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THE RECENT fire on a freight train in the Channel Tunnel linking England and France provides a vivid illustration of the challenges involved in protecting complex structures from fire. Although the emergency procedures reportedly worked well, the 16-hour blaze not only damaged the train and the tunnel lining, but also caused significant disruption and economic impact, as well as presenting attending fire crews with difficult conditions (see the report in this month's News section).
Given the tunnel blaze, it is somewhat timely that this month’s edition of Fire Risk Management focuses on asset protection, particularly those workplaces and structures that feature more complex layouts, processes and equipment.
There are articles exploring, for example, the fire protection issues for high-rise buildings, industrial warehouses, airport and air-traffic control facilities, and power plants – and the challenges faced by the various fire professionals involved in these projects.
Take the subject of tall buildings. Fire engineers worldwide are now applying their skills and knowledge to the high-rises that mark most urban centres. However, as we hear in this edition, there are concerns over the fire safety and building regulations and codes that apply. Some argue that they are of questionable value for today’s modern high-rises.
For instance, the new generation of super high-rises are far exceeding the notional maximum heights that have been written into the design codes used by previous generations of engineers – leading some to question whether the fire engineering community should be doing more to assess the impact that the height of a building has on risk, and whether additional fire protection measures might be needed.
What is clear is that, with ever-more ambitious, intricate and complex buildings and structures now being realised – from hotels and retail centres, to sports stadia and tunnels – the role of all those professionals with fire safety responsibilities has never been more vital.
In today’s climate in which large fire losses are on the rise and many organisations reportedly have only limited business continuity arrangements in place, all those in the ‘chain of responsibility’ – designers, fire engineers, building management, installers, specifiers, and the fire service and other enforcers – are integral to ensuring the safe operation of complex structures and protecting lives, assets and corporate reputations from the impact of fire.
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