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Introduction to Fire Engineering. Fire ignition, flame spread and flame height. The performance of construction materials and fire resistance. People movement and behaviour during fires. Fire detection, suppression and smoke extract systems. Wildland fires, fire investigation, fire-fighting.
Fire engineering design of buildings is a large, complex and rapidly expanding multi-disciplinary subject. This course provides a general introduction to fire science and engineering. The course aims to:(a) provide an understanding of the hazards of fires in buildings and the dynamics of fire development;(b) describe the performance of building materials and structures in fire;(c) develop knowledge of the active and passive fire protection measures available to building designers;(d) examine how people behave in fire situations and(e) cover other fire science and engineering topics of interest such as wildfires, fire investigation etc.
Subject to approval of the Director of Studies
The course will be run as a four-week programme that includes three weeks of self-study time and a one week on-campus block session. Full attendance at the block session is compulsory and it will consist of tutorials, laboratory work etc. Students will be expected to come fully prepared for the block as there will not be time to catch up. The course will be predominately run by Associate Professor Michael Spearpoint, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering who is the fire programme course director at the University. Other experts will contribute to the course to cover specific topics.
For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering Head of Department
A 45 minute test will be run on the Monday of the block session and a 3-hour formal test will be run on the last day of the course. The block session test will cover material that has been covered during the first self-study period. Students will be given a formula sheet for the test. The final test will cover all of the course material. Students are permitted to bring two sides of A4 hand-written notes into the final test and no formula sheet will be provided. The final test will be run on-campus but distance students can take the test at their remote location so long as they can nominate a suitable invigilator. Typically this person will be an IPENZ Chartered Professional Engineer or an academic at a local tertiary organisation. Nomination of invigilators needs to be done during the block session at the latest and waiting until the day of the final test will not be acceptable.The course will also be assessed through four assignments. Assignments can be completed individually or in pairs. If students elect to complete assignments in pairs then the same grade will be given to both people except in exceptional circumstances. Students do not have to work in the same pair for each submission and can elect to submit some assignments individually and some as part of a pair. Working in groups larger than pairs is not permitted and the rules regarding plagiarism remain in place. The correct use of English, appropriate units etc. will be required.Notes:1. A student must achieve a minimum of 40% in the final test to pass the course.2. Late submissions will lose 20% of the total mark per day or part of day.Repeating students must complete all assignments and the tests unless otherwise agreed by the course co-ordinator.
Students will be given free access to an electronic copy of the “Fire Engineering Design Guide”, 3rd edition which is published by CAENZ. In addition students are expected to have access to “Principles of Fire Behavior” by J. G. Quintiere, Delmar Publishing, Copies are available from the Engineering Library but distance students should obtain their own copies. Lecture handouts and online podcasts will be made available during the course.
HEALTH & SAFETYGeneral Safe Conduct in the Laboratory:(i) Bare feet, jandals, sandals, or other open footwear are not permitted in laboratories;(ii) Smoking is prohibited in laboratories;(iii) Eating and drinking are prohibited in all laboratory areas and near computer terminals in the Computer Suite;(iv) Running or any form of ""horseplay"" or ""skylarking"" is not permitted in any of the laboratories as they are potentially very hazardous;(v) Long hair is to be adequately constrained;(vi) Loose clothing that could get caught in equipment or machinery should not be worn. Neckties can be particularly hazardous in this regard).Specific Hazards in the Fire Engineering Laboratories:(a) Prior to fire experiments:(i) Trip hazards such as cables, tubes, equipment etc.(ii) Flammable gases and liquids(iii) Electrical equipment and sparksBe careful what you touch and where you walk in the laboratory. Use appropriate safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses, etc.) where necessary before, during and after any fire experiment.(b) During fire experiments:(i) Equipment noise(ii) High temperatures and thermal radiation(iii) Direct flame contact(iv) Toxic smokeThe laboratory can get noisy during an experiment so listen carefully to any instructions. There are manual and automatic sprinklers installed in the laboratory. There is also manual fire-fighting equipment. If you feel threatened or even just uncomfortable during the experiment due to the fire or smoke then you should move to a safe place. In the unlikely event of something going wrong, you should evacuate the building by the most appropriate safe route.(c) Post fire experiments:(i) Hot surfaces(ii) Soot and debrisIf you get soot or debris on your skin use soap and water to wash it off.
The course will be useful for engineers, architects, Building Control Authority and fire service personnel as a starting point for those who wish to become professional fire engineers through a combination of further education and experience. The course is generally required for anyone who is looking to pursue the fire engineering post-graduate qualifications.
Domestic fee $1,018.00
International fee $4,863.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .