A week after the devastating fire at the Ibis Hotel in Málaga, and as firefighters continue their efforts, architects have analyzed the building's structural behavior. Contrary to some opinions, the structure, composed of steel beams and pillars with wooden floor slabs, has shown remarkable resilience against the fire, adhering to Spanish and European safety regulations.
Experts clarify that the partial collapse of some floor slabs, as indicated by firefighters, refers to specific areas that gave way or could not be guaranteed to remain stable, not an imminent total collapse of the building. Regulations require structures to ensure occupant safety in case of fire, setting a specific fire resistance time based on the building's height and use. For the Ibis Hotel, this resistance was ninety minutes.
The combination of steel and wood in construction, while not the most common, is logical and efficient. It allows for rapid workshop preparation and easy installation of wooden panels, resulting in significant construction time savings, a crucial factor for hotels where delivery dates are essential. While concrete is more fire-resistant, it also presents risks like 'spalling'. Wood burns, and steel loses strength with heat, but both materials have predictable behaviors.
The decision to repair or demolish a building after a fire depends not only on technical feasibility but also on economic viability. In the case of the Ibis Hotel, which burned completely and had expansion plans, this assessment will be complex. Fire design also includes creating fire compartments to contain flames and facilitate evacuation, raising questions about how the fire spread throughout the entire building.
Regulations also mandate that construction materials prevent fire spread, smoke production, and the fall of incandescent particles. While architectural projects and license applications include these controls, subsequent decoration may fall outside this system, relying on self-declarations. The firefighters' prolonged efforts over a week underscore the importance of understanding the building's composition and material behavior.
