New regulations, towards better fire-protected buildings

Abstract

In Argentina there is a noticeable regulatory void in terms of Fire Protection. In the absence of specific legislation, the provitions of Decree 351/79 are widely applied, despite this was originally intended as a standard applicable to occupational safety. Four decades later, without having been updated, basic elements such as dry standpipes, or innovative systems such as high pressure mists, remain outside the legal requirements. The lack of regulations extends to fire services and the provision of water for fire services, resulting in very poor conditions for fire fighting operations. This work considers the conflicts due to this situation and proposes sources for updating applicable standards.