Description
TECH 3520 Course Project
Content:
This semester you have learned fire safety issues in a number of occupancies. You are required to pick ONE occupancy from the following categories, perform an investigation to a real-world example of this particular occupancy, and write an 8-10 page report (texts, images and references all included) for your investigation. The paper should be in double-space and with 1-inch margin at top, bottom and sides.
Teamwork:
Teamwork is encouraged. You can choose to do an individual paper or a team paper. A group may include students of two or three, but no more than three. Each group will submit ONE report only.
Choices of occupancies for your project:
- High-rise occupancies
- Hotel
- University housing
- Business occupancies
- Mercantile occupancies
- One-and-two family occupancies
- Apartment building
- Assembly occupancies
- Educational occupancies
- Day-care occupancies
Report writing:
You should strictly follow the format provided below when writing the report.
First, print out a copy of the weekly reading material associated with your project. For example, if you work on a Cal State L.A. dorm project, print out the weekly reading material “Fire Protection In Hotel and University Housing Occupancies”. If you work on your home, print out the weekly reading material “Fire Protection In one-and-two family occupancies” or “Apartment Buildings”. You will be required to answer some questions in your report with information retrieved from this reading material. Further research (e.g. using Google) on your chosen occupancy to support your investigation and analysis is encouraged.
Your report shall consist of FIVE sections:
Section 1: Occupancy classification
Provide name, nature and location of your project. Include one or more pictures of the project.
Identify which occupancy group it belongs to. (such as A-1, A-2, B, E, R-1, R-2, M, etc)
Provide a brief description of this particular occupancy in general. You can summarize information you retrieved from the weekly reading material.
Section 2: Major fire safety challenges
First give a summary of the major fire safety issues /leading causes of fire/fire death in this particular occupancy based on the reading material
Then apply it into your real-world project: what are the major fire safety challenges in this particular building (dorm, school, office, apartment, etc.)?
Section 3: Means of egress requirements
First give a summary of the means of egress requirements by codes/standards for this particular occupancy based on the reading material
Then apply it into your real-world project:
o Include a rough layout/floor plan (hand drafting is fine) with the egress elements (such as exits, stairway, evacuation path, etc) marked on the drawing
o What are the current means of egress designs in this building?
o Make your own comments on the design: is it good? Define any risk factors you find (such as exit door blocked…); Provide any suggestions of improvement you may have.
Section 4: Fire protection system requirements
First give a summary of the fire protection system (fire alarm, sprinkler system, smoke control system, fire-rating of walls,doors, etc.) requirements by codes/standards for this particular occupancy based on the reading material
Then apply it into your real-world project:
o Include a rough layout/floor plan (hand drafting is fine) with the fire alarm, sprinklers, emergency lighting, FDC (fire department connection), standpipes, portable extinguisher, … marked (as symbols) on the drawing
o What are the current protection systems designed/installed in this building? Provide a brief description.
o Make your own comments on the current design: is it good? Define any risk factors you find; Provide any suggestions of improvement you may have. (Refer to the reading material for certain criteria)
Section 5: Conclusion
Resources:
• Weekly reading materials
• California Building Codes
• NFPA standards
• Fire Protection Engineering Handbook
• Online academic resource, such as Google scholar, etc