6. Knowledge exchange forum

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FORUM

1. TOPIC: INSPECTION FOR PASSIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS  ABSTRACT:  Periodic inspections and maintenance of the building’s fireproofing systems ensure proper performance when required. Structural fire protection and compartmentation are the cornerstones of passive fire protection. While most of the passive protective features are part of the building’s design and construction, their effectiveness can degrade over time and require inspection and maintenance by trained experts for proper functionality. Do Passive Fire Protection Systems Require Inspection? Hence, should we look more precisely on the inspection and maintenance in order to avert calamity? Is it right for the court to fine the building owners for failure to adhere to the regulation?

  https://www.propertyguru.com.my/property-news/2017/7/157091/malaysian-buildings-inspected-are-at-risk-of-fire-noh-omar  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/03/care-homes-fail-fire-safety-inspections-risk-to-elderly  https://www.propertyguru.com.my/property-news/2017/6/154882/buildings-in-kl-are-at-risk-of-fire

 1. TOPIC: Retrofitting fire safety in historical buildings  Abstract:  As passive fire protection refers to the building’s components that help prevent the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building. It also ensures the integrity of the building’s structure while facilitating the exit of building occupants and the entrance of firefighting personnel. Many times, buildings cannot be retrofitted and therefore codes provide provisions for grandfathering non-compliant structures as well as for the use of performance based tools. Grandfathered buildings will never be perceived as safe and therefore many concessions on the building use become necessary. Thus, are we required to enhance more on the retro-fitting guide in the UBBL specifically for historical buildings instead of abiding by the modern building requirement?  https://time.com/5571495/notre-dame-burned-buildings/

 1. TOPIC: Costs in Passive Fire safety  Abstract:  Due to the fact of integrating effective fire safety in order to protect the building brings costs into consideration. The costs of fire protection in buildings whereby building owners are not abiding by the UBBL and including adequate passive fire protection as the costs seems to be main issue. However, the price of saving lives, property, and assets is incalculable whereby the due diligence will pay off when the fire is contained. If keeping your fire-protection system balance and well maintained is top of mind, worrying about the fire spread won’t be. However, should there be an aid in costs provided for building owners in order to prevent fire catastrophe?  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/20/developers-tell-gove-we-will-not-foot-4bn-fire-safety-bill-alone  https://www.ukfrs.com/sites/default/files/2017-09/Publication%2069_83%20%28reprint%20of%2017_78%29%20%20The%20Value%20of%20Fire%20Protection%20in%20Building%20-%20Summary%20Report.pdf

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORUM 1 SUMMARY

 The video speaks about the Architects act, which expresses how the work of an Interior Designer its not only about beautiful interior spaces but includes a lot of things such as art blending with the space and scientific studies so as to achieve a pleasant and functional space baser on their customer or client based. It’s a professional work field that requires practise and training, even though nowadays there a lot of interior Designers who are found in companies and have no license for practising it which leads to al0ot of doubts whether its important to have a license to practise Interior design.

 In my opinion as spoke by Interior Designer Ronnie Choong, this matter has been a challenge for many people over the years, since the internet has provided a lot of information and knowledge needed for some to go about such as DIY, but never the less i think a license should be acquired to practice interior designing. This is because it’s not only about choosing colours, hanging paintings, choosing, arranging furniture or designs but way complex than in the matter of sense that one has to understand the functions of the space and user profile in order to create a space encouraging efficiency, creativity and productivity. The need to understand building systems, its security, ergonomics and fire safety of the space play an important role in designing interior spaces. For example, designing spaces such as food and beverages spaces it needs to be appealing to its users so as for them to enjoy the whole experience of the space has to offer. In retail outlets it needs an extensive knowledge in retail design and psychology for the space by highlighting the products. Lastly in-residence spaces to be able to understand and translate the characters identity into the space, making it safe space for them to feel they belong in according to their own taste

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORUM 2 SUMMARY

 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal was created to set different goals which were aligned to help tackle the urgent problems faced in politics, environment and economic challenges which we face in the world. This is by trying to bring everyone together to help tackle the challenges in any possible way they can contribute.

 Architects and interior designers also play a role in this where as they come up with new ways such as downcycling which uses a lot of additives and chemicals to the process and involves higher transportation costs including raw materials. This impacts them in the recycling method where the product recycled its not always sustainable. The use of raw materials from nature, energy and water used at each of the stages for the product. The emissions and waste products which are produced causes an environmental impact which includes the products carbon footprint.

 The main goal is to eradicate poverty, hunger, provide good health and well being, quality education, to promote gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequality, sustainable cities, consumption and production, climate action, water organisms, land living organisms, peace, justice and partnership are all to be done for as one tends to remove one is helpful enough and we don't leave anyone behind

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORUM 3 SUMMARY

 The forum spoke about the extent of responsibility of a designer regarding fire safety, where the ultimate fire protection design in the building is provided to protect users in an event of a fire to reduce the risk of property and human life loss but if the public users do not have a clear understanding or unable to perform as how the designers expected during an emergency then the design will not have served its purpose since its supposed to be understandable and easy to read. There is a different way of dealing with public users who lack knowledge or follow rules where as the fire safety education should be provided in schools and centers since in a young age so as they grow up knowing how to curve or fight against fire that’s what a designer can do to ensure the safety of the public. At some point strict UBBL Laws should be strengthened and also enforced by the police where they can get to catch public users who don’t obey fire safety rules since prevention its better than cure and also get to save lives.