MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG, NEW DELHI 110002

__________________________________________________________________________________________

व्
यापक्परिचालन्मसौदा

हमािा्संदर्भ््् :् सीईडी्63/टी-33 10 08 2015

त्
कनीकी्सममतत : अग्नन्सिु क्षा्ववषय्सममतत्,सीईडी्63

प्राप्
त्कताभ्:

1 मसववल्इंजीतनयिी्ववर्ाग्परिषद््के्रूचच्िखने्वाले्सदस्
य्
2 सीईडी््63के्सर्ी्सदस्य
3 रूचच्िखने्वाले्अन्य्तनकाय
महोदय(यों),

निम्
िलिखित्मािकों्के्मसौदे ्संिग्ि्हैं:

प्रलेख्संख्
या शीषभक

सीईडी्CED 36 (7996)C होटलों्की्अग्नन्सिु क्षा्की्िी्तत्संहहता ्(आईएस्13716्का् पहला्

पन
ु िीक्षण)्््ICS 13.220.01; 03.080.30
््््््कृपया्इस्मािक्के्मसौदे ् का्अविोकि्करें ् और्अपिी्सम्
मनतयॉ्यह्बताते् हुए्भेजे् कक्यदद्ये् मािक्के्रूप्
में ्प्रकालित्हो्तो्इि्पर्अमि्करिे्में ्आपके्व्
यवसाय्अथवा्कारोबार्में ्क्
या्कदििाइया्आ्सकती्हैं्।

सम्मनतया्भेजिे्की्अंनतम्नतथथ्51्अक्टूबि 1055.्

सम्
मनत्यदद्कोई्हो्तो्कृपया्srikanthyajjala@bis.org.in्पर ईमेि्करे ।्

यदद् कोई् सम्मनत् प्राप्त् िह ं् होती् है ् अथवा् सम्

मनत् में ् केवि् भाषा् सम्
बि्
धी् त्रुदि् हुई् तो् उपरोक्त् प्रिेि् को्
यथावत्अंनतम्रूप्ददया्जाएगा्।्यदद्सम्म्
नत्तकिीकी्प्रकृनत्की्हुई्तो्ववषय्सलमनत्के्अध्
यक्ष्के्परामिश् से्अथवा्
उिकी्इच्
छा्पर्आगे्की्कायशवाह ्के्लिए्ववषय्सलमनत्को्भेजे्जािे्के्बाद्प्रिेि्को्अंनतम्रूप्दे ्ददया्जाएगा्।्

््््यह्प्रिेि्भारतीय्मािक्ब्यूरो्की्वैबसाइि्पर्भी्है ्।्

्धि्यवाद्। ्् ््भवद य,

् ्
््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््््् ्््््््््(बी्के्मसन्हा)
्संलग्
न््:्उपि्मलखखत्््््् ्प्रमुख्(मसववल्इंजीतनयिी)
्््््््््् email : ced@bis.org.in
्््््््््
 MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG, NEW DELHI 110002
__________________________________________________________________________________________

DOCUMENT DESPATCH ADVICE

DRAFTS IN

WIDE CIRCULATION Reference Date

CED 36/T- 33 10 August 2015

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE:

Fire Safety Sectional Committee, CED 36

ADDRESSED TO:

1. All Members of Civil Engineering Division Council, CEDC

2. All Members of CED 36
3. All others interested
Dear Sir (s),

Please find enclosed the following documents:

Doc No. Title

CED 36 (7996)C Fire Safety Of Hotels − Code Of Practice (First Revision
of IS13716) ICS 13.220.01;03.080.30

Kindly examine the draft and forward your views stating any difficulties which you are
likely to experience in your business or profession, if this is finally adopted as National Standards.

Last Date for comments: 15 October 2015.

Comments if any, may please mailed to srikanthyajjala@bis.org.in

In case no comments are received or comments received are of editorial nature, you will
kindly permit us to presume your approval for the above document as finalized. However, in case
comments of technical in nature are received then it may be finalized either in consultation with the
Chairman, Sectional Committee or referred to the Sectional Committee for further necessary action
if so desired by the Chairman, Sectional Committee.
The documents are also hosted on BIS website www.bis.org.in.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

(B K Sinha)
Head (Civil Engg.)
Encl: as above email : ced@bis.org.in
 FORMAT FOR SENDING COMMENTS ON THE DOCUMENT

[Please use A4 size sheet of paper only and type within fields indicated. Comments on each clause/sub-clause/
table/figure, etc, be stated on a fresh row. Information/comments should include reasons for comments, technical
references and suggestions for modified wordings of the clause. Comments through e-mail to
srikanthyajjala@bis.org.inshall be appreciated.]

Doc. No.: CED 36(7996) BIS Letter Ref: CED 36/T-33 Dated: 10 August 2015

Title: Wide Circulation Draft of Fire Safety of Hotels − Code of Practice (First Revision of IS
13716)

Name of the Commentator/ Organization: ______________________________________

Clause/ Comments/Modified Justification of

Para/ Wordings Proposed Change

Table/
Figure No.
commented
 For BIS use only Doc: CED 36(7996)C
August 2015

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

__________________________________________________________________
Fire Safety Sectional Committee, CED 36 Last Date for Comments:
15 October 2015
__________________________________________________________________
Draft Indian Standard
FIRE SAFETY OF HOTELS − CODE OF PRACTICE
(First Revision of IS 13716)
ICS 13.220.01; 03.080.30्

Fire Safety Sectional Committee, CED 36

FOREWORD

(Formal clauses shall be added later)

The standard was first published in 1993.

