Definitions:

01. Automatic fire detection and alarm system:

Fire alarm system comprising components for automatically detecting a fire,
initiating an alarm of fire and initiating other actions as appropriate

02. Automatic sprinkler system:

A system of water pipes fitted with sprinkler heads at suitable intervals and
heights and designed to activate automatically, control and extinguish a fire by
the discharge of water.

03. Combustible material:

The material which either burns itself or adds heat to a fire, when tested for
non-combustibility in accordance with accepted standard

04. Dry riser:

An arrangement of fire-fighting within the building by means of vertical rising
mains not less than 100mm 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.

05. Emergency lighting:

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

06. Emergency lighting system:

A complete but discrete emergency lighting installation from the standby power
source to the emergency lighting lamps, for example, self –contained
emergency luminaire or a circuit from central battery generator connected
through wiring to several escape luminaries.

07. Escape lighting:

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That part of 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 escape routes.

08. Fire door:

A fire-resistive door approved for openings in fire separation.

09. Fire exit:

A way out leading to an escape route having panic bar hardware provided on
the door.

10. Fire lift:

The lift installed to enable fire services personnel to reach different floors with
minimum delay, having such features as required in accordance with this part.

11. Floor area ratio [F A R]:

The quotient obtained by dividing the total covered area(plinth area) on all
floors by the area of the plot.

FAR = Total covered area of all floors

Plot area

12. Venting fire:

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

13. Wet riser:

An arrangement for fire-fighting within the building by means of vertical rising
mains not less than 100mm nominal diameter with landing valves on each

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floor/landing for fire-fighting purposes and permanently charged with water from
a pressurized supply.

14. Fire load:

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

15. Fire load density:

Fire load divided by floor area.

16. 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) Resistance to collapse,
b) Resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases, and
c) Resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face up to a
maximum of 180ºC and/or average temperature of 150ºC.

1.0 FIRE SAFETY SYSTEM

1.0.1 Background (10):

When fire is produced rapidly energy is released in the form of heat and light,
and some gases become visible in form of smoke. Fuel, high temperature and
oxygen are the three main necessities to produce fire. In general these main
necessities in structuring of the building as follows. Building’s content and
structure is the fuel. The fire is beyond the capability of cooling systems of the
building due to high temperature, to avoid this special water techniques are used
such as the sprinklers and these are often present to deprive fire which is of high
temperatures. Limiting the fire with oxygen partly can be done but may posses

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serious safety consequences. Fire suppression systems can be installed to
displace oxygen with some other gas such as carbondioxode or either cover the
fuel (foam, dry chemicals).
There are two types of fire protection which are essentially:
1. Passive fire protection
2. Active fire protection

Passive fire protection(PFP) is related to protecting the structure of building such

that it doesn't collapse and prevent fire to spread to various parts of the building
from where the fire has began, where as active fire protection(AFP) is regarding
the systems which have activated either mechanically or electronically .

1.0.2 Fire hazards and risks

The smoke which is caused by fire can possess threat as it decreases the
amount of oxygen and increases the amount of carbon monoxide. In addition it
will also cause difficulty in visibility which might be dangerous. When the fire
spreads fast on combustion materials it can rise the temperature to 148 degree
celsius which can be the cause of death.

1.0.3 Passive fire protection system (11)

Passive Fire Protection (PFP) can inhibit the spread of fire by usage of fire-
resistant walls, floors and doors besides it protects the critical structures such as
load bearing columns and beams from collapsing and hence is an important
element of structural fire protection and a measure of fire safety in buildings. In
order to slow or prevent the spread of fire from the room it is beneficial to have
more number of rooms as fire compartments which help in reduce the spread to
other buildings. This also helps the occupants by giving them some time for
evacuation and further limits the damage of the building.

