A Preliminary Study of the Implementation of Performance-Based Fire Safety Design in Buildings by System Dynamic Modeling Method

The conventional regulatory control of building design on the basis of prescriptive building and fire safety codes may not facilitate the building designers to compile an innovative design. The introduction of a performance-based approach recently provides the opportunity for building designers to generate unique and daring solutions. To examine the effect of introducing such performance approach in Hong Kong, a system dynamic model has been established. The model is conceptualized around the technical and mental factors that impact on the decisions of building control officials and various issues. A simulation model is formulated. Some issues that may affect the implementation of performance-based fire safety design can be examined and discussed.