1. Introduction -- 2. History -- 3. Components of Performance-based Design -- 4. International Practices -- 5. Unique Features of Very Tall Buildings -- 6. Special Features and Attractions -- 7.Hazard, Risk and Decision Analysis in Very Tall Building Design -- 8. Integration of Building Design and Systems -- 9. System Reliability -- 10. Situation Awareness -- 11. Emergency Egress -- 12. Fire Resistance -- 13. Building Envelope/Enclosure -- 14. Suppression -- 15. Detection and Alarm -- 16. Smoke Control -- 17. First Responder Considerations -- 18. Electrical -- 19. Buildings Under Construction -- 20. Building Life Cycle Management -- 21. Commissioning -- 22. Existing Building Considerations -- 23. Inspection, Testing and Maintenance -- 24. Aerial Vehicle Platforms -- 25. ESS in Very Tall Buildings -- 26. References.

This Guide provides information on special topics that affect the fire safety performance of very tall buildings, their occupants and first responders during a fire. This Guide addresses these topics as part of the overall building design process using performance-based fire protection engineering concepts as described in the SFPE Engineering Guide to Performance Based Fire Protection. This Guide is not intended to be a recommended practice or a document that is suitable for adoption as a code. The Guide pertains to "super tall," "very tall" and "tall" buildings. Throughout this Guide, all such buildings are called "very tall buildings." These buildings are characterized by heights that impose fire protection challenges; they require special attention beyond the protection features typically provided by traditional fire protection methods. This Guide does not establish a definition of buildings that fall within the scope of this document. .