Regulation FP-4.

0 Building Fire Protection Design Features and Life Safety

Requirements
4.1

Fire Protection Design Analysis:

A fire protection design analysis is required for all designs and shall address the fire protection
requirements of the project as required by these regulations. The fire protection design analysis shall
be separate from other disciplines and shall be submitted with concept submission. The same shall
include the following:

4.1.1

Building code analysis i.e. type of construction, height and area limitations and building
separation or exposure protection.

4.1.2

Classification of Occupancy

4.1.3

Requirement for fire rated walls, fire rated doors, fire dampers with their fire resistive ratings,
smoke compartmentation & smoke barriers.

4.1.4

Means of egress in accordance with NFPA 101 (occupant loads, exit capacities etc).

4.1.5

Analysis of automatic sprinkler systems and other suppression systems and protected areas,
including hydraulic analysis of required water demand.

4.1.6

Water supplies, water distribution, location of fire hydrants.

4.1.7

Smoke control methods and smoke control systems.

4.1.8

Fire Alarm System (the type of alarm system and location of alarm equipment).

4.1.9

Fire detection system (the type of detection system and location of detectors).

4.1.10 Standpipe systems and fire extinguishers.

4.1.11 Interior finish ratings.
4.1.12 Connection to and description of fire alarm supervising system.
4.1.13 Identify the various occupancies and hazardous areas associated with the facility.
4.1.14 Fire Dept access.
4.1.15 Co-ordination with security requirements.

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4.2 Classification of Occupancy and Hazards of Contents and Special Operation:

Relevant provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 shall apply.

Qualified Fire Protection

expert/specialist shall submit a report on fire protection and life safety features when making building
permit submission for projects. (Refer to Appendix - 4)
4.3

Types of Construction:
New structures shall be constructed from non-combustible or the resistive construction as per NFPA
5000.

4.4

Height and area limits:

Height and area limitations of new buildings shall be in accordance with NFPA 5000 where existing
buildings undergo additions, the combined area of the existing building and the new addition shall
comply with the limits established in NFPA 5000 where the area of the addition would cause the
building to exceed the height and / or area limits of NFPA 5000, fire walls and / or fire barriers are
required as determined by NFPA 5000.

4.5

Site Considerations:

4.5.1 Refer to Appendix-6 Fire Department Vehicle Access. At minimum, one of the long sides of
every building shall be accessible to Fire Dept vehicles.
4.5.2 Building separation and requirements for rated exterior walls and openings for protection from
exposures by adjacent buildings or hazards shall comply with NFPA 5000.
4.6

Special Structures & High Rise Buildings:

Relevant Provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 shall apply. Towers, high-rise buildings; water
cooling towers; television, microwave and radio transmitting towers; windowless and underground
buildings; tunnels; highway and railroad bridges; tents; grandstands; amusement park structures;
membrane structures; piers and water surrounded structures used for purposes other than vessel
mooring or cargo handling; air-right structures; covered mall buildings and other special structures
such as signs and open parking garages are examples of special structures.
Guideline notes:
For designing high rise buildings, the following major fire protection factors shall be considered:
i.

Accessibility

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ii.

Unique people movement & egress systems

iii. Increased occupant, equipment, material and fuel load(s)

iv. Combination of occupancies in a single high-rise building
v.

Natural forces ie. wind/stack effect affecting fire and smoke movement.

Refer to Appendix 5 for Fire Protection / Fire Safety Guidelines For Designing High Rise Buildings
4.7

Occupancies in Special Structures:

Relevant provisions of NFPA 5000 shall apply for all occupancies in special structure viz. underground
structures, limited access structures, vehicles and vessels (mobile units), open structures (outdoor
processing facilities), towers, water surrounded structures, piers & helistops.

4.8

Special Construction:
Relevant provisions of NFPA 5000 shall apply for all special construction viz. bleachers, folding and
telescopic seating, grandstand, hot tub, membrane public pool, residential pool, swimming pool, spa,
air inflated structure, air supported structure, membrane structure, tensioned-membrane structure,
permanent & temporary structures, tent, private party tent and weathered-membrane material.

4.9

Encroachments into the Public Right-of-way:

Relevant provisions of NFPA 5000 shall apply for projection into Alleys, space below sidewalk,
Balconies and Appendages, Doors, Roof Drainage, Air tight structures & Skywalk Bridges.

4.10

Road Tunnels, Bridges and other Limited Access Highways:

Relevant provisions of NFPA 5000 shall apply.

