Fire risk assessment method under the technical building code

Abstract

 The high complexity of measuring and comparing the risk 
level of performance based design allowed by the Spanish 
Building Code (CTE) and the lack of Spanish legislation 
on the matter makes a fi re risk evaluation tool highly 
useful guiding the projectist and the control authority over 
the feasibility of these complicated projects. A Fire Risk 
Evaluation Method within the frame of the Spanish Building 
Code (MEREDICTE) has been developed trying to balance 
input sources, simplicity and clearness in its use. The number 
of parameters implied guarantees sound, exhaustive and 
reliable outputs. MEREDICTE is made of 73 parameters: 31 
calculate potential risk and 42 obtain protection level. In 
an orientative way, MEREDICTE’s parameters triple those 
of the most referred and extended evaluation method: the 
Gretener Method. The article shows the MEREDICTE technique 
and foundations, the methodology used in its investigation 
and development, its most signifi cant innovation and its 
possible applications. Regarding the protection level, its 
formulation and application are referred to the Windsor 
building of Madrid comparing the results obtained on the 
building as it was when it was devastated by the fi re of 
February 2005 and whether it fulfi lled the Spanish building 
code conditions.