How to design and build for fire safety

About Course

Course Overview
This course provides a comprehensive guide to designing and constructing buildings that prioritize firesafety. It covers fire-resistant materials, building regulations, active and passive fire protection measures,and emergency planning.

The course is designed for architects, engineers, builders, safety officers, and students in construction-related fields.
Target Audience:
• Architects and building designers
• Civil and structural engineers
• Fire safety officers
• Construction professionals
• Urban planners
• Students in architecture, engineering, or fire safety courses
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
1. Understand the principles of fire behavior and its impact on buildings.
2. Identify fire-resistant materials and construction techniques.
3. Apply active and passive fire protection strategies.
4. Interpret and comply with fire safety regulations and codes.
5. Design evacuation plans and emergency response strategies.
6. Integrate fire safety considerations into sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices.

Course Structure

Session

Topic

Key Teaching Points

Learning Resources

Session 1

Introduction to Fire Safety in Building Design

– Importance of fire safety in buildings

– Overview of fire hazards

– Fire prevention principles

Video 1.0 (Overview of Fire Risks) Reading material

Session 2

Fire Behavior and Building Materials

– How fires start and spread

– Fire-resistant vs. combustible materials

– Selecting fire-rated materials

Video 2.1 (Fire Propagation) Case studies Reading material

Session 3

Building Design for Fire Safety

– Passive fire protection: Fire- resistant walls, doors, and coatings

– Active fire protection: Sprinklers, alarms, and smoke control

– Compartmentalization and escape routes

Video 3.1 (Compartmentalization Strategies) 3D diagrams and interactive graphics

Reading material

Session 4

Fire Codes and Regulations

– Overview of international fire codes (NFPA, IBC, BS 9999)

– Compliance with local regulations

– Legal implications of non-compliance

Video 4.1 (Understanding Fire Codes) Interactive quiz on regulations Reading material

Session 5

Emergency Planning and Evacuation Design

– Designing effective fire exits and staircases

– Fire drills and evacuation procedures

– Importance of signage and

wayfinding

Video 5.1 (Evacuation Strategies) Selfexecuting slide deck Reading material

Session 6

Fire Protection Systems and Technology

– Fire alarms and smoke detection systems – Suppression systems: Sprinklers, fire extinguishers

– Smart fire safety technology

Video 6.1 (Innovations in Fire Safety Tech) Interactive e-book with case studies Quiz

Session 7

Case Studies: Real-Life Fire Incidents and Lessons Learned

– Analysis of major fire disasters

– How design failures contributed

– Lessons for future projects

Video 7.1 (Fire Incidents and Prevention) Discussion forum Reading material

Session 8

Sustainable Fire- Resistant Design

– Fire safety in green buildings

– Using fire-resistant natural materials

– Balancing aesthetics and fire safety

Video 8.1 (Sustainable Fire-Resistant Materials) Case study review

Course Content

Session 1: Introduction to Fire Safety in Building Design
Topics Covered: • Importance of fire safety in buildings • Overview of fire hazards • Fire prevention principles

Reading Material 1: Importance of Fire Safety in Buildings
Reading Material 2: Overview of Fire Hazards
Reading Material 3: Fire Prevention Principles
Quiz: Session 1: Introduction to Fire Safety in Building Design

Session 2: Fire Behaviour and Building Materials
Topics Covered: • How fires start and spread • Fire-resistant vs. combustible materials • Selecting fire-rated materials

Session 3: Building Design for Fire Safety
Topics Covered: • Passive fire protection: Fire-resistant walls, doors, and coatings • Active fire protection: Sprinklers, alarms, and smoke control • Compartmentalization and escape routes

Session 4: Fire Codes and Regulations
Topics Covered: • Overview of international fire codes (NFPA, IBC, BS 9999) • Compliance with local regulations • Legal implications of non-compliance

Session 5: Emergency Planning and Evacuation Design
Topics Covered: • Designing effective fire exits and staircases • Fire drills and evacuation procedures • Importance of signage and wayfinding systems

Session 6: Fire Protection Systems and Technology
Topics Covered: • Fire alarms and smoke detection systems • Suppression systems: sprinklers, fire extinguishers, gas-based systems • Smart fire safety technology and system integration

Session 7: Case Studies – Real-Life Fire Incidents and Lessons Learned
Topics Covered: • Analysis of historical and recent fire disasters • Identification of design and system failures • Lessons for architects, engineers, contractors, and regulators

Session 8: Sustainable Fire-Resistant Design
Topics Covered: • Fire safety in green buildings • Use of fire-resistant natural materials • Balancing aesthetics, sustainability, and fire protection

Session 9: Inspection, Maintenance, and Retrofitting for Fire Safety
Topics Covered: • Periodic fire safety inspections • Retrofitting old buildings for fire safety • Fireproofing techniques and long-term system sustainability

Session 10: Final Review and Certification
Topics Covered: • Summary of key fire safety principles and design strategies • Application of knowledge through scenario-based integration • Certification readiness assessment and final quiz • Reflection on ethical responsibilities and lifelong learning

Course Completion and Certification Criteria
To receive your Certificate of Completion, you must: • Complete all 10 sessions and corresponding readings • Score 80% or higher on this final quiz • Submit your capstone scenario reflection (optional but recommended) • Participate in one peer discussion or case study review Upon completion, you will be certified as having completed professional development training in Fire-Safe Building Design. Reflection and Professional Development Prompt Consider a building you designed, work in, or study. Reflect on its fire safety strengths and weaknesses. If you were tasked with improving it, what changes would you implement using what you’ve learned? You are encouraged to document your reflections and use them as part of your portfolio log.

