Architect: Bovenbouw Architectuur
Client: Department Cultuur Jeugd Media / Het Facilitair Bedrijf
Timing: 2024 -
Status: Design phase
Photographer: Renders: Bovenbouw
Advisors: EA+ (sustainability), HP Engineering (techniques), BAS (stability), Macobo, TTAS (theatre techniques)
The fire safety concept for the Beursschouwburg focuses on increasing the capacity and concurrency in the use of the halls, with a particular focus on evacuating visitors in different halls.
In the design, the internal street, which acts as the main stairwell and evacuation space, is strategically used to ensure the safety of visitors. This space will be strictly fireproof separated from other parts of the building. A smoke evacuation system (RWA) will ensure continuous safe and free passage in case of emergency.
The lift in the inner street will become part of the evacuation space. By separating the lift from the other compartments, it directly contributes to the overall safety of the inner street.
The large occupancy of the Beursschouwburg requires escape routes that are carefully checked for their capacity. These will be optimised and adapted to contemporary standards, with clear signage and strategic placement of emergency exits.
Together with the fire brigade and the Beursschouwburg itself, additional measures will be worked out to speed up evacuation. All these measures will contribute to efficient evacuation and improve the overall safety of the building.
In addition to the focus on the internal street, compartments are used in the rest of the building. The floors will be compartmentalised separately, creating smaller units of up to 200m². Sub-compartments are created for areas with specific functions, such as kitchens, rubbish storage and halls, to limit the spread of fire.
A general fire detection system combined with the aforementioned measures helps to speed up evacuation.
A particular concern within the fire safety concept is the passage from the stairs leading to the Silver Hall, through the foyers to the Golden and Bronze Halls. To ensure the safety of the inner street as a general evacuation route, we take three important precautions in these foyers:
