Flammability and multi-objective performance of building façades: Towards optimum design
Author(s)
Bonner, M
Rein, G
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The façade is an important, complex, and costly part of a building, performing multiple objectives of value to the occupants, like protecting from wind, rain, sunlight, heat, cold, and sound. But the frequency of façade fires in large buildings is alarming, and has multiplied by seven times worldwide over the last three decades, to a current rate of 4.8 fires per year. High-performing polymer based materials allow for a significant improvement across several objectives of a facade (e.g., thermal insulation, weight, and construction time) thereby increasing the quality of a building. However, all polymers are flammable to some degree. If this safety problem is to be tackled effectively, then it is essential to understand how different materials, and the façade as a whole, perform in the event of a fire. This paper discusses the drivers for flammability in facades, the interaction of facade materials, and current gaps in knowledge. In doing so, it aims to provide an introduction to the field of façade fires, and to show that because of the drive for thermal efficiency and sustainability, façade systems have become more complex over time, and they have also become more flammable. We discuss the importance of quantifying the flammability of different façade systems, but highlight that it is currently impossible to do so, which hinders research progress. We finish by putting forward an integral framework of design that uses multi-objective optimization to ensure that flammability is minimized while considering other objectives, such as maximizing thermal performance or minimizing weight.
Date Issued
2018-12-01
Date Acceptance
2018-12-01
Citation
International Journal of High-Rise Buildings, 2018, 7 (4), pp.363-374
ISSN
2234-7224
Publisher
Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information
Start Page
363
End Page
374
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
Volume
7
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat/ Matthew Bonner; Guillermo Rein.
Sponsor
EPSRC and Arup
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-01