories Structural Materials and Systems Exterior Materials and Systems Façade Features Interior Materials and Finishes Interior Space Building Systems Alternative Energy Systems Site

9/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 23Meacham, B. and McNamee, M. (2020). Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings – 2020 Update. Fire protection Research Foundation. Quincy. MA (in review).


9/3/2020 24

Material / System / Feature Material / System / Feature Material / System / FeatureStructural Materials and Systems Exterior Materials and Systems Alternative Energy Systems

- Lightweight engineered lumber - Structural integrated panel (SIP) - PV roof panels- Lightweight concrete - Exterior insulation & finish (EFIS) - Oil-filled PV panels- FRP elements - Rigid foam insulation - Wind turbines- Plastic lumber - Spray-applied foam insulation - Hydrogen fuel cells- Bio-polymer lumber - Foil insulation systems - Battery / energy storage systems- Bamboo - High-performance glazing - Cogeneration systems- Phase-change materials - Low-emissivity & reflective coating - Wood pellet systems- Nano materials - Double-skin façade - Building integrated photovoltaics- Vegetative roof systems - Bamboo, other cellulosic - Solar radiance concentration- Extended solar roof panels - Bio-polymers, FRPs Façade Features- Mass timber (e.g., CLT) - Vegetative roof systems - Area of glazing- Additive manufacturing / 3-D printing - PVC rainwater catchment - Area of combustible material- Inflated steel structure - Exterior cable / cable trays - Exterior solar shades & awnings- Hempcrete - Exterior solar shades / awning - Exterior vegetative covering- Ultra-High Performance Concrete - Exterior vegetative covering - Out of plane geometries- Carbon fiber composites - Alusion Panels - Solar radiance concentration- Modular construction - PET for façade system Site

Interior Materials and Finishes - Interactive printed graphene - Permeable concrete systems- FRP walls / finishes - Novel biological materials - Permeable asphalt paving / pavers- Bio-polymer wall / finishes - Building integrated carbon capture - Extent (area) of lawn- Bamboo walls / finishes - Organic insulation - Water catchment / features- Wood panel walls / finishes - Composite window framing material - Vegetation for shading- Bio-filtration walls - Mass timber & timber façade systems - Building orientation- Glass walls - Ultra-High Performance Concrete - Increased building density- FRP flooring - Additive manufacturing / 3-D printing - Localized energy production- Bio-polymer flooring - Hempcrete - Localized water treatment- Bamboo flooring Building Systems - Localized waste treatment- Interior vegetation - Natural ventilation - Reduced water supply- Skylights - High volume low speed fans - Hydrogen infrastructure- Increased acoustic insulation - Refrigerant materials - Community charging stations- Reflecting panels / solar tubes - Grey-water for suppression - EES fuel loads / hazards

- Mass timber (e.g., CLT) - Rain-water for suppression - EV fuel load / hazards / chargersInterior Space - On-site water treatment - Propane vehicle hazards- Tighter construction - On-site waste treatment - Fuel cell vehicle hazards- Higher insulation values - On-site cogeneration - Bicycle storage impact exits- More enclosed spaces - High reliance on natural lighting - Reduced FD apparatus access- More open space (horizontal) - Heat pumps - Densification / fire spread- More open space (vertical) - Interior EV charger - EV chargers on building exterior

Meacham, B. and McNamee, M. (2020). Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings – 2020 Update. Fire protection Research Foundation. Quincy. MA (in review).


