THE EMERGING SCIENCE OF FIRE SAFETY

ROCKWOOL Stone wool is more than a fire-resistant material — it is a fire resilient material, which can hinder the spread of fire, decreasing fire related damages and the associated environmental, societal and financial impacts

- Vinay Pratap Singh

Every major city in the world is competing for the attention of tourists, investors, and businesses. And one way they make an impact on the global stage is by making architectural statements. The result is a plethora of stunning buildings, many of which lay claim to being either the tallest, the most eco-friendly, or offering the greatest ergonomic efficiency, dominating the skylines of capitals around the globe. These architectural masterpieces add to the excitement of a city but they have to conform, of course, to fire regulations and the other safety safeguards that are required for all buildings. Their complexity, however, presents new challenges for fire safety rules, and regulations including the choice of the right material going in the building fabric.

Fire safety needs to be implemented at the highest level

Not only India but the world has been experiencing a series of building fires that have endangered the lives of citizens, firefighters, and destroyed heritage monuments like the Glasgow School of Art, Notre Dame de Paris. Though the number of fires is going down, their impact on society has increased and there has been a spike in costs too. Moreover, in the current context where mitigating the effects of climate change is the top priority, it is essential to proactively address all fire risks.

Thanks to the steps taken by our national bodies like BIS, BEE to set the guidelines for achieving better energy efficiency as well as less CO2 emission which will reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions tremendously, if the fire safety standards are also respected.