Principles of means of escape

Question 1

Define means of escape

Answer 1

the routes of travel by which an occupant can make good their escape from fire to a place of total safety

Question 2

The objectives of a MOE are to reach a place of safety and gather at a recognised assembly point.
How are these objectives facilitated ?

Answer 2

prompt fire detection
fire action wall signs
fire resisting separation
directional signage
direct escape routes
more than one escape route where poss
exits wide enough
employee fire safety training

Question 3

What differentiates routes in and out from escape routes

Answer 3

Escape routes are purpose built or modified for escape

Question 4

Define protected route

Answer 4

An escape route that has adequate fire resisting construction from the remainder of the building along its route

Question 5

Define unprotected route

Answer 5

A route that is not protected with fire resisting construction

Question 6

What are the 3 stages of escape

Answer 6

1. From a point in a room to the exit from that room
2. From the exit from that room to the access into a stairway or if at ground floor the final exit
3. From the access to the stairway to the final exit

Question 7

Travel speed depend on ….

Answer 7

age, abilitity,

Question 8

Travel distance definition is …

Answer 8

the actual distance covered between any point and the nearest

a) final exit
b) door to a stairway which is a protected route
c) door used for in a compartment wall

Question 9

In an office building what is the aggregate travel distance, that is the traversing of all stages of escape ?

Answer 9

45m where there is an escape in more than one direction
18m escape in only one direction
Travel distance across a room no more than 12m if
a) only one exit from room
b) more than one exit but angle between the two is less than 45 degrees

Question 10

In an shop building what is the aggregate travel distance, that is the traversing of all stages of escape ?

Answer 10

45m where there is an escape in more than one direction
18m escape in only one direction
No more than 12m of the total across a room
Travel distance across a room no more than 12m if
a) only one exit from room
b) more than one exit but angle between the two is less than 45 degrees

Question 11

Define ultimate or total safety

Answer 11

The exterior of the affected building. Far enough away to be out of danger.

Question 12

Define relative or reasonable safety

Answer 12

To the far side of a fire resisting door or wall where persons are protected from products of fire as they make their way to total safety.

Question 13

State 7 general facts that relate to Fire routes and fire exits

Answer 13

1. No combustible rubbish en route
2. Corridor and under-stairs must be fire sterile; no cylinders, spare beds, electrically operated appliances
3. No breaches in fire resisting walls
4. Fire doors must not be wedged open
5. fire exit doors open outwards
6. If security requires a door to be locked it must be readily opened from inside. Panic bolt, break glass. Not needing a key
7. No obstruction on either side of exit door. Weatherproof clear sign on outside

Question 14

define direct travel distance

Answer 14

shortest distance to be travelled within a room or compartment achieved if room is empty of furniture

Question 15

define indirect travel distance

Answer 15

Actual distance travelled within a room or compartment achieved if room if necessary to travel around furniture

Question 16

State the measures that ensure that MOE can be safely and effectively used

Answer 16

Emergency lighting
Fire exit signage
Escape signage
Fire door signage
Emergency action signage
Ventilation outlets
Fire resisting construction

Question 17

When calculating the time for escape in MOE , the following factors should be taken into
account

Answer 17

(i) Occupant characteristics;
(ii) Hazard assessment and probable fire growth rate;
(iii) The evacuation strategy of the building;
(iv) The probable time between ignition and alarm;
(v) Average movement speed of people along designated escape routes;
(vi) Probable total time of escape;
(vii) Probable total time where a person may be particularly at risk;
(viii) Psychological effects on escapees particularly those who may have sight
of fire or its effects;
(ix) Management input into evacuation process

Question 18

When calculating escape times in MOE , OCCUPANT CHARACTERISTIC  should identify the class of person who might be in
the building and what they may be doing at the time of a fire, thus they should
consider ? List them

Answer 18

(i) Occupants’ familiarity with the building.
(ii) Occupant commitment at the time of alarm.
(iii) Occupant commitment after alarm but before commencing escape,
e.g. helping others, fire-fighting etc.
(iv) Physical effort required to use escape routes e.g. stairs, upward escape
routes.
(v) Psychological effects on escapees particularly those who may have sight
of fire or its effects or who may have to wait before commencing their
escape.
(vi) The physical capabilities of the occupants, i.e. wheelchair users or others
with physical disabilities or compromised hearing and sight.

