Properties of Common Building Materials

Types of material used for both the structure and decoration of a building is a significant factor in the manner and rate of fire spread, affecting the safety of both the occupants and the building contents. 

There are many different types of building materials available and selecting which to employ depends on the specific use and circumstances of the building. It always involves a compromise between the various properties of the materials, mainly their combustibility, structural strength when subject to heat and the products of combustion (harmful or otherwise) – and of course their cost. We shall consider here the properties of the main types of building materials.

Material	Advantage	Disadvantage	Comment
Structural Steel	Strong structural material.	More serious danger Of rapid collapse when excessively heated. May create ‘domino’ failure if several floors collapse.	Cover with non‐ combustible heat Insulating material To withstand a fire.
Reinforced Concrete	Does not normally collapse suddenly.	Likely to spall (blister and break away).	Fire resistance Is increased with more concrete.
Bricks	Resistant to Movement in A fire situation.	Exposed surfaces likely to spall.	Fired clay bricks Exposed to high temperatures during manufacture.
Blocks	High fire resistance Little risk Of collapse used for fire Compartment walls.	Exposed surfaces Likely to spall.	Fire resistance Increased with The thickness Of the block, lining, e.g. plaster, higher density of aggregate and smaller voids in the block.
Timber	Does not Expand significantly Under heat and unlikely to suffer sudden collapse Charring acts as insulation.	Combustible material.	Burning, or charring, rate is predictable and varies with different species Of timber, rather than The severity of the fire.
Asbestos Cement Boards	Non - combustible And resistant to Flame spread.	Fibres dangerous To health on Inhalation and asbestos--‐cement boards often disintegrate in a fire.	Some contraction at high temperatures Causing bowing of the material away from the source of heat.
Stone Cladding	Increases the Fire resistance.	Brittle and likely To fail when subjected to heat or rapid cooling during fire fighting.
Plaster	Good fire resistance properties. Plaster lining partitions.		May be used to line steel or timber frame partitions. Up to 30 minute fire resistance.
Glass	Non‐combustible, so will not contribute to a fire.	A weakness in any wall, screen or door because of heat transmission properties.	Fire resistant glazing can give up to 90 minutes fire resistance.
Plastics	Thermosetting plastics normally hard, rigid, sometimes fragile, will not soften or melt but will decompose at high temperatures.	Thermo plastic materials soften and melt with heat and toxic fumes can be given off when exposed to fire.	Used for many applications.

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Reasons Why Spread Fire - Fire and Safety

Reasons Why Spread Fire ?

1. Failure of Early Detection
2. Absence of Compartments in Building Structure
3. Compartments Undermined
4. Materials Inappropriately Stored 
   

1. Failure of Early Detection

Early detection of fire spread can be delayed by:

• No detection system or patrols
• No alarm system in place
• People not knowing or confusing the sound of the alarm
• Not promptly extinguished due to no hoses or extinguishers
• Fire Starts in Unoccupied area
• Fire Starts out of normal work hours
• Numerous hot working tasks conducted - therefore smells of burning ignored

2. Absence of Compartments in Building Structure
Fire spread within a building can result from an absence of compartments:

• Open plan office
• False ceilings
• The structure under construction or alteration is complete and has reduced separation between levels and/or sections on a level.

3. Compartments Undermined
Fire Spread within a building can result compartments being undermined:

• Fire doors wedged open
• Poor maintenance of door structure
• Holes may be designed to pass through compartments and are waiting fitment of services and subsequent sealing
• Holes cut for ducts or doorways or to provide temporary access to locate/remove equipment.
• Compartments may be progressively created in buildings under alteration, thus increasing the risk of fire spread.

4. Materials Inappropriately Stored
Inappropriate storage of materials can cause of fire spread:

• Flammable liquids not controlled - too much or in unsuitable containers.
• Boxes in corridors, under stairways or in access routes.
• Off cuts of wood and saw dust left in the area where work has taken place.
• Packing materials used in the process, such as shredded paper, polystyrene, bubble wrap, etc.,
• Pallets and plastic covering left near to ignition sources.

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Fire Terminology

Ignition Energy for liquid   and gases has three measurements, flash point, fire point and auto-ignition temperature.

