Performance based fire regulations in Poland - advanced draft under consultation

摘要

The need for introduction of performance based fire regulations in Poland is becoming more and more urgent and necessary. The new drafted concept of the regulations which is currently undergoing consultation is expected to provide a basis for the evaluation of the design and solutions that fall outside the traditional set of prescriptive requirements. The main goal of such evaluation is to establish the level of fire safety of buildings. Such evaluation can be performed using the performance criteria specified in the first (obligatory) part of the new regulations. Among the new criteria, the ones that related to limiting the extent of internal fire spread within building were highlighted. The criteria related to the concept of maximum area affected by fire will help to establish whether the extended area of fire compartment will not decrease the level of safety in the building. The publication of guidelines, which is initiated and coordinated by the Polish Society of Fire Engineers will encourage and facilitate the application of the new regulations. These documents are going to contain technical recommendations and rules of good engineering practice.