Introduction
One of the most critical steps in applying life safety codes in building and construction is identifying the occupancy classification. It drives the requirements for various life and fire safety features. The occupancy classification gives the conditions that reflect the unique and expected characteristics of the occupants of that building. (Sun et al., 2020). These include self-preservation, age, alertness, and familiarity with the installation. Buildings without proper classifications risk the problem of low code requirements. This can result in a lack of fire and life safety features or other fire and safety features that are not necessary in the building.
Building Construction Materials
Building materials are objects used to enhance construction activities. Some building materials are natural substances, while others are manufactured and made from scratch. In our environment, many building materials are used depending on the type of construction one intends to put up. The most common building materials in modern construction sites are wood, stone, steel, cement, concrete, and bricks (Priyanka & Ruben, 2018). However, some also use lightweight materials like plaster, wood, glass, or aluminum in putting up structures. The choice of building materials depends on the structural plan and the cost-effectiveness of the project.
- An assembly occupancy might include halls, auditoriums, club rooms, dance halls, etc.
- Fire outbreaks in an assembly occupancy are the most dangerous when no valuable features, systems, or construction materials are used.
Occupancy Classifications
While some NFPA codes use consistent occupancy classifications, others are different. Here is a discussion of various occupancy classifications and their roles in fire prevention and code enforcement.
Assembly
- Classified as class A-1-3.
- Represents facilities for gathering purposes such as:
- Worship
- Eating
- Drinking
- Entertainment.
During building construction, the assembly occupancy should be left as an ample open space.
To arrive at a suitable location for an assembly occupancy, you may need to implement large-area search-and-rescue strategies.
Care and Detention
Classified as either Class B-1 or Class B-2.
- Occupancies include :
- Hospitals
- Assisted living facilities
- Rehabilitation centers.
Structurally, these facilities contain treatment rooms, security, and hazardous elements such as X-rays and MRIs.
Residential
- Classified as Class C
- This includes:
- Apartments
- Boarding Houses,
- College Residences,
- Hostels and Hotels.
Business and Personal Services
- Classified as class D items.
- They include:
- Banks,
- Hairdressing Shops,
- Small Tool/Appliance Rental
- Businesses
Mercantile
- Class E occupancy
- Includes cafes (under 16 seats)
Industrial
- High-hazard – Class F-1
- Medium Hazard – Class F-2
- Low Hazard – Class F-3
Unsafe Structures and Buildings
A building code is a universal number publicized by the internal conference of building officers. Every structure that is constructed under the building and construction laws receives a unique code for its identification. However, some buildings are marked as dangerous and put the lives of individuals at risk. A dangerous building is a construction that is deemed hazardous under the provision of section 302 of the Universal Building Code (Ndekugri et al., 2021). There are various characteristics of a dangerous building as per Section 302 of the Building and Construction Act.
Characteristics of Unsafe Structures
The characteristics of an unsafe building include lack of strength and enough support. A building can also be rendered unsafe if it is built using poor-quality materials.
The building is decaying in some sections due to faulty construction. The building that presents 33% or a lot of injury or deterioration occupants. Buildings broken by wind, earthquake, or flood have become a lovely nuisance to children. The building was constructed without following the set construction laws and as per the code or House Code.
Construction Types With Biggest Hazards for Potential Conflagration
A residential structure hearth includes fire units confined to an internal building or mounted moveable or mobile structure with residential property use. The fire units are placed strategically, differentiating the residential buildings from other types of construction. Without safety measures, several buildings pose signs of conflagration (Ndekugri et al., 2021). In our environment, residential buildings pose the most significant hazards for potential conflagration. Most of the residential areas do not have the required fire management features. They stand a chance of being significantly affected if a fire breaks out.
Life and Fire Safety Initiative in Construction
Life and fire safety initiatives in construction include:
- Preserved areas for firefighters,
- Units for those who are giving help to
- Operation areas are needed by experts to stop the fire from extending to other buildings.
- Areas left between buildings during the construction to prevent fire extension to other buildings
- Operations that area unit needs in assaultive and ending the most body of fireplace
- Areas left to finish stop rekindling and put the building in an exceedingly safe condition.
Pre-construction Fire Prevention Measures to Increase General Fire and Life Safety
Pre-construction fire prevention measures to increase general fire and life safety include:
- Emergency access exits include corridors, stairs, and doors.
- A minimum of 44 inches clear breadth of unclogged corridors, stairways, and exits.
- Fire lane leading to access to a fireplace protection room
- Fire doors to limit the unfold of the fireplace
- Fire detection and notification systems, including Alarm Systems
- Fire suppression: extinguishers, sprinklers, pollutant systems, and fireplace hose/standpipe systems
Plans Review and Structural Control
Planning and construction of a building impacts the structure’s vulnerability to fire. Therefore, structural engineers must design and build using quality materials that can contain fire outbreaks. The ancient constructions used a variety of specific products or methods. However, modern construction, which began in 1970, has seen several structures change globally (Priyanka & Ruben, 2018). Research shows that modern buildings have almost the same structural plan that helps fight fire outbreaks. They are fire-resistant and are built using fire-stopping materials.
Methods of Constructions
- Engineered construction combines minor elements such as concrete, sand, cement, and gravel to create a structural product.
- Lightweight construction uses plaster, wood, glass, aluminum, steel, or similar objects to build a house.
- The approach given to this construction is very different from standard construction, which uses concrete and masonry. This method is used in sporadic cases as it is not considered safe during a fire outbreak.
Conclusion
Strengthening the construction of a building and following the set standards is one way to ensure safety. Setting up fire and life-saving equipment after the completion of building construction is meaningless if the materials and the plan of the building are not up to the standard. Structural engineers should, therefore, be at the forefront to ensure that they build houses and apartments that can not endanger the lives of the occupants. The application of occupancy classification codes needs to be standardized. When working with multiple codes, one must consider the specific building.
References
Ndekugri, I., Ankrah, N. A., & Adaku, E. (2021). The design coordination role at the pre-construction stage of construction projects. Building Research & Information, 50(4), 452-466. Web.
Priyanka, M., & Ruben, N. (2018). Sustainable construction and building materials—A review on performance of geopolymer in concrete. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 245-251. Web.
Sun, K., Zhao, Q., & Zou, J. (2020). A review of building occupancy measurement systems. Energy and Buildings, p. 216, 109965. Web.