Fire Safety Regulations

FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS

All buildings shall satisfy certain requirements which contribute, individually and collectively, to the safety of life. The code specifies construction, occupancy and protection features that are necessary to minimise danger to life and property from fire.

Width of road

The road which abuts a high rise building should be more than 12 metre width. The road should be hard surfaced to carry the maximum weight of a Fire Engine. (Fig. 5.13)

Entrance Width and Height Clearance

High rise building should have at least 2 means of access, one remote to the other of minimum width 4.5 m with height. clearance of 5 m. This minimum width is essential to facilitate free movement of fire units.

Setback or Open Spaces

Sufficient open space around residential buildings, is essential to facilitate free movement and operation of Fire Service vehicles.

For other occupancies, the setbacks shall have to be allowed as follows:

(a) Educational buildings

Except for nursery schools, the open space shall not be less than 6 meters.

(b) Institutional buildings

Open space shall not be less than 6 meters.

(c) Assembly building

Except in front, open space shall not be less than 6 meter and front open space shall not be less than 12 meters.

(d) Business Mercantile and storage building

Open space around the building shall not be less than 4.5 meters. It can be relaxed in certain circumstances.

(e) Industrial Hazardous building

stat Minimum 4.5 meters open space shall be kept around the building for the height upto 16 meters. Open space shall be increased by 0.25 meters for next each 1 meter height of the building.

Car parking in setback / Open spaces

If the setback area open spaces is more than 12 meter, the provision for car parking can be done in the setback or open spaces at the periphery of the courtyard leaving the 6 meter motorable road (Fig. 5.15).

Car parking

Car parking shall have to be done at the basement with provision for minimum 2 ramps one remote to other (Fig. 5.16).

Staircases

• Every high rise building should have minimum 2 staircases.

• Width of staircases varies from 1 m to 2 m.

• For residential building width of staircases should be 1 m.

• Out of 2 staircases, 1 can be used as a fire escape staircase

• Width of fire escape should be minimum 0.75 meter.

• Number of staircases shall be given as per the travel distances.

• Staircase shall not be extended to basement to prevent smoke, heat & gases.

• Access to the basement from the ground should be diw through a separate staircase, which is not connected to main staircase (i.e., It should be remote to each other.)

• Staircase shall be of enclosed type to prevent entry of smoke & fire to the staircase.

• Spiral staircase shall be provided upto 9 metre height.

• External staircase normally shall not be allowed.

Lifts

• Minimum 1 lift capable of carrying minimum persons weighting 545 kg shall be provided for every high rise building.

• Landing doors of lifts shall open to ventilated lobby & shall have a fire resistance of 1 hour.

• One lift shall be designed as a "Fire Lift".

• "Fireman Switch" shall be provided for each lift.

• Lifts shall not be used as means of evacuation.

• Collapsible gates shall not be provided for the lift.

Fire Alarm System

Depending on the occupancy, manually operated electrical fire alarm system or automatic operated system shall be provided in the building.

Every building more than 15 m in height shall provide both manually operated electrical fire alarm system and automatic fire alarm.

Public Address System

Every high rise building should have a public address system. It should have 2 way communication to conduct evacuation in a systematic manner and to occupants on every floor from the control room.