Flash Point: When vapours and gases reach their flash point they are capable of being ignited momentarily by an outside source of heat(spark, etc.) but will then go out as there is insufficient gas or vapour being evolved to continue burning. The flash point of a substance or preparation is an indication of its flammability. The lower the flash point, the greater the hazard.

Fire Point: When vapours and gases reach their fire point sufficient gas/vapour is being given off to sustain a flame when ignited by an outside source of heat (Spark, etc.)

Auto Ignition Temperature: Vapours and gases that are heated even further will reach their auto-ignition of self-ignition temperature, when they will ignite without any external source of ignition.

Flammable: Liquids with a flash point between 320°C and 550°C are classified as flammable.

Highly Flammable: Liquids with flash point below 320°C are classified as highly flammable.

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Fire Safety Diploma Courses Training in Chennai

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• Diploma in Food Safety
• Post Diploma in Fire &Safety Engineerings Techniques
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Fire extinguishers are colour-codes

Fire extinguishers are colour-coded; each colour denotes the type of extinguishing agent that is contained in the extinguisher.

The different types are: Water, AFFF Foam, Dry powder, Carbon Dioxide and Wet Chemical.

Fires are Categorised into Classes:

Class A - Flammable solids or freely burning material
Class B - Flammable liquids,
Class C - Flammable gases,
Class F - Cooking oils. There is also the hazard of electrical fires involving electrical appliances or wiring.

It is always important to use the correct extinguisher on each type of fire. Use of the wrong type could cause the fire to flare up.

Class A fires should be tackled with Water, AFFF foam or dry powder extinguishers.

Class B fires should be tackled with AFFF foam, Dry powder or carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Class C fires should be tackled by isolating the gas/liquid supply and not primarily by use of a fire extinguisher. Only a Dry Powder extinguisher should be used.

Class F fires should be tackled with only a Wet Chemical fire extinguisher.

Electrical hazards should be tackled with either Dry Powder or Carbon Dioxide extinguishers.

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Causes of Fire

How does fire begin? What keeps it burning? 

Seeing more about what begins fire what's more, what keeps it burning can help you take activity to prevent or reduce the risk. All flames need three key things to begin and to continue smoldering: Heat, Fuel and Oxygen. 

If any one of these is removed, the fire will go out. Furthermore, if any of these are missing, the flame won't begin in any case. 

Without oxygen, a flame can't begin and it  won't proceed. Oxygen is supplied by means of open windows or entryways. 

Oxygen can be expelled from a flame by utilizing froth or dry powder, or by decreasing the level of oxygen in the region.

All flames need something to blaze. 

This is the Fuel component. Case of fuel include: 

Solids  -  For example, wood, paper, card, plastics, elastic, fabric, attire, upholstery, metals, dust.

Fluids  -  For example, petrol, paraffin, lamp oil, liquor, remover. 

Gasses  -  For example, propane, butane, common gas, etc.

A flame can't begin and won't continue burning without warmth from ignition sources, for example, Flashes, Matches, Burning Cigarettes and Heaters 

Heat raises the temperature of a material to its ignition temperature. In flames with ignitable materials, warmth is regularly expelled from a flame utilizing water. Be that as it may, for some different sorts of flame it can bring about the flame to spread.

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Fire and Safety Diploma Courses in Chennai

POSHE solutions is a recognized centre for learning internationally accredited course and havingbranches across globe, we are heading in providing safety education to create a safe workplace.

Globally recognized international safety training course provider POSHE offer Courses - IOSH, NEBOSH Certified Courses, IASP, HABC, BSC - British Safety Council and Govt. of India accredited diploma courses as follows:

• Advanced Diploma in Occupational Safety Health and Environmental Management (ADOSHEM)
• Diploma in Fire Engineering And Safety Management
• Diploma in Offshore Safety
• Diploma in Industrial Safety
• Diploma in Construction Safety
• Diploma in Environmental Safety
• Diploma in Food Safety
• Post Diploma in Fire &Safety Engineerings Techniques
• Diploma in Industrial Environmental Safety
• Diploma in Construction Safety Management
• Diploma in Industrial Safety Engineering

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For more Details Contact:

+91 90258 02211

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