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Title: Cyclone and Fire


1
Cyclone and Fire
  • Dr. Shweta Goyal
  • Assistant Professor
  • Thapar University

2
What are Cyclones? 
  • "Cyclone" is an intense whirl in the atmosphere
    with very strong winds circulating around it in
    anti-clockwise direction in the Northern
    Hemisphere and in clockwise direction in the
    Southern Hemisphere.
  • Word "Cyclone" is derived from the Greek, word
    "Cyclos" meaning the coils of a snake.
  • To Henri Peddington, the tropical storms in the
    Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea appeared
    like the coiled serpents of the sea and he named
    these storms as "Cyclones".
  • known as Hurricane in the Atlantic and Eastem
    Pacific, Typhoon in Western Pacific,
    Willy-Willies in Australian sea, Baguis in the
    Philippines.

3
  • Cyclones are intense low pressure areas - from
    the centre of which pressure increases outwards-
    The amount of the pressure drop in the centre and
    the rate at which it increases outwards gives the
    intensity of the cyclones and the strength of
    winds. 

4
Criteria followed to classify cyclones
  • As adopted by Meteorological Department of India

1 knot - 1.85 km per hour
5
Mechanism of cyclones
6
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7
Mechanism of cyclones
  • A full-grown cyclone is a violent whirl in the
    atmosphere 150 to 1000 km across, 10 to 15 km
    high.
  • The central calm region of the storm is called
    the "Eye". The diameter of the eye varies between
    30 and 50 km and is a region free of clouds and
    has light winds.
  • Around this calm and clear eye, there is the
    "Wall Cloud Region" of the storm about 5O km in
    extent, where the gale winds, thick clouds with
    torrential rain, thunder and lightning prevail.
  • Away from the "Wall Cloud Region", the wind speed
    gradually decreases.
  • The gales give rise to a confused sea with waves
    as high as 20 metres, swells that travel a
    thousand miles. Torrential rains, occasional
    thunder and lightning flashes - join these
  • Through these churned chaotic sea and atmosphere,
    the cyclone moves 300 to 500 km, in a day to hit
    or skirt along a coast, bringing with it strome
    surges

8
Mechanism of cyclones
  • Once the cyclones reach higher latitudes they
    often change their direction and move north and
    then north-east (south and south east
    hemisphere). The process is known as
    recurreature.
  • Before it recurves, the speed decreases and the
    system remains stationary for a day or so.
  • When two cyclones exist near to each other, they
    inter-act and move anti-clockwise with respect to
    each other.
  • In the Atlantic, tracks often execute a parabola.
  • In India, when cyclones recur they get broken up
    over the Himalayas and their further eastward
    movement ceases.

9
Naming of cyclone
  • Cyclones derive their names through a systematic
    procedure laid down by the World Meteorological
    Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations
    Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
    Pacific (ESCAP).
  • naming of cyclones began in September 2004
  • Eight north Indian Ocean countries - Bangladesh,
    India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri
    Lanka and Thailand - have prepared a list of 64
    names.
  • Since 2004, the eight countries have faced 20
    cyclones.
  • The countries take turns in naming the cyclones.
    The last six were Nargis (Pakistan), Rashmi (Sri
    Lanka), Khai-Muk (Thailand), Nisha (Bangladesh),
    Bijli (India) and Aila (Maldives).

10
Cyclone Map of India
11
The principal dangers of a cyclone
  • Gales and strong winds
  • damage installations, dwellings, communication
    systems, trees., etc. resulting in loss of life
    and property.
  • Torrential rain
  • may cause river floods
  • Storm surges or high tidal waves
  • A storm surge is an abnormal rise of sea level
    near the coast caused by a severe tropical
    cyclone
  • as a result, sea water inundates low lying areas
    of coastal regions drowning human beings and
    live- stock, eroding beaches and embankments,
    destroying vegetation and reducing soil
    fertility.

