MS - 1183 - 8 - 1990 - P - Fire Escape For Disable People

MS ISO/IEC TR 10037 : 1995
MALAYSIAN
STANDARD
MS 1183 : PART 8 : 1990 (P)
ICS : 91.120
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SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN THE

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
PART 8 : CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE
FOR DISABLE PEOPLE
STANDARDS & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA

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©
without the prior permission in writing of SIRIM
SIRIM. No part of this publication may be photocopied or otherwise reproduced
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
This Malaysian Standard, which had been approved by the Mechanical Engineering Industry Standards
Committee and endorsed by the Council of the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia
(SIRIM) was published under the authority of the SIRIM Council in March, 1990.
SIRIM wishes to draw attention to the fact that this Malaysian Standard does not purport to include all
the necessary provisions of a contract.
The Malaysian Standards are subject to periodical review to keep abreast of progress in the industries
concerned. Suggestions for improvements will be recorded and in due course brought to the notice of
the Committees charged with the revision of the standards to which they refer.
The following references relate to the work on this standard:

Committee reference: SIR I M 406/2/6-1
Draft for comment: Provisional MS
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date of issue Text affected
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MS 1183 : Part 8:1990 (P)
CONTENTS
Page
Committee representation 3
Foreword 4
Section One: General

1 Scope 5
2 Definitions 5
3 Use of this code 7
Section Two: Horizontal escape
4 General 10
5 Horizontal escape routes 10
6 Refuges 10
Section Three: Vertical escape
7 General 15
8 Stairways 16
9 Ramps 17
10 Lifts 17
Section Four: Construction and fire warning systems
11 Construction of refuges and evacuation lift enclosures 20
12 Fire warning systems 23
Appendices
A Advice to management 25
B Application of the code to existing building 33
Figures
1 Principles of evacuation 8
2 Examples of refuges in buildings not provided with evacuation lifts 12
3 Examples of refuges in buildings provided with evacuation lifts 13
4 Wheelchair spaces in protected stairways 14
5 Examples of fire plan strategies in buildings provided with evacuation lifts 31
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MS 1183 Part 8: 1990 (P)
Committee representation
The Mechanical Engineering Industry Standards Committee under whose supervision this Malaysian Standard was prepared,
comprises representatives from the following Government Ministries, trade, commerce and manufacturer associations and
scientific and professional bodies.
Ministry of Defence (Defence Science and Tehnology Centre)
Ministry of Labour and Manpower (Factories and Machinery Department)
Ministry of Trade and Industry (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority)

Ministry of Works and Utilities (Public Works Department)
University of Malaya
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Institution of Engineers
The Technical Committee on Fire Prevention and Protection which prepared this Malaysian Standard consists of representatives
from the following member organizations:
Encik M. Chelliah Bomba

(Chairman)
Kapt. Kamarudin Abu Hassan Kementerian Pertahanan
Ii. Dr. Ow Chee Sheng Institution of Engineers Malaysia
Encik Anthony Dibbie/ Persatuan Insuran Am Malaysia
Encik Lim Chia Fook
Encik Lok Aik Eng Persatuan Akitek Malaysia
Ir. Thin Choon Chai Malaysian Fire Protection Association
Encik P. Sivakumaran Persatuan Keselamatan Perindustrian Malaysia
Ir. Ahmad Fauzi Hassan Factories and Machinery Department
Encik Khalid Hassan Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia
(Secretary)
A Technical sub-committee on Code of practice for fire prevention and protection consists of representative from the following
organization:
Encik M. Chelliah Bomba

(Chairman)
Encik Vusof Sidek/ Bomba
Encik Abu Bakar
Encik Verrasundar Bomba
Encik Lee Seng Kong Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
Encik Lim Chia Fook Persatuan Insuran Am Malaysia
Ir. Wong See Foong/ Institution of Engineers Malaysia
Ir. Chiam Teong Tee
Encik Loh Aik Eng Persatuan Akitek Malaysia
Encik L,K Ong Malaysian Fire Protection Association
Encik Shah Buddin Sahid/ Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia
Encik Mohd Pizlin Haji Mohd Akhir
(Secretary)
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MS 1183 : Part 8 :1990 (P)
FOREWORD
This Malaysian Standard was prepared by the Technical Sub-committee on Code of Practice for Fire
Prevention and Protection formed by the Technical Committee on Fire Prevention and Protection under
the authority of the Mechanical Engineering Industry Standards Committee.
This standard was based on the British Sandard BS 5588: Part 8:1988, Fire Precautions on the Design
and Construction of Buildings. Part 8: code of Practice for Means of Escape for Disabled People.
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MS 1183:Part8:1990(P)
SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN THE DESIGN

AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
PART 8:CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE FOR DISABLED POEPLE
SECTION ONE: GENERAL
1. SCOPE
This code of practice provides guidance for designers and the building construction team in their task
of incorporating into new buildings, or alterations to existing buildings, measures that should in the event
of a fire, enable the safe evacuation of any disabled people. The code is applicable to all buildings
except single-family dwelling hoLlses, flats and maisonettes (i.e. buildings covered by BS 5588;Part 1).
It is not intended for application to a building used as a house in multiple occupation.
NOTE. Buildings purpose-built for disabled people will usually be provided with means of escape that are more extensive than
those recommended in this code.
Access for disabled people is covered by BS 5810k and means of escape in general is covered by the
,
various Parts of BS 5588. This code consideres only those features necessary for means of escape for
disabled people.
Management systems are an essential part of means of escape for disabled people and appendix A
provides guidance for management to aid it in making the best use of the facilities described in this
code.
The code should not be used as a criterion against which to judge whether a person may use a
particular existing building and it is hoped that management will apply the philosophy of the code to
~existingbuildings wherever possible; further information on this is given in appendix B.
NOTE. The titles of the publications referred to in this code are listed on the inside back cover.
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this code the definitions given in BS 5810 apply, together with the following.
2.1 Accommodaton stairway. A stairway, additonal to that or those required for escape
purposes, provided for the convenience of occupants.
2.2 Compartment. A part of a building (comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys)
constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building.
2.3 Evacuation lift. A lift that may be used for the evacUation of disabled people in a fire.
The Malaysian Standard version is under preparation.

MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
2.4 Final exit. The termination of an escape route from a building giving direct access to a
street, passageway, walkway or open space, and sited to ensure the rapid dispersal of persons from the
vicinity of a building so that they are no longer in danger from fire and/or gaseous products of
combustion and is capable of meeting specified performance criteria to those ends.
2.6 Firefighting lift. A lift designated to have additonal protection, with controls that enable
it to be used under the direct control of the fire brigade in fighting a fire.
2.7 Fire resistance. The abilty of a component or construction of a building to satisfy for a
stated period of time the appropriate criteria specified in the relevant Part of BS 476.
2.8 Manual call point. A device intended for the manual initiation of an alarm of fire in an
electrical fire alarm system, operated by the breaking by hitting or pressing of a frangible element
forming part of the front face.
2.9 Means of escape. Structural means whereby a safe route is provided for persons to travel
from any point in a building to a place of safety.
2.10 Non-combustible. Capable of satisfying the performance requirements specified in BS

