Calculating the Fire Loading of a Compartment

The fire loading of a compartment is a way of establishing the severity of a fire and the measurement (kj) is related to the heat output. As stated by Drysdale (1985) the formula for calculating the fire loading is noted as:

Calorific Value x Mass (or volume)

Floor Area = Area Fire Loading Kj/m2

Information on the mass of materials should be obtained from a number of sources using different methods, these included: contacting the manufacturer, consulting information currently available at the location and using relevant standards. The classification of the fire load in each area should be shown using the above formula.