The objective of PFP system is to make sure that fire does not spread beyond
the fire compartment besides ensuring that it doesn’t breach the critical level of

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load bearing capacity of the structure exposed to fire. To meet the aim a variety
of materials are used in the construction and design of the systems.
PFP doesn’t follow the typical approach of active fire protection (AFP) which
involves electronic or electric activation or any degree of motion. But the
assumptions to the rule are use of fire dampers(fire-resistant closure within air
ducts, excluding grease ducts) and fire door closers that involve motion to be
specific open and shut in order to work, also intumescent (Intumescent and
ablative products are so called reactive measures which are activated at elevated
temperatures) products which swell when activated.
Passive systems are formed by fire rated ceilings, doors, barrier and structural
fire protection. (12)

The global aim of passive systems is to incorporate fire by:

• Restricting the spread of fire and smoke from one compartment to another by
using fire related partitions and doors.
• Giving more time to building before collapse being occurred.
• Restricting the growth of fire.

1.0.3.1 Fire escape door

The doors that act as emergency exits in a building which is a special exit for
emergencies such as fire are the fire escape doors: the usage of both the normal
exits and the fire escapes facilitates faster evacuation, besides it acts as an
alternative to the regular exits which cannot be used when blocked by the fire.
The notable feature of these doors is their design of outward opening which
helps the occupants to open easily.
All the fire doors are designed in such a way such that they get closed
automatically by employing hydraulically spring operated type when swing doors
are used else wire rope and weight type if sliding doors are used. (13)

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1.0.3.2 Fire escape staircase
One other way to fight fire hazards is through fire escape staircase. It should be
maintained at all the floors in the boundaries as well as basement car park.
When the staircases are provided with openings it facilitates the smoke caused
by fire to escape from the buildings.
The stair case acts as a great safety measure by helping the occupants get
diverted to a safer area where there is no fire in the occasions of fire mishaps. By
constructing the building in such a way so that there exists two modes of exits
that have separate doors and exits which lead to corridors or other areas
providing access to separate exits in various directions.
The NBC quoted in 2005 that:
• There must be at least two separate exits for each storey besides having
additional exits as many as necessary.
• The exits are designed in such a way that the distance to the exits are with-in
the reach and not beyond the specification mentioned in the bylaw.

1.0.4 Railings
The railings used in the fire escape use the following dimensions: 1.0 meter
height and 0.04 meter diameter. They are made up of non-flammable material
and steel, and are coated with grey iron. To benefit occupants of different heights
the railings have minor parallel railing maintained at a distance of 0.02 meter
each. A protected staircase which comprises of staircase should neither contain
any kind of pipes that conveys oil or gas nor any ventilating duct except a duet
which serves only that particular staircase.

1.0.5 Fire lift

A lift which has dual power supply and lies with the firefighting shaft has the
capability of being appreciated by the fire services. The mode of operation for the
firefighter switch (usually situated at the ground floor level) helps in activating the
controls of lift for the firefighter use. The controls of the lift will lie within the car

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and opening of the doors is only possible by pressing the open door button which
is within the car.
Procedures of the lift should be taken care, such as the lifts not having fire
services controls or if a doubt rises regarding the floors that lift serves, then we
should avoid using that particular lift.
The location of the fire lifts should be within a protected shaft if the opening is in
a separate lobby.
Provision of the fire lifts shall be in such a way that in every group of the lift lifts
which discharges should be into some kind of protected lobby having rising main,
in such a way that the fire lifts should not be located more than 61 meters from
the furthermost point of that particular floor.

1.0.6 Active fire protection system (14)

Active fire protection (AFP) is an integral of protection which uses the action of
moving parts in order to protect a building or structure from fire. An example for
this system would be a building sprinkler system or a fire alarm system which
play a key role in building protection and also the lives of people living with in the
building. Generally this system may be an automatic or a manually operated one,
but they require some sort of action (in order to work) which is an important factor.
Examples of this action are slowing the progress of fire, putting out fire or
notifying of fire or smoke conditions which are opposite to passive fire protection.
This passive fire protection make use of things that can slow or contain fire, like
fire walls, fire doors & fire retardant materials but does not concern with any
steps that should be taken to put out the fire. But both of the protection systems
can control fire in addition to saving lives.
The first step of active fire protection will be fire detection through the detection of
smoke or flames (an automatic fire alarm system is commonly used to trigger
most active system), this then automatically operates the active systems
(extraction fans etc.,) In case of larger buildings smoke & heat extraction systems
is used where it becomes difficult to ventilate the central areas, besides
increasing the visibility so that occupants can make their exit and prevent
flashover.

