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Offshore structures are among the structures exposed to fire more often. Most of these structures are likely to be associated with flammable materials. In this research, some of the structures constructed on top of marine decks have been studied.

For this purpose, the upper-bound theory of plastic analysis has been used to investigate its collapse behavior. In this way, genetic algorithm has been used for application of the combination of elementary mechanisms in the classic plastic analysis problem.

The studied structures are optimized by plastic analysis theory before and after the fire and their failure modes are compared with each other. The comparison of the results indicates significant changes in the load factor value, as well as the critical collapse mode of the structure before and after the fire.

Results indicate that the combination of plastic analysis and a genetic algorithm can predict the collapse mode of the structure before and after the fire accurately.

Standard fire resistance curves such as ASTM E119 have been used for so long in structural fire practice. The issue with use of these curves that they do not represent real fire scenarios. As a result, the alternatives have been to either conduct experiments or find other tools to represent a real fire scenario. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand the temperature effects resulted from a designed fire on steel beams and whether the standard fire curves represent a designed fire scenario.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were developed to simulate a designed fire scenario and to understand the structural responses on the beams under elevated temperatures. Consequently, the results obtained from the CFD models were compared with the results of three-dimensional (3D) non-linear finite element (FE) models developed by other researchers. The developed FE models were executed using a standard fire curve (ASTM E119). A parametric study including two case studies was conducted.

Results obtained from performing this study showed the importance of considering fire parameters such as fuel type and flame height during the thermal analysis compared to the standard fire curves, and this might lead to a non-conservative design as compared to the designed fire scenario. The studied cases showed that the steel beams experienced more degradation in their fire resistance at higher load levels under designed fires. Additionally, the models used the standard fire curves underestimated the temperatures at the early stages.

This paper shows results obtained by performing a comparison study of models used ASTM E119 curve and a designed fire scenario. The value of this study is to show the variability of using different fire scenarios; thus, more studies are required to see how temperature history curves can be used to represent real fire scenarios.

The purpose of this study is to contribute toward providing the main aspects of numerical modeling the fire behavior of steel structures with finite elements (FEs). The application of the method is presented for a characteristic case study comprising the series of large-scale fire door tests performed at the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology.

Following a general overview of current practices in structural fire engineering, the FE method is used to simulate the large-scale furnace tests on steel doors with thermal insulation exposed to standard fire.

The FE model is compared with the fire test results, achieving good agreement in terms of developed temperatures and deformations.

The numerical methodology and recommended practices for modeling the fire behavior of steel structures are presented, which can be used in support of performance-based fire design standards.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a set of preventive measures required for mitigating fire risks in big box retail facilities.

The paper identifies the potential sources of ignition and fuel in big box retail facilities. It describes the variety of hazardous situations commonly found in such facilities worldwide. The paper then endeavors to discuss the series of fire protection challenges that could be faced during fire emergencies. It also explores the challenges of evacuation and rescue in such mega store facilities.

Mega stores, distribution centers and large retail stores are amongst the most challenging occupancies from a fire protection perspective. Fires can occur in big box retail facilities at any time and from a number of causes. These facilities represent a type of occupancy that poses considerable challenges to both fixed fire suppression systems and fire departments in cases of fire emergencies. The paper also describes the responsibilities of building management staff towards their employees and the public. Facility managers should always seek proactive measures to reduce the risk of fire and fire spread in big box retail facilities. These measure include providing sufficient number and capacity of exits; clear exit access; efficient smoke detection systems; voice communication systems; and efficient automatic sprinkler systems.

This paper serves to increase the awareness about fire and its effects in mega store facilities. The paper provides practical value to property directors and facility managers responsible for the daily operations of mega store facilities and for surveyors inspecting such properties.

Fire can severely affect concrete structures and with knowledge of the properties of materials, the damage can be assessed. Aggregate, cement matrix and their interaction are the most important components that affect concrete behaviour at high temperatures. The effect of incorporating recycled concrete aggregate or cementitious materials, namely, cement type and pulverized fly ash, are reviewed to provide a better understanding of their involvement in fire resistance.

More investigation research is needed to understand the fire resistance of such sustainable concrete that was already constructed. The present study illustrates the effect of using recycled concrete aggregate and cementitious materials on the fire resistance of concrete. To do so, a literature review was conducted and relevant data were collected and presented in a simple form. The author's selected research findings, which are related to the presents study, are also presented and discussed.

Recycled concrete aggregate enhances the concrete behaviour at high temperatures when it substitutes the natural aggregate by reasonable substitution (more than 25–30%). It also almost eliminates the possibility of spalling. Moreover, utilizing both supplementary cementitious materials with recycled concrete aggregate can improve the fire resistance of concrete. The incorporation of pulverized fly ash and slag in Portland cement or blended cement can generally keep the mechanical properties of concrete at a higher level after heating to a high temperature.

Recycled concrete aggregate enhances the concrete behaviour at high temperatures when it substitutes the natural aggregate by reasonable substitution (more than 25–30%). It also almost eliminates the possibility of spalling. Moreover, utilizing both supplementary cementitious materials with recycled concrete aggregate can improve the fire resistance of concrete. The incorporation of pulverized fly ash and slag in Portland cement or blended cement can generally keep the mechanical properties of concrete at a higher level after heating to a high temperature.