Question 19

When calculating escape times in MOE what should you be aware of regarding HAZARD ASSESSMENT ?

Answer 19

A hazard assessment will have been carried out to determine the extent and
viability of the fire engineering installed. This should also identify where fires
are more probable or where rapid-fire growth rates might be expected. The
hazard assessment should also identify sources of heat, particularly those in
contact with combustible materials

Question 20

When calculating escape times in MOE what should you be aware of regarding evacuation strategy ?

Answer 20

The evacuation strategy for the building will depend on its use, size and
height; the characteristics of the occupants and the degree of fire resisting
compartmentation, as agreed with the enforcing authorities.

Question 21

regarding travel times calculations in MOE list the factors that determine the EVACUATION STRATEGY for the building ?

Answer 21

The evacuation strategy for the building will determine:

(i) The capacity of escape routes.
(ii) The configuration and type of the fire alarm system.
(iii) The configuration of the smoke control system.
(iv) The compartmentation of the building.
(v) The management requirements for the building.
(vi) Time between ignition and alarm.

Question 22

Regarding the calculation of travel time in MOE what should you be aware of re the TIME BETWEEN IGNITION AND ALARM ?

Answer 22

The probable time between ignition and alarm will depend on the type of detection
employed. No building provided with engineered fire safety should rely only on
discovery of fire by people. All should be fitted with some form of reliable
automatic detection system programmed to keep unwanted calls to a minimum.

Detection should be at the point first involved in fire, thus ensuring that an
early alarm of fire is given. The signal from the first point of detection need not
activate the smoke control or other active systems but may prime those systems
where ‘double knock’ detection is used for activation

Question 23

Regarding the calculation of travel times, list the factors the PROBABLE TIME OF ESCAPE depends on

Answer 23

Distance to travel
Speed
Physical capabilities
Number of people. The greater the number the slower
Flat surface/slope/stairs
Width
Queuing/routes merging/movement thru doors all slow

Question 24

Regarding the calculation of travel times in MOE list the PEOPLE AT PARTICULAR RISK

Answer 24

People will be particularly at risk from fire, heat or smoke when:
(i) They are within the enclosure in which the fire first starts;
(ii) They are passing under smoke flowing towards or held in a smoke
reservoir;
(iii) They are at a higher level and thus closer to smoke held in a smoke
reservoir;
(iv) Their primary escape route is blocked causing them to travel a longer
distance to a suitable, alternative exit;
(v) They are required to carry out specific duties such as helping others or
carry out fire-fighting duties before they can themselves escape

Question 25

Regarding the calculation of travel times in MOE what are the PHYSIOLOGICAL effects taken into account ? In particular those that have sight of the fire.

Answer 25

May have sight of fire so keep it to a min
Staff to help those with a disability
Stop people watching fire by repeated announcements
Exit routes well lit best is natural light

Question 26

discuss refuge areas for disabled

Answer 26

refuges, i.e. places of relative safety
where people may wait for assistance in making their escape.
Refuges are relative safe waiting areas for short periods only
They are not areas
where people with disabilities should be left alone indefinitely until they are
rescued by the fire brigade, or until the fire is extinguished

Question 27

The means of escape form those parts of the building protected by fire safety
engineering (protected area) should be within the design parameters of the
engineering and ensure that:

Answer 27

(i) Every part of the protected area has realistic alternative escape routes.
(ii) Any person entering a protected area should be able to find their way to
safety without the assistance of other persons.
(iii) No persons should be required to move in smoke for more than
15 seconds.
(iv) No person should be required to move under smoke for more than
3 minutes.
(v) The maximum time a person should be in the same part of the building as
the fire, other than in a protected route, should not exceed 7 minutes.