Integrated Risk Management Planning

Evaluation of Prevention and Protection Activities on Commercial, Public and Heritage Buildings

Abstract
In close cooperation with partners (CLG, Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), English Heritage, Loughborough University, et.al.) the aim of this project is to investigate the value and effectiveness of prevention and protection measures and activities used in commercial, public and heritage buildings. Therefore, it is planned to develop evidence-based methodologies to improve decision-making, e.g. for resource allocation, within the context of Integrated Risk Management Planning.

Background
Risks that affect the built environment and threaten human life are becoming major societal issues in the 21st century. Managing these risks and responding to emergencies such as fires, floods, and terrorist attacks is important and needs to be planned efficiently and effectively to ensure minimal impact on society.

Aims
The main outcome of the research will be the development of tools that will support the Fire and Rescue Services in decision making regarding:

  • the value of prevention and protection measures in the built environment; and
  • the allocation of resources for fire safety interventions.

Please see the project website for more information and regular updates on events and more.

Computational Risk Assessment

Developing a Cost-Benefit Analysis Application for Strathclyde FRS

Abstract
The areas of responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Services in the UK have been changing significantly in the past decades. So has the way of planning. The FRS use risk-based techniques to develop long-term resource allocation strategies in order to provide effective and efficient services to their communities. These strategies need to incorporate the need of communities and at the same time comply with the need to provide "value for money" service. This project reviewed the process and tools used to conduct cost-benefit analysis in the FRS and as a result proposed changes in respect to:

  • Data exchange between existing Information Systems
  • Visualisation of data for the process of decision making
  • Data visualisation to improve the risk communication
Cost-Benefit Analysis Data Import
Schema: Data exchange between GIS and CBA Tool

Background
Within the project a prototype of a cost-benefit analysis application was developed and a new data exchange format introduced. Both aiming to improve the cost-benefit analysis process. Furthermore, the developed tool is currently reviewed in the context of an application for Strathclyde FRS.