1. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. PERFORMANCE-BASED CODES & CONCEPTS Daniel J.O’Connor, P.E.

2. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. PERFORMANCE-BASED CODES & CONCEPTS Daniel J.O’Connor, P.E.

3. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Topics for Today’s Presentation n High Level - Overview of Performance-Based Developments & Documents n Systems Level – Estimating Relative Effectiveness of Smoke Detectors on Complex Ceilings n Human Behavior Perspective – Using technology to Improve Evacuation Effectiveness

4. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Current Documents With Performance Based Design Methods n BOCA National Building Code Alternative materials & methods provisions Example: Section 922.0, Smoke Control Systems n NFPA 101 & 101m n Uniform Building Code; Standard Building Code; International Building Code n International Codes and Standards

5. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Documents With Performance Based Design Methods n NFPA 92B: Smoke descent; Fire Plumes; Detector Activation n NFPA 555: Flashover; Target Ignition n NFPA 72: Response of Fire/Smoke Detectors n NFPA 80A: Exposure Fire Heat Transfer

6. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. International Documents

7. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. International Code Council

8. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Performance Building Code Intends To Provide For…. NON-FIRE RELATED ISSUES n 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 n A design which provides reasonable access n Adequate ventilation and sanitation facilities to maintain the health of the occupants n Adequate arrangements for natural light, heating, cooking, and other amenities needed for the comfort of the occupants

9. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Performance Building Code Intends To Provide For…. FIRE RELATED ISSUES n An environment free of unreasonable risk of death and injury from fires n A design which provides reasonable means of egress n Reasonable arrangements to limit the spread of fire within the building and to adjacent properties

10. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Structure of Provisions n Objectives n Functional Statements n Performance Requirements

11. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Example Provisions - Fall Prevention n Objective To prevent people from unintentionally falling from one level to another n Functional Statement Buildings and their facilities shall be constructed to reduce the likelihood of unintentional falls

12. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Example Provisions - Fall Prevention n 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

13. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Example Provisions - Means of Egress n Objective To provide a reasonable means of safeguarding people during escape and rescue operations n 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 n 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.

14. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Example Provisions - Stability n 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 n 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

15. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Example Provisions - Stability n 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

16. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. National Fire Protection Association n n Chapter 5 (New in 2000 ed.) - Performance-Based Option

17. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. NFPA Life Safety Code n 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

18. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Society of Fire Protection Engineers

19. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. SFPE ENGINEERING GUIDE Performance-Based Design Process Defining Project Scope (Chapter 4) Identifying Goals (Chapter 5) Defining Stakeholder And Design Objectives (Chapter 6) Developing Performance Criteria (Chapter 7) Developing Design Fire Scenarios (Chapter 8) Developing Trial Designs (Chapter 9) Evaluating Trial Designs (Chapter 10) Selected Design Meets Performance Criteria? Select the Final Design Prepare Design Documentation Modify Design Or Objectives Specifications, Drwgs, and Operations and Maintenance Manual Chapter (12) Developing a Fire Protection Engineering Design Brief (Chapter 11) Performance-Based Design Report (Chapter 12) No Yes

20. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Common Factors in Performance-Based Design n Goals, Objectives, Performance Criteria n Design Specifications and Conditions n Site, Building, Occupant Characteristics, etc. n Design Scenarios n Evaluation: Data, Uncertainty, Results, Validity n Safety Factors n Documentation n Peer Review

21. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Advantages of Performance-Based Approach n Specifically Addresses: Unique Building Features Client Needs Building Use Considerations Proposed Alternatives n Assessment of Code Requirements n Increased Engineering Rigor / Peer Review n Comprehensive Systems Overview Integration of Systems Cost Effectiveness n Improved Knowledge of Loss Potential

22. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Disadvantages of Performance-Based Approach n 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” n Qualifications of Designer / Reviewer n More Design/Engineering Time n Occupancy Changes May Require Re- analysis

23. S CHIRMER E NGINEERING C ORP. Projects Using Fire / Smoke Modeling & Timed Egress Analysis Grand Central Terminal New York, NY Travel Distances Greater Than 1000 feet US Supreme Court Washington, DC Fire Modeling & Egress Analysis to Support Long Travel Distances Down Open Stairs McCormick Place South Hall Chicago, IL Travel Distances Exceeded Code Limits; Used Alternative Exit Capacity Factors to Reduce Exits Serving 40,000 Persons Great American Pyramid Memphis, TN Fire Hazard Analysis Proved Safe Egress Time From Observation Level Paris Casino Las Vegas, Nevada Fire Modeling to allow for use of unprotected Steel concepts and safe egress from ½ scale Eiffel tower Amtrak Rail Tunnel System New York, NY Fire Modeling to Improve Life Safety and Fire Protection