12
What is Storm Surge?
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14
How high will the Storm Surge be?
  • Every cyclone that affects the coast produces a
    storm surge. But not all storm surges rise to
    dangerous levels. The height of the surge depends
    on
  • The intensity of the cyclone - as the winds
    increase, the sea water is piled higher and the
    waves on top of the surge are taller.
  • The forward speed of the cyclone - the faster the
    cyclone crosses the coast, the more quickly the
    surge builds up and the more powerfully it
    strikes.
  • The angle at which the cyclone crosses the coast
    - local zones of enhanced surge in areas such as
    narrow inlets and bays.
  • The shape of the sea floor - the surge builds up
    more strongly if the slope of the sea bed at the
    coast is shallow.
  • Past history indicates that loss of life is
    significant when surge magnitude is 3 metres or
    more and catastrophic when 5 metres and above

15
Surge prone coasts of India
  • Vulnerability to storm surges is not uniform
    along Indian coasts.
  • east coast of India are most vulnerable to high
    surges
  • i) North Orissa, and West Bengal coasts.
  • ii) Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and
    Machilipatnam.
  • iii) Tamil Nadu coast, south of Nagapatnam.
  • The West coast of India is less vulnerable to
    storm surges
  • i) Maharashtra coast, north of Harnai and
    adjoining south Gujarat coast and the coastal
    belt around the Gulf   of  Bombay.
  • ii) The coastal belt around the Gulf of Kutch.

16
Cyclone Accounts
  • The oldest and the worst cyclone on record is
    that of October 1737 hit Calcutta and took a
    toll of 3,00,000 lives in the deltaic region. It
    was accompanied by a 12 metre high surge.
  • Midnapore Cyclone of October 1942 was accompanied
    by gale wind speed of 225 kmph
  • Rameswaram Cyclone of 17th to 24th December 1964
    wiped out Dhanuskodi in Rameswaran Island from
    the map. A passenger train which left Rameswaram
    Road station near about the midnight of 22nd was
    washed off by the storm surges sometimes later,
    nearly all passengers traveling in the train
    meeting water graves.

17
Cyclone Accounts
  • Bangla Desh Cyclone of 8-13 November 1970 which
    crossed Bangla Desh coast in the night of 12th
    was one of the worst in recent times, with storm
    surges of 4 to 5 metres height at the time of
    high tides, and with 25 cm of rain in the areas,
    the inundation took toll of about 3,00,000
    people.
  • Andhra Cyclone of 14-20 November 1977 that
    crossed coast near Nizampatnam in the evening of
    19th, took a toll of about 10,000 lives.

18
How to avoid the catastrophe?
  • Effective Cyclone Disaster Prevention and
    Mitigation Plan requires
  • A Cyclone Forecast - and Warning Service.
  • Rapid dissemination of warnings to the Government
    Agencies, Marine interests like the Ports,
    Fisheries and Shipping and to General Public.
  • Organisations to construct Cyclone Shelters in
    the cyclone-prone areas and ready machinery for
    evacuation of people to safer areas.
  • Community preparedness at all levels to meet the
    exigencies.

19
Cyclone warning
  • "Two Stage Warning Scheme
  • The first stage warning known as the "Cyclone
    Alert" is issued 48 hours in advance of the
    expected commencement of the adverse weather over
    the coastal areas.
  • The second stage warning known as the "Cyclone
    Warning" is issued 24 hours in advance.
  • Both cyclone "Alert" and "Warning" messages are
    passed to the AIR stations for repeated broadcast.

20
Vulnerable Communities
  • vulnerability of a human settlement to a cyclone
    is determined by its siting, the probability that
    a cyclone will occur, and the degree to which its
    structures can be damaged by it.
  • most vulnerable to cyclones are
  • Light weight structures with wood frames,
    especially older buildings where wood has
    deteriorated and weakened the walls
  • Houses made of unreinforced or poorly-constructed
    concrete block
  • Buildings in low- lying coastal areas or river
    floodplains
  • Furthermore, the degree of exposure of land and
    buildings will affect the velocity of the cyclone
    wind at ground level,
  • Certain settlement patterns may create a "funnel
    effect" that increases the wind speed between
    buildings, leading to even greater damage.

21
How High Winds Damage Buildings
  • Contrary to popular belief, few houses are blown
    over. Instead, they are pulled apart by winds
    moving swiftly around and over the building. This
    lowers the pressure on the outside and creates
    suction on the walls and roof, effectively
    causing the equivalent of an explosion.
  • Whether or not a building will be able to resist
    the effects of wind is dependent not so much upon
    the materials that are used but the manner in
    which they are used.
  • common belief that heavier buildings, such as
    those made of concrete block, are safer.
  • Truth well-built and properly-engineered masonry
    house offers a better margin of safety than other
    types of buildings

22
Catastrophic Failures
  • Foundations
  • The uplift forces from cyclone winds can
    sometimes pull buildings completely out of the
    ground.
  • In contrast to designing for gravity loads, the
    lighter the building the larger (or heavier) the
    foundation needs to be in cyclone resistant
    design.

