School of Architecture and Built Environment ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
School of Architecture and Built Environment

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance
BCA Singapore, Callaghan and Distance Education - Callaghan
Semester 2 - 2015
OVERVIEW
Course Description
This course explores the principle and practice of the

assessment, evaluation and the provision of recommendations
associated with fire safety alternative solutions. Students will
understand building regulations, fire dynamics, fire safety
measures, human behaviour and risk assessment, as well as
developing knowledge of the practical design process adopted by
the industry. Building information modelling (BIM) will be explored
in relation to its application to fire safety and compliance.
Contact Hours
ALL Locations
Lecture
Face to Face On Campus
2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial
Face to Face On Campus
1 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks
Distance learning students will receive equivalent instruction
through online or other distance education strategies
Unit Weighting
Workload
10
Students are required to spend on average 120-140 hours of
effort (contact and non-contact) including assessments per 10
unit course.
CRICOS Provider 00109J

BCA Singapore, Callaghan and Distance Education - Callaghan Semester 2 - 2015
CONTACTS
Course Coordinator
BCA Singapore, Callaghan and Distance Education - Callaghan

Mrs Kim Maund
Kim.Maund@newcastle.edu.au
(02) 49216729
Consultation: Appointments with your Course Coordinator must be made by email.
Teaching Staff
Other teaching staff will be advised on the course Blackboard site.
School Office
School of Architecture and Built Environment

Architecture Building
archbe@newcastle.edu.au
+61 2 4921 5771
SYLLABUS
Course Content
The National Construction Code, Australian Standards and the International Fire
Engineering Guidelines.
Fire dynamics, convection, conduction and radiation.
Fire initiation and development, ignition, pre-flashover, flashover and decay.
Building occupant characteristics and behaviour during fire emergencies.
Building fire service and equipment including types and application.
The Fire Engineering Brief and Fire Engineering Report: Fire engineered alternative
solutions.
Design and maintenance of fire safety measures.
Certification processes including fire safety schedules, certificates and statements.
The Building Surveying and Fire Engineering professions.
Building information modelling (BIM) and its application to fire safety and compliance
including the simulations of fire related scenarios
Page 2 of 11

Course Learning
Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand fire dynamics, fire initiation through to decay and combustion effects.
2. Investigate building regulations and fire engineering principles and their application to fire
engineered alternative solutions.
3. Understand active and passive fire safety systems and their application.
4. Understand human behaviour and risk assessment.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of building information modelling (BIM) in the context of fire
safety and compliance.
6. Apply knowledge of the practical design process adopted by the industry
7. Present written and visual concepts and ideas.
Course Materials
Required Text:
- Australian Building Codes Board (2015). The National Construction Code: Building Code
of Australia 2015 Volume One - Class 2 to 9 buildings. Australian Building Codes Board,
Canberra. (Available online)
Australian Building Codes Board (2015). The National Construction Code: Guide to the
Building Code of Australia 2015, Class 2 to 9 buildings. Australian Building Codes Board,
Canberra. (Available online)
Australian Building Codes Board (2005). The International Fire Engineering Guidelines.
ABCB, Canberra.
Page 3 of 11

SCHEDULE
Week
1
Week Begins
27 Jul
3 Aug
10 Aug
17 Aug
24 Aug
31 Aug
7 Sep
14 Sep
5 Oct
10
12 Oct
11
19 Oct
12
26 Oct
13
2 Nov
Lecture
Assessment Due
Introduction: course curriculum &
course assessment.
The National Construction Code.
The International Fire Engineering
Guidelines.
BCA, Volume One: Section A
BCA, Volume One: Section C
BCA, Volume One: Section D
BCA, Volume One: Section E
Regulatory Assessment and Fire
Engineering processes.
NSW Fire and Rescue.
International Fire Engineering
Guidelines.
Fire Engineering Processes
Fire Dynamics
Materials and Fire
Fire Initiation and Development
Fire safety measures.
Fire detection and warning
Smoke and heat management
Occupant behaviour, evacuation and
Assessment Item 1:
control
Due 11.59pm on 10/09/15
Available Safe Evacuation Time
(ASET) and Required
Safe Evacuation Time (RSET).
Building Information Modelling: BIM.
Application to fire engineering practice.
Mid Semester Break
Mid Semester Break
Public Holiday: No lecture
Assessment Item 2:
Review of material for submission of
Due 11.59pm on 7/10/15
assessment item two:
Critique of academic papers.
Design and maintenance of fire safety
measures.
Certification and reliability of fire safety
measures.
Fire Safety Schedules, Certificates and
Statements.
The Fire Engineering Profession.
The Building Surveying Profession.
Accreditation Bodies and Professional
Organisations
The International Fire Engineering
Assessment Item 3:
Guidelines.
Due 11.59pm on 28/10/15
Fire Engineering Processes: the five
stages.
Review of Fire Engineering Reports.
Course Review.
Semester 2 Examinations Week 1
Page 4 of 11

