This SpringerBrief focuses on the use of egress models to assess the optimal strategy for total evacuation in high-rise buildings. It investigates occupant relocation and evacuation strategies involving the exit stairs, elevators, sky bridges and combinations thereof. Chapters review existing information on this topic and describe case study simulations of a multi-component exit strategy. This review provides the architectural design, regulatory and research communities with a thorough understanding of the current and emerging evacuation procedures and possible future options. A model case...

This SpringerBrief presents information on a wide variety of hazards and the damage potential caused by installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The current installation practices for PV systems on roofs create electrical, fire, structural, and weather-related hazards that do not comply to current codes, standards and guidance documents. Potential dangers include structural loading, wind loads, hail, snow, debris accumulation, seismic hazards, firefighting hazards, and electrical hazards. Despite the increased popularity of PV systems after the environmental movement, research shows that...

This SpringerBrief offers careful assessments of the appropriateness and effectiveness of currently available methodologies for fire flow.

This brief develops a data collection plan to assess loss related to electrical surges in homes, and explores the potential impact devices that prevent these surges could have in mitigating these losses.

This SpringerBrief presents strategies for fire mitigation based on combustible assembly systems of exterior walls. Providing background information on common exterior wall systems, the mechanisms of fire spread, and case studies, it examines the difficulties in controlling a fire with several materials and assembly methods.

This SpringerBrief equips readers to develop defensible fire safety designs for a range of concrete structures. It identifies current gaps in the research and provides a more complete understanding of the structural and thermal response of contemporary Post-tensioned (PT) concrete structures to fire. The brief includes chapters on contemporary construction using PT concrete, previous structural fire test research programs, recent research programs, real fire case studies, and current research needs. It explores the progression of PT concrete structures, looking at the sustainability and...

This SpringerBrief reviews current home fire sprinkler system costs in one- and two-family dwellings, mobile homes, and multifamily residential buildings up to four stories.

This brief addresses the contextual definition of resilience, explains the existing resiliency frameworks developed by Federal Agencies, and emphasizes the risk informed approach to applying resiliency concepts to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documents.
In an effort to assess and further define NFPA s position in the realm of resiliency, this brief identifies those provisions in NFPA codes and standards that embody the concepts of resiliency. Additionally, the brief develops an NFPA-centric definition of resiliency and compiles available information to serve as a technical...

This brief presents information on occupational injuries from electric shock and arc flash events through a review of literature, electrical incident data, and similar sources. It includes pertinent information such as the nature of the incident, adherence to safety requirements, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and extent of injury.
Chapters address arc flash and shock hazards, and the need for empirical incident data on the actual hazards that may be experienced when equipment faults or adverse electrical events occur. Certain tasks where the risk of an arc flash...

Providing a concise overview of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery energy storage systems (ESSs), this book also presents the full-scale fire testing of 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) Li-ion battery ESSs. It details a full-scale fire testing plan to perform an assessment of Li-ion battery ESS fire hazards, developed after a thorough technical study. It documents the results of the testing plan including external and internal ignition testing, ESS positioning, temperature and heat flux measurements, pressure measurement, weather meters, and data acquisition systems.
A comprehensive literature review and...