SMG 07-005 Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code To Contractors 2021-11-25

Saudi Aramco
Safety Management Guide
Application of Saudi Aramco

Building Code to Contractor Camp
and Project Support Buildings
Guide Number 07-005
Table of Contents
1. Purpose.................................................................................................................. 1
2. Scope ................................................................................................................... ..1
3. References & Definitions ...................................................................................... ..1
4. Introduction .......................................................................................................... ..5
5. Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 6
6. Requirements of the Building Code Design Process ............................................ ..6
Supplement I: Summary Table of Single-story Building code Requirements ................. 30
Prepared by Loss Prevention
December 30, 2021
Responsible SME: Project Support Group Leader

Planned Next Revision: December, 2026
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code to
Contractor Camp and Project Support Buildings
CONDITIONS OF USE
No portion of this material may be reproduced, copied, or redistributed either electronically or by any other means
without the express written permission of Saudi Aramco.
This information is provided as a part of Saudi Aramco’s safety management program. The information contained
herein describes some of Saudi Aramco’s safe work practices. These work practices, however, may not be
applicable elsewhere. Saudi Aramco does not warrant the accuracy, thoroughness, or applicability of this
information and shall accept no responsibility or liability for any use of or reliance upon the information contained
herein. Saudi Aramco expressly waives all responsibility and liability for the use of this information and no
warranty is either implied or expressed.
This information is not to be modified from its current form and may not be offered for resale or other commercial
purposes without the express written permission of Saudi Aramco.
Retention of this material shall constitute acceptance on the part of any third-party to the Conditions of Use stated
herein.

Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code Guide Issue Date: December 30, 2021
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Safety Management Guide (SMG) is to define the Saudi Aramco Building Code
(SAES-M-100) requirements applicable to contractor camp and project support buildings. It is intended
to be used by engineers/architects in the design of contractor camp and project support buildings to ensure
safe, consistent and cost-effective designs. This guide provides a detailed explanation of building code
fire and life safety requirements. A quick reference table summarizing these requirements is provided in
Supplement I.
This guide covers major building code requirements, but does not address structural, plumbing,
mechanical, electrical, security or environmental/sanitary design requirements. Design
engineers/architects using this guide are responsible for knowing and properly applying the design
requirements of the standards referenced in the building code and this guide. If there is a conflict between
this guide and requirements stated in the codes and standards referenced in Section 3, the requirements
stated in the referenced codes and standards shall be followed.
2. SCOPE
2.1 This safety management guide is applicable to newly installed, relocated or renovated contractor
camp and project support buildings within Saudi Aramco (SA) facilities, on SA project sites and at
project support facilities covered under GI 298.010 or SA Land Use Permits, including seismic,
drilling and pipeline locations and laydown yards. This includes in-Kingdom contractor
camps/buildings (including private residential buildings) housing SA employees or
contractor/subcontractor personnel who perform operations, maintenance or capital project work
for SA.
2.2 The building code provisions for “temporary buildings” do not apply to contractor camp and project
support buildings. The building code identifies “temporary buildings” as buildings constructed for
temporary use, such as fabric structures used for tents. Contractor camp and project support
buildings are built of permanent construction and are intended to be used for many years and
relocated on an ongoing basis. This has been clarified in two separate technical responses to Saudi
Aramco by the authors of the International Building Code (IBC), which is adopted by SAES-M-
100.
3. REFERENCES & DEFINITIONS
References
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
ASTM International (ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials)

ASTM D2859, Test Methods for Ignition of Finished Textile Floor Covering Materials
ASTM E84, Test Methods for Surfaces Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ASTM E136, Test Methods for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace, 750oC
International Code Council (ICC)

2009 International Building Code (IBC)
2009 International Fire Code (IFC)
Guide Number 07-005 Page 1 of 36

Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code Date: December 30, 2021
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAES)

SAES-K-001, Design/Installation of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems
SAES-L-105, Piping Material Specifications
SAES-M-100, Saudi Aramco Building Code (SABC)
SAES-P-123, Lighting
SAES-S-040, Saudi Aramco Water Systems
Saudi Aramco General Instruction (GI)

GI 298.010, Administration Procedure of Contractor Camps/Parks and Construction Camps.
GI 1781.001, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment
Saudi Aramco Minimum Medical Standards Requirements Manual (MMSR)
Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 17A, Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems
NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
NFPA 24, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Appurtenances
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking
NFPA 253, Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a
Radiant Heat Energy Source
NFPA 1081, Standard for Industrial Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1961, Standard on Fire Hose
NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections
Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. (UL)

UL 217, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms
UL 268, Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems
UL 300, Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishing Systems for Protection of Commercial Cooking Equipment
UL 464, Audible Signal Appliances
UL 723, Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
UL 864, Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems
UL 1971, Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired
Definitions
For words or terms not defined in this guide refer to Chapter 3 of the IBC or Chapter 2 of the IFC.
3.1 Allowable Area: The maximum allowed area of a floor in a building, which is based on the tabular
values found in Table 503 of the IBC. These values are based on the building’s Occupancy Group
and Type of Construction, and are further modified as explained in Step 3 of the Building Code
Design Process described in Section 6 of this SMG.

3.2 Assembly (for construction): A combination of components, materials or parts used to form a single
system that has a specific fire-resistance rating. Assemblies must be tested in a furnace by an
internationally recognized testing laboratory to achieve a “listed” or “labeled” certification. This
listing is indicated by a certification number and the listed assembly must be installed exactly as
tested. Using only one component of an assembly in an unspecified manner will not achieve the
result of an assembly. Assembly when used in this context is different from Occupancy Group A,
“Assembly.” Examples of assemblies can include wall/floor/ceiling, doors, windows, firestopping
or other assembled component materials.
3.3 Building: For purposes of this guide, a building is an enclosed structure used or intended for
supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, such as a house, office building, maintenance shop,
warehouse, etc.
3.4 Class (for floor materials): A rating for floor materials indicating their potential for ignition as
determined by a floor radiant panel test. Floor materials are given either a Class I (more ignition
resistant) or a Class II (less ignition resistant) rating. See IBC Section 804.
3.5 Class (for wall and ceiling materials): A letter rating (A, B or C) indicating flame spread potential
for interior wall and ceiling finish materials. Class A materials have a flame spread index (FSI) in
the range of 0-25, Class B materials have a FSI in the range of 26-75, and Class C materials have a
FSI in the range of 76-200. See Chapter 8 of the IBC.
3.6 Combustible Materials: A material that is capable of burning. See the definition for Non-
Combustible Materials. Any material that does not meet the definition of non-combustible is
considered as combustible.
3.7 Contractor Camp (also called Construction Camp or Contractor Residential Park): Designated area
located on either private or Saudi Aramco controlled land used for residential accommodation of
contractor personnel working for Saudi Aramco, as well as Saudi Aramco direct personnel.
3.8 DOC-FF-1: A rating for floor materials indicating they do not have potential for ignition by a
burning cigarette, as per the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) FF-1-70 test. See Section 804
of the IBC.
3.9 Egress or Means of Egress (Exiting): A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and/or
horizontal egress (exiting) travel from any point in a building to a safe place outside and away from
the building. To egress from a building means to exit from a building.
3.10 Fire Department Connection (FDC): An inlet where firefighters can connect their fire hoses and
pump water into a building’s sprinkler and/or standpipe systems.
3.11 Fire-Resistive Rating (FRR) – The period of time (usually in hours) a material or construction
assembly maintains its integrity (ability to contain a fire) and/or its strength (structural support)
when exposed to a standard fire test.
3.12 Fire Separation Distance (FSD): The distance measured from the face of an exterior building wall
to a point between two buildings or the center of the street in front of the building. This distance is
measured perpendicular to the face of the exterior wall. The FSD is important to limit the spread
of fire from one building to the adjacent buildings.

3.13 Firestop: A passive fire protection system/assembly comprised of specific fire-rated components or
materials used to seal wall or floor openings (e.g., around the perimeter of conduit and other
penetrating items in a wall or floor).
3.14 Flame Spread Index (FSI): A number that relates to how fast flame spreads across the surface of a
material. The FSI is benchmarked to standard tests using concrete (FSI = 0, non-combustible) and
red oak wood (FSI = 100). Low FSI numbers indicate low flame spread rates and high FSI numbers
indicate fast flame spread rates. See Chapter 8 of the IBC.
3.15 Listed: Equipment, materials, construction products, building assemblies or services that are placed
on a list published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) that is an independent,
third-party testing organization acceptable to SA Loss Prevention (LP). Examples of listing
organizations can include Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual Global (FM Global),
Electrical Testing Labs (ETL SEMKO or Intertek), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or other
independent and internationally recognized testing laboratories. Independent third parties evaluate
equipment and components to acceptable standards (ASTM, UL, NFPA, ANSI); subsequent
marking indicates that the applicable standard(s) have been met. The CE mark is one that is applied
by the manufacturer or supplier, not an independent testing third party, and is not considered an
acceptable listing or labeling organization.
3.16 Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL): An independent, third-party testing facility
recognized as a primarily private sector organization that provide product safety testing and
certification services to manufacturers. The testing and certification are done to consensus-based
product safety test standards. These test standards are issued by standards organizations, such as the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In the US the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) publishes a list of NRTLs.
3.17 NFPA or the National Fire Protection Association: The NFPA is a standards development and
publication organization that produces a wide range of standards associated with fire safety and
system design.
3.18 Non-Combustible Materials: Materials tested according to ASTM E136 that do not ignite when
heated in a test furnace to 750oC (1,382oF) for 5 minutes. Coating or covering materials with a
thickness of 3.18 mm (0.125 an inch) or less and an ASTM E84 Flame Spread Index (FSI) of 50 or
less, may be applied to a structural base of non-combustible material and considered as non-
combustible (e.g., gypsum wallboard). Otherwise, this definition is not intended to apply to
laminated or coated materials that can separate in a fire and expose combustible surfaces (e.g., wood
sheathing with a non-combustible finish). It is also not intended to apply to materials that soften,
melt or flow under heated conditions (e.g., plastics). See Section 703.4 of the IBC.
3.19 Occupancy or Occupancy Group: A single letter designation in the IBC used to categorize the uses
of a building or any area within a building. Most contractor camp and project support buildings are
classified as either Group A, B, F, M, R, S or U, as follows:
• Group A (for “Assembly”): where people assemble or gather for activities, events or ceremonies
in larger groups of people.
• Group B (for “Business”): where people perform office, or service-type activities. Also
includes adult education.
• Group F (for “Factory-Industrial”): where industrial or plant operations occur.
• Group M (for “Mercantile”): where merchandise is displayed or sold.

• Group R (for “Residential”): where people live and sleep.

