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Fire load
Fire load: An important factor in establishing the basis for the assessment of the fire risk pertaining to any building is the concept of ‘fire load’ which indicates the quantity of heat liberated per unit area when a building and its contents are completely burnt. All occupancies/buildings, etc. can be graded according to their fire hazard and are to be provided for with suitable fire precautions on the basis of the fire load. Hence, grading of buildings according to both fire load and fire resistance can be made. The formula for calculating fire load is as stated. Fire load = (combustibles in kg) x calorific value in kcal/kg Floor area in square meters The calculation of the fire load is the basis for the determining the classification of the occupancies for the fire grading of buildings. Fire grading of the structures: Structural element of buildings are graded according to the the time factor which is nearly equal to but does not exceed the test period which the element fulfills its specified requirements. Accordingly, all structural elements have been graded under the following five categories depending upon their five resistance: Grade 1 (6 hours) Grade 2 (4 hours) Grade 3 ( 2 hours) Grade 4 ( 1 hours) Grade 5 ( 0.5 hour)