23
Catastrophic Failures
  • Steel Frames
  • A common misconception the loss of cladding
    relieves the loads from building frameworks.
  • Truth the wind loads on the structural frame
    increases substantially with the loss of cladding
  • Usual weakness in steel frames is in the
    connections. Thus economising on minor items
    (bolts) has led to the overall failure of the
    major items (columns, beams and rafters)

24
Catastrophic Failures
  • Masonry Houses
  • usually regarded as being safe in cyclones.
  • There are countless examples where the loss of
    roofs has triggered the total destruction of
    un-reinforced masonry walls.

25
Catastrophic Failures
  • Timber Houses
  • The key to safe construction of timber houses is
    the connection details.
  • The inherent vulnerability of light-weight timber
    houses coupled with poor connections is a
    dangerous combination which has often led to
    disaster.

26
Catastrophic Failures
  • Reinforced Concrete Frames
  • The design of reinforced concrete frames is
    usually controlled by the seismic hazard.
  • If seismic design is not done, wind analysis must
    be performed
  • ignoring this, can lead to disaster.

27
Component Failures
  • Roof Sheeting
  • This is perhaps the commonest area of failure in
    cyclones.
  • The causes are usually inadequate fastening
    devices, inadequate sheet thickness and
    insufficient frequencies of fasteners in the
    known areas of greater wind suction.

28
Catastrophic Failures
  • Roof Tiles
  • These were thought to have low vulnerability in
    storms but past cyclones have exposed the problem
    of unsatisfactory installation practices.

29
Catastrophic Failures
  • Rafters
  • Of particular interest in recent cyclones was the
    longitudinal splitting of rafters with the top
    halves disappearing and leaving the bottom halves
    in place.
  • The splitting would propagate from holes drilled
    horizontally through the rafters to receive
    holding-down straps.

30
Catastrophic Failures
  • Windows and Doors
  • After roof sheeting, these are the components
    most frequently damaged in cyclones.
  • Of course, glass would always be vulnerable to
    flying objects.
  • The other area of vulnerability for windows and
    doors is the hardware latches, bolts and hinges.
  • Walls
  • Cantilevered parapets are most at risk.
  • But so far walls braced by ring beams and columns
    have remained safe.

31
Damaging Effects of Cyclone on Houses
  • Due to the high wind pressure and improper
    connection of the house to the footings it can be
    blown away.

32
Damaging Effects of Cyclone on Houses
  • Roofing materials not anchored can be blown away

33
Damaging Effects of Cyclone on Houses
  • Light weight verandah roofs are more susceptible
    to damage due to high wind speed.

34
Damaging Effects of Cyclone on Houses
  • When cyclones are accompanied with heavy rain for
    a long duration, the buildings can be damaged due
    to flooding also.

35
Design Wind Speed and Pressures
  • The basic wind speed is reduced or enchanced for
    design of buildings and structures due to
    following factors
  • The risk level of the structure measured in terms
    of adopted return period and life of structures.
  • Terrain roughness determined by the surrounding
    buildings or trees and, height and size of the
    structure.
  • Local topography like hills, valleys, cliffs, or
    ridges, etc.

36
On which elements the wind pressure effect must
be considered?
  • It is considered on various elements depends on
  • Aerodynamics of flow around buildings.
  • The windward vertical faces being subjected to
    pressure.
  • The leeward and lateral faces getting suction
    effects and
  • The sloping roofs getting pressures or suction
    effects depending on the slope.

37
typical effects of openings in the walls
  • Wind generating opening on the windward side
    during a cyclone will increase the pressure on
    the internal surfaces
  • may be sufficient to cause the roof to blow off
    and the walls to explode.

38
typical effects of openings in the walls
  • Windward face of the building collapses under
    pressure of wind force

39
typical effects of openings in the walls
  • During a cyclone an opening may suddenly occur on
    the windward side of the house.
  • The internal pressure which builds up as a result
    may be relieved by providing a corresponding
    opening on the leeward side.

40
  • If the building is not securely tied to its
  • foundations, and the walls cannot resist
    push/pull forces, the house tends to collapse
    starting from the roof with the building leaning
    in the direction of the wind.

41
  • Failure of the Wall Wind forces on the walls of
    the house may produce failure. Wind striking a
    building produces pressure which pushes against
    the building, on the windward side, and suction
    which pulls the building on the leeward side and
    the roof.

