3.0 Fire Protection System 3.1 Literature Review
Fire is a chemical reaction in which energy in the form of heat is produced. Flame, heat and light are released during fire while it happens and may react with many materials that makes the fire burn heavier and faster. Fire is created with with three factors, oxygen, fuel and heat. Therefore there are many ways in extinguishing the fire through taking off any of the factors. Fire safety foundation has to be considered in a building due to the risk assessments in it. Fire safety foundation has the duty to do all that is reasonably practicable to safeguard relevant persons who may be employees and visitors that may be exposed to risk in the event of fire. Based on Malaysia UBBL 1984 law, fire precautions legislation is generally to include matters that exist on safety legislation which includes the means of detection and giving warning in case of fire, provision of means of escape, means of fighting fire, provision on structural stability and the means to resist the spread of fire within and between buildings. Buildings have to comply the legislation by the use of both passive and active fire protection system. In the case of fire safety in a construction, one of the most important issues is the method in managing fire factors at different spaces. Passive fire protection is one of the components of fire protection in construction industry which mostly focus on reducing the speed of combustion while providing good circulation for escape routes. In order to inhibit the spread of fire within the building, the internal linings shall adequately resist the spread of flame over their surfaces and decrease the rate of fire growth. Internal linings refer to the materials used in lining any partition, wall, ceiling or other internal structure. Active methods for fire protection involves powered devices to exhaust, pressurize and in particular situations, oppose the smoke with forced air to prevent smoke and gas movement. The active methods give warning or the provision on fighting fire in a building such as the use of fire alarm, extinguisher, sprinkler, none water base system and more. The active protection system consists of several individual components at in the building to rescue residents in fire accidents. There might be conflict between occupants during fire emergency evacuation. One of the main concern by the engineers is to delay the spreading of fire based on the fire safety construction requirements whereas architects concern on fire safety at different spaces within a building. Safety management is the key aspect to strive for continuous improvement of performance. This is to ensure that both passive and active fire protection systems can perform well through regular inspection and maintenance so that standards and effectiveness of the systems are kept.
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