Chapter 2 — Precautionary Requirements

Precautionary Requirements  

2.1        Occupancy Classification

 All buildings shall be classified according to their use or by considering the character of their occupancy. For the purpose of this Code, the occupancy classification groups shall be as follows:

 Occupancy  A  :  Residential

 Occupancy  B  :  Educational

 Occupancy  C  :  Institutional

 Occupancy  D  :  Health Care

 Occupancy  E  :  Assembly

 Occupancy  F  :  Business and Mercantile

 Occupancy  G  :  Industrial

 Occupancy  H  :  Storage

 Occupancy  J  :  Hazardous

 Occupancy  K  :  Miscellaneous

 The details of occupancy classification of  buildings are provided in Sec 2.1 of Part 3.

2.2        Classification of Construction Types

 All buildings and structures to be constructed, altered and/or extended in height or area shall be classified in any one or in a combination of the following three construction types:

 Type  1  :  Highest degree of fire resistance

 Type  2  :  Intermediate degree of fire resistance

 Type  3  :  Lowest degree of fire resistance

 The types of construction are based on fire resistance of construction elements, which are detailed in Sec 3.1 of Part 3.

2.3        Fire Zones

 The fire zones shall divide the development areas of a city, township or municipality into three distinct areas based on the inherent fire hazards of the buildings to be constructed and the degree of safety desired for the occupancy group accommodated therein.

2.4        Mixed Occupancy

 Mixed Occupancy shall  be allowed only when the occupancies are separated by fire resistant walls as specified in Sec 2.3 of Part 3. Mixing of occupancy group J (Hazardous occupancy) with other groups shall not be allowed.

2.5        Openings in Separating Wall

2.5.1 The  openings  in occupancy separation wall shall conform with the provisions set forth in Sec 2.3.3, Part  3.

2.5.2 Openings in fire separating walls and floors shall not exceed the approved limit and the opening shall be of protective type and conform to the approved provisions.

2.5.3        Fire separating walls shall not have opening exceeding 11.2 m2 in area and the aggregate width of all openings at any floor level shall not exceed 25 per cent of the length of the wall. When the entire first storey floor area on both the sides of a fire separating wall are covered by automatic fire suppression system, the maximum allowable opening may be doubled with a minimum distance of 0.9 m between adjacent openings.

2.5.4        Doors and other openings in Type 1 construction (opening in a separating wall) shall be limited to 5.6 m2 in area with a maximum height of 2.75 m and width of 2.1 m. Wall openings shall be protected with approved fire resisting means like fire doors or steel rolling shutters conforming to approved standards. All openings in floors shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings. Walls of such opening enclosure shall have at least 2 hours fire resistance rating.

2.5.5 Openings  of service lines like cables, electrical wirings, telephone cables, plumbing fixture etc. shall be protected by enclosures having a fire resistance  rating of not less than 2 hours. Medium or low voltage electrical wire running through shaft or ducts shall be either armoured or cased within metal conduits.

2.5.6 All openings in the separating walls and doors shall be provided with minimum 2 hours fire resistance assemblies in Type 3 construction.

2.6        SMOKE AND HEAT VENTS

2.6.1 Smoke and heat vents shall be installed in single storeyed windowless buildings, underground structures, factories with large floor spaces and other areas of restricted ventilation.

2.6.2        Where exit access travel distance is more than 25 m, smoke and heat vents shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

2.6.3 The vent area and spacing of the vents shall comply with Table 4.2.1.

Table 4.2.1

        Smoke and Heat Vent Size and Spacing

Use group	Hazard Condition	Vent Area to  Floor Area Ratio	Max Spacing of Vent Centres
Occupancy G1 Occupancy G2 Occupancy H1 Occupancy H2 Occupancy J1 Occupancy J2 Occupancy K1	Low Hazard Moderate hazard Low Hazard Moderate Hazard High Hazard High Hazard Low Hazard	1:100 1:75 1:100 1:75 1:30 1:30 1:100	30 m 20 m 30 m 20 m 15 m 15 m 30 m

2.6.4 Closures  of  natural draft, smoke and heat vents shall be installed in such a way that fire service personnel can  open it easily during a fire.

2.6.5        Smoke and heat vents on roof or ceiling or wall shall normally be kept open. In case of closed vents, automatic activation of the openings by heat-responsive device rated at 38oC to 104oC above ambient shall be a requirement. The releasing mechanism shall be capable of opening the vent fully when the vent is exposed to a time-temperature gradient that reaches an air temperature of 260o within 5 minutes. The vents shall also be capable of being opened by manual operation.

