Blast Resistant Building Flame & Smoke

Flame & Smoke
While the flame and smoke created by fires may not create an immediately catastrophic effect as compared to an explosion or blast, the dangers created by these elements are critical and cannot be overlooked when considering the design of a blast resistant building.  The ability for some fires to spread flames and emit an overwhelming amount of smoke is often unpredictable, and therefore constitute a serious threat to both personnel and equipment housed within any structure subjected to these brutally destructive forces.

In North America and elsewhere, including Australia and Europe, various Classes have been established to identify fires, that are recognized under most situations by most countries.  Relevant to blast resistant building design for use in North America, conventional fire ratings include Class A for organic substances, Class B for flammable liquids and gases, and Class C for electrical equipment. Australia and Europe divide liquids and gases into Class B & C respectively, and reserve Class D for fires involving electrical components. Other ratings by third party testing agencies limit the level of acceptable heat transfer between exterior and interior wall surfaces and at metal joints or seams which interconnect the exterior and interior wall surfaces.  The ratings establish specific time limits to define what is commonly referred to as fire resistance ratings.  There are supplemental ratings used in combination with these temperature limits to establish acceptable time limits to total resistance of smoke passage from exterior sources to the interior space.  Finally, some entities define and rely upon "hydrocarbon fire ratings" and "jet fire ratings" that establish specific fire resistance ratings for the petrochemical and off-shore industries.

However, regardless of the class or fire resistance rating you may initially believe a blast resistant building should meet, it's important to note that many fire resistance ratings apply to the passive ability of a wall structure to limit damage to printed or electronic media, but NOT to human survival.  Therefore, it is critical for you to establish what you consider to be acceptable time limits for temperature rise, fire breach and smoke penetration within the protected space, as specifically related to who or what you require the blast resistant building to protect. Our On-Line Inquiry allows selection of commonly used ratings, but you can also add notes on the last page to be more specific.

Most importantly, please note the source and duration of any anticipated fire risk is also critical, and that smoke inhalation is considered as the leading cause of death in all fires. Therefore, additional concerns regarding fresh air sources, HVAC unit design and the use of automatic fire dampers may also prove critical.

As a resource for more information that may prove valuable in your assessment of all associated risks regarding fire, flames and smoke, please consider these two links: Wikipedia - Fire Protection & HSE Offshore - Jet Fires  Both links provide unbiased information, and the Wikipedia link provides a wealth of related information and additional links.