4.11

Passive Fire Protection -Features of Fire Protection and Fire Resistive Materials and
Construction:
4.11.1 Every building, facility or structure shall be constructed, arranged, equipped, maintained, and
operated to avoid undue danger to the occupants from fire, smoke, fumes, unsafe conditions
or resulting panics.
4.11.2 Relevant provisions of NFPA 101, NFPA 5000 and NFPA 220 shall apply.
Guideline notes:
i

Balance passive and active fire protection measures to reinforce and compliment each other.

ii

Implement key decisions related to passive fire protection made during design, construction and
occupancy.

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iii

Use of fire-resistive barriers to slow spread of fire to large secondary items.

iv

Use construction barriers to block fire spread between zones (wall assemblies, ceiling/floor
assemblies, barriers between occupied and concealed places, fire-stopping in concealed spaces
and exterior barriers to vertical spread between floors).

Design doors and windows to block fire spread between zones (Fire door assemblies and
window restrictions to block fire spread between buildings/structures/plants).

vi

Separate buildings, facilities or structures enough to prevent fire spread between them.

vii

Regulate design and operation of systems for heating, venting, and air conditioning to prevent
their serving as mechanism to transfer smoke and gases into uncontaminated occupied areas.
(This shall also permit shut off of air movement in fires).

viii

Plug vertical and horizontal utility openings (pipes, cable ducts, AC ducts and cables) and peepthrough (at doors, columns & beams) by suitable fire resistive sealant.

ix

Consider compartmentation to contain spread of fire/smoke/heat.

Fire retardant treated (FRT) plywood: - FRT plywood shall not be used in any part of the roof or
roofing systems. Existing FRT plywood installations shall be regularly inspected for structural
integrity.

Replacement of damaged FRT plywood may require additional fire protection

measures if FRT plywood is to be replaced with more combustible materials.

xi

Insulation: - Thermal and acoustical insulation with a flame spread (FS) rating not higher than 75
and smoke developed (SD) rating not higher than 150 when tested in accordance with ASTM
E84 (NFPA 255) shall be used. Application of cellular plastic insulation to building exteriors shall
be in accordance with the requirements of the relevant code/standard. Cellular plastic shall not
be used for interior insulation.

xii

Roof coverings and roof decks: - Roof coverings approved and listed by an NRTL shall be used.
The UL Roofing Materials and Systems Directory lists three classes (A, B and C) of acceptable
roof coverings based on compliance with UL 790 and NFPA 256. Roof deck assemblies shall be
UL listed as Fire classifies or equal listing or classification by an NRTL or FM approved except
for fully sprinklered buildings and buildings less than 744 m2.

xiii

Wood: - Wood used for walls, platforms, blocking, furring and similar applications shall be fire
retardant, pressure impregnated.

Fire retardant coatings of intumescent paint or other fire

retardant chemicals are not acceptable in lieu of fire retardant treatment.

xiv

Fire and Smoke Barriers: Fire and smoke barriers shall comply with the requirements of NFPA
101. Relevant provisions of NFPA 90A shall apply for treatment of HVAC duct penetrations,
locations of smoke dampers and smoke detector requirements. Subject to the approval of EHSFire Dept smoke dampers may be omitted in HVAC ducts that penetrate smoke barriers where

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the system is designed to perform any of the following functions:

Function as an engineered smoke-control system, including the provision of continuous air

movement with air handling system.

4.12

Provide air to other areas of the building during a fire emergency.

Provide pressure differentials during a fire emergency.

Interior Finish, including floor finish, Contents & Furnishings:

4.12.1 Relevant provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 shall apply.
4.12.2 Restrict materials used in contents and furnishings to reduce heat release rate and smoke
generation rate & to prevent unusual toxic hazard relative to quantity of smoke generated.
4.12.3 Add fire retardants to materials to slow growth of heat release rate.
4.12.4 Restrict total fuel load to limit contents based in total fuel potential.
4.12.5 Restrict linings of rooms to prevent rapid flame spread (Restrict wall coverings, ceiling
coverings, and floor coverings).
4.12.6 Restrict materials in concealed spaces (Restrict concealed combustibles and concealed space
linings).
4.12.7 Drop-out ceilings (foam-grid panels) shall not be used.

