BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND THE FIRE PROBLEM

ABSTRACT Several energy conservation measures have been documented as contributing to fire ignition. These range from long-term heat entrainment resulting in smouldering ignition to the effects of prismatically focused solar energy on the internal components of solar collectors. This paper examines key ignition problems in energy efficient features and methods of controlling their impact. Secondly, it discusses general fire problems in buildings and ways in which energy management measures might be expected to influence the outcome of a building fire. Open planning, “envelope” configurations, air-tightness, thermal massing and other considerations are identified. Finally, the paper examines the role of energy features in terms of occupant survival of a fire. Toxicity of fire by-products, effects of incomplete combustion resulting from super-insulated areas and influences on egress features are considered.