Safe Building Separation Distance Calculator

Calculate minimum safe separation distance between buildings per IFC/IBC based on fire wall radiation.

Input Parameters

Results

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Minimum Separation Distance
m
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Configuration Factor
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Emitted Radiation from Wall
kW/m²
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IBC Table Separation (approx)
m
Note: IBC Table 705.8 provides prescriptive separation distances based on fire-resistance rating and percentage of unprotected openings. This calculator uses radiation heat transfer fundamentals. For buildings < 3m apart, fire walls per IBC 706 are typically required. Critical flux of 12.5 kW/m² is for piloted ignition of wood.

Reference

Radiation from exposing wall: q_emitted = sigma*(T_fire⁴ - T_amb⁴) [Stefan-Boltzmann] Effective flux = q_emitted * (% openings/100) Required view factor: phi = q_critical / q_effective Separation: d = sqrt(A_wall / (pi * phi)) Ref: IBC Section 705, IFC, SFPE Handbook Ch. 73, NFPA 80A