Absolute fire safety is not attainable in practice. The objective of this standard is to
specify measures, which shall reduce the damage to life and property to a minimum.

Nothing in this standard shall be constructed to prohibit better type of fire protection or
greater degree of rescue provision by providing better life safety measures.

Provisions of this standard are supplementary to the relevant statutory requirements as

laid down in Indian Factory Act, Petroleum Rules, Gas Cylinder Rules, Indian Electricity
Rules, etc.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is

complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test,
shall be rounded off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 'Rules for rounding off numerical
values (revised)'. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value
should be the same as that of specified value in this standard.

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BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

______________________________________________________________________
Fire Safety Sectional Committee, CED 36 Last Date for Comments:
15 October 2015
______________________________________________________________________
Draft Indian Standard
FIRE SAFETY OF HOTELS − CODE OF PRACTICE
(First Revision of IS 13716)
ICS 13.220.01; 03.080.30्

1 SCOPE

1.1 This code provides information on evaluating the risk of a fire and its prevention in
Hotel occupancies. Long-term and effective strategies shall be worked out to reduce
hazards and the risk of a fire occurrence. Hazards arise due to the following incidents in
general:
a) Poor house keeping
b) Dangerous substances and their storage, display and daily use
c) Alteration/construction of new building within the existing premises
d) Extensive use of decorations, upholstery, curtains, drapes, carpets,
furniture, linens and combustible cupboards/partitions
e) Equipment and machinery like those in kitchen, air-conditioning plants,
vertical and horizontal ducting etc.
f) Storage areas for consumables like clothes, linen, pillows, mattress etc.
g) Kitchens
h) Laundries
i) Smoking
j) Electrical installation

1.2 By its meaning, hotel premises include Hotels, Motels, inns, restaurants with rooms
etc. particularly where sleeping accommodation is also provided. This code covers the
safety requirements for all the above occupancies. This code may also be helpful for
other occupancies such as Hostels, Service apartments to determine the safety
requirements.

Building or buildings under the same management, in which more than 15 sleeping
accommodations are provided for hire, primarily used by transients, who are lodged with
or without meals, are taken as hotels, irrespective of them being called inns, motels,
clubs or guest houses. For the purpose of this standard, hotels housed in buildings of
height 15 m or more, are high rise hotels, and those in buildings of height below 15 m
are considered as low rise hotels.

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1.3 Suitable analysis shall be done during design/construction stage with due regard to
building construction, layout and hazard mitigation factors to take care of the hotel staff,
all the guests, third part contractors and their labor and also the floating population who
visit room guests or restaurants with the following considerations:

a) Management responsibility
b) General layout and construction
c) Internal layout of the building and fire separation
d) Building materials used
e) Passive protection like fire proofing, separation of various occupancies
(compartmentation), separation of corridors and escape routes like stairways etc.in
adherence to the standards and codes.
f) Restricting fire spread and smoke
g) Emergency power and lighting provisions
h) Fire safety/firefighting equipment availability and their adherence to the
standards and codes
i) Consistent management awareness to storage methods, man and material
movement, risk control measures and emergency preparedness with due regard to safe
evacuation (with particular diligence to inmates and guests needing special care i.e.
those incapable of self-preservation), fire warning (alarm) systems and firefighting.

1.4 In a way, all the requirements prescribed below form the responsibility of the hotel
management with regard to implementation and continued follow-up. It shall also be
noted that all the requirements prescribed in this standard are mandatory in nature and
no special dispensation shall be allowed in view of the special nature of the occupancy.

2 REFERENCES

2.1 The standards listed in Annex A contain provisions which, through reference in this
text, constitute provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions
indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements
based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the standards given in Annex A.

3 TERMINOLOGY

3.1 For the purpose of this standard the definitions given in IS 8757 shall apply.

4 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

4.1 Hotel Management shall issue a written statement of its policy regarding fire safety
and fire loss control to its employees.

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4.2 Management shall ensure screening of various fire precautions to be observed, use
of gas mask, location of fire escape etc. to the occupants on cable television (if
provided) at regular intervals.

4.3 For high or low rise hotels, if number of sleeping accommodation exceeds 300, a
qualified fire officer shall be appointed. He shall directly report to the Chief Executive.

4.4 A fire control room shall be established on ground floor near the main entrance ill
accordance with IS 2189.

4.5 All employees should be trained to raise an alarm in case of fire and to use first-aid
firefighting equipment.

4.6 Permanently posted instructions shall be mounted in guest rooms at the inner side
of entrance door, or any other prominent location. The instructions shall contain floor
map showing the location of the room in question, escape routes to staircases and clear
instructions what the guests should do in an emergency.

4.7 Instruction recommended in clause 4.6 shall be updated following any modifications
in the premises.

4.8 All employees shall be made familiar with evacuation plans, and their individual role
in assisting guests to escape to place of safety; to control to growth of fire, and other
actions that lead to life safety.

4.9 Management shall assign to specific persons, the responsibility of summoning fire
services and also guiding the firemen when they arrive at the Hotel.

