As your reliable business partner, it is our duty with each passing project to investigate and then implement improvements that can be integrated into the Ugandan real estate landscape. The latest integral point of interest is fire life safety.
From the onset, the emerging hotel, Hilton Kampala and grade A office block, TWED Heights have been developed for use in the best of circumstances; a place of work and leisure within the city’s central business district; but also, with the ability to withstand the worst possibilities. Surviving a fire is an unforeseeable tragedy that used to mean an imminent inescapable end to life. However, now with research, KCCA & NPFA regulations and the Hilton business partnership, we have implemented systems that greatly improve the chances of survival for our valued customers, staff and all stakeholders. We desire to share the knowledge for the betterment of our industry;
1) 100% Automatic Sprinkler System
One fact about fire wherever there is oxygen, fuel and heat- it will spread! Once a fire starts, all 3 components are immensely accessible until there is an intervention to control it. To halt the damage this intervention must be faster than man, it needs to be automatic.
Sprinklers play a crucial role as the primary controllers of a fire. They work to suppress the spread of fire and thus danger by controlling the heat release rate of the fire. This implementation of standardized containment drastically improves the chances of survival because danger in one area of the building no longer automatically means danger in the whole building, instead occupants and visitors will safely have access to numerous fire exits that have proper load calculations per level per usage. All this is supported by fire alarm sounders to inform all of the danger.
2) Fire compartmentalization
As well as sprinklers, each fire zone is divided into fire-resistant compartments to stop the spread. To highlight a few items, the lifts have a rear fire escape door, each duct has a fire dumper and each floor is enclosed with a fire escape door.
All these measures collectively guarantee a 2-hour containment period within every fire zone. Practice has shown that it is more than enough time to survive the immediate danger and to wait for the assistance of our national firefighting support team.
3) Pressurized Staircases
It is a common misconception that when someone loses consciousness in a fire it is because they are being burnt alive, actually it is the smoke of the fire that causes all this. The smoke particles contain dangerous gases like carbon monoxide that when inhaled cause respiratory irritation. In large doses, it causes a suffocation-like effect.
It is integral then to keep the exit routes clean and safe. We have used VFD fans in the staircases to give every individual the safest and best chance of survival.
The temptation to disregard all of this is understandable, after all, what is the likelihood of fire compared to the cost implication? In response, we say the price for safety cannot be overestimated, just like other assurances of life like death and taxes, there will always be moments of bad caused by negligence, malice or even climate change. All these factors can be the cause of the fire and so protection is needed. It is well for us to create beautiful buildings but more important than that, they need to be safe.
For inquiries on appropriate fire life safety measures bespoke to Uganda’s needs, please contact info@twed.co.ug
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