National Building Code Of India 2016 Volume 1 Part 4 Fire And Life Safety PDF

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, - ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 Hkkjr dh jk"Vªh; Hkou fuekZ.k lafgrk 2016 [k.M 1 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 VOLUME 1 Hkkjrh; ekud C;wjks BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 CONTENTS FOREWORD 3 1 SCOPE 7 2 TERMINOLOGY 7 3 FIRE PREVENTION 12 4 LIFE SAFETY 27 5 FIRE PROTECTION 52 6 ADDITIONAL OCCUPANCY WISE REQUIREMENTS 58 ANNEX A CALORIFIC VALUES OF COMMON MATERIALS 68 ANNEX B BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES 69 IN TO DIFFERENT DEGREE OF HAZARD ANNEX C AVAILABLE DATA REGARDING FIRE RESISTANCE RATING 72 OF VARIOUS BUILDING COMPONENTS ANNEX D GUIDELINES FOR FIRE DRILL AND EVACUATION 81 PROCEDURES FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS ANNEX E ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS 87 ANNEX F ATRIUM 89 ANNEX G COMMERCIAL KITCHENS 91 ANNEX H CAR PARKING FACILITIES 94 ANNEX J FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR METRO STATIONS 96 ANNEX K FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR METRO 103 TRAINWAYS ANNEX M FIRE PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS FOR VENTING IN 106 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS LIST OF STANDARDS 112 2 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 National Building Code Sectional Committee, CED 46 FOREWORD This Code (Part 4) deals with safety from fire. It specifies the demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction of buildings in each fire zone, classification of buildings based on occupancy, types of building construction according to fire resistance of the structural and non-structural components and other restrictions and requirements necessary to minimise danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the buildings can be evacuated. The Code recognizes that safety of life is more than a matter of means of egress and accordingly deals with various matters which are considered essential to the safety of life. The Code therefore covers provisions relating to means of egress covering various components thereof namely exit access, exit and exit discharge. It also covers provisions relating to fire protection of buildings through portable and fixed firefighting installations. Fire protection techniques have to be based on the fire behaviour characteristics of different materials and structural elements of buildings. The activities pursued by the occupants of buildings must also be taken into consideration for assessing the extent of hazards, and method should then be devised by which the hazards could be minimised. An indefinite combination of variables is involved in the phenomenon of fire, all of which cannot be quantified. The requirements of this Code should, therefore, be taken as a guide and an engineering design approach should be adopted for ensuring a fire safe design for buildings. Depending upon the type and complexities in a building, qualified and trained fire protection engineers should be associated with the planning of buildings, so that adequate fire and life safety measures could be incorporated in the building design right from the beginning. Absolute safety from fire is not attainable in practice. The objective of this Part is to specify measures that will provide that degree of safety from fire which can be reasonably achieved. The Code endeavours to avoid requirements that might involve unreasonable hardships or unnecessary inconvenience or interference with normal use and occupancy of buildings, but insists upon compliance with minimum standards of fire safety necessary for building occupants and users. For ensuring compliance of fire protection equipment/installations to the laid down quality requirements, it is desirable to use such equipment/installation duly certified under the BIS Certification Marks Scheme. While providing guidelines for minimizing chances of occurrence of fire through passive fire protection measures, this Part does not intend to cover all aspects of general fire prevention including sources of ignition. Nor does it cover the prevention of accidental personal injuries during the course of normal occupancy of buildings. This Part while recognizing that panic in a building on fire may be uncontrollable, deals with the potential panic hazard through measures designed to prevent the development of panic. Experience indicates that panic seldom develops even in the presence of potential danger, so long as occupants of buildings are moving towards exits which they can see within a reasonable distance and with no obstruction or undue congestion in the path of travel. However, any uncertainty as to the location or adequacy of means of egress, the presence of smoke or fumes and the stoppage of travel towards the exit, such as may occur when one person stumbles and falls on stairs, may be conducive to panic. Danger from panic is greater when a large number of people are trapped in a confined area particularly when people are not adequately guided towards egress and safety notifications are not implemented or practiced. Consideration towards announcements and annunciations needs to be given to guide the occupants to safe egress routes and to control panic during situation of distress. Experience has shown that concealed spaces within a building, such as, space between ceiling and false ceiling, horizontal and vertical ducts and shafts, etc, tend to act as flues/tunnels during a fire. Provision should, therefore, be made to provide fire stopping within such spaces. Nothing in this Part of the Code shall be construed to prohibit better types of building construction, more exits or otherwise safer conditions than the minimum requirements specified in this Part. Compliance with this Part shall not be construed as eliminating or reducing the necessity for other provisions for safety of persons using a building or structure under normal occupancy conditions. Nor shall any provision of this PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 3 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 Part be construed as requiring or permitting any addition that maybe hazardous under normal occupancy conditions. One of the major points brought out in this Part is the limitation of heights and areas of buildings based on fire safety of the occupants. Individual municipal corporations are free to alter Table 2 based on local conditions, but the ratios of areas as maintained in the table for different occupancies and types