ASSESSMENTS
This course has 3 assessments. Each assessment is described in more detail in the sections below.
2
3
Assessment Name
Due Date
Involvement
Weighting
Written Professional
Report: Framework
Development
Journal Article
Assessment
Written Professional
Report: FER Analysis
11.59pm on 10/09/15
Individual
45%
11.59pm on 7/10/15
Individual
20%
11.59pm on 28/10/15
Individual
35%
Late Submissions
Assessment 1 Assessment Type

Description
Learning
Outcomes
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The mark for an assessment item submitted after the designated time on the due date,
without an approved extension of time, will be reduced by 10% of the possible maximum mark
for that assessment item for each day or part day that the assessment item is late. Note: this
applies equally to week and weekend days.
Written Professional Report: Framework Development

Report
Refer to the Assignment 1: Assessment Item briefing document for full details.
This written assessment item places you in the role of an employee of a private certifying
consultancy firm. In this position you are given a project to work on that involves assessment
of a building where an alternative solution is proposed.
You will be required to assess plans and specifications for the proposed building, identify any
non-compliances with certain Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions in the Building Code of Australia,
Volume One. You will also need to nominate relevant Performance Requirements subject to
the alternative solution, and develop a framework for the alternative solution that would
involve using fire engineering principles.
You will be required to write a professional report using direction from the International Fire
Engineering Guidelines and include background details, justification and recommendations to
your solution/s. The scenario is fully explained within the assessment item briefing document
that can be downloaded from Blackboard and should require no further explanation.
You may be required to make assumptions or educated guesses on any information/material
that you believe to be missing. If this is the case you are to explain/justify these assumptions.
Weighting
Length
Due Date
Submission Method
Assessment Criteria
Return Method
45%
3000 words 10%
11.59pm on 10/09/15
Online
Please refer Appendix.
Not Returned
Page 5 of 11

Assessment 2 Assessment Type

Description
Journal Article Assessment

Written Assignment
You will be provided with four (4) journal papers which you should read and reflect upon.
Journal papers will be posted from week two.
You will need to review each paper, critique them and make comments on each. All four (4)
entries will be graded. Each entry must be no more than 250 words in length. They must be
submitted as one pdf document (i.e. as one assignment).
Assessment of this item will be based on how you have interpreted the article, been able to
relate it to other assessments and other skills you might have developed in this course.
In order to help you structure your assignment each entry should contain three short
paragraphs, the first sentence of the first two of which should start with the following:
"I believe the key messages from this week's reading were"
"The readings made me think more about the theory and practice of fire safety in buildings
and compliance
Weighting
Length
Due Date
Submission Method
Assessment Criteria
Return Method
20%
1000 words maximum
11.59pm on 7/10/15
Online
Not Returned
Assessment 3 Written Professional Report: FER Analysis

