FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY

A SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 4 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

•The Code recognizes that safety of life is more than SUBMITTED BY :

a matter of means of egress and accordingly deals MUSKAN CHOWDHARY
with various matters which are considered essential PRIYANKA JAWA
to the safety of life. SANSKRITI VASHISHTH

SUBMITTED TO :
•The objective of this Part is to specify measures
Ar. DEEPAK KUMAR
that will provide that degree of safety from fire
Ar. PRAVEEN ARORA
which can be reasonably achieved
Ar. SUDEEP
Means of Egress- A continuous way of travel from any point in a building or
structure to a public way, consisting of three separate and distinct parts, that is, exit
access, exit and exit discharge.
Down-comer-
An arrangement of firefighting within the building by
means of down-comer pipe connected to terrace tank
through terrace pump, gate valve and non-return valve and
having mains not less than 100 mm internal diameter with
landing valves on each floor/landing. It is also fitted with
inlet connections at ground level for charging with water by
pumping from fire service appliances and air release valve
at roof level to release trapped air inside.
TERRACE PUMP – 20000 L MINIMUM
MAINS/PIPE – MINIMUM 100 MM DIA (MS OR GI )

 
WET RISER DRY RISER
Firefighting Shaft (Fire Tower)- An enclosed
shaft having protected area of 120 min fire
resistance rating comprising protected lobby,
staircase and fireman’s lift, connected directly
to exit discharge or through exit passageway
with 120 min fire resistant wall at the level of
exit discharge to exit discharge. The
firefighting shaft shall be equipped with 120
min fire doors. The firefighting shaft shall be
equipped with firemen talk back, wet riser
and landing valve in its lobby, to fight fire by
fire fighters.
  FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Gas based systems

Systems that use gaseous agents as fire
suppression media, such as, all agents
alternate to Halon gases, listed and
approved for use by relevant Indian
Standards; other methods/types of gas
based systems where their protection is
equal to or better than what is suggested
above for the type of application subject to
the acceptance of Authorities concerned
may also fall under such systems.
 Water based system

Hydrant System Water Spray Systems Foam protection system

Water Mist System Sprinkler

Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm
System
For building more than 15 m in height both
should be provided

•A system comprising components and sub-systems

required for automatically detecting smoke, heat or fire
initiating an alarm and other actions as appropriate.
This system also includes manually operated electronic
fire alarm (MOEFA) system.
•MOEFA system (with or without automatic fire
detection and alarm system) includes all or some of the
components such as manual call stations (initiating an
alarm for fire and other actions as required), talk-back
system and public address system.
 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS

Group C Institutional Buildings

Buildings and structures under Group C shall be
Classification of Buildings Based on
further subdivided as follows:
Occupancy-
Subdivision C-1 Hospitals and sanatoria
Group A Residential
Subdivision C-2 Custodial institutions
Group B Educational
Subdivision C-3 Penal and mental institutions
Group C Institutional
Group D Assembly
Fire Zone
Group E Business a) Fire Zone No. 1- Residential (Group A), educational (Group B),
Group F Mercantile institutional (Group C), assembly (Group D), small business
(Subdivision E-1) and mercantile (Group F) buildings, temporary
Group G Industrial structures.

Group H Storage b) Fire Zone No. 2- Business (Subdivisions E-2 to E-5) and industrial
buildings (Subdivisions G-1 and G-2), except high hazard industrial
Group J Hazardous buildings (Subdivision G-3)
  c) Fire Zone No. 3- High hazard industrial buildings (Subdivision G-3),
storage buildings (Group H) and buildings for hazardous uses (Group J)
 Types of Construction
Restrictions on the Type of Construction for New
Buildings
a) Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 1 shall conform to
construction of Type 1, 2, 3 or 4.
b) Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 2 shall conform to
construction of Type 1, 2 or 3.
c) Buildings erected in Fire Zone No. 3 shall conform to
construction of Type 1 or 2.
Non-combustible materials should be used for
construction of buildings, and the internal walls of
staircase enclosures should be of brick work or
reinforced concrete or any other material of construction
with minimum of 120 min rating. The walls for the
chimney shall be of Type 1 or Type 2 Construction
depending on whether the flue gas temperature is above
200°C or less, respectively.
The false ceiling, shall be of non-combustible material
and shall provide adequate fire resistance to the ceiling
in order to prevent spread of fire across ceiling.
Fire Resistance- Fire resistance is a property of an element of building construction and is the
measure of its ability to satisfy for a stated period, some or all of the following criteria:
a) Load bearing capacity (Stability) (R)- The ability of a load bearing element to withstand fire
exposure without any loss of structural stability.
b) Integrity (E)- Resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases.
c) Insulation (I)- Resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face up to a maximum of
180°C at any single point and average temperature of 140°C.

  Occupation of Buildings under Construction

A high rise building during construction shall be provided with the following fire protection
measures, which shall be maintained in good working condition at all the times:

 a) Dry riser of minimum 100 mm diameter pipe with hydrant outlets on the floors constructed
with a fire service inlet to boost the water in the dry riser and maintenance should be in
accordance with good practice.

 b) Drums of 2 000 litre capacity filled with water with two fire buckets on each floor;

 c) A water storage tank of minimum 20 000 litre capacity, which may be used for other
construction purposes also.
Openings in Fire Resistant Walls and Floors
 
Doorway or opening in a fire-resistant wall on any floor shall be
 
limited to 5.6 m2 in area with a maximum height/width of 2.75
m. Every wall opening shall be protected with fire-resisting
doors, having the fire rating of not less than 120 min.

The openings in the floors shall be protected by vertical

enclosures extending above and below such openings, such
enclosures having a fire resistance of not less than 120 min and
all openings therein being protected with a fire-resisting
assembly.
 