• Group S (for “Storage”): where materials are stored.
• Group U (for “Utility”): mechanical/electrical rooms and miscellaneous areas not classified
elsewhere.
3.20 Occupant Load (OL): The maximum number of people allowed per the IBC to use a floor or room
and is also used to determine egress/exiting design requirements. The OL is calculated by dividing
the area of a floor or room by the Occupant Load Factor (OLF) from Table 1004.1.1 of the IBC.
The total OL for a building is the sum of all room/area Occupant Loads.
3.21 Occupant Load Factor (OLF): The minimum area per person, which is based on the function or use
of the floor or room. See Table 1004.1.1 of the IBC.
3.22 Project Support Building: Habitable portable and/or fixed buildings that are provided for contractor,
subcontractor and/or Saudi Aramco personnel to support execution of project work associated with
a Saudi Aramco contract (e.g., site and project offices; storage, mechanical, security,
shower/toilet/hammam and recreation buildings; kitchen/dining/mess halls; medical/clinics).
3.23 Smoke Developed Index (SDI): A number (0-450) that relates the quantity of smoke a material
generates when it is burned. Low SDI numbers indicate low smoke generation and high SDI
numbers indicate high smoke generation. See Chapter 8 of the IBC.
3.24 Type of Construction: Designates the type of building materials allowed and used in the
construction of buildings:
• Type I (non-combustible, highly fire-resistive): where very little combustible material is
allowed and thicker fire-proofing is applied.
• Type II (non-combustible): where very little combustible material is allowed.
• Type III (combustible with non-combustible exterior walls): where most of the building is
constructed with combustible materials, but exterior walls are non-combustible.
• Type IV (combustible, heavy-timber): where building elements consist of very thick wood
material.
• Type V (combustible, stick-framed): where combustible wood framing and other combustible
materials are used.
Note: Descriptions of Type of Construction are further detailed in Section 602 of the IBC. For
example, an -A after the Type of Construction designation typically means that 1-hour fire rated
components are used, whereas a -B after the Type of Construction designation typically means non-
rated components are used.
Note: For words or terms not defined in this guide refer to Chapter 3 of the IBC or Chapter 2 of the
IFC.
4. INTRODUCTION
SAES-M-100, Saudi Aramco Building Code, adopts the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) as its
reference document. All technical requirements of SAES-M-100 come from the IBC with the exception
of specific IBC sections modified by SAES-M-100. The 2009 IBC applies to new construction of
buildings and any modifications/renovations or relocation of existing buildings. The IBC is a 675 page

book with building code requirements and contains no explanation of its requirements. Although other
handbooks and commentary books exist to explain the IBC, this SMG was written as a guide to explain
basic IBC requirements for designing camps for Saudi Aramco. This guide is only intended to explain
the critical design steps when using the IBC and not replace the IBC as a reference for all the requirements
for design and construction.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 Designers of contractor camps and project support buildings are responsible for knowing and
implementing codes and standards referenced in this SMG.
5.2 Saudi Aramco Area LP Department (ALPD) shall review and comment on design submittals based
on the quality, completion and coordination of the plans and specifications submitted.
5.3 Additional responsibilities for other SA organizations are outlined in GI 298.010. Project
Management and Community Services shall be responsible for informing contract designers of this
SMG and making it available to them. This SMG is posted on the Loss Prevention web page
(lp.aramco.com.sa) under References.
6. REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDING CODE DESIGN PROCESS
If there is a conflict between this guide and requirements stated in the codes and standards referenced in
Section 3, the requirements stated in the referenced codes and standards shall be followed.
6.1 Designing a building or multiple buildings on a site involves a step-by-step process which is
summarized below. The design examples are provided to aid the designer in understanding and
applying applicable parts of the code. These steps are as follows:
• Step 1: Identify the required facilities and buildings at the site, including the total floor areas
needed for each category of building.
• Step 2: Determine the Occupancy Group of each building, which is based on how the building
is used.
• Step 3: Determine the most economical Type of Construction for each building.
• Step 4: Determine if a sprinkler system is required for each building.
• Step 5: Determine the required number of buildings and stories/floor areas for each of building
based on the maximum number of floors and the maximum area of each floor allowed by the
IBC, which depends on whether or not the building is sprinklered.
• Step 6: Determine egress requirements for each building.
• Step 7: Develop building floor plans and elevations.
• Step 8: Determine which walls, ceilings, corridors, etc., in each building are required to be fire-
rated and the fire-resistive rating (FRR) for each.
• Step 9: Specify materials/assemblies for FRR walls, ceilings, corridors, etc., required to achieve
the needed FRR for each.
• Step 10: Define interior finish requirements.
• Step 11: Define design requirements for each building’s fire protection and alarm systems.
• Step 12: Define design requirements for the site fire water distribution system.

• Step 13: Develop site plot plan, which includes layout of the buildings, firewater availability
and fire system layout, vehicular and fire apparatus access roads, etc.
6.1.1 Step 1: Identify the required facilities and buildings at the site, including the total floor
areas needed for each category of building. See also additional requirements in the Saudi
Aramco Sanitary Code, especially Section 01, “Water”; Section 02, “Sanitary and
Wastewater Treatment”; Section 04, “Food Establishments”; and Section 07, “Camps and
Communal Living Facilities.”
6.1.2 Facilities and buildings at a site may include the following:
a) Accommodation/residential (sleeping) units (minimum 4.6 square meters [50 sq ft] per
person, prefer 6.5 square meters [70 sq ft] per person)
b) Office/administrative
c) Kitchens, dining/mess halls, other food service areas
d) Laundry, showers, toilets/hammams
e) Exercise, recreation and TV/video rooms, mosques, other assembly areas
f) Services/utilities, including fire/potable water distribution, utility support buildings and
storage tanks, power generators, distribution and fuel storage tanks (including
secondary containment)
g) Sanitary waste systems, sewage treatment facilities, solid waste landfill and temporary
waste storage areas
h) Maintenance/fabrication shops
i) Warehouse/storage/laydown yards
j) Clinic/medical facilities (see the MMSR manual)
6.1.3 Minimum floor/room area sizes are based on the number of people using the facility, see
Section 07 of the SASC and Table 6A in this section of the SMG.
6.1.4 Example minimum room areas for a 10,000 person camp:
a) A 10,000 person camp requires at least 10,000 x 4.6 m2/person (see Table 6A) = 46,000
square meters of accommodation/sleeping space.
Assuming two dining shifts, this camp would require at least 10,000/2 shifts x 1.39
m2/person (see Table 6A) = 7,000 square meters of total eating area in the dining/mess
hall building(s), excluding kitchen/serving/storage areas, offices, etc. NOTE: Section
1017.4 of the IBC contains additional requirements for minimum spacing between
tables/chairs and for aisles, which will result in additional eating area in excess of the
above 7,000 m2 minimum for the dining area.
b) If the cooking staff is 20 persons per kitchen, this means a total area of at least 20 x
18.58 m2/person (see Table 6A) = 372 square meters is required for the kitchen,
including serving/storage areas and offices within the kitchen.
c) Per Section 07 of the SASC, the number of shower stalls, urinals/toilets, and
washbasins required for this camp of 10,000 people is 1 fixture per 10 people =
10,000/10 = 1,000 each. The total minimum shower area required is 1,000 x 1.3
m2/shower (see SASC) = 1,300 square meters.

d) Assuming one-half of the total 1,000 urinals/toilets are toilet facilities (i.e., 500 toilets), with
a minimum area of 1.5 m2 (see SASC) results in 500 x 1.5 m2/toilet = 750 m2 total area
required for toilet compartments. The total area required for urinals and washbasin units are
similarly calculated (see SASC, Section 07).
6.2 Step 2: Determine the Occupancy Group of each building. See IBC Chapter 3, “Use and Occupancy
Classification”, for the details of the requirements.
6.2.1 The IBC has categorized buildings into specific Occupancy Groups. The majority of camp
and project support buildings are classified as either Group A, B, F, M, R, S or U. There
are sub-groups to these Occupancy Groups, as indicated below:
a) Group A (“Assembly”): where people gather for activities, events or ceremonies in
larger groups of people.
• Group A-1: Movie theaters.
• Group A-2: Dining/mess halls
• Group A-3: Exercise, recreation, mosque or other assembly buildings.
b) Group B (“Business”): Office buildings.
c) Group F (“Factory-Industrial”): Industrial or plant/utility operations.
d) Group M (“Mercantile”): Buildings with shops where merchandise is displayed or
sold.
e) Group R (“Residential”): where people live and sleep.
• Group R-2: Dormitory-type buildings where people sleep.
f) Group S (“Storage”): buildings with a maximum 3.66 meter (12 feet) storage height.
• Group S-1: Storage heights up to 3.66 meter (12 feet) for common combustible
items without significant amounts of plastics. This does not include storage of tires
or flammable/combustible liquids.
g) Group U (“Utility”): miscellaneous buildings, not classified elsewhere, such as pump
houses.
6.2.2 When all buildings are classified according to these Occupancy Group categories, the code
requirements in the IBC for each category can be identified (e.g., building areas, heights,
type of construction).
6.2.3 If significant quantities of hazardous materials are to be stored or used in any building,
contact the Saudi Aramco Area LP Department for further assistance in determining
applicable code requirements.
6.3 Step 3: Determine the Type of Construction for each building (e.g., Type II-B).
6.3.1 In general, the most economical Type of Construction for camp and project support
buildings is Type II-B. The “II” means only non-combustible materials may be used and,
“B” indicates the overall building structure is not required to have additional fire-resistive
rated (FRR) materials applied. However, FRR construction may be required to separate
some rooms from each other (see Step 8 below).

6.3.2 Compared to other Types of Construction, Type II-B portable buildings are more durable
when relocated, more resistant to harsh weather conditions, may eliminate the need for
sprinklers for Group R occupancies (see Step 4 below), and have reduced fire separation
distances (FSDs).
6.3.3 Types of Construction are further detailed in Section 602 of the IBC. Section 603 of the
IBC also provides details regarding limitations on the amount of combustible materials that
may be used for trim and other purposes in Type II-B construction.
6.4 Step 4: Determine if a sprinkler system is required for each building.
6.4.1 Occupancy-related fire sprinkler requirements are provided in Section 903 of the IBC and
engineering design requirements are listed in NFPA 13.
6.4.2 There are several incentives in the IBC and International Fire Code (IFC) to install fire
sprinkler systems in buildings, including allowing larger buildings and decreased capacity
of fire water systems. For example, Table B105.1 in Appendix B of the IFC limits the size
of a Type II-B building without a fire sprinkler system to a maximum of 548 square meters
(5,900 square feet). When the building has a fire sprinkler system, Appendix B allows a
Type II-B building to be a maximum of 7,776 square meters (83,700 square feet). This
means that a sprinklered Type II-B building can be fourteen times larger than an
unsprinklered Type II-B building for the same capacity fire water system.
6.4.3 Another important incentive for providing sprinklers is decreased capacity of fire water
systems allowed for sprinklered buildings. For example, Appendix B of the IFC, which
defines the required fire water demand for the water distribution system, allows a 75%
percent reduction in the required capacity of the fire water system capacity (but no less than
1,500 gallons per minute).
6.4.4 Fire-rated wall requirements are relaxed when fire sprinkler systems are installed. As an
example, a fire sprinkler systems installation deletes the requirement for some fire rated
walls between different Occupancy Groups, incidental areas or corridors in non-residential
buildings.
6.4.5 Occupancy Group A-2 and Group A-3 (assembly) buildings are required to have a fire
sprinkler system if any of the following conditions occur:
a) A calculated Occupant Load of 300 or more.
b) Floor with an area larger than 1,115 square meters (12,000 square feet).
6.4.6 Occupancy Group B (office) buildings are not required to be sprinklered per the IBC.
6.4.7 Occupancy Group F, M (stores), and S-1 (storage) buildings are required to have a fire
sprinkler system if the area of any single floor is larger than 1,115 square meters (12,000
square feet).
6.4.8 Occupancy Group R (residential) buildings are required by the IBC to have fire sprinkler
systems. However, SAES-M-100 permits the omission of fire sprinklers in Group R-2
dormitories if all the following conditions are met:

