No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The problem of developing an expedient, yet credible approach to fire safety evaluation is addressed. Techniques of multiattribute evaluation from the field of management science offer a promising solution to this difficulty. The use of multiattribute evaluation in fire safety is described including techniques that are unique to this type of problem. Details are given on the identification of attributes, assigning attribute weights and values, and selecting an evaluation model. A five-step process for constructing a multiattribute model of fire safety evaluation is presented. The resulting robust structure can provide a means of coupling "hard fire safety science with inclusive fire risk assessment.

Fire risk ranking is evolving as a means of evaluating fire safety that is conducive to the assimilation of research results. This paper sum marizes research into the extent, nature, and criteria for fire risk ranking methods. Concepts of fire risk ranking are presented and examples of the major methods which have been developed are briefly described. The methods have similar basic components of parameters, values, and relationships. The nature and limitations found in application of these components are discussed. Ten criteria are presented as a guide to the development and evaluation of fire risk ranking methods. These criteria apply to the basic. components and to documentation and output of fire risk ranking syste ms.