By: Nicholas Carparelli; NYS Concrete Masonry
Association - ncarparelli@nys-cma.org
According to FEMA, from 2013 to 2015, civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings accounted for 83 percent of all fire fatalities. Annually, during that same time period, an estimated 2,695 civilian fire fatalities resulted from 1,800 fatal fires in residential buildings and an estimated 380,200 residential building fires. Where does the responsibility for fire safety lie? Some would make the case that responsibility is shared by many, including those of us in the construction industry.
This presentation will introduce the concept of Balanced Design for design and construction of commercial, municipal and multi-family residential structures. Balanced Design includes three significant components; it is a combination of active and passive fire safety measures:
1. Automatic Detection Systems (Alarms, Active)
2. Automatic Suppression Systems (Sprinkler Systems, Active)
3. Compartmentation with non-combustible concrete masonry (Passive)