4.10 Management shall institute program, whereby close watch is kept to see that no
escape routes are blocked, all fire doors are kept in closed position, housekeeping is
good and no hazardous situation arises, on day-to-day basis.

4.11 Management shall institute preventive inspection, testing and maintenance

program of all fire protection and firefighting systems, all machinery, equipment, which
may cause fires.

4.12 There shall be instituted a 'Hot Work' permit system and 'Work' permit system for
outside contractors to work inside the hotel. Such permits shall be issued by the Chief
Executive/Security Officer and Fire Officer.

a) Management shall ensure that furnishing and decoration materials used on

escape routes shall have Class I flame spread rating and shall not generate toxic and
asphyxiating gases on burning furniture, furnishings and decoration on escape routes
shall not be attached or erected so as to:
b) obstruct access to an exit from any room;
c) obstruct the use of an escape route;

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d) render invisible or inaccessible notices, signs,

e) communication equipment or extinguishing equipment;
f) obstruct the movement of the door;
g) mirrors/reflecting surfaces or hangings shall not be used on any escape
route, which may create confusion in the minds of people;
h) floor and staircase coverings, where used shall be firmly fastened so that
slipping, tripping or falling of escaping people is avoided; and
i) floor occupancy of the room shall not exceed 60 percent leaving 40 percent
for freemovement outside the rooms

5 CONSTRUCTION AND LAYOUT

5.1 It is the primary responsibility of the Architects, Interior Designers, and Consulting
Engineers to ensure compliance with all applicable local fire protection regulations and
these standards including current version of the National building code. To this end, they
shall monitor carefully design drawings, specifications, shop drawings and field
construction accordingly. Before construction begins, they shall ensure that design
documents have been reviewed and approved by hotel authorities, insurance specialists
as well as all local authorities concerned.

5.2 Building construction shall be governed with various provisions of the current version
of National building code (Parts 1 through 10), particularly Parts 3 and 4.

5.3 Type of construction, fire resistance of building elements, compartmentation and

height of the building shall also be strictly in accordance with various provisions
contained in the current version of National building code – parts 3 and 4 in particular.

5.4 All hotel premises shall be housed in buildings having heights more than 15 m (high
rise hotels) shall be of Type I construction conforming to the current version of the
National building code (Parts 3 and 4)

5.5 All hotel premises shall be housed in buildings having heights less than 15 m (low
rise hotels) shall be minimum of Type II construction conforming to the current version of
the National building code (Parts 3 and 4)

5.6 External Layout of hotel premises with regard to width and hardness of approach
roads to provide access to fire engines, open spaces, parking distance from roads etc.
shall be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the current version of National
Building Code (Parts III and IV) as applicable.

5.7 Not only shall construction be reviewed to ensure minimum fire hazard, but also to
eliminate hazard through toxic fumes and spread of smoke and fumes as a result of fire.

5.8 The Architects must also co-ordinate with the Interior Designers to ensure finished
materials and fixed decors are of fire resistive materials of required fire rating, properly
treated where necessary with fire retardant coatings.

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5.9 The Interior Designers must also coordinate with the suppliers to ensure fabrics,
carpets, furniture etc. meet appropriate standards for flame spread and combustibility
and that the treatments will remain effective or be easily maintained for the life of the
materials and items themselves.

5.10 All false ceilings, false floors, where provided shall be of non-combustible materials
of Class I flame spread rating.

6 INTERNAL LAYOUT AND FIRE SEPARATION

6.1 Internal layout of the hotel buildings with regard to life safety requirements like
occupancy ratio, travel distances, egress provisions, escape routes like corridors,
stairways, ramps etc., fire separation of escape routes, refuge areas and separation of
various compartments like lift enclosures, boiler rooms, storage areas, electrical rooms,
illumination of exits, exit signage, basement separation, smoke extraction and ventilation
systems, air-conditioning systems etc. shall be strictly governed by various provisions
contained in the current version of National building code (Part IV) Fire protection.

6.2 Assessment of risk with regard to life and fire safety shall include evaluation of risk
with regard to easy paths for fire/smoke propagation and what shall be the remedial
measures to stop/eliminate such risks. Major considerations shall be on the following:

a) Vertical shafts, for lifts, open stairways, dumb waiters or holes for moving
Materials/stock around, Cables, Pipes and the like
b) Concealed spaces like False ceilings, especially if they are not fire-stopped
above walls
c) Unsealed holes in fire-resisting walls/floor slabs and ceilings where pipe
work, cables or other services penetrate through
d) Voids behind wall paneling
e) Doors, particularly to stairways, which are ill-fitting or routinely left open
f) Gaps between floor-slabs and façade/curtain wall assembly

6.3 Suitably fire rated passive protection (complying with relevant National/international
standards)shall be provided for all the above situations to localize a fire within a
compartment or within a floor to limit fire losses and also to enable inmates to migrate to
a safe area during emergencies.

