Introduction to Holistic Fire Engineering

I was first introduced to the work of Paul Bryant through his book, Fire Strategies-Strategic Thinking. It was in this book that he first introduced the idea of holistic fire strategies. Through our interactions I was afforded the privilege to contribute to his most recent book, Holistic Fire Strategies: The Search for a Global Methodology. 

 

“This book explores the concept of holistic fire strategies - an idea developed by the author to provide a more inclusive and global approach to fire safety engineering and the preparation of fire strategies…It is suggested that fire strategies can be formulated and evaluated in a globally consistent manner. He suggests that the whole process can be controlled online which will improve consistency, reduce wasted resources and provide a much needed audit trail. The book includes some "soft" calculus to offer an alternative method to analyze fire risk as well as a novel method to assess actual fire strategies against a baseline version.”

 

The fire industry has seen a broad shift from prescriptive based to performance-based codes. However,  there are still issues to be addressed. These issues require a new evolution in fire engineering methodology.

• A performance based approach can potentially allow for a spectrum of solutions. However, what determines that the solution put forward is the most optimal in terms of efficiency, logistics and economics?

• There remains confusion and mistrust regarding a performance-based approach. Those with the responsibility for approvals ask if the design solution is “code compliant” which is probably not the correct terminology given the flexibility in application.

• A number of national regulations still do not adequately embrace performance-based solutions.

• “This fire strategy does not consider extreme events”. What may have been once an extreme event may now be more commonplace. Should not a strategy consider everything that could realistically lead to a fire?

• There is still insufficient buy-in from stakeholders. Project meetings can end up as a tussle between the fire engineer, architect, client, project managers, or enforcers.

 

Holistic fire engineering embraces the following principles:

1. To ensure that a fire engineered solution properly accounts for the real and perceived threats affecting the building, its occupancy and processes. Extreme events may or may not be included based upon a risk evaluation.

2. That we consider, fully, all objectives, and not just those applicable to national regulations. Note that comparison with national regulations will need to be included within the process.

3. We use all recognized means to develop holistic fire strategies.

4. Critical to holistic fire engineering is that the analysis and design process is controlled by a measurement system to allow full auditability and comparison at any stage of the process. Consequently, third parties can be provided with greater assurance that the solution is compliant with “holistic fire engineering” metrics.

5. The process and metrics must be transferable globally such that they will be the same wherever they are applied.

 

Recently Paul and I met to discuss developing a cross continental online platform to allow the formulation and verification of fire strategies for all complex building profiles, wherever they are. As the development continues, we will keep those interested up to date. For those who would like to be more involved, please go to www.igni.online and register your interest. 

Want to change the world? You might have to change a code or standard first. Learn how with this free guide, Affecting Change Through Codes and Standards.

Have questions, issues, or concerns? Schedule a free consultation with me.

Contact me through my website at, www.aaronj.org.

 

Quantified Assessment of Options

The second trait in Paul Bryant’s, 7 Traits of Highly Effective Fire Engineers, is “being objective”.  Successful fire protection professionals make decisions based on facts, even if these facts contradict personal experiences or beliefs. To reduce the level of subjectivity in the selection of fire protection solutions, Bryant provides a table he refers to as the “quantified assessment of options”.

This table bases fire protection system selection on three factors: performance, logistics, and economics. Performance describes how a system will perform within a specific environment.  Logistics refers to the practical application of system installation and maintenance. The economic factor addresses the life cost of the system.

Each system or technology option will be scored on these three factors. Each of these scores will be multiplied and a total score provided. The total score should provide a clear path for the best choice of system or technology to be used.

The table template is as follows:

*the number scale may be project specific as differing projects may weigh one factor more than another

Here is a sample issue addressed utilizing the table:

 

This table and the “quantitative assessment of options” process will help to avoid pre-judgement and base systems and technologies on their pure merits.

How to Succeed in Fire Engineering

Paul Bryant, author of The 7 Traits of Highly Effective Fire Engineers: A Guide for Those in the Profession Who Wish to Get Ahead, has spent a career in the fire protection industry.  In his time he had the opportunity to work with all types and “qualities” of engineer.  Clearly, there were some that rose to the top.  They were different.  They seemed to easily excel at their field and quickly advance beyond their peers.  