a) Every sleeping room has a side-swinging, hinged, egress door opening directly to the
outside of the building at finished ground level or a second floor exterior balcony with
two means of egress stairs.
b) Dwelling unit egress doors swing outward to the exterior of the building.
c) Buildings are built with Type II-B, non-combustible construction. (Note: If Type V-
B, combustible construction is used then sprinklers are required).
d) Interior ceiling and wall finishes and insulation have a Class A Flame Spread Index
rating and a maximum 450 Smoke-Developed Index rating. (Note: Gypsum drywall,
most suspended ceiling tiles, and fiberglass insulation meet these requirements). Use
of foam plastic insulation has additional requirements per Chapter 26 of the IBC.
e) The building is protected by a NFPA 72 addressable, analog fire alarm system listed
per the most current edition of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 864 (i.e., 9th edition),
with detection in all building areas, and:
• System smoke detectors are UL 268 listed, connected to a monitoring panel, and
have sounder bases or UL 464 audible alarms for notification.
• Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals are received by an on-site master fire alarm
control panel and are monitored continuously by on-site qualified personnel
responsible for responding to and mitigating an alarm signal and system faults or
failures.
6.5 Step 5: Determine the required number of buildings and stories/floor areas for each of building.
The IBC specifies the maximum number of floors and the maximum floor area allowed, which
depends on whether the building has a fire sprinkler system or not. See IBC Chapter 5, “General
Building Heights and Areas’ for the details of the requirements.
6.5.1 Table 503 of the IBC is used to determine the maximum allowable floor area and building
height based on the building’s Occupancy Group and Type of Construction (Type II-B).
6.5.2 IBC Table 503 values are further increased based on the existence of the following:
a) A fire sprinkler system meeting NFPA 13 requirements.*
b) A clear separation between buildings or clusters of buildings.
c) Multiple stories in a building.
* When fire sprinklers are provided, many other code requirements are relaxed and larger
buildings are possible than those without fire sprinkler protection. Once a building exceeds
a certain size fire sprinkler protection is required by the IBC. Additionally, buildings that
have fire sprinkler protection require significantly less fire water demand, which reduces
the size of fire pumps, water storage tanks and pipe distribution systems.
6.5.3 The first step to determine the maximum number of floors for each building and the
maximum area of each floor is to determine the building’s maximum allowable floor area
and height per Table 503 of the IBC. Some example values for Type II-B construction are
provided in Table 5A below.
Table 5A – Maximum Area per Floor (from IBC Table 503)

Occupancy Max. # Stories
Max. Area per Floor
Group Above Grade

A-1 790 sq meters (8,500 sq ft) 2

A-2 883 sq meters (9,500 sq ft) 2
A-3 883 sq meters (9,500 sq ft) 2
B 2,137 sq meters (23,000 sq ft) 3
F 1,440 sq meters (15,500 sq ft) 2
M 1,161 sq meters (12,500 sq ft) 2
R-2 1,486 sq meters (16,000 sq ft) 4
S-1 1,626 sq meters (17,500 sq ft) 2
U 790 sq meters (8,500 sq ft) 2
In addition, IBC Table 503 specifies that the maximum overall height of a Type II-B
building is 16.8 meters (55 feet).
6.5.4 The following rules apply for increasing the Table 503 values:
a) The area for each floor may be increased by an additional 50% for buildings with a 6.1
meter (20 foot) separation between buildings. Building separation may be
accomplished by roads or other clear open areas. If the separation between buildings
is greater than 6.1 m (20 ft), floor area can be increased up to an additional 75%. See
Section 506.2 of the IBC.
b) For single-story buildings, the area for each floor may be increased by an additional
300% when equipped with a NFPA 13 compliant fire sprinkler system (does not apply
to buildings with NFPA 13R or 13D fire sprinkler systems). See Section 506.3 of the
IBC.
c) For multi-story buildings, the area for each floor may be increased by an additional
200% when equipped with a NFPA 13 compliant fire sprinkler system (does not apply
to buildings with NFPA 13R or 13D fire sprinkler systems). See Section 506.3 of the
IBC.
d) The total area of a 2-story building is obtained by multiplying the allowable area of
each floor (after increases have been added) by a factor of 2. See Section 506.4.1 of
the IBC.
e) The total area of a 3 or more story building is obtained by multiplying the allowable
area of each floor (after increases have been added) by a factor of 3. See Section
506.4.1 of the IBC.
f) The height of a building may be increased 6.1 meters (20 feet), and an additional story
is allowed for buildings with a NFPA 13 compliant fire sprinkler system. See Section
504.2 of the IBC.
6.5.5 Depending on the total floor areas needed for each category of building and the maximum
floor area limitations (including allowable increases) for the type of construction identified
above, the number of buildings and associated number of floors is calculated.
6.5.6 Example:
To demonstrate use of IBC Table 503 with an example, let’s first determine the maximum
floor area and height limitations for a dining/mess hall (Occupancy Group A-2) building.
The Table 503 tabular values for a Occupancy Group A-2/Type II-B building are 883

square meters (9,500 square feet) maximum area per floor level and a maximum two stories
in height (see Table 5A above).
If the dining/mess hall is a one-story building with a NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system and a
6.1 meter (20 foot) separation distance all around it, the following floor area increase and
total allowed area for the building would apply:
• An unadjusted maximum of 883 square meters (9,500 square feet) per floor is allowed
by Table 503.
• An additional 442 square meters (4,750 square feet) per floor is allowed due to the 6.1
meter (20 foot) separation distance around the building (0.5 x 883 = 442).
• Also, an additional 2,649 square meters (28,500 square feet) floor area is allowed due
to the NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system for this single-story building (3 x 883 = 2,649).
• Adding the three numbers above results in a maximum 3,974 square meters (42,750
square foot) total floor area for the entire building (i.e., 883 + 442 + 2,649 = 3,974
square meters), including eating/kitchen/serving/storage and office areas.
• Therefore, for the 10,000 person camp example in Step 1, which requires at least 7,000
square meters of dining/mess hall eating area, multiple one single-story, sprinklered
dining/mess halls are needed for this camp (each building less than 3,974 m2 total floor
area).
However, if the dining/mess hall is a two-story building with a NFPA 13 fire sprinkler
system and a 6.1 meter (20 foot) separation distance all around it, the following floor area
increase and total allowed area for the building would apply:
• As before, a maximum of 883 square meters (9,500 square feet) per floor is allowed by
Table 503 (in this case two stories are involved).
• An additional 442 square meters (4,750 additional square feet) per floor is allowed due
to the 6.1 meter (20 foot) separation distance around the building (0.5 x 883 = 442).
• Also, an additional 1,766 square meters (19,000 additional square feet) per floor is
allowed due to the NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system for this two-story building (2 x 883
= 1,766).
• Adding the three numbers above results in a maximum total of 3,091 square meters
(33,250 square feet) per floor (i.e., 883 + 442 + 1,766 = 3,091 square meters).
• Since the building has two floor levels, the maximum total building area is 2 x 3,091 =
6,182 square meters (66,500 square feet), including eating/kitchen/serving/storage and
office areas.
• Therefore, one two-story, sprinklered, dining/mess hall (max. 6,182 m2) is not adequate
for the 10,000 person camp example in Step 1, which required 7,000 square meters of
dining/mess hall eating area plus space for kitchen/serving/storage/office areas.
Additional dining/mess hall buildings would be required for this camp.
Other buildings can be designed for maximum areas and heights in a similar fashion to the
above example. Consider a different Occupancy Group then look up the floor area and
height limitations in Table 503 (see Table 5A above). The methods of calculations are the
same as in the above example.
6.6 Step 6: Determine egress requirements for each building.

6.6.1 See IBC Chapter 10, “Means of Egress”, for the details of the requirements.
6.6.2 To determine egress requirements for a building, the “Occupant Load” (OL) of each
floor/room must be calculated. The calculated Occupant Load is not based on how many
people actually use the floor or room, but is based on dividing the area of the floor/room
by the Occupant Load Factor (OLF) from Table 1004.1.1 of the IBC. The OLF for typical
camp/project support buildings is indicated in Table 6A
Table 6A – Area per Occupant (from IBC Table 1004.1.1)
OLF or Area per Occupant *

Function/Use of Floor/Room
Square Meters (Square Feet)
Assembly with chairs only (not fixed) 0.65 net (7 net) **
Assembly with tables and chairs (e.g.,
dining/mess hall eating area), meeting 1.39 net (15 net) **
rooms
Business/office areas 9.29 gross (100 gross) **
Dormitory/residential 4.65 gross (50 gross)
Classrooms 1.86 net (20 net) **
Exercise rooms 4.65 gross (50 gross)
Kitchens (serving dining/mess halls) 18.58 gross (200 gross)
Accessory storage areas, mechanical
27.87 gross (300 gross)
equipment rooms
Locker rooms 4.65 gross (50 gross)
Mercantile/Retail at grade level 2.79 gross (30 gross) **
Warehouses 46.45 gross (500 gross)
Notes:
* The terms “net” and “gross” in the above table refer to how Occupant Load (OL)
calculations are performed. For assembly or educational areas, people are either in the
assembly/educational area or in support areas like toilet rooms. All the people are not in
both places at the same time. For this reason, the IBC allows the “net” support areas (toilet
rooms, storage, etc.) to be omitted from the OL calculation. For calculations involving a
“gross” OLF, the entire building area is used in the calculation.
** It’s important to understand that the calculated Occupant Load is to be used for
determining the exit capacity for the building. The corresponding Occupant Load Factor
should not be used to determine the desired floor space (e.g., more area may be needed for
adequate flow and function of the building).
6.6.3 Let’s use the dining/mess hall example in Step 5 to illustrate how the Occupant Load of a
dining/mess hall is calculated. Assume the following areas for this building(s):

• As per the Step 5 example calculations, the maximum total floor area for a Type II-B,
sprinklered, single-story dining/mess hall building is 3,974 square meters (42,750
square feet).
• Assume the kitchen area is 20% of this total floor area or 794.8 square meters (8,550
square feet).
• Assume the storage, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closet areas are also 20% of
the total floor area or 794.8 square meters (8,550 square feet).
• Therefore, the dining/mess hall eating area is 60% of the total floor area or at least
2,384 square meters (25,650 square feet).
There are two OLFs needed from the above Table 6A to determine the exit capacity:
• 1.39 net (15 net), for assembly areas with tables and chairs, meeting rooms
• 18.58 gross (200 gross), for kitchens
Therefore, the Occupant Load (OL) of the entire building would be:
43 people for the kitchen (794.8/18.58 = 43, rounded up)
1,716 people for the dining hall eating area (2,384.4/1.39 = 1,716, rounded up)
1,759 people for the entire building
Again, note the “net” support areas (toilet rooms, storage, etc.) have been omitted from this
calculation.
For the example of a 10,000 person camp with two dining shifts, three sprinklered, single-
story dining/mess hall buildings are required to feed 5,000 people at a time (3 buildings x
1,716 people eating per building = 5,148 max. people per shift > 5,000).
6.6.4 The number of exits from a building or an area depends on the Occupant Load (OL) number
that is calculated. Generally, two or more exits are required from each floors/rooms. See
Section 1015 of the IBC. However, rooms with an OL equal to or less than the number of
people shown in Table 6B may have only one exit:
Table 6B – Maximum Occupant Load for a Room with One Exit (from IBC Table
1015.1)
Occupancy Group Maximum Occupant Load
A, B, F, M, U 49
R 10
S 29
6.6.5 Based on the OLFs listed in Table 6A, Table 6B may be used to provide the maximum area
for each floor/room depending on its function per Table 6C.
Table 6C – Maximum Area for a Room with One Exit
Function/Use of Floor/Room Maximum Area