2.6.6 Venting requirements for Industrial and Storage Buildings are given in Appendix B.

2.7        Electrical, gas and HVAC Services

2.7.1 The requirements of the electrical, HVAC and gas services shall meet the provisions of  Chapters 2, 3 and 8 respectively of Part 8.

2.7.2 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the fire, fumes or smoke do not spread from one floor or area of fire to other parts of a building through the ducts or  vents.

2.7.3 Properly designed fire dampers shall be installed within the air-conditioning and ventilation ducts, which shall automatically close the flow of air in case of fire.

2.7.4 For large assembly areas, department stores and hotels with more than 100 rooms in a single block, effective means for preventing circulation of smoke through the air-conditioning ducts shall be installed. Such means shall consist of approved photo-electric or other smoke sensing control devices, as the fuses and dampers may not function during early state of a fire due to insufficient heat.

2.8 SURFACE FINISHES

2.8.1 Plastic, wood or other flammable materials used to trim and cover the interior and exterior facade of a building structure have the potential of generating smoke and toxic fumes during a fire and have the potentiality of changing the nature of fire due to its ignitability as fuel.

2.8.2 The fire susceptibility of various types of surface finishes are determined in terms of the rate of spread of fire (ASTM E 84-87). Based on the rate of spread of fire, the surface finish materials shall be classified into 3 classes:

Class I Surfaces of low flame spread: Flame does not effectively spread more than 300 mm in the first 1.5 minutes with an ultimate value of 600 mm.

Class II Surfaces of medium flame spread: Flame does not spread effectively more than 300 and 850 mm in the first 1.5 and 10 minutes respectively.

Class  III Surfaces of rapid flame spread: Flame spreads effectively more than 300 and 850 mm in the first 1.5 and 10 minutes respectively.

2.8.3 Interior finish of walls and ceilings shall have a flame spread rating not greater than those in Table 4.2.2 for various occupancy classes.

2.9        Glazing

2.9.1 Buildings of construction Type 1, 2 and 3 shall use any one of the following types of glazing (covered under Sec 2.9.2 and 2.9.3) using wire glass and square formed by electro-copper. Building of construction Type 3, may use hardwood sashes or frames or both.

        Table 4.2.2

Acceptable Flame Spread Rating Classes of Interior Finish

Use Group	Vertical Exits and Passage Ways	Corridors Providing Exit Access	Rooms or Enclosed Areas
A1- Detached single family dwelling A2- Flats or Apartments A5 - Hotels and lodging Houses B- Educational C1 & -Institutional, Residential & C2 Custodial C3- Institutional  - Incapacitated C4- Institutional - Restrained D- Health Care E1- Large assembly with fixed seats E2- Small assembly with fixed seats E3- Large assembly without fixed seats E4- Small assembly without fixed seats F- Business & Mercantile G - Industrial H- Storage J - Hazardous	III I I I I I I I I I I I I I III I	III I I I I I I I I I I I II II II II	III I I I III* I I I I I I I II II III III
*  Class II may be adopted in case the area is covered by automatic fire suppression system.

2.9.2        Wired Glass Panels

 Wired glass panels shall comply with the following requirements :

a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.

b) Embedded wire netting mesh in the glass shall not be more than 25 mm mesh.

c) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any other approved metal. The frame shall be securely  fixed into the wall (except panels of internal doors).

d) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of not less than 6 mm width or depth keeping due allowance for expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for weather proofing.

f) Where wired glass panels are labeled as protective openings, they shall conform to the size limitations shown in the Table 4.2.3.

Table 4.2.3

Size limitations of Wire Glass Panels

Fire Rating/Opening	Max Height in m	Max Width in m	Max Area in m2
3 hours (not permitted)	--	--	--
hour door in exterior walls (not permitted)	--	--	--
hour fire rating	0.85	0.25	0.065
hour fire rating	1.4	1.4	0.85
Fire windows	1.4	1.4	0.85

2.9.3        Electro-copper Glazing

 Electro-copper glazing shall comply with the following requirements:

a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.

        b)        Not more than 0.4 m2 of square glass shall be formed by electro-copper glazing in sectional lights.

c) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any other approved metal. The frame shall be securely bolted into the wall (except panels and internal doors).

d) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of not less than 6 mm width or depth keeping due allowance for expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for weather proofing.

2.9.4        Wall openings more than 5 m2 shall not be deemed to be  of effectively protected by wired glass or electro-copper glazing.

2.9.5        Wired glass or electro-copper glazing not exceeding 0.85 m2 in area shall be allowed provided it is cased in hard metal and secured to the frames by hard metal hinges not exceeding 60 mm apart and by fastening at top, centre and bottom.

