REVIEW ON THE REQUIREMENTS ON FIRE RESISTING CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Buildings with new architectural features might have difficulties in complying with the prescriptive fire codes in Hong Kong. Obvious examples are the complex and large-scale buildings. Engineering performance-based fire codes (EPBFC) should be an effective alternative and a study on how to implement EPBFC in Hong Kong has been carried out at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 1995. The first area of study identified is on the fire safety objectives since there are no clear objectives stated in the existing codes. As EPBFC is very complicated, a long-term in-depth research for coming up with a performance-based fire code is required. In places like USA, UK and Japan, years of study were required to develop workable EPBFC. But there are still rooms for further modifications and introduction of new evaluating tools. Full-scale burning tests should be carried out where necessary. In this connection, one of the streams of fire safety provisions, the fire resisting construction, will be studied to investigate what should be done for the implementation of EPBFC for fire resisting construction. The current requirements in the local code on fire resisting construction for buildings are reviewed first. The development of fire resistance period (FRP) requirements is described with the factors affecting FRP reviewed. Standard fire tests for assessing FRP of the elements of construction are reviewed and briefly compared. Further studies on FRP requirements for buildings unable to comply with the prescriptive code are strongly desirable. This is particularly important for evaluating engineering performance-based fire codes.