6.4 Several types of occupancies exist in a Hotel premises which are incidental to
running hotel business. Normal occupancies in hotel premises include Residential
(guest floors), Assembly (night clubs, conference halls, ball rooms, function rooms,
meeting rooms, restaurants, Reception and waiting areas, etc.), Business (offices),
Industrial (dry cleaning, laundries, food processing, workshops etc.), Mercantile (Retail
shops), Storage (linens, consumables with regard to daily requirements for restaurant ,
combustible/flammable liquids etc.) and Utility areas and Parking garages. Unless
suitable fire separations are available between all differentially classified areas, effective

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fire control cannot be achieved. Fire separation requirements as indicated in the Table 1
below are applicable:

TABLE 1 FIRE SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS

Occupancy Fire separation rating in hours

Assembly areas 2

Residential 1

Parking garage 2

Storage 2

Mercantile 2

Business 2

Industrial 2

Kitchens and computer rooms 1

All utility areas such as Boiler rooms,

Electrical rooms, fire pump rooms,
Generator rooms, and the like 2

7 BUILDING MATERIALS

7.1 Building materials used in the construction shall conform to the specifications in
various parts of the National building Code with due regard to their specific usage, fire
rating and installation methods.

7.2 Decorative materials such as curtains, fabrics and the like shall have been tested
according to the applicable national/international standards for flame spread ratings.

7.3 Maximum flame spread ratings shall be as follows:

a) Assembly spaces, Guest rooms and enclosed spaces, Retail spaces, Office
spaces and Storage spaces : 200
b) Lobbies, exit corridors : 75
c) Exit staircases : 25
d) In addition to flame spread rating, interior finish materials shall have a
smoke development rating in excess of 450

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7.4 Usage of synthetic rubber padding and foam padding shall not be used for
carpeting. Rubberized hair and felt padding shall be used.

7.5 All passive materials used in conjunction with building materials shall be of approved
type (in accordance with national/International standards)for the requisite fire rating to
the application where they are used.

8 FIRE AND SMOKE SPREAD

8.1 Majority of people who die in fires are due to asphyxiation by the smoke and gases
which are the by-products of a fire. Hence the first and foremost step in reduction of
such risks to the inmates is to control or restrict the spread of fire and smoke. It is
important to ensure that, in the event of fire, the rate of fire growth is restricted in its
early stages. It shall also be noted that most measures which restrict the rate of fire
growth in its early stages will also serve to restrict the fire spread in its later stages.

8.2 In practice, walls, particularly guest bedroom walls, are likely to be covered with a
surface paint or wallpaper to provide a pleasant healing environment for the guests.
Care is needed on the selection of decorative furnishes and multi-layer decorative
systems, e.g. wallpapers and paints.

8.3 In general, following accessories like Textiles and furniture (upholstery, curtains,
mosquito nets, and roller blinds, floor coverings, plastic chairs etc.), Bedding and
sleepwear (blankets, mattresses, quilts, pillow, sleepwear’s and similar items) and these
shall be flame retardant and fire resistant or treated with fire retardant material.

8.4 Attention is drawn to various provisions in National building code – Part 4 Section 3
regarding flame spread rating and other associated details.

8.5 Wall panels, draperies, furniture and décor shall be such that the flame spread rating
shall conform to Class I surfaces as specified in the current version of National Building
Code (Part IV) Fire Protection.

8.6 All vertical shafts/ducts meant for installing drainage pipes, plumbing, wiring and
cabling etc. shall be effectively scaled at each floor. All vertical shafts/ducts including
refuse chutes shaII be enclosed by 2 hours fire-resisting enclosure. Where inspection
doors, windows are necessary, these shall be of one hour fire rating conforming to the
current version of National Building Code (Part IV) Fire Protection.

8.7 Lifts and enclosure shall conform to the current version of National Building Code
(Part IV) Fire protection and IS 1642.

8.8 Basements shall conform to various requirements specified in the current version of
National Building Code (Part IV) Fire Protection and IS 1642.

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8.9 Kitchen rooms, laundry, linen stores, furniture storage rooms shall be of fire resisting
construction, and shall be provided with one hour fire resisting self-closing doors.
8.10 Transformer bays H.T.and L.T. supply rooms, air-conditioning plant systems and
boiler rooms shall be in separate fire resisting rooms and shall conform to the current
version of National Building Code (Part IV) Fire Protection.

8.11 Special hazards due to LPG shall be in accordance with the provisions of National
Building Code (Part IV) Fire Protection.

8.12 Air conditioning system shall conform to IS 1642 and it shall be further linked with
the fire detection system to automatically cut off, the respective floor A.H.U. in case of a
fire. Also there shall be adequate arrangements of smoke/fire venting and enclosure of
service ducts, etc.

8.13 Air-conditioning system, if not properly designed may spread fire and smoke very
rapidly throughout the floors, and vertically from floor to floor. Each floor shall be
separately fed by a local unit. Air-intake arrangements at every floor shall not be routed
through the fire escape staircases.

8.14 Particular attention shall be given to crosslink the A.C. system with smoke
detection system conforming to IS 2189 and sprinkler systems, to switch off the system
when either smoke detector or sprinklers operate.

8.15 Air-conditioning shall be designed conforming to the requirements as laid down in

the current version of National Building Code (Part IV) Fire Protection.

8.16 Fire dampers play positive role In stopping spread of smoke and fire through ducts,
and shall be installed conforming to the current version of National Building Code (Part
IV) Fire Protection.

8.17 All electrical equipment including cables, light fittings, gauges etc. shall be in
conformity with relevant Indian Standards and designed for the proper load. Every room
shall be provided with an overload trip/MCB and earth leakage circuit breakers outside.

8.18 Efficient smoke ventilation arrangements shall be provided for the entire hotel
premises in accordance with various clauses in the current version of National building
code (Part IV) Fire protection in Annexure on Venting facilities.

