Fire protection in high-rise buildings

Fires in high-rise buildings present significant challenges due to their design and the large number of people they house. Incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017 or the Ámbar Tower fire in Madrid in 2020 have highlighted the importance of implementing specific fire protection measures to prevent the rapid spread of flames and smoke.

What will you learn in this article?

• Specific challenges in fire protection for high-rise buildings
• Key spaces that need to be protected in high-rise buildings
• The role of facades in fire protection in high-rise buildings
• Advantages of Tecnitex solutions in protecting these spaces

Specific challenges in fire protection for high-rise buildings

High-rise buildings, due to their size and structure, face challenges that are not typically encountered in smaller or lower buildings. Below, we address two of the most important ones.

Evacuation in height

Evacuation in high-rise buildings is one of the greatest challenges in the event of a fire, primarily due to the vertical distance that occupants must travel and the physical limitations of escape routes. As the height of the building increases, the time required for evacuation increases considerably, which can put the safety of occupants at risk if adequate protection systems are not in place.

One of the main problems is that, in many cases, occupants cannot use conventional elevators to evacuate during a fire due to the risk of being trapped between floors or exposed to smoke. This means that emergency stairs become the only safe exit. However, these stairs can quickly be compromised by the spread of fire or smoke, preventing a safe evacuation if they are not adequately compartmentalised.

The design of evacuation routes must also consider the possibility that not all people can evacuate at the same speed, which is why the presence of temporary refuges on certain levels of the building, equipped with fire protection systems, can provide a safe option while rescue teams work to control the fire.

Smoke propagation

In high-rise buildings, air flows and the chimney effect are critical factors in the spread of smoke. The chimney effect occurs when hot air and smoke rise rapidly through vertical shafts, such as stairwells or ventilation ducts, drawing in cold air from lower floors and pushing the smoke towards upper levels. This can affect areas far from the initial fire, exposing occupants to toxic gases.

Additionally, pressure differences and ventilation systems can cause smoke to move unpredictably between floors, complicating evacuation and intervention by emergency teams.

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Key spaces that need to be protected in high-rise buildings

Unlike other types of buildings, high-rise buildings have critical areas that require special attention to prevent the spread of fire.

Telecommunications and service distribution areas

In high-rise buildings, areas where telecommunications systems, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electricity, and other infrastructures are concentrated are especially vulnerable, especially if they are located in attics, where installation machinery is often housed. These systems are often distributed vertically throughout the building via ducts and technical shafts, which makes the spread of fire easier if they are not properly compartmentalised.

Common areas and high-traffic spaces

In high-rise buildings, common areas and spaces with high foot traffic, such as lobbies, atriums, waiting rooms, and commercial areas, represent critical points. These spaces are often designed to accommodate large numbers of people. Additionally, their open architectural design facilitates the rapid spread of fire and smoke, especially in areas with high ceilings or interconnected spaces between multiple floors.

Elevators and lifts

In high-rise buildings, elevators and lifts are essential for the efficient distribution of people and goods. However, in the event of a fire, these vertical nodes can become rapid routes for the spread of fire and smoke. Elevator shafts, if not adequately protected, allow flames and toxic gases to move freely between floors.

The role of facades in fire protection in high-rise buildings

The facades of buildings play a crucial role in preventing the spread of fire, especially in high-rise structures. An inadequate facade design or the use of non-fire-resistant materials can allow flames to spread quickly from one floor to another.

Advantages of Tecnitex solutions in protecting these spaces

The compartmentalisation solutions from Tecnitex offer an advanced and efficient option for fire protection in high-rise buildings. Our fire and smoke control curtains are made from highly durable technical fabrics, such as fireproof glass fibre, which provides excellent protection without adding significant structural load, an essential factor in this type of construction.

These curtains are designed to remain hidden until activated in the event of a fire, allowing the building’s aesthetic and functionality to be maintained without compromising the available space. Their ability to compartmentalise different levels and contain fire and smoke reduces the need for rigid barriers, optimising the use of both vertical and horizontal space while ensuring compliance with fire protection regulations specific to skyscrapers and large buildings.

If you are working on a high-rise project and would like more information about our compartmentalisation solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us.