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Sprinkler systems installed at the ceiling height will be activated when excess
heat from fire causes glass to burst and there by releasing the water in the
location of fire and hence preventing the damage of other areas of building.
Finally the aim of active protection system to extinguish the fire will be:
 Detecting the fire early and evacuate the building
 Alerting emergency services at an early stage of the fire
 Control the movement of smoke and fire
 Suppress and/ or starve the fire or oxygen and fuel
Also it is important to note that the system also requires manual operation and
examples of such systems would be the fire extinguishers to put out the fire & the
use of fire hydrants and water standpipes, together with fire hoses operated by
trained firefighters to extinguish fire quickly. Use of this active fire protection
systems has some benefits such as permitting design freedom and encourage
innovative, inclusive & sustainable architecture.

1.0.6.1 Fire detection

By locating heat, flames & smoke fire is detected and an alarm is initiated for
emergency evacuation and local fire department is alerted. A battery backup
powered central alarm system usually detects the smoke & signal is sent to
master plan when a temperature of surroundings reaches a fixed sensation i.e 47
degree Celsius. The detection system carries out other operations like de-
energizing magnetic hold on devices on fire doors and opening servo-actuated
vents in stairways.

1.0.6.2 Fire control room

It should have the following requirements:
 A minimum area of 10 meter square & large depending on the equipment
requirement
 It should be near the entrance or exit of building’s main lobby in a
designated room.
 Adjacent to the fire lobby preferably.

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  Be accessible via two path of travel. One from the front entrance and the
other from a public place or fire-isolated passageway, which leads to a
public place which has a two hour fire rated door.
 Have an independent air handling system if mechanical ventilation is
provided throughout the building.
 Illuminated not less than 400lux
 Ability to communicate with fire and emergency services besides effective
communication to the other parts of building.
 Provided insulation from ambient building noises.
The equipment that are included are:
1. Break glass
2. Flow switch
3. Smoke detector
4. Hose reel
5. Sprinkler pump
6. Co2 system
7. Smoke extraction
8. Pressurization fan
9. Exhaust fan

1.0.6.3 Fire Alarm System

MANUAL FIRE ALARM ACTIVATION
By making use of pull station or call point, which sounds the evacuation, this
manual fire alarm can be activated which is different from the automatic fire
alarm which uses the heat detectors and smoke detectors. However this manual
fire alarm system can be used in conjunction with automatic fire alarm system.
Systems in completed building tend to be wired in can include a control panel.
MANUAL CALL POINT
It is also called as emergency break glass and are mounted on the walls
1.4meters above the ground which are generally installed in common areas

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where it can be seen easily. The occupants can activate the alarm by breaking
the frangible element on fascia.
Automated processes triggered by the fire alarm:
1. When the fire alarm goes off in any zone, all the fire curtains & fire
shutters will fall within 5mins.
2. When the smoke detector is activated, it will trigger the fire alarm in the
zone, which will then trigger the fire shutters and fire curtains.
3. When the sprinklers in any zone are activated, the fire alarms in that zone
will be automatically triggered, and the rest of the automated process
subsequently triggered.
4. Then a 2 stage alarm system with evacuation (continuous signal) given
immediately in the affected section of the premises while and alert
(intermittent signal) is given in the adjoining section
When there is a fire alarm, the fire lift only respond to car calls.
FIRE INTERCOM SYSTEM

Communication is provided between Master console, generally known as Fire

Command Center and the remote hand set stations with the help of fire intercom
system which consists of remote handset station and Master control panel,
installed at fire control room. The intercom handset stations are generally located
at the staircase of each floor. When there is an incoming call, the call alert lamp
will flash with audible signal at the master control panel. The audible signal will
be silenced upon lifting the call. The master panel is also equipped with fault
indicator unit to indicate the type of fault.
FIRE ALARM
Fire alarms are used to alert the occupants by light or noise. Sometimes both can
be used to alert them. Generally there are two types of mechanisms: emergency
bell and the fire alarm bell.

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1.0.7 Water Based System (15)
AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
A Fire sprinkler system consists of water supply system with adequate water flow
rate and pressure to a water distribution piping system, on which fire sprinklers
are connected.
A sprinkler pump consists of value which serve as the jockey system and an
alarm court. Value is sensitive to the water pressure changes in the sprinkler
system. The sprinklers will discharge water in the particular zone when activated
and the pressure of the value is reduced, triggering the duty pumps to pump
water from the sprinklers.
Sprinklers are of two types:
1. Pendent sprinkler
2. Upright sprinkler

PENDENT SPRINKLER
These pendent sprinklers hangs from the pipeline with its water deflector facing
downwards which resembles a 6’o clock style. Hence these are called pendent
sprinklers due to their pendent type design but the water will sprinkles in the
same circular patterns as that of a upright sprinkler. They hide under a special
cap under the ceiling that falls away when the surrounding temperature rises to a
prescribed level. The concealed pendent will spray the water if the temperature
continues to rise.
UPRIGHT SPRINKLER
It is opposite of the pendent sprinkler as it atop the pipeline with a water deflector
at the top which when sprinkles the water, the water shoot upwards from the
orifice and then spread the water in circular fashion. These are generally used
when there are obstructions to water spray which eventually block the water. But
because their height, the water will be sprayed around the obstacles.

1.0.7.1 Wet Riser

A wet riser system consists of pipework and valves that are permanently kept for
fire-fighting purpose. These pipes and valves are kept with water for distributing

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purpose within the building. The provision of water distribution system as built-in
system facilitates the firefighters. They need not create their own water
distribution system. Avoids breaching of fire compartments and thereby avoiding
running hose lines between them.
Water is used to charge the wet risers permanently. Dry risers do not contain
water when they are not under usage. They are charged only when necessary
with water using fire service pumping appliances.
Regularly wet risers are to be inspected and tested in order to ensure that the
equipment functions correctly and is ready to use. In the event of fire, problems
can be very serious. Problems are mostly caused due to the blockage of pipes,
or may be a pipe failure or may be by connection failure or due to the outlets
being open.

1.0.8 Non-Water Based System

1.0.8.1 Fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are mainly of two types:
1. Stored pressure and
2. Catridge operated.
Stored pressure units: the expellant and the fire-fighting agent are stored in the
same chamber itself. Different propellants are to be used depending on the agent
used.
Nitrogen is mainly used with dry chemical extinguishers. Air is used for water and
foam extinguishers. These are the most common type of extinguishers.
Catridge operated units: It contains the expellant gas. The gas is in a separate
catridge. It is punctured prior to discharge. The propellant is exposed to the
extinguishing agent. These are not the common type of extinguishers. These are
primarily used in areas like industries as they receive higher than an average use.

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1.0.8.2 Carbondioxide system
This system is most commonly used in every household and commercial
buildings. Because CO2 is more effective to hold down the combustion of
potentially flammable mixtures. It extinguishes fire that involves flammable liquids
and gases. CO2 is stored as a liquid in cylinders under a great pressure. It is not
a conductor of electricity so that it doesn't conduct electricity. It doesn't damage
electronic sensitive equipment normally.

