Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

Fire risk ranking is evolving as a means of evaluating fire safety that is conducive to the assimilation of research results. This paper summarizes 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 systems.