476:Part 4.
2.11 Protected stairway/lobby/corridor. A stairway, including any exit passageway leading

therefrom to its final exit, or lobby or corridor, enclosed with (other than any part that is an external wall
of a building) fire-resisting construction.
2.12 Refuge. An area that is both separated from a fire by fire- resisting construction and
provided with a safe route to a storey exit, thus constituting a temporarily safe space for disabled
persons to await assistance for their evacuation.
2.13 Storey exit. A final exit, or a doorway giving direct access to a protected stairway,
firefighting lobby or external escape route.
2.14 Two-stage fire alarm. An alarm of fire in which an evacuation signal is given in those
areas the occupants of which are at the greatest risk, usually those closest to the fire, with an alert signal
being given in all other areas.
2.15 Wheelchair stairlift. An appliance for transporting a person or person with a wheelchair
between two or more levels by means of a guided carriage moving substantially in the direction of a
flight of stairs and travelling in the same path in both upward and downward directions.
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MS 1183 : Part 8: 1990 (P)
3. USE OF THIS CODE
3.1 Provision and use of fire safety arrangements. The basic principles and philosophy
underlyig the provision of means of escape from buildings, and the related precautions in the case of
fire are:
(a) planning and protection of escape routes leading to safety both horizontally and
downwards (and/or possibbly upwards in a few special circumstances) from any area that may be
threatened by fire, so enabling any person confronted by an outbreak of fire to turn away and make a
safe escape;
(b) construction and finishing with suitable materials and embodying adequate fire resistance
in the structure where these are not covered by building regulations;
(c) segregation of higher fire risk areas;
(d) the provision of means of giving warning of fire and, where appropriate, of detecting
outbreaks of fire.
The provision of structural means of escape assumes that building users are able-bodied people, and
the essential role of management in a fire is to ensure that the fire brigade is called and to carry out a
roll call when the evacuation has been completed. The presumption of independent capability to use
steps and stairs for egress is clearly inadequate for the consideration of the safety of some disabled
people, and for them evacuation involving the use of refuges on escape routes, and either assistance
down (or up) stairways or th~use of suitable lifts will be necessary. Accordingly, this code covers the
measures appropriate to ensure the safety of disabled people from the moment they become aware of
potential danger until they reach a place of safety. This concept is illustrated in figure 1.
The successful emergency evacuation of a building using the structural means of escape provided
requires comprehensive management procedures, and this applies whether the occupants of a building
are disabled or not. The management procedures for disabled persons will of necessity, include special
arrangements for assisting wheelchairbound persons or others with walking difficulties along corridors
or stairways, and for supervising the use of an evacuation lift if provided. Although this code includes
a description of an evacuation lift, the installation of such a lift is recommended purely as an aid to
evacuation procedures, particularly where they are needed to supplement the normal structural means
of escape, such as in taller buildings. The installation of such a lift may also be in the interest of the
general convenience of the building’s occUpants. More detailed information on fire plan strategies is
given in appendix A. Application of the recommendations will also result in buildings which offer
enhanced means of escape in fire for able- bodied persons.
3.2 Entertainment and cultural use buildings. Access to entertainment and cultural use
buildings such as theatres, cinemas, concert halls, exhibition halls and stadia is important to enhance
the lives of everybody, not least disabled people. The design of escape routes and the organization of
management procedures are particularly critical in these classes of buildings because the users are likely
to be unfamiliar with their surroundings and population densities in terms of the number of persons per
unit area are very high. These considerations have oftenled to unreasonable restrictions on the access
of disabled persons to these buildings and one of the purposes of this code is to show that such
restrictions are unnecessary. There are clearly problems in stepped auditoria, grandstands and similar
buildings, but an aim of the designer should be to provide some, or indeed many, locations for disabled
persons to be integrated with the assembly as a whole from whence they may be evacuated without
disrupting the general exodus.
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MS 1183 : Part 8 :1990 (P)
Normally the number of severely disabled persons in an assembly building is likely to be small, but in
the event of a large group attending an event, it is sensible that the organizers of the group should
discuss the arrangements with the rnanagement of the building.
hazard refuge vertical means of escape place of safety
Figure 1. Principles of evacuation
3.3 Relationship with statutory provisions
3.3.1 General. It is important to appreciate the relationships between this code and the various
statutory provisions relevant to the design and construction of new buildings and to the fire precautions
to be provided in existing buildings. The relevant legislation indicated in general terms in 3.3.2 has to
be complied with in the event of a conflict with this code.
3.3.2 Building regulations. The design and construction of new buildings, and of alterations of
existing buildings, are controlled by the Uniform Building By-Law.
3.3.3 Legislation and other regulations for fire safety in buildings. In addition to the controls
mentioned in 3.3.2, fire safety and means of escape for a wide variety of buildings is dealt with under
the following legislation.
Fire Service Act 1988
Factories and Machinery Act
It should be noted that for premises subject to the Fire Certificates under the Fire Services Act 1988, the
regulations apply to all buildings within the premises. .
They are also a number of regulations as well as entertainment and other licensing legislation which deal
with fire safety and means of escape. The designer should consult the fire authority and building
authority at an early stage to make certain the building as planned will meet the requiremets those
authorities may make, particularly if a fire certificate or licence may be necessary.
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MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
3.4 Information to be given to clients. Designers are advised to inform their clients of the
nature, design and (if necessary) limitations of the fire precautions that have been designed into the
building, and especially those whose nature may be less evident. This will enable a better understanding
of the responsibility for ensuring that a high standard of safety is maintained. The advise given in
appendix A is intended not only as a guide to the management of fire precautions in a building, but also
as a guide to the information concerning the fire precautions that have been designed into the building
which designers are advised to pass to their clients..
3.5 Diagrams. The figures are intended to clarify concepts, and should not be taken as
indicating the only acceptable forms of planning.
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MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
SECTION TWO: HORIZONTAL ESCAPE
4. GENERAL
It is essential that all occupants are able to leave quickly any area in which they may be in danger from
fire. Escape routes ought to be free from any feature which might impede movement, such as
unsuitable door ironmongery or raised thresholds or steps between changes of level within a storey.
A route leading to a final exit at substantially the same level should not pose a serious problem for those
persons who cannot use stairs, but on floors other than final exit level there will inevitably be some delay
whilst waiting either for assistance to travel down (or possibly up) the stairway, or for an evacuation lift.
For this reason it may be necessary to provide refuges where disabled people can wait in relative safety
before continuing to a final exit.
In many buildings suitable refuges will be provided as a result of meeting the general requirements for
means of escape. Where this is not the case, the provision of refuges ought normally to be possible
both without affecting the internal design of the building to any material extent and without incurring
substantial additional costs.
5. HORIZONTAL ESCAPE ROUTES
5.1 Commentary. Whilstthe planning of storeys (including the subdivision into separate rooms
or areas, the distance of travel from any point within the storey to a storey exit, the number of escape
routes and siting of exit doors) should be in accordance with the standards for the type of occupancy
in any relevant codes and regulations, the routes of travel should also be free from any serious obstacle
that may cause undue delay to disabled persons, e.g. raised thresholds or steps.
5.2 Recommendation for horizontal escape routes. Where minor changes of level within any
storey cannot be avoided, a ramp complying with BS 5810 and signs warning of the change of level
should be provided.
6. REFUGES
6.1 Commentary. The limitation of distances of horizontal travel for means of escape purposes
means that most disabled persons should be able to independently reach the safety of a protected
escape route or final exit. However, some disabled persons, for example those who are
wheelchairbound, will not then be able to use stairways without assistance, and for this reason it is
necessary to provide refuges on all storeys other than those in small buildings of limited height (where
the distance of travel to a final exit will be so limited that the provision of refuges is unnecessary), those
providing level access directly to a final exit, and those consisting exclusively of plant rooms.
A refuge is an area that is both separated from the fire by fire- resisting construction and provided with
a safe route to a storey exit, thus constituting a temporarily safe space for disabled persons to await
assistance for their evacuation.
~TheMalaysian Standard version is under preparation.
10
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
A refuge needs to be of sufficient size both to accommodate a wheelchair user and to allow the
wheelchair user to manoeuvre into the wheelchair space without undue difficulty. A BS 5568 type A
folding wheelchair occupies a space of 660 mm x 1065 mm, but there are a wide variety of wheelchairs
in use and powered wheelchairs are increasingly being used. It should also be noted that the disabilities
ofwheelchair users vary both in type and degree. Given these factors the minimum space provided for
a wheelchair in a refuge, excluding manoeuvring space, needs to be at least 700 mm x 1200 mm, and
ideally ought to be 900 mm x 1400 mm after including an allowance for manoeuvring. As an indication
Of the manoeuvrability of wheelchairs, a BS 5568 type A folding wheelchair (when propelled in a forward
direction by means of the handrims) is capable of negotiating a turn through a door opening of 775 mm
clear width into a 900 mm wide corridor (and vice versa), and is capable of being turned through 180°
in a 1400 mm wide corridor. In many buildings such spaces will be formed as part of the design and
construction process.
The following are examples of satisfactory refuges:
(a) an encIosure~such as a compartment, protected lobby, protected corridor or protected

