SCHIRMER ENGINEERING CORP.

PERFORMANCE-BASED CODES & CONCEPTS

Daniel J.O’Connor, P.E.

SCHIRMER ENGINEERING CORP.

PERFORMANCE-BASED CODES & CONCEPTS

Daniel J.O’Connor, P.E.

SCHIRMER ENGINEERING CORP.

Topics for Today’s Presentation

High Level - Overview of Performance-Based Developments & Documents

Systems Level – Estimating Relative Effectiveness of Smoke Detectors on Complex Ceilings

Human Behavior Perspective – Using technology to Improve Evacuation Effectiveness

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Current Documents With Performance Based Design Methods

BOCA National Building Code• Alternative materials & methods provisions• Example: Section 922.0, Smoke Control Systems

NFPA 101 & 101m Uniform Building Code; Standard Building

Code; International Building Code International Codes and Standards

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Documents With Performance Based Design Methods

NFPA 92B: Smoke descent; Fire Plumes; Detector Activation

NFPA 555: Flashover; Target Ignition NFPA 72: Response of Fire/Smoke

Detectors NFPA 80A: Exposure Fire Heat Transfer

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International Documents

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International Code Council

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Performance Building Code Intends To Provide For….

NON-FIRE RELATED ISSUES A structure which will withstand reasonable loads

associated with normal use, and wind, snow or earthquake for the severity associated with the location in which the structure is constructed

A design which provides reasonable access Adequate ventilation and sanitation facilities to maintain

the health of the occupants Adequate arrangements for natural light, heating,

cooking, and other amenities needed for the comfort of the occupants

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Performance Building Code Intends To Provide For….

FIRE RELATED ISSUES An environment free of unreasonable risk of

death and injury from fires

A design which provides reasonable means of egress

Reasonable arrangements to limit the spread of fire within the building and to adjacent properties

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Structure of Provisions

Objectives Functional Statements Performance Requirements

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Example Provisions - Fall Prevention

Objective To prevent people from unintentionally

falling from one level to another Functional Statement

Buildings and their facilities shall be constructed to reduce the likelihood of unintentional falls

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Example Provisions - Fall Prevention

Performance Requirements• Barriers shall be provided where people

could fall 30 inches or more• Roofs with permanent access shall have

barriers provided• Barriers shall be installed and constructed

appropriate to the hazard• When barriers have openings, the openings

shall be of size / configuration to keep people from falling through, based upon age

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Example Provisions - Means of Egress Objective

To provide a reasonable means of safeguarding people during escape and rescue operations

Functional Statement Means of egress shall give people adequate time to exit the building or reach a safe place

without being exposed to untenable conditions

Performance Requirements• Provide a system of vertical and horizontal travel to safety in the event of an emergency• Means of egress shall be of adequate size for the number of occupants and shall be

maintained free of obstructions• Means of egress shall be clearly identified, adequately illuminated, easy & safe to use, etc.

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Example Provisions - Stability

Objective To provide a desired level of structural performance when subjected

to the loads that are expected during construction, alterations and throughout the structure’s life

Functional Statement• Structures shall be designed / constructed to prevent injury to

occupants due to loading of a structural element or system consistent with determined design performance levels

• Structures shall be designed / constructed to prevent loss of property and amenity consistent with determined design performance levels

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Example Provisions - Stability

Performance Requirements• Structures shall remain stable and not collapse during

construction, alteration and throughout their lives• Structures shall be designed to sustain local damage, and

the structural system as a whole shall remain stable and not be disproportionately damaged

• Structures shall have a low probability of causing damage or loss of amenity through excessive deformation, vibration, or degradation

• Structures shall be designed / constructed to taking into account all expected loads and combination of loads associated with event(s)/magnitude(s) that affect their performance

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National Fire Protection Association

Chapter 5 (New in 2000 ed.) - Performance-Based Option

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NFPA Life Safety Code Key Feature – eight required design fire scenarios

• Typical occupancy fire

• Ultra-fast fire in corridor w/doors open

• Fire in unoccupied room potentially endangering large

population

• Fire in concealed wall or ceiling space

• Slow developing fire, shielded from suppression, in proximity

to large population

• Most severe fire from largest fuel load characteristic

• Outside fire exposure

• Fire with each passive or active fire system rendered

ineffective

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Society of Fire Protection Engineers

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SFPE ENGINEERING GUIDEPerformance-Based Design Process

Defining Project Scope(Chapter 4)

Identifying Goals(Chapter 5)

Defining StakeholderAnd Design Objectives

(Chapter 6)

Developing PerformanceCriteria (Chapter 7)

Developing Design FireScenarios (Chapter 8)

Developing Trial Designs(Chapter 9)

Evaluating Trial Designs(Chapter 10)

Selected DesignMeets Performance

Criteria?

Select the Final Design

Prepare DesignDocumentation

Modify DesignOr Objectives

Specifications, Drwgs, and Operations and Maintenance Manual

Chapter (12)

Developing a Fire Protection Engineering

Design Brief(Chapter 11)

Performance-BasedDesign Report(Chapter 12)

No

Yes

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Common Factors in Performance-Based Design

Goals, Objectives, Performance Criteria Design Specifications and Conditions Site, Building, Occupant Characteristics, etc. Design Scenarios Evaluation: Data, Uncertainty, Results, Validity Safety Factors Documentation Peer Review

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Advantages of Performance-Based Approach

Specifically Addresses:• Unique Building Features• Client Needs• Building Use Considerations• Proposed Alternatives

Assessment of Code Requirements Increased Engineering Rigor / Peer Review Comprehensive Systems Overview

• Integration of Systems• Cost Effectiveness

Improved Knowledge of Loss Potential

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Disadvantages of Performance-Based Approach

AHJ’s Reluctance to Approve PB Approach• Unfamiliar with Methodology• Lack of Knowledge of Science Creates Tendency to

Disagree with or be Skeptical Of:– Approach, Objectives, Certainty

• Perception that Anything Less than Code is not “Safe”

Qualifications of Designer / Reviewer More Design/Engineering Time Occupancy Changes May Require Re-analysis

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Projects Using Fire / Smoke Modeling & Timed Egress Analysis

Grand Central TerminalNew York, NYTravel Distances Greater Than 1000 feet

US Supreme CourtWashington, DCFire Modeling & Egress Analysis to Support Long Travel Distances Down Open Stairs

McCormick Place South HallChicago, ILTravel Distances Exceeded Code Limits; Used Alternative Exit Capacity Factors to Reduce Exits Serving 40,000 Persons

Great American PyramidMemphis, TNFire Hazard Analysis Proved Safe Egress Time From Observation Level

Paris CasinoLas Vegas, NevadaFire Modeling to allow for use of unprotected Steel concepts and safe egress from ½ scale Eiffel tower

Amtrak Rail Tunnel SystemNew York, NYFire Modeling to Improve Life Safety and Fire Protection