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Toward the goal of a performance fire code
Author(s) -
Bukowski Richard W.,
Tanaka Takeyoshi
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
fire and materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-1018
pISSN - 0308-0501
DOI - 10.1002/fam.810150404
Subject(s) - interim , code (set theory) , occupancy , set (abstract data type) , computer science , process (computing) , scale (ratio) , risk analysis (engineering) , building code , reliability engineering , engineering , architectural engineering , business , programming language , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , history
The paper presents a strategy for the development and implementation of performance‐based fire codes on an international scale. The process begins with agreement on a common set of goals which underlie the code. Existing code bodies then decide on an appropriate set of quantitative prediction tools with which they are comfortable, and use them to quantify the degree to which their current code addresses these goals by establishing a standard design fire for each occupancy. By applying standard safety criteria and safety factors appropriate to the choice of predictive methods, the performance of any building can be quantified against the stated goals. To allow for an orderly transition from current codes, an interim code structure under which currently acceptable methods are ‘deemed to satisfy’ the code is presented.