Measuring Consequences in Economic Terms

Cost–Benefit Analysis of Fire Protection in Buildings: Application of a Present Net Value Approach

“…Fire frequency (reported fires) 0.002 per year [20] Probability of successful detection and alarm 0.9 [27] Probability of successful fire suppression by occupants 0.5 [28] Civilian fatality rate 0.9 per 1,000 reported fires [22] Civilian injury rate 1.4 per 100 reported fires [22] Firefighter fireground fatality rate 6.9 per 100,000 reported fires [23] Firefighter response fatality rate 6.3 per 100,000 reported fires [23] Firefighter fireground injury rate 1.62 per 100 reported fires [24] Firefighter response injury rate 0.37 per 100 reported fires [24] Average damage area -baseline situation 97.3 m 2 [20] Average damage area -suppression by occupants 5.0 m 2 assumption Content loss (% of total construction costs) 100% [25] Indirect loss (% of direct costs) 25% [29] Life risk reduction -additional staircase civilian: ↘30% assumption Life risk reduction -early detection and warning civilian: ↘40% assumption Life risk reduction -occupant suppression civilian injuries: ↘50% civilian fatalities: ↘100% assumption Scenario II is the case where the fire is detected through the advanced detection system, but the fire is not suppressed by the occupants. Owing to the earlier detection and consequent earlier onset of evacuation, the civilian risk to life is reduced by 40%.…”

“…Fire frequency (reported fires) 0.00423 per year [20] Civilian fatality rate 0.89 per 1,000 reported fires [22] Civilian injury rate 1.4 per 100 reported fires [22] Firefighter fireground fatality rate 6.9 per 100,000 reported fires [23] Firefighter response fatality rate 6.3 per 100,000 reported fires [23] Firefighter fireground injury rate 1.62 per 100 reported fires [24] Firefighter response injury rate 0.37 per 100 reported fires [24] Average damage area -no structural failure 83.5 m 2 assumption (compartment) Average damage area -structural failure 18,810 m 2 assumption (whole building) Content loss (% of total construction costs) 100% [25] Indirect loss (% of direct costs) 25% [29] Effect of structural failure on casualties 1 firefighter fireground fatality 4 firefighter fireground injuries no effect on civilians assumption…”