8.19 Atriums where provided, shall also comply with various clauses in the current
version of National building code (Part IV) Fire protection in Annexure for Atrium
protection.

9 PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

9.1 The basis of Passive protection systems is to construct buildings in a

compartmentalized form. But the system breaks down if the compartments are

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breached by penetrations, the unavoidable holes in floors and walls to make way for
electric cables, air ducts, steam/air pipes, sewerage and the like to pass from one
area/floor to another. These breaches are ever present fire hazards. It is, therefore,
vital to seal such penetrations with a medium which both stops fire and is impermeable
to smoke.

9.2 Passive systems are primarily designed to limit the spread of fire through the
openings in Fire resisting walls and floors that are necessary for the passage of building
and communication services.

9.3 Passive fire protection systems are mandatory particularly for the high rise hotels to
localize a fire and to prevent fire from spreading to adjoining compartments.

9.4 In case of high rise hotel buildings, passive systems, with appropriate fire rating, are
required to take care of the following situations:

a) Fire separation – Fire doors

b) Compartmentation of large undivided areas
c) Wall penetrations due to the installation of service pipes and ducting –
penetration seals and fire/smoke dampersas the case may be
d) Floor penetrations due to the installation of service pipes and ducting where
allowed – penetration sealingand fire/smoke dampers as the case may be
e) Cables and cable tray penetration through floors and walls – fire stops and
penetration seals
f) Fire proofing of structural supports where deemed necessary -
g) Cable coatings to improve fire rating where required
h) Fire proofing of decors like combustible furniture, furnishings, curtains,
drapes and the like

9.5 Passive systems shall be provided, but not limited to, in the following situations:
a) Horizontal exits- Fire walls
b) Separation between occupancies having differential hazard –Fire walls
c) Subdivision of floors of excessive areas – Fire partitions
d) Fire partitions within a block
e) Corridor walls - Fire wall
f) Exit staircase enclosures – Fire walls
g) Elevator enclosures-Fire walls
h) Shafts for Ventilation ,Electrical cables, Mechanical equipment, Chutes,
Plumbing, Alarm cables, Communication cables etc. – Fire stops
i) Escalator enclosures – Fire walls
j) Atrium
k) Concealed spaces in ceiling due to false ceilings – Fire walls
l) Cable bunches from Substations, Diesel generators etc.- Fire stops or fire
rated intumescent pillows
m) Cable race and gallery – Cable coating, fire rated pillows
n) Exposed members, Decors etc – Fire proofing

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o) Facades – Fire rated glass and drenchers

p) Curtain wall/façade and top of wall joints – Fire stop sealants and so on…

9.6 Various clauses on passive systems stipulated in the current version of the National
building code (Part IV) Fire protection in the Annexure for High rise buildings shall need
to be complied with for hotel occupancies.

10 EMERGENCY POWER AND LIGHTING PROVISION

10.1 Various clauses stipulated in Life-safety chapter of the current version of the
National building code (Part IV) Fire protection shall receive attention for the provision of
emergency power and lighting to critical/non-critical loads during emergencies and also
illumination of exits.

10.2 A stand-by power supply shall be provided in a hotel to cater for emergency in the
event of failure of normal power supply. Such stand-by power supply shall be
independent and through a diesel generator/generators of adequate capacity to meet
the following requirements in addition to what is specified in 10.1.

a) Emergency illumination of all corridors, staircases, basements and exit

signage, etc;
b) Fire lifts;
c) Mechanical ventilation for basements or in case of centrally air conditioned
building
d) Fire water pumps (however, if a stand-by diesel pump(s) is provided, this
may be exempted); and
e) Other emergency automatic systems for firefighting.

11 FIRE SAFETY AND FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT (ACTIVE)

Entire hotel premises shall be provided with systems and equipment as specified in the
current version of National building code – Part 4 (Section 5 and Table 23) as
applicable. These include
a) Portable extinguishers (IS2190)
b) Internal small bore hose reels
c) Hydrant systems with yard hydrants and wet risers (IS3844 and IS 13039)
d) Automatic sprinkler systems (IS 15105)
e) Fire alarm systems (IS 2189)
f) Kitchen hoods and ducts (NBC part 4, Annexure ‘ ‘)
g) Clean agent systems where applicable
h) Automatic water spray systems as applicable (IS 15325)
i) Suppression systems for façade protection
i) Efficient PA system

11.1 Hand appliances

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Extinguishers shall be provided and distributed in accordance with various provisions of

IS2190. Appropriate type of extinguishers shall be provided in various areas
commensurate with the type of hazard posed.

11.2 Hose reels

Hose reels shall be provided at all floor levels along with Hydrants in wet risers. Where
installed within rising shafts, care shall be taken to avoid kinking of hose reels. Water
supply for hose reels can be tapped from the pressurized hydrant system

11.3 Hydrant system

11.3.1 Yard hydrants, where required, shall be provided along the entire contour of the
hotel premises. Their installation, spacing, piping etc. shall be in accordance with
IS13039.

11.3.2 Risers (wet or dry) shall be provided for all upper floors. Number of risers
depends upon the area of the floor. Their installation, piping etc. shall be in accordance
with IS13039.