For escalator openings, the smoke spill shall be avoided by
provision of smoke barrier (of 450-600 mm) thereby creating
smoke compartment. Further, the protection shall be ensured
through installation of sprinklers on all sides of the cut out
opening on each floor.
 
 Service ducts and shafts

a) Openings in walls or floors , necessary to be provided to allow passages of all building services like cables,
electrical wirings, telephone cables, plumbing pipes, etc, shall be protected by enclosure in the form of
ducts/shafts having a fire resistance not less than 120 min.
b) The inspection door for electrical shafts/ducts shall be not less than 120 min.
c) The space between the electrical cables/conduits and the walls/slabs shall be filled in by a fire stop material
having fire resistance rating of not less than 120 min.
d) For plumbing shafts in the core of the building, with shaft door opening inside the building, the shafts shall have
inspection doors having fire resistance rating not less than 30 min.
e) For plumbing shafts doors which open in wet areas or in naturally ventilated areas or on external wall of the
building, the shafts may not require doors having any specified fire rating.
 Refuse chutes
a) Refuse chutes shall have opening at least 1 m above roof level for venting purpose.
b) The enclosure wall of non-combustible material with fire resistance of not less than 120 min.
c) They shall not be located within the staircase enclosure or service shafts, or air conditioning shafts.
d) Refuse chutes inspection panel and doors shall be tight fitting with 60 min fire resistance.
e) Sprinkler protection system shall be provided for the refuse chutes.
f) Refuse chutes shall be at least 6 m away from exits.

Vertical openings

Reasonable safety to the occupant while using the means of egress by preventing spread of fire,
smoke, or fumes through vertical openings from floor to floor to allow occupants to complete
their use of the means of egress. Further it shall be ensured to provide a clear height of 2 100
mm in the exit access.

 
 Electrical Installation
a) Medium and low voltage wiring running in shafts, and within false ceiling shall run in metal conduit. Any
230 V wiring for lighting or other services, above false ceiling, shall have 660 V grade insulation.

b) The electric distribution cables/wiring shall be laid in a separate shaft. The shaft shall be sealed at every
floor with fire stop materials having the same fire resistance as that of the floor. High, medium and low
voltage wiring running in shaft and in false ceiling shall run in separate shaft/conduits.

c) Water mains, gas pipes, telephone lines, intercom lines or any other service line shall not be laid in the
duct for electrical cables; use of bus ducts/solid rising mains instead of cables is preferred.

d) All metallic items like steel structural members, etc, shall be bonded properly to the earthing system.

Earthing Firestop Pillow

 Emergency power for fire and life safety systems

Emergency power supplying distribution system for critical requirement for functioning of fire
and life safety system and equipment shall be planned for efficient and reliable power and
control supply to the following systems and equipment where provided:
a) Fire pumps.
b) Pressurization and smoke venting; including its ancillary systems such as dampers and
actuators.
c) Fireman’s lifts (including all lifts).
d) Exit signage lighting.
e) Emergency lighting.
f) Fire alarm system.
g) Public address (PA) system (relating to emergency voice evacuation and annunciation).
h) Magnetic door holds open devices.
j) Lighting in fire command centre and security room.
 
 Substation/Transformers
Areas in substation shall not be used as other utility purposes other than those required for the
functioning of the substation and should be adequately ventilated.

An independent, ventilated or air conditioned MV(medium voltage) panel room shall be

provided on the ground level or first basement. This room shall be provided with access from
outside (or through exit passageway accessible from outside). The MV panel room shall be
provided with fire resistant walls and doors of fire resistance of not less than 120 min.

Meter rooms on upper floors shall not open into staircase enclosures and should be ventilated
directly to open air outside or in electrical room of 120 min fire resistant walls. Electrical MV
main distribution panel and lift panels shall be provided with CO2/inert gas flooding system for
all panel compartments with a cylinder located beside the panel.

Dry type substation

Transformers located inside a building shall be of dry type and all substation/switch room walls,
ceiling, floor, opening including doors shall have a fire resistance rating of 120 min. Access to
the substation shall be provided from the nearest fire exit/exit staircase for the purpose of
electrical isolation.
 
 Standby supply

Diesel generator set(s) shall not be installed at any floor other than ground/first basement. If the
same are installed indoors, proper ventilation and exhaust shall be planned. The DG set room
shall be separated by 120 min fire resistance rated walls and doors. The oil tank for the DG sets
(if not in the base of the DG) shall be provided with a dyked enclosure having a volumetric
capacity of at least 10 percent more than the volume of the oil tank. The enclosure shall be filled
with sand for a height of 300 mm.

For detailed information regarding fire safety requirements for hazardous petroleum products,
reference may be made to The Petroleum Act, 1934 and the Rules framed thereunder.

Lightning protection of buildings

Routing of down conductors (insulated or uninsulated) of lightning protection through electrical

or other service shafts are not allowed as it can create fire and explosion during lightning. For
details, see Part 8 “Building Services, Section 2 Electrical and Allied Installations. of the Code.
ESCAPE LIGHTING AND EXIT SIGNAGE
•Exit access, exits and exit discharge shall be properly identified, with adequate lighting maintained
in the elements of the egress systems so that all occupants shall be able to leave the facility safely.

•Escape lighting luminaires should be sited to cover the following locations:

1) Near each intersection of corridors,
2) At exits and at each exit door,
3) Near each change of direction in the escape route,
4) Near each staircase so that each flight of stairs receives direct light,
5) Near any other change of floor level,
6) Outside each final exit and close to it,
7) Near each fire alarm call point,
8) Near firefighting equipment, and
9) To illuminate exit and safety signs as required by the enforcing authority.
• The horizontal luminance at floor level on the centre line of an escape route shall not be less than 10 lumen/m2. In
addition, for escape routes up to 2 m wide, 50 percent of the route width shall be lit to a minimum of 5
lumen/m2.In auditoriums, theatres, concert halls and such other places of assembly, the illumination of floor
exit/access may be reduced during period of performances to values not less than 2 lux.

