Why fire protection in scientific buildings is vital
How 爱豆传媒鈥檚 fire engineers will always meet your property protection needs.
Scientific buildings are full of valuable assets. These assets include expensive machines like MRI equipment, CT scanners and laser diagnostic tools, but they are not the only items of importance. The experiments themselves, and records of experiments (data, samples, spreadsheets) hold great value to those working in the buildings as well as to the wider population.
With this in mind, property protection and business continuity are a high priority for our clients in scientific and research buildings. 爱豆传媒鈥檚 fire engineers implement fire protection recommendations that not only safeguard all valuable assets in the event of a fire from potential damages generated by heat and smoke but also during day-to-day operations (preventing accidental discharge of fire suppression systems, for example). Our engineers also always conform to the correct insurance requirements for any type of property, often engaging the providers at an early stage in the project.
A bespoke approach, and early engagement with the fire service
As part of the engagement process with clients, really understanding what their research is about and importantly where the future of their research might take them, is integral to ensuring that fire strategy goes hand-in-hand with the processes within. Previously, I have written about the importance of flexibility and adaptability in these types of buildings. Flexibility must be considered when determining the most appropriate form of property protection, and consideration given to how this protection might work in 5, 10 or 15 years. Research tends to evolve significantly with time and development of new technologies.
We also make a point of early engagement with the fire service, building control, and the fire officer for the premises (if there is one). It鈥檚 important to bring each of these parties along for the 鈥渏ourney鈥� and ensure their concerns are addressed as early as possible. Secure-by-design also needs consideration as these premises tend to have higher security requirements than other buildings, and these must be understood to ensure the safety of occupants, and firefighters.
Protecting precious archives with the right fire protection strategy
Protection of experimental data and archive storage is critical. Once we have an understanding of the types of equipment used, storage requirements, pre, during and after experiments and the conditions that are required for each of these stages; then, we can begin to plan our compartmentation and fire separation strategy for the building.
Typically, the clients鈥� property protection measures mean a higher fire performance is required for the walls, floors and ceilings of these areas by code guidance. The earlier the fire engineer can be brought into the project the better, as we can advise on the most appropriate location and protection for equipment and storage of experimental data. One example of 鈥榖ad鈥� storage is keeping an archive in the basement, where there is the possibility of water ingress.
Balancing compartmentation with sustainability
There鈥檚 a fine balance between providing enough compartmentation to satisfy building regulations and property protection requirements while fulfilling our obligations to the environment and 爱豆传媒鈥檚 sustainability goals.
To maintain this balance, we will always consider a variety of fire scenarios in any project. Thanks to the constant development of new fire protection techniques, careful considerations and design of environmentally-friendly active fire protection systems can help to mitigate the need for extensive passive fire protection.
Why active systems must meet insurance requirements
Sprinkler protection must be insurance-led. When providing sprinkler protection, it is crucial to consider Loss Prevention Council (LPC) rules for sprinklers led by the insurance industry, as well as understanding what effect such a system could have on the research.
LPC rules will have much more onerous requirements than those set out in BS EN 12845. Used where property protection isn鈥檛 required, this is the sprinkler system code guidance which a fire engineer would typically specify to meet building regulation requirements. If a sprinkler system is to be provided for property protection measures, the fire engineer can use this system to increase travel distance allowances, increase occupant capacity and double the boundary distances for external fire spread. The fire engineer should ensure that the necessary additional measures for life safety are provided before doing so. These are set out in the annex F of BS EN 12845.
Depending upon what is being protected, it may be that an alternative form of suppression is better suited to provide protection than a sprinkler system. The fire engineer can advise on this and discuss the pros and cons of each system type. For example, gaseous suppression or oxygen reduction systems are typically specified in IT and data rooms as opposed to water-based suppressants, which may damage the electrical equipment. Care is to be taken that the suppression system is appropriate for the use (for example, an oxygen reduction system may not be appropriate for a room which is normally occupied).
Golden thread is vital for managing complex buildings
Later in a project, we see our role shifting. Our teams move from a design focus towards an education and information-sharing mode. Our role doesn鈥檛 end once the active fire systems and crucial compartment lines are designed and built. These systems and lines must be maintained for the life of the building, so it is vital that there is an allowance that allows a client鈥檚 facilities and maintenance and management teams to operate and maintain the building.
Key stakeholder engagement throughout the design process is critical to the building鈥檚 success. This is where the Golden Thread of information, as mentioned in the Hackett Report, is of vital importance; without an adequate handover process and guidance on how the systems in the building work, it is not possible for the client to manage these complex buildings effectively. This 鈥渢hread of information鈥� also need to state why decisions were made during design.
A good handover equals success
Property protection for a scientific building is high on the list of priorities for any project manager. To get the fire strategy design correct, the fire engineer must understand a client鈥檚 drivers, appreciate the scientific work likely to take place within the building, and understand the type, nature and cost of the equipment being used in the building.
As with all 爱豆传媒 projects, sustainability considerations remain at the forefront of all decision making. As such, compartmentation and fire separation should be carefully considered, and not overused. Where required, the correct suppression system should be selected based on discussions with the client team and an understanding of the content being protected.
Finally, to ensure all of the hard work and good design doesn鈥檛 go to waste, there must be a handover with the facilities and maintenance team, client management team and fire officer to ensure they understand the systems and compartmentation strategy, and why these have been implemented.
