One of the risks of escaping from a fire in a building is entanglement, electrocution, and crush from falling M&E equipment. Whilst standards exist for the specification of fixing into concrete ceilings, none exist for timber ceilings. This webinar looks at a recent study investigating and solving the problem of early loss of loadbearing capability of fixings holding M&E services to timber ceilings. The work included testing different fixings for sprinkler systems in CLT buildings during a fire.
The study concluded that:
- Fixings in wood are much weaker post-fire.
- There is a high risk that Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services could fall during a fire on a timescale relevant to evacuation an intervention (<15minutes)
- Load capacity during fire was shown to decrease with increasing fixing diameter (fail earlier).
- Only fire testing under load can accurately describe the retention capability of fixings during a fire.
Join our lunchtime webinar on 8th July to hear about the project and the exciting results. Speakers: Prof. Jim Glocking (author of the report on behalf of the ASBP and The Fire Research & Training Trust), and Dale Kinnersley, Principal Consultant at the Fire Protection Association. Free to attend, registration required.
Webinar Host: Simon Corbey, Outreach Director, ASBP
Speakers:
Dale Kinnersley
Principal Consultant, Fire Protection Association
Dale joined the FPA in 2018 having spent almost 30 years in the sprinkler industry. During this time, he undertook special risk projects in the form of gaseous systems, fire detection, foam systems, and sprinkler system design, culminating in his last position as Technical Director for one of the UK’s largest sprinkler contractors. Dale is responsible for all types of suppression systems, technical issues, sprinkler inspections, and sprinkler training at the FPA. He is a fully Qualified Sprinkler Design Engineer, has an Ordinary National Diploma in Engineering & Technology, a European Diploma in Fire Prevention, and a PhD from the University of Lancashire following research into sprinkler protection of timber construction. Dale is an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and a member of both the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Dr James Glockling is a Principal Fire Protection Engineer within the Naval Engineering Team of BMT, consultant, and is the current Chair of BSI FSH/16 ‘Hazards to life from fire’. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering and PhD in nuclear engineering. Following post-doctorate study, he worked as, a lecturer in Chemical Engineering and Fire Safety Engineering, a forensic fire investigator, and ran research laboratories at the Loss Prevention Council (LPC), Building Research Establishment (BRE), and the Fire Protection Association (FPA) where he ran the UK insurance research scheme, RISCAuthority. Jim’s principal areas of expertise are in suppression and detection technologies and complex risk mitigation scenarios. Jim is also visiting Professor at the University of Central Lancashire and continues to work promoting resilience with the commercial built environment and maritime sectors.
The study on “Preventing firefighter & evacuee entanglement, electrocution, and crush risks in mass timber buildings on fire” was funded by The Fire Service Research & Training Trust and supported by The RISCAuthority, with materials kindly donated from KLH and Midfix.