11.4 Automatic sprinkler system

11.4.1 Sprinkler system, where required, shall be provided strictly in accordance with
IS15105. Where differences exist, provisions of this code shall take precedence.
Requirements specific to hotels are as below:

11.4.2 Automatic sprinkler heads shall be installed throughout the building. This includes
all interior spaces including guest rooms, guest room bathrooms in excess of 5sq m
and/or consisting of mostly combustible fixtures, corridors, vestibules, lobbies, top and
lower tiers of stairways, combustible concealed spaces, inside linen and trash chutes (at
the top of the chute and at alternate floors), service chute terminal rooms, underneath
large storage decks, inside closets and under large outdoor canopies, platforms and
docks where significant amounts of combustible materials are stored and handled.

11.4.3 Sprinklers are required in hotels for all areas including service floors. Sprinkler
systems shall need to be hydraulically calculated. Quick response residential sprinklers
are to be used in guestrooms. All hotels must be fully sprinkler protected, however
sprinklers are not mandatory in electrical distribution switchboards rooms, lift machine
rooms, manufactured walk in freezers and transformer rooms. Sprinklers shall be
provided in PABX rooms and Computer rooms.

11.4.4 Sprinklers need not be provided in clothe closets, linen closets and pantries
within dwelling units in hotels, if area of such spaces is within 2.5 m2 and the least
dimension is within 1 m.

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11.4.5 In case of guest rooms and guest suites, sprinklers need not be provided in
closets and bath rooms if the areas respectively are within 2.5 m2 and 5 m2.

11.4.6 Minimum of two sprinklers shall be provided in each guest room i.e.one in
sleeping area and the other in the vestibule. More sprinklers may be required for large
suites according to the area occupied by the suites.

11.4.7 All the sprinklers in guest rooms shall be of quick-response type. Extended throw
side wall sprinklers are recommended for sleeping area.

11.5 Fire alarm system

11.5.1 Fire alarm system shall be installed in accordance with IS 2189 and IS15908 in
all respects. Entire hotel complex shall be provided with detectors appropriate to the
type of hazards posed. Where differences exist, provisions of this code shall take
precedence.

11.5.2 The fire alarm system will monitor and display the activation of each device in the
system, including any heat detector, smoke detector, atrium beam detector, manual
break-glass unit, sprinkler water flow switch and sprinkler valve tamper switch or any
other input device which may be required.

11.5.3 The system will initiate output functions in accordance with a ‘cause and effect’
matrix, in accordance with all locally applicable codes of practice.

11.5.4 The system will be of the analogue addressable type and will continuously
monitor all wiring to detect open or short circuits. The wiring will be configured to not
prevent the operation of any device in the event of the occurrence of the above wiring
faults

11.5.5 Intelligent type smoke detector will be provided in each guestroom sleeping area,
and include an integral audible tone which provides a minimum of 85 dB at 1 m.

11.5.6 Ceiling mounted photoelectric type smoke detectors will be provided in all of the
hotel common areas.

11.5.7 Heat detectors of the fixed temperature (57°C) type or rate of rise of temperature
type may be used in areas environmentally unsuited for smoke detector (eg, kitchens,
laundries, generator rooms etc.).

11.5.8 A smoke detector(s) must be installed in each elevator lobby on each floor,
activation of which will initiate the elevator recall functions.

11.5.9 Each fan system will be provided with a duct-mounted smoke detector which
utilizes full width sensing probes and is suitable for the air velocities to which it is
subjected. Duct mounted smoke detectors concealed from view will be supplied with a

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remote indictor, located near the location of the hidden detector, appropriately labelled
as to the detector’s location.

11.5.10 Manual call point will be located near the stairways, lobbies, exit door, fire
hydrants, sprinkler room, transformer station, low voltage switchgear room and standby
generator room. The maximum distance between two manual stations should be 60
meters. Stations are to be installed 1 220 mm from finished floor to centre line of device.
All stations will be of the fully addressable type and transmit and alarm directly to the
Fire Department.

11.5.11 Hooters and voice alarm speakers must be located throughout the hotel,
including in each hotel guest room. All speakers will be capable of producing a sound
level of 85 dB at 3 meters. Speakers in general areas will be combined with strobes.
Horn type speakers should be used in areas with high ambient noise levels. In
guestrooms, voice alarm speakers should be audible at 75dB at the bedhead and
usually located in the vestibule ceiling.

11.5.12 Visual alarm signaling devices (xenon strobe lights) will be located throughout
the hotel corridors, function rooms and in rooms designated for handicapped persons.

11.5.13 All safety systems shall be interfaced with the fire alarm control panel. These
include the status of fire pump(s), fire doors, hooters, voice alarm speakers, smoke
ventilation systems, control of elevators, exit and staircase door sets, air-conditioning
and ventilation systems, control of fire dampers etc. Overall, the entire fire safety
systems shall be supervised at a centralized location like Reception area or a BMS
room and also duplicated at main security room.

11.5.14 Efficient public address system (PA) shall be available throughout the hotel
premises, in conjunction with fire alarm system or otherwise.

11.6 Other systems

11.6.1 These include protection to computer (server) rooms, EDP areas, control/BMS
rooms and the like with Clean agent systems as per the relevant Indian standards
according to the agent selection

11.6.2 In kitchen hoods and ducts, wet chemical systems as per Annexure in the current
version of National building code (Part IV) Fire protection

11.6.3 Oil-filled Transformers, Exterior tanks storing flammable liquids, Cable gallery
with water spray systems where applicable

11.6.4 Atriums where provided, shall also comply with various clauses in the current
version of National building code (Part IV) Fire protection in Annexure for Atrium
protection.

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12 MANAGEMENT AWARENESS TO HAZARD MINIMIZATION MEASURES

Following requirements are specific to the hotel occupancies. There shall be a program
to oversee effective implementation of these requirements.

12.1 General Housekeeping measures

a) Good housekeeping methods will lower the chances of a fire occurrence

and as such the accumulation of combustible materials in the hotel premises shall be
monitored continuously
b) Good housekeeping is also essential to reduce the chances of escape
routes and fire doors from being blocked or obstructed
c) Predictable nature of the day-to-day activities should allow systems to be
developed for dealing with waste, laundry and other combustible materials. However,
such materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in the escape routes
d) Waste and garbage containers shall be kept at least 6 m from the face of
the hotel buildings

12.2 Hazardous substances and their storage, display and daily use

Specific precautions shall be exercised when handling and storing dangerous

substances to minimise the possibility of fire, explosion and toxic hazards. Safe storage
and handling methods shall be defined and followed. Following requirements shall
receive attention:

a) Storage of dangerous substances shall be limited to acceptable minimum

levels for running the hotel premises.
b) Such substances shall be stored in a fire-resisting enclosure. All flammable
liquids and gases should ideally be locked away, especially when the premises are
unoccupied, to prevent unscrupulous usage
c) Certain substances and materials are, by their nature, highly flammable,
oxidising or potentially explosive. These substances are controlled, stored and used
according to the legislative codes under which they are permitted to be used
d) The hotel staff shall be trained to familiarize on the fire risk of the dangerous
substances, their usage and on the precautions necessary to avoid risk to the inmates
e) Some important substances are listed as below:
Liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
Aerosols
Flammable liquids
f) Storage and use of all the above are governed by local legislations and
such practices shall be strictly followed.

12.3 Alteration/construction of new building within the existing premises

When buildings are undergoing refurbishment or alteration, fire occurrence is a
possibility. Hence it is necessary continuously monitor the impact of the building work on
the general fire safety precautions, such as the increased risk from quantities of

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combustible materials and accumulated waste and maintaining adequate means of

escape. Following risks shall be monitored and contingency measures shall be in place
before allowing building alterations and extensions:
a) Welding, Oxy-acetylyne cutting, blow lamps, portable grinders etc.
b) Combustible storage
c) Storage of combustibles in side or inside the vicinity of escape routes thus
blocking the escape routes
d) Temporary electrical wiring
e) Disconnection of existing fire warning systems
f) Dismantling of fire separating walls, removal of fire doors, passive protection
assemblies etc.
g) Presence of work personnel unfamiliar with the site conditions

Hotel safety team shall monitor the situation continuously and also work permit systems
shall be in place for hot work, cold work, height work etc. Safety checklists shall be
available and the same shall be followed seamlessly. Firefighting installation shall be in
place for any eventuality and emergency.

12.4 Equipment and machinery

Some critical machinery and equipment in hotels are quite expensive and also they are
prone to fire hazards when not maintained frequently. Due to continuous demand, hotel
authorities tend to postpone servicing and maintenance requirements. Following are the
hazards for example:

a) Allowing ventilation points to become clogged or blocked, causing

overheating
b) Poorly maintained equipment, such as residue accumulation in driers
c) Allowing extraction equipment in kitchens to build up excessive grease
deposits
d) Misuse or lack of maintenance of cooking equipment and appliances
e) Loose drive belts or lack of lubrication leading to increased friction
f) Disabling or interfering with automatic or manual safety features and cut-
outs
g) Leaking valves, glands or joints allowing oils and other flammable liquids to
contaminate adjacent floors or goods that may also endanger life and so on ….

All equipment and machinery should be properly maintained by competent

personnel. Appropriate signs and instructions on safe use may be necessary. In hotel
premises, there should be an effective program of planned preventative maintenance in
operation, an agreed procedure for reporting faults, action once faults are reported to
repair or make safe the equipment and clear instruction provided for complex
equipment.

12.5 Storage areas

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If the hotel premises have inadequate or poorly managed storage areas then the risk of
fire is certainly likely. The more combustible materials are stored, greater the source of
fuel for a fire. Poorly arranged storage could prevent equipment such as sprinklers
working effectively. Combustible materials are not just those generally regarded as
highly combustible, such as polystyrene, but all materials that will readily catch fire.
Even non-combustible materials may present a fire hazard when packed in combustible
materials. However, by carefully considering the type of material, the quantities kept and
the storage arrangements, the risks can be significantly reduced.

Retention of large quantities of linens, paper records, especially if not filed away in
proprietary cabinets, can increase the fire hazard in office premises within hotel
premises. Such readily available flammable material makes the potential effect of
malicious damage.

