THE INTEGRATION OF COMPONENTS OF FIRE TECHNOLOGY

Fire safety systems in large buildings are likely to be complex and may be designed independently of other systems. This means that the interactions and interfaces between the fire safety systems and between the environmental control systems and the fire safety systems may not be carried out properly. Many large, recent buildings have many technological component systems that are used for the control of the environment within the building. Because of the "special" nature of the fire safety systems there is little consideration is given to the possibility systems with a dual function. However, many of the functions of fire safety systems are extensions of systems that provide the day to day control over the internal environment. The present world-wide trend towards the establishment of performance codes, and regulations, will enable the functional design of all systems and thereby allow closer integration of the "ordinary" and "special" systems. Some aspects of the functional and performance characteristics of systems in buildings are introduced and discussed. Special reference is made to the contributions of the systems to the minimisation of fire damage.e minimisation of fire damage.