1. State of the art methodologies for the estimation of fire costs in buildings to support cost–benefit analysisIkwulono David Unobe, Andrea Lucherini, Shuna Ni, Thomas Gernay, Ranjit Kumar Chaudhary, Ruben Van Coile, 2024, review article 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: 125; Downloads: 16
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2. Model uncertainty in a parametric fire curve approach : a stochastic correction factor for the compartment fire load densityFlorian Put, Andrea Lucherini, Bart Merci, Ruben Van Coile, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A commonly used approach to represent the thermal load in a compartment fire is the Eurocode Parametric Fire Curve (EPFC), which specifies gas temperatures (or rather adiabatic surface temperatures). Recognizing the significant deviations between real fires and the EPFC framework, the concept of model uncertainty is explored. This study does not aim to assess or improve the EPFC, but introduces a model uncertainty, allowing for reliability-based structural fire engineering (SFE). It presents a stochastic correction factor for the fire load density, based on the maximum temperature in steel sections. The focus is on the fire load density, but in general other parameters can be jointly taken into account as well. This correction factor considers protected and un- protected sections, incorporating variations in section factor and protection thickness. The findings reveal that the fire load density within the EPFC framework can be modified to better represent the severity of fire ex- periments. This approach ensures physical consistency of the obtained compartment gas temperatures, as opposed to alternative approaches for addressing the EPFC model uncertainty. While promising results are evident in this proof of concept, exploration for other types of structural elements and evaluation for structural systems is necessary before integration into design practices.
Keywords: structural fire engineering, compartment fires, fire load density, steel structures, reliability, probability of failure
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 73; Downloads: 24
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3. Thermal characterisation of the cooling phase of post-flashover compartment firesAndrea Lucherini, Balša Jovanović, Jose L. Torero, Ruben Van Coile, Bart Merci, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The main characteristics of the cooling phase of post-flashover compartment fires are studied using a simplified first-principles heat transfer approach to establish key limitations of more traditional methodologies (e.g., Eurocode). To this purpose, the boundary conditions during cooling are analysed. To illustrate the importance of a first-principles approach, a detailed review of the literature is presented followed by the presentation of a simplified numerical model. The model is constructed to calculate first-order thermal conditions during the cooling phase. The model is not intended to provide a precise calculation method but rather baseline estimates that incorporate all key thermal inputs and outputs. First, the thermal boundary conditions in the heating phase are approximated with a single (gas) temperature and the Eurocode parametric fire curves, to provide a consistent initial condition for the cooling phase and to be able to compare the traditional approach to the first- principles approach. After fuel burnout, the compartment gases become optically thin and temperatures decay to ambient values, while the compartment solid elements slowly cool down. For simplicity, convective cooling of the compartment linings is estimated using a constant convective heat transfer coefficient and all linings surfaces are assumed to have the same temperature (no net radiative heat exchange). All structural elements are assumed to be thermally thick. While these simplifications introduce quantitative errors, they enable an analytical solution for transient heat conduction in a semi-infinite solid that captures all key heat transfer processes. Comparisons between the results obtained using both approaches highlight how, even when considering the same fire energy input, the thermal boundary conditions according to the Eurocode parametric fire curves lead to an increase energy accumulated in the solid after fuel burnout and a delay in the onset of cooling. This is not physically correct, and it may lead to misrepresentation of the impact of post-flashover fires on structural behaviour.
Keywords: cooling phase, fire decay, fire dynamics, compartment fires, structural fire engineering, fire safety
Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2024; Views: 141; Downloads: 71
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4. Cost-benefit analysis of fire protection in buildings : application of a present net value approachThomas Gernay, Shuna Ni, David Unobe, Andrea Lucherini, Ranjit Kumar Chaudhary, Ruben Van Coile, 2023, original scientific article 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: 275; Downloads: 39
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5. Cost-benefit analysis in fire safety engineering : state-of-the-art and reference methodologyRuben Van Coile, Andrea Lucherini, Ranjit Kumar Chaudhary, Shuna Ni, David Unobe, Thomas Gernay, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Cost-effectiveness is a key consideration within fire safety engineering. Currently, different approaches are being applied in literature. These approaches differ in how cost-effectiveness is evaluated, which costs are considered, and how the preferred design solution is defined. Recognizing this issue, the Fire Protection Research Foundation enrolled an international team of researchers, supported by a broad stakeholder panel, to develop a reference methodology. In this paper, this reference methodology for cost-benefit analysis in fire safety engineering is presented following an extensive literature review. The methodology clarifies the minimum requirements for assessing cost-effectiveness, and highlights that only a present net value evaluation can be used to compare design alternatives. Commonly used cost-benefit ratios should only be used when deciding on the effectiveness of a single package of fire safety measures. An illustrative case study demonstrates the application of the meth- odology and shows how designs based on cost-benefit ratios can be sub-optimal when evaluating multiple possible fire safety measures.
Keywords: cost-benefit analysis, fire safety, investment, maintenance, loss, statistics, reliability
Published in DiRROS: 23.10.2023; Views: 363; Downloads: 81
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