Course Structure

• Module 1 – Analysis of the fire strategy of a building. [Day 1] (7 hours)

This module covers an analysis of the fire strategy of the building based on the solutions for an implicit (prescriptive-based) and an explicit (performance-based) design. The objective of this section is to highlight the relationship between an implicit design and external fire spread, and the consequences of external fire spread related to main objectives inherent to the fire safety strategy (occupants’ life safety and fire-fighting intervention).

• Module 2 – Fundamentals of fire spread. [Day 2] (7 hours)

​This module aims to establish the fundamentals of fire spread, identifying the main parameters that govern flame spread and characterising the conditions required to enable horizontal and vertical fire spread. This module covers fundamentals relevant to the flammability of materials such as material composition, thermal decomposition mechanisms (pyrolysis and oxidation), flaming ignition, flame spread, burning behaviour, the role of fire retardants, and the dynamics of external fire plumes. A discussion on fire testing methods and their relevance, and the differences between the material and system behaviour are included. A series of case studies consisting of different façade systems are used to illustrate the mechanisms of external fire spread and the interaction between different façade components.

• Module 3 – Responding to the ‘Shergold & Weir Inquiry’. [Day 3] (2 hours)

This short session will review the design and verification processes for fire safety engineering. It will also briefly discuss professionalism of the discipline and the competencies and attributes that could be expected of fire safety engineers.

• Module 4 – Curtain walling systems. [Day 3] (2 hours)

This module covers the mechanical behaviour of façade elements when exposed to severe conditions of heat exposure. The module is split into two sections: the first reviews current drivers for the mechanical design of facades, including current fire test methods; the second gives an introduction to structural mechanics at high temperature and links this to the overall mechanical response of curtain walls in fire.

• Module 5 – Reformulation of the building fire safety strategy. [Days 3 and 4] (6 hours)

This module consists of two case studies in which the fire safety strategy of real tall buildings is reformulated based on the risk of external fire spread. The first case study covers the case of a tall building with a classical façade system (curtain wall system) where no combustible/flammable cladding materials are used; thus, the risk of external fire spread is represented by the mechanical displacement of the façade and the geometrical constraints of openings. The second case study covers the case of a tall building with a modern façade system where potentially combustible/flammable cladding materials are used.

• Module 6 – The Cladding Materials Library and laboratory sessions. [Days 4 & 5] (7.5 hours)

On day 4, the Cladding Materials Library developed at The University of Queensland will be presented. The Cladding Materials Library consists of an extensive flammability database of aluminium composite panels, insulation materials, sarking materials and other types of materials identified in the audit of buildings in Queensland. The Cladding Materials Library is intended to provide a characterisation of the flammability of different cladding materials and complement the assessment of the performance of cladding systems.

On day 5, a series of laboratory sessions will be carried out at The University of Queensland’s fire laboratory. These sessions will consist of multi-scale experiments applied to cladding materials, which correspond to part of the experimental protocols proposed by The University of Queensland to develop the Cladding Materials Library with data regarding the flammability cladding materials.

• Module 7 – Examination. [Day 5] (3.5 hours)

A final examination will take place to assess the participants' knowledge with regards to the concepts presented over the course. The participants will be required to pass the test according to UQ policies regarding marking and scoring.