September 9, 2020

Data analytics of fire incidents

In the past decades, the composite panels were developed as a cost-effective and lightweight building material that can be rapidly installed as an external cladding or facade for the buildings. Although composite panels were previously used for industrial buildings only, throughout considerable development over the past decades, nowadays composite panels are extensively applied across a vast variety of buildings for cosmetic and heat management functions. Such
extensive application of ACP can be ascribed to its flexibility in shaping, excellent characteristics in terms of insulation, durability, and weighting. However, the fire risks of these composite panels have emerged as the range of ACP application increases. Three major fire risks have been identified through reviewing of significant fire cases involving combustible external cladding materials in the past decades, namely rapid surface propagation, cavities, and fire re-entry. We aim to develop a novel analytical approach to utilize the data and experience obtained from real-world fire incidents to guide the future design of building materials, as well as better protection means for firefighters.

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