Square Meters (Square

Feet)
Assembly with chairs only (not fixed) 31.9 (343) *

Assembly with tables and chairs (e.g.,
68.3 (735) *
dining/mess halls eating area), meeting rooms
Business/office areas 455.2 (4,900) *
Dormitory/residential 46.5 (500)
Classrooms 91 (980) *
Exercise rooms 228 (2,450)
Kitchens (serving dining/mess halls) 910 (9,800)
Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment
808 (8,700)
rooms
Locker rooms 227.6 (2,450)
Mercantile/Retail at grade level 136.6 (1,470) *
Warehouses 1,347 (14,500)
* The floor area calculated from the OL for rooms with the corresponding functions is only
for code requirement determination purposes and maximum floor area allowed for a room
with only one exit.
For example, to illustrate how the maximum areas in Table 6C were calculated for a
dormitory/residential room with only one exit, multiply the OLF from Table 6A of 4.65 sq.
m per person by the Maximum Occupant Load of 10 people for a Group R Occupancy (see
Table 6B), which equals the 46.5 square meters maximum area listed above.
6.6.6 If an area or room being served by one exit is equal to or less than the areas provided in
Table 6C, and the travel distance to this exit from the most remote location in the area/room
is less than 23 meters (75 feet), then one exit is acceptable. If this travel distance cannot be
met, or if the Occupant Load is greater than what is allowed, then two or more exits are
required based on Table 6D:
Table 6D – Minimum Number of Exits per Story (from IBC Table

1021.1)
Occupant Load Minimum Number of Exits
(persons per story) (per story)
500 or less 2
501 – 1,000 3
1,001 or more 4
For the dining/mess hall example, the number of exits required is as follows:

• One exit from the kitchen (43 person calculated Occupant Load for the kitchen), if the
travel distance from the most remote location in the area/room is less than 23 meters
(75 feet).
• Four exits from the dining/mess hall eating area (1,716 person calculated Occupant
Load for the dining/mess hall).
• Four exits from the entire building (1,759 person calculated Occupant Load for the
entire building).
6.6.7 The next step in egress system design is to calculate the total width of exiting required. See
Section 1005.1 of the IBC. The width per calculated Occupant Load is provided in Table
6E:
Table 6E – Minimum Width per Occupant
Egress System Component Minimum Width per Occupant
7.62 mm per occupant

Stairways
(0.3 inches per occupant)
Components other than stairways 5.08 mm per occupant
(doors, corridors, ramps, etc.) (0.2 inches per occupant)
*For the dining/mess hall example, the total width of exits from the eating area needs to be
8,720 mm or 343 inches (1,716 people x 5.08 = 8,720 mm).
6.6.8 An Occupancy Group A-2/A-3 building with a calculated Occupant Load (OL) greater than
300 requires the single main exit to have a capacity of not less than one-half of the OL. See
IBC Section 1028.2. For the dining/mess hall example, the width of the main exit would be
4,359 mm or 172 inches (1,716 people x ½ x 5.08 = 4,359 mm)
6.6.9 There are minimum dimensions and features of egress elements that must be met regardless
of the calculated egress widths indicated above. See Sections 1008, 1009, 1010, 1012, 1013
and 1018 of the IBC. These minimum widths are as follows:
a) Doors: See Section 1008 of the IBC. Minimum 914 mm (36 inches) door width.
Maximum 1,219 mm (48 inches) door width. Minimum 2,032 mm (80 inches) door
height. Doors shall be a side-hinged type. Doors shall swing in the direction of egress
travel when serving a calculated occupant load of 50 or more people. Panic or fire exit
hardware (push bar type) is required for an occupant load of 50 or more. See Section
1008 of the IBC for exceptions and other requirements. The use of round door knobs
should be avoided. Lever door handles or push-bar mechanisms that do not require
tight grasping or twisting of the wrist should be used.
b) Stairs: See Section 1009. Minimum 1,118 mm (44 inches) tread width. The minimum
tread width may be reduced to 914 mm (36 inches) if the stair serves a calculated
Occupant Load (OL) of 49 of fewer people. Stair treads are required to be a minimum
of 279 mm (11 inches) deep. Stair risers (vertical height of an individual stair) are
required to be between 102 mm (4 inches) and 178 mm (7 inches), and are required to
be solid (not open). Stair risers and treads are required to be dimensionally uniform
within a maximum variance range of 9.5 mm (3/8-inch). A flight of stairs cannot have
a vertical rise greater than 3,658 mm (12 feet) between landings or floors and shall have
a minimum 2,032 mm (80 inches) headroom height. Landings shall be provided at the
top and bottom of each stairway, with the landing width equal to the stairway width

and the landing length of 1,219 mm (48 inches). Sloping handrails are generally
required on both sides of the stairway (see below). Guards (e.g., guardrails) are
required for stairways and landings at a height of at least 762 mm (30 inches) above
the stair tread or landing. Stairs shall have a slip resistance surface.
c) Ramps: See Section 1010. The running slope of a ramp cannot be steeper than one
unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8% slope), with a cross-slope perpendicular to the
ramp of one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2% slope). A ramp cannot have a
vertical rise greater than 2,032 mm (30 inches) between landings or levels. Ramps shall
have a slip resistance surface.
d) Handrails: See Section 1012. The height of the handrail must be between a vertical
height of 864 mm (34 inches) and 965 mm (38 inches) from the stair tread nosing or
ramp surface, and must be at a uniform height. Most code compliant handrails are
round with a diameter of 38 mm (1-1/2 inches), with an allowed range of diameters
from 32 mm (1-1/4 inch) to 51 mm (2 inches). Refer to figure below for handrail design
guidance.
e) Guards: See Section 1013. A guard is a vertical barrier that prevents people from
falling off raised floors, levels, stairs or ramps. Guards are required to be at least 1,067
mm (42 inches) high with either a solid barrier or an open pattern barrier that prevents
the passage of a minimum 102 mm (4 inch) sphere. Handrails shall project from the
inside edge of guards along stairways and ramps and have a vertical height between
864 mm (34 inches) and 965 mm (38 inches) from the stair tread nosing or ramp
surface. Handrails are required to have a minimum clear distance between the inside
edge of the handrail and the wall or guard of 38 mm (1-1/2 inch). Refer to figure below
for guard design guidance.
A Risers maximum 7 inches (178 mm), treads minimum IBC Section 1009.3
B 11 inches IBC Section
C Handrail height 34 inches (864 mm) to 38 inches (965 1009.11.1
D mm)

E Upper handrail extension, horizontal, minimum 12 IBC Section

F inches 1009.11.5
G Lower handrail extension 1 tread depth on slope with IBC Section
H stairs 1009.11.5
Guard height minimum 42 inches (1067 mm) IBC Section 1012.2
Openings shall obstruct passage of 4 inch sphere (102 IBC Section 1012.3
mm) IBC Section 1012.3
Triangular area shall obstruct passage of 6 inch sphere IBC Section 1012.3
Top portion of guard shall obstruct passage if 8 inch
sphere
f) Corridors: See Section 1018. The minimum width across corridors or hallways is
1,118 mm (44 inches), except the width may be reduced to 914 mm (36 inches) if the
corridor/hallway serves a calculated occupant load (OL) of 49 or fewer people.
Corridors/hallways shall have a minimum 2,286 mm (7.5 foot) ceiling height.
6.6.10 Adequate lighting shall be provided for egress paths. See Section 1006 of the IBC and
SAES-P-123. This may be achieved by providing individual emergency lighting units (e.g.,
“Frog-eye” style lights with a battery backup) or by providing a lighting circuit connected
to an emergency generator. Emergency power is required to operate for at least 90-minutes
in the absence of normal supplied power and to provide a minimum of 11 lux (1 foot-
candle) of light measured at the egress path floor surface.
6.6.11 Illuminated exit signs are required above exterior exit doors and at any change of direction
in corridors leading to designated exits. See Section 1011 of the IBC. Exit signs are
required to be green and white in color and internally lit, with an emergency power supply
that lasts at least 90 minutes during a power outage. The sign shall include the word “EXIT”
in dual languages with Arabic above English. Size, illumination, directional indicators,
mounting locations, etc., shall comply with IBC Section 1011.
6.6.12 Sleeping rooms (bedrooms) in single-story, Group R-2 dormitory occupancies without an
exterior door are required to have an “emergency escape and rescue opening” (EERO),
which may be used as an emergency method of escape if the interior door to the bedroom
is blocked by fire. A 0.9 meter wide exterior door meets the requirements of an EERO,
without the need to provide an EERO window. See Section 1029 of the IBC. The
requirements of EERO window openings are as follows:
a) Minimum net clear opening: 0.46 square meters (5 square feet) for EERO openings on
the ground floor, and 0.53 square meters (5.7 square feet) for upper floor EERO
openings.
b) Minimum net clear opening height: 610 mm (24 inches).
c) Minimum net clear opening width: 508 mm (20 inches).
d) Maximum height from the floor inside the sleeping room to the bottom of the EERO is
1,118 mm (44 inches).
e) EERO openings must be operable from the inside of the room without the use of keys
or tools, and may not have security bars or grills on the outside that would prevent their
use as an escape route.
6.6.13 However, EERO window openings are not required for Group R-2 occupancies or rooms if
any or the following applies:

a) Building has a fire sprinkler system throughout, or

b) The sleeping rooms open into a fire-resistance rated (FRR) corridor with access to
two remote exits in opposite directions, or
c) Sleeping rooms have a 0.9 meter wide exit door that opens directly to the exterior at
grade level.
6.7 Step 7: Develop building floor plans and elevations.
6.7.1 The designer is to develop an economical floor plan to maximize the number of occupants
per building.
6.7.2 Building plans shall indicate the type of construction, planned occupancy, dimensions (in
millimeters), function and size of individual rooms, access/egress (e.g., corridors/hallways,
ramps, stairs), interior and exterior doors, furnishings, equipment, etc. Elevation
dimensions shall be provided for interior and exterior roof and ceiling profiles, doorways,
and windows.
6.7.3 Plans shall include, as required, floor plans with each room name labeled, accordingly,
applicable building and wall sections to describe the construction assembly for
roofs/walls/floors, location and type of FRR walls and doors, smoke alarm and/or detection
systems, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire hose cabinets, exit signs, emergency lighting,
egress doors (with panic hardware and viewing glass noted), windows (noting those used
as additional emergency egress [EERO]), plumbing fixtures (e.g., vitreous china toilets,
sinks, soap dispensers, floor drains), sanitary equipment (e.g., anti-siphoning vacuum
breakers), water/sewer connections, hot water heaters, exhaust fans, heating and air
conditioning units, electrical appliances (e.g., microwaves, TVs, coffee makers, lamps) and
all other equipment to be placed in the building.
6.7.4 Separate shop drawings shall be provided for the electrical power network, lighting system,
communication systems, TV types and connection details, connection to utilities,
architectural, structural and foundation details, etc.
6.8 Step 8: Determine which walls, ceilings, corridors, etc., in each building are required to be fire-
rated and the fire-resistive rating (FRR) for each.
6.8.1 In addition to providing FRR walls to subdivide building areas to eliminate the need for
sprinklers (see Sections 6.4 and 6.5 of this Guide), there are two other categories of FRR
construction for walls that may be required:
a) Interior corridor and sleeping unit separation walls.
b) Exterior walls.
6.8.2 The first category involves interior corridor and sleeping unit separation walls, which shall
meet the following requirements (according to Table 1018.1 and Section 709.1 of the IBC):
a) All interior corridors and adjoining sleeping unit walls of residential (Group R)
buildings are required to have a 1-hour FRR wall, whether or not the building is
sprinklered.
b) Interior corridors in a non-residential (e.g., Group A, B, M, S or U) building that serve
a floor area less than 279 square meters (3,000 square feet) are not required to have