• The luminaires shall be mounted as low as possible, but at least 2 m above the floor level.
• The emergency lighting shall be provided to be put on within 5 s of the failure of the normal lighting supply.
• Emergency lighting shall be able to maintain the required illumination level for a period of not less than 90 min in
the event of failure of the normal lighting even for smaller premises.
• No Battery pack emergency lighting, because of its limited duration and reliability, shall not be allowed to be used
in lieu of a diesel engine driven emergency power supply.
 Exit signage
• Exit signs shall be provided such
that no point in an exit access is
more than 30 m from a visible exit
directional sign.
• An exit sign indicating the
direction to an exit shall be
provided at all changes in
direction.
• The colour of the exit signs shall be
green.
 FIRE COMMAND CENTRE
• A Fire Command Centre shall be of adequate size to house all the
terminals and supervisory/control equipment, etc of the
building’s fire protection/detection systems and
a free working space of at least 6 sq m.
• Shall be on the entrance floor for direct access.
• Shall have the main fire alarm panel with communication system
(suitable public address system) to aid floors and facilities for
receiving the message from different floors.
• Fire command centre shall be constructed with 120 min rating
walls with a fire door and shall be provided with emergency
lighting. Interior finishes shall not use any flammable materials.
All controls and monitoring of fire alarm systems, pressurization
systems, smoke management systems shall happen from this
room.
• Details of all floor plans along with the details of firefighting
equipment and installations shall be maintained in fire command
centre.
 NUMBER OF EXITS

The minimum required number of exits in a building shall be

determined based on occupant load (see Table 3) and width required
per person (see Table 4) as appropriate to the type of exit for respective
occupancies, subject to complying with maximum travel distance
requirement (see Table 5).
 OCCUPANT LOAD FACTOR

• Occupant Load is the

Maximum number of
persons that might
occupy a building or
portion thereof at any
one time.

• The occupant load of

each story considered
individually shall be
required to be used in
computing the number
of means of egress at
each story, provided that
the required number of
means of egress is not
decreased in the
direction of egress travel.
 TRAVEL DISTANCE

Arrangement of exits

• Exits shall be so located that the travel distance on the

floor shall not exceed the distance given in Table 5.
• Travel distance shall be measured from the most
remote point within a storey or a mezzanine floor along
the natural and un- obstructed path of horizontal or
vertical egress travel to the door to an exit.
• The dead-end corridor length in exit
access shall not exceed 6 m for
educational, institutional and
assembly occupancies. For other
occupancies, the same shall be 15 m.
• A dead end exists if the occupant of
the corridor or passageway has only
one direction to travel to reach any
of the building exits . While a
preferred building layout would be
one without dead ends, a maximum
dead-end length of 20 feet (6096 mm)
is permitted and is to be measured
from the extreme point in the dead
end to the point where the occupants
have a choice of two directions to the
exits. 
 CAPACITY FACTORS

Exit capacity is the number of people that can passthrough a

stairway, and level components (door and corridor) and ramps.
The total capacity of all the respective means of egress serving a
floor shall be sufficient to allow egress of the entire population
of the floor.
In the procedures for determining required egress capacity, the
number of required means of egress is based on a floor-by-floor
consideration, rather than the accumulation of the occupant
loads of all the floors. However, the number of means of egress
cannot decrease as an occupant proceeds along the egress path.

For example , if an exit doorway measures 2000 mm in clear width , it would be defined as providing exit capacity for 2000/15
occupants , that is 133 persons ( for an institutional building) . This is how we can calculate exit doorways depending upon the
occupant load .
Further, consider the situation of doors opening to an exit stairway. If the stairway provides an exit capacity of 133 persons,
and the doors leading into the stairway provide an exit capacity of 133 persons, the overall exit system would be considered to
provide the minimum exit capacity of only 133 persons afforded by the stairway. The exit planning will be limited by the most
restrictive exit calculation under the means of egress.
 REFUGE AREA

An area within the building for a temporary use during

egress. It generally serves as a staging area which is
protected from the effect of fire and smoke.
• Refuge area provided shall be planned to accommodate the occupants of two consecutive
floors (this shall consider occupants of the floor where refuge is provided and occupants of
floor above) by considering area of 0.3 m2 per person for the calculated number of occupants
and shall include additionally to accommodate one wheel chair space of an area of 0.9 m2 for
every 200 occupants, portion thereof, based on the occupant load served by the area of
refuge or a minimum of 15 m2.
• The refuge area shall be provided on the periphery of the floor and open to air at least on one
side protected with suitable railings.
• Refuge area(s) shall be provided at/or immediately above 24 m and thereafter at every 15 m
or so.
• Refuge areas shall connect to firefighting shaft (comprising fireman's lift, lobby and staircase)
• No storage of combustible products and materials, electrical and mechanical equipment, etc
shall be allowed in such areas.
• Refuge area shall be provided with adequate drainage facility to maintain efficient storm
water disposal.
• Entire refuge area shall be provided with sprinklers.
STAIRCASE

The minimum width of tread without nosing

shall be 250 mm for staircase of residential
buildings. This shall be minimum 300 mm for
assembly, hotels, educational, institutional,
business and other buildings. The treads shall
be constructed and maintained in a manner
to prevent slipping. The maximum height of
riser shall be 190 mm for staircase of
residential buildings and 150 mm for other
buildings. The number of risers shall be
limited to 12 per flight.
A sign shall be posted and maintained within each stair
enclosure on every floor, indicating the number of the
floor, 1500 mm ground level.
 The staircases may be internal staircases or external staircases.
Internal stairs shall be constructed of non- Entrance to the External stairs shall be
combustible materials throughout, and shall separate and remote from the internal
have fire resistant rating of minimum 120 staircase.
min.
Care shall be taken to ensure that no
external wall or window opening opens on
A staircase shall not be arranged round a lift to or close to an external stair. If such
shaft. openings exists within 3 m from an external
staircase, they shall be protected with fire
No flue chimney, electromechanical rated doors/window assemblies with rating
equipment, air conditioning units, gas piping of at least 60 min. External stairs shall have
or electrical panels shall be allowed in the straight flight not less than 1 500 mm wide.
stairway.

• Minimum width of staircase for an institutional building should be 2000mm.

• A handrail shall be provided on both sides of the staircase of width 1 500 mm and more.
• The projection of handrail(s) in the staircase width shall not be more than 115 mm.
• Handrails may project inside the measured width by not more than 90mm.
• Handrails shall be of a height not less than 1 000 mm and not exceeding 1200 mm.
• There shall be provisions of balusters with maximum gap of 150 mm.
• Individual floors shall be prominently indicated on the wall outside the staircase and facing it.
 • Doors in exits shall open in the
direction of exit. In case of assembly
buildings and institutional buildings ,
exit door shall not open immediately
upon a flight of stair and all such
entries to the stair shall be through a
landing, so that such doors do not
impede movement of people
descending from a higher floor when
fully opened (see Fig. 4A).
• While for other occupancies , such
doors shall not reduce the pathway in
the landing by more than half the
width of such staircase (see Fig. 4B).
• Over-head or sliding doors shall not
be installed.
 All the exits and exit passageways to exit
discharge shall have a clear ceiling height of
at least 2.4 m. However, the height of exit
door shall be at least 2.0 m (see Fig. 5).

Turnstiles or similar devices that restrict

travel to one direction or that are used to
restrict unauthorized entry shall not be so
placed as to obstruct any required means of
egress. Alternative door openings of required
exit width shall be available within 3 m of
such devices, if installed.
DOORWAYS

• Every exit doorway shall open into an enclosed stairway

or a horizontal exit of a corridor or passageway providing
continuous and protected means of egress (see Fig. 7 on
unaccepted arrangement of doors in a stair).
• No exit doorway shall be less than 2000 mm in width.
• Doorways shall be not less than 2000 mm in height.
• Exit doorways shall be operable from the side which
they serve, without the use of a key.
• Mirrors shall not be placed on exit doors and in exits
to avoid confusion regarding the direction of exit.
Revolving doors can be accepted as a component in a means of egress where the
following requirements are fully complied with
1) Doors shall be capable of collapsing to a
book fold position with parallel egress
paths, of width not less than 1 000 mm.
2) Doors shall not be located within 3 m of
the foot or top of stairs or escalators. A
dispersal area shall be provided between
the stairs or escalators and the doors.
3) Each revolving door shall be provided
with a hinged door in the same wall within
3 m thereof.
4) Each revolving door shall be considered
as capable of exiting only 50 persons.
All fire rated doors and assembly shall be provided with certificate and labels prominently
indicating the manufacturers identification, door details covering door type, serial/batch
number, month and year of manufacture, fire resistance rating, etc. The doors and assembly
shall be certified with all prescribed hardware such as hinges, locks , fire exit hardware, door
closer, and door viewers.
Fire Exit Hardware A door-latching assembly incorporating an actuating member that releases
the latch bolt upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel, provided on exits.
 Smoke control of exits
• Pressurization of staircases is of great importance for the exclusion of smoke and toxic gases
from the protected exit.
• Pressurization is a method adopted for protecting the exits from ingress of smoke, especially in
high-rise buildings. In pressurization, air is injected into the staircases, lobbies, etc , as
applicable, to raise their pressure slightly above the pressure in adjacent parts of the building.
As a result, ingress of smoke or toxic gases into the exits will be prevented.
• The pressure difference for staircases shall be 50 Pa. Pressure differences for lobbies(or
corridors) shall be between 25 Pa and 30 Pa. Further, the pressure differential for enclosed
staircase adjacent to such lobby (or corridors) shall be 50 Pa.
• For pressurized stair enclosure systems, the activation of the systems shall be initiated by
signalling from fire alarm panel.
• Pressurization system shall be integrated and supervised with the automatic/manual fire alarm
system for actuation.
• Wherever pressurized staircase is to be connected to unpressurized area, the two areas shall be
segregated by 120 min fire resistant wall.
• Fresh air intake for pressurization shall be away (at least 4 m) from any of the exhaust
outlets/grille.
 COMPARTMENTATION
All floors shall be compartmented/zoned with area of each compartment being not
more than 750 m2.

• In addition, there shall be

requirement of a minimum of two
compartments if the floor plate size
is equal or less than the areas
mentioned . However, such
requirement of minimum two
compartments shall not be required,
if the floor plate is less than 750 m2.

• Compartmentation shall be achieved

by means of fire barrier having fire
resistance rating of 120 min.
• Basements, if provided shall be of type-1 construction .
• Each basement shall be separately ventilated.
• The basement shall not be permitted below the ward block of a hospital.
• Each vent shall have a cross-sectional area (aggregate) not less than 2.5% of the floor area spread evenly round the
perimeter of the basement.
• A system of air inlets and smoke outlets shall be provided and clearly marked as “AIR INLET” and “SMOKE
OUTLET”.
• Clear headroom of minimum 2.4 mtrs shall be provided for the entire basement.
• A minimum ceiling height of any basement shall be 0.9 mtrs and maximum 1.2 mtrs above the average surrounding
ground level.
• The access to the basement shall be separate from the main and alternative staircase providing access and exit from
higher floors.
• The staircase of the basement shall be of enclosed type having fire resistance not less than 02 hrs & shall be situated at
the periphery of the basement to be entered at ground level from the open air and in such a position that smoke from
any fire in the basement shall not obstruct any exit serving the ground & upper stores of the building. The staircase
shall communicate with the basement through a lobby provided with fire resisting, self closing doors of 02 hrs
resistance.
• For multi-storey basements, one intake duct may serve all basement levels, but each level & basement compartment
shall have a separate smoke outlet duct or ducts. The ducts shall have the same fire resistance rating as the
compartment itself.
• No cut outs to upper floors shall be permitted in the basement.

Source -https://hhbc.in/nbc-guidelines-for-hospital-design/
• Mechanical extractors for smoke venting system from lower basement levels shall also be provided.
The actuation of the system shall be incorporated with the detection and sprinkler systems. The
performance of the system shall be superior than standard units.
• Mechanical extractors shall have an interlocking arrangement, so that extractors shall continue to
operate, and supply fans shall stop automatically with the actuation of fire detection system.
• Mechanical extractors shall be designed to permit 30 air changes per hour in case of a fire emergency.
• Mechanical extractors shall have an alternate source of electricity supply.
•Lift/Elevators shall not normally communicate with basements; if, however, Lifts are in
communication, the lift lobby of the basement shall be pressurised. A positive pressure between 25 & 30
Pascal (Pa) shall be maintained in the lobby &ramp; a positive pressure of 50 Pa shall be maintained in
the Lift shaft.
•The mechanism for pressurisation shall act automatically with the Fire Alarm. Provision shall be made
to operate the system manually as well. The Lift car door shall have a Fire resistance rating equal to the
Fire resistance of lift enclosure. 
 FIRE HOSE CABINET

• Hydrants for firefighting and hose reels shall be

located in the lobby in firefighting shaft.
• Those hydrants planned to be provided near fire exit
staircase on the floor shall be within 5 m from exit
door in exit access.
• Such hydrant cabinet may finish with doors to meet
interior finishes with requirement of glass panel to
provide visibility to the installations inside and
inscribed with the word: ‘FIRE HOSE CABINET’ of
letter size 75 mm in height and 12 mm in width.
• The location of such cabinets shall be shown on
floor plan and duly displayed in the landing of the
respective fire exit staircase.

FIG. – FIRE HOSE CABINET

STATIC WATER STORAGE TANK
• A satisfactory supply of water for the purpose
of firefighting shall always be available in the
form of underground/terrace level static
storage tank with capacity specified for each
building with arrangements or replenishment.
• Water for the hydrant services shall be stored
in an easily accessible surface/underground
lined reservoir or above ground tanks of steel,
concrete or masonry.
• The effective capacity of the reservoir above
the top of the pump casing (flooded suction)
for various types of occupancies shall be as
indicated in Table 7.
• The underground fire water storage tank(s)
shall not be more than 7 m in depth from the
level having fire brigade draw-out connection, FIG. LAYOUT OF WATER STORAGE TANK
while the draw-out connection shall not be
more than 5 m away from the tank wall.
10 Provide required number of sets of
pumps each consisting of one electric and
one diesel pump (stand by) of capacity 2 280
litre/min and one electric pump of capacity
180 litre/min
(see also notes 22 and 23).

11 Provide required number of sets of

pumps each consisting of two electric and
one diesel pump (stand by) of capacity 2 280
litre/min and two electric pump of capacity
180 litre/min
(see also Notes 22 and 23).

22 One set of pumps shall be provided for

each 100 hydrants or part thereof, with a
maximum of two sets. In case of more than
one pump set installation, both pump sets
shall be interconnected at their
delivery headers.

23 Alternative to provisions of additional

set of pumps, the objective can be met by
providing additional diesel pump of the same
capacity and doubling the water tank capacity
as required for one set of
pumps.
FIREFIGHTING PUMP HOUSE

• A fire pump is a part of a fire sprinkler system's water supply and powered by
electricity or diesel. The pump intake is either connected to the public
underground water supply piping, or a static water source.
• As per NBC it needs to have a minimum pressure of 3.5 kg/cm2 at remotest
location in the system
• Refer Table 7 for Requirements
SPRINKLER SYSTEM

• Sprinkler system is a must for basement parking & other risk areas where large quantities of
combustible materials are stored.
• Each sprinkler should have coverage radius of 8’.
• Normally a separate sprinkler should be provided for a separate car.
• Sprinklers may connect to main water tank & pump, but capacity of the tank & pump shall be
increased in that proportionate.
• The capacity of water tank shall be calculated on the basis of sprinklers
Automatic sprinkler systems
• Automatic sprinklers shall be installed wherever required in terms of Table 7 throughout the building
in accordance with good practice
• Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in false ceiling voids exceeding 800 mm in height
• In areas having height 17 m or above such as in atria, sprinkler installations may be rendered
ineffective and hence may be avoided.
CONCLUDED NORMS FOR INSTITUTIONAL
BUILDING

Fire Prevention
• No combustible material of any kind shall be stored or used in any building or
section thereof used for institutional occupancy, except as necessary to normal
occupancy and use of the building.
 DOORS CLEAR WIDTH IN M
CORRIDOR DOOR OPENINGS 2 M WIDE
EXIT DOOR 2 M WIDE
SINGLE/DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM DOOR 1.25 M WIDE
3-5 PATIENT BED ROOM 1.50 M WIDE
MORE THAN 5 PATIENTS 2 M WIDE
ICU, RECOVERY UNITS , DELIVERY ROOMS 2M WIDE

• The common path of travel shall be 30 m

• Aisles, corridors, ramps, etc, through
which patients are moved, shall have a
minimum width of 2.4 m throughout.
Aisles, corridors, and ramps in other areas
not intended for the housing, treatment,
or use of inpatients shall be not less than
1.5 m in width.
• The slope of a ramp shall not exceed 1 in
12(8 percent).
Hospitals Subdivision C
• All critical patients and those incapable of self-preservation and having physical
impairment shall be housed within 30 m height.
• Other types of patients and occupancies incidental to the hospitals such as
consultation rooms, nurses’ stations, medical shops, canteens, etc may be housed
at heights beyond 30 m but not more than 45 m.
• Basement shall not be used to store flammables or for pathological or other
laboratories particularly those involving usage of chemicals.
• Operation theatres, delivery rooms, Intensive care units, recovery rooms, etc, that
containing patients lacking self- preservation in case of emergencies shall be
fire/smoke separated (120 min minimum rating) from all the adjoining areas.
• Any sleeping accommodation or suite exceeding 100 m2 in area shall have at least
two doorways leading to the exit access corridors.
• Floor surface of corridors shall not be inclined at a gradient steeper than 1 in 12 to
the horizontal.
• Exit access corridors from a compartment to another compartment shall be
divided at the compartment intersection by a fire door of 120 min fire rating in
the fire compartment wall.
• Rooms designated for laboratory and the like shall not exceed 100 m2 in area and
if additional space is required, fire separation of 120 min shall be provided.
• Storage of flammable liquids in laboratories or in any other area shall be not more
than 3 litre for every 10 m2 area.
• Disposal of any equipment and other
(particularly hazardous) materials shall be
accomplished in the premises by a disposal
specialist or at a safe location away from the
health care facility by competent personnel
using procedures established in concurrence
with the safe practices.
• A stretcher lift in a lift bank shall also act as
fireman’s lift meeting the requirements of
Part 8 ‘Building Services, Section 5 Installation
of Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks,
Subsection 5A Lifts’ of the Code.
SITE PLANNING & EXTERNAL
FIRE FIGHTING PROVISION
source : https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/fssd-downloads/hb_v5_ch4.pdf
• Introduction
1. Accessway shall be provided for accessibility of site to fire fighting appliances. To
permit fire fighting appliances to be deployed, the accessway shall have a
minimum width of 6m throughout its entire length. Access openings shall be
provided along the external walls of buildings fronting the accessway to provide
access into the building for fire fighting and rescue operations
2. Every institutional development shall be provided with accessibility for fire
fighting appliances. The internal driveways shall be constructed to have the
required width and be able to withstand the operational loading of fire engine
when conducting external fire fighting. Access openings along the external walls
of the buildings facing the accessway shall be provided for the purpose of
conducting fire fighting and rescue operations.
For buildings under purpose group III not
exceeding the habitable height of 10m,
accessway will not be required. However,
provision of fire engine access road having
minimum 4m width for pump appliance will
be required to within a travel distance of 45m
of every point on the projected plan area of
the building.
The measurement of the travel distance shall be the line of
travel located outside the building, and shall not traverse
across open sided porches or 1st storey void deck. The travel
distance is the distance that a fire fighter would traverse
while carrying a portable ladder or equipment.
• For buildings under purpose group III
exceeding the habitable height of 10m,
accessway shall be located directly
below the access openings to provide
direct outreach to the access openings.
Accessway shall be provided based on
the gross floor area (including toilets,
stores, circulation areas, etc.) of the
largest floor in the building as follows:
• It is important to note that for purpose groups III
buildings, the gross floor area of the largest floor in
the building is used for the calculation of the extent
of accessway required.
• Sprinklered protected buildings For buildings
protected by an automatic sprinkler system, the gross
floor area of the largest floor in the building can be
doubled.
• Fire engine access road shall be provided to within
18m of breeching inlet for buildings that exceed the
habitable height of 10m.

Breeching Inlet
• Accessway
Accessway shall be metalled or paved or laid with strengthened perforated slabs to
withstand the loading capacity of stationary 30 tonnes fire engine.
• Width of accessway
The accesssway shall have a minimum width of 6m throughout. Such accessway
must be able to accommodate the entry and manoeuvring of fire engine, extended
ladders pumping appliances, turntable and / or hydraulic platforms.
• Location
Accessway shall be positioned so that the nearer edge shall be not less than 2m or
more than 10m from the centre position of the access opening, measured
horizontally.
• Gradient Of Acessway
Accessway shall be laid on a level platform or if on an incline,
the gradient shall not exceed 1:15.
• Turning facilities Dead-end accessway and fire
engine access road shall not exceed 46 m in
length or if exceeding 46 m, be provided with
turning facilities as shown in Diagram 4.1
• The outer radius for turning of accessway and
fire engine access road shall comply with the
requirements as shown in Diagram 4.2
• Overhead Clearance
Overhead clearance of accessway
and fire engine access road shall
be at least 4.5 m for passage of
fire fighting appliances.
• Public Road
Public roads can serve as accessway
provided the location of such public roads
is in compliance with the requirements of
distance from access openings.
• Obstruction
Accessway and fire engine access road
shall be kept clear of obstructions and
other parts of the building, plants, trees or
other fixtures shall not obstruct the path The podium edge is obstructing the reach of the boom of
between the accessway and access fire engine to 4th storey.
Other obstructions could be roadside trees, entrance porch
openings. etc. To allow full extension of aerial ladders at a safe
climbing or elevation angle Ø of 60 to 80 degrees, sufficient
space is needed to position the fire engine.
Public road may be used as hardstancing by fire engine,
provided the edge of the public road to the facade of the
building where access openings are located should not
exceed 10m.
Tower block is relocated nearer to the edge of the
podium base to avoid obstruction to the boom of
fire engine. The fire engine shall be located at least
2m, but not more than 10m away from the external
wall or façade (including any overhead obstruction)
of the building. If the fire engine is located within
2m from the building, the aerial ladder when set-up
would fall outside the safe working limit ie. the
inclination of the ladder would be too steep. If the
fire engine is located more than 10m from the
building, the effective reach of the aerial ladder
would be reduced
• Marking of fire engine accessway
1. All corners of accessway shall be marked.
2. Marking of corners shall be in contrasting
colour to the ground surfaces or finishes.
3. Accessway provided on turfed area must be
marked with contrasting object (preferably
reflective) that is visible at night. The
markings are to be at an interval not more
than 3 metres apart and shall be provided on
both sides of the accessway.
4. Sign post displaying the wordings ‘Fire Engine
Access – Keep Clear’ shall be provided at the
entrance of the accessway. Size of wordings
shall not be less than 50mm.
 TERMINOLOGIES
Assisted Evacuation- Strategy that exists during which a designated person or persons provide assistance, during an
emergency, to another person(s) to leave a building or a specific part of the built environment and to reach a final place of
safety.