of construction shall be adhered to. Advantage has been taken of the developments, particularly in fire resistance rating of materials, designating types of construction in a rational manner and relating the area limitations of different occupancies to different types of construction. Halons (halogenated hydrocarbons) which exhibit exceptional firefighting and explosion prevention/suppression characteristics have been found to possess high ozone depleting potential. They come under Group II of Annex A of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the international environmental agreement for phasing out ozone depleting substances. Due to increasing evidence that the ozone layer is getting depleted at a faster rate than thought earlier, the Code takes into cognizance the need to promote use of halon alternatives as fire extinguishing media. The first version of this Part was formulated in 1970 and was revised in 1983. Subsequently the first revision of this Part was modified in 1997 through Amendment No. 3 to 1983 version of the Code. This modified version of this Part included few tables for the fire resistance ratings of various building components, such as walls, columns, beams and floors. The requirements for wet riser, down-comer, automatic sprinkler installation, high velocity (10-15 m/s) water spray or foam generating system, etc, for buildings were modified. Annex giving guidelines for selection of fire detectors had been deleted and relevant Indian Standards on fire alarm system and smoke detectors had been referred. Also, an annex for determination of fire loads and flue load density for arriving at the classification of occupancy hazard and calorific values of some common materials were included. Annex for broad classification of industrial and non-industrial occupancies into low, moderate and high hazard had also been included. The Code was then revised in 2005. In this revision, the significant modifications incorporated were: The text was divided into the following broad clauses: (a) Fire prevention — Covering aspects of fire prevention pertaining to design and construction of buildings on passive fire protection measures, also describing the various types of building materials and their fire rating; (b) Life safety — Covering life safety provisions in the event of fire and similar emergencies, also addressing construction and occupancy features that are necessary to minimise danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic; (c) Fire protection — Covering the significant appurtenances and their related components and guidelines for selecting the correct type of equipment and installation meant for fire protection of the building, depending upon the classification and type of the building. Also, the classification of building based on occupancy was elaborated, wherein, starred hotels were covered as a new Subdivision A-6 under occupancy Group A Residential; heritage structures and archaeological monuments were covered under Subdivision D-3 occupancy Group D Assembly buildings; mixed assembly occupancies were covered as a new Subdivision D-6; underground elevated railways were covered as a new Subdivision D-7 under occupancy Group D Assembly buildings; and TV stations were covered under Subdivision E-5 of occupancy Group E Business buildings. Further, for the external stairs for exit requirements, the width and treads were increased to 1 250 mm and 250 mm, respectively; under the requirements for institutional buildings the clear width of all required exits which serve as egress from hospital or infirmary section was increased from 1.5 m to 2 m. Also, provision of patient-lift was included; and due cognizance of halon phase out programme was taken, while specifying provisions in this Part with respect to fire protection using fire extinguishers/systems. Based on various comments received from time-to-time, an Amendment No. 2 relating to Part 4 of the 2005 version of the Code, was issued. In this current revision, the following significant changes have been made: General: 1) The scope of application of provisions of this Part of the Code for different occupancies has been clarified. 2) Definitions of various new terms have been included and definitions of some of the existing terms have been updated based on latest developments and use. Fire Prevention: 3) Based on the experience in the use of the provisions of the Code in relation to various occupancies and 4 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 subdivision classification under various building occupancy types, the same has been reviewed and updated. Also, mixed occupancy and minor occupancy have been further clarified. 4) Table 1 on fire resistance ratings of structural and non-structural elements has been updated. 5) The provisions relating to fire separating walls, fire separating floors and fire partitions have been detailed. 6) Provisions of fire safety requirements of services shafts have been rationalized and updated. 7) A separate comprehensive clause on electrical power supply distribution for fire and life safety systems has been included. 8) Detailed clauses on air conditioning systems towards safety and smoke control integration have been provided. 9) Glass facade requirements have been detailed towards fire protection and smoke exhaust aspects. 10) A separate comprehensive clause on Fire Command Centre (FCC) has been introduced covering various requirements. Life Safety: 11) The components of means of egress have been comprehensively brought out covering specific aspects relating to exit access, exit and exit discharge. The relationship of occupant load, exit width requirements and travel distances have also been duly detailed enabling efficient planning for enhanced life safety provisions. The table on capacity factors has been modified based on aspect of width per person approach used globally. 12) Requirement for displaying the occupancy load for assembly buildings and call centres, has been included. 13) The concept of firefighting shaft for safe and efficient use by the fire fighters to access the floor on fire and also allow egress/evacuation of the occupants with simultaneous use of refuge area used as staging of the occupants, have been well integrated, including in the annex for high rise buildings. 14) Aspects of compartmentation with fire barrier and its passive fire safety requirements have been detailed for respective occupancies. 15) Pressurization of exits and smoke extraction requirements for respective areas including car parking have been updated with an approach towards selecting alternative means therefor. 