module specification

The module aims to develop a critical awareness of the nature of fire.  It will consider the nature of the combustion process, the spread of fire and human behaviour in fire situations.  Methods of achieving adequate protection of buildings through appropriate material choice, compartmentation of a building, appropriate means of refuge and escape for occupiers will be covered, alongside how to specify appropriate fire detection and suppression systems.   The module will require students to formulate solutions to problems according to circumstance and context will be achieved through testing solutions against the relevant rules and regulations, including the building regulations approved documents. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the impact of fire and its ability to spread rapidly within a building.

By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of:

• Legislative fire safety requirements relating to the design, construction, and use of buildings
• The various stakeholders specific to each project, their needs, and expectations in relation to fire safety
• Fire science (chemistry and physics)
• The performance and classification of building materials and systems in fire
• Factors and actions that influence human behaviour in fire, and how they can be translated into safer design, construction, and use of buildings
• Fire Strategy development and implementation
• Factors to be taken into consideration when determining an appropriate evacuation philosophy
• Selection and specification of an appropriate fire detection and alarm system to support the Fire Strategy
• Fire containment and suppression
• Application of various active and passive fire safety features to support life safety, property safety and business continuity objectives
• The contribution of suitably qualified competent persons and construction trades to fire safety
• The importance of quality control within the design, construction, and commissioning processes

The syllabus is informed by contemporary research and practice in the management of risk and change. Topics will include:

• Principles of fire (LO2)
• Human behaviour in fire situations (LO3,4,5)
• Construction materials and methods and their resistance to fire (LO2)
• Passive and active fire protection (LO3)
• Fire – legislation, regulation and enforcement (LO1)
• Role and responsibilities of the project stakeholders (LO4)
• Case study projects (LO6)

Student’s teaching and learning will consist of weekly classes comprising a combination of lectures, seminars, discursive sessions, and workshops. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in seminar activities in which the use of case studies of different building types, from around the world, will stimulate discussion and help them to develop an understanding of advanced fire safety in the context of relevant legislation and regulations. Where appropriate, activities will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access.

Workshops will facilitate group study of authentic case studies, presenting project scenarios and challenging the students to consider the advantages and risks associated with, for example, different construction types, building uses and materials. The case studies will be diverse in project type and seminars and workshops will include exploring how different factors, influence approaches to fire safety for a particular project.

A blended/ technology enhanced learning approach will be employed in the delivery of this module. Formal lectures will introduce and develop themes that relate to the core subject. The delivery of the module will be broken down into key elements that have discrete tasks. Tasks will be performed through group and independent study, to develop critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Throughout the module student output’s will be reviewed, and formative feedback will be given to ensure clarity and comprehension.

The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading, and case studies. Group tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments, with opportunities for students to receive forward feedback.

You will reflect on your learning which will contribute towards your online Professional Development Journal (PDJ).

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

1. Critically review the principles of the legislation relating to fire safety and apply relevant parts of this legislation according to circumstance.
2. Understand the nature of the combustion process, together with factors that contribute to fire development and growth
3. Make suitable recommendations for the safe design of means of escape based upon knowledge of anticipated occupant response and behaviour in fire
4. Identify all stakeholder needs and requirements and to incorporate these within a project specific Fire Strategy
5. Apply appropriate communication methods to convey complex project information to the project stakeholders.
6. Synthesise case study projects with sources acknowledged and referenced.

The 2 module assessments test the student’s knowledge and understanding that should have been developed throughout the module. Assessment choice is available in both coursework.

The module assessments will embrace enquiry-based learning, through scenarios that require interrogation of the subject to produce innovative and novel solutions. The assessment will test your knowledge and understanding against the module learning outcomes.  You will be required to demonstrate independent and autonomous learning, critical and analytical thinking skills and promote knowledge and understanding of the subject within the constraints of context you and your project are placed in. Further details will be released during the module. 

Coursework 1: Individual Presentation. (10 minutes plus Q&A) 25%

The Presentation will be designed to provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the early advice regarding fire safety which is required early in the project lifecycle. The advice given must refer to the relevant legislation and regulations, and the constraints they will place on the project client, design team and construction team. Assessment choice is provided to the student who can agree with the module team the format of the presentation which, for example, could be live in person, a recorded talking head video, or a recorded PowerPoint presentation with commentary. If recorded, then there will still be a scheduled live Q&A.

Coursework 2: Individual Production. (15-minute video) 75%

The individual production will require the students to produce a video in which they propose and justify alternative fire safety measures for a project scenario presented to them. The production will require the students to synthesise the knowledge and understanding gained throughout the module within a specific project context, culture, sector and country.  The students will be required to interpret the project brief to identify the challenges and their responses to them. Further detail will be provided in the coursework briefing document.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are listed in the core text list.

There is excellent coverage of the subject available via the Construction Information Service (CIS).  

CIS is accessed via Construction Information Service  and provides a huge range of information relevant to this module. You will be directed to the relevant resources during the course of the module.

Core:-
Stollard, P. (2014) Fire from first principles: A design guide to international building fire safety. 4th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
Tricker, R. and Alford, S. (2022) Building Regulations Pocket Book. 2nd edn. London: Routledge.

Further reading:-
Hackitt, J. (2017) ‘Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: interim report’. Available at:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-building-regulations-and-fire-safety-interim-report
Hackitt, J. (2017) ‘Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report’. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-building-regulations-and-fire-safety-final-report
Buchanan, A. and Abu, A. (2016) Structural Design for Fire Safety. 2nd edn. Chichester: Wiley.

The Building Regulations