User Manual

4
1.1 Executive summary
This document provides an overview on the challenges
that need to be met in managing safety and security
systems in the higher education sector while providing
the best possible fire protection in the associated
premises. As mentioned in the introduction, the main
focus is on the complexity and diversity of those
challenges faced in universities and this is reflected in
many of the solutions highlighted in the document.
The main single risk is fire and although life safety is
clearly the highest priority, the importance of asset
protection should not be underestimated. The majority
of today’s universities are largely self-funded and are run
like commercial institutions, with student fees becoming
a major source of income. Apart from the direct costs of
any buildings damaged by fire, the consequential loss of
income caused by the inability to provide certain courses
and the inevitable impact on the reputation of the
university can be equally damaging.
The diverse building usage and fluctuating student
presence in university environments means that there
is no single solution that will fit all applications. In
student accommodation, for example, the demands are
quite different to those of lecture theaters, laboratories
or event venues.
Fire protection and fire detection
There is also an enormous diversity of room types and
usages. From the fire detection perspective these vary
from relatively straightforward applications such as
classrooms and offices, to complex applications in
specialized laboratories (such as cleanrooms) or event
venues (which can host seminars one day and rock
concerts the next).
A cleanroom laboratory is a very specialized application
requiring the use of extremely sensitive ASD detection
systems. In contrast, event venues demand the flexibility
of being able to modify the behavior of the installed
detectors in accordance with the type of event being
staged. The adaptation is made on the basis of the type
and intensity of the deceptive phenomena expected
during that particular event.
Only a small percentage of students attend a university
in their home town, so many thousands will need to find
somewhere to live in the vicinity. Both the universities
themselves and specialized commercial organizations
now offer various types of accommodation for students.
From fire brigade statistics these buildings are notorious
for the number of callouts due to false alarms. Apart from
the fact that this is a poor use of fire brigade resources
and can lead to complacency, it is totally unnecessary.
Such false alarms can be practically eliminated by the use
of the appropriate products together with the relevant
technical know-how.
Good-housekeeping also plays an important role in fire
prevention (e.g. checking that all flammable liquids are
correctly stored and refuse bins are regularly emptied).
The strict enforcement of fire safety regulations (relating
to smoking bans, the use of candles and electrical
equipment etc.) cannot be overemphasized.
This is particularly relevant in student accommodation,
where careless or irresponsible behavior has led to
numerous fire-related incidents and unnecessary
fatalities.
Alarming, smoke control and evacuation
Smoke presents the greatest danger to life in the event of
fire and all possible measures should be taken to prevent
it spreading throughout the building. As far as possible
the escape routes should be kept free of smoke, by the
use of smoke extraction systems and pressurization fans
in the stairwells.
In education facilities smoke control should form an
integral part of the design process. In particular care must
be taken to ensure that such buildings are subdivided into
fire compartments by fire doors and fire-resisting walls
and floors. Customized smoke control systems will be
designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke,
conducting the heat and smoke through the installed
ducting and smoke vents into the external atmosphere
(generally through the roof of the building).
Ensuring that escape routes are not used for storage of
any kind and exit doors are not blocked is a fundamental
part of any good-housekeeping concept. It cannot be
assumed that a building evacuation will never be
required, so we always need to be prepared for such an
eventuality. Regular fire drills and staff training are an
essential pre-requisite in being able to organize an
efficient, panic-free evacuation if it becomes necessary.
Extinguishing
A fast response to the discovery of an incipient fire can be
crucial in minimizing consequential damage and all
school and university buildings must be equipped with
the standard firefighting equipment designed to suppress
incipient fires at the earliest possible stage. An adequate
number of hand-held fire extinguishers (of the
appropriate type) must be provided and situated in easily
visible locations throughout the buildings.
In a number of countries new school buildings and high-
rise accommodation blocks must be equipped with a
sprinkler system. In all cases, regular service and
maintenance are indispensable to ensure that the
extinguishing systems and fire extinguishers are in
perfect working order whenever they are needed.
Integration and system management
The majority of older, well established universities have
evolved with time and numerous new buildings have
been added at various locations within the city or existing
buildings have been acquired and converted. Newer
universities have often been built in a more homogenous
way on a dedicated campus. In both cases, however, the
task of integrating and managing these buildings is very
similar. This is particularly true for the safety and security
systems installed in these buildings. State of the art
communication technology now makes it considerably
easier to manage these systems in an efficient manner
and from a central location. Such integration provides
both economic benefits and improved quality of service.