Assessment Type
Description
Report
This written assessment item places you in the role of an employee of a private certifying
consultancy firm. In this position you are given a project to work on that involves assessing an
alternative solution as recognised by the Building Code of Australia for a proposed building.
You will be required to review the alternative solution using the principles in the Building Code
of Australia and the International Fire Engineering Guidelines as a guide, provide an
executive summary of the solution, and identify any amendments required to the alternative
solution to ensure compliance with the Building Code of Australia and consistency with the
International Fire Engineering Guidelines.
You will be required to write a professional report that gives background, justification and
recommendations to your solution/s. The scenario is fully explained within the assessment
item briefing document that can be downloaded from Blackboard and should require no
further explanation. You may be required to make assumptions or educated guesses on any
information/material that you believe to be missing. If this is the case you are to explain/justify
these assumptions.
Weighting
Length
Due Date
Submission Method
Assessment Criteria
Return Method
35%
2000 words 10%
11.59pm on 28/10/15
Online
Not Returned
Page 6 of 11

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Grading Scheme
This course is graded as follows:
Range of Grade
Description
Marks
85-100
High
Outstanding standard indicating comprehensive knowledge
Distinction
and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of
(HD)
an outstanding level of academic ability; mastery of skills*; and
achievement of all assessment objectives.
75-84
Distinction
Excellent standard indicating a very high level of knowledge
(D)
and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of
a very high level of academic ability; sound development of
skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives.
65-74
Credit
Very Good standard indicating a high level of knowledge and
(C)
understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a
high level of academic ability; reasonable development of
skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives.
50-64
Pass
Satisfactory standard indicating an adequate knowledge and
(P)
understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an
adequate level of academic ability; satisfactory development of
skills*; and achievement of most assessment objectives.
0-49
Fail
Failure to satisfactorily achieve assessment objectives or
(FF)
compulsory course requirements. A fail grade may also be
awarded following disciplinary action.
*Skills are those identified for the purposes of assessment task(s).
Communication
Methods
Communication methods used in this course include:
Course Evaluation
Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses
offered in the University for the purposes of identifying areas of excellence and potential
improvement.
Academic Misconduct
All students are required to meet the academic integrity standards of the University. These
standards reinforce the importance of integrity and honesty in an academic environment.
Academic Integrity policies apply to all students of the University in all modes of study and in
all
locations.
For
the
Student
Academic
Integrity
policy,
refer
to
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000608.html.
Adverse
Circumstances
You are entitled to apply for special consideration because adverse circumstances have had
an impact on your performance in an assessment item. This includes applying for an
extension of time to complete an assessment item. Prior to applying you must refer to the
Adverse Circumstances Affecting Assessment Items Procedure, available at
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000940.html. All applications for Adverse Circumstances
must be lodged via the online Adverse Circumstances system, along with supporting
documentation.
Important Policy
Information
The 'HELP for Students' tab in UoNline contains important information that all students should
be familiar with, including various systems, policies and procedures.
This course outline was approved by the Head of School. No alteration of this course outline is permitted without Head of School
approval. If a change is approved, students will be notified and an amended course outline will be provided in the same manner as the
original.
2015 The University of Newcastle, Australia
Page 7 of 11

Appendix
Page 8 of 11
Assignment 1 Assessment Criteria

Assessment
Criteria:
Fail (0-49%)
(failure to adequately
address the main
issues and lack of
understanding of the
basic principles)
Pass (50-64%)
(majority of the main issues
addressed but inadequate
evidence of independent
thinking and analysis)
Credit (65-74%)
(all the main issues are
addressed but limited
Distinction (75-84%)
(good exploration of main issues
with high level of independent
thinking and critical analysis)
High Distinction (85-100%)