42
  • Overturning is another problem for light
    structures.
  • This occurs when the weight of the house is
    insufficient to resist the tendency the house to
    be blown over.

43
When choosing a site for your house, consider the
following
  • Though cyclonic storms always approach from the
    direction of the sea towards the coast, the wind
    velocity and direction relative to a building
    remain random due to the rotating motion of the
    high velocity winds.
  • In non-cyclonic region where the predominant
    strong wind direction is well established, the
    area behind a mound or a hillock should be
    preferred
  • Similarly a row of trees planted upwind will act
    as a shield.
  • The influence of such a shield will be over a
    limited distance, only for 8 10 times the
    height of the trees.
  • A tree broken close to the house may damage the
    house also hence distance of tree from the house
    may be kept 1.5 times the height of the tree.

44
When choosing a site for your house, consider the
following
No shielding from high wind due to absence of
barriers
Shielding from high wind by permeable barriers
such as strong trees
45
When choosing a site for your house, consider the
following
  • In hilly regions,
  • construction along ridges should be avoided since
    they experience an increase of wind velocity
  • whereas valley experiences lower speeds in general

46
When choosing a site for your house, consider the
following
  • In cyclonic regions close to the coast, a site
    above the likely inundation level should be
    chosen. In case of non availability of high level
    natural ground, construction should be done on
    stilts with no masonry or cross bracings up to
    maximum surge level, or on raised earthen mounds
    to avoid flooding/inundation but knee bracing may
    be used.

47
Shape of the House
  • Shape is the most important single factor in
    determining the performance of buildings in
    cyclones.
  • Simple, compact, symmetrical shapes are best.
  • The square plan is better than the rectangle
    since it allows high winds to go around them.
  • The rectangle is better than the L-shaped plan.
  • This is not to say that all buildings must be
    square. But it is to say that one must be aware
    of the implications of design decisions and take
    appropriate action to counter negative features.
  • The best shape to resist high winds is a square.

48
Shape of the House
If other shapes are desired, efforts should be
made to strengthen the corners. If longer shapes
are used, they must be designed to withstand the
forces of the wind. Most houses are rectangular
and the best layout is when the length is not
more than three (3) times the width.
49
  • In case of construction of group of buildings, a
    cluster arrangement can be followed in preference
    to row type.

50
Roofs
  • Lightweight flat roofs are easily blown off in
    high winds.
  • In order to lessen the effect of the uplifting
    forces on the roof, the roof Pitch should not be
    less than 22º.
  • Hip roofs are best

51
Roofs
  • General Design Considerations
  • Avoid a low pitched roof, use a hip roof or a
    high pitched gable roof.
  • Avoid overhanging roofs. If overhangs or canopies
    are desired, they should be braced by ties held
    to the main structures.
  • Avoid openings which cannot be securely closed
    during a cyclone

52
Overhangs, verandahs
  • Avoid large overhangs as high wind force build up
    under them.
  • Overhangs should not be more than 18 inches at
    verges or eaves.
  • Build verandah and patio roofs as separate
    structures rather than extensions of the main
    building.

53
Securing the Ridge
If the rafters are not secure, the ridge can fall
apart when strong wind passes over the roof.
54
Securing the Ridge
  • The ridge can be secured by using-
  • COLLAR TIES - Timbers connecting the rafters.
    Nail them to the side of the rafters

55
Securing the Ridge
  • GUSSETS - Usually made of steel/plywood. This is
    used at the ridge.

56
Securing the Ridge
  • METAL STRAPS over the top of the rafters

57
Securing the corrugated galvanized sheets
  • The sheets are gauged by numbers. The Higher the
    number the thinner the material. Example 24 gauge
    galvanized sheet is superior to 28 gauge.
  • Failure in roofs
  • If the sheeting is too thin or there are too few
    fittings, the nails or screws may tear through
    the sheet.
  • If galvanized sheets are used, 24 gauge is
    recommended.

58
Securing the corrugated galvanized sheets
  • How to secure sheeting to the roof structure, use
  • Fixings every two (2) corrugation at ridges,
    eaves and overhangs.
  • Fixings every three (3) corrugation. Maximum
    spacing at all other locations

59
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60
Fixings for sheetings
  • Screws
  • Use proper drive crews for corrugated galvanized
    roof sheets.
  • Be sure that the screws go into the purlins at
    least fifty (50) mm.
  • use large washers under the screw heads to
    prevent the roof sheets from tearing
  • Nails
  • Nails do not hold as well as screws.
  • Use nails with wide heads and long enough to bend
    over below the lath.
  • Galvanized coated nails are better than ordinary
    wire nails.