Following requirements shall need attention:

a) Storage of any kind against electrical equipment or heaters, even if turned

off.
b) Electrical equipment in storage rooms shall be minimal and also main switch
for the store room shall be kept outside the storage room
c) Unused furniture, wheelchair and similar equipment shall be provided with
adequate space
d) Storage shall be kept only in designated rooms and not strewn around
particularly in public areas
e) Storage areas for linens shall be controlled and monitored
f) Separate storage areas shall be provided for hazardous materials.
g) Voids (including roof voids) shall not be used for the storage of combustible
material. Such voids shall be sealed off or kept entirely open to allow for easy access for
inspection and the removal of combustible materials
h) Basements shall not be used for any type of storage
i) Smoking in areas where combustible materials are stored, shall be banned

12.6 Kitchens

One of the potential sources of fire can originate from Kitchen facilities. Following
requirements are very relevant in case of kitchens in case of hotels. Attention is also
drawn to the National Building Code where a separate annexure is available for Kitchen
protection.

a) For all hotels with extensive catering facilities, the cooking ranges shall have
automatic fire suppression system in addition to suitable fire extinguishers and fire
blankets.
b) All deep fat cooking equipment should have a thermostatic temperature
control and should never be left unattended
c) The use of ‘open top chip pans’ should be discouraged or prohibited

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d) Extractor ducting, grease traps and filters should be regularly cleaned and
maintained
e) Isolation switches for gas and electricity supplies, and any extractor fans
should be located near an exit

12.7 Laundries

Laundries, in both large and small hotel premises, remain a high risk area. They are
often located in the basement which means that any fire may affect the escape routes
above. Hence it is necessary to comply with following requirements for Laundries:

a) Laundry chutes in larger premises provides a ready path for smoke from
any fire to travel throughout the patient access areas of the premises. Smoke and fire
dampers within the laundry chute should be automatically operated following activation
of fire-detection devices within the chute
b) Washing and drying machines shall be loaded within the limits specified by
the manufacturers manual, exhaust filters of the machines shall be cleaned and
maintained at regular intervals as specified in the manual
c) Items such as cleaning clothe and mop heads placed in the dryers can
spontaneously combust if there is any chemical residue left on them. Hence after every
day usage, the drying units shall be examined and cleaned
d) Ironing equipment shall be used/positioned so as not to transport heat to the
clothe lying around
e) The laundry area should not be used for storing miscellaneous combustible
material

12.8 Smoking

Carelessly discarded cigarette butts and other smoking materials are usual causes of a
major fire. Discarded cigarette butts can smoulder for several hours, especially when
surrounded by combustible material. Many fires are started several hours after the
smoking materials have been emptied into waste bags and left for future disposal.

Following requirements shall need attention in this regard:

a) Prohibition of smoking within the buildings or even the entire premises shall
be the best option
b) If not, dedicated smoking booths shall be created away from the premises
or at suitably separated place within the premises. In either case, suitable exhaust
mechanism shall be available for the dedicated places for smoking. The door opening
leading to the smoking area when situated inside the premises, shall be of self-closing
type. Arrangements shall be made to dispense the discarded cigarette butts from such
areas from time to time
c) In those areas where smoking is permitted, non-combustible deep and
substantial ashtrays shall be provided. All ashtrays shall be emptied daily into a metal

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waste bin and take it outside. It is dangerous to empty ashtrays into plastic waste
containers/sacks which are then left inside for disposal later
d) In permitted areas, regular inspections shall be carried out, particularly once
these areas have been vacated at night
e) It shall be ensured that the smoking policy for staff, guests and visitors is in
place and enforced and prohibit smoking in fire hazard areas and protected routes (like
lobbies, stairways etc.
f) Suitable signs shall be displayed throughout the hotel premises informing
people of the smoking policy and the locations where smoking is permitted

12.9 Electrical installation

From time and again, electrical equipment and installation have played a
significant role in fire occurrence and losses. Installation of electrical equipment shall be
carried out considering both life safety and fire safety in hotel premises. Following
requirements shall receive attention:

a) Selection of equipment and their installation shall comply with the

requirements of National electrical code and IS 1646 in all respects
b) Electrical inspection shall be carried out at least once in a year by
competent and well-informed personnel to determine whether the installation remains
safe in all respects (considering the small or big expansions and additions made during
the previous year) and corrective action shall be taken to restore safety levels
c) Some important issues that shall be borne in mind before undertaking
electrical safety audit are as follows:

1) Appropriate fuse ratings

2) Leakage, insulation and earthing provisions
3) Safety/Protection against overloading of installation
4) Portable electrical equipment
5) Physical surroundings in which the equipment are used (e.g. wet or
dusty Atmospheres
6) Protection against short circuit
7) Temperature rating and mechanical strength of flexible cables
8) Deployment and maintenance of suitable personal protective
equipment

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ANNEX A
(Clause 2)

LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS

IS No. Title

1642 :2013 Code of practice for fire safety of buildings(general):Details of

construction (Second revision)
1646 : 1997 Code of practice for fire safety of buildings(general):Electrical
installations (Second Revision)
2189 :2008 Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of
automatic fire detection and alarm system(fourth revision)
2190 : 2010 Selection, installation and maintenance of first-aid fire extinguishers -
Code of practice(fourth revision)
3844 :1989 Code of practice for installation and maintenance of internal fire
hydrants and hose reels on premises (first revision)
8757 : 1999 Glossary of terms associated with fire safety (first revision)
13039 : 1991 Code of practice for external hydrant systems provision and
maintenance
15105 : 2002 Design and installation of fixed automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing
systems - Code of practice
15325 : 2003 Code of practice for design and installation of fixed automatic high and
medium velocity water spray system
15908 : 2011 Selection, installation and maintenance of control and indicating
equipments for fire detection and alarm system - Code of practice
SP 7 : 2005 National Building Code of India 2005

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