The International FORUM of Fire Research Directors: A position paper on sustainability and fire safety

Abstract Construction of sustainable, energy efficient buildings, infrastructure and transportation systems is a worthwhile and necessary goal to address critical worldwide environmental and energy concerns. However, as societies move toward this goal, it is the position of the International Forum of Fire Research Directors that the safety of the public and the protection of property against losses due to fire should not, and need not, be compromised in its pursuit. Fire safety consideration should form an unrenouncable part of any new product or technology developed to promote sustainable construction, and acceptable solutions to acute fire safety concerns must not pose a threat to the long term health of workers, fire fighters or the general public. This paper concentrates primarily on fire safety performance of new products, materials and technologies associated with the move toward sustainable communities, while recognizing that there are also issues confronting the fire safe design of buildings and infrastructure with features such as natural daylighting, natural ventilation, “smart facade” technologies, intelligent building controls, and water reduction strategies.