stairway;
(b) an area in the open air such as a flat roof, balcony, podium or similar place which is
sufficiently protected (or remote) from any fire risk and provided with its own means of escape;
(c) any other arrangements which satisfy the general principles outlined in items (a) and (b)
and which afford at least an equal measure of safety.
However, it is essential that the location of refuges and of wheelchair spaces within refuges does not
have any adverse effect on the means of escape provided in the building.
Figures 1 and 3 illustrate routes of escape from a fire from positions where there is immediate direct
exposure to risk. In figure 2(a), fire-resisting separation across the storey creates two compartments,
each of which is a refuge from fire in the other; in figures 2 (b) and (c), the protected stairways or
lobbies serve as refuges.
Although as a general principle an evacuation lift should be located close to a protected stairway, as
in figure 3(a), there will be circumstances where this need not be so, provided the requirement for safe
access from the refuge to a stairway can be assured. Figures 3(b) and (c) show such an arrangement;
the lobby has separate access to both compartments and provides a refuge from each; if the lobby
becomes untenable before the lift arrives, safe access to the stairway remote from the fire is possible.
If the position of the fire is such that it is not possible to enter the lift lobby, then either the other
compartment (figure 3(b)) or the stairway (figure 3 (c)) provides a refuge.
Figure 4 illustrates the principles for the provision of wheelchair spaces within protected stairways. In
figure 4(b), the landing is larger to allow access to the wheelchair space without disrupting the flow of
persons escaping.
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MS 1183 : Part 8:1990 (P)
lal Open plan storey divided into two refuges (stairways not provided with wheelchair space)
NOTE. Persons occupying the left hand compartment would not reach a refuge until they had
entered the right hand compartment. Two dooreets in the partition are required in case access
to one of the cloorsets is blocked by lire.
Refuge
Ib) Protected stairways used as refuges

NOTE. Protected stairways should be approached by way ole protected lobby in certain
utuations, for example, in high buildings.
Ic) Protected lobbies used as refuges
K.y:
30 m~in(minimum) fire-resisting separation
ED 30S fire door
NOTE. The doorset may have one or two leaves and, dependent on its location, may be single or double action lswing).
— — — Partitioning to, celluta, planning
Figure 2. Examples of refuges in buildings not provided with evacuation lifts
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MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
Refuge
Refuge
(a) Evacuation lift adjacent to a protected stairway; protected lobbies used a, refuges
NOTE. The evacuation lift may be a firefighting lift.
)b) Evacuation lift separated from stairways; storey divided into two refuges
NOTE. The doorset in the partition separating the two partsof the accommodation is required
in case access to the lift lobby is blocked by tire,
Cc) Evacuation lift separated from stairways; protected stairways used as refuges
Key:
_____________ 30 mm Iminimum) fire-resisting separation
FO 30S fire door
NOTE. The doorset may have one or two leaves and, dependent on its location, may be tingle or double action )twing).
— ——Partitioning for cellular planning
E Evacuation lift
NOTE. The lift landing doors should be FO 30 fire doors
Figure 3. Examples of refuges in buildings provided with evacuation lifts
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MS 1183: Part 8 :1990 (P)
fal Provision where access to the wheelchair space is in the same direction as the escape flow
within the stairway
Ib) Provision where access to the wheelchair space is counter so the escape flow within the
stairway
Key:
Wheelchair
Occupied by escape flow
Figure 4. Wheelchair spaces in protected stairways
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MS 1183:Part8:1990(P)
6.2 Recommendations. The following recommendations are applicable.
(a) Except in single storey buildings, a refuge should be provided for each protected stairway
on each storey, except storeys from which all storey exits are final exits and storeys consisting
exclusively of plant rooms in all buildings except buildings comprising not more than a basement, a
ground and a first storey, with the floor area of each storey 280 m2 or less, and in a single occupancy.
NOTE. Storey’ includes open areas to which the public or staff have access, such as a roof garden.
(b) Where a refuge is a compartment (see 2.2), it should be enclosed (other than any part
which is an external wall of a building) with fire-resisting construction.
(c) From each refuge there should be available a safe route to a final e~it.
(d) Each refuge should provide an area accessible to a wheelchair in which a wheelchairbound
person ban await assistance.
(e) Where a refuge is a protected stairway or protected lobby or protected corridor, the
wheelchair space should not reduce the width of the escape route. Where the wheelchair space is
within a protected stairway, access to the wheelchair space should not obstruct the flow of persons
escaping. -
SECTION THREE. VERTICAL ESCAPE
7. GENERAL
It should be emphasized that this code does not recommend that evacuation lifts should be provided
in all buildings; the provision of an evacuation lift reduces the need to provide physical assistance for
the evacuation of disabled occupants by way of stairways.
Although all lift may have been used for movement from storey to storey in the building as a matter of
course, use of a lift during an outbreak of fire should only be considered where suitable safeguards are
incorporated in both the building structure and the lift engineering system. Even with these safeguards,
there will remain some risk that the lift may be; or may become, defective (e.g. if the lift motor fails or
if there is smoke within the lift well), or they may be some delay in its arrival. It is therefore important
that a disabled person, having reached a refuge, should have access to a stairway which could be used
as a last resort if conditions in the refuge become untenable. Furthermore, where access to a suitable
lift is cut off because of the position of the fire, a stairway in another part of the building may be used
to descend to a storey below from whence it may be safe to take the lift to final exit level.
For these reasons it is essential that the use of stairways is considered even in buildings provided with
an evacuation lift.
15
a
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
8. STAIRWAYS
8.1 Commentary. It is accepted in this code that a suitable lift may be used in an emergency.
Nevertheless, for the evacuation of disabled people, it is essential that the design of escape stairways
is considered as they will be the sole means.of escape in buildings not provided with an evacuation lift,
there will be the need for recourse to a stairway in the event of a lift failure, and they may be the limited
use of stairs to accomplish minor changes of level.
For disabled people the important features of stairway design are:
(a) the going of the treads;