About Course

Course Content

Session 1: Introduction to Fire Safety in Building Design Topics Covered: • Importance of fire safety in buildings • Overview of fire hazards • Fire prevention principles

Reading Material 1: Importance of Fire Safety in Buildings

Reading Material 2: Overview of Fire Hazards

Reading Material 3: Fire Prevention Principles

Quiz: Session 1: Introduction to Fire Safety in Building Design

Session 2: Fire Behaviour and Building Materials Topics Covered: • How fires start and spread • Fire-resistant vs. combustible materials • Selecting fire-rated materials

Reading Material 1: How Fires Start and Spread

Reading Material 2: Fire-Resistant vs. Combustible Materials

Reading Material 3: Selecting Fire-Rated Materials in Design

Quiz: Session 2 – Fire Behaviour and Building Materials

Session 3: Building Design for Fire Safety Topics Covered: • Passive fire protection: Fire-resistant walls, doors, and coatings • Active fire protection: Sprinklers, alarms, and smoke control • Compartmentalization and escape routes

Reading Material 1: Passive Fire Protection in Building Design

Reading Material 2: Active Fire Protection Systems

Reading Material 3: Compartmentalization and Escape Route Design

Quiz: Session 3 – Building Design for Fire Safety

Session 4: Fire Codes and Regulations Topics Covered: • Overview of international fire codes (NFPA, IBC, BS 9999) • Compliance with local regulations • Legal implications of non-compliance

Reading Material 1: Overview of International Fire Codes

Reading Material 2: Compliance with Local Fire Regulations

Reading Material 3: Legal Implications of Non-Compliance

Quiz: Session 4 – Fire Codes and Regulations

Session 5: Emergency Planning and Evacuation Design Topics Covered: • Designing effective fire exits and staircases • Fire drills and evacuation procedures • Importance of signage and wayfinding systems

Reading Material 1: Designing Effective Fire Exits and Staircases

Reading Material 2: Fire Drills and Evacuation Procedures

Reading Material 3: Signage and Wayfinding in Emergencies

Quiz: Session 5 – Emergency Planning and Evacuation Design

Session 6: Fire Protection Systems and Technology Topics Covered: • Fire alarms and smoke detection systems • Suppression systems: sprinklers, fire extinguishers, gas-based systems • Smart fire safety technology and system integration

Reading Material 1: Fire Alarm and Smoke Detection Systems

Reading Material 2: Fire Suppression Systems

Reading Material 3: Smart Fire Technology and Integration

Quiz: Session 6 – Fire Protection Systems and Technology

Session 7: Case Studies – Real-Life Fire Incidents and Lessons Learned Topics Covered: • Analysis of historical and recent fire disasters • Identification of design and system failures • Lessons for architects, engineers, contractors, and regulators

Reading Material 1: The Role of Case Studies in Fire Safety Education

Reading Material 2: Key Case Studies and Technical Analysis

Reading Material 3: Applying Lessons to Design and Practice

Quiz: Session 7 – Real-Life Fire Incidents and Lessons Learned

Session 8: Sustainable Fire-Resistant Design Topics Covered: • Fire safety in green buildings • Use of fire-resistant natural materials • Balancing aesthetics, sustainability, and fire protection

Reading Material 1: Fire Safety in Green Buildings

Reading Material 2: Fire-Resistant Natural and Sustainable Materials

Reading Material 3: Balancing Aesthetics, Sustainability, and Fire Safety

Quiz: Session 8 – Sustainable Fire-Resistant Design

Session 9: Inspection, Maintenance, and Retrofitting for Fire Safety Topics Covered: • Periodic fire safety inspections • Retrofitting old buildings for fire safety • Fireproofing techniques and long-term system sustainability

Reading Material 1: Periodic Fire Safety Inspections

Reading Material 2: Retrofitting Old Buildings for Fire Safety

Reading Material 3: Fireproofing Techniques and Long-Term Sustainability

Quiz: Session 9 – Inspection, Maintenance, and Retrofitting for Fire Safety

Reading Material 1: Summary of Core Concepts and Best Practices

Reading Material 2: Integrated Scenario Review – A Capstone Simulation

Reading Material 3: Ethical Practice and Professional Responsibility

Final Certification Quiz: Comprehensive Knowledge Check