Fire safety engineering perspectives on combustible cladding fires Jack C Kilavuz, PE, GrDp BSc MSFPE MIFire MRMIA Contents
AC - MCP - EIFS MENA Statistics Challenges in MENA Challenge – “Alternative” solutions Conclusion ACP – MCP – EIFS ?
Exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is a general class of non-load bearing building cladding systems that provides exterior walls with an insulated, water-resistant, finished surface in an integrated composite material system. In Europe, systems similar to EIFS are known as External Wall Insulation System (EWIS) and External Thermal Insulation Cladding System (ETICS). On December 31, 2015, flames engulfed The Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai opposite the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall. EYE OPENER Two hours before a midnight fireworks extravaganza was scheduled only metres away, hundreds of residents and guests were being evacuated. Only minor injuries were reported and while firefighters continued to extinguish the flames, the huge New Year’s Eve celebrations went ahead as planned. … Dubai Police said on January 20 that an electrical short was to blame.
Emaar Properties, the Dubai developer that built and owns The Address Downtown, had sought to dispel rumours that flammable material had been used in the hotel’s construction. There has been no suggestion of negligence and the developer has insisted it adhered to all standards and regulations regarding fire safety systems. Emaar statement 2016: “Our systems, across all properties, are regularly tested by third party entities and cleared. We would like to reiterate that the fire alarms did go off and any information to the contrary is false. We are awaiting the findings and the assessment report. We will take appropriate steps, as needed, after we receive the report.” DCD annual Report 2015 2019 Neo200 Melbourne Façade Fires EXPERIENCE 2017 Marina Torch (UAE 2nd time) 2017 Grenfell (UK) 2016 NeoSoho Jakarta (IND) 2015 The Address Downtown (UAE) 2015 Sharjah City Tower (UAE) Numerous of façade fires in MENA 2015 Marina Torch (UAE) countries 2014 La Crosse Melbourne Worldwide attention on spectacular fires like the Torch, particularly after 2013 Grozny Towers (RUS) second fire on The Torch tower 2012 Tamweer Tower (UAE) 2012 Al Tayer Tower, Sharjah (UAE) 2012 TECOM Tower, (UAE) 2012 Mermoz Tower, (FRA) 2009 Beijing TC Cultural Centre (PRC) 2008 Abraaj Al Bait (KSA) Challenges in MENA
Skills and materials shortage – licensing testing and certification Statistics - reliability or lack of them Codes and standards and applicability Major issues ▪ “Wasita” or go-between solves issues (think about micro-lobbying) ▪ Licensing of trades started recently in UAE, other countries are working on it ▪ Hot work controls are the main challenge due to inexperienced uneducated work force and loose controls ▪ Quality of materials, particularly electrical fittings, is not well monitored, supply chain shortcomings common (delays and more delays) ▪ Supervision and monitoring of installations at large is a major challenge ▪ It is not ONLY due to cheap imports, or builders/developers just trying to save money, it is a composite of a design and installation problem, an enforcement problem, in a market that at large ignores safety ▪ Failure to use qualified design, installation and inspection/certification professionals, as this can give a “fast, convenient and cheaper” product Bahrain
Bahrain City Centre 2018.05.20 STATISTICS
We do not have detailed reliable statistics in MENA countries. There is strong government ‘overseeing’ of all news and statistics, and these may be considered unfit for disclosure, public knowledge or even derogatory for some authorities. Dubai CD Statistics 2017
467 reported fires – 341 (73%) under processing, average response time 7.7 min. 2016: 227 out of 361 (63%) fires under processing, average response time 8.8 minutes Response time study: 2015 - 9.17 minutes, 2014 - 9.3 minutes, 2013 - 9.13 minutes, 2020 target: 80% under 4 minutes. Experiences in turkey
Dowel Facia
Render PVC Netting /Tile Glue Resin (Optional) render Conclusion
”All plastics burn – under the right conditions” FPAA 2004 Seminars MENA challenges are not unique to MENA but a number of developing markets Particularly buildings over 25 m are a major challenge to fire brigades, everywhere! Cost-cutting by developers/builders/inspectors/certifiers in Australia may not help And we are still talking about polyethylene core only: what about polypropylene, polystyrene and other plastic cores materials? US now proposes asbestos addition? what about thicker cores or more resin? thinner/thicker skins? ? Thank you for your patience
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