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Course profile

Fire Engineering Design: Explicit Quantification of Safety (FIRE7680)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Civil Engineering School

This course aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop an explicit fire safety strategy.

This course develops design skills in fire safety engineering for the practical application to the built environment, including novel and complex structures such as ᅠtall buildings or other complex infrastructure. The skills and knowledge acquired by students within this course promote critical thinking and the application of engineering fundamentals to identify and solve complex design problems for which there are no standard solutions. This course emphasises the explicit development of engineered solutions in such a way that it can be demonstrated that the performance objectives of which regulations are comprised are achieved.

The course is aimed at those enrolled in post graduate programs in Fire Safety Engineering, however it is also suitable for any student who has completed the pre-requisites and is interested in developing design expertise in this emerging and growing engineering discipline.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The course is aimed at students enrolled in one of the fire safety engineering programs at UQ, however it is also of relevance and interest for students enrolled in a civil engineering degree who have completed the pre-requisites and who wish to develop further skills in Fire Safety Engineering as part of a related degree in Engineering. Typically students enrolled in this courseᅠhave anᅠinterest inᅠdesign, architecture and in the application of engineering fundamentals to complex problems.ᅠ

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

FIRE7600 or FIRE3700 or ENGG3700

Companion or co-requisite courses

You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:

FIRE7620

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course is delivered externally. Self-directed taught content will be available online which the students are expected to go through in the first weeks of semester in order to progress in the course. Regular contact hours with course staff will be available for discussions.

Design studio sessions will be held from week 4 to the end of semester. These sessions will be recorded and made available online for future reference. Reflection on progress during the semester based on the design workshops is a hurdle for passing the course and so students are strongly encouraged to attend these.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to develop design skills in students through the application of knowledge and skills introduced in ᅠFIRE3700, FIRE4610, FIRE7620, and FIRE7640.

Detail will be developed in the design process, including the interaction of the different stakeholders in the fire safety engineering process and the interpretation of building codes to develop a buildings fire safety strategy when the building does not fit within the Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) solution available in the codes.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Explain the fire safety strategy of a building and analyse the impact of unique features on the different elements of the strategy

LO2.

Evaluate the interactions between the different components of a fire safety strategy

LO3.

Develop fire models in complex environments

LO4.

Apply principles of human behaviour to study evacuation from buildings

LO5.

Conduct an Available Safe Egress Time (ASET) / Required Safe Egress Time (RSET) analysis of a building and evaluate the fire safety strategy of the building for life safety

LO6.

Develop a fire safety strategy and demonstrate that it explicitly meets the required performance objectives

LO7.

Review the fire safety strategy for a building against best practice and the requirements of the building code

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Reflection Reflections on progress
  • Hurdle
Formative hurdle

23/08/2024 3:50 pm

13/09/2024 3:50 pm

4/10/2024 3:50 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Fire engineering report 60%

11/10/2024 3:50 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Peer review 20%

25/10/2024 3:50 pm

Presentation Fire strategy presentation
  • Identity Verified
20%

4/11/2024 - 11/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Reflections on progress

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Reflection
Weight
Formative hurdle
Due date

23/08/2024 3:50 pm

13/09/2024 3:50 pm

4/10/2024 3:50 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

This series of reflections are a formative opportunity for feedback on progress throughout the design process. You are required to submit 3 reflections on progress over the course of the semester.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

Reflections must be submitted on at least 50 % of the scheduled design studios.

Submission guidelines

Submission via Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

The late submission penalty will be applied to assessment item 1 (the fire engineering report)

Fire engineering report

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
60%
Due date

11/10/2024 3:50 pm

Task description

This report should describe the process that has been followed throughout the design process, including:

  • An overview of the fire safety engineering process that was followed
  • Identification of specific issues that are to be addressed in the building
  • Statement and justification of performance objectives for the building
  • An outline description of the fire safety strategy that is proposed for the building
  • Fire scenarios and design fire scenarios for the building

The report will also provide details of demonstration that the building meets the performance requirements stated. It is expected that this will comprise at a minimum:

  • An ASET/RSET analysis for the building that is supported by appropriate smoke modelling and egress modelling
  • Qualitative or quantitative justification as appropriate to justify other elements of the fire safety strategy

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submission via Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Peer review

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
20%
Due date

25/10/2024 3:50 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Peer review of the fire safety strategy of someone else from the course.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submission via Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Fire strategy presentation

  • Identity Verified
Mode
Oral
Category
Presentation
Weight
20%
Due date

4/11/2024 - 11/11/2024

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L06

Task description

This presentation is on the fire safety strategy developed during this course.

To be covered in the presentation are details such as:

  • the evacuation strategy of the building
  • the smoke management strategy of the building
  • other specific hazards in the building
  • the integration of the fire safety strategy

The individual oral presentation should cover the content of the brief.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person or live online via zoom. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Oral presentations and assessments will be recorded for re-mark purposes.

Submission guidelines

Not a submissible item.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: As for grade of 2 and the student fails to complete the assessment for the course.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44.99

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate and irrelevant.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49.99

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Some knowledge of the subject is evident but the student demonstrates limited understanding of the underlying concepts. A substantial part of information provided is inaccurate or irrelevant.

4 (Pass) 50 - 64.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and at least partial understanding of the underlying concepts. Has some correct and some incorrect information.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and sound understanding of the key concepts.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems. There are only minor factual inaccuracies and there is little irrelevant information.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Key concepts are understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesize information from different aspects of the subject. There are insignificant factual inaccuracies and there is very limited irrelevant information.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

The form of supplementary assessment will be determined by the course coordinator based on overall progress and performance in the different assessment items.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Not scheduled
Not Timetabled

Self-directed study

Content for self-directed learning will be made available at the start of semester. This will cover the process to be followed and tools to be used throughout the project. Students are expected to complete the self-directed learning content within the first 3 weeks of semester.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

General contact hours

Consultation hours

General consultation hour for the course. No content will be delivered. Course staff will be avaliable for discussion or consultation on specific questions or problems associated with the content at this time throughout the semester.

These sessions will not be recorded by default, although some material may be made available on blackboard after the consultation.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Week 1
Lecture

Introductory lecture

Introductory lecture to the course

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Multiple weeks

From Week 4 To Week 13

Studio

Design studios

Design studio sessions will be held from week 4 to week 13. Studios will be grouped into 3 blocks covering specific stages in the design process. Students will be required to reflect on progress aligned with at least 2 of these blocks.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: