Fire safety is an important part of building design. It consists of measures to prevent fires from starting, to facilitate the rescue of individuals in a burning building, and to help firefighters contain a blaze.　

Both statutory provisions and building codes lay down strict fire safety regulations for commercial and residential construction. The main task for architects when it comes to fire safety is to apply the principles and methods of fire prevention at the outset of the design process.

The book explains the general concepts and fundamental issues of fire safety in building design beyond the particulars of local building regulations.

Diana Helmerking, architect; Department of Construction Economics and Construction Management, University of Siegen, Germany