Fire (and smoke) compartmentation is the single most useful design aspect of any high rise building in relation to

 

To simplify how we look at compartmentation we first need to understand that there are two aspects to compartmentation. Firstly the compatrmemtation from FIRE and secondly that of SMOKE. These two will have a direct bearing on each other but are FUNDIMENTALLY different.

 

The compartmentation in relation to fire may be viewed as primary about structural integrity and restriction / control of fire( either in its ignition or spread)

Smoke compartmentation could be viewed as restricting the spread of products of combustion so as to maintain either a means of escape of the survivability of those trapped on a compartment.

 

Many modern fire building standards, rightly adopt a holistic approach and design in both fire and smoke resistance

 

 

Compartment design:

Usually restricted by size, a compartment may be a horizontal area, typically a room or corridor, but may also be a vertical area, namely a stairwell or lift shaft. in relation to fire / smoke its design will have a "minimum standard" to be maintained across all its boundaries.

 

 

Fire resisting doors

 

A fire door is a door with a fire-resistance rating and is used as part of a passive fire protection system to reduce the spread of fire or smoke between compartments and to enable safe egress from a building. In the UK its design criteria is tested and certificated by BS 476 : Part 22: 1987 or BS EN 1634-1: 2000. Its usage is dictated and controlled through Building Regulations approved Document B, or British Standards such as the BS 5588. The performance of a fire door is judge with the door and frame making up an single unit.

 

 

Compartmentation