61
Roof cladding
  • As the corners and the roof edges are zones of
    higher local wind suctions and the connections of
    cladding/sheeting to the truss need to be
    designed for the increased forces.
  • following precautions are recommended-
  • Sheeted roofs- A reduced spacing of bolts, ¾ of
    that admissible as per IS800, recommended.
  • For normal connections, J bolts may be used but
    for cyclone resistant connections U bolts are
    recommended.

62
  • Alternatively, strap may be used at least along
    edges to fix cladding with the purlins to avoid
    punching through the sheet.

63
  • Clay tile roofs- Because of lower dead weight,
    these may be unable to resist the uplifting force
    and thus experience heavy damage, particularly
    during cyclones.
  • Anchoring of roof tiles in R.C. strap beams is
    recommended for improved cyclone resistance.
  • As alternative to the bands, a cement mortar
    screed, reinforced with galvanized chicken mesh,
    may be laid over the high suction areas of the
    tiled roof.

64
Foundations
  • The foundation is the part of the house which
    transfers the weight of the building to the
    ground. It is essential to construct a suitable
    foundation for a house as the stability of a
    building depends primarily on its foundation.
  • It is desirable that information about soil type
    be obtained and estimates of safe bearing
    capacity

65
Parameters need to be properly accounted in the
design of foundation
  • Effect of surge or flooding-
  • Invariably a cyclonic storm is accompanied by
    torrential rain and tidal surge (in coastal
    areas) resulting into flooding of the low lying
    areas.
  • Flooding causes saturation of soil and thus
    significantly affects the safe bearing capacity
    of the soil.
  • In flood prone areas, the safe bearing capacity
    should be taken as half of that for the dry
    ground.
  • Also the likelihood of any scour due to receding
    tidal surge needs to be taken into account while
    deciding on the depth of foundation
  • Buildings on stilts-
  • Where a building is constructed on stilts it is
    necessary that stilts are properly braced in both
    the principal directions.
  • Knee bracings will be preferable to full diagonal
    bracing so as not to obstruct the passage of
    floating debris during storm surge.

66
main types of foundation
  • Slab or Raft Foundation
  • Used on soft soils.
  • Spread the weight over a wider area

67
main types of foundation
  • Strip Foundation
  • Used for areas where the soil varies.
  • Most common.
  • Supports a wall.

68
main types of foundation
  • Stepped Foundation
  • Used on sloping ground.
  • Is a form of strip foundation.

69
main types of foundation
  • Pile Foundation
  • deep foundations for small or large buildings.
  • Under reamed piles often used in expansive clay
    or alluvial soils.

70
Masonry walls
71
Masonry walls
  • Strengthening of walls against high
    wind/cyclones.
  • Reinforce the walls by means of reinforced
    concrete bands and vertical reinforcing bars as
    for earthquake resistance.

72
Wall Openings
  • general areas of weakness and stress
    concentration, but needed essentially for light
    and ventilation.
  • The following are recommended in respect of
    openings.
  • Openings in load bearing walls should not be
    within a distance of h/6 from inner corner for
    the purpose of providing lateral support to cross
    walls, where h is the storey height upto eave
    level.
  • Openings just below roof level be avoided
  • Since the failure of any door or window on the
    wind-ward side may lead to adverse uplift
    pressures under roof, the openings should have
    strong holdfasts as well as closing/locking
    arrangement.

73
Wall Openings
74
Glass Panes
  • Glass windows and doors are, of course, very
    vulnerable to flying objects
  • Use thicker glass panes.
  • reduce the panel size to smaller dimensions.
  • Also glass panes can be strengthened by pasting
    thin film or paper strips

75
CYCLONES - Do's Dont's  
  • Before the Cyclone season
  • Check the house secure loose tiles, carry out
    repair works for doors and windows
  • Remove dead woods or dying trees close to the
    house anchor removable objects like lumber
    piles, loose tin sheds, loose bricks, garbage
    cans, sign-boards etc. which can fly in strong
    winds
  • Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass
    windows can be boarded if needed
  • Demolish condemned buildings
  • Keep some dry non-perishable food always ready
    for emergency use

