Date

6-2016

Degree Name

MS in Fire Protection Engineering

College

College of Engineering

Advisor

Frederick Mowrer and Christopher Pascual

Abstract

This paper compares two design approaches for a 4-story atrium. The subject is the New Burke Museum building that is currently under construction in Seattle, WA. Under normal conditions, this building has four levels that are connected by different horizontal and vertical openings. The building design utilizes a series of vertical and horizontal acting fire doors to create separation and eliminate the atrium condition. The building’s alternate design is compared to a traditional atrium design meeting the requirements of section 404 of the IBC with an active smoke control system designed using NFPA 92B. In order to complete the analysis of the two designs a study of the entire Burke Museum building and how it meets current building code requirements is also summarized. This includes the buildings construction type, occupancies, fire and smoke protection features, egress requirements and fire protection systems. The comparison is based on code compliance, fire and life safety performance and impact to the building design. It is found that both designs meet the building code. The alternate design to create separation has the least impact to the design. When designed and maintained properly, an active smoke control system will maintain tenability longer than creating separation.

Schmidt- Final Presentation.pdf (8508 kB)
Final Presentation

DOI

10.15368/fperpt.2016.17

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.