Course syllabus

Brandteknisk riskvärdering
Fire Safety Evaluation

VBR054, 15 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2016/17
Decided by: Education Board C
Date of Decision: 2016-03-31

General Information

Compulsory for: BI3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The course is aimed at synthesizing and broadening the knowledge gained in this and previous courses, and provides the students with an insight into how this knowledge can be applied to evaluating personal safety issues in the event of fire in a built structure. Another objective is to enhance the students' engineering-related capabilities for constructing and analysing models.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe and interpret the directives contained in the National Building Code related to evacuation procedures in the event of fire.
• be able to describe and explain other directives contained in the Building Code, together with relevant examples of solutions, methods, and general guidelines, as well as be familiar with the Swedish Civil Protection and Swedish Work Environment Acts, and ordinances related to compulsory ventilation control,
• be able to explain the function of a computer program for evacuation simulation,
• be able to explain human behaviour and reactions during an evacuation situation,
• be able to explain the principles behind the dimensioning of load-bearing and partition structures under fire conditions, and
• be able to explain the principles and design of ventilation systems.
• demonstrate knowledge of present research and developments within the area of fire science.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to utilize critically and develop procedures and techniques of fire protection in building construction,
• be able to assess the effect on people of heat, smoke, and toxic gases produced in various fire scenarios,
• be able to apply methods for calculating the spread of fires and combustion gases.
• be able to apply methods for describing the speed of evacuation for various building types,
• be able to apply methods for calculating the spread of combustion gases through ventilation systems, and the pressurization of buildings, especially stairwells,
• be able to carry out a personal safety assessment in fire situations at an actual site,
• understand and be able to use, both orally and in writing, professional terminology within the field,
• demonstrate a capacity for teamwork and for working in groups,
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss clearly, both orally and in writing, the conclusions drawn and the knowledge and arguments that underlie these conclusions in interactions with various target groups,
• be able to critical make use of, information on fire safety technology contained in the scientific literature and in databases
• be able to plan and keep time records and to understand their importance.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate insight into the possible applications and the limitations of fire safety technology for the selected application, its role in society, and responsibility of the professional person for its use, taking into account social and, to a certain degree, economic aspects, and
• be able to assess engineering solutions with regard to the scientific, community-related, and ethical aspects involved.
• be able to assess evaluate obtained information with regard to the scientific, community-related, and ethical aspects involved.
• demonstrate the capability to identify need for further knowledge and continuously develop the competence.

Contents

Carry out an assessment of personal safety in the event of fire at an actual site. Recommendations for improvement, as well as the safety-related consequences of these recommendations, shall be included.

During the course, the students shall report on their time-management and time-planning activities in weekly reports.

Home assignments, labs, and written assignments are also included in the course. Also included are computer labs: the first covering evacuation programs, and the second on using FAST ver. 3.

Home assignments; (Requirements same as for Level I, www.brand.lth.se/fileadmin/brandteknik/utbild/inuppgkrav.pdf)

The objective is to learn to use the building code directives related to fire protection (especially evacuation safety) through prescriptive design. Working in a group, the students will draw up a simple description of fire safety features for a test building.

Written assignments: Two written assignments are required by the course segment, “Spread of Combustion Gases via Ventilation Systems”: one for a ventilation system with a single exhaust vent (F-system) and one for a system with both exhaust and intake vents (FT-system). Each student will receive an individual assignment.

Project assignment: (Requirements same as for Level III, www.brand.lth.se/fileadmin/brandteknik/utbild/inuppgkrav.pdf). This assignment constitutes the major part of the course.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG
Assessment: Approved home assignments, approved written assignments, attendance at demonstration lab sessions, approved lab work, presentation, satisfactory execution and examination of practical projects, attendance at compulsory presentations, revision of report after final approval of presentation.

Parts
Code: 0103. Name: Report 1.
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Approved home assignments, approved written assignments, attendance at demonstration lab sessions, approved lab work, presentation, satisfactory execution and examination of practical projects. Contents: Carry out an assessment of personal safety in the event of fire at an actual site. Recommendations for improvement, as well as the safety-related consequences of these recommendations, shall be included. During the course, the students shall report on their time-management and time-planning activities in weekly reports. Home assignments, labs, and written assignments are also included in the course. Also included are computer labs: the first covering evacuation programs, and the second on using FAST ver. 3. Home assignments; (Requirements same as for Level I, www.brand.lth.se/utbild/inuppgkrav.pdf)
Code: 0203. Name: Report 2.
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Presentation, satisfactory execution and examination of practical projects, attendance at compulsory presentations, revision of report after final approval of presentation. Contents: Written and oral presentation of project and revision after presentation.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VBRF10 Fire Dynamics

Required prior knowledge: VBR022 Fire Chemistry and Explosions, FMA420 Linear Algebra, FAFA30 Physics: Electricity – Fluids, MMVA01 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: VBR053

Reading list

• Red: Bengtson, S., Frantzich, H., Jönsson, R., Marberg, P-A.: Brandskyddshandboken, En handbok för projektering av brandskydd i byggnader, (den gula). 2012, ISBN: ISSN 1402-3504.
• Övrig kurslitteratur görs tillgänglig elektroniskt.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Marcus Runefors, marcus.runefors@brand.lth.se
Further information: Group assignments require active participation. Each group member must individually be able to account for the content of the assignment. If a group member does not fulfill the demands of the group or ignores hers/his commitment, she/he can be reassigned to another group or get a fail result.