FRR walls (non-rated corridors are acceptable), regardless of whether the building has
a fire sprinkler system or not.
c) A non-residential building that does not have a fire sprinkler system shall have interior
corridors with 1-hour FRR walls if the corridor serves a floor area greater than 279
square meters (3,000 square feet).
d) A non-residential building that has a fire sprinkler system does not require FRR walls
for the corridors (non-rated corridors are acceptable), regardless of the size of the
building.
e) FRR walls in corridors shall extend above the false ceiling to the floor/roof above. See
Section 709.4 of the IBC.
f) All doors in a 1-hour FRR interior corridor shall have a 20-minute FRR and be self-
closing with smoke seals on top and sides (see IBC Sections 715 and 1018).
6.8.3 The second category of walls requiring a FRR rating is exterior walls. Exterior fire-rated
walls can be avoided by incorporating adequate separation distance between adjacent
buildings. For example, buildings built with Type II-B construction may have non-FRR
exterior walls if they are separated by a distance of 6.1 meters (20 feet) or more (see IBC
Table 602). If this separation distances specified by IBC, Table 602 cannot be achieved,
then the exterior walls of such buildings that face each other shall have a 1-hour FRR.
6.8.4 If the aggregate area of a “cluster” of several individual buildings does not exceed the
allowable area for a single building (see Section 6.5), the exterior walls of buildings within
the cluster can be non-rated even if they are closer than 6.1 meters (20 feet) to each other.
For the example in Section 6.5, the single-story dining/mess hall (Group A-2) built with
Type II-B construction and protected by a fire sprinkler system could be constructed as a
single building of not more than 3,974 m2 (42,750 ft2) or as a cluster of buildings with an
aggregate area of not more than 3,974 m2 (42,750 ft2). The separation between individual
buildings within an allowed cluster shall be at least 1.8 meters (6 feet). Each cluster-of-
buildings shall be separated from other large buildings or clusters of small buildings by at
least 6.1 meters (20 feet). Refer to IBC, exception to Section 704.3.
6.8.5 If multiple stories are present in a residential (Group R) building, the floor assembly
between the stories, including support beams and columns, shall have a 1-hour FRR. See
IBC Section 712.
6.9 Step 9: Specify materials/assemblies for FRR walls, ceilings, corridors, etc., required to achieve the
needed FRR for each.
6.9.1 Once the walls, floors or ceiling that are required to be FRR are identified in Section 6.8
the details of the specific wall assemblies must be shown on the plans. Typical FRR
assemblies are provided in IBC Table 720.1(1) for structural members (beams, columns,
etc.), Table 720.1(2) for walls, and Table 720.1(3) for floors, ceilings and roofs.
6.9.2 All FRR wall or floor/ceiling assemblies shall be detailed on the building drawings by
referencing either the specific item number from IBC Table 720.1(2) or Table 720.2(2), or
alternatively indicating the details of a “listed” assembly that has been tested by an
independent internationally recognized testing laboratory (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories
[UL] or European equivalent). The following website may be used to obtain UL listed
assemblies:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/gbxuvhelp.html
6.9.3 Doors in FRR walls shall comply with Table 9A.
Table 9A – FRR for Doors (from IBC Table 715.4)
Wall FRR (hours) Door FRR (hours)

2-hour wall 1.5-hour (90 minutes)
1-hour corridor 1/3-hour (20 minutes)
1-hour occupancy separation ¾-hour (45 minutes)
1-hour stairway shaft/enclosure 1-hour (60 minutes)
6.9.4 FRR doors shall have automatic or self-closing devices with latches that close and latch the
door automatically. A rubberized door seal is required around the sides and top of the door
frame.
6.9.5 Penetrations (e.g., piping, conduits) in a FRR wall/floor/ceiling shall be properly

firestopped in accordance with IBC Section 713. Firestop materials and assemblies shall
be listed for use with each type of wall/floor/ceiling application involved.
6.9.6 Fire dampers, smoke dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers shall be listed and
comply with IBC Section 716.3 and SAES-K-001.
6.10 Step 10: Define the interior finish requirements.
6.10.1 See Chapter 8 of the IBC. The required class rating for wall and ceiling finish materials
shall be as shown in Table 10A.
Table 10A – Required Class for Wall and Ceiling Finishes (See Table 803.9
of the IBC)
Sprinklered Non-Sprinklered
Occupancy Exit Rooms Exit Rooms
Group Enclosures & Enclosures &
Corridors Corridors
& Exit Enclosed & Exit Enclosed
Passageways Spaces Passageways Spaces
A-1 & A-2 B B C A A B
A-3 B B C A A C
B&M B C C A B C
F C C C B C C
R-2 & S C C C B B C
U No restrictions No restrictions

Note: Class A finish materials may be used in any application where Class B or C finish
ratings are required, and Class B finish materials may be used in any application where a
Class C finish rating is required.
6.10.2 Flame spread ratings of wall and ceiling materials are listed in Table 10B.
Table 10B – Flame Spread Ratings of Wall & Ceiling Materials
Material Class
Shredded wood fiberboard (fire-retardant treated) A
Aluminum (with baked enamel finish on one side) A
Cement board A
Brick or concrete block A
Concrete A
Gypsum board (with paper surface on both sides) A
Southern pine (untreated) C
Plywood or wood paneling (fire-retardant treated) * B or C
Plywood or wood paneling (untreated) Not Allowed
Carpeting DOC-FF-1
* Thin, untreated plywood and wood paneling presents a major fire hazard in portable
buildings. Plywood and wood paneling, if used, shall be greater than 6.4 mm (¼-inch) thick
or shall be applied to a non-combustible backing such as minimum 13 mm (½-inch) thick
gypsum wallboard (see IBC Section 803.11.4). Gypsum wallboard or non-combustible
ceiling tiles are a preferred alternative to plywood or wood paneling for interior wall and
ceiling finishes.
6.10.3 Finish materials shall have a certification which listings the Flame Spread Index (FSI) and
Smoke Developed Index (SDI) according to ASTM E84 or UL 723 fire tests. All flooring
material must pass the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) FF-1-70 or ASTM D2859
ignition resistance test, which is based on a cigarette-type ignition source. The use of foam
plastic insulation in wall or ceiling cavities requires compliance with Section 1408, 1507.14
and 2603 of the IBC.
6.11 Step 11: Define design requirements for each building’s fire protection and alarm systems.
6.11.1 See Chapter 9 of the IBC, “Fire Protection Systems”, for the details of the requirements.
6.11.2 Sprinkler and fire alarm system drawings and any associated calculations shall display the
seal of a registered engineer or chartered engineer, who has at least five years of experience
in sprinkler and/or fire alarm system design.
6.11.3 Fire Sprinkler Systems:

a) Where fire sprinkler systems are required (see Sections 6.4 and 6.5), quick-response
sprinklers are required for mosques, offices, residential, dining areas, theaters and other
assembly occupancies (i.e., NFPA 13 light hazard areas).
b) Sprinkler systems may be wet or dry.
c) Sprinkler heads are not required in concealed spaces within buildings (e.g., above
suspended ceilings) built with Type II-B non-combustible construction. However,
sprinklered buildings built with Type V-B combustible construction also require the
installation of sprinkler heads in “combustible” concealed void spaces (e.g., plywood
sheathing, wood joists). See Section 8.15.1 of 2010 NFPA 13 for alternatives for
providing sprinklers in combustible concealed spaces.
d) The fire sprinkler system valves and flow switch shall be monitored at all times by on-
site qualified safety personnel capable of and responsible for responding to and
mitigating a fire emergency and system faults or failures. Activation of the fire
sprinkler system and water flow shall activate an audible alarm to alert occupants. See
IBC/IFC, Section 903.3.5.2.
e) A fire department connection (FDC) shall be provided on each sprinklered building at

a location accessible by firefighting personnel. A fire hydrant shall be located within
30.5 meters (100 feet) of each FDC.
6.11.4 Kitchen Hood Fire Extinguishing System:
Group A-2, dining/mess hall kitchen cooking equipment and exhaust systems are required
to be protected by a UL 300 listed and labeled kitchen hood extinguishing system. A NFPA
17A and UL-300 wet-chemical kitchen hood fire extinguishing system is required for Type
I kitchen hood exhaust systems above cooking appliances that produce smoke and grease
vapors. These systems shall be installed according to their UL listing and the IFC. The
kitchen area shall have a Type K fire extinguisher(s) within 3 to 9 meters (10 to 30 feet) of
cooking appliances. The kitchen hood extinguishing system shall be monitored by the fire
alarm system (when required). See Section 904.11 of the IFC and NFPA 96.
6.11.5 Fire Alarm System:
a) Occupancy-related fire alarm requirements are provided in Section 907 of the IBC. The
respective engineering design requirements are provided in NFPA 72.
b) Group A-2 or Group A-3 assembly occupancies are required to have manual fire alarm
boxes (pull boxes) for any of the following:
• A calculated Occupant Load of more than 300 (see Section 6.6 above).
• Manual fire alarm boxes may be omitted if the building is protected by a fire
sprinkler system (see IBC Section 907.2.1).
• If a large Group A occupancy has a calculated Occupant Load of 1,000 or more
people, an emergency voice/alarm communication system is required.
c) Group B business/office and Group M mercantile/store occupancies are required to

have manual fire alarm boxes for any of the following:

• A calculated Occupant Load of greater than 500, or if greater than 100 people
present on an upper floor.
• At least one upper floor exceeds 929 square meters (10,000 square feet).
• Manual fire alarm boxes may be omitted if the building is protected by a fire
sprinkler system (see IBC Section 907.2.1).
d) Group R-2 Occupancy Requirements
There is a difference between a smoke detector and a smoke alarm as it relates to Group
R-2 Occupancies. A smoke detector senses smoke and sends a signal to a fire alarm
control panel (FACP) which activates audible horns and visual strobe lights in the
building, sends a signal to the local security or emergency response dispatch center. A
smoke alarm senses smoke and only sounds an audible warning from the device itself.
i. Group R-2 buildings without a fire sprinkler system shall be protected by a UL 864
listed NFPA 72 addressable, analog fire alarm system with associated smoke
detectors in all areas of the building. Smoke detectors shall be UL 268 listed,
connected to a monitoring panel, and have integral sounder bases or UL 464
audible alarms for notification. See Section 6.4 for details.
ii. Group R-2 occupancies with a fire sprinkler system may have smoke alarms that
only notify the occupants of the resident to evacuate. Each smoke alarm shall be
wired to the building’s electrical power system and interconnected in a manner so
that the activation of one smoke alarm subsequently activates all the smoke alarms
in a single residence. Each smoke alarm shall also have a secondary 9-volt DC
battery as a backup power supply. Smoke alarms in these occupancies are required
in the following locations:
• On the ceiling, or near the top of the wall, of a hallway near rooms used for
sleeping purposes.
• On the ceiling in each room used for sleeping purposes.
• At least one on each floor/level of the residence.
e) General Requirements. The following requirements apply to all fire alarm systems for
all buildings.
i. Manual fire alarm boxes are required to be located within 61 meters (200 feet) of
each other.
ii. Fire alarm boxes at exterior building exits shall be located within 1.5 meters (5
feet) of the exterior exit door openings.
iii. Fire alarm boxes shall be red in color and mounted on a background of contrasting
color (i.e., the background not painted red).
iv. The operable lever of the fire alarm box shall be between 1.1 meters (42 inches)
and 1.2 meters (48 inches) above the finished floor surface.
v. Manual fire alarm boxes shall be connected to a fire alarm control panel (FACP)
in a fire alarm system.

vi. All required fire alarm systems shall be manufactured, designed and installed with
the following features:
• UL 864 listed according to the most current edition (e.g., 9th edition),
addressable, analog equipment and operation.
• Class A signaling line and notification appliance circuits.
• UL 1971 listed, public-mode, visual notification appliances and UL 464 listed,
public-mode, audible notification appliances, with a temporal-three sound
pattern.
• Monitored at all times by on-site qualified safety personnel capable of and
responsible for responding to and mitigating a fire emergency and system faults
or failures.
vii. Fire alarm systems not meeting the requirements of Section 6.11.5 (e)(vi) shall be
approved by the Saudi Aramco Chief Fire Prevention Engineer.
f) Visible alarm notification appliances (e.g., strobe lights) and interior audible horns shall
be provided in accordance with IBC Section 907.5.2. Visible alarm notification
appliances shall be UL 1971 listed and located according to NFPA 72. All interior
audible horns shall comply with minimum sound levels of 75 dBA in Group R-2
occupancies, 90 dBA in mechanical areas and 60 dBA in all other occupancies. The
maximum sound level of audible horns shall be 110 dBA at the minimum hearing
distance from the appliance.
g) The fire sprinkler system valves and flow switch shall be monitored by a fire alarm
system reporting to the local security or emergency response dispatch center.
Activation of the fire sprinkler system causing water to flow shall sound an alarm to
alert all the occupants of the building to evacuate.
h) The building’s design drawings shall clearly show the location of all sprinkler heads
and ceiling-mounted fire alarm devices on the Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP). All
designs (architectural, fire protection and alarm, mechanical and electrical) shall be
fully coordinated and conflict-free (e.g., no obstructions). Smoke detectors shall not
be located within 0.9 meters (36 inches) of supply diffusers or 15 cm (6 inches) from
light fixtures.
6.11.6 Fire Extinguishers:
Occupancy related fire extinguisher requirements are given in Section 906 of the IFC and
NFPA 10.
a) Where extinguishers protect individual equipment, they shall be located at least 7.5
meters (25 feet) from the equipment.
b) All areas shall be protected by a 4.5-kg (10-lbs) agent capacity Class ABC multi-
purpose, stored pressure, dry chemical extinguishers.
c) In utility, service, electrical, telecommunications and mechanical equipment areas
locate an additional 4.5-kg/10-lbs CO2 extinguisher adjacent to each area served. Place
fire extinguisher(s) for building electrical and communication rooms outside the rooms.

d) In cafeteria kitchen areas, use a 2.5-gallon wet chemical Class K (kitchen) extinguisher
placed within 9.1 meters (30 feet) of the cooking hood. Provide a 4.5-kg (10-lbs) agent
capacity, Class ABC multi-purpose, stored pressure, dry chemical extinguishers
throughout remainder of kitchen and support areas.
e) Extinguishers weighing less than 18 kg (40 pounds) shall be mounted so that the
extinguisher top is not more than 1.5 m (5 feet) above the floor level.
f) Fire extinguisher models shall be UL or FM approved and indicated on the Saudi
Aramco Fire Protection Department 9COM approval list (see Table 7.1 in Chapter I-7,
“Fire Protection,” of the Saudi Aramco Construction Safety Manual).
g) The layout of all fire extinguishers shall be based on a 23 meter (75 feet) maximum
travel distance, which is the “line-of-travel” distance around obstructions. Typically,
this results in extinguisher locations spaced no more than 32 meters (106 feet) apart
when measured along a straight line.
h) For residential buildings without interior corridors, a 4.5-kg (10-lbs) agent capacity
Class ABC multi-purpose, stored pressure, dry chemical extinguishers shall be placed
outside each building in a cabinet to protect it from the weather and sun. The cabinet
shall be vented and marked as a fire extinguisher cabinet. The travel distance
requirement stated above also applies for large buildings. Extinguishers shall be placed
in the corridor of residential buildings with interior corridors.
i) Fire extinguishers are not required to be inside cabinets when located inside a building.
j) Fire extinguishers (e.g., “FE”) shall be shown on the design drawings.
6.12 Step 12: Define design requirements for the site fire water distribution system.
6.12.1 Minimum fire water tank capacity is determined using Appendix B of the International Fire
Code (IFC) and is based on the type of construction and total floor area of each building at
the site and whether or not the respective buildings are sprinklered. The building with the
greatest fire water demand determines the capacity of the fire water tank(s).
6.12.2 For example, Table B105.1 in Appendix B of the IFC requires a minimum fire water
demand (fire-flow) of 94.6 L/s (1,500 gpm) at 138 kPa (20 psig) for a duration of 2 hours
for Type II-B building areas up to 548 square meters (5,900 square feet) without a fire
sprinkler system. This results in a minimum fire water tank capacity of 681,400 liters
(180,000 gallons). As the building area increases, fire water demand and duration increase
up to a maximum of 505 L/s (8,000 gpm) for 4 hours.
6.12.3 An exception to IFC, Section B105.2 allows for a 75% reduction in fire water demand for
buildings with NFPA 13 or 13R fire sprinkler systems. The 75% fire flow demand
reduction for sprinklered buildings provides an economical trade-off for constructing
buildings with fire sprinkler systems to save water utility infrastructure costs. For example,
a non-sprinklered, Type II-B building with up to a 7,776 square meter (83,700 square foot)
area requires a 378.5 L/s (6,000 gpm) fire flow demand for 4 hours, which results in a
system with a 5,451,400 liters (1,440,000 gallon) total fire water tank capacity. This same
building with a fire sprinkler system only requires a 94.6 L/s (1,500 gpm) demand at 138
kPa (20 psig) for a duration of 2 hours, which results in a system with a 681,400 liters
(180,000 gallon) total fire water tank capacity.

6.12.4 Water supply flow rates, velocities and residual pressures at each system node (distribution
point) and the most remote hydrant locations shall be hydraulically calculated for all fire
water and fire protection systems. The required total volume of water required for fire flow
shall be available at all times.
6.12.5 Design details of the fire water system shall include the following:
a) If the sizes of the buildings without sprinkler systems can be limited to 548 square
meters (5,900 square feet), a minimum of 680 m3 (180,000 gallons) of tank capacity
shall be dedicated to fire water supply. For small camps with buildings limited to a
maximum 334 square meters (3,600 square feet) total area and 6.1 meters (20 feet)
between buildings, a reduced fire water system capacity of 454 m3 (120,000 gallons) is
acceptable. Any other engineered design shall first be presented to the Dhahran Area
LP Division/Projects Support Group for consideration.
b) A combined fire water and domestic water (e.g., potable or raw) system may be used
and shall meet the requirements of SAES-S-040 and SAES-L-105. Combined water
systems shall reserve and dedicate the amount required in 6.12.5(a) to fire water
demand that is available 100 percent of the time.
c) PVC pipe or other materials allowed by SAES-S-040 and SAES-L-105 may be used
for combined fire/domestic water systems.
d) The domestic demand pressure shall be maintained between 276 kPa (40 psig) and 586
kPa (85 psig) for combined fire/domestic water systems.
e) The size of water distribution piping used for domestic purposes shall be at least 63
mm (2-1/2 inch) nominal diameter.
f) The minimum diameter of water supply lines serving fire hydrants shall be 152 mm (6
inches).
g) Dead-end/dead-leg lines serving fire hydrants shall not contain more than 379 liters
(100 gallons) of stagnant water and not be longer than 20.7 meters (68 feet) for 152
mm (6 inch) diameter pipe and 11.6 meters (38 feet) for 203 mm (8 inch) diameter pipe.
Otherwise, looping of the water main to provide water flow from two different
directions at all points is required.
h) The performance of the fire pump curves shall be defined by the following. The
maximum static pressure of the fire pump and all points in the fire water system shall
be 586 kPa (85 psi). The minimum residual pressure at all points in the 680 m3 (180,000
gallons) fire water system is 138 kPa (20 psig) at a minimum flow of 94.6 L/s (1,500
gpm) and the minimum residual pressure at a flow of 63.1 L/s (1,000 gpm) at all points
in the system is 359kPa (52 psig). If a reduced 454 m3 (120,000 gallons) fire water
supply is designed for a small camp with all buildings limited as indicated in 6.12.5(a),
the minimum residual pressure of 138 kPa (20 psig) shall be at a minimum flow of 63
L/s (1,000 gpm) and the minimum residual pressure at a flow of 43.5 L/s (690 gpm) is
359kPa (52 psig). Any other engineered design shall first be presented to the Dhahran
Area LP Division/Projects Support Group for consideration.
i) A primary and standby NFPA 20 fire water pump shall be required with a capacity of
100% of fire water demand for both pumps. At least one fire water pump shall be diesel
powered.
j) System fire mains shall also be sized to provide the minimum flow rates listed in the
acceptance testing flushing requirements listed in NFPA 24, and the maximum flow
rate shall be 1.5 times the minimum amount. Flow velocities in water mains shall be

between 3.1 m/sec (10 ft/sec) and 4.6 m/sec (15 ft/sec) for the required 94.6 L/s (1,500
gpm) fire flow rate. To maintain the minimum 3.1 m/sec (10 ft/sec) for a 94.6 L/s
(1,500 gpm) flow rate, a maximum 203mm (8-inch) pipe size may be used.
6.12.6 Fire hydrant layout shall be according to Appendix C of the IFC, which requires fire
hydrants to be spaced a maximum of 90 meters (300 feet) apart along the line of travel of
the road available for fire truck access. Hydrants shall be within 6.1 m (20 feet) from roads.
A red metal fire hose cabinet with the following items shall be located next to each fire
hydrant if private a fire suppression response is required (e.g., by a Saudi Aramco proponent
organization) for the camp. This metal cabinet will hold the equipment necessary to
connect fire hose lines to the fire hydrants to protect buildings adjacent to a building that is
on fire and the suggested equipment shall include:
a) Six sections of 15.2 meter (50 feet) of 76 mm (3-inch) diameter, NFPA 1961 and NFPA
1963 compliant, nylon, double-jacketed, rubber lined collapsible fire hose. It is
important to verify the thread pattern for the fire hose couplings and fire hydrants match
each other for the fire hose to be capable of connecting to the fire hydrants. A fire hose
less than a 76 mm (3-inch) diameter will not produce an adequate fire stream when
connected to the hydrant.
b) One 63 mm (2-1/2 inch) diameter nozzle, with a (22mm) 7/8-inch smooth-bore nozzle
tip.
c) One hydrant wrench.
d) One seal and tag to close and secure the cabinet to indicate a complete inventory of the
hose cabinet.
6.12.7 The use of fire water barrels and buckets are prohibited.
6.12.8 Inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) of all fire protection equipment is the
responsibility of the camp administrator and not the Saudi Aramco Fire Protection
Department. Saudi Aramco General Instruction 1781.001 shall be followed for an ITM
program.
6.13 Step 13: Provide a site plot plan, which includes layout of the buildings, firewater availability and
fire system layout, vehicular and fire apparatus access roads, etc.
6.13.1 The site plot plan shall maximize utilization of space (e.g., utilizing double story buildings)
and shall indicate:
a) Name of client company (e.g., Saudi Arabian Oil Company).
b) Name of project.
c) Name of design contractor that prepared the site plot plan.
d) Location, purpose and size of accommodation and other site buildings.
e) Number and type of occupants in each accommodation building.
f) Location and type of services/utilities buildings.
g) Recreation areas.
h) Road/parking layout; including vehicular ingress, egress and internal circulation, as
well as parking areas for buses and other vehicles.
i) Location and type of exterior lighting.