(b) the rise of the steps;
(c) hand rails, both in number and section;
(d) dimensions of landings (see also clause 6);
(e) width of the stairway
To be reasonably safe, people who are unsteady on their feet need to be able to stand firmly on any
step with their feet square to the nosing. Advice on the design of stairs and handrails is given in BS
5395 and, for disabled people, in BS 5810 If escape will be in an upward direction, the rise should not
.
exceed 180 mm.
Although wheelchair stairlifts are suitable for access, they should not be used as a means of escape.
Wheelchair stairlifts ought not to be installed within means of escape stairways unless that is the only
practical option for providing access for disabled people to upper floors. In such situations, it is
essential that the stairway width required for means of escape is maintained beyond the incursion into
the stairway width of any fixed part of the stairlift, such as its carriage rail. Elsewhere, for instance in
other parts of an escape route, regard will need to be paid to the space taken up by other parts of the
installation, such as its power unit and the stairlift itself, when in its closed state.
Visually handicapped persons will be able to use stairways more easily if stair nosings are colour
contrasted. Similarly handrails should be colour ‘contrasted to their supporting walls, and the provision
of tactile thresholds at the head and foot of each flight is useful. It is also suggested that at each storey
other than the final exit storey(s), handrails should be marked with a vertical arrow identifying the
direction of the nearest final exit storey. Handrails at the final exit storey shold be marked ‘EXIT’. The
markings on the handrail should be either on the top face or on the face adjacent to the wall, shouId~
be vertically above the nosing nearest the storey landing, and should be raised at least 3 mm above the
handrail surface, with the letters or arrows having a thickness of approximately 5 mm and a height not
less than 25 mm.
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MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
8.2 Recommendations. The following recommendations are applicable.
(a) Within a protected stairway the handrail(s) should be essentially continuous.
(b) All handrails should be of such dimension and sufficiently clear of walls to afford a firm
grasp to those who need them for support (see BS 5810
(c) Wheelchair stairlilts should not be used as a means of esape. Wheelchair stairlifts that are
provided for access should not be located within means of escape stairways unless the effective width
of the stairway will equal or exceed the width required for means of escape, having regard to the
permanent incursion into the width of the stairway of any part of the stairlift installation.
9. RAMPS
9.1 Commentary. Ramps can be a useful alternative to stairways and, to a lesser extent, to
lifts. Their disadvantage is that they take up a great deal of space and for this reason are frequently
impracticable. The gradient of a ramp requires careful consideration. Some ambulant disabled people
can find a steep slope difficult to climb. The safe control of descent of a wheelchair can equally be a
problem.
Handrails to ramps should be colour contrasted to adjacent vertical surfaces, and the provision of tactile
thresholds at the top and bottom of ramps will identify the change of level to visually handicapped
people.
9.2 Recommendation. Any ramp provided should comply with the relevant recommendations
given in BS 581 0* and should be provided with signs identifying the change of level.
10. LIFTS
10.1 Commentary. Unlike a normal passenger lift, it is essential that a lift which is to be used
as a means of evacuation for disabled people is able to continue to operate with a reasonable degree
of safety when there is a fire in the building. Although it is not necesssary to provide a lift for the
evacuation of disabled people, a firefighting lift (which is provided principally for the use of the fire
service in fighting fires) may be used for the evacuation of disabled persons prior to the arrival of the
fire service, which will then assume responsibility for the evacuation of any remaining persons. Liaison
with the fire authority to coordinate procedures for the use of a firefighting lift for evacuation of disabled
persons in case of fire is essential.
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MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
An acceptable alternative means of evacuation for disabled persons requiring assistance is a passenger
lift with the same structural protection against fire as a protected stairway, a duplicated power supply
so that electrical faults resulting from the fire ought not to prevent the operation of the evacuation lift,
and a switch enabling authorized persons to take control (see A3). Such lifts may be used in the, normal
way by occupants of the building, but it is’ essential that they are readily available for the evacuation of
disabled people in time of need; they ought not therefore to be used as goods lifts. Evacuation lifts
need to be provided with refuges for the safety of those persons awaiting escape by using the lift.
Evacuation lifts which serve to storeys only need not be provided with a switch enabling management
to take control of the lift at any time, nor need they be provided with a communications system.
Hydraulic lifts serving two storeys only, the lower of which contains a final exit, need not be provided
with an alternative power supply as it is a relatively simple procedure to lower the lift car to the lower
level if the power fails.
10.2 Recommendations.
10.2.1 General. Any lift provided for the evacuation of disabled persons should be either a
firefighting lift or an evacuation lift.
10.2.2 Firefighting lifts. A firefighting Uft, and its associated firefighting lobbies and firefighting
stairway, should comply with BS 5588:Part 5
10.2.3 Evacuation lifts. The following recommendations are applicable.
(a) An evacuation lift should comply with the relevant recommendations in BS 5810*.
(b) An evacuation lift should comply with the recommendations of BS 5655:Part 1 or Part 2
or requirements of the relevant authorities.
(c) An evacuation lift should be situated within a protected enclosure consisting of the lift well
itself and a protected lobby at each storey served by the lift, and should be provided with a protected
route from the evacuation lift lobby at the final exit level to a final exit.
(d) Except for lifts serving two storeys only, evacuation lifts should be provided with a switch
clearly marked ‘evacuation lift’ and situated adjacent to the lift landing door at the final exit storey. This
switch should cause the evacuation lift to return to the final exit storey, and should isolate the lift landing
call controls; the evacuation lii 6 should then operate only in response to the lift car control panel, and
the communication system provided should be in operation (see A3).
Management may wish to prevent the unauthorized operation of the switch by the use of a key operated
switch or by placing the switch in glass-fronted box.
~TheMalaysian Standard version is under Preparation.
18
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
(e) The primary electrical supply should be obtained from a.sub-main circuit exclusive to the
lift and independent of any other main or sub-main circuit; other lifts in the same well may be fed from
the same primary supply, provided that the supply is adequate for this purpose and that arrangements
are such that a fault occurring in any other lift in that well or the power supplies thereto will not affect
in any way the operation of the evacuation lift.
(f) Except for hydraulic lifts serving two storeys only, the lower of which contains a final exit,
an alternative power supply independent of the main power supply to the building should be provided,
such as an automatically started generator. The cables transmitting the alternative power supply should
be separated from those of the primary supply and routed through areas of low fire risk, or should be
physically protected so that a breakdown, or any cause of a breakdown, on one cable cannot lead to
simultaneous failure of the other supply. Any power switches or isolators should be clearly identified
and labels should be provided at the main switchboard and at the alternative power supply indicating
the presence and location of the other supply. ‘
(g) Any electrical sub-station, distributin board, generator, hydraulic pump or other apparatus
should be protected from the action of fire in the building for a period not less than that specified for
the enclosing structure of the evacuation lift installation and in accordance with the general principles
of structural fire protection for a lift machine room.
19
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
SECTION FOUR: CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE WARNING SYSTEMS
11. CONSTRUCTIONS OF REFUGES AND EVACUATION LIFT ENCLOSURES
NOTE. The construction of enclosures to firefighting lifts is covered in BS 5588: Part 5~.
11.1 Fire resistance
11.1.1 Commentai’y. For the purposes of complying with the recommendations of this code, a
30 mm period of fire resistance is generally considered adequate. However, increased periods of fire
resistance may be necessary to comply with building regulations for structural fire protection.
Satisfactory performance of fire resistance of structural elements is ascertained by compliance with one
of the following:
(a) specifications tested, or assessed, under the appropriate Part of BS 476;
NOTE. Requirements made in connection with statutory provisions may still refer to BS 476:Part 8, although it has been
superseded by BS 476:Parts 20, 21, 22 and 23 with the tests relevant to loadbearing elements published in Part 21, and those
for non- loadbearing elements in Part 22; glazed elements are non- loadbearing and hence are tested in accordance with Part
22.
The criterion of stability’ has been replaced by the criterion of ioadbearing capacity’; however, in line
with ‘international pratice, non-loadbearing elements tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 22 are
assessed only for integrity and insulation.
(b) appropriate Malaysian Standard specifications or codes of practice; or
(c) . specifications referred to under building by-laws.
11.2.1 Recommendations. Fire resistance, where recommended in this code, should be taken
(in the absence of any recommendation to the contrary) as requiring not less than a 30 mm period of
fire resistance, and implies the following:
(a) for walls and partitions equal compliance for integrity and insulation from either side and
compliance for Ioadbearing capacity where approprite;
(b) for glazed elements equal compliance for the appropriate criteria from either side (see
11.3.2);
(c) for doors, compliance for integrity from either side, except in the case of doors to lift wells,
where performance is in respect of exposurre of the landing side only.
20
MS 1183 : Part 8: 1990 (P)
11.2 Fire doors
11.2.1 Commentary. The performance of a fire door when tested in accordance with BS 476:Part
22 is judged by its time to failure (in minutes) for both the criteria of integrity’ and ‘insulation’;
regulations and codes of practice do not normally specify any performance for insulation.
For the purposes of this code, fire doors are designated by reference to their required performance (in
minutes) for integrity only, e.g. a reference to FD 30S implies that the door in that situation should
achieve not less than thirty minutes integrity when tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 22 whilst
retarding the passage of smoke at ambient temperature.
Any reference to performance when tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 22 is for the purposes of this
-code only. Depending upon circumstanes, a higher performance may be necessary to satisfy building
by-laws or insurance requirements for structural fire protection.
Ill-chosen self-closing devices can make fire doors virtually impassable to some disabled people;
however, it is not possible at present to give more specific recommendations. It should be noted that
although a fire door may be held open (using a device with an automatic release mechanism) during
normal usage, during a fire evacuation the door closer would be operative.
11.2.2 Recommendations. The following recommendations are applicable.
(a) (1) Doors (except lift landing doors) protecting openings in refuges or enclosures to
evacuation lifts should be FD 30S fire doors.
(2) Lift landing doors to evacuation lifts should be FD 30 fire doors.
(b) Fire doors required to resist the passage of smoke at ambient temperature conditions (i.e.
those referred to in item (a) (1), should be fitted with a flexible edge seal.
(c) Fire doors (except lift landing doors (see item (e)), or doors to a cupboard or service duct,
(see item (f)) should be fitted with a self-closing device (other than rising butt hinges) that:
(1) should be of a type that cannot readily be disconnected or immobilized and does not
embody a stand-open action, i.e. it is not possible to cause the door to remain open for more than 90
s, unless it is provided with a hold open system (see item (g));
(2) should override any latches fitted to the door(s); or in the absence of a suitable latch or
other positive device for holding the door shut in its frame, should be of a type that has been shown by
test in accordance with BS 476:Part 8 or Part 22 to be capable of holding the door closed in the frame
for a sufficient period of time for the closing role to be taken over by a thermally activated sealing device
(such as an intumescent seal), or throughout the full period of exposure if such seals are not
incorporated.
21
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
(d) Unless shown to be satisfactory when tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 8 or Part 22,
no part of a hinge on which any fire door is hung, and that provides the sole means of support at the
hanging edge, should be made either of combustible material or of non-combustible material having a
melting point of less than 800°C.
(e) Lift landing doors to evacuation lifts should be automatic doors.
(f) A fire door or a cupboard or service duct, in lieu of being self-closing, should have means
to enable it to be kept locked shut when not in use and be so marked on the outside with the
appropriate sign complying with BS 5499:Part 1.
(g) Except for doors to firefighting lobbies, to fire-fighting stairways or to the only protected
stairway in a building or part of a building, means of holding any fire door open or of overriding the self-
closing device may be provided by a hold open system incorporating an automatic release mechanism
complying with BS 5839:Part 3. The automatic release mechanism should release the door to close
automatically in the event of each or any of the following:
(1) the detection of smoke by suitable automatic apparatus;
(2) failure of the power supply;
(3) operation of the manual fire alarm system or automatic fire alarm system;
(4) if the facility is provided, manual operation at a central control point.
Such doors should be suitably marked on both sides, at about eye level, with the approprite sign
complying with BS 5499:Part 1.
(h) Any fire door (except one referred to in items (f) or (g) should be marked on both sides,
at about eye level, with the appropriate sign complying with BS 5499:Part 1 to the effect that it should
be kept closed when not in use.
(i) Door handles and other operating ironmongery should be simple to grip and operate.
(I) Door should be fitted only with simple fastenings that can be operated from the escape side
of the door without the use of a key, subject to any provisions acceptable to the enforcing authority for
the purposes of security. Doors should not be secured by any type of fastening which requires special
knowledge or the reading of instructions to open.
NOTE. This is not intended to prohibit the use of panic bolt/latch fastenings and ‘push (bar) to Open’ notices.
(k) Where doors on escape routes are required to be self- closing, closers should not have
significantly more force than is necessary to close (and latch) the door effectively. Latches, in turn,
should be selected and fitted so as not to require an unreasonable closing force.
22
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
11.3 Glazed elements
11.3.1 Commentary. Partitions, doors and windows, containing traditional annealed wired glass
based on soda-lime-silica, although possibly able to satisfy the requirements of the appropriate Part of
BS 476 for periods of up to 90 mm in terms of integrity, nevertheless permit local high heat transmission
and radiation through the glass and so are unable to satisfy the requirements for insulation for more
than a few minutes. Such heat transmission and radiation can constitute a hazard to people escaping
nearby and could ignite adjacent combustible materials. Unwired ‘glass’ products able to satisfy the
requirement for integrity are available, and some products provide ‘insulation’ for at least 30 mm.
The type of glazed element permitted in a fire-resisting construction depends on whether either:
(a) the glazed element should afford the same protection as the remainder of the enclosure
in which it is situated; or
(b) it is only necessary for the glazed element to afford protection against the passage of
flames and hot gases.
11.3.2 Recommendation. Glazed elements that are fire resistant in terms of integrity only should
be used only in positions 1.1 m or more above floor level.
NOTE. The recommendations given in BS 6262 should also be followed. These recommendations may impose further
restrictions on the position, size and composition of glazed elements.
12. FIRE WARNING SYSTEMS
In the event of fire it is essential that all the occupants of the building are alerted as speedily as possible.
This will normally require the provision of a fire alarm system. The process of evacuation is most
commonly inititated when a person perceives a fire and operates a manual call point, or if he is unable
to take this essential action, informs someone who can. Alternatively an automatic fire detector may
initiate the alarm.
In buildings with a fire alarm system that includes sufficient manual calLpoints, sounders and perhaps
automatic fire detectors, raising the alarm should not pose any difficulty. However, there are buildings,
particularly small premises, where an electrical alarm system may not be necessary, or at most a simple,~
manually operated, mechanical or electrical device to give the alarm suffices. The measure of need
depends on whether or not an evacuation can be started without undue delay and each building should
be individually assessed against the overall objectives of this code. Arrangements other than, or
additional to, conventional alarm sounders may be used in many buildings to warn occupants of fire,
e.g. announcements over loudspeakers.
23
MS 1183 : Part 8 :1990 (P)
In buildings not normally open to the public at large, e.g. workplaces, the management may consider
that the arrangement most suited and convenient to disabled people is a two-stage alarm system with
a separate evacuation signal and limited first stage evacuation. This gives disabled people an
opportunity to move before the congestion is likely to arise in general evacuation, and has obvious
advantages for all concerned. It should be stressed, however, that the case for a two-stage alarm,
whether or not used in conjunction with phased evacuation of a building, cannot be dictated solely by
the needs of disabled people. The most important factor should be whether it is safe and desirable for
all occupants of the building to adopt such a procedure. In practice, however, the structural
arrangements recommended in this code for the safety of disabled people are frequently the same
arrangements which would support theadoption of two-stage fire alarms and phased evacuation as a
matter of course.
Any fire alarm system installed for the majority of building users and complying with BS 5839:Part 1*
should also be suitable for disabled people. However, in certain circumstances provisions additional to
the recommendations given in BS 5839:Part 1 may be desirable and these are discussed in A5. In
general, aurally handicapped people will be able to perceive an audible alarm signal or be alerted by
other occupants. However, in a minority of situations, visual alarm signals may need to be provided,
which should be the subject of consultation with the fire authority (see 9.7 of BS 5839:Part 1:1988).
*The Malaysian Standard version is under preparation
24
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
Appendix A
Advice to management
Al. PROCEDURES IN CASE OF FIRE
Fire procedures should be pre-planned by persons having control of buildings, in consultation with the
fire authority. Planning should have regard to the needs of all occupants. It is essential to identify the
needs of disabled people and to make proper arrangements for their assistance.
The importance of training staff in the implementation of the procedures in case of fire cannot be
overstated. All staff who could be expected to aid the evacuation of disabled persons should receive
training from a competent person, based on written instructions, on appointment and at least once, and
preferably twice, in each period of 12 months.
A practice fire drill in which at least one person in a wheelchair is assisted to a place of safety should
be carried out at least once a year. If members of the public are to be on the premises during the
practice, the fire brigade should be informed of the intention and asked to cooperate in the exercise.
It is neither possible nor desirable for this code to suggest which procedure should be adopted in any
particular circurristance. Circumstances will vary as to the needs of disabled people and whether their
relationship with the building is a continuing or a transient one. For example, in workplaces, there will
be a long- term relationship between disabled people and the building, but in shops and other places
of assembly open to the public the advantages of such a relationship will not exist to the same extent.
Management should encourage persons with disabilities that would prevent their responding to an alarm
of fire to make themselves known; this is particularly important in situations where there is a sleeping
risk, such as hotels.
Evacuation procedures for disabled persons should start immediately a fire is detected in the building,
with the exception of health care premises where only those at immediate risk, i.e. those in the area
affected by the fire, need be moved. The reason for phasing evacuation in this way is that in health care
premises it may be possible to avoid the medical risk of moving patients further than is absolutely
necessary, and hopefully to avoid the problems and delays of movement of patients using stairs and/or
lifts. In all cases it will ensure that those at greatest immediate risk receive the priority attention.
In buildings where a two-stage fire alarm system is used in conjunction with a phased or partial
evacuation, the evacuation of all disabled persons in the building should normally commence on the
sounding of the initial alert. The first phase of evacuation may initially be confined to the movement to
a suitable refuge of those immediately at risk, with movement towards final exits of disabled occupants
in areas in which an alert signal has been sounded following without waiting for the evacuation signal
to be sounded; whether disabled persons in such areas should remain in refuges, or should be
evacuated to a place of safety, will depend on the circumstances at the time of the fire. Having reached
the safety of a refuge prior to vertical movement, it will be necessary to ensure that disabled people do
not obstruct the movement of others.
25
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
When planning fire procedures it should be recognized that phasing vertical movement may be
necessary for a number of reasons, for example:
(a) where the need to evacuate a storey is urgent, and there are not enough people available
to assist those disabled persons requiring assistance;
(b) where the physical effort required dictates a need for respite during the evacuation;
(c) where obstruction to other occupants of the building makes it necessary to leave the
stairway for a short time. ‘
A2. TECHNIQUES FOR THE EVACUATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE DOWN (OR UP)
STAIRWAYS
In a fire some disabled people may need assistance to reach a final exit.
Blind people can best be guided on level surfaces by taking a helper’s arm and following. On stairways
the helper should descend first and the blind person follow with a hand on the helper’s shoulder. If a
blind person is accompanied by a guide dog, he should be asked how best he can be helped. Some
guide dogs may follow on their owner’s command but generally, it a helper is leading a blind person,
the guide dog should be held by the leash, rather than the harness.
Whilst many disabled people will be able to descend (or ascend) a stairway, possibly with assistance,
others wil need to be carried; it is generally preferable for a wheelchairbound person to be carried in
their own chair.
A3. MANAGEMENT OF EVACUATION LIFTS
Any lift to be used for the evacuation of disabled people should be either an evacuation lift or a
firefighting lift and should be operated under the direction and control of management using an agreed
evacuation procedure. It is important that only disabled people rely on a lift in case of fire and essential
that the lift car is taken only to those levels where a disabled person is in need of assistance, i.e: the
evacuation or firefighting lift car control should be switched on so that the lift car iws under opertor
contol because of delays which would arise if the lift remained on normal passenger service with calls
registered at (and answered to) many landings.
To make effective use of such a system, it is necessary to designate a number of senior staff (and
deputies to cover for absence of designated staff) capable of carrying out the necessary duties such that
sufficient staff would be readily available to undertake the designated duties quickly and efficiently at all
times during which the building is occupied. The evacuation procedure for disabled people should be
commenced at the first warning of fire. In premises where there is a two- stage fire warning system, this
may be on the sounding of the ‘alert’ or ‘first-stage’ alarm.
26
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
Except in two storey buildings, some form of communications sytem should be provided to enable the
rapid and unambiguous identification of those storeys with disabled persons requiring evacuation, and
the relaying of this information to the person operating the evacuation of firefighting lift car: Such a
system may consist of a control sited at each lift landing linked to the lift car call indicators; requests
may be made to the person controlling the evacuation, using visual indicators, or by telephone, and then
relayed to the lift operator by telephone; or a communications system, using personal radio transceivers.
Whichever system is adopted should, however, be in accordance with th’e recommendations outlined
in the first sentence of this paragraph.
Staff immediately available at the final exit level (possibly security or reception staff) should be
designated and trained as evacuation lift operators. They should operate the switch to recall the lift car
and should then commence to evacuate disabled people in sequence, firstly from the fire floor, next from
all floors above the fire floor and, finafly, from those floors below the fire floor. At final exit level help
should be available to assist disabled passengers from the lift thus permitting a rapid vacation of the carr
and avoiding congestion near final exits.
In an evacuation lift fails to arrive at a landing, or access to it at any level is obstructed by the fire, it will
be necessary to use a stairway. If it is still safe to use the lift, it may only be necessary to descend to
the storey below using the stairway and from there continue the descent by lift. It is therefore necessary
to consider the best method of negotiating stairs and some practice may be necessary; information on
the evacuation of disabled persons down or up stairways is given in A2.
When the fire brigade arrive, the officer in charge should be briefed by the senior member of staff
coordinating the evacuation on both the position and circumstances of the fire and the progress of the
evacuation. Subsequent priorities for use of a firelighting lift will then be decided by the fire brigade.
Fire procedures should not include the isolation of electrical circuits supplying energy to the lift
installation nor to associated lighting, communications and ventilation systems. The procedures should
be agreed with all parties concerned or who have relevant responsibilities, and the approval of the fire
authority and any other authority with a statutory interest is essential.
The duties of senior staff, to be undertaken immeditely on receipt of a fire alert signal, should include
the following.
(a) An operator nominated to take control of the lift should operate the evacuation lift or
firefighting lift switch, and
(1) determine the storey and part of the building indicated as the location of the fire;
(2) determine the storeys at which disabled people are awaiting assistance;
(3) take control of the lift and proceed to move disabled people to the final exit level.
27
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
(b) Senior staff should ensure that:
(1) any disabled people oh the floor for which they are responsible move to the designated
place of refuge (lift lobby etc.) to await the lift;
(2) the person controlling the operation of the evacuation or firefighting lift is aware that a
disabled person is waiting for the lift.
Unless a different order has been agreed with the fire authority, evacuation should normally be in the
following order:
(i) the fire floor;

(ii) the floor immediately above the fire floor;
(iii) other floors above the fire floor starting at the top storey;
(iv) . all remaining floors.
It should be appreciated, however, that the actual fire conditions may necessitate changes in the
planned sequence.
Disabled people should themselves take what positive actions they can towards immediate evacuation.
Other occupants should also render what assistance they can. This applies even in circumstances
where a two-stage alarm system is used and total evacuation is not a general rule.
.A4. EXAMPLES OF FIRE PLANT STRATEGIES IN BUILDINGS PROVIDED WITH EVACUATION

LIFTS
A4.1 Figures. Examples of satisfactory means of escape are illustrated in figures 3 and 5.
However, the figures are intended to clarify concepts, and should not be taken as indicating the only
acceptable forms of planning.
A4.2 Cellular planning with lobby protected stairways
A4.2.1 Structural protection. Each lift and stairway is protected from fire in the accommodation
by two fire doors and may be used from any level (see figute 5(a)).
A4.2.2 Evacuation sequence. The recommended evacuation seqwence is as follows.
(a) Disabled people move to either lift lobby to await the lift.
(b) The designated lift operator collects disabled people and takes them to the final exit level.
28
MS 1183:PartB: 1990(P)
(c) If the lift lobby becomes untenable before the lift arrives:
(1) the disabled people are assisted to a lower floor by way of the adjacent stairway; and
(2) disabled people await the lift ata lower level, or if the lift has failed or is unsafe to use,
progressive movement is continued down the stairway towards the final exit level.
A4.2.3 Communications. The following procedures should be carried out.
(a) Sound the alarm and commence the evacuation.

(b) , Pass any necessary information about disabled people requiring evacuation to the person
controlling the evacuation.
A4.3 Open storey planning with stairways without lobby protection
A4.3.1 Structural protection. The wall separating the two compartments is needed to ensure a
safe route between the lift lobby and the storey exit; the (non-fire) compartment so formed also acts as
a refuge (see figure 5(b)).
A4.3.2 Evacuation sequence. The recommended evacuation sequence is as follows.
(a) Disabled people move to the lift lobby to await the lift.
(c) If the lift lobby becomes untenable before the lift arrives, the following should be carried
out.
(1) The disabled people move to positions outside the door to the stairway in the non-fire
compartment, to await assistance in moving to a lower floor.
NOTE. The non-fire compartment is also a refuge.
(2) Disabled people await the lift at a lower level, or if the lift has failed or is unsafe to use,
(b) Pass any necessary information about disabled people requiring evacuation to the person
controlling the evacuation~
29
MS 1183: Part 8:1990 (P)
A4.4 Single stairway building
A4.4. 1 Structural protection. The accommodation on each floor comprises a single compartment;
the lift and stairway is protected from fire in the’accommodation by two fire doors and may be used
from any level (see figure 5(c)).
A4.4.2 Evacuation sequence. The recommended evacuation sequence is as follows:
(a) Disabled people move to the lift lobby to await the lift.
(c) If the lift lobby becomes untenable before the lift arrives:
(1) The disabled people are assisted to a lower floor by way of the adjacent stairway; and
(2) Disabled people await the lift at a lower level, or if the lift has failed or is unsafe to use,
(b) Pass any necessary information about disabled people requ,iring evacuation to the person
controlling the evacuation.
A5. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
A5.1 General. Conventional fire alarm equipment and systems may not always be entirely
satisfactory in certain circumstances for disabled people, or in buildings designed for occupation by
disabled persons. Whilst in the majority of these circumstances or buildings management systems will
adequately cover the raising of a fire alarm and the warning of occupants, in a minority of buildings or
circumstances it may be necesssary to make alternative provisions.
30
Figure 5.
Exa~pLes of fire plan strategies
in buildings
provided with evacuation
Lifts
0
-7
55
0
U,
z
MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)
A5.2 Manual call points. The recommendations given in BS 5839:Part 1* for the number and
siting of manual call points should be adequate for the speedy initiation of the fire signal in most
premises. However, consideration should be given to the following if the alarm would need to be
initiated by a disabled person:
(a) the provision of an automatic fire detection systems;
(b) a reduction in the spacing between manual call points to compensate for delays in
operation because of the limited mobility of occupants; -
(c) the provision of alternative manually operated switching devices (e.g. ceiling cord switches,
etc.) additional to those recommended in BS 5839:Part 1 where operation of manual call points is likely
,
to be difficult or seriously delayed because of the occupants’ disabilities.
A5.3 Fire signals. Perhaps the most commonly recognized difficulty in this respect is that
experienced by those with impaired hearing. However, it should be stressed that impairment of hearing
in no way means that a person is completely insensitive to sound. Many people with severe impairment
have sufficiently clear perception of some types of conventional audible alarm signals to require no
special provision. Where this is not the case, in most situations there will be people about who can alert
those with impaired hearing to the nered for evacuation, and it will be reasonable to rely upon these
others to provide the necessary warning.
In certain specialized situations, such as premises specifically for the deaf, alternative types of alarm
signal may be necessary, for example lights, paging systems, vibrating devices or sound signals within
carefully selected frequency bands.
Careful consideration is necessary when selecting an alarm warning device and tests will often be
necessary before a final decision is made. It is essential that the warning signal is suitable for those
whom it is intended to alert even, if necessary, when they are asleep. Unwanted effects of any alarm
signal should also be considered. Examples of unwanted side-effects which should be avoided as far
as is practicable include the following: levels or frequencies of sound signals which cause severe
discomfort, approaching actual pain, to the ears Of people with both normal and impaired hearing;
warning sounders which obliterate the other sounds, echos, or reflections which blind people use to aid
their movements; sound signals which make spoken communications, especially the giving and receiving
of instructions or requests for assistance, difficult if not
impossible; and certain frequencies in flashing/stroboscopic light-sytems which can cause confusion,
disorientation and, in some people, epileptic fits. -
Many of these problems will be more common where people are very old or mentally confused and
there are many medical conditions which may affect individual reactions whatever type of alarm device
is adopted. All that can usefully be achieved within the terms of this code is to alert those responsible
to the range of difficulties they may have to resolve.
~TheMalaysian Standard version is under preparation
32
MS 1183:Part8: 1990(P)
Appendix B
Application of the code to existing buildings
B1. GENERAL
Wherever possible the recommendations in the code should be followed although it is accepted that in
existing buildings it may not be possible to comply fully with the code. Alternative ways of meeting its
objecties should then be sought. Non- compliance with all the recommendations of the code should
not be used as grounds for excluding disabled people.
132. REFUGES
Refuges meeting the recommendations given in 6.2 exist in some buildings and can often be easily
created in others. Wherever refuges are provided the principles given in 6.1 should be followed even
if it is not possible to fully comply with the recommendations given in 6.2.
B3. STAIRWAYS
•Stairways should, as far as is possible, be in accordance with the recommendations given in clause 8.
134. RAMPS
Existing ramps should preferably have a slope of not more than 1 in 12. Much will depend upon the
people who have to use them and the assistance available. The best measure of acceptability will be
whether such gradients can be negotiated safely in a fire drill.
B5. LIFTS
The installation of a new lift in an existing building should be in accordance with the recommendations
given in clause 10 if the lift is to be used for the evacuation of disabled persons during a fire.
However, whilst there are established standards which specify dimensions of lift cars, the type and
position of landing and car controls etc. for different types of use (including facilities for the disabled),
it is impracticable to lay down detailed recommendations for existing lift installatios in this code. As with
other aspects of fire precautions, the circumstances of the particular case will dictate the needs, whether
it is for a bed lift in a hospital, or a lift in an office building that will accommodate one person in a
wheelchair including space for those rendering assistance.
33
MS 1183: Part 8:19,90 (P)
In existing buildings where the recommendations given in 10.2 cannot be met, it may be possible to
obtain the same measure of structural protection in other ways, for example, where more than one
enclosure is provided with a lift and the enclosure wall provides the necessary line of protection between
any fire and a lift. In such circumstances a reliable evacuation strategy and its management are of the
utmost importance to ensure that the safest lift is used (see appendix A).
There will be circumstanes. where it is difficult to assess the fire resistance of lift landing doors.
Imperforate steel panel doors are acceptable in the following circumstances:
(a) where the lift landing doors are not directly exposed to the effects of fire through the lobby
doorway to the accommodation;

(b) where the structure of the lift lobby, including its floor, is of non-combustible construction;
(c) where the lobby contains no significant fire load and its wall and ceiling linings would be
classified as class 1 if tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 7;
(d) where the lift car is of substantially non-combustible construction;
(e) where the power supply cable is protected from fire or is routed through areas of low fire
risk.
However, it is essntial that all existing lift installations used as evacuation lifts:
(1) are provided with an independent alternative power supply in accordance with 10.2.3(f);
or
(2) are hydraulic lifts, provided with a manually operated valve that allows the car to be lowered
to a lower storey in the event of a failure of the power supply, and which serve two storeys only, the
lower of which contains a final exit.
34
TANDA-TANDA STANDARD SIRIM
Tanda-tanda Standard SIRIM seperti yang tertera di bawah adalah tanda-tanda pengesahan dagangan
berdaftar. Tanda-tanda ml hanya boleh digunakan oleh mereka yang dilesenkan di bawah skim tanda
pengesahan yang dijalankan oleh SIRIM mengikut nombor Standard Malaysia yang berkaitan. Kewujudan
tanda-tanda mi pada atau berkaitan dengan sesuatu barangan adalah sebagai jaminan bahawa barangan
tersebut telah dikeluarkan melalui satu sistem penyeliaan, kawalan dan ujian, yang dijalankan semasa
pengeluaran. ni termasuk pemeriksaan berkala kerja-kerja pengeluar menurut skim tanda pengesahan SIRIM
yang dibentuk untuk menentukan bahawa barangan tersebut .menepati Standard Malaysia.
Keterangan—keterangan lanjut mengenai syarat-syarat Iesen boleh didapati dan:
Ketua Pengarah,
Institut Standard dan Penyelidikan Perindustrian Malaysia,
Persiaran Dato’ Menteri, Seksyen 2, Peti Surat 7035,
40911 Shah Alam.
Selangor.
SIRIM STANDARD MARKS

