Fire Engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles, rules/codes, and expert judgement that is based on the understanding of fire phenomena and its effects. Human Behaviour and the protection of people, property and the environment from the destructive effects are of primary concern in this model.

These objectives will be achieved by a variety of means including such activities as:

• the assessment of the hazards and risks of fire and its effects;
• the mitigation of potential fire damage by proper design, construction, arrangement, and use of buildings, materials, structures, industrial processes, transportation systems and similar;
• the appropriate level of evaluation for the optimum preventive and protective measures necessary to limit the consequences of fire;
• the design, installation, maintenance and/or development of fire detection, fire suppression, fire control and fire related communication systems and equipment;
• the direction and control of appropriate equipment and manpower in the strategy and function of fire fighting and rescue operations (see also Rescue Operations: Case studies - members only);
• post-fire investigation and analysis, evaluation and feedback.

A fire engineer, by education, training and experience understands:

• Fire Bahaviour and the mechanisms of fire
• spread and the control of fire and the associated products of combustion
• understands how fires originate
• spread within and outside buildings/structures
• can be detected, controlled, and/or extinguished
• is able to anticipate the behaviour of materials, structures, machines, apparatus, and processes as related to the protection of life, property and the environment from fire
• has an understanding of the interactions and integration of Fire Detectors and Alarms and all other systems in buildings, industrial structures and similar facilities is able to make use of all of the above and any other required knowledge to undertake the practice of fire engineering.

The Fire Brigade Intervention Model (FBIM) is an event-based methodology, used to model the activities and tasks of the Fire Brigade. The Model defines events likely to occur during a building fire, from ignition through to control and extinguishment.

The Model is for use in fire engineering design in a performance-based regulatory environment. The functional role of the Fire Brigade can be incorporated into the building design process. It provides the framework to measure Fire Brigade tasks on a time-line basis and to utilise the output of other sub-systems in the decision process. The FBIM includes detailed analysis of time data for Fire Brigade tasks and activities. It is adaptable to suit most brigade types, crew sizes and resource limitations as decisions are incorporated within the expertise of local fire brigade input.

Please also see further members-only information on the Built Environment.

Copies of the Fire Brigade Intervention Model are available through the AFAC shop.