j) Emergency access routes.

k) Emergency assembly point locations.
l) Potable/raw/fire water storage tanks, power generators, sewage treatment facilities,
solid waste containers, fuel storage tanks with containment.
m) Provisions for drainage and disposal of sanitary and storm water.
n) Existing and finished ground levels, including any excavation, cut or fill.
o) Location and type of fencing/walls around the site perimeter and within the property.
p) External signage details (e.g., traffic signs).
q) General landscaping plans, including surface stabilization (e.g., paving, gravel),
vegetation and irrigation plans.
r) Site boundaries and ownership of site and adjoining properties.
s) Phasing of development.
t) All other/additional proposed facilities and installations.

Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code Guide Date: December 30, 2021
SUPPLEMENT I - SUMMARY TABLE OF SINGLE-STORY BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS
Combustible Fire-Resistive Rated

Construction, (FRR) Interior
Non-Combustible Construction, Interior Finish
Occupancy Maximum Fire Alarm System Corridor
Maximum Building Size(k),1,3,4 Rating
Group Building Size(k),1,2,4 Requirements 6 Requirements, (if
Square Meters (Square Feet) Requirements 5
Square Meters Corridors are
(Square Feet) Present) 7
Manual pull stations are Required.
Dormitories Not Permitted 2,230 sq-m Class C for
8,9,10 required if there are more Also, all individual
(Group (24,000 sq-ft) if separated into max. Rooms
than 17 dormitory units. dorm room interior
R-2) 548 sq-m (5,900 sq-ft) areas with 2- &
walls must be built
No Fire hour FRR fire walls (IFC, Sec B104.2 Class B for
according to footnote
Sprinkler & Table B105.1) (k) Corridors
7
System
Required to monitor the Required.
Dormitories 2,926 sq-m 6,689 sq-m Class C
8,9,10 fire sprinkler system. Also, all individual
(Group (31,500 sq-ft) (72,000 sq-ft)
Manual pull stations are dorm room interior
R-2)
required if there are more walls must be built
Fire
than 17 dormitory units. according to footnote
Sprinkler
7
System
Installed
836 sq-m 1,323 sq-m Class B for Manual pull stations are Required, for
Dining
(9,000 sq-ft), if (14,250 sq-ft), if separated into max. Rooms required if the occupant buildings greater than
Halls 11,12
separated into max. 548 sq-m (5,900 sq-ft) areas with 2- & load is greater than 300, 41.8 sq-m (450 sq-ft)
(Group A-
334 sq-m (3,600 hour FRR fire walls & areas with an Class A for or the floor area is greater
2)
sq-ft) areas with 2- occupant load of less than 300 (IBC, Corridors than 418 sq-m (4,500 sq-
No Fire hour FRR fire walls Sec 903.2.1.2 & Table 706.4; IFC, Sec ft)
Sprinkler & areas with an B104.2 & Table B105.1) (k)
System occupant load of
less than 300 (IBC,
Sec 903.2.1.2 &
Table 706.4; IFC,
Sec B104.2 &
Table B105.1) (k)

Dining Class C for

2,508 sq-m) 3,971 sq-m Required to monitor the Not
Halls 11,12 Rooms
(27,000 sq-ft (42,750 sq-ft) fire sprinkler system. Required
(Group A- &
2) Class B for
Fire Corridors
Sprinkler
System
Installed
General 836 sq-m 1,323 sq-m Manual pull stations are
Class C for Required, for
Assembly, (9,000 sq-ft), if (14,250 sq-ft), if separated into max. required if the occupant
Rooms buildings greater than
Social or separated into max. 548 sq-m (5,900 sq-ft) areas with 2- load is greater than 300,
& 41.8 sq-m (450 sq-ft)
Gathering 334 sq-m (3,600 hour FRR fire walls & areas with an or the floor area is greater
Class A for
Buildings sq-ft) areas with 2- occupant load of less than 300 (IBC, than 418 sq-m (4,500 sq-
Corridors
(Group A- hour FRR fire walls Sec 903.2.1.2 & Tbl 706.4; IFC, Sec ft)
3) & areas with an B104.2 & Table B105.1) (k)
No Fire occupant load of
Sprinkler less than 300 (IBC,
System Sec 903.2.1.2 &
Tbl 706.4; IFC, Sec
B104.2 & Table
B105.1) (k)
General Class C for
2,508 sq-m 3,971 sq-m Required to monitor the Not
Assembly, Rooms
(27,000 sq-ft) (42,750 sq-ft) fire sprinkler system. Required
Social or &
Gathering Class B for
Buildings Corridors
(Group A-
3)
Fire
Sprinkler
System
Installed
Storage 1,254 sq-m 2,438 sq-m Class C for Not Required, for
Buildings (13,500 sq-ft), if (26,250 sq-ft), if separated into max. Rooms Required buildings greater than
(Group S-1) separated into max. 548 sq-m (5,900 sq-ft) areas with 3- & 836 sq-m (9,000 sq-ft)
No Fire 334 sq-m (3,600 hour FRR fire walls (IBC, Sec 903.2.8 Class B for
Sprinkler sq-ft) areas with 3- Corridors

System, if hour FRR fire walls & Tbl 706.4; IFC, Sec B104.2 &
storage less (IBC, Sec 903.2.8 Table B105.1) (k)
than 12-ft & Tbl 706.4; IFC,
high Sec B104.2 &
Table B105.1 ) (k)
Storage
3,762 sq-m 7,316 sq-m Class C Required to monitor the Not
Buildings
(40,500 sq-ft) (78,750 sq-ft) fire sprinkler system. Required
(Group S-1)
Fire
Sprinkler
System
Installed
Manual pull stations are
Office 1,254 sq-m 3,205 sq-m Class C for Required, for
required if the occupant
Buildings (13,500 sq-ft), if (34,500 sq-ft), if separated into max. Rooms buildings greater than
load is greater than 500,
(Group B) separated into max. 548 sq-m (5,900 sq-ft) areas with 2- & 278 sq-m (3,000 sq-ft)
or the floor area is greater
334 sq-m (3,600 hour FRR fire walls (IBC, Sec. Class B for
No Fire than 4,645 sq-m (50,000
903.2.8 & Tbl 706.4; IFC, Sec. Corridors
Sprinkler sq-ft) areas with 2- sq-ft)
B104.2 & Table B105.1) (k)
System hour FRR fire walls
(IBC, Sec. 903.2.8
& Tbl 706.4; IFC,
Sec. B104.2 &
Table B105.1) (k)
Office
3,762 sq-m 9,615 sq-m Class C Required to monitor the Not
Buildings
(40,500 sq-ft) (103,500 sq-ft), if separated into max. fire sprinkler system. Required
(Group B)
7,776 sq-m (83,700 sq-ft) areas with
Fire
2-hour FRR fire walls (IBC, Tbl
Sprinkler
706.4; IFC, Sec. B104.2 & Table
System
B105.1) (k
Installed
Note: This Table is only a summary of requirements in SAES-M-100. Consult SAES-M-100 references for greater detail.
Footnote Requirements

APPLIES Requirements for all buildings:

TO ALL a) Minimum 2,286mm (7.5-foot) ceiling heights.
BUILDINGS b) Minimum 914mm (36-inch) width & 2,032mm (80-inch) tall doors.
c) Hinged exit doors swing open outward to the exterior & not lockable from the inside, with 1.2m (4-foot) long, level
landings/stairs/railings.
d) Storage of materials cannot block exit doors or corridors/hallways leading to exits.
e) Generally, storage of most common, moderately combustible items is limited to a maximum of 3.66 meters (12 foot) height.
f) Higher hazard materials (combustible plastics, flammable liquids, tires and pallets) are limited to a maximum 1,829 mm (6 feet)
in height.
g) If the building/room does not have fire sprinkler protection, storage heights must be maintained at least 610 mm (2 feet) below
the ceiling.
h) If the building/room does have fire sprinkler protection, storage heights must be maintained at least 457 mm (18 inches) below
the deflectors of the fire sprinkler heads at the ceiling plane.
i) No pressurized flammable gas/fuel or flammable liquid containers are allowed in any buildings with human occupancy.
j) Vehicle & fire truck access roads shall extend within 45.72 m (150 feet) of all building exterior walls, have a minimum clear
width of 6.1 m (20 feet) and have a minimum inside turning radius of 7.62 meters (25 feet) and a minimum outside turning radius
of 13.7 meters (45 feet).
k) If a sprinkler system is not installed, a combustible building or cluster of buildings shall be a maximum of 334 m2 (3,600 ft2) and
a non-combustible building or cluster of buildings shall be a maximum of 548 m2 (5,900 ft2), or as limited in the table above,
whichever is less. If a sprinkler system is installed, a combustible building or cluster of buildings shall be a maximum of 4,784
m2 (51,500 ft2) and a non-combustible building or cluster of buildings shall be a maximum of 7,776 m2 (83,700 ft2), or as limited
in the table above, whichever is less. A primary and a standby NFPA 20 fire pump shall be required, with a capacity of 100% of
fire water demand for both pumps. At least one fire pump shall be diesel engine driven. The maximum static pressure at all
points in the system is 552kPA (80 psig), with the fire pumps on and no fire flow occurring. The minimum residual pressure at
94.6 L/s (1,500 gpm) at all points in the system is 138kPa (20 psig). The minimum residual pressure at 63.1 L/s (1,000 gpm) at
all points in the system is 359kPa (52 psig). The system shall meet all three pressure and flow constraints listed above. Flow
velocities in water mains shall be between 3.1 m/sec (10 ft/sec) and 4.6 m/sec (15 ft/sec) at the required 94.6 L/s (1,500 gpm) fire
flow rate. To maintain the minimum 3.1 m/sec (10 ft/sec) for a 94.6 L/s (1,500 gpm) flow rate, a maximum 203mm (8-inch) pipe
size may be used. A dedicated water supply for fire water shall provide a minimum of 681 m3 (180,000 gallons/24,060 ft3) of
firewater capacity. A combined fire/raw water system may be used according to SAES-S-040 & SAES-L-105 (PVC or other
material pipe as permitted), but the domestic demand pressure shall be maintained between 276kPa (40 psig) and 552kPa (80
psig).
l) Fire hydrants shall be spaced a maximum of 90 meters (300 feet) apart along the travel path of a roadway accessible to fire
trucks. Hydrants shall be within 6.1 m (20 feet) from roads. Isolation valves shall be provided along each looped water line with
a maximum spacing of 270 meters (900 feet) apart. The minimum diameter of water supply line serving fire hydrants shall be
152 mm (6 inches) and the maximum pipe diameter is 203 mm (8 inches). Dead-end lines serving fire hydrants shall not contain
more than 379 liters (100 gallons) of stagnant water and not be greater than 20.7 meters (68 feet) for 152 mm (6 inch) diameter