(comprehensive exploration of
main issues with outstanding
level of independent thinking
and critical analysis)
No evidence of any
understanding of
building regulations,
fire dynamics or
response to fires or
alternative solution
development. None of
the appropriate
references to support
discussion or
understanding.
Poor discussion and
lack of justification.
Poor covering letter.
Some evidence of
understanding although
unable to make any
independent conclusions in
relation to assessment or
development of alternative
solutions.
Some appropriate
references.
Little indication of how
references to the appropriate
regulations adequately
support discussion/findings.
Inadequate covering letter.
Satisfactory evidence of
understanding however some
independent conclusions are
made but not particularly well
linked to appropriate solution
development.
Somewhat appropriate
references to the regulations
that are linked satisfactorily to
Satisfactory covering letter.
Strong evidence of
understanding through the
exposition of independent
thinking.
Intelligent and intuitive links made to
appropriate solution development as
further evidence of an understanding
and appreciation.
Very good references to the
regulations that are well exploited to
support a well structured
discussion.
Good format and presentation for
covering letter.
Outstanding evidence of
understanding through the
exposition of independent
thinking and ideas.
Unique and very intuitive links
made to appropriate solution
development as evidence of a
deeper understanding and
appreciation of building
regulations.
Superior references to the
regulations to support an
articulate discussion.
Excellent covering letter.
Assessment Criteria 2:
Application of building
regulations, fire
dynamics, response to
fires, human behaviour
and risk assessment.
(35%)
No evidence of any
application or
regulations, risk
assessment and fire
safety.
None of the
appropriate
references to the
regulations to support
discussion or
understanding.
Poor discussion and
lack of justification.
Some evidence of
application of regulations,
risk assessment and fire
safety although unable to
make any independent
conclusions in relation to
appropriate solutions.
Some appropriate
References.
Little indication of how
references adequately
Satisfactory evidence of
application of regulations, risk
assessment and fire safety,
however some independent
conclusions are made but not
particularly well linked to
appropriate solution
development.
Somewhat appropriate
references used that are
linked satisfactorily to support
discussion/findings
Strong evidence of understanding

Outstanding evidence of
of the application of regulations,
risk assessment and fire safety
application of regulations, risk
through the exposition of
assessment and fire safety
independent thinking.
through exposition of
independent thinking.
Intelligent and intuitive links made to
appropriate solution development as Unique and very intuitive links
made to appropriate solution
further evidence of an
development as evidence of a
understanding and appreciation.
Very good references to the
deeper understanding and
appreciation.
appropriate regulations that are well
exploited to support a well
Superior references that
structured discussion.
are well exploited to support
an articulate discussion.
Present written
concepts and ideas.
(15%)
Absence of
referencing, use of
poor grammar and
writing style.
Absence of consistent,
recognisable referencing
style, accompanied by poor
grammar and writing style.
Consistent, recognisable
referencing style,
accompanied by reasonable
grammar and writing style.
Consistent effort given to
presentation quality
Very good and practiced

referencing style, accompanied by
very good grammar and writing
style. Very competent and
thoughtful presentation quality.
Understand building
regulations, fire
dynamics and response
to fires.
Format and presentation
of covering letter.
(50%)
Near publication-ready
presentation displaying
professional standards of
writing and referencing.

Assignment 2 - Assessment Criteria
Assessment Criteria
Fail (0-49%)
address the main
issues and lack of
basic principles)
Assessment Criteria 1
(25%): Reflection
Absence of meaningful
reflective writing.
(25%): Application
(50%): Critique
Pass (50-64%)
Credit (65-74%)
addressed but limited evidence
of independent thinking and
analysis)
(good exploration of main
issues with high level of
independent thinking and
critical analysis)
High Distinction (85100%) (comprehensive

exploration of main
issues with outstanding
level of independent
thinking and critical
analysis)
Occasional meaningful
reflective writing,
punctuated by
meaningless noise.
Good meaningful reflective

writing with some surprising
comments relating previous
experiences however without
integration with previous ones.
Very good examples of

relevant reflective writing with
some mention of previous
experience and reference to
earlier ones, demonstrates
understanding of reflection.
Consistent examples of
high- level reflection,
integrating recent
experiences with earlier
ones, demonstrating the
construction of new
understanding.
No evidence of
application of readings
to practice.
Sporadic low level

evidence of application of
readings to practice.
Good evidence of the

applications of readings to
practice with some glimmer of
links to learning.
Very good evidence of the

applications of reading to
practice with an
relationship with learning.
Ongoing application of
newly constructed
understanding to the
practice of sustainable
evaluation, assessment
and cultural heritage
management and to
strategies for learning.
Absence of meaningful
critical evaluation of
any sources.
Intermittent episodes of
primitive critical
evaluation of sources.
Good examples of critical

evaluation of sources, lacking in a
balanced and considered
approach that would benefit the
reader.
Very good examples of

critical evaluation or readings
with the beginnings of sound,
balanced and considered
feedback that would benefit
the reader.
Coherent and consistent

critical evaluation of
readings providing
balanced and
considered feedback to
the reader.
Page 10 of 11