• Structural Materials and Systems o Mass timber (e.g., CLT)o Additive manufacturing / 3-D printingo Inflated steel structureo Hempcreteo Ultra-High Performance Concrete o Carbon fiber compositeso Modular construction

• Exterior Materials and Systemso Alusion Panelso PET for façade systemo Interactive printed grapheneo Novel biological materialso Building integrated carbon captureo Organic insulationo Composite window framing materialo Mass timber & timber façade systemso Ultra-High Performance Concrete o Additive manufacturing / 3-D printingo Hempcrete

• Interior Materials and Finisho Mass timber (e.g., CLT)

• Façade Attributeso Out of plane geometrieso Solar radiance concentration

• Building Systems and Issueso Interior EV chargerso Heat pumps

• Alternative Energy Systemso Battery / energy storage systemso Building integrated photovoltaicso Solar radiance concentration

• Site Issueso EES fuel loads / hazardso EV fuel load / hazards / chargerso Propane vehicle hazardso Fuel cell vehicle hazardso Bicycle storage impact exitso Reduced firefighter apparatus

accesso Densification / fire spread


“New” Green Building Materials, Systems and Features Since 2012



Poses potential ignition hazardPoses potential shock hazard

Poses potential explosion hazardPoses potential toxicity hazard

Readily ignitableBurns readily once ignited

Contributes more fuel / increased heat release rate (HRR)Material affects burning characteristics

Fast(er) fire growth rateSignificant smoke production/hazard

Potential for shorter time to failureFailure affects burning characteristics

Failure presents smoke spread concernFailure presents flame spread concern

Material presents flame spread concernMay impact smoke/heat ventingMay impact occupant evacuation

May impact fire-fighter (FF) water availabilityMay impact suppression effectiveness

May impact fire apparatus accessMay impact fire-fighter (FF) access and operations

May impact containment of runoff

Potential Risks / Hazards


There is a potential for ‘competing objectives’ with respect to sustainability and fire resiliency

Where known, the building regulatory system (building code, fire code, electrical code, standards) does rather well in facilitating achievement of both

However, the potential for fire hazards and risks can result with introduction of new materials, systems and features (e.g., ESS), for which fire performance may not be well understood, especially in complex systems (e.g., façade systems)

Also, extra-regulatory mechanisms (e.g., rating schemes) may inadvertently introduce unintentional risks / hazards, especially existing buildings


Fire Concerns of Sustainable Materials, Systems and Features

Double-skinned façade can increase day lighting and utilize natural ventilation Achieves sustainability aims,

but also provides for unrestricted passage of smoke and flame



Some insulation materials Provide high thermal insulation but

present flammability concerns

Tight buildings (highly insulated) Are energy efficient but could

effect compartment burning characteristics and temperatures in a fire

Some ‘new’ materials May be more sustainable, but

increase fuel load, distribution, flame spread, smoke spread…

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/three-massachusetts-home-fires-linked-spray-foam-installation



http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/sites/default/files/Spray%20foam%20fire%20-%20Cape%20Cod%20Times%20-%202.jpg


http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2010/05/modern-building-materials-are-factors-in-atlantic-city-fires.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQLIlIetDM

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22346184



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQLIlIetDM


Reduced and/or natural material May be more sustainable, but may have

reduced resistance to fire

• Lightweight engineered lumber

• High strength concrete

• Combustible interior finishes

Courtesy MSU

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/buildingmaterials/fire/fireservice/lightweight/



Fire in Timber Frame Apartment Building Under Construction (Source: Captain John Bonadio, Waltham Fire Department)


Fire Concerns of Sustainable Materials, Systems and Features ‘Traditional’

Sawn TimberCross Laminated

Timber (CLT)Engineered Wood

I-JoistStructural Insulated

Panel (SIP)

Engineered Wood / Lumber


http://www.selkirkspecialtywood.com/gallery/images/2x4-4square-6.jpg


http://timberfirst.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/clt-image_mm-kaufmann.jpg

http://www.universalconstructionfoam.com/images/sip-photo.jpg

Structural Failure Time Experimental CountMaximum (Min:Sec)

Minimum (Min:Sec)

Average (Min:Sec)

Standard Deviation

Dimensional Lumber 10 20:40 7:04 15:01 4:10

Engineered I-Joist 8 23:10 2:20 8:17 3:54

Castellated I-Joist 3 8:10 6:50 7:23 0:42

Hybrid Trusses 3 6:00 5:30 5:50 0:17

Steel I-Joist 2 10:08 6:11 8:10 2:48

MPC Wood Trusses 2 6:08 3:28 4:48 1:53

Joist Without Fire Resistant Protection - Failure Time Comparison


Copyright Underwriters Laboratories




Test specimen SIP02 was built using three full-sized and one half sized 4 ft. x 6 ft. SIPs for the West and East walls and four full-size panels for the North wall. These walls supported a diaphragm made from engineered I-joists in a platform type configuration.