This book is the analyses of his research on the seven traits that sets these high performing individuals above their counterparts.

Trait #1. Having Passion. They love what they do.

Trait #2. Being Objective.  They prefer to make decisions based on facts, even if the facts contradict their personal experiences and beliefs.

Trait #3. Knowing Your Limits.  They know what they know, but more importantly, they know what they don’t know.

Trait #4. Progressive Thinking.  They look to the future - they don’t live in the past.

Trait #5. Taking Responsibility.  They automatically assume responsibility for their output.  They readily own up to mistakes.

Trait #6. Getting Involved.  They really get involved in, and contribute to, the industry.

Trait #7. Appreciating Others.  They acknowledge and appreciate the skills of others in the profession.  They understand that it does not have to be a competition.

“Each of the seven traits are more to do with attitude than anything else.  It is attitude - and the right attitude, that separates those who succeed from the rest.” --Paul Bryant, Fire Cubed LLP

Holistic Fire Engineering

The fire industry has seen a broad shift from prescriptive based to performance-based codes. However,  there are still a issues to be addressed.

• A performance based approach can potentially allow for a spectrum of solutions. However, what determines that the solution put forward is the most optimal in terms of efficiency, logistics and economics?
• There remains confusion and mistrust regarding a performance-based approach. Those with the responsibility for approvals ask if the design solution is “code compliant” which is probably not the correct terminology given the flexibility in application.
• A number of national regulations still do not adequately embrace performance-based solutions.
• “This fire strategy does not consider extreme events”. What may have been once an extreme event may now be more commonplace. Should not a strategy consider everything that could realistically lead to a fire?
• There is still insufficient buy-in from stakeholders. Project meetings can end up as a tussle between the fire engineer, architect, client, project managers, or enforcers.

These issues require the next evolution in fire protection engineering and design.  Paul Bryant, FireCubed LLP, has coined the term, “holistic fire engineering”, to describe this next evolution in fire engineering methodology.

An Introduction to Holistic Fire Engineering

Holistic fire engineering embraces the following principles:

1. To ensure that a fire engineered solution properly accounts for the real and perceived threats affecting the building, its occupancy and processes. Extreme events may or may not be included based upon a risk evaluation.

2. That we consider, fully, all objectives, and not just those applicable to national regulations. Note that comparison with national regulations will need to be included within the process.

3. We use all recognized means to develop holistic fire strategies.

4. Critical to holistic fire engineering is that the analysis and design process is controlled by a measurement system to allow full auditability and comparison at any stage of the process. Consequently, third parties can be provided with greater assurance that the solution is compliant with “holistic fire engineering” metrics.

5. The process and metrics must be transferable globally such that they will be the same wherever they are applied.

Key West Fire Academy 2014

Check out the below post and information from Paul Bryant, fire strategist, engineer, author, and owner of Kingfell.

Following the publication of my book Fire Strategies-Strategic Thinking, my plan was to set up specialist fire strategy workshops around the US and elsewhere. However, after setting up a second home in Key West and meeting a number of enthusiastic fire professionals there, we realized that setting up a series of workshops in "Paradise" could be an attractive alternative.

What type of workshops?
The idea is to bring the world of new and innovative fire engineering thinking to US fire professionals and to anyone who can take out two or three days to get there. Initial subjects will include the concept of strategic thinking when preparing a fire strategy. Other subjects will be structural fire engineering developments, fire engineering for transportation hubs and tunnels, and fire training techniques. Speakers will initially be from the UK, Egypt, Germany and Ireland. This will increase as the Academy develops. 

The venue?
Workshops will be held in the Firehouse Museum in the centre of old Key West. 
http://www.keywestfirehousemuseum.com/

Next steps:
The website is being set up which will provide more information on courses and speakers. We are also seeking NFPA accreditation for each of the courses.

Join the Key West Fire Academy LinkedIn group:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Key-West-Fire-Academy-7422355?trk=my_groups-b-grp-v