Bücher der Reihe SpringerBriefs in Fire

This book offers a comprehensive approach to the assessment of fire hazards of electrical cables. The first part of the book describes division of cables, main parameters of electrical cables, and fault scenarios of cables leading to fire or occupant injuries. The traditional approach to fire hazards of electrical cables assessment is also described in the first part. The second part of the book is focused on the creation and description of a new approach to fire hazard assessment of electrical cables. The new approach is based on the assessment of both ignition parameters of electrical cables and the impact of their fires on the surrounding area. The ignition parameters include critical heat flux, ignition temperature, and critical electrical current. The impact of cable fires on the surrounding area is expressed by the released heat, toxicity of combustion products (determined by the amount of released carbon oxides and oxygen consumed), and visibility (determined by the smoke extinction area). Newly created approach is practically illustrated on specific types of cables (power cables classified to B2ca and Fca reaction to fire class) in this book. The book is intended mainly for academics in the fields of both fire protection engineering and electrical engineering. Besides that, the professionals in fire safety will find valuable information concerning impact of electrical cables on the safety of occupants and structures during fire in the book. In addition, the book sheds light on the issue of fire safety of electrical cables for the professionals in both electrical and power engineering. Last but not least, the book is appropriate also for students in the fields of fire, electrical, and power engineering in bachelor, master, and Ph.D. degree.

This SpringerBrief focuses on the use of egress models to assess the optimal strategy for total evacuation in high-rise buildings. It investigates occupant relocation and evacuation strategies involving the exit stairs, elevators, sky bridges and combinations thereof. Chapters review existing information on this topic and describe case study simulations of a multi-component exit strategy. This review provides the architectural design, regulatory and research communities with a thorough understanding of the current and emerging evacuation procedures and possible future options. A model case study simulates seven possible strategies for the total evacuation of two identical twin towers linked with two sky-bridges at different heights. The authors present the layout of the building and the available egress components including both vertical and horizontal egress components, namely stairs, occupant evacuation elevators (OEEs), service elevators, transfer floors and sky-bridges. The evacuation strategies employ a continuous spatial representation evacuation model (Pathfinder) and are cross-validated by a fine network model (STEPS). Assessment of Total Evacuation Systems for Tall Buildings is intended for practitioners as a tool for analyzing evacuation methods and efficient exit strategies. Researchers working in architecture and fire safety will also find the book valuable.

This SpringerBrief explores the evacuation characteristics of children and their self-preservation capability during fire situations. An international survey among teachers from day-care centers and experts in child development indicates an age-limit at which pre-school children may be considered capable of evacuating a location without direct intervention by an instructor. The survey examines the ability of children to understand and follow simple instructions, walk on horizontal surfaces without physical support, and walk down stairs. It also studies how fire safety installations and fire drills differ between countries. A literature review and a presentation of the method applied are included. This data can be applied to evacuation procedures, building codes, and fire regulations. Determining Self-Preservation Capability in Pre-School Children is intended for practitioners as a tool for analyzing evacuation safety issues and developing methods removing potential hazards. Researchers working in a related field will also find the book valuable.

Quantitative Evaluation of Fire and EMS Mobilization Times presents comprehensive empirical data on fire emergency and EMS call processing and turnout times, and aims to improve the operational benchmarks of NFPA peer consensus standards through a close examination of real-world data. The book also identifies and analyzes the elements that can influence EMS mobilization response times. Quantitative Evaluation of Fire and EMS Mobilization Times is intended for practitioners as a tool for analyzing fire emergency response times and developing methods for improving them. Researchers working in a related field will also find the book valuable.

This book presents the results of an experiment assessing the impact of spruce wood joints on the creation and development of fire when these joints are applied within a facade. The results confirm that the joint type used has an impact on the selected evaluation criteria and thus also on the potential spread of fire.

This SpringerBrief equips readers to develop defensible fire safety designs for a range of concrete structures.Designed for practitioners and researchers in fire engineering, this brief is a valuable tool for those studying the impact of fire on concrete, fire safety designs, and building safety optimization.

This SpringerBrief presents strategies for fire mitigation based on combustible assembly systems of exterior walls. Providing background information on common exterior wall systems, the mechanisms of fire spread, and case studies, it examines the difficulties in controlling a fire with several materials and assembly methods.

This brief develops a data collection plan to assess loss related to electrical surges in homes, and explores the potential impact devices that prevent these surges could have in mitigating these losses.

This SpringerBrief offers careful assessments of the appropriateness and effectiveness of currently available methodologies for fire flow.

This SpringerBrief presents information on a wide variety of hazards and the damage potential caused by installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system. Despite the increased popularity of PV systems after the environmental movement, research shows that the costs of installing PV systems outweigh the benefits.

This SpringerBrief reviews current home fire sprinkler system costs in one- and two-family dwellings, mobile homes, and multifamily residential buildings up to four stories.

In this age of climatic and financial uncertainty, it becomes increasingly important to balance the cost, benefits and risk of wildfire management. Finally, it discusses how emerging risk assessment tools can be better informed by integrating management cost models with wildfire simulation models and values at risk.

This SpringerBrief summarizes a full-scale, reduced commodity fire testing comparison of cartoned Lithium ion batteries and FM Global standard commodities in a rack storage configuration, as reported by FM Global. Small format Li-ion battery commodities represent both commercially available battery formats and Li-ion battery containing devices.

Automatic sprinklers systems are the primary fire protection system in warehouse and storage facilities. The application of fire detection devices used to provide early warning and notification of incipient warehouse fire events is being considered as a component of modern warehouse fire protection.

Fire Flow Water Consumption in Sprinklered and Unsprinklered Buildings offers a detailed analysis for calculating the fire water demand required in buildings with existing and non-existant sprinkler systems.

Fire protection system designers initially employed these VID systems for use in large facilities, outdoor locations and tunnels.

Towards Estimating Entrainment Fraction for Dust Layers closely examines the factors that can affect the assessment of a dust hazard, and outlines a new strawman method designed to help practitioners estimate the fraction of the dust accumulations that can become airborne.

Lithium-Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment examines the usage of lithium-ion batteries and cells within consumer, industrial and transportation products, and analyzes the potential hazards associated with their prolonged use.

Developing resilience skills has the potential to shield firefighters and other emergency responders from the negative effects of stressful incidents and situations. Drawing on cutting-edge research, this SpringerBrief proposes strategies to prevent firefighter behavioral health issues using the proactive approach of resilience training.

Antifreeze Solutions in Home Fire Sprinkler Systems examines the usage of antifreeze solutions in residential sprinklers, and analyzes their effectiveness in controlling a fire condition and aiding in containment.

The Study of Movement Speeds Down Stairs closely examines forty-three unique case studies on movement patterns down stairwells.