4.13

Lifts Fire Lifts / Elevators and Conveying Systems:

4.13.1 New lifts shall be designed in accordance with ASME A 17.1 which includes provisions for a fire
lift. Relevant provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 shall apply.
4.13.2 All the floors shall be accessible for 24 hours by the lifts. The lifts provided in the buildings shall
not be considered as a means of escape in case of emergency.
4.13.3 The lift machine room shall be separated and no other machinery shall be installed therein.
4.13.4 Lifts designed in accordance with Dubai Municipality standards shall also be approved subject
to the condition that the following requirements are strictly met: 4.13.4.1 The elevator shaft to be of the 2 Hour fire resistant construction.
4.13.4.2 Elevator to be fitted with protected and standby power supplies.
4.13.4.3 Smoke venting provision shall be provided to these lift shafts.
4.13.4.4 Elevators shall return to the level of exit discharge in case of emergency, and in the
case of the emergency being on the LED, a alternative floor shall be used as defined
by the Fire Safety Strategy

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4.14

Buildings Service and Fire Protection installations / fire extinguishing Systems and
Equipment:4.14.1 Design of new, and modifications to existing buildings and facilities shall be in accordance with
the requirements of these regulations which describe specific fire protection design criteria.
Design is to incorporate redundant fire protection concepts, employing active fire protection
through automatic fire suppression and detection systems, passive fire barrier features, and
limiting combustible fuel load within the buildings in order to control and minimize potential
losses.
Complete automatic fire suppression systems are to be provided and installed in accordance
with the applicable NFPA codes/standards for all projects (regardless of funding sources)
where the maximum credible fire loss (MCFL) without automatic fire suppression would result in
the loss of use of a vital structure or equipment.
In addition to the above requirement, fire extinguishing systems shall be provided where
required by applicable NFPA codes/standards.
When the criteria above does not apply, automatic fire suppression and/or detection may still be
warranted based on any of the following factors:
4.14.1.1

Programmatic importance

4.14.1.2

Effects on operations

4.14.1.3

Cost vs. benefit

4.14.1.4

Exposure

4.14.1.5

Future conditions

4.14.2 Fixed Fire Fighting Installations/Fire Extinguishing Systems: The fixed fire fighting
installations/systems, so required, shall mostly include [but not limited to] the following:

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4.14.2.1

Hose Reel.

4.14.2.2

Sprinkler including Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers system

4.14.2.3

Water Spray System

4.14.2.4

Automatic Smoke/Heat/ Flame/Low Explosive Limit (LEL) Detectors.

4.14.2.5

Smoke and heat ventilation system.

4.14.2.6

Deluge foam or water sprinkler & foam or water spray systems.

4.14.2.7

Closed-Head foam water sprinkler system.

4.14.2.8

Total flooding systems (of appropriate extinguishing agent (s).)

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4.14.2.9

Foam Pourer System.

4.14.2.10 Foam/Water monitors.

4.14.2.11 Hydrants and Hose Boxes.
4.14.2.12 Fire Pumps &
4.14.2.13 Fire Water Tanks.
4.14.2.14 Private Fire Service Mains
4.14.2.15 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
4.14.3 Fire Detection & Fire Alarm Systems: Every building, facility or structure shall be provided with
suitable fire detection / alarm systems capable of enabling early detection of fire and warning
occupants of the existence of fire.
When fire protection systems are installed in buildings/facilities they are to be compatible with
and connected to (where available), the site wide fire alarm monitoring system.
Fire alarm installations shall comply with the requirements and recommendations of NFPA 72,
project specifications, and EHS-Fire Dept and Dubai Civil Defence requirements (24 X 7
Central Monitoring System).
All new fire alarm systems shall be addressable unless otherwise permitted by EHS-Fire Dept.
4.14.3.1 Special requirements

Where multiple fire alarm control panels are provided they

shall be interconnected in a Class A (Style 6 or 7) network arrangement.

All fire alarm systems shall be monitored by a supervising

station.

All fire alarm circuits shall be installed in conduit (EMT, IMT, or

rigid). The use of fire alarm MC cable may be permitted, subject to the approval
of EHS-Fire Dept

Signaling Line, notification appliance, and power circuits shall

each be in separate conduit. (Refer to Appendices 36 & 37 and refer Appendix 49
for checklists)

4.14.3.2

Public Address
Separate public address systems shall be provided for non-emergency
communication where desired/needed. Fire alarm systems shall not be used to
address the public in non-emergency situations.

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4.14.4 Portable Fire Extinguishers: Every building, facility or structure shall be provided with portable
fire extinguishers of types, capacities, numbers, and locations appropriate to the individual
building or structure with due regard to the character of its occupancy. All the fire extinguishers
shall conform to the standards currently approved by UAE/Civil Defense authorities.
4.14.5 Sprinkler Systems
4.14.5.1 Fire Sprinkler System design criteria shall comply with NFPA 13.
4.14.5.2 The following minimum design criteria shall be met:
4.14.5.2.1 Hydraulic calculations must be used for design. Pipe schedule design will
not be accepted.
4.14.5.2.2