Future Fire Codes

by Michael O'Hara, P.E., Pres.; The MountainStar Group, Inc., Bloomington, MN,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1998, Vol. 68, Issue 5, Pg. 48-51


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Performance-based fire codes are a trend worldwide. The idea is to get away from prescriptive, cook-book codes that dictate design. Performance based codes should be more rational and more economical. Research is being conducted in the U.S. and abroad to verify that these codes will be effective and less wasteful than prescriptive codes. Two countries, including Australia have adopted these codes and there are several groups working in the U.S. to set guidelines in this area. ASCE and the Structures Institute are overseeing an effort to formulate a document that could be the basis for such a fire code. The deadline for completion is August 1999.

Subject Headings: Standards and codes | Fires | Waste management | Verification | Professional societies | Economic factors

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