Authorities Concerned- An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or
standard, or for approving or accepting equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System- A system comprising components and sub-systems required for automatically
detecting smoke, heat or fire initiating an alarm and other actions as appropriate. This system also includes manually
operated electronic fire alarm (MOEFA) system.MOEFA system (with or without automatic fire detection and alarm system)
includes all or some of the components such as manual call stations (initiating an alarm for fire and other actions as
required), talk-back system and public address system.

Combustible Material- A material which either burns itself or adds heat to a fire, when tested for non-combustibility in
accordance with accepted standard [4(1)].

Common Path of Travel- That portion of the exit access which the occupants are required to traverse before two (or more)
separate and distinct routes or two (or more) exits become available. Common paths of travel are part of travel distance.
Covered Area-Ground area covered by the building immediately above the plinth level. The area covered by the following in
the open spaces is excluded from covered area-

a) Garden, rockery, well and well structures, plant nursery, water pool, swimming pool (if uncovered), platform round a
tree, tank, fountain, bench, Chabutara with open top and unenclosed on sides by walls and the like;

b) b) Drainage culvert, conduit, catch-pit, gully pit, chamber, gutter and the like;

c) Compound wall, gate, unstoreyed porch and portico, slide, swing, uncovered staircases, ramp areas covered by Chhajja
and the like; and

d) Watchman’s booth, pump house, garbage shaft, electric cabin or substations, and such other utility structures meant for
the services of the building under consideration.

Down-comer- An arrangement of firefighting within the building by means of down-comer pipe connected to terrace tank
through terrace pump, gate valve and non-return valve and having mains not less than 100 mm internal diameter with
landing valves on each floor/landing. It is also fitted with inlet connections at ground level for charging with water by
pumping from fire service appliances and air release valve at roof level to release trapped air inside.

Dry Riser- An arrangement of firefighting within the building by means of vertical rising mains not less than 100 mm internal
diameter with landing valves on each floor/landing which is normally dry but is capable of being charged with water usually
by pumping from fire service appliances.

 Emergency Lighting- Lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails.

 Emergency Lighting System- A complete but discrete emergency lighting installation also fed from the standby power
source to the emergency lighting lamp(s), for example, self-contained emergency luminaire or a circuit from central battery
(with or without monitoring system) connected through wiring to several escape lighting luminaries.
Escape Lighting- That part of the emergency lighting which is provided to ensure that the escape route is illuminated at all
material times, for example, at all times when persons are on the premises, or at times the main lighting is not available,
either for the whole building or for the means of egress.

 Evacuation Lift- Lift that can be used, during an emergency, for self-evacuation.

 Exit- That unobstructed component of means of egress which is between the exit access and the exit discharge or public
way. Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior exit stairways, exit passageways,
exterior exit stairways and exterior exit ramps.

 Exit Access- That portion of a means of egress that leads to an exit (for example, doorways, staircase lobby, ramps, Veranda,
corridor or passageway leading to an exit.

 Exit Access Corridor- A corridor in exit access which may not necessarily have the requirement of exits being met.

 Exit Discharge- The component of a means of egress between the termination of an exit and a public way.

 Fire Barrier (or Fire Resisting Barrier)- A fire barrier is a vertically or horizontally aligned member such as a wall or a fire
curtain, or a floor. These may be with discontinuities created by openings with a specified fire resistance rating, where such
members are designed and constructed with a specified fire resistance rating to limit the spread of fire that also restricts the
movement of smoke.

 
Fire Compartment- A space within a building that is enclosed by fire barrier or fire-resistant walls on all sides, including the
top and bottom.

 Fire Door and Fire Door Assembly- Any combination of fire door, frame, hardware and other accessories that together
provide a specific fire-resistant rating to the opening in terms of its stability, integrity and insulation properties, when
installed in the openings in fire separation walls. Fire door is a component of fire door assembly.

Fire Load- Calorific energy, of the whole contents contained in a space, including the facings of the walls, partitions, floors
and ceilings.

Fire Load Density- Fire load divided by floor area.

Fireman’s Lift- A lift or a group of lifts invariably associated with all the features and requirements of a fire-fighting shaft.
Such lift(s) are installed to enable fire services personnel to reach different floors with minimum delay, and shall meet the
additional features as required in accordance with this Part. This lift also serves the purpose of meeting the requirement of
evacuation lift for assisted evacuation.

Fire Resistance Rating- The time that a material or construction will withstand the standard fire exposure as determined by
fire test done in accordance with the standard methods of fire tests of materials/ structures as per the accepted standard
[4(2)].