The SIRIM Standard Marks shown above are registered certification trade marks. They may be used only
by those licensed underthe certification marking scheme operated by SIRIM and in conjunction with the relevant
Malaysian Standard number. The presence of these Marks on or in relation to a product is an assurance that
the goods have been produced under a system of supervision, control and testing, operated during production,
and including periodical inspection of the producer’s works in accordance with the certification marking scheme
of SIRIM designed to ensure compliance with a Malaysian Standard.
Further particulars of the terms of licence may be obtained from:
Director-General,
Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia,
Persiaran Dato’ Menteri, Section 2, P.O. Box 7035,
40911 Shah Alam,
Selangor.
Dicetak dan diterbitkan oleh: Institut Standard dan Penyelidikan Perindustrian Malaysia.
Printed and Published by: Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia.
MS ISO 10202-6 : 1996
INSTITUT STANDARD DAN PENYELIDIKAN PERINDUSTRIAN MALAYSIA
Institut Standard dan Penyelidikan Perindustrian Malaysia (SIRIM) telah ditubuhkan hasil dari cantuman Institut
Piawaian Malaysia (SIM) dengan Institut Negara bagi Penyelidikan Sains dan Perusahaan (NISIR) di bawah
Undang-Undang Malaysia Akta 157 pada 16hb. September 1975:Akta Institut Standard dan Penyelidikan
Perindustrian Malaysia (Perbadanan) 1975. Institut ini diletakhak dengan kuasa untuk memamju dan
menjalankan penyelidikan perindustrian dan untuk menyedia dan memajukan standard-standard bagi barangan-
barangan, proses-proses, amalan-amalan dan perkhidmatan-perkhidmatan; dan bagi mengadakan peruntukan
bagi perkara-perkara yang bersampingan atau berkaitan dengan maksud-maksud itu.
Satu daripada tugas-tugas Institut ini adalah menyediakan Standard-Standard Malaysia dalam bentuk
penentuan-penentuan bagi bahan-bahan, keluaran-keluaran, kaedah-kaedah ujian, kod-kod amalan yang
sempurna dan selamat, sistem penamaan dan lain-lain. Standard-Standard Malaysia disediakan oleh
jawatankuasa-jawatankuasa perwakilan yang menyelaras keupayaan pengilang dan kecekapan pengeluaran
dengan kehendak-kehendak yang munasabah dari pengguna. Ia menuju ke arah mencapai kesesuaian bagi
maksud, memudahkan pengeluaran dan pengedaran, kebolehsalingtukaran gantian dan pelbagai pilihan yang
mencukupi tanpa pembaziran.
Standard-Standard Malaysia disediakan hanya setelah penyiasatan yang lengkap menujukkan bahawa sesuatu
projek itu disahkan sebagai yang dikehendaki dan berpadanan dengan usaha yang terlibat. Hasil ini berasaskan
persetujuan sukarela dan memberi pertimbangan kepada kepentingan pengeluar dan pengguna. Standard-
Standard Malaysia adalah sukarela kecuali is dimestikan oleh badan-badan berkuasa melalui peraturan-
peraturan, undang-undang persekutuan dan tempatan atau cara-cara lain yang sepertinya.
Institut ini beroperasi semata-mata berasaskan tanpa keuntungan. Ia adalah satu badan yang menerima bantuan
kewangan dari Kerajaan, kumpulan wang dari bayaran keahlian, hasil dari jualan Standard-Standard dan
terbitan-terbitan lain, bayaran-bayaran ujian dan bayaran-bayaran lesen untuk mengguna Tanda Pengesahan
SIRIM dan kegiatan-kegiatan lain yang berhubung dengan Penstandardan, Penyelidikan Perindustrian dan
Khidmat Perunding.
STANDARDS AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA
The Standard and Industrial research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) is established with the merger of the
Standards Institution of Malaysia (SIM) and the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR)
under the Laws of Malaysia Act 157 on 16th. September 1975: Standards and Industrial Research Institute of
Malaysia (Incorporation) Act 1975. The Institute is vested with the power to provide for the promotion and
undertaking of industrial research and for the preparation and promotion of standards for commodities,
processes, practices and services; and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with those purposes.
One of the functions of the Institute is to prepare Malaysian Standards in the form of specifications for materials
and products, methods of testing, codes of sound and safe practice, nomenclature, etc. Malaysian Standards are
prepared by representative committees which co-ordinate manufacturing capacity and production efficiency with
the user’s reasonable needs. They seek to achieve fitness for purpose, simplified production and distribution
replacement interchangeability, and adequate variety of choice without wasteful diversify.
Malaysian Standards are prepared only after a full enquiry has shown that the project is endorsed as a desirable
one and worth the effort involved. The work is based on voluntary agreement, and recognition of the community
of interest of producer and consumer. The use of Malaysian Standards is voluntary except in so far as they are
made mandatory by statutory authorities by means of regulations, federal and local by-laws or any other similar
ways.
The Institute operates entirely on a non-profits basis. It is a grant aided body receiving financial aid from the
Government, funds from membership subscriptions and proceeds from sales of Standards and other
publications, fees and licence fees for the use of SIRIM Certification Mark and other activities associated with
Standardization, Industrial Research and Consultancy Services.

MS - 1183 - 8 - 1990 - P - Fire Escape For Disable People

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MS - 1183 - 8 - 1990 - P - Fire Escape For Disable People

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MS ISO/IEC TR 10037 : 1995

SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN THE

STANDARDS & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA

The following references relate to the work on this standard:

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No. Date of issue Text affected

Section One: General

Section Two: Horizontal escape

Section Three: Vertical escape

Section Four: Construction and fire warning systems

11 Construction of refuges and evacuation lift enclosures 20

12 Fire warning systems 23

Ministry of Defence (Defence Science and Tehnology Centre)

Ministry of Labour and Manpower (Factories and Machinery Department)

Ministry of Trade and Industry (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority)

Ministry of Works and Utilities (Public Works Department)

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Encik M. Chelliah Bomba

Encik M. Chelliah Bomba

SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN THE DESIGN

SECTION ONE: GENERAL

The Malaysian Standard version is under preparation.

2.10 Non-combustible. Capable of satisfying the performance requirements specified in BS

2.11 Protected stairway/lobby/corridor. A stairway, including any exit passageway leading

3. USE OF THIS CODE

(c) segregation of higher fire risk areas;

hazard refuge vertical means of escape place of safety

Figure 1. Principles of evacuation

3.3 Relationship with statutory provisions

Fire Service Act 1988

Factories and Machinery Act

SECTION TWO: HORIZONTAL ESCAPE

5. HORIZONTAL ESCAPE ROUTES

~TheMalaysian Standard version is under preparation.

The following are examples of satisfactory refuges:

(a) an encIosure~such as a compartment, protected lobby, protected corridor or protected

Ib) Protected stairways used as refuges

Ic) Protected lobbies used as refuges

ED 30S fire door

Figure 2. Examples of refuges in buildings not provided with evacuation lifts

FO 30S fire door

Figure 3. Examples of refuges in buildings provided with evacuation lifts

Occupied by escape flow

Figure 4. Wheelchair spaces in protected stairways

6.2 Recommendations. The following recommendations are applicable.

SECTION THREE. VERTICAL ESCAPE

MS 1183: Part 8:1990(P)

For disabled people the important features of stairway design are:

(a) the going of the treads;

(b) the rise of the steps;

(c) hand rails, both in number and section;

(d) dimensions of landings (see also clause 6);

(e) width of the stairway

exceed 180 mm.

~TheMalaysian Standard version is under preparation.

8.2 Recommendations. The following recommendations are applicable.

(a) Within a protected stairway the handrail(s) should be essentially continuous.

~TheMalaysian Standard version is under preparation.

10.2.3 Evacuation lifts. The following recommendations are applicable.

~TheMalaysian Standard version is under Preparation.

SECTION FOUR: CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE WARNING SYSTEMS

11. CONSTRUCTIONS OF REFUGES AND EVACUATION LIFT ENCLOSURES

11.1 Fire resistance