Meacham et al. (2017). Quantification of Green Building Features on Firefighter Safety: Year 3 & 4 Report. WPI. Worcester. MA.



Time Observation00:00 First burner ignited01:23 All eight burners ignited at 1 megawatt (MW)02:15 Switched to 2 MW03:12 First Flashover03:40 Smoke out of Northeast corner (top & bottom) & seams in North Wall.04:22 Smoke leak from roof06:30 Small pieces of gypsum board starts falling off of the ceiling07:10 Inner seams started to separate08:00 Smoke out of the bottom of the East wall, 1 meter in from the back corner.10:40 Considerable smoke out of the top of the wall of the Northwest corner.12:08 Heavy smoke coming out of the center of the North wall top of wall.13:40 Ignition of the floor joists16:46 Second Flashover18:50 Full ignition of the West wall19:15 Burn in east wall under gypsum board23:02 Black smoke comes out of top of North wall.23:04 Insulation falling from ceiling23:25 Suppression of fire started (Lab tenability conditions reached)

Meacham et al. (2017). Quantification of Green Building Features on Firefighter Safety: Year 3 & 4 Report. WPI. Worcester. MA.


9/3/2020 © Meacham Associates, 2020 38Source: APA / David Barber, Arup



https://www.nist.gov/el/fire-research-division-73300/national-fire-research-laboratory-73306/fire-safety-challenges-0

https://greyareanews.com/events/business/corporations-are-leading-us-solar-surge/


http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/gallery?section=news/local&id=9226626&photo=1


https://greyareanews.com/events/business/corporations-are-leading-us-solar-surge/



https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2018/May-June-2018/Features/Energy-Storage-Systems

https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/delta-launches-innovative-outdoor-energy-storage-system-cabinet

Utility Arizona Public Service (APS) has completed a far-ranging investigation into what has been considered as one of the most significant battery storage fires in US history which injured four firemen in Surprise, Arizona, on the night of Friday, 17 April 2019.https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2020/07/30/aps-completes-investigation-following-2019-battery-storage-fire-disaster/

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2018/May-June-2018/Features/Energy-Storage-Systems

https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/delta-launches-innovative-outdoor-energy-storage-system-cabinet

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2020/07/30/aps-completes-investigation-following-2019-battery-storage-fire-disaster/

Sustainable And Fire Resilient (SAFR)Buildings


Sustainable

Reduction in - Energy use - Material useIncrease in - Alternate energy - Energy storage - Recycled materialsBetter - Indoor air quality

Resilient

Reduction in - Hazard exposure - Failure modesIncrease in - Robustness - Redundancy - ReliabilityBetter - Adaptability

Sustainable and Fire Resilient (SAFR)

Achievement of sustainability targets AND

resiliency targets for fire events

Meacham, B. and McNamee, M. (2020). Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings – 2020 Update. FPRF. Quincy, MA


Buildings should be sustainable and fire resilient –a building that burns down is neither




(Images © Wieczorek, C., Ditch, B. and Bill, R. (2010). Environmental Impact of Automatic Sprinklers, FMGlobal Technical Report)



Adapted from NFPA 550 (2017). Fire Safety Concepts Tree. NFPA. Quincy. MA


Prevent Ignition

Control energy source Controls on PVS, ESS,

EV charging, etc.

