ISO 16733-1-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Fire safety engineering — Selection of design fire scenarios and design fires — Part 1: Selection of design fire scenarios (ISO 16733-1:2024). This part defines a methodology for selecting credible, manageable and suitably conservative design fire scenarios for use in fire‑safety engineering analyses of the built environment (buildings, structures and transportation systems).

Abstract

This document specifies procedures for selecting a manageable number of design fire scenarios using a qualitative or semi‑quantitative approach tailored to fire‑safety design objectives. It is intended to support deterministic fire‑safety engineering analyses; a full quantitative (risk‑based) approach is covered by ISO 16732‑1.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 25 October 2024 (Edition 2, 2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.220.01 (Protection against fire in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024).
• Number of pages: 24 pages.

Scope

ISO 16733‑1:2024 provides a systematic methodology for selecting design fire scenarios for fire‑safety engineering analyses across any built environment, including buildings, structures and transportation systems. It focuses on qualitative and semi‑quantitative selection procedures that produce a manageable set of scenarios consistent with the project’s fire‑safety objectives; it does not replace a full quantitative risk assessment approach.

Key topics and requirements

• Methodology for identifying and selecting credible design fire scenarios relevant to the design objectives.
• Use of qualitative and semi‑quantitative procedures to limit the number of scenarios to those that are manageable and representative.
• Consideration of both likelihood and consequences when tailoring scenarios to fire‑safety objectives.
• Guidance to ensure selected scenarios are conservative enough for deterministic engineering analyses while remaining realistic.
• Cross‑reference to quantitative, risk‑based methods (ISO 16732‑1) for projects requiring a full probabilistic approach and to Part 2 (design fires) for specification of design fire characteristics.

Typical use and users

Used by fire‑safety engineers, building designers, performance‑based design teams, risk assessors, consultancy practices, code authorities and researchers to develop a defensible set of design fire scenarios for deterministic fire engineering analyses and performance assessments.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 16733‑2 (Design fires — guidance on specifying design fire characteristics) and ISO 16732‑1 (Fire risk assessment — principles and quantitative approaches). The 2015 edition of ISO 16733‑1 has been superseded by this 2024 edition.

Keywords

design fire, fire scenario, fire safety engineering, selection methodology, qualitative approach, semi‑quantitative, design fires, risk assessment, built environment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16733‑1:2024 is the international standard that defines a methodology for selecting design fire scenarios for fire‑safety engineering analyses.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for choosing a manageable, credible and suitably conservative set of design fire scenarios using qualitative or semi‑quantitative methods; it is intended for deterministic fire engineering analyses. For full quantitative (risk‑based) selection, see ISO 16732‑1.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire‑safety engineers, design teams working on performance‑based solutions, risk assessors, consultants and authorities responsible for approving fire‑safety strategies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 16733‑1:2024 (Edition 2) was published in October 2024 and replaces the withdrawn ISO 16733‑1:2015.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 16733 series (selection of design fire scenarios and design fires); Part 2 addresses specification of design fires.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Design fire, fire scenario, fire safety engineering, selection methodology, qualitative selection, semi‑quantitative selection, design fires.