2.10        Skylights

2.10.1 Wired glasses used in skylights shall comply with the following requirements:

a) Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm;

b) Wire netting mesh embedded in the glass shall not be more than 25 mm square;

c) The glazing shall be cased in frame of continuous metal divided by bars 750 mm apart centre to centre. The frame and bars shall be iron or other approved metal (or of hard wood covered with sheet metal). The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal fastenings. Lead, cement or putty may be used for weather proofing.

2.10.2        Skylight openings more than 5 m2  shall not be deemed to be effectively protected by wired glass.

2.11        Fire lifts

2.11.1 Fire lifts shall be used in buildings more than 20 metre in height. Fire lifts, where used shall be fully automated from the ground level  with approved wiring and switches and shall have a minimum capacity of 8 persons.

2.11.2 Fire lifts may be operated by the inmates of the buildings except during fire. During fire, only firemen shall operate such lifts.

2.11.3 Fire lifts shall be equipped with approved intercommunication (including two way voice communication) with the fire command station or control room on the ground floor lobby of the building.

2.11.4 Number and location of fire lifts in a building shall be decided on the basis of total occupant load, floor area and compartmentation.

2.12        Special Hazards

 The various occupancy groups are exposed to fire hazard of different nature and intensity,  which are detailed below under different occupancy classes.

2.12.1        Special Hazards in Occupancy A : Residential

a) Flammable liquids used for domestic purposes shall be kept adequately sealed in approved containers at all times.

b) Stoves and heaters using open flame or otherwise shall be so located as not to create any obstruction on the escape route in case of fire. Such appliances shall not be located directly on or near the foot of stairs.

c) Exhaust fans used in kitchens shall be placed on a peripheral wall of the building or to a duct connected directly to outside and shall be made of noncombustible material. The duct shall not pass through combustible materials.

d) Doors leading into a room containing flammable liquids shall be provided with self closing devices. Appropriate signs identifying the storage materials and requesting the users to keep the door closed shall be marked on both sides of the door.

e) All outdoor television antenna shall be properly grounded and protected against lightning.

f) Rooms containing boiler using liquid or solid fuel shall be separated from the main building by appropriate separation wall with all its openings protected as per provisions detailed in Sec 2.3 of Part  3 and Sec 2.5 of this Chapter.

g) Rooms containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery, transformers or such other equipment necessary for extending services to inmates of such occupancies shall be so located that these do not block the means of escape. Such rooms shall be effectively segregated from the main occupancy area and shall be provided with adequate venting to outside.

h) Areas or rooms within the building identified as hazardous occupancy shall be protected or segregated by appropriate separation wall or by other approved means as directed by the Authority.

2.12.2        Special Hazards in Occupancy B : Educational

a) Rooms or areas containing volatile flammable liquids shall be separated from the adjoining areas in accordance with Sec 2.3 of Part  3 and Sec 2.5 of this chapter.

b) Gas pipeline entering any building shall be equipped with shutoff valves outside the building with conspicuous marking clearly delineating the location. (See Chapter 8 of Part 8).

c) The exterior openings of boiler rooms shall be adequately protected by fixed, automatic or self closing fire assemblies.

2.12.3        Special Hazards in Occupancy  C : Institutional

 Permit shall not be granted for storage or handling of any hazardous material, except for normal use in amounts not exceeding the exempted amounts specified in Chapter 2 of Part 3, in a building or part thereof classified as Occupancy C.

2.12.4        Special Hazards in Occupancy  D : Health Care

 Storage of volatile flammable liquids such as chloroform, ethyl alcohol, mentholated spirit etc. shall be stored in safe storage and no unauthorized person shall be allowed to handle such liquids.

2.12.5        Special Hazards in Occupancy E : Assembly

        a)        All materials used for decorative purposes in buildings of Occupancy E shall be noncombustible. If fabric and papers are used for decorative purposes those shall be treated with flame resistant chemicals/materials.

b) Assembly buildings primarily meant for theatrical, operatic or cinematic performances shall have the seats securely fastened to the floor with exceptions as permitted in 2.12.5 (c) below. All seats in balconies and galleries shall be securely fastened to the floor except boxes with level floor and less than 14 seats.

        c)        Seats not fixed to the floor shall be permitted in restaurants and such other places provided that 1.25 m2 of floor space is allotted for every seat excluding dancing floor and stage. Adequate aisles shall be maintained at all times to reach exits without obstruction when such occupancies are in use.

i) Not more than 14 seats shall be allowed in one row between aisles.

