Large wood-frame and mass timber projects present significant fire exposure challenges during construction, particularly while combustible construction is exposed and permanent fire protection systems are not yet operational.
For projects requiring an FEA, the analysis is typically developed as part of the permitting process, but treating it solely as a permit document misses much of its value. The conditions that drive construction-phase fire risk change as a project progresses. An effective FEA provides a framework for understanding those changes and determining whether the assumptions and mitigation measures supporting the analysis remain appropriate.
Understanding the Assumptions Behind the Analysis
An FEA evaluates whether a project’s fire protection features, site conditions, and separation distances are sufficient to support egress and limit fire spread during construction. Its conclusions are based on project-specific factors such as fire department access, emergency response capabilities, construction sequencing, temporary and permanent fire protection systems, material storage, site security, and the proximity of exposed properties.
Since these conditions can change throughout construction, project teams should understand the key assumptions supporting the analysis and recognize when those assumptions may no longer apply. Delays to fire protection system installation, access restrictions, schedule changes, or changes to nearby occupancies can significantly alter a project’s risk profile. Rather than treating the FEA as a static report, project teams should recognize when changing conditions warrant reevaluating the strategies used to manage fire risk.
Connecting Analysis to Action
The value of an FEA comes from the actions it informs throughout construction. Effective analyses identify practical measures to help prevent fire occurrence, limit fire growth, and protect exposed properties.
- Effective mitigation strategies generally seek to:
- Prevent fire occurrence through measures such as housekeeping, hot work controls, site security and management of temporary systems.
- Limit fire growth through early water supply and standpipe installation, temporary or permanent fire protection systems, detection and notification, and construction sequencing.
- Protect exposed properties through appropriate separation, temporary protection, emergency planning, construction sequencing and fire department coordination.
The characteristics, proximity, and vulnerability of adjacent structures can significantly influence both the likelihood and consequences of fire spread. Understanding those exposures can inform temporary protection measures, construction sequencing, emergency planning, and coordination with responding fire departments.
Keeping the Right Stakeholders Connected
An FEA should not be developed in isolation. Owners, contractors, design professionals, emergency responders, insurers, and AHJs may see different risks and bring different information to the analysis. Their involvement can help establish realistic assumptions, appropriate mitigation measures, and clear expectations for how those measures will be implemented.
That involvement should not necessarily ends. On complex projects, changes to access, sequencing, protection systems, neighboring occupancies, or emergency response considerations may require renewed coordination to determine whether the original strategies remain appropriate.
What Makes an FEA Actionable?
The most valuable Fire Exposure Analyses answer a simple question: What must happen during construction for the conclusions of the analysis to remain valid?
An actionable FEA should clearly identify:
- Critical assumptions supporting the analysis
- Mitigation measures necessary to manage risk
- Parties responsible for implementing those measures
- Construction milestones that may affect the fire risk profile
- Conditions that may warrant reevaluation
How Code Red Consultants Can Help
Code Red Consultants works with project teams to develop Fire Exposure Analyses and translate their findings into practical construction-phase fire safety strategies. Our work includes evaluating fire exposure conditions, establishing critical assumptions and mitigation measures, and coordinating with project stakeholders as conditions evolve throughout construction.
System behavior, site conditions, and applicable requirements may vary based on the project, surrounding exposures, and Authority Having Jurisdiction. Project teams should confirm applicability for their specific scope of work.