pipe and 11.6 meters (38 feet) for 203 mm (8 inch) diameter pipe. A flushing valve shall be provided at the end of deadend water
lines. Otherwise, looping of the water main to provide water flow from two different directions at all points is required
m) As a general rule, fire extinguishers shall be installed so all areas of buildings are within a 22.86 meters (75 foot) travel distance
of a fire extinguisher. Placing fire extinguishers 32.3 m (106 feet) apart satisfies this rule. Layout the interior fire extinguisher
placement according to the rule for all non-residence buildings. Each residential building without interior corridors shall have a
dry-chemical fire extinguisher mounted on the outside next to the landing, with large buildings (greater than a 32.3 m/106-foot
perimeter) having extinguishers placed every 32.3 m (106 feet) apart around the perimeter of the building.
n) For the Dining Hall/large buildings, provide approved emergency lights (90-minute battery power supply) and locate lights near
the exit doors, along all egress paths and outside each building exterior exit door. Illuminated exit signs above exterior exit doors
are required.
1 Note: All buildings assumed in this table are single-story only. Code requirements are different for multiple-stories buildings. As a
general rule, separation between buildings is required to be a minimum distance of 6.1 meters or 20 feet (IBC, Table 602). If this
separation distance cannot be achieved, then the exterior walls of the building must be 1-hour fire-resistive rated (FRR). There is an
alternative to consider the aggregate area of a group or cluster of smaller buildings based on the “Maximum Building Size” listed
above in columns 2 and 3. If the aggregate area of a cluster of several individual buildings does not exceed the “Maximum Building
Size” for a single building listed above, the non-rated exterior wall ratings for the cluster group of buildings may still occur if the
buildings within the cluster are closer than 20 feet (6.1m) to each other. In this case the separation between individual buildings
within a “cluster” of smaller buildings should be at least 6 feet (1.83m). Each cluster of buildings must be separated from “other
building clusters” by at least 6.1 meters or 20 feet (IBC, Exception to Section 704.3).
2 Type V-B Construction: typically non-rated, combustible wood construction or any other material allowed by the 2009 IBC.
3 Type II-B Construction: typically non-rated, non-combustible steel construction (steel framing, metal or other non-combustible
exterior siding, metal or gypsum board interior sheathing, no wood studs/sheathing/siding).
4 Individual fire areas shall be separated by 2-hour fire-resistive rated (FRR) fire barriers for all buildings, except storage buildings
(which are 3-hour FRR). Doors allowing access through fire barriers shall be 90-minute FRR, with door closures and smoke seals.
5 As a point of reference, cement board has a flame spread rating (FSR) of zero and the red oak species of wood has a FSR of 100.
Class A materials have a FSR of 0-25, Class B materials have a FSR of 26-75 and Class C materials have a FSR of 76-200. The
higher the FSR, the faster flames will move across the surface of the material making it more flammable. Untreated plywood
paneling will typically have a FSR of greater than 200 and cannot be used for wall and ceiling materials. All finish materials shall
have a maximum smoke-develop index of 450 (IBC, Table 803.5). An interior wall or ceiling finish material shall be greater than a
¼-inch (6.4mm) thick, if it is not applied to a non-combustible backing or it is a non-combustible material (IBC/Section 803.11.4).
Interior access corridor flooring must not have less than a NFPA 253 Class II critical radiant flux floor finish (IBC, Section 804.4.1).
Use of foam plastic wall/ceiling insulation has specific material specification requirements.
6 Fire alarm control panel (FACP) with system detectors and UL 1971 listed (not UL 1638) public-mode notification horn/strobe
notification devices (2010 NFPA 72, Sections 18.4.3 and 18.5). A kitchen hood extinguishing system must be monitored by a fire
alarm panel if the Dining Hall has a fire alarm system. The most cost effective method for an entire site would be to place an
addressable, analog fire alarm panel in the guard house and run a low-voltage Class A SLC and NAC loop for a connection to each
building. An outside, weather-proof beacon/horn must be placed on each building to indicate which building is in alarm.

7 Interior building corridors that are required to be fire-resistive rated (FRR) shall have fire partition walls with a 1-hour rating. All
interior dorm (R-2) room walls shall be constructed as 1-hour FRR walls. Doors through interior corridor walls must have a 20-
minute FRR and be self-closing (door closures) with latches and smoke seals (IBC, Sections 715 and 1018). Kick-down door stops
to hold open the doors that enter the interior corridors are prohibited.
8 Dormitories With Fire Sprinkler System Protection:
Dormitory sleeping accommodation buildings (Group R-2 occupancies) require UL 217 listed smoke “alarms”. Each smoke alarm in
the residence shall be wired to the 110/220 VAC building power source and have a secondary 9 VDC battery as a backup power
supply. The 9 VDC batteries in smoke alarms shall be replaced every six months. Smoke alarms operate and sound an alarm when
smoke is present, but they are not connected to a fire alarm control panel (FACP) and are not monitored by a fire alarm dispatch
agency to notify the fire department. The smoke alarms only sound an alarm to notify the occupants of the resident to evacuate. If
more than one smoke alarm is present in the individual dwelling unit, multiple-station (versus single-station) smoke alarms shall be
installed. Each multi-station smoke alarm in the residence is wired together (inter-connected), in a manner that if one smoke alarm
activates due to the presence of smoke, then all the smoke alarms in the residence that are connected to each other will activate and
sound an audible alarm in each room. In the case of dormitory/Group R-2 occupancies, an activation of a smoke alarm in an
individual sleeping unit would only activate the interconnected smoke alarms for an audible warning in the individual affect sleeping
unit. No other sleeping units in the Group R-2 building would have their smoke alarms activated to hear an audible alarm. If a fire
continues to grow, the fire sprinkler system flow switch would activate the fire alarm system and provide an audible warning signal
to alert residents. Smoke alarms are required in the following locations:
• On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, such as a hallway.
• In each room used for sleeping purposes.
• On all floors levels of the residence which in the case of a single-story residence would only be one floor.
Dormitories Without Fire Sprinkler System Protection:

Dormitory sleeping accommodation buildings (Group R-2 occupancies) without a fire sprinkler system shall be protected by a UL 864
listed NFPA 72 addressable, analog fire alarm system with smoke detectors in all areas of the building. Smoke detectors shall be UL
268 listed with integral audible alarms (sounder bases) or UL 464 audible horns. These smoke detectors shall be connected to a fire
alarm system covering the entire camp/park with the following features for the dormitory buildings:
• A UL 864 listed fire alarm control panel according to the most current (e.g., 9th edition) UL 864 edition, addressable, analog
equipment and operation.
• Class A signaling line and notification appliance circuits.
• Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals are received by an on-site master fire alarm control panel and are monitored at all
times by on-site, qualified safety personnel capable of and responsible for responding to and mitigating a fire emergency
and system faults or failures.

Activation of a smoke detector in a sleeping room shall activate all the audible sounder bases in the individual dwelling unit and send
an alarm signal to the SCC. The locations for smoke detectors are the same as above for smoke alarms.
9 Sleeping rooms (bedrooms) in single-story, Dormitory/Group R-2 occupancies may be required to have an “emergency escape and
rescue opening” (EERO). See (IBC/Section 1029.1 for exceptions to providing EEROs. These openings are typically windows, but
may also be secondary exterior doors opening to the outside. The requirements of these openings are as follows:
• Minimum net clear opening: 0.46 m2 (5.0 ft2) for grade EERO floor openings and 0.53 m2 (5.7 ft2) for above-grade EERO
floor openings.
• Minimum net clear opening height: 610mm (24 inches).
• Minimum net clear opening width: 508mm (20 inches).
• Maximum height from floor to the bottom of the clear opening: 1,118mm (44 inches) measured from the floor.
10 It is recommended to furnishing bedrooms with mattresses that meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 16 CFR
Part 1632 and 16 CFR Part 1633 federal mattress standards for decreased flammability greatly delay and reduced fire hazards of
flashover.
11 Two exits are required for an occupant load greater than 50 (2009 IBC, Section 1015.1). Three exits are required for an occupant
load greater than 500 (IBC, Section 1018.1). Dining Hall and assembly-type occupancies with an occupant load greater than 300
requires a main exit with a capacity of not less than one-half of the occupant load (2009 IBC, Section 1028.2). Dining Hall and
assembly-type occupancies shall have panic hardware devices on doors.
12 A NFPA 17A & UL-300 wet-chemical kitchen hood fire extinguishing system is required for Type I kitchen hood exhaust systems
above cooking appliances that produce smoke and grease vapors. These systems shall be installed according to their listing and the
2009 IFC. The kitchen area shall have a Type K fire extinguisher within 3 to 9 meters (10 to 30 feet) of the cooking appliances.


SMG 07-005 Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code To Contractors 2021-11-25

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SMG 07-005 Application of Saudi Aramco Building Code To Contractors 2021-11-25

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Saudi Aramco

Safety Management Guide

Application of Saudi Aramco

Prepared by Loss Prevention

December 30, 2021

Responsible SME: Project Support Group Leader

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

3. REFERENCES & DEFINITIONS

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ASTM International (ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials)

International Code Council (ICC)

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAES)

Saudi Aramco General Instruction (GI)

Saudi Aramco Minimum Medical Standards Requirements Manual (MMSR)

Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. (UL)

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• Group R (for “Residential”): where people live and sleep.

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6. REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDING CODE DESIGN PROCESS

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6.1.4 Example minimum room areas for a 10,000 person camp:

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6.4 Step 4: Determine if a sprinkler system is required for each building.

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Table 5A – Maximum Area per Floor (from IBC Table 503)

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A-1 790 sq meters (8,500 sq ft) 2

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6.6 Step 6: Determine egress requirements for each building.

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Table 6A – Area per Occupant (from IBC Table 1004.1.1)

OLF or Area per Occupant *

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Occupancy Group Maximum Occupant Load

Table 6C – Maximum Area for a Room with One Exit

Function/Use of Floor/Room Maximum Area

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Square Meters (Square

Assembly with chairs only (not fixed) 31.9 (343) *

Table 6D – Minimum Number of Exits per Story (from IBC Table

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Table 6E – Minimum Width per Occupant

Egress System Component Minimum Width per Occupant

7.62 mm per occupant

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E Upper handrail extension, horizontal, minimum 12 IBC Section

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a) Building has a fire sprinkler system throughout, or

6.7 Step 7: Develop building floor plans and elevations.

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6.9.3 Doors in FRR walls shall comply with Table 9A.

Table 9A – FRR for Doors (from IBC Table 715.4)

Wall FRR (hours) Door FRR (hours)