Fire Resistant Wall- Fire resistance rated wall, having opening(s) with specified fire-resistant rating, which restricts the
spread of fire from one part of a building to another part of the same building.
Fire Separation- The distance in metre, from the external wall of the building concerned to the external wall of any other
building on the site, or from other site, or from the opposite side of street or other public space for the purpose of
preventing the spread of fire.

Fire Stop- A fire resistant material, or construction, having a fire resistance rating of not less than the fire separating
elements, installed in concealed spaces or between structural elements of a building to prevent the spread/propagation of
fire and smoke through walls, ceilings and the like as per the laid down criteria.

Fire Suppression Systems-

a) Gas based systems- Systems that use gaseous agents as fire suppression media, such as, all agents alternate to Halon
gases, listed and approved for use by relevant Indian Standards; other methods/types of gas based systems where their
protection is equal to or better than what is suggested above for the type of application subject to the acceptance of
Authorities concerned may also fall under such systems.

b) Water based systems- Systems that use mainly water as firefighting media such as hydrant system, sprinkler system,
water spray system, foam system and water mist system.

Fire Wall or Fire Separating Wall- A fire resistance rated wall having fire protected openings, which restricts the spread of
fire and extends continuously from the foundation to the roof (and through the roof at least 1m above the roof in case of
combustible roof), with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on one side or
either side without collapse of the wall.

Fire Exit Hardware- A door-latching assembly incorporating an actuating member or panic bar that releases the latch bolt
upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel, provided on exits.
Lift Lobby- A space from which people directly enter a lift car(s) and into which people directly enter upon exiting a lift
car(s).

Means of Egress- A continuous way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way, consisting of three
separate and distinct parts, that is, exit access, exit and exit discharge.

Means of Escape- A way out of a building or structure that does not conform to the strict definition of means of egress. but
does provide an alternate way out.

Mixed Occupancy- A multiple occupancy where the occupancies are intermingled.

Multiple Occupancy- A building or structure in which two or more classes of occupancy exist.

Occupancy or Use Group- The principal occupancy for which a building or a part of a building is used or intended to be
used; for the purpose of classification of a building according to the occupancy, an occupancy shall be deemed to include
subsidiary occupancies which are contingent upon it.

Place of Comparative Safety- Places within a building where people can stay little longer until evacuation, for example,
refuge areas, terrace, fire/ smoke separated compartments, etc.

Public Way- A street, alley, or other similar parcel of land essentially open to the outside air, dedicated, or otherwise
permanently appropriated to the public for public use and having a clear width and height of not less than 3 m.
Horizontal Exit- A defend in place or a staging arrangement, providing safety from fire and smoke originating from the area
of incidence, by allowing alternative egress from a compartment to an area of refuge or another compartment at or near
the same level. This also includes such egress from a compartment to an adjoining building. A horizontal exit shall be
through a fire door of 120 min rating in a fire-resistant wall. Horizontal exit require separation with the refuge area or
adjoining compartment through 120 min fire barrier. The adjoining compartment of the horizontal exit should allow
unlocked and ease of egress and exits for the occupants using defend in place strategy.
Ramp- The construction, in the form of an inclined plane that is steeper than or equal to 1: 20 (5 percent) from the
horizontal, together with any intermediate landing, that makes it possible to pass from one level to another.

Roof Exits- A means of escape on to the roof of a building, where the roof has access to it from the ground through
alternative stair case or adjacent building.

Smoke Barrier- A continuous membrane, or a membrane, where such membrane is designed and constructed to restrict the
movement of smoke.

Smoke Compartment- A space within a building enclosed by smoke barriers on all sides.

Stack Pressure- Pressure difference caused by a temperature difference creating an air movement within a duct, chimney or
enclosure.

Ventilation- Supply of outside air into, or the removal of inside air from an enclosed space.

Venting Fire- The process of facilitating heat and smoke to leave a building as quickly as possible by such paths so that
lateral spread of fire and heat is checked, firefighting operations are facilitated and minimum fire damage is caused.

Visual Strobes/Flashing- It is an audio-visual fire alarm for alerting persons with hearing impairment with flashing light. The
strobe frequency should be from 0.5 Hz to 4.0 Hz.
Water Based Systems-

(a) Hydrant System- A distribution system having a network of piping installed underground/above- ground around and/or
through inside of a building with internal and/or external hydrants fitted with landing valves at regular intervals according to
the occupancy. The distribution system is connected to water supply system for firefighting.

(b) Automatic Sprinkler System- A system of water pipes fitted with sprinkler heads at suitable intervals and heights and
designed to actuate automatically, control and extinguish a fire by the discharge of water.

(c) Automatic Water Spray Systems- A special fixed pipe system connected to a reliable source of fire protection water
supply and equipped with water spray nozzles for specific water discharge and distribution over the surface or area to be
protected. The piping system is connected to the water supply through an automatically actuated deluge valve which
initiates flow of water. Automatic actuation is achieved by operation of automatic detecting equipment installed along with
water spray nozzles. There are two types of systems namely high velocity and medium velocity systems.

(d) Water Mist Systems- A distribution system connected to a pumping and water supply system that is equipped with
nozzles capable of delivering water mist to the part/entire enclosure or area, intended to control, suppress, or extinguish
fire and is capable of meeting the specified performance requirements.

(e)Foam Protection System- Firefighting systems where foam is made by mechanically mixing air with a solution consisting
of fresh water to which a foaming agent (liquid concentrate) has been added. Firefighting foam is a stable aggregation of
small bubbles of density lower than oil or water, and shows tenacious qualities for covering horizontal surfaces. There are
three types of foam applications that is, low, medium and high expansion foams depending upon the application.

 Wet Riser- An arrangement for firefighting within the building by means of vertical rising mains not less than 100 mm
nominal diameter with landing valves on each floor/landing for firefighting purposes and permanently charged with water
from a pressurized supply.
THANK YOU