A methodology for the integration of fire risk in building life cycle analysis
(2026) In Fire Safety Journal 160.- Abstract
Calculation of the climate impact of buildings is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this context, understanding the comprehensive environmental impact of buildings, including fire risk, is crucial. This study investigates a method to incorporate the impact of fire risk on the climate footprint of buildings using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The paper focuses on several building types: single-family homes, apartment buildings, schools, offices, commercial buildings, and pre-schools. The analysis highlights that the inclusion of fire risk is essential for accurate climate impact assessments. By incorporating fire risk into LCA calculations, the study reveals that fire risk can contribute significantly to a building's climate impact.... (More)
Calculation of the climate impact of buildings is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this context, understanding the comprehensive environmental impact of buildings, including fire risk, is crucial. This study investigates a method to incorporate the impact of fire risk on the climate footprint of buildings using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The paper focuses on several building types: single-family homes, apartment buildings, schools, offices, commercial buildings, and pre-schools. The analysis highlights that the inclusion of fire risk is essential for accurate climate impact assessments. By incorporating fire risk into LCA calculations, the study reveals that fire risk can contribute significantly to a building's climate impact. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the installation of sprinkler systems can reduce the climate impact, measured in CO2-equivalents, of fire risk by up to 67–78 % in schools and commercial buildings. The findings suggest that for buildings with longer lifespans, integrating fire risk into LCA becomes increasingly important. The study concludes by recommending that policymakers and environmental certification systems incorporate fire risk considerations into LCA methodologies to ensure comprehensive and realistic assessments of buildings' climate impacts, mitigating the risk of sub-optimization of fire protective strategies due to the lack of having the complete picture in the building LCA.
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- author
- Mossberg, Axel LU ; Wetterqvist, Cecilia LU ; Holmstedt, Louise and McNamee, Margaret LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-05
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Climate impact, Fire, Fire risk, Life cycle analysis, Sprinkler, Sustainability
- in
- Fire Safety Journal
- volume
- 160
- article number
- 104601
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105023889965
- ISSN
- 0379-7112
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.firesaf.2025.104601
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- id
- c6fc5c32-92d9-49d9-91d8-ade28b0c7e3b
- date added to LUP
- 2026-03-09 09:49:49
- date last changed
- 2026-06-30 00:28:39
@article{c6fc5c32-92d9-49d9-91d8-ade28b0c7e3b,
abstract = {{<p>Calculation of the climate impact of buildings is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this context, understanding the comprehensive environmental impact of buildings, including fire risk, is crucial. This study investigates a method to incorporate the impact of fire risk on the climate footprint of buildings using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The paper focuses on several building types: single-family homes, apartment buildings, schools, offices, commercial buildings, and pre-schools. The analysis highlights that the inclusion of fire risk is essential for accurate climate impact assessments. By incorporating fire risk into LCA calculations, the study reveals that fire risk can contribute significantly to a building's climate impact. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the installation of sprinkler systems can reduce the climate impact, measured in CO<sub>2</sub>-equivalents, of fire risk by up to 67–78 % in schools and commercial buildings. The findings suggest that for buildings with longer lifespans, integrating fire risk into LCA becomes increasingly important. The study concludes by recommending that policymakers and environmental certification systems incorporate fire risk considerations into LCA methodologies to ensure comprehensive and realistic assessments of buildings' climate impacts, mitigating the risk of sub-optimization of fire protective strategies due to the lack of having the complete picture in the building LCA.</p>}},
author = {{Mossberg, Axel and Wetterqvist, Cecilia and Holmstedt, Louise and McNamee, Margaret}},
issn = {{0379-7112}},
keywords = {{Climate impact; Fire; Fire risk; Life cycle analysis; Sprinkler; Sustainability}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Fire Safety Journal}},
title = {{A methodology for the integration of fire risk in building life cycle analysis}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2025.104601}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.firesaf.2025.104601}},
volume = {{160}},
year = {{2026}},
}