ii) 50 per cent of seats in a row shall have one opening of an aisle.

iii) Capacity of seats without dividing arms shall be calculated at the rate of 450 mm per person.

   iv)  The minimum space between rows of seats shall be 850 mm and space between the back of one seat and the front of the seat immediately behind shall not be less than 350 mm measured between plumb lines.

v) Rooms and parts of a building containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery, large transformer or other service equipment having explosion potential shall not be located on or adjacent to the defined exit route. Such rooms shall be effectively cut off from the rest of the building and connected to open air through approved ducts or openings.

e) Rooms or parts  of a building used for storage of combustible materials such as paints or other items shall be effectively cut off from main assembly building or protected by approved automatic sprinkler system.  Such areas shall be away from staircases.

        f)        Stages having such facilities as fly galleries, gridirons and rigging shall be covered by an automatic sprinkler system above and below such stage areas or spaces. Auxiliary spaces such as dressing rooms, store rooms, and workshops and the proscenium opening shall be effectively covered by fire resistant curtains capable of withstanding a lateral pressure of 4 kN/m2. The curtain shall be equipped with self closing emergency device and when closed shall be tight enough to prevent spread of smoke.

g) Stage roof above every theatre using movable scenery or motion picture screen constructed of highly combustible materials shall be fitted with ventilators in or above it. The ventilators shall be openable from the stage floor manually or by fusible links or some approved automatic heat actuated device to give an opening to sky  with an area of one-eighth the area of the stage.

        h)        In theaters not protected by automatic fire sprinklers, the proscenium wall using movable scenery of decorations shall  be provided with maximum of two openings to enter the stage and each opening shall not be of more than 2 m2.

i) Film projection apparatus shall be enclosed within fire resistant enclosures.

        j)        Auditoriums of theaters and cinemas shall be installed with vents on roof having vent area equal to h  the floor area including balconies and galleries, boxes and tiers. Larger numbers of smaller vents shall be preferable over smaller number of larger vents.

2.12.6        Special Hazards in Occupancy F : Business and Mercantile

a) Exit aisles or approaches in self-service stores shall not be obstructed by placing check out stand with associated railings or barriers on its passage.

b) All operations in open air markets, petrol filling stations, road side stands for sale of farm products etc. shall be so conducted that unobstructed access to exits are always maintained.

2.12.7        Special Hazards in Occupancy  G : Industrial

a) No apparatus generating flames capable of igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted within a room or part of a building using or storing  volatile flammable liquid. Rooms or parts of a building using or storing such flammable liquid shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.

b) Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be effectively segregated from the rest of the occupancy.

c) Adequate protective measures shall be taken against hazards associated with distribution and use of electricity and gas in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.

d) Automatic sprinkler or other protections like installation of vents shall be made in all buildings of Occupancy G2 (Moderate Hazard Industries).

e) The machine layout shall be congenial to safe fire practice.

2.12.8        Special Hazards in Occupancy H : Storage

a) No apparatus generating flames capable of igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted within a room or part of a building using or storing  volatile flammable liquid. Rooms or parts of a building using or storing such flammable liquid shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.

b) Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be effectively segregated from the rest of the occupancy.

c) Adequate protection shall be taken against hazards associated with distribution and use of electricity and gas in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.

d) Automatic sprinkler or other protections like installation of vents shall be made in all buildings of Occupancy H2 (Moderate Fire Risk Storage).

2.12.9        Special Hazards in Occupancy J : Hazardous

        a)        Equipment, machinery and operations emitting combustible volatile substances shall be protected with dry chemical, foam or CO2 fire extinguishing system.

b) Dry cleaning machines using flammable liquids shall be directly connected to a steam line. Arrangements shall be so made that in case of explosion, steam will be automatically released inside each machine.

        c)        Except wall vents, all openings in extension walls shall be protected by fixed, automatic or self closing fire assemblies. Wall vents shall be placed near the floor line having openings not less than 0.01 m2 each and distance between two successive vents shall not be more than 1.8 m. Power driven exhaust fans for ventilation in every building shall be so arranged and operated that a complete change of air is affected every 3 minutes.

d) Gas inlet pipes shall be fitted with gas shutoff valves outside the building and marked conspicuously for ready recognition.

e) Rooms containing boiler or heating plant shall be effectively separated from the main building by a separating wall.

f) Devices capable of generating spark and glow flame that can ignite gasoline vapour, shall not be installed or permitted in rooms where volatile flammable liquids are used or stored unless the area is enclosed with a flame-proof enclosure.

Related Appendix

Appendix B Fire Protection Considerations for Venting in Industrial and Storage Buildings

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