16) The clause on gas supply has been comprehensively updated. 17) The clause on fire detection and alarm system has been completely reviewed and updated as per the latest practices. Fire Protection: 18) The table on minimum requirements for firefighting installations (erstwhile Table 23 and now Table 7) has been comprehensively updated. 19) Detailed provisions have been included on fire water storage, fire pump room, sprinkler system and various alternative fire suppression systems. Additional Occupancy-wise Requirements 20) Concept of progressive evacuation in case of hospital buildings has been included in detail to ensure life safety of the inmates. 21) Provisions relating to requirement of refuge area have been updated including for D-6 occupancy and introduced for apartment buildings of height 60 m and above. 22) Separate provisions on atrium have been included in Annex F. 23) Detailed separate provisions have been included on commercial kitchens in Annex G. 24) Detailed separate provisions have been included on car parking facilities in Annex H. 25) Separate provisions on fire and life safety requirements for metro stations and metro trainways have been included in Annex J and Annex K, respectively. PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 5 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 For provisions relating to universal accessibility and barrier-free environment Part 3 ‘Development Control Rules and General Building Requirements’ of the Code may be referred. All standards cross-referred to in the main text of this Part, are subject to revision. The parties to agreement based on this Part are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards. For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this Part of the Code is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised)’. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this Part. 6 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 1 SCOPE enclosed stairway; lifts hoist-way; an escalator opening; or as a utility shaft used for plumbing, electrical, air 1.1 This Code (Part 4) covers the requirements for fire conditioning, or communications facilities. prevention, life safety in relation to fire and fire protection of buildings. This Code (Part 4) specifies 2.3 Authorities Concerned — An organization, occupancy-wise classification, constructional aspects, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the egress requirements and protection features that are requirements of a code or standard, or for approving necessary to minimise danger to life and property from or accepting equipment, materials, an installation, or fire. a procedure. 1.2 The provisions of this Part are applicable to, 2.4 Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System — A system comprising components and sub-systems a) all high rise buildings; and required for automatically detecting smoke, heat or fire b) special buildings, those are, initiating an alarm and other actions as appropriate. 1) hotel, educational, institutional, business, This system also includes manually operated electronic mercantile, industrial, storage, hazardous fire alarm (MOEFA) system. and mixed occupancies, where any of NOTE — MOEFA system (with or without automatic fire these buildings have floor area more than detection and alarm system) includes all or some of the 500 m2 on any one or more floors; components such as manual call stations (initiating an alarm for fire and other actions as required), talk-back system and 2) educational buildings having height 9 m public address system. and above; 3) institutional buildings having height 9 m 2.5 Building — Any structure for whatsoever purpose and above; and of whatsoever materials constructed and every part thereof whether used as human habitation or not and 4) all assembly buildings; includes foundation, plinth, walls, floors, roofs, 5) buildings, having area more than 300 m2 chimneys, plumbing and building services, fixed of incidental assembly occupancy on any platforms, Veranda, balcony, cornice or projection, part floor; and of a building or anything affixed thereto or any wall 6) buildings with two basements or more, enclosing or intended to enclose any land or space and or with one basement of area more than signs and outdoor display structures. Tents, 500 m2. Shamianahs, tarpaulin shelters, etc, erected for unless otherwise mentioned specifically in the temporary and ceremonial occasions with the provisions. permission of the Authority shall not be considered as building. NOTE — The owner of the building and parties to agreement, may however, decide to apply the provisions of this Part to 2.6 Building, Height of — The vertical distance buildings other than those given above. measured in the case of flat roofs, from the average 2 TERMINOLOGY level of the ground around and contiguous to the building or as decided by the Authority to the terrace For the purpose of this Part, the following definitions of the last livable floor of the building adjacent to the shall apply. external wall; and in the case of pitched roofs, up to the point where the external surface of the outer wall 2.1 Assisted Evacuation — Strategy that exists during intersects the finished surface of the sloping roof; and which a designated person or persons provide in the case of gables facing the road, the mid-point assistance, during an emergency, to another person(s) between the eaves level and the ridge. Where the to leave a building or a specific part of the built building is located in a sloped terrain, height shall be environment and to reach a final place of safety. determined from the lowest level (that is approachable 2.2 Atrium — A large-volume space created by a floor by the fire service vehicles) to the terrace level. opening or series of floor openings connecting two or Architectural features serving no other function except more stories that is covered at the top of the series of that of decoration shall be excluded for the purpose of openings and is used for purposes other than an measuring heights. PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 7 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 2.7 Combustible Material — A material which either each floor/landing. It is also fitted with inlet connections burns itself or adds heat to a fire, when tested for non- at ground level for charging with water by pumping combustibility in accordance with accepted from fire service appliances and air release valve at standard [4(1)]. roof level to release trapped air inside. 