Fire Safety Regulations for Buildings

Attic and Roof Space

• Attic space may be divided into areas not exceeding 750 sq.meters if equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.

• Openings in partitions must be protected by self-closing doors.

• Draft stops must be installed in trusses or roofs, between roof and bottom chords or trusses, in all buildings exceeding

  Attic and Roof Space

  • Attic space may be divided into areas not exceeding 750 sq.meters if equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system. This is an essential provision to ensure fire safety in large buildings, as it prevents the spread of fire across the attic space. Additionally, it enables easier evacuation and firefighting in case of an emergency.

  • Openings in partitions must be protected by self-closing doors. These doors help to maintain continuity of fire-resistance rated partitions, which is crucial for compartmentalizing the attic space in the event of a fire.

  • Draft stops must be installed in trusses or roofs, between roof and bottom chords or trusses, in all buildings exceeding 2000 sq.meters. This requirement applies to larger buildings, where the risk of fire spread is higher due to their size. Draft stops act as a passive fire protection measure, restricting the movement of smoke and flames vertically within the attic space.

  • Draft stops must be constructed as for attic area separations. This ensures that they are designed and built to withstand the forces generated during a fire, effectively dividing the attic space into manageable areas in case of an emergency.

  Roof Drainage System

  • Roof drains must be installed at low points of the roof and be adequate in size to discharge all tributary waters. The primary function of roof drains is to efficiently remove rainwater and prevent water accumulation, which can lead to structural damage, leakage, or ice dams.

  • Overflow drains must be provided to ensure that the roof can handle excess water during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. This secondary drainage system serves as a backup to the primary roof drains, preventing water from accumulating on the roof and reduces the risk of damage or collapse.

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• Draft stops must be constructed as for attic area separations.

Roof Drainage System

• Roof drains must be installed at low points of the roof and be adequate in size to discharge all tributary waters.
• Overflow drains must be provided where roof drains are required.
• Roof drains and overflows drains, when concealed within the construction of the building, must be installed in accordance with the National Plumbing Code.
• Roof drainage water from a building must not be permitted to flow over public property, except for Group A and J Occupancies.

Flashing

• Flashing and counterflashing must be provided at the juncture of the roof and vertical surfaces.

Stairs, Exits, and Occupant Loads

• The construction of stairs and exits must conform to the occupant load requirements of buildings.
• Occupant load permitted in any building or portion thereof must be determined by dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the unit area allowed per occupant.
• Intermediate handrails must be spaced approximately equal within the entire width of the stairway.
• Handrails must be placed not less than 800 millimeters nor more than 900 millimeters above the nosing of treads.
• Ends of handrails must be returned or terminated in newel posts or safety terminals.
• Stairways 1.10 meters or less in width and stairways serving one individual dwelling unit in Group A or B Occupancies may have one handrail.
• Exterior stairway protection must be provided by self-closing fire assembly having a three-fourth hour fire-resistive rating.
• Stairway construction must be in accordance with the Code.
• Walls and soffits of enclosed space under the stairs must be protected on the enclosed side as required for one-hour fire-resistive construction.

Exit Distance

• The line of travel to an exit door by an aisle must be not more than 45.00 meters.
• With standard spacing, aisles must be so located that there will be not more than seven seats between the wall and an aisle and not more than fourteen seats between aisles.
• The number of seats between aisles may be increased to thirty where exits doors are provided along each side aisle of the row of seats at the rate of one pair of exit doors for every five rows of seats.

Aisles

• Aisles must terminate in a cross aisle, foyer, or exit.
• The width of the cross aisle must be not less than the sum of the required width of the widest aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles leading thereto.
• In Groups C, H, and E Occupancies, aisles must not be provided a dead end greater than 6.00 meters in length.

Seats

• Seat spacing must be not less than 840 millimeters.

Masonry Chimneys

• Masonry chimneys for medium-heat appliances must be constructed of solid masonry units or reinforced concrete not less than 200 millimeters thick.
• Masonry chimneys for high-heat appliances must be constructed with double walls of solid masonry units or reinforced concrete not less than 200 millimeters in thickness.
• Masonry chimneys for incinerators installed in multi-storey buildings must have walls of solid masonry or reinforced concrete, not less than 100 millimeters thick.

Wet Standpipes

• The number of wet standpipes required must be determined so that all portions of the building are within 6.00 meters of a nozzle attached to a hose 23.00 meters in length.
• Location of outlets in Group H and I Occupancies must be one on each side of the stage, one at the rear of the auditorium, and one at the rear of the balcony.
• Water supply must be connected to a street main not less than 100 millimeters in diameter, or to a water tank of sufficient size.
• Tanks must have a capacity sufficient to furnish at least 1,500 liters per minute for a period of not less than 10 minutes.