10.09.2024
Fire protection – GVZ Academy in AZA Andelfingen
Fire protection is an issue in every project and the complexity and handling of fire protection is not getting any easier. In planning teams, discussions often arise about the sense and nonsense of measures and technical facilities. The problem with the discussions is always that they deal with the topic purely theoretically, since the case study of course, hopefully never occurs.
Fire protection is a constant topic, especially in the teams of our large hospital projects USZ Campus Mitte 1|2 and LUKS Women’s Clinic and Children’s Hospital, and that is where the idea was born to take a closer look at fire and to find out as realistically as possible what the pitfalls of dealing with fire and smoke are. As a volunteer firefighter, our CEO Robert Hormes made contact with GVZ to organize a company course in the GVZ training center, AZA in Andelfingen. On August 21, 2024, the time had come and a mixed team of architects, fire protection planners and construction managers from the companies Christ & Gantenbein, Aegerter & Bosshard, Fanzun and Confirm were able to face the fire under the guidance of three GVZ instructors. Course leader Stefan Keller emphasized how different the experience of fire is compared to the theoretical discussion and how the experiences are engraved like a groove in the Sachal plate and are not lost so quickly.
The looks in the eyes of the participants at the end of the day should prove him right.
To experience fire in the fire workshop, fire protection equipment from the fire service is necessary. Everyone was familiarized with the vital equipment and was thus able to slip into the role of real fire-fighters.
In the fire workshop, a fire in a room, apartment or office with a low to medium fire load is simulated under controlled conditions. From the moment the fire is lit, the development of the fire can be observed in all its stages and insightful information can be gained about the influence of closed doors – oxygen supply, and other fire circumstances on the drama of an event and the timing. Where is the fire after 10 minutes if the room remains locked, where is it when there is an air supply, what are the differences whether wood or plastic is burning, etc.
It quickly becomes clear where the requirement for immediate alarm and the closing of windows and doors and the immediate evacuation of the building come from. A flashover overhead at 600°C in the fire room shows the force of even a small fire and thus also raises the question of “where” smoke and hot gases go in a building complex.
In addition to the actual training facilities for extinguishing fires, the AZA also offers a number of other facilities and technical installations and situations to experience. After the fire workshop, we were able to deepen our experience at three further stations: How far can I really go in my own attempt to extinguish a fire without respiratory protection using a fire extinguisher station, as is very often installed in properties? Only incipient fires can really be fought and calling the fire brigade immediately without wasting time is still essential. What does it look like in a media channel when it is dark and smoky and how does emergency lighting of 1 lux really work? How do I experience a BMA – fire alarm system in action? What does it feel like to move around in thick smoke? You immediately lose your orientation and you realize that staying in your apartment or office and waiting for the fire brigade is the only smart way out when the stairwell is filled with smoke, even if you think you know it inside and out.
What is a day at the fire brigade training centre without putting out a fire properly at least once? At the end of the hot afternoon, the fire is lit again and the fire is put out using regular fire service equipment. The course leader’s promise was certainly kept and we would like to thank the GVZ for an excellent course and many lasting impressions. The grins on everyone’s faces show that the whole thing was really good fun.
Participant: Architects, Fire protection planner, Construction manager, Project manager
Course instructor GVZ Stefan Keller
