Hidden Dangers of Fire Safety in Modular Constructions

In light of increased attention to fire spread through cavity spaces, continuous cavity systems (vertical/horizontal) in Modular Constructions have been reported to participate in rapid fire spread. In the absence of in-depth published knowledge on fire safety concerns associated with these intermodular cavities, it was attempted to derive fire safety concerns for the intermodular cavities based on the behavior of cavity fires in other similar cavity geometries. It has been identified that significant fire safety issues can be hidden under the various modular construction practices, which could be disastrous. Several fire scenarios were identified that could lead to fire entering intermodular cavity spaces. Once fire enters cavities, fire spreading through the intermodular cavities can result in loss of compartmentation in several ways. Under this fire spread, severe fire damages could occur as structural systems could also be affected, putting firefighters and occupants in danger due to the likelihood of sequential failure and contamination of smoke. Special attention is needed on the effectiveness of cavity barriers used in intermodular cavity spaces, and testing methods need to be revised. These identified concerns are essential to modular developers, fire professionals, and research enthusiasts to revisit improving the fire safety of modular constructions.