2.8 Common Path of Travel — That portion of the 2.11 Dry Riser — An arrangement of firefighting exit access which the occupants are required to traverse within the building by means of vertical rising mains before two (or more) separate and distinct routes or not less than 100 mm internal diameter with landing two (or more) exits become available. Common paths valves on each floor/landing which is normally dry but of travel are part of travel distance. is capable of being charged with water usually by pumping from fire service appliances. 2.9 Covered Area — Ground area covered by the building immediately above the plinth level. The area 2.12 Emergency Lighting — Lighting provided for covered by the following in the open spaces is excluded use when the supply to the normal lighting fails. from covered area (see Table 9): 2.13 Emergency Lighting System — A complete but a) Garden, rockery, well and well structures, discrete emergency lighting installation also fed from plant nursery, water pool, swimming pool (if the standby power source to the emergency lighting uncovered), platform round a tree, tank, lamp(s), for example, self-contained emergency fountain, bench, Chabutara with open top and luminaire or a circuit from central battery (with or unenclosed on sides by walls and the like; without monitoring system) connected through wiring b) Drainage culvert, conduit, catch-pit, gully pit, to several escape lighting luminaries. chamber, gutter and the like; 2.14 Escape Lighting — That part of the emergency c) Compound wall, gate, unstoreyed porch and lighting which is provided to ensure that the escape portico, slide, swing, uncovered staircases, ramp route is illuminated at all material times, for example, areas covered by Chhajja and the like; and at all times when persons are on the premises, or at d) Watchman’s booth, pump house, garbage times the main lighting is not available, either for the shaft, electric cabin or substations, and such whole building or for the means of egress. other utility structures meant for the services 2.15 Evacuation Lift — Lift that can be used, during of the building under consideration. an emergency, for self-evacuation. NOTE — For the purpose of this Part, covered area equals the plot area minus the area due for open spaces in the plot. 2.16 Exit — That unobstructed component of means of egress which is between the exit access and the exit 2.10 Down-comer — An arrangement of firefighting discharge or public way. Exit components include within the building by means of down-comer pipe exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior connected to terrace tank through terrace pump, gate exit stairways, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways valve and non-return valve and having mains not less and exterior exit ramps (see Fig. 1). than 100 mm internal diameter with landing valves on FIG. 1 C OMPONENTS OF MEANS OF E GRESS 8 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 2.17 Exit Access — That portion of a means of egress NOTES 1 Wherever reference has been made to fire door or fire check that leads to an exit (for example, doorways, staircase door in this Part, the same shall be construed as fire door lobby, ramps, Veranda, corridor or passageway leading assembly. to an exit) (see Fig. 1). 2 Fire doors in exits shall have fire rating as required in this Part to meet the requirement of integrity and stability; and the 2.18 Exit Access Corridor — A corridor in exit access insulation criteria shall be 20 min. which may not necessarily have the requirement of exits 3 Fire doors in exits shall be provided with intumescent seal. 4 Fire doors in exits shall not be allowed to be on hold open being met. position and kept closed and to close by ‘door closure — spring 2.19 Exit Discharge — The component of a means of mechanism’. 5 Fire curtains shall not be allowed as fire exits. If so provided egress between the termination of an exit and a public for compartmentation, independent fire door shall be provided way (see Fig. 1). meeting the requirement for fire door in exits as above (of the width as required) within the prescribed travel distance 2.20 Fire Barrier (or Fire Resisting Barrier) — A requirement. fire barrier is a vertically or horizontally aligned 2.23 Fire Exit — A way out leading from exit access member such as a wall or a fire curtain, or a floor. These with or without panic bar provided on the door. may be with discontinuities created by openings with a specified fire resistance rating, where such members 2.24 Firefighting Shaft (Fire Tower) — An enclosed are designed and constructed with a specified fire shaft having protected area of 120 min fire resistance resistance rating to limit the spread of fire that also rating comprising protected lobby, staircase and restricts the movement of smoke. fireman’s lift, connected directly to exit discharge or through exit passageway with 120 min fire resistant 2.21 Fire Compartment — A space within a building wall at the level of exit discharge to exit discharge. that is enclosed by fire barrier or fire resistant walls on These shall also serve the purpose of exit requirement/ all sides, including the top and bottom. strategy for the occupants. The respective floors shall be approachable from fire-fighting shaft enabling the 2.22 Fire Door and Fire Door Assembly — Any fire fighters to access the floor and also enabling the combination of fire door, frame, hardware and other fire fighters to assist in evacuation through fireman’s accessories that together provide a specific fire resistant lift. The firefighting shaft shall be equipped with rating to the opening in terms of its stability, integrity 120 min fire doors. The firefighting shaft shall be and insulation properties, when installed in the openings equipped with firemen talk back, wet riser and landing in fire separation walls. Fire door is a component of valve in its lobby, to fight fire by fire fighters (see Fig. 2 fire door assembly. for a typical firefighting shaft). (LAYOUT TO BE PLANNED AS PER PROJECT BASIS MEETING ALL THE REQUIRED DETAILS) NOTES 1 Where such lobbies and staircase in the firefighting shaft are naturally ventilated/cross-ventilated, the shaft may not be enclosed and fire door need not be provided. 2 For all enclosed firefighting shaft, the shaft’s lobby should have floor plan duly displayed for the information of fire fighters. FIG. 2 TYPICAL FIRE FIGHTING S HAFT PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 9 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 2.25 Fire Load — Calorific energy, of the whole 2.32 Fire Stop — A fire resistant material, or contents contained in a space, including the facings of construction, having a fire resistance rating of not less the walls, partitions, floors and ceilings. than the fire separating elements, installed in concealed spaces or between structural elements of a building to 2.26 Fire Load Density — Fire load divided by floor prevent the spread/propagation of fire and smoke area. through walls, ceilings and the like as per the laid down 2.27 Fireman’s Lift — A lift or a group of lifts invariably criteria. associated with all the features and requirements of a NOTES fire-fighting shaft. Such lift(s) are installed to enable fire 1 Fire stop assembly for through penetrations is a combination services personnel to reach different floors with minimum of firestop compatible for use with the penetrant, penetration delay, and shall meet the additional features as required items such as cables, cable tray, conduits, ducts, pipes, etc, in accordance with this Part. This lift also serves the and their means of support through the wall or opening that together restores the fire resistance rating of the fire separating purpose of meeting the requirement of evacuation lift elements in terms of its integrity and/or insulation properties. for assisted evacuation. 2 Fire stop assembly for joints is the one where fire stop with movement capability is used to seal the linear joints between 2.28 Fire Resistance — Fire resistance is a property adjacent fire separating elements, to maintain the fire resistance of an element of building construction and is the of the separating elements, which should be installed within its measure of its ability to satisfy for a stated period, some tested design limits with regard to size of the joint, type of or all of the following criteria: assembly, and anticipated compression and extension of the joint. a) Load bearing capacity (Stability) (R) — The ability of a load bearing element to withstand 2.33 Fire Suppression Systems fire exposure without any loss of structural a) Gas based systems — Systems that use stability. gaseous agents as fire suppression media, such b) Integrity (E) — Resistance to penetration of as, all agents alternate to Halon gases, listed flame and hot gases. and approved for use by relevant Indian c) Insulation (I) — Resistance to temperature Standards; other methods/types of gas based rise on the unexposed face up to a maximum systems where their protection is equal to or of 180°C at any single point and average better than what is suggested above for the temperature of 140°C. type of application subject to the acceptance of Authorities concerned may also fall under 2.29 Fire Resistance Rating — The time that a such systems. material or construction will withstand the standard fire exposure as determined by fire test done in accordance b) Water based systems — Systems that use with the standard methods of fire tests of materials/ mainly water as firefighting media such as structures as per the accepted standard [4(2)]. hydrant system, sprinkler system, water spray system, foam system and water mist NOTES system. 1 The requirement of rating of various building elements as given in this Part shall be applicable in accordance with the 2.34 Fire Wall or Fire Separating Wall — A fire provisions given in the accepted standard [4(2)]. resistance rated wall having fire protected openings, 2 The fire resistance rating shall be specified in terms of minutes. which restricts the spread of fire and extends 3 Fire resistance rating for non-structural material/assembly shall bear a label of compliance to such rating as per the approval continuously from the foundation to the roof (and of competent authority based on testing and evaluation. The through the roof at least 1m above the roof in case label shall be permanently affixed to the material/assembly and of combustible roof), with sufficient structural may carry other relevant details such as name and type of the stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of product, and manufacturer’s details. construction on one side or either side without 2.30 Fire Resistant Wall — Fire resistance rated wall, collapse of the wall. having opening(s) with specified fire resistant rating, which restricts the spread of fire from one part of a 2.35 Floor Area (Gross) — The area of the floor within building to another part of the same building. the inside perimeter of the outside walls of the floor of the building under consideration with no deductions 2.31 Fire Separation — The distance in metre, for corridors and passage-ways, stairs, closets, thickness measured from the external wall of the building of interior walls, columns, lifts and building shafts or concerned to the external wall of any other building on other features. the site, or from other site, or from the opposite side of street or other public space for the purpose of 2.36 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) — The quotient obtained preventing the spread of fire. by dividing the total covered area (plinth area) on all 10 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 floors by the area of the plot: 2.43.6 Non-transit Occupancy — Occupancy not under the control of the system operating authority. Total covered area of all floors FAR = 2.43.7 Point of Safety — One of the following: (a) An Plot area enclosed exit that leads to a public way or safe location 2.37 Fire Exit Hardware — A door-latching assembly outside the station, trainway, or vehicle, (b) An at- incorporating an actuating member or panic bar that grade point beyond the vehicle, enclosing stations, or releases the latch bolt upon the application of a force trainway, (c) A point on open track beyond the open in the direction of egress travel, provided on exits. or enclosed station or enclosed train-way, and (d) Any 2.38 High Rise Building — A building 15 m or above other location approved by the Authorities concerned. in height (irrespective of its occupancy). 2.43.8 Station — A place designated for the purpose 2.39 Horizontal Exit — A defend in place or a staging of loading and unloading passengers, including service arrangement, providing safety from fire and smoke area and ancillary spaces associated with the same originating from the area of incidence, by allowing structure. alternative egress from a compartment to an area of refuge or another compartment at or near the same level. 