Control source-fuel interaction Separation distance Non-combustible

thermal barriers Compartmentation

Control Fuel Limit combustibles

Manage Fire Impact

Manage Fire Sprinklers Smoke control /

exhaust systems FD access and

equipment

Manage Exposed Safe egress for

occupants and safe environment for FD



Exemplar SAFR© Strategies Minimize material waste while maintaining adequate

FR of structure (optimize, including fire impact) Less, or better protected, combustible material use PV/ESS systems safety controls Thermal barriers between PVS / ESS and building

elements Dual-purpose sensors (e.g., CO/CO2) Automatic suppression (sprinklers) ‘Green’ credit for fire risk reduction Balanced, risk-informed and performance-based

approach



Photo Credit: Metropolitan Fire Brigade



AS 2118.6 – Combined Sprinkler and Hydrant Design: 4 head activation + 2 simultaneous hydrant flows Actual: 26 head activations, over 16 floors + 2 simultaneous hydrants

http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au/Media/docs/Post_Incident_Analysis_for_Lacrosse_Docklands_-_25_11_2014%20-%20FINAL-dd61c4b2-61f6-42ed-9411-803cc23e6acc-0.PDF


Summary

Sustainability and resiliency are different, but equally important concepts, that should be considered in building design – resource and environmental protection, and the ability to withstand fire for the protection of people and property

In some cases, there can be the potential for ‘competing objectives’ with respect to sustainability and fire resiliency

Where known, the building regulatory system (building code, fire code, electrical code, standards) does rather well in facilitating achievement of both


Summary

However, the potential for fire hazards and risks can result with introduction of new materials, systems and features, for which fire performance may not be well understood, especially in complex systems (e.g., façade systems)

Most challenges can be overcome through a holistic approach to building fire safety design as embodied in a performance-based approach

A Sustainable And Fire Resilient (SAFR©) mindset can avoid potentially competing objectives for better overall societal benefit


Summary

Great progress has been made since 2012 Considerable research and development around fire

safety issues, and mitigation through codes, standards and guidance, has been undertaken since 2012, which help lead to SAFR buildings (draft 2020 update to Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings study for FPRF cites over 400 informational references)

The challenge for sustainable design and fire safety engineering professionals is to work together when new ‘green’ materials, systems and features are proposed to result in SAFR buildings


Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my colleagues who worked with me on the 2012 FPRF report, Brandon Poole, Juan Echeverria (Spain) and Raymond Cheng (Guam), and on the 2020 FPRF update, Margaret McNamee (Sweden), as well as the many students of mine when I was at WPI who collaborated on research associated with fire and the environment, and fire safety challenges of green building materials, systems and features.


Some References and Resources

Meacham et al. (2012). Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings. FPRF. Quincy. MA (https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Building-and-life-safety/rffiresafetygreenbuildings.ashx) Meacham, B. and McNamee, M. (2020). Fire Safety Challenges of

Green Buildings – 2020 Update. FPRF. Quincy. MA (coming soon!) Meacham et al. (2017). Quantification of Green Building Features

on Firefighter Safety: Year 3 & 4 Report. WPI. Worcester. MA. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341121364_Quantification_of_Green_Building_Features_on_Firefighter_Safety_-_Year_3_4_Report) Meacham, B.J. (2018). Building Community Resilience Through

Modern Building Codes, ISBN: 978-1-60983-867-6, International Code Council, Washington, DC. Meacham, B. J. 2019. Sustainable and Fire-Resilient Design of

High-Rise Buildings. Life Safety Digest. Hillside, IL: FCIA. (https://fcia.org/wp-content/uploads/FALL2019v2_LIFESD_1-36_online_v2.pdf)


https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Building-and-life-safety/rffiresafetygreenbuildings.ashx

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341121364_Quantification_of_Green_Building_Features_on_Firefighter_Safety_-_Year_3_4_Report

https://fcia.org/wp-content/uploads/FALL2019v2_LIFESD_1-36_online_v2.pdf

Thanks for your time and interest! Any [email protected]


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