www.sefindia.org

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FORUM OF INDIA [SEFI]

 Forum SubscriptionsSubscriptions DigestDigest Preferences   FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups  RegisterRegister FAQSecurity Tips FAQDonate
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log in to websiteLog in to websiteLog in to websiteLog in to forum 
Warning: Make sure you scan the downloaded attachment with updated antivirus tools  before opening them. They may contain viruses.
Use online scanners
here and here to upload downloaded attachment to check for safety.

Fire resistance of public buildings

 
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.    www.sefindia.org Forum Index -> Past Discussions Year 2004
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
ramu_mallela
SEFI Member
SEFI Member


Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:11 am    Post subject: Fire resistance of public buildings Reply with quote

Dear Colleagues,

All of us are aware of the terrible tragedy involving the death of about a hundred children in a fire mishap. The photographs of the charred bodies of those innocent kids and the pathetic plight and anguish of their parents shall continue to haunt us forever. But the public memory and the attention span of the media is very short. I am deeply moved by this incident as an Engineer ( and as father of a little daughter). I strongly feel that the issue of fire safety of buildings needs to be discussed in this forum.

I would like to mention the following points:

1. As is mentioned in many news paper ariticles, human life is not valued much in our country. We forget every disaster all too quickly and blissfully await the next visit of disaster. This tendancy must change.

"Those who forget history are doomed to relive it " - Frederik Neitzsche ( A German philosopher)

2. The issue of fire -resistance of materials does not form part of course curriculum of civil engineering students. This leads to lack of awareness in the civil engineering community regarding the hazard of fire. This should change.

3.Owing to lack of funds, many poor students continue to study under thatched roofs in this country.

4. Even many schools buildings built in concrete do not have fire-safety measures.

5. With mercury soaring above 45 degrees celcius at many places in the country during the summer time, the chances of fire hazard are heightened.

6. There is a complete lack of public awareness regarding basic fire safety measures. There is neither nor informal training in this regard.

7. Besides schools, other important public structrures also need to be protected against fire hazard.

In light of the above, we as civil/structural engineers need to do the following:

1. Devise stringent codal provisions for the engineered structures with regards to fire resitance. Providing enhanced security provisions for schools, cinemas, restaurents  and other public places.

2. Create overall awareness in the engineering community in this aspect.

3.Devise new fire-proofing materials to protect the traditional and non-engineering structures. ( For example, is it possible to delay the burning of bamboo by spraying some chemicals on it?)

4. Popularisation of Codal provisions for fire safety.

5. New research into enhancing the fire resistance of traditional materials like bamboo, wood besides , of course, concrete and steel.

I strongly feel that we can surely minimise the loss of lives and property by fire by adequate preparatory and preventive measures.

I also would like to know the practices being followed world-over in this regard.

M.V.Rama Rao

Asst. Professor in Civil Engg.

Vasavi College of Engineering, Hyderabad-31

5.

          
---------------------------------

Posted via Email
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.    www.sefindia.org Forum Index -> Past Discussions Year 2004 All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


© 2003, 2008 SEFINDIA, Indian Domain Registration
Publishing or acceptance of an advertisement is neither a guarantee nor endorsement of the advertiser's product or service. advertisement policy