76
CYCLONES - Do's Dont's  
  • When the Cyclone starts
  • Listen to the radio about weather warnings
  • Pass on the information to others. Believe in the
    official information
  • Remember that a cyclone alert means that the
    danger is within 24 hours. Stay alert.
  • If your house is securely built on high ground
    take shelter in the safer part of the house.
    However, if asked to evacuate do not hesitate to
    leave the place.
  • Provide strong suitable support for outside
    doors.
  • Keep torches handy
  • Be sure that a window and door can be opened only
    on the side opposite to the one facing the wind.
  • If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly
    over your house there will be a lull in the wind
    and rain lasting for half and hour or so. During
    this time do not go out because immediately
    after that very strong winds will blow from the
    opposite direction.
  • Switch off electrical mains in your house.
  • Remain calm

77
CYCLONES - Do's Dont's  
  • When Evacuation is instructed
  • Pack essentials for yourself and your family to
    last you a few days, including medicines, special
    foods for babies and children or elders.
  • Head for the proper shelter or evacuation points
    indicated for your area.
  • Do not worry about your property
  • At the shelter follow instructions of the person
    in charge.
  • Remain in the shelter until you have been
    informed to leave

78
CYCLONES - Do's Dont's  
  • Post-cyclone measures
  • You should remain in the shelter until informed
    that you can return to your home.
  • Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from
    the lamp posts.
  • Clear debris from your premises immediately.
  • Report the correct loss to appropriate authorities

79
Fire
80
Elements of fire protection
  • Include
  • use of non-combustible building materials,
  • use of fire-resistive building assemblies,
  • installation of automatic detection devices and
    sprinklers,
  • development of improved fire fighting techniques

81
Fire-resistive construction
  • A building construction in which the structural
    members (including walls, partitions, columns,
    floors, and roof) are of noncombustible materials
    having fire-endurance ratings at least equal to
    those specified by the appropriate authorities

82
fire-resistive ratings
  • "fire resistance rating" is a legal term utilized
    by model codes to regulate building construction.
  • The fire-resistive ratings of various materials
    and constructions are established by laboratory
    tests
  • Specified in terms of hours a material or
    assembly can be expected to withstand exposure to
    fire.
  • For exterior walls, floors, and roof of masonry
    or fire-resistive material with a fire-resistance
    rating of at least 2 hours.

83
Fire-Resistive Assemblies
  • An assembly is a combination of materials put
    together in a specific way that achieves the fire
    resistance rating required in the building code.
  • For example, gypsum wallboard applied to a steel
    stud.
  • Fire-resistance ratings apply only to assemblies
    in their entirety.

84
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85
Fireproofing of Construction Materials
  • In construction, heavy wood timbers have a
    relatively high fire resistance, because fire
    tends to burn very slowly inward from the
    surface, leaving enough sound timber in the
    center to prevent collapse.
  • Wood framing can also be impregnated with
    ammonium phosphate solution or covered with
    special mastics.
  • To be classed as fire resistive, buildings must
    be made of reinforced concrete or protected steel
    that will stand considerable fire with minor
    damage
  • While steel retains its strength up to a very
    high temperature, it fails rapidly at
    temperatures over 1,000F (540C).

86
Fireproofing of Construction Materials
  • Structural steel may be protected in a number of
    ways. It can be faced with brick, concrete, or
    tile however, construction with these materials
    usually adds too much weight to a building.
  • A protective layer of concrete over all surfaces
    of a beam or over the steel bars in reinforced
    concrete has to be at least 2.5 in. (6.4 cm)
    thick to be effective
  • hollow clay tile used to cover beams and girders
    has to be at least 4 in. (10 cm) thick.
  • most buildings use lightweight fireproofing such
    as gypsum, perlite, and vermiculite mixed in
    plaster one inch (2.5 cm) of such materials will
    absorb an equivalent amount of heat as 2.5 in.
    (6.4 cm) of concrete.
  • Some recent buildings circulate water inside each
    column, protecting the structure against
    meltdown.
  • In urban areas, buildings must also provide
    protection against fire in neighboring buildings
    through fireproof exterior walls-preferably
    windowless, since windows are fire openings.

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How to Build a Fire Resistant House
  • Frame your home with metal studs. Metal studs
    cannot combust in the same way that wood studs
    can.
  • Install GFI (ground fault circuit interrupters)
    outlets and circuit breakers.. It can, in just
    1/30 of a second, trip the internal circuit,
    effectively cutting off the flow of electricity
    in the event of a possible short.
  • Use as much concrete as possible in the structure
    of your home.
  • Use hard materials for flooring, doors and
    roofing. Carpet is highly combustible.
  • Install safety features. Fire alarms

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