2.43.8.1 Composite station — A transit station that is This also includes such egress from a compartment to constructed contiguous with non-transit occupancy. an adjoining building. A horizontal exit shall be through 2.43.8.2 Enclosed station — A station or portion thereof a fire door of 120 min rating in a fire resistant wall. that does not meet the definition of an open station. Horizontal exit require separation with the refuge area or adjoining compartment through 120 min fire barrier. 2.43.8.3 Open station — A station that is constructed The adjoining compartment of the horizontal exit such that it is directly open to the atmosphere, and should allow unlocked and ease of egress and exits for smoke and heat are allowed to disperse directly into the occupants using defend in place strategy. surrounding open atmosphere. 2.40 Lift Lobby — A space from which people directly 2.43.9 Station Platform — The area of a station enter a lift car(s) and into which people directly enter immediately adjacent to a guideway, used primarily for upon exiting a lift car(s). loading and unloading passengers. 2.41 Means of Egress — A continuous way of travel 2.44 Mixed Occupancy — A multiple occupancy from any point in a building or structure to a public where the occupancies are intermingled. way, consisting of three separate and distinct parts, that is, exit access, exit and exit discharge. 2.45 Multiple Occupancy — A building or structure in which two or more classes of occupancy exist. 2.42 Means of Escape — A way out of a building or structure that does not conform to the strict definition 2.46 Occupancy or Use Group — The principal of ‘means of egress’ but does provide an alternate way occupancy for which a building or a part of a building out. is used or intended to be used; for the purpose of classification of a building according to the occupancy, 2.43 Metro Station an occupancy shall be deemed to include subsidiary 2.43.1 Concourse — Intermediate level(s) or area(s) occupancies which are contingent upon it. connecting a station platform(s) to a public way through stairs, escalators or corridors. 2.47 Occupant Load — Maximum number of persons that might occupy a building or portion thereof at any 2.43.2 Crush Train Load — The number of passengers one time. inside a train when it is filled to maximum capacity permissible by rolling stock design. 2.48 Place of Comparative Safety — Places within a building where people can stay little longer until 2.43.3 Entraining Load –The number of passengers evacuation, for example, refuge areas, terrace, fire/ boarding a train at a platform. smoke separated compartments, etc. 2.43.4 Headway — The interval of time between the 2.49 Pressurization — The establishment of a pressure arrivals of consecutive trains at a platform in a station. difference across a barrier to protect exit, stairway, 2.43.5 Mass Rapid Transit — Any station building or lobby, exit passageway or room of a building from part thereof, permanent or temporary, through which smoke penetration. people transit for the duration of time required to enter the building and board the train to depart the station 2.50 Pressurization Level — The pressure difference platform or to alight from the train and depart from the between the pressurized space and the adjoining area station building. served by the pressurized space expressed in Pascal (Pa). PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 11 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 2.51 Public Way — A street, alley, or other similar 2.64 Water Based Systems parcel of land essentially open to the outside air, 2.64.1 Hydrant System — A distribution system having dedicated, or otherwise permanently appropriated to a network of piping installed underground/above- the public for public use and having a clear width and ground around and/or through inside of a building with height of not less than 3 m. internal and/or external hydrants fitted with landing 2.52 Ramp — The construction, in the form of an valves at regular intervals according to the occupancy. inclined plane that is steeper than or equal to 1 : 20 The distribution system is connected to water supply (5 percent) from the horizontal, together with any system for firefighting. intermediate landing, that makes it possible to pass from 2.64.2 Automatic Sprinkler System — A system of water one level to another. pipes fitted with sprinkler heads at suitable intervals 2.53 Refuge Area — An area within the building for a and heights and designed to actuate automatically, temporary use during egress. It generally serves as a control and extinguish a fire by the discharge of water. staging area which is protected from the effect of fire 2.64.3 Automatic Water Spray Systems — A special and smoke. fixed pipe system connected to a reliable source of fire 2.54 Roof Exits — A means of escape on to the roof of protection water supply and equipped with water spray a building, where the roof has access to it from the nozzles for specific water discharge and distribution ground through alternative stair case or adjacent over the surface or area to be protected. The piping building. system is connected to the water supply through an automatically actuated deluge valve which initiates flow 2.55 Site (Plot) — A parcel (piece) of land enclosed of water. Automatic actuation is achieved by operation by definite boundaries. of automatic detecting equipment installed along with 2.56 Smoke Barrier — A continuous membrane, or a water spray nozzles. There are two types of systems membrane, where such membrane is designed and namely high velocity and medium velocity systems. constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. 2.64.4 Water Mist Systems — A distribution system 2.57 Smoke Compartment — A space within a connected to a pumping and water supply system that building enclosed by smoke barriers on all sides. is equipped with nozzles capable of delivering water mist to the part/entire enclosure or area, intended to 2.58 Stack Pressure — Pressure difference caused by control, suppress, or extinguish fire and is capable of a temperature difference creating an air movement meeting the specified performance requirements. within a duct, chimney or enclosure. 