Fire safety engineering perspectives on

combustible cladding fires Jack C Kilavuz, PE, GrDp BSc

MSFPE MIFire MRMIA

AC - MCP - EIFS

MENA Statistics

Challenges in MENA

Challenge – “Alternative” solutions

Conclusion

Contents

ACP – MCP – EIFS ?

Exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is a general class of non-load bearing building cladding systems that provides exterior walls with an insulated, water-resistant, finished surface in an integrated composite material system. In Europe, systems similar to EIFS are known as External Wall Insulation System (EWIS) and External Thermal Insulation Cladding System (ETICS).

EYE OPENER On December 31, 2015, flames engulfed The Address Hotel in

Downtown Dubai opposite the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall.

Two hours before a midnight fireworks extravaganza was scheduled only metres away, hundreds of residents and guests were being evacuated. Only minor injuries were reported and while firefighters continued to extinguish the flames, the huge New Year’s Eve celebrations went ahead as planned. …

Dubai Police said on January 20 that an electrical short was to blame.

Emaar Properties, the Dubai developer that built and owns The Address Downtown, had sought to dispel rumours that flammable material had been used in the hotel’s construction.There has been no suggestion of negligence and the developer has insisted it adhered to all standards and regulations regarding fire safety systems.

Emaar statement 2016: “Our systems, across all properties, are regularly tested by third party entities and cleared. We would like to reiterate that the fire alarms did go off and any information to the contrary is false. We are awaiting the findings and the assessment report. We will take appropriate steps, as needed, after we receive the report.”

DCD annual Report 2015

2019 Neo200 Melbourne

2017 Marina Torch (UAE 2nd time)

2017 Grenfell (UK)

2016 NeoSoho Jakarta (IND)

2015 The Address Downtown (UAE)

2015 Sharjah City Tower (UAE)

2015 Marina Torch (UAE)

2014 La Crosse Melbourne

2013 Grozny Towers (RUS)

2012 Tamweer Tower (UAE)

2012 Al Tayer Tower, Sharjah (UAE)

2012 TECOM Tower, (UAE)

2012 Mermoz Tower, (FRA)

2009 Beijing TC Cultural Centre (PRC)

2008 Abraaj Al Bait (KSA)

Façade Fires EXPERIENCE

Numerous of façade fires in MENA countries

Worldwide attention on spectacular fires like the Torch, particularly after second fire on The Torch tower

Skills and materials shortage – licensing testing and certification

Statistics - reliability or lack of them

Codes and standards and applicability

Challenges in MENA

▪ “Wasita” or go-between solves issues (think about micro-lobbying)

▪ Licensing of trades started recently in UAE, other countries are working on it

▪ Hot work controls are the main challenge due to inexperienced uneducated work force and loose controls

▪ Quality of materials, particularly electrical fittings, is not well monitored, supply chain shortcomings common (delays and more delays)

▪ Supervision and monitoring of installations at large is a major challenge

▪ It is not ONLY due to cheap imports, or builders/developers just trying to save money, it is a composite of a design and installation problem, an enforcement problem, in a market that at large ignores safety

▪ Failure to use qualified design, installation and inspection/certification professionals, as this can give a “fast, convenient and cheaper” product

Major issues

Bahrain

Bahrain City Centre 2018.05.20

STATISTICS

We do not have detailed reliable statistics in MENA countries. There is strong government ‘overseeing’ of all news and statistics, and these may be considered unfit for disclosure, public knowledge or even derogatory for some authorities.

Dubai CD Statistics 2017

467 reported fires – 341 (73%) under processing, average response time 7.7 min.

2016: 227 out of 361 (63%) fires under processing, average response time 8.8 minutes

Response time study: 2015 - 9.17 minutes, 2014 - 9.3 minutes, 2013 - 9.13 minutes,

2020 target: 80% under 4 minutes.

Experiences in turkey

Render/TilePVC Netting

(Optional) render

Dowel

Glue Resin

Facia

”All plastics burn – under the right conditions” FPAA 2004 Seminars

MENA challenges are not unique to MENA but a number of developing markets

Particularly buildings over 25 m are a major challenge to fire brigades, everywhere!

Cost-cutting by developers/builders/inspectors/certifiers in Australia may not help

And we are still talking about polyethylene core only: what about

polypropylene, polystyrene and other plastic cores materials? US now proposes asbestos addition?

what about thicker cores or more resin?

thinner/thicker skins?

?

Conclusion

Thank you for your patience

ANY QUESTIONS?