| Author: | Leung, Wai-yip |
| Title: | Review of the fire safety in commercial buildings |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1999 |
| Subject: | Commercial buildings -- Fires and fire prevention -- China -- Hong Kong Fire prevention -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Building Services Engineering |
| Pages: | x, 67, [117] leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Building fire safety encompasses many issues. It achieves a multiple functions of fire prevention, ignition, fire growth and spread, smoke control, fire detection, suppression and limitation, evacuation and rescue. The analysis of building fire safety is as complicated as the physical processes of building fires. Hong Kong is a metropolitan city with more than one thousand commercial buildings. After the disastrous fire on Garley Building 1996, the public began to pay more attention to fire safety in commercial buildings. Government of the HKSAR therefore introduced a new ordinance, Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance, and set up a funding for loan to building owners to improve the fire services installation for old type commercial buildings. In order to have substantial data and information, consent was given by a renowned property developer for taking the building data of three class A commercial buildings for the purpose of compiling this dissertation. The criterion of fire safety standard and management of these buildings were reviewed. This dissertation also aims to studying the current practice of fire safety aspects of commercial buildings in Hong Kong. A survey of the above-mentioned buildings was carried out to evaluate the actual design criteria and the application of code of practice on building fire safety in commercial buildings. Results revealed that the fire safety standard in current practice is adequate but room for improvements are identified. Recommendations are therefore made for future design considerations based on the findings. It was also recommended that refuge room for the disabled shall be constructed on each floor of commercial building and legislation for application of intumescent coating for lift doors and lateral clearance in fire damper. Two considerations are also necessary for designing the fire protection systems in curtain wall type commercial buildings. They are (i) Unique exhaust air duct for gas released fixed fire protection system and (ii) Drain valve for sprinkler system at each floor to facilitate the refilling of fire water. Based on the survey result and findings, it was found that "Prescriptive" approach is generally applied to the fire system design in commercial buildings of Hong Kong. However, some drawbacks were observed by using this method and most developed countries are using another approach called "Performance-Based" approach. This approach was considered as being more cost-effective, more flexible in design and can achieve a measurable and consistent level of safety. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b1485255x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.52 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/2875