Performance based fire engineering (often referred to as performance-based fire safety design) is an innovative method for designing efficient fire protection systems for structures that aim to save occupants, assets, and properties. Performance based fire engineering integrates fire engineering concepts with mathematics and software modelling tools. It is to meet established fire code criteria while providing more freedom to reach a desired degree of safety.
Performance based fire engineering takes into account several factors, such as the layout of a constructed environment, the accessibility and placement of fire exits, the materials used in construction, wind driven rain simulation results and the activities taking place there. It enables us to create candidate designs from which clients can select, such as various layout and safety system modifications.
Here are some ways performance based fire engineering is more effective than traditional fire safety designs:
Affordability
Prescriptive construction codes often lead to overly cautious and expensive building designs, which are avoided. Construction costs can be significantly reduced by using performance based fire engineering, and designs that would not have been feasible with a 2D traditional blueprint design will be possible.
Customisable
Performance based fire engineering enables designers to assess the performance of different fire protection systems, estimate the safe separation lengths between fuel containers, and install fire and smoke detectors in the best possible locations to shorten detection times. They will also be able to adjust the plan for places made of concrete, metal and mass engineered timber in Singapore.
Backed by STEM
Rather than the old-school checklist of restrictive requirements that may not take into account a building’s specific aspects, this method is more innovative. By focusing on science, technology, Mathematical analysis, and modelling, performance based fire engineering grants the design team much considerable independence. For instance, performance-based fire design often uses wind driven rain simulation techniques to identify the best way to extinguish a fire during windy and rainy seasons.
Inclusive Rather Than Conforming
Through the use of engineering calculations, several potential designs are assessed in performance based fire engineering to determine how different fire scenarios will affect the area under consideration and its inhabitants.
Easier to Visualise
The problem with blueprints and traditional fire design layouts is that they tend to be complex drawings that can be difficult to understand by civilians. Performance based fire engineering makes use of modelling tools to create virtual scenarios displaying the fire plans.
Do you need a specialist to work on your building’s performance based fire engineering layout? Visit SHEVS IFT to consult a fire safety specialist today!