Although there is a growing international movement toward the use of engineered or performance‐based fire safety design, current practice is dominated by prescriptive‐based design. In prescriptive‐based fire safety design, only those requirements prescribed by appropriate building regulations, installation standards, or approved documents tend to be applied. Because these requirements typically include fire protection measures, such as fire detection and signaling systems, automatic sprinkler systems, fire compartmentation, and emergency egress systems, there is often an assumption that occupants, employees, and users of a facility will be safe should a fire occur. However, there are a variety of factors that could affect the actual fire safety of a facility that comply with the appropriate regulations. Fuel type, loading, configuration, and location can change, leading to an increase in fire risk. Occupants may not see, hear or understand fire alarm signals as fire alarm signals. Fire detection and signaling systems, fire suppression systems, or smoke management systems may not be 100 percent functional at all times. Fortunately, many of these factors can be controlled for, if they are understood and addressed, within a fire safety management plan. To assist with such planning, this paper discusses various human behavior and response issues that may affect life safety during a fire or emergency, and provides suggestions for integrating these issues into a fire safety management plan.

Managers in manufacturing environments often engage in fire‐fighting rather than taking a more proactive approach to management. It is argued that, although often necessary, fire‐fighting has negative consequences associated with a focus on solving organizational symptoms rather than problems or predicaments. Additionally, many believe the empowerment of front‐line service workers is key to a successful service recovery procedure or program. Three different types of empowerment – service recovery, problem solving, and customer service – are presented and it is shown that service recovery empowerment is associated with fire‐fighting. The practical, managerial implications of these three types of empowerment, and of fire‐fighting, are discussed.

In intervening to prevent recidivism by adult firesetters, there is a dearth of standardised interventions and relatedly of controlled outcome evaluations. Although education is a common firesetter intervention, it is unclear if this changes behaviour of adults; a research situation the current study aimed to address.

The rate of actual fire recidivism of participants of a standardised educational programme was compared using Cooke’s (1989) equation to expected rates based on the firesetting history of 93 referrals.

Results indicated a significant large effect for the difference between the frequencies of expected and actual firesetting re-offences.

Limitations of the one-group pretest–posttest design are discussed with respect to potential confounds.

This paper adds to the literature on adult firesetter interventions and lends support to the use of fire education to prevent fire recidivism. It provides the first empirically validated example of a structured education programme for adult firesetters. Of interest to services piloting new intervention programmes, it reports an operationally efficient methodology for preliminary evaluation.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported outcome study of a fire safety education programme for adults. The methodology adopted represents a means of preliminary evaluation in safety-critical areas where traditional evaluation designs are infeasible.

Based on the advantages of conventional hot-dip galvanizing made from quasi-pure zinc melts in the event of fire, this article aims to perform a series of tests to verify whether a similar effect can be achieved with zinc-aluminum coatings.

The emissivity of galvanized surfaces, which were applied to steel specimens by the batch hot-dip galvanizing process, was experimentally determined under continuously increasing temperature load. In addition to a quasi-pure zinc melt serving as a reference, a zinc melt alloyed with 500 ppm aluminum and thin-film galvanized with a melt of zinc and 5% aluminum were used. For the latter, variants of post-treatment measures in terms of a passivation and sealing of the galvanizing were also investigated.

The results show that lower emissivity can be achieved at higher temperatures by adding aluminum to the zinc melt and thereby into the zinc coating. The design values required for the structural fire design were proposed, and an exemplary calculation of the temperature development in the case of fire was carried out based on the values. The result of this calculation indicates that the savings potential becomes apparent, when using zinc-aluminum coatings.

The presented novel tests describe the behavior of zinc-aluminum coatings under the influence of elevated temperatures and their positive effect on the emissivity of steel components galvanized by this method. The results provide valuable insights and information on the performance in the event of fire and the associated potential savings for steel construction.

The purpose of this paper is to estimate delivered hydrogen cost including both transport and expected accidents cost comparing compressed gas or liquid hydrogen road transport. The model allows to determine whether, in a given context, the risk of accidents is an influencing variable in the selection of the hydrogen transport mode. It also helps to select the lowest cost transport mode and route.

Transportation cost models are developed and integrated with a risk analysis model to determine expected accidents cost so that an overall delivered hydrogen cost can be computed. Alternative transport modes are compared on the basis of hydrogen demand, delivery distance and route type.

While safety cost in many cases can be considered negligible with respect to overall hydrogen transport cost, there are cases (high flow rate, long distance) where accident cost is relevant, especially in routes through densely populated areas. In such cases, factoring in accidents cost may significantly affect the break even point between CH2 and LH2 transport alternatives.

The paper only deals with proven road transportation methods (CH2 and LH2). Inclusion of alternative transport modes such as pipeline or hydrides is a future research goal.

Decision makers can examine the costs implied by hydrogen transportation alternatives in different economic scenarios factoring in safety costs to make informed decision.

Available hydrogen transportation cost models neglect any safety issue, while risk assessment models only consider accident consequences costs. This work integrates both views.