Class Introduction to Fire Safety in Buildings

his course will prepare students to better understand the content covered in two other courses on fire safety in buildings. This course covers the fundamental areas of fire safety from a theoretical perspective. The course's relevance stems from the fact that the content taught is essential for students' understanding of the topics covered in other courses.

Not applicable

1. Fundamental concepts of fire safety 1.1. Fire reaction concept 1.2. Fire resistance concept 2. Combustion theory 2.1. Combustion of liquids 2.2. Combustion of solids 2.3. Combustion of gases 3. Compartment fires 3.1. Ventilation controlled fire 3.2. Fuel controlled fires 4. Fire development in buildings 4.1. Heat transmission processes 4.2. Characteristic quantities of fire development 4.3. Fire curves 4.4. Fire types 4.5. Temperature evolution analytical models for different types of fires 4.6. Quantification of the mass of smoke and gases produced by different types of fire 5. Fire propagation inside the building 5.1. Fire propagation mechanisms 5.2. Mass transfer between communicating volumes 6. Computational models of fire development and propagation

The traditional expositive method will be combined with another one that foments the active participation of the students, and that is concretized by the called "synthesis and reflection classes" (SRC) that will take place at the end of each one of the subjects of the CU. The SRC will represent a dynamic and participative activity, in which the preparation and participation of students in these classes will be stimulated, with a view to questioning and discussing the previously treated topics, enhancing the overcoming of their normal limits. To accomplish this methodology, students will have access, in the first class, to all fundamental documentation to support the CU, including presentations. Later, before the SRC, students will be given a new document with a set of questions for reflection and practical application of the subject corresponding to the treated topic, so that they can prepare their participation.  

BABRAUSKAS, V. - Burning Rates.  Chapter 3-1.  SPFE Handbook, ed. P. J. di Nenno, 2nd Edition.  Boston, SFPE, 1995. Coelho, A. L. - Incêndios em edifícios. Edições Orion. Alfragide. 2010 Drysdale; Dougal - An Introduction to fire Dynamics (2nd Edition). John Wiley & Sons. Chichester. Pedro; Costa, Mário – Combustão. Edições Orion. ISBN:978-972-8620-10-3. 2007. Quintiere. J. G. – Fundamentals of Fire Phenomena. John Wiley & Son, Chichester, England. 2006. SANTOS, P. - ITE 55. A classificação europeia de reação ao fogo dos produtos de construção. LNEC, Lisboa, 2009. EDWARD, K.; EVANS, D. - Hand Calculations For Enclosures Fires.  Section 21, Chaptre 3.  SPFE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, ed. P.J. di Nenno, 2nd Edition.  SFPE, Boston, USA, 1995. PEACOCK, R. D.; RENEKE, P. A. – CFAST – Consolidated Fire and Smoke Transport (Version 7) Volume 3: Software Development and Model Evaluation Guide. Gaithersburg, Maryland: NIST, 2015. Technical Note 1889v3.