A Global Endeavor to Communicate Fire Knowledge

1) Puts Owner in Charge.
The L-Curve Method permits a building owner or the owners representative
(risk, insurance or safety manager) to establish the level of firesafety they want.

This performance-based method, rooted in engineering, allows the owner to set the firesafety objective. They answer the question "How big a fire can you tolerate?" The L-Curve user can put this Firesafety Objective in a form that both s/he and the owner understand and agree to.

2) Simple to Understand.
The L-Curve Method is simple. "It's fun," says one user. It puts the whole of the firesafety for a building on one side of a sheet of paper and the essential part on the back of an envelope. Though based on scientific principles, this engineering method is easy to use for anyone who can think.

3) Saves Money.
With both the objective and the effect of each alternative shown,a fir defense program can be developed, but no more than needed. Money is saved in two ways: 1) by avoiding equipment that can't do the job; and 2) by reducing the size of a resulting fire and its impact.
One sleeps better having a rational Fire Defense Program to manage.

4) Reveals Code Intent.
The requirement of the code can be shown as an L-Curve. By putting the Requirements of a code on an L-Curve, the Method permits the code or standard writer, the enforcer and the user to see what performance is required and why. The intent of a Code becomes apparent. A building owner can then see the differences in the decisions he is evaluating. If he chooses to go beyond the code,
this desire becomes obvious.

5) Shares Pro's Findings.
Fire professionals need to communicate. The L-Curve Method permits fellow professionals to share their view of a specific item in a structure. They can write down what they find in a facility or process and share it with others. They communicate better than we can now.

6) Simplifies Presentation.
The owner has the money. The L-Curve enables the building owner to intuitively understand what the professional feels needs to be corrected and why. S/he can see the Firesafety Objective, the Code Objective, a facility's present reality, and the effects of the options available. The owner can make a comfortable decision. A manageable program then results.

7) Uses Computer Output.
Computer-Aided Fire (CAFire) analysis is getting better but computer output needs to be applied. The computer output is only part of a total solution. The L-Curve Method allows the user to see and apply computer output. The L-Curve user applies the parts where CAFire is good, and manually does the rest, such as the effect of the fire service. The user can visualize what the output means.