2.64.5 Foam Protection System — Firefighting systems 2.59 Travel Distance — The distance to be travelled where foam is made by mechanically mixing air with a from any point in a building to a protected exit or solution consisting of fresh water to which a foaming external escape route or final exit measured along the agent (liquid concentrate) has been added. Firefighting line of travel. foam is a stable aggregation of small bubbles of density 2.60 Ventilation — Supply of outside air into, or the lower than oil or water, and shows tenacious qualities removal of inside air from an enclosed space. for covering horizontal surfaces. There are three types of foam applications that is, low, medium and high 2.61 Venting Fire — The process of facilitating heat expansion foams depending upon the application. and smoke to leave a building as quickly as possible by such paths so that lateral spread of fire and heat is 2.65 Wet Riser — An arrangement for firefighting checked, firefighting operations are facilitated and within the building by means of vertical rising mains minimum fire damage is caused. not less than 100 mm nominal diameter with landing valves on each floor/landing for firefighting purposes 2.62 Visual Strobes/Flashing — It is an audio-visual and permanently charged with water from a pressurized fire alarm for alerting persons with hearing impairment supply. with flashing light. The strobe frequency should be from 0.5 Hz to 4.0 Hz. NOTE — For definition of other terms, reference shall be made to accepted standards [4(3)]. NOTE — Care should be taken to ensure that overlapping strobes do not combine to result in a higher frequency of 3 FIRE PREVENTION flashing. 3.1 Classification of Buildings Based on Occupancy 2.63 Volume to Plot Area Ratio (VPR) — The ratio of volume of building measured in cubic metre to the 3.1.1 General Classification area of the plot measured in square metre and expressed All buildings, whether existing or hereafter erected shall in metre. be classified according to use or the character of 12 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 occupancy in one of the following groups: b) Subdivision A-2 One or two family private dwellings — These shall include any private Group A Residential dwelling, which is occupied by members of Group B Educational one or two families and has a total sleeping Group C Institutional accommodation for not more than 20 persons. Group D Assembly If rooms in a private dwelling are rented to Group E Business outsiders, these shall be for accommodating Group F Mercantile not more than three persons per room. Group G Industrial If sleeping accommodation for more than Group H Storage 20 persons is provided in any one residential building, it shall be classified as a building in Group J Hazardous Subdivision A-1 or Subdivision A-4 as the The details of each occupancy and example of buildings case may be. in each group are given in 3.1.2 to 3.1.10. c) Subdivision A-3 Dormitories — These shall 3.1.1.1 Minor occupancy include any building in which group sleeping This is purely incidental to operations in a main accommodation is provided, with or without occupancy, which shall be considered as part of the dining facilities for persons who are not main occupancy and shall be classified under the members of the same family, in one room or a relevant group for the main occupancy. series of closely associated rooms under joint occupancy and single management, for 3.1.1.2 Mixed occupancy example, school and college dormitories, students, and other hostels and military Where two or more types of occupancies intermingle in barracks. the same building, the entire building shall be treated as mixed occupancy and the same shall comply with 3.1.12. d) Subdivision A-4 Apartment houses — These shall include any building or structure in which 3.1.2 Group A Residential Buildings living quarters are provided for three or more These shall include any building in which sleeping families, living independently of each other accommodation is provided for normal residential and with independent cooking facilities, for purposes with or without cooking or dining or both example, apartment houses, mansions and facilities, except any building classified under Group C. Chawls. e) Subdivision A-5 Hotels — These shall include Buildings and structures under Group A shall be further any building or group of buildings under single subdivided as follows: management, in which sleeping Subdivision A-1 Lodging and rooming houses accommodation is provided, with or without dining facilities for hotels classified up to Four Subdivision A-2 One or two family private Star Category. dwellings f) Subdivision A-6 Starred hotels — These shall Subdivision A-3 Dormitories include the hotels duly approved by the Subdivision A-4 Apartment houses concerned authorities as Five Star and above Subdivision A-5 Hotels hotels. Subdivision A-6 Starred hotels 3.1.3 Group B Educational Buildings a) Subdivision A-1 Lodging and rooming These shall include any building used for school, houses — These shall include any building or college, other training institutions involving assembly group of buildings under the same for instruction, education or recreation for not less than management, in which separate sleeping 20 students. accommodation on transient or permanent Buildings and structures under Group B shall be further basis, with or without dining facilities but subdivided as follows: without cooking facilities for individuals is provided. This includes inns, clubs, motels and Subdivision B-1 Schools up to senior secondary guest houses. level NOTE — A lodging or rooming house shall be classified Subdivision B-2 All others/training institutions as a dwelling in Subdivision A-2, if no room in any of its private dwelling units is rented to more than three a) Subdivision B-1 Schools up to senior persons. secondary level — This subdivision shall PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 13 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 include any building or a group of buildings example, jails, prisons, mental hospitals, under single management which is used for mental sanatoria and reformatories. students not less than 20 in number. 