Fire Hazard and Fire Resistance of Wooden Structures

This monograph discusses fire hazard and fire resistance in wooden structures with a long duration of operation. Aside from its increasing importance for modern architecture, wood has been the most important building material in the past. It has a distinct aesthetic, high mechanical strength, and resistance against many environmental changes. These properties are evident in structures like the still standing Grinstead Chuch, which has been built in 1045.

Readers will however learn about the decreasing fire resistance in wooden buildings with a long service live. Considering the cultural value of medieval wood buildings, this topic becomes increasingly relevant. The chapters discuss the mechanical, physico-chemical and thermophysical properties of wooden structures over different lifespans. Many factors contributing to the changing fire resistance in the ageing process of wooden structures, are explained.

This book is a valuable resource for students, teachers and scientists in the areas of wood science, fire research and forestry.

Alexander Alexandrovich Berlin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Fire Safety Sciences, Scientific Director of the N.N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences. Academician of the National Academy of Fire Safety Sciences. Specialist in physics and chemistry of high-molecular compounds and composite materials. Head of international scientific school on creation of low flammable polymeric materials. Author of more than 1000 scientific articles, 19 monographs and 138 patents and inventor's certificates.

Bakhtiyor Abdukadirovich Mukhamedgaliyev, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, professor of the Tashkent Architecture and Construction Institute. He specializes in the study of fire hazards of building materials and structures based on plastics, rubber, wood, as well as the development of effective methods of fire protection. Author and co-author of more than 700 scientific publications and 20 patents for inventions in the field of fire protection of wood, polymeric building materials and structures based on it.

Mirzhan Maratovich Almenbayev, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Corresponding Member of National Academy of Fire Safety Sciences, Head of the Faculty of Full-time Education of the Academy of Civil Protection named after M. Gabdullin of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He specializes in the field of researching the fire hazard of wood-based materials and structures, as well as the development of effective methods for their fire protection. Author and co-author of more than 30 scientific publications and 2 invention patents in the field of fire protection of wood, materials and structures based on it.

Zhandos Kuandykovich Makishev, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Corresponding Member of National Academy of Fire Safety Sciences, Head of the Department of Fire Prevention of the Academy of Civil Protection named after M. Gabdullin of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He specializes in the field of researching the fire resistance of wooden structures with a long service life and the fire hazard of materials and structures based on wood. Author and co-author of more than 35 scientific publications and 1 patent for an invention in the field of fire protection of wood, materials and structures based on it.

Berik Zhambulovich Rakhmetulin, Master of Laws, Deputy Head of the Department of Fire Prevention of the Academy of Civil Protection named after M. Gabdullin of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He specializes in the field of researching the fire resistance of wood-polymer composites, increases of their fire resistance. Author and co-author of more than 20 scientific publications.