Fire Safety Measures of High Rise Buildings in UK and Northern Ireland

This report comprehensively examines fire safety measures in high-rise buildings, specifically focusing on the UK and Northern Ireland. It begins with an introduction to the context of high-rise buildings and the increasing concerns surrounding fire safety, referencing incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire. The report outlines research aims, objectives, and research questions to guide the study. A literature review explores the risks inherent in high-rise structures, details existing fire safety measures, and discusses fire risk assessment processes, including the use of appropriate materials and protection strategies. The methodology section describes the research philosophy, approach, design, data collection, and analysis techniques. Findings from the data analysis, including qualitative analysis and statistical data, are presented, supported by figures illustrating fire statistics and safety measures. The report concludes with recommendations for enhancing fire safety in high-rise buildings, addressing challenges and proposing solutions to improve overall safety standards. The study emphasizes the importance of robust fire management techniques and adherence to strict safety norms in high-rise buildings to mitigate risks and protect occupants. The report is a valuable resource for understanding and improving fire safety practices in high-rise structures.

Running head: FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Enhancement of the fire safety measures of the high rise buildings in the UK and
Northern Ireland
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Abstract
In current times, it has been a high concern towards fire safety issues in the high-rise buildings in
Northern Ireland due to various incidents. A disaster management expert has put annual fire
outbreak in Northern Ireland at nearly 7000 with the resultant deaths of over 1000 persons. There
are two hundred and fifty million dollar has been counted as lost annually. On the other hand, the
applications of parametric modules will be helpful to bring regarding the enhancement in
national building along with construction process as a part of fire safety engineering. An
evaluation carried out by the high-rise buildings in order to measure along with guidance
adopted. It has been identified that open plan compartments in designing global performance for
the safety measures. Hence, it is important to analyze the importance of improving the fire safety
measures of the high-rise buildings in Northern Ireland that is achieved in the present research.

2FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction.....................................................................................................................5
1.1 Background of the study........................................................................................5
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives................................................................................................6
1.2.1 Aims of the study.................................................................................................................6
1.2.2 Objectives of the study.........................................................................................................6
1.3 Research Questions.................................................................................................................6
1.4 Problem Statement..................................................................................................................7
1.5 Rationale of the study..............................................................................................................8
Chapter 2: Literature review...........................................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................10
2.2 Risks in high rise buildings...................................................................................................10
2.3 Overview of the fire safety measures in high-rise buildings.................................................11
2.4 Fire risks assessment process................................................................................................13
Figure 1: Risk assessment chart..............................................................................................13
2.4.1 Use of the proper materials:...............................................................................................14
2.4.2 Protection of the fire:..........................................................................................................14
2.4.3 Risk from wind load:..........................................................................................................15
2.5 Fire safety measures for high-rise buildings.........................................................................15
2.6 Summary...............................................................................................................................19
Chapter 3: research methodology....................................................................................................20
3.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................20
3.2 Research philosophy.............................................................................................................20
3.3 Research approach.................................................................................................................21
3.4 Research design.....................................................................................................................21

3FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
3.5 Data collection process..........................................................................................................21
3.6 Data analysis technique.........................................................................................................22
3.7 Sampling method...................................................................................................................23
3.8 Ethical considerations...........................................................................................................23
3.9 Time period...........................................................................................................................23
3.10 Summary.............................................................................................................................23
Chapter 4: Data analysis and findings.............................................................................................24
4.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................24
4.2 Qualitative analysis...............................................................................................................24
Figure 2: Structure fires in hotels and motels.........................................................................25
Figure 3: Fire safety measures................................................................................................26
Figure 4: Inspection tasks for fire safety.................................................................................28
Figure 5: Fire statistics in high-rise buildings in London.......................................................31
4.3 Summary...............................................................................................................................34
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations.................................................................................35
5.1 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................35
5.2 Recommendations.................................................................................................................36
References...................................................................................................................................38
Appendix.....................................................................................................................................40

4FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
List of tables and figures
Figure 1: Risk assessment chart.........................................................................................14
Figure 2: Structure fires in hotels and motels....................................................................26
Figure 3: Fire safety measures...........................................................................................27
Figure 4: Inspection tasks for fire safety...........................................................................29
Figure 5: Fire statistics in high-rise buildings in London..................................................32
Table 1: Gantt chart...........................................................................................................41

5FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Buildings refers to any permanent or temporary structures enclosed within exterior walls
and having a roof. Tall buildings refer to multi-storey buildings which are supported by lifts or
elevators to make to floors accessible. Most high up buildings are called high-rise buildings. The
skyscraper is a very tall high-rise building. The first high-rise buildings were constructed in the
United States in the 1880s. High-rise buildings were made constructed using steel structural
frames and glass exterior sheathing. Beds of solid rocks are the most desirable base for these
particular high-rise buildings. They need to withstand the effect imposed by winds and potential
earthquakes. High rise buildings generally include a rather limited range of buildings suited for
residential apartments, hotels, and office buildings, etc. (Craighead, 2009) (Marshall 2017)
High rise buildings came into existence in Great Britain after the Second World War.
Historical perspectives of high rise buildings in UK started with the Norman invasion in 1066
and the construction of the Tower of London by William the Conqueror and his successors. The
first residential tower block, "The Lawn" was constructed in Harlow, Essex in 1951. For over a
hundred years between 1098 and 1310 the White Tower in the Tower of London was London’s
tallest structure. It was 90 feet high or 27 meters. Initially, tower blocks were welcomed because
of their excellent views which made them popular living places (Harvey, 2015).

6FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives
1.2.1 Aims of the study
The research aims to identify the importance of taking fire safety measures in the high-
rise buildings in Northern Ireland. In addition, the study focuses on the risk factors involved in
the high-rise buildings and challenges faced while deploying fire safety measures.
1.2.2 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the research can be described as followed.
 To identify how the safety of social tenants in high rise buildings might be
enhanced
 To identify the risks factors associated with high-rise buildings in Northern
Ireland
 To critically analyze the importance of fire safety in high-rise buildings in
Northern Ireland
 To find out the challenges faced while deploying fire safety in high-rise building
 To recommend solutions for overcoming the issues faced for deploying fire safety
in high rise buildings
1.3 Research Questions
The research questions can be described as followed.
 What are the risks factors associated with high-rise buildings in Northern Ireland?
 How important fire safety is in high-rise buildings in Northern Ireland?
 What are the challenges faced while deploying fire safety in high-rise building?

7FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
 What are the solutions for overcoming the issues faced for deploying fire safety in
high-rise buildings?
1.4 Problem Statement
The first High Rise Building in Northern Ireland was constructed in 1966, the structure
was named after Belfast Divis Mountain, the top of the building was used by British army as an
observation post during the time of sectarian war in Northern Ireland.
(Troublesarchive.com 2017)
High rise living refer to living of those people who are living in high rise buildings which
have elevators to reach in destinations. There are both the advantages as well as disadvantages of
high-rise living. The main advantages of high-rise living include good location benefits, security,
facilities and conveniences, great view of the scenery, underground parking facilities and on-site
management facilities (Smith, 2017). The main disadvantages of high-rise living are not limited
to high risks of fire outbreaks, fatalities resulting from natural disasters, earthquakes threats and
other security related issues.
The Grenfell Tower fire was a devastating fire incident which started on 14th June 2017 in
the 24th Storey of the Kensington building in West London. The fire was reported at 00:54 BST
where 40 fire engines and more than 200 firefighters tackled the fire until 01:14 BST the next
day (over 24 hours) to bring the fire under control. It affected most floors of the building and
destroyed about 151 homes, both within the tower and its surrounding areas. The Grenfel tower
was a residential high rise built in 1974 and contained 120 homes. Renovation of the tower was
completed by Rydon Construction; including the work of a new exterior cladding, replacement

8FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
windows and a communal heating system in May of 2016. Seven additional houses were created
along with the remodeling of bottom four floors improving communal facilities.
1.5 Rationale of the study
According to various witnesses, the fire started on one side of the tower block before
engulfing the entire block. The metropolitan police following an extensive investigation
discovered that approximately 350 people were in the tower block on the night of the fire and
about 255 people were rescued safely from the inferno. About 14 residents were not at the tower
at that time leaving 80 people presumed to be dead and Westminster coroner Dr. Fiona Wilcox
formally identified 34 victims. The police said “The fire started in Hotpoint Fridge Freezer but it
wasn’t started consciously” (BBC News 2017a)
On the 15th of November 2017, Fire fighters were called in to NIHE Tower Building,
Coolmoyne House in Dunmurry, the fire broke out from 9th floor where a tenant was making a
toastie, this was classified as non-intentional but accidental, two people were admitted into
hospital while all the residents were evacuated from the building. The quick intervention of
Northern Ireland Fire fighters resulted in the fire being put out immediately. (BBC News 2017b)
Thus, with reference to these two cases aforesaid evidence the increasing issues
surrounding fire and safety this may not be unrelated a growing trend of people moving from
single homes into apartment at high-rises. With an ever-increasing population and growing
economies, demand for high rise buildings is also on the increase (Fahy 2015). ). With this
growth there are also the increase of the risk of various safety related incidents.So, it aims at
discussing the enhancement of safety measures of high rise buildings in the UK (BBC News
2017b)

9FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
NIHE has over 30 high rise residential blocks spread all over Northern Ireland, following
the devastating Grenfel fire incident, fire and safety concern has increased among the residents
of High Rise building in Northern Ireland. Authorities have been developing several mechanisms
for solving this crucial issue. BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. (2017)
Following the review of several studies done on fire risks and hazards, it was found that
fire management techniques must be strengthened, and technical measures must be taken in order
to provide adequate fire safety within high-rise buildings. Due to the rapid pace of urbanization
worldwide there is no doubt that strict and enforceable safety norms for skyscrapers are vital.
Fire safety measures and earthquake resistance measures should be strictly followed. Reliable
fire-fighting systems should be used. Safety and evacuation measures are crucial.

10FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Chapter 2: Literature review
2.1 Introduction
Secondary data related to improvement of fire safety measures of the high-rise buildings
in the UK and Northern Ireland is discussed. The importance of fire safety measures in the high-
rise buildings, the procedure of taking measures for fire and safety is discussed in this chapter of
the research. Apart from this, theories and models related to risk management is discussed this
section of the study. The study also discusses the risk management strategies for fire and safety
in the high-rise buildings in the UK and Northern Ireland.
2.2 Risks in high rise buildings
In Northern Ireland, high rise buildings are faced several issues characterized by heights
as well as extended vertical travel distance for egress as well as means of access that imposes
challenges of fire protection (Gwynne et al. 2016). High-rise buildings are involved with greater
risks of fire as per the features like great height, complicated structure as well as diverse
functions. On contrary, the assertion might not be true as well as high-rise buildings are designed
with particular features of fire protection. A report based on high-rise buildings fires conducted
by the US National Fire Protection Organization have shown that probability of occurring fire in
high-rise buildings are less than other buildings of the same property utilize that is gutted by fire.
In this regard, it becomes important to analyze fire safety measures of the high-rise buildings in
Northern Ireland.
Kavanagh (2016) stated that fire risk analysis of high-rise buildings is important, as it is
important to measure the process. Probability as well as consequences of fire is required to

11FIRE SAFETY MEASURES OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
quantify. Super high-rise buildings are increasing rapidly in the preset years that bring challenges
to the fire protection considering the density of high building. In addition, high occupant load as
well as high fire load becomes the major concern. Hence, good management of the fire safety is
necessary to the lower probability. The occupants in the building escape a paramount to a
particular place of safety.
A fire risk evaluation of high-rise buildings needs to be organised as well as
methodological review. It is required to carry on likelihood that fire could start as well as may
affect on the occupants along with properties in across the premises. The aim of free risk
evaluation is required to detect fire hazards and minimise the risks as low that can be reasonably
predictable (Kinateder et al. 2014). In addition, it is important to decide the physical fire
precautions as well as management arrangements, which are essential to ensure that safety
measures of people in the premises can start. It assists manager of the buildings deciding any
risks detected are acceptable or require minimising and controlling.
2.3 Overview of the fire safety measures in high-rise buildings
McConnell and Boyce (2015) stated that the challenges posed by high-rise buildings
within the developed environment and components by fire-safety evaluation in order to prevent
fire protection that is undergoing the development as well as recognition, which will enable
buildings an designed for fire-safety. The developments are in the stage of the enhancement that
can withstand high temperature of heat to an amount of degree. For an instance, quality of fire
resistivity as well as properties of solid is performing at the elevated temperature enhanced
through replacement of cement with a particular percentage. It happens due to the design as well
as prevention of equipment is more common with the high-rise buildings compared than
different building facilities (Kobayashi et al. 2016). On the other hand, a study has identified that