3.1.5 Group D Assembly Buildings b) Subdivision B-2 All others/training These shall include any building or part of a building, institutions — This subdivision shall include where not less than 50 persons congregate or gather any building or a group of buildings under for amusement, recreation, social, religious, patriotic, single management which is used for students civil, travel and similar purposes, for example, theatres; not less than 100 in number. motion picture houses; assembly halls; auditoria; In the case of temporary buildings/structures which are exhibition halls; museums; skating rinks; gymnasiums; utilized for educational purposes, the provisions restaurants; places of worship; dance halls; club rooms; of 3.2.5.3 shall apply. passenger stations and terminals of air, surface and If residential accommodation is provided in the schools/ marine public transportation services; and stadia. institutions that portion of occupancy shall be classified Buildings under Group D shall be further subdivided as a building in Subdivision A-3. as follows: 3.1.4 Group C Institutional Buildings Subdivision D-1 Buildings having a theatrical These shall include any building or part thereof, which or motion picture or any other is used for purposes, such as medical or other treatment stage and fixed seats for over or care of persons suffering from physical or mental 1 000 persons illness, disease or infirmity; care of infants, Subdivision D-2 Buildings having a theatrical convalescents or aged persons and for penal or or motion picture or any other correctional detention in which the liberty of the inmates stage and fixed seats up to is restricted. Institutional buildings ordinarily provide 1 000 persons sleeping accommodation for the occupants. Subdivision D-3 Buildings without a permanent Buildings and structures under Group C shall be further stage having accommodation subdivided as follows: for 300 or more persons but no Subdivision C-1 Hospitals and sanatoria permanent seating arrange- ment Subdivision C-2 Custodial institutions Subdivision D-4 Buildings without a permanent Subdivision C-3 Penal and mental institutions stage having accommodation a) Subdivision C-1 Hospitals and sanatoria — for less than 300 persons with This subdivision shall include any building or no permanent seating arrange- a group of buildings under single management, ment which is used for housing persons suffering Subdivision D-5 All other structures including from physical limitations because of health or temporary structures designed age and those incapable of self-preservation, for assembly of people not for example, hospitals, infirmaries, sanatoria covered by Subdivisions D-1 and nursing homes. to D-4, at ground level b) Subdivision C-2 Custodial institutions — This Subdivision D-6 Buildings having mixed subdivision shall include any building or a occupancies of assembly and group of buildings under single management, mercantile (for example, which is used for the custody and care of shopping malls providing persons, such as children, convalescents and facilities such as shopping, the aged who are incapable of self- cinema theatres, multiplexes preservation, for example, homes for the aged and restaurants/food courts) and infirm, convalescent homes and orphanages. Subdivision D-7 Underground and elevated mass rapid transit system c) Subdivision C-3 Penal and mental institutions — This subdivision shall include a) Subdivision D-1 — This subdivision shall any building or a group of buildings under include any building primarily meant for single management, which is used for housing theatrical or operatic performances and persons under restraint, or who are detained which has a stage, proscenium curtain, fixed for penal or corrective purposes, in which the or portable scenery or scenery loft, lights, liberty of the inmates is restricted, for mechanical appliances or other theatrical 14 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA 2016 ook Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid up Supplied by Book Supply Bureau Under the License from BIS for LARSEN AND TOUBRO CONSTRUCTION - MANAPAKKAM, CHENNAI ON 17-03-2017 08:57:36 (123.63.24.35) valid upto31-12-2017 accessories and equipment for example, 3.1.6 Group E Business Buildings theatres, motion picture houses, auditoria, These shall include any building or part thereof which concert halls, television and radio studios is used for transaction of business for keeping of admitting an audience and which are accounts and records and similar purposes, professional provided with fixed seats for over establishments, service facilities, etc. City halls, town 1 000 persons. halls, courthouses and libraries shall be classified in b) Subdivision D-2 — This subdivision shall this group so far as the principal function of these is include any building primarily meant for use transaction of public business and keeping of books as described for Subdivision D-1, but with and records. fixed seats up to 1 000 persons. Buildings under Group E shall be further subdivided c) Subdivision D-3 — This subdivision shall as follows: include any building, its lobbies, rooms and Subdivision E-1 Offices, banks, professional other spaces connected thereto, primarily establishments, like offices of intended for assembly of people, but which architects, engineers, doctors, has no theatrical stage or permanent theatrical lawyers, post offices and and/or cinematographic accessories and has police stations accommodation for 300 persons or more, for example, dance halls, night clubs, halls for Subdivision E-2 Laboratories, outpatient incidental picture shows, dramatic, theatrical clinics, research establish- or educational presentation, lectures or other ments, libraries and test houses similar purposes having no theatrical stage Subdivision E-3 Electronic data processing except a raised platform and used without centres, computer install- permanent seating arrangement; art galleries, ations, information technology community halls, marriage halls, places of parks and call centres worship, museums, lecture halls, passenger Subdivision E-4 Telephone exchanges terminals and heritage and archaeological Subdivision E-5 Broadcasting stations, T.V. monuments, pool and billiard parlours, stations and air traffic control bowling alleys, community halls, courtrooms, towers gymnasiums (without spectator seating), indoor swimming pools (without spectator 3.1.7 Group F Mercantile Buildings seating), indoor tennis courts (without These shall include any building or part thereof, which spectator seating). is used as shops, stores, market, for display and sale of d) Subdivision D-4 — This subdivision shall merchandise, either wholesale or retail. include any building primarily intended for Mercantile buildings shall be further subdivided as use as described in Subdivision D-3, but with follows: accommodation for less than 300 persons with no permanent seating arrangements. Subdivision F-1 Shops, stores, departmental stores, markets (any with e) Subdivision D-5 — This subdivision shall covered area up to 500 m2) include any building or structure, permanent Subdivision F-2 Shops, stores, departmental or temporary meant for assembly of people stores, markets (any with not covered by Subdivisions D-1 to D-4, for covered area more than example, grandstands, stadia, amusement park 500 m2) structures, reviewing stands and circus tents, arenas, external swimming pools, tennis and Subdivision F-3 Underground shopping centres similar type of courts. Storage and service facilities incidental to the sale of