Assignment 3
Assessment Criteria
Assessment Criteria:
Fail (0-49%)
address the main issues
and lack of
basic principles)
Pass (50-64%)
Credit (65-74%)
addressed but limited
(good exploration of
main issues with high
level of independent
thinking and critical
analysis)
High Distinction (85100%) (comprehensive

exploration of main issues
with outstanding level of
independent thinking and
critical analysis)
Understand building
regulations, fire
dynamics, building
response to fires.
(30%)
Unable to apply any of

the knowledge of the
practical design
process adopted by the
industry through a lack
of understanding.
No links made
between theory and
application.
Adequate application of
some knowledge of the
practical design process
adopted by industry that
indicate minimal
understanding.
Less than adequate links
made between theory
and practice
Above average
application of the
appropriate knowledge
of the practical design
industry that indicates
good understanding.
Satisfactory links
made between theory
and practice.
Strong application of
practical design
very good
understanding.
Very good links
made between
theory and practice.
Outstanding application
of the knowledge of the
adopted by the industry
that indicates superior
understanding.
Excellent and intelligent
links made between
theory and practice.
Apply knowledge of the
adopted by the industry.
(55%)
Unable to apply any of

practical design
industry through a lack
of understanding.
No links made between
theory and application
to Support.
Adequate application of
some knowledge of the
adopted by the industry that
indicate minimal
understanding.
Less than adequate links
made between theory
and practice that support
development of less than
complete solutions.
Above average
application of the
appropriate knowledge
of the practical design
good understanding.
Satisfactory links made
between theory and
practice that support
development of clear
and accurate solutions.
Strong application of
practical design
very good
understanding.
Very good links
made between theory
and practice that
support development
of strong and
appropriate solutions.
Outstanding application
of the knowledge of the
adopted by the industry
that indicates superior
understanding.
Excellent and intelligent
links made between
theory and practice that
support development of
unique and clever
solutions.
Present written concepts
and ideas.
(15%)
Absence of
referencing, use of
poor grammar and
writing style.
Absence of consistent,
recognisable referencing
style, accompanied by
poor grammar and writing
style.
Consistent,
recognisable
referencing style,
accompanied by
reasonable grammar
and writing style.
Consistent effort given
to presentation quality.
Very good and

practiced referencing
style, accompanied by
very good grammar
and writing style.
Very competent and
thoughtful
presentation quality.
Near publication-ready
presentation displaying
professional standards
of writing and
referencing.
Page 11 of 11

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Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment

School of Architecture and Built Environment

This course explores the principle and practice of the

CRICOS Provider 00109J

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

BCA Singapore, Callaghan and Distance Education - Callaghan

Other teaching staff will be advised on the course Blackboard site.

School of Architecture and Built Environment

Fire dynamics, convection, conduction and radiation.

Fire initiation and development, ignition, pre-flashover, flashover and decay.

Building occupant characteristics and behaviour during fire emergencies.

Building fire service and equipment including types and application.

Design and maintenance of fire safety measures.

Certification processes including fire safety schedules, certificates and statements.

The Building Surveying and Fire Engineering professions.

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Assessment 1 Assessment Type

Written Professional Report: Framework Development

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Assessment 2 Assessment Type

Journal Article Assessment

Assessment 3 Written Professional Report: FER Analysis

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Communication methods used in this course include:

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Assignment 1 Assessment Criteria

High Distinction (85-100%)

Strong evidence of understanding

Very good and practiced

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

Assignment 2 - Assessment Criteria

High Distinction (85100%) (comprehensive

Good meaningful reflective

Very good examples of

Sporadic low level

Good evidence of the

Very good evidence of the

Good examples of critical

Very good examples of

Coherent and consistent

ARBE3306: Building Fire Safety and Compliance

High Distinction (85100%) (comprehensive

Unable to apply any of

Unable to apply any of

Very good and

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