Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

Following the Ronan Point disaster and the report of the Investigating Tribunal it was decided that the Fire Research Station of the Building Research Establishment would undertake a study of gas explosions in large compartments. In particular, the study would cover the factors affecting the development and severity of the explosions and the extent to which the pressures obtained could te relieved by venting. In the context of the problem as a whole, the study is intended to provide the basic data on the form and magnitude of the transient stresses likely to be experienced by buildings, in the event of gas explosions involving one or more compartments. This inforrmation is required as a guide for safe structural design and for any re-appraisal of the relevant parts of Building Regulations 1972, Part D, England, or Building Standards (Scotland) (Consolidation) Regulations 1971. The study has begun with explosions in a single compartment of realistic dimensions (1000 ft 3, 28 m³) provided with a single opening of simple configuration, the size of which can be varied and which can be closed with panels having a range of bursting pressures.