EMR Considerations for Architects

The precise definition of the role and function of an architect has been something of a contentious issue in recent times, as there is now something of an increasing trend to argue that an architect must take a much more proactive and prominent role in ensuring buildings are not only pleasing to the eye, but also safe to the people that use them.

As the dangers of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) have become much more commonly known and finally recognised, this has meant that EMR considerations for Architects has taken on a much greater degree of urgency than ever before.

EMR Considerations for Architects

Electromagnetic radiation is so named by virtue of the fact that it contains both electrical and magnetic fields within it and this in turn poses a number of different safety risks and concerns that a committed architect must be aware of.

Studies of EMR has identified that if EMR reaches extremely high concentrations within a given area, this will result in the production of electrical currents that are of sufficient power to ignite flammable gases present within the air such as oxygen or hydrogen, or flammable materials.

Therefore, whilst the EMR considerations for Architects would hopefully include some direct safety precautions to minimise the radiation from escaping from the safely designated zone within which it will work, the architect will also need to carefully plan other measures to deal with the secondary risks as well.

For example, due to the fact that the presence of EMR will increase the risk of both fire and explosion, it maybe advisable for the architect to not only ensure that explosion and fireproof materials are used, but also to ensure that the rooms within which the EMR and the flammable materials are kept within will be stored in different parts of the building.

If this is not at all reasonable or possible for whatever reason, then the architect should at least ensure that there is sufficient space for personnel to be able to evacuate the building in the event that there is an escalation of the fire hazard within the building, so as to minimize the danger.