1.0.9 Existing codes and regulations

1.0.9.1 Minimum fire-fighting installations:

01. Fire extinguishers as per IS 2190
02. Hose reel
03. Wet riser
04. Yard hydrant
05. Automatic sprinkler system in entire building
06. Automatic detection and alarm system in entire building(except
cellars)
07. Manually operated electrical alarm system in entire building(except
cellars)
08. Underground static water tank of 2,00,000lt capacity
09. Terrace tank of 20,000lt capacity
10. Two electrical main pumps of 2850LPM (litre per min)capacity
11. Diesel pump(2850LPM)
12. Electric jockey pump(180LPM)

1.0.9.2 Means of Escape (EXIT

REQUIREMENTS):
01. Occupant load:

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For determining the exits required, the number of persons within any floor area
or the occupant load shall be based on the actual number of occupants, but in
no case less than that specified in table.

02. Capacities of exits:

The unit of exit width, used to measure the
Figure Error! No text of specified style
capacity of any exit, shall be 500mm. A clear width in document..1 Table showing occupant
load

of 250mm shall be counted as additional half

unit. Clear widths less than 250mm shall not be
counted for exit width.

HORIZONTAL EXIT ALLOWANCE:

When horizontal exit is provided in buildings of
mercantile, storage, industrial, business and

assembly occupancies, the capacity per storey Figure Error! No text of specified style
in document..2 Table showing
per unit width of exit of stairways in the table occupants per unit width

above may be increased by 50%

03. Arrangements of exits:

Travel distance on floor shall not exceed the
distance given in table below
Travel distance to an exit from the dead end of
corridor shall not exceed half of the distance
specified in the Figure 3.3.

Figure Error! No text of specified style

in document..3 Table showing
maximum distance travel

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 04. Doorways:
Every exit doorway shall open into an enclosed stairway or a horizontal exit of
corridor or passageway providing continuous and protected means of egress.
Minimum width – 1000mm
Minimum height – 2000mm

05. Corridors and passageways:

Exit corridors or passageways shall be of width not less than the required width
of exit doorways leading from them in the travel to the exterior.
Height of corridors and passageways shall not be less than 2.4m

06. Internal staircases:

The staircase shall not be arranged around a lift shaft.
Ducting in staircase may be permitted if it is of 1hr fire resistance rating.
The staircase in case of mercantile buildings should have a
Minimum width – 1500mm
Minimum Tread width (without nosing) - 300mm
Maximum height of riser - 150mm ( limit of 15 per flight)
Height of handrail – 1000mm
For a building 15m in height or more access to main staircase shall be through
a fire/smoke check door of a min 2h fire resistance rating.

07. External staircase:

Entrance to external staircase shall be separate and remote from internal
staircase.
No external staircase, used as a fire escape shall be inclined at an angle
greater than 45º from the horizontal.

08. Horizontal exits:

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Width of horizontal exit is same as for exit doorways.
A horizontal exit shall be equipped with at least one fire/smoke door of
minimum 1h fire resistance, of self-closing type. Further, it is required to have
direct connectivity to the fire escape staircase for evacuation.
Where there is a level difference between connected areas for horizontal exits,
ramps not more than 1 in 10 slope shall be provided and step shall not be used.

09. Ramps:
Slope of a ramp shall not exceed 1 in 10.
In certain cases steeper slopes may be permitted but in no case greater than 1
in 8.
For all slopes exceeding 1 in 10 and wherever the use is such as to involve
danger of slipping, the ramp shall be surfaced with approved non slipping
material.
Ramps shall comply with all the applicable requirements for stairways regarding
enclosure, capacity and limiting dimensions.

10. Fire lifts:

Minimum capacity – 8 passengers. In general, buildings 15m in height or above
shall be provided with fire lifts.
The number and location of fire lifts in a building shall be decided after taking
into consideration various factors like building population, floor area,
compartmentation etc.

11. Number of Exits:

At least two separate exits shall be accessible from every part of every floor,
including basement.All buildings which are 15m in height or above having area
more than 500 sqm on each floor shall have a minimum of two staircases of
enclosed type and atleast one of them on external walls of building and open
directly to exterior open space or open place of safety.

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