A010 Atrium fire codes

Fire safety codes for Hong Kong: inadequacy for atrium design

Brief:

We reviewed fire safety codes for atrium buildings in Hong Kong in terms of building type, building interior layout, construction materials, occupancy levels, circulation patterns, access and escape routes, fire detection and firefighting systems. The fire safety codes are valid only for traditional buildings in Hong Kong. Following these codes in modem buildings might lead to 'over-design' or to providing safety systems which are not workable in case of fire. The prescriptive approach is found to be insufficient to design fire safety for an atrium. It is timely to review the fire codes, to identify and revise those parts which are not workable. The possibility of implementing engineering performance-based fire codes is discussed. The fire safety requirements in atria are taken as an illustrative example. An engineering approach to designing fire safety is advocated.

Useful webpage/download

Codes of practice of Hong Kong (Fire Service Department)

Further information:

Chow WK, Wong LT, 1998. Fire safety codes for Hong Kong: inadequacy for atrium design, Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 19(2) 93-99.