Abstract
Aim: To identify two alternative approaches for the specification of a reliable value, which describes fire load density in building compartments. Such density depends on the accumulation of combustible materials in an area under consideration and determines the intensity of a fire, which may flare up at the facility. A reliable value is recognised as one representing the accepted nature of utilization for given premises. It determines the estimated level of safety during a fire incident, specifically in connection with the risk of destruction of load bearing structures.
Methodology: Estimation of an authoritative fire load density measure applicable to a given facility is credible only if it is carried out on the basis of a specialist and individual inventory of flammable materials accumulated within. The magnitude of the sought value will, in such a case, be the nominal value obtained from direct measurements. However, this value must be unambiguously connected, not only with the facility under examination, but also linked to the time of the performed observation. For this reason a more universal measure may be a characteristic value calculated as an appropriate quantile of a probability distribution for random fire load density. Such an approach takes into account statistical changes in density values inventoried in facilities with similar utilisation. Identified values are interpreted as authoritative for a specified fire zone type and not as one associated with a zone studied in the specific building.
Results: Examined methods used for the conduct of inventory, interpretation approach for derived results and limitations, which over time decrease the credibility of estimates determined by direct intervention. These reflections were confronted with probabilistic calculation methods, which lead to statistical specification of characteristic values of random fire load density, which were representative for facilities with a similar utilisation pattern.
Conclusions: The conventional procedure, based on an individualized inventory for discrete premises appears arduous and impractical. Each change in the use of such a facility or a simple addition of combustible materials stored inside the premises, leads to questions about the credibility of previously calculated estimates. For this reason, the study recommends an application of a more universal approach, based on probabilistic calculations, which provides credible results.
Keywords: fire, fire load, density, inventory, characteristic value, quantile, probability, risk
Type of article: original scientific article