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Abstract: Fires can lead to costly building damage as well as loss of lives and injuries. Installed to protect buildings from fire, or to limit the damage from such outbreaks, fire protection measures are a common feature in buildings. However, these features come at a cost. Although quite ubiquitous in buildings, the value of these features to private individuals and to society is not fully understood. To understand their value, a cost benefit analysis detailing the costs and benefits of fire protection measures is needed. Carrying out such an analysis requires methods for computing both the cost of these fire protection measures, and losses from fires (including both direct and indirect losses). This study outlines methodologies for evaluating those costs and losses. An exhaustive collection of available data necessary for estimating both costs and losses is presented. Several limitations in current methodologies and data constraints were identified, with recommendations proposed to address these shortcomings. Relevant sections of a study by the authors that refines fire protection cost estimation at national and sub-national levels are emphasized, including updated building categories, guidance on computing multipliers, and detailed cost calculation methods for installation and maintenance costs. The calculation uses regularly updated U.S. Census Bureau construction data, ensuring timely multiplier updates. The insights and suggestions presented in this study will ultimately refine the process of selecting fire protection strategies that maximize the net benefit of fire protection measures for both private stakeholders and society at large.
Keywords: fire protection measures, cost of fire protection, losses from fire, cost benefit analysis, installation costs, maintenance costs
Published in DiRROS: 18.04.2024; Views: 55; Downloads: 6
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Abstract: In fire safety engineering, cost–benefit analysis provides a systematic method to assess whether the projected benefits from a fire safety measure outweigh its costs. However, there remains a wide discrepancy between methods used in the field for cost–benefit analysis, as well as a lack of quantitative data on the costs and economic impact of fire protection in buildings. In a recent research project, a reference methodology was proposed based on Present Net Value evaluation and on a combination of specialized construction database, fire statistics, and numerical modeling for estimation of the cost components. This paper presents the application of the methodology to four case studies. The case studies allow describing the methodology, the collection of data, fire statistics, and loss estimation, as well as illustrating how the methodology can support decision-making when multiple alternatives are compared. Under the assumptions adopted for the single-family house and the residential timber building case studies, it is found that for every 1\$, invested in sprinklers, \$1.06 is saved. This benefit–cost ratio increases with increasing valuation of indirect losses and statistical value of life. Sensitivity analyses are provided to explore the robustness of the investment recommendations. The results of evaluations, adapted from the presented case studies with project-specific inputs, can support decision making for policy makers, insurance companies, and individual building owners.
Keywords: fire safety, cost-benefit analysis, fire protection, fire statistics, sprinklers, compartmentation
Published in DiRROS: 29.11.2023; Views: 252; Downloads: 32
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Abstract: Economic efficiency is one of the many essential demands regarding the technical management of windstorms. The main goal of this paper is to analyze a hypothetical scenario in which a forest owner works independently on windstorm restoration, using his own equipment and work power. Managing windstorm damage is a difficult and dangerous task, although a potentially lucrative endeavour as our investigation shows. A windstorm represents an opportunity for instant profit for forest owners who are independent of regular forest income. Economic damage is greater and longer lasting for owners with large forest properties and for farm households, which depend on regular forest income. We compared two potential scenarios in a wind-damaged area within the 2000-2010 forestry management period. First, we include a hypothetical scenario in which the windstorm did not occur. An inventory of regular thinning as well as simulation of future events based on past dynamics was done. We also performed a second scenario in which we assumed that private owners carry out windstorm restoration alone, although in reality felling has been carried out with short-wood technology (mechanized cutting). The results section presents the possibilities to attain reasonably high yield by dealing with the consequences of a minor windstorm.
Keywords: cost analysis, production effects, scenarios, windstorm, storm damage, forest
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2017; Views: 3850; Downloads: 1814
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