CHAPTER 2

Precautionary Requirements

2.1 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION

All buildings shall be classified according to their use or by considering the character of their occupancy.
For the purpose of this Code, the occupancy classification groups shall be as follows:

Occupancy A : Residential
Occupancy B : Educational
Occupancy C : Institutional
Occupancy D : Health Care
Occupancy E : Assembly
Occupancy F : Business and Mercantile
Occupancy G : Industrial
Occupancy H : Storage
Occupancy J : Hazardous
Occupancy K : Miscellaneous

The details of occupancy classification of buildings are provided in Sec 2.1 of Part 3.

2.2 CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION TYPES

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All buildings and structures to be constructed, altered and/or extended in height or area shall be classified
in any one or in a combination of the following three construction types:

Type 1 : Highest degree of fire resistance

Type 2 : Intermediate degree of fire resistance
Type 3 : Lowest degree of fire resistance

The types of construction are based on fire resistance of construction elements, which are detailed in Sec 3.1
of Part 3.

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2.3 FIRE ZONES

The fire zones shall divide the development areas of a city, township or municipality into three distinct
areas based on the inherent fire hazards of the buildings to be constructed and the degree of safety desired
for the occupancy group accommodated therein.

2.4 MIXED OCCUPANCY

Mixed Occupancy shall be allowed only when the occupancies are separated by fire resistant walls as
specified in Sec 2.3 of Part 3. Mixing of occupancy group J (Hazardous occupancy) with other groups shall
not be allowed.

2.5 OPENINGS IN SEPARATING WALL

2.5.1 The openings in occupancy separation wall shall conform with the provisions set forth in Sec 2.3.3, Part 3.

2.5.2 Openings in fire separating walls and floors shall not exceed the approved limit and the opening shall be of
protective type and conform to the approved provisions.

2.5.3 Fire separating walls shall not have opening exceeding 11.2 m2 in area and the aggregate width of all
openings at any floor level shall not exceed 25 per cent of the length of the wall. When the entire first storey
floor area on both the sides of a fire separating wall are covered by automatic fire suppression system, the
maximum allowable opening may be doubled with a minimum distance of 0.9 m between adjacent
openings.

2.5.4 Doors and other openings in Type 1 construction (opening in a separating wall) shall be limited to 5.6 m2 in
area with a maximum height of 2.75 m and width of 2.1 m. Wall openings shall be protected with approved
fire resisting means like fire doors or steel rolling shutters conforming to approved standards. All openings
in floors shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings. Walls of such
opening enclosure shall have at least 2 hours fire resistance rating.

2.5.5 Openings of service lines like cables, electrical wirings, telephone cables, plumbing fixture etc. shall be
protected by enclosures having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Medium or low voltage
electrical wire running through shaft or ducts shall be either armoured or cased within metal conduits.

2.5.6 All openings in the separating walls and doors shall be provided with minimum 2 hours fire resistance
assemblies in Type 3 construction.

2.6 SMOKE AND HEAT VENTS

2.6.1 Smoke and heat vents shall be installed in single storeyed windowless buildings, underground structures,
factories with large floor spaces and other areas of restricted ventilation.

2.6.2 Where exit access travel distance is more than 25 m, smoke and heat vents shall be constructed in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.

2.6.3 The vent area and spacing of the vents shall comply with Table 4.2.1.

Table 4.2.1
Smoke and Heat Vent Size and Spacing

Use group Hazard Condition Vent Area to Floor Max Spacing of

Area Ratio Vent Centres

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Occupancy G1 Low Hazard 1:100 30 m

Occupancy G2 Moderate hazard 1:75 20 m
Occupancy H1 Low Hazard 1:100 30 m
Occupancy H2 Moderate Hazard 1:75 20 m
Occupancy J1 High Hazard 1:30 15 m
Occupancy J2 High Hazard 1:30 15 m
Occupancy K1 Low Hazard 1:100 30 m

2.6.4 Closures of natural draft, smoke and heat vents shall be installed in such a way that fire service personnel
can open it easily during a fire.

2.6.5 Smoke and heat vents on roof or ceiling or wall shall normally be kept open. In case of closed vents,
automatic activation of the openings by heat-responsive device rated at 38oC to 104oC above ambient shall
be a requirement. The releasing mechanism shall be capable of opening the vent fully when the vent is
exposed to a time-temperature gradient that reaches an air temperature of 260o within 5 minutes. The vents
shall also be capable of being opened by manual operation.

2.6.6 Venting requirements for Industrial and Storage Buildings are given in Appendix B.

2.7 ELECTRICAL, GAS AND HVAC SERVICES

2.7.1 The requirements of the electrical, HVAC and gas services shall meet the provisions of Chapters 2, 3 and 8
respectively of Part 8.

2.7.2 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the fire,
fumes or smoke do not spread from one floor or area of fire to other parts of a building through the ducts or
vents.

2.7.3 Properly designed fire dampers shall be installed within the air-conditioning and ventilation ducts, which
shall automatically close the flow of air in case of fire.

2.7.4 For large assembly areas, department stores and hotels with more than 100 rooms in a single block, effective
means for preventing circulation of smoke through the air-conditioning ducts shall be installed. Such means
shall consist of approved photo-electric or other smoke sensing control devices, as the fuses and dampers
may not function during early state of a fire due to insufficient heat.

2.8 SURFACE FINISHES

2.8.1 Plastic, wood or other flammable materials used to trim and cover the interior and exterior facade of a
building structure have the potential of generating smoke and toxic fumes during a fire and have the
potentiality of changing the nature of fire due to its ignitability as fuel.

2.8.2 The fire susceptibility of various types of surface finishes are determined in terms of the rate of spread of
fire (ASTM E 84-87). Based on the rate of spread of fire, the surface finish materials shall be classified into
3 classes:

Class I Surfaces of low flame spread: Flame does not effectively spread more than 300 mm in the first
1.5 minutes with an ultimate value of 600 mm.

Class II Surfaces of medium flame spread: Flame does not spread effectively more than 300 and 850 mm
in the first 1.5 and 10 minutes respectively.

Class III Surfaces of rapid flame spread: Flame spreads effectively more than 300 and 850 mm in the first
1.5 and 10 minutes respectively.

2.8.3 Interior finish of walls and ceilings shall have a flame spread rating not greater than those in Table 4.2.2 for
various occupancy classes.

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2.9 GLAZING

2.9.1 Buildings of construction Type 1, 2 and 3 shall use any one of the following types of glazing (covered under
Sec 2.9.2 and 2.9.3) using wire glass and square formed by electro-copper. Building of construction Type 3,
may use hardwood sashes or frames or both.

Table 4.2.2
Acceptable Flame Spread Rating Classes of Interior Finish

Use Group Vertical Exits Corridors Rooms or

and Passage Providing Enclosed
Ways Exit Access Areas
A1 - Detached single family dwelling III III III
A2 - Flats or Apartments I I I
A5 - Hotels and lodging Houses I I I
B - Educational I I I
C1 & - Institutional, Residential & I I III*
C2 Custodial
C3 - Institutional - Incapacitated I I I
C4 - Institutional - Restrained I I I
D - Health Care I I I
E1 - Large assembly with fixed seats I I I
E2 - Small assembly with fixed seats I I I
E3 - Large assembly without fixed I I I
seats I I I
E4 - Small assembly without fixed seats I II II
F - Business & Mercantile I II II
G - Industrial III II III
H - Storage I II III
J - Hazardous
* Class II may be adopted in case the area is covered by automatic fire suppression system.

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2.9.2 Wired Glass Panels

Wired glass panels shall comply with the following requirements :

a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.

b) Embedded wire netting mesh in the glass shall not be more than 25 mm mesh.

c) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any other approved metal. The frame
shall be securely fixed into the wall (except panels of internal doors).

d) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of not less than 6 mm width or
depth keeping due allowance for expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal
fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for weather proofing.

f) Where wired glass panels are labeled as protective openings, they shall conform to the size limitations
shown in the Table 4.2.3.

Table 4.2.3
Size limitations of Wire Glass Panels

Fire Rating/Opening Max Height in Max Width in Max Area in

m m m2

3 hours (not permitted) -- -- --

1 12 hour door in exterior walls
(not permitted) -- -- --

1 12 hour fire rating

0.85 0.25 0.065
3
hour fire rating
4
1.4 1.4 0.85
Fire windows 1.4 1.4 0.85

2.9.3 Electro-copper Glazing

Electro-copper glazing shall comply with the following requirements:

a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.

b) Not more than 0.4 m2 of square glass shall be formed by electro-copper glazing in sectional lights.

c) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any other approved metal. The frame
shall be securely bolted into the wall (except panels and internal doors).

d) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of not less than 6 mm width or
depth keeping due allowance for expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal
fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for weather proofing.

2.9.4 Wall openings more than 5 m2 shall not be deemed to be of effectively protected by wired glass or electro-
copper glazing.

2.9.5 Wired glass or electro-copper glazing not exceeding 0.85 m2 in area shall be allowed provided it is cased in
hard metal and secured to the frames by hard metal hinges not exceeding 60 mm apart and by fastening at
top, centre and bottom.

2.10 SKYLIGHTS

2.10.1 Wired glasses used in skylights shall comply with the following requirements:

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a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm;

b) Wire netting mesh embedded in the glass shall not be more than 25 mm square;

c) The glazing shall be cased in frame of continuous metal divided by bars 750 mm apart centre to centre.
The frame and bars shall be iron or other approved metal (or of hard wood covered with sheet metal).
The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for
weather proofing.

2.10.2 Skylight openings more than 5 m2 shall not be deemed to be effectively protected by wired glass.
2.11 FIRE LIFTS

2.11.1 Fire lifts shall be used in buildings more than 20 metre in height. Fire lifts, where used shall be fully
automated from the ground level with approved wiring and switches and shall have a minimum capacity
of 8 persons.

2.11.2 Fire lifts may be operated by the inmates of the buildings except during fire. During fire, only firemen shall
operate such lifts.

2.11.3 Fire lifts shall be equipped with approved intercommunication (including two way voice communication)
with the fire command station or control room on the ground floor lobby of the building.

2.11.4 Number and location of fire lifts in a building shall be decided on the basis of total occupant load, floor area
and compartmentation.

2.12 SPECIAL HAZARDS

The various occupancy groups are exposed to fire hazard of different nature and intensity, which are
detailed below under different occupancy classes.

2.12.1 Special Hazards in Occupancy A : Residential

a) Flammable liquids used for domestic purposes shall be kept adequately sealed in approved containers
at all times.

b) Stoves and heaters using open flame or otherwise shall be so located as not to create any obstruction on
the escape route in case of fire. Such appliances shall not be located directly on or near the foot of stairs.

c) Exhaust fans used in kitchens shall be placed on a peripheral wall of the building or to a duct connected
directly to outside and shall be made of noncombustible material. The duct shall not pass through
combustible materials.

d) Doors leading into a room containing flammable liquids shall be provided with self closing devices.
Appropriate signs identifying the storage materials and requesting the users to keep the door closed
shall be marked on both sides of the door.

e) All outdoor television antenna shall be properly grounded and protected against lightning.

f) Rooms containing boiler using liquid or solid fuel shall be separated from the main building by
appropriate separation wall with all its openings protected as per provisions detailed in Sec 2.3 of Part
3 and Sec 2.5 of this Chapter.

g) Rooms containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery, transformers or such other equipment
necessary for extending services to inmates of such occupancies shall be so located that these do not
block the means of escape. Such rooms shall be effectively segregated from the main occupancy area
and shall be provided with adequate venting to outside.

h) Areas or rooms within the building identified as hazardous occupancy shall be protected or segregated
by appropriate separation wall or by other approved means as directed by the Authority.

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2.12.2 Special Hazards in Occupancy B : Educational

a) Rooms or areas containing volatile flammable liquids shall be separated from the adjoining areas in
accordance with Sec 2.3 of Part 3 and Sec 2.5 of this chapter.

b) Gas pipeline entering any building shall be equipped with shutoff valves outside the building with
conspicuous marking clearly delineating the location. (See Chapter 8 of Part 8).

c) The exterior openings of boiler rooms shall be adequately protected by fixed, automatic or self closing
fire assemblies.

2.12.3 Special Hazards in Occupancy C : Institutional

Permit shall not be granted for storage or handling of any hazardous material, except for normal use in
amounts not exceeding the exempted amounts specified in Chapter 2 of Part 3, in a building or part thereof
classified as Occupancy C.

2.12.4 Special Hazards in Occupancy D : Health Care

Storage of volatile flammable liquids such as chloroform, ethyl alcohol, mentholated spirit etc. shall be
stored in safe storage and no unauthorized person shall be allowed to handle such liquids.

2.12.5 Special Hazards in Occupancy E : Assembly

a) All materials used for decorative purposes in buildings of Occupancy E shall be noncombustible. If
fabric and papers are used for decorative purposes those shall be treated with flame resistant
chemicals/materials.
b) Assembly buildings primarily meant for theatrical, operatic or cinematic performances shall have the
seats securely fastened to the floor with exceptions as permitted in 2.12.5 (c) below. All seats in
balconies and galleries shall be securely fastened to the floor except boxes with level floor and less than
14 seats.

c) Seats not fixed to the floor shall be permitted in restaurants and such other places provided that 1.25 m2
of floor space is allotted for every seat excluding dancing floor and stage. Adequate aisles shall be
maintained at all times to reach exits without obstruction when such occupancies are in use.

i) Not more than 14 seats shall be allowed in one row between aisles.

ii) 50 per cent of seats in a row shall have one opening of an aisle.

iii) Capacity of seats without dividing arms shall be calculated at the rate of 450 mm per person.

iv) The minimum space between rows of seats shall be 850 mm and space between the back of one
seat and the front of the seat immediately behind shall not be less than 350 mm measured
between plumb lines.

v) Rooms and parts of a building containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery, large
transformer or other service equipment having explosion potential shall not be located on or
adjacent to the defined exit route. Such rooms shall be effectively cut off from the rest of the
building and connected to open air through approved ducts or openings.

e) Rooms or parts of a building used for storage of combustible materials such as paints or other items
shall be effectively cut off from main assembly building or protected by approved automatic sprinkler
system. Such areas shall be away from staircases.

f) Stages having such facilities as fly galleries, gridirons and rigging shall be covered by an automatic
sprinkler system above and below such stage areas or spaces. Auxiliary spaces such as dressing rooms,
store rooms, and workshops and the proscenium opening shall be effectively covered by fire resistant
curtains capable of withstanding a lateral pressure of 4 kN/m2. The curtain shall be equipped with self
closing emergency device and when closed shall be tight enough to prevent spread of smoke.

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g) Stage roof above every theatre using movable scenery or motion picture screen constructed of highly
combustible materials shall be fitted with ventilators in or above it. The ventilators shall be openable
from the stage floor manually or by fusible links or some approved automatic heat actuated device to
give an opening to sky with an area of one-eighth the area of the stage.

h) In theaters not protected by automatic fire sprinklers, the proscenium wall using movable scenery of
decorations shall be provided with maximum of two openings to enter the stage and each opening
shall not be of more than 2 m2.

i) Film projection apparatus shall be enclosed within fire resistant enclosures.

j) Auditoriums of theaters and cinemas shall be installed with vents on roof having vent area equal to
30 th the floor area including balconies and galleries, boxes and tiers. Larger numbers of smaller vents
1

shall be preferable over smaller number of larger vents.

2.12.6 Special Hazards in Occupancy F : Business and Mercantile

a) Exit aisles or approaches in self-service stores shall not be obstructed by placing check out stand with
associated railings or barriers on its passage.

b) All operations in open air markets, petrol filling stations, road side stands for sale of farm products etc.
shall be so conducted that unobstructed access to exits are always maintained.

2.12.7 Special Hazards in Occupancy G : Industrial

a) No apparatus generating flames capable of igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted within a room
or part of a building using or storing volatile flammable liquid. Rooms or parts of a building using or
storing such flammable liquid shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.

b) Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be effectively segregated from the rest of the
occupancy.

c) Adequate protective measures shall be taken against hazards associated with distribution and use of
electricity and gas in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.

d) Automatic sprinkler or other protections like installation of vents shall be made in all buildings of
Occupancy G2 (Moderate Hazard Industries).

e) The machine layout shall be congenial to safe fire practice.

2.12.8 Special Hazards in Occupancy H : Storage

a) No apparatus generating flames capable of igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted within a room
or part of a building using or storing volatile flammable liquid. Rooms or parts of a building using or
storing such flammable liquid shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.

b) Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be effectively segregated from the rest of the
occupancy.

c) Adequate protection shall be taken against hazards associated with distribution and use of electricity
and gas in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.

d) Automatic sprinkler or other protections like installation of vents shall be made in all buildings of
Occupancy H2 (Moderate Fire Risk Storage).

2.12.9 Special Hazards in Occupancy J : Hazardous

a) Equipment, machinery and operations emitting combustible volatile substances shall be protected with
dry chemical, foam or CO2 fire extinguishing system.

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b) Dry cleaning machines using flammable liquids shall be directly connected to a steam line.
Arrangements shall be so made that in case of explosion, steam will be automatically released inside
each machine.

c) Except wall vents, all openings in extension walls shall be protected by fixed, automatic or self closing
fire assemblies. Wall vents shall be placed near the floor line having openings not less than 0.01 m2 each
and distance between two successive vents shall not be more than 1.8 m. Power driven exhaust fans for
ventilation in every building shall be so arranged and operated that a complete change of air is affected
every 3 minutes.

d) Gas inlet pipes shall be fitted with gas shutoff valves outside the building and marked conspicuously
for ready recognition.

e) Rooms containing boiler or heating plant shall be effectively separated from the main building by a
separating wall.

f) Devices capable of generating spark and glow flame that can ignite gasoline vapour, shall not be
installed or permitted in rooms where volatile flammable liquids are used or stored unless the area is
enclosed with a flame-proof enclosure.

Related Appendix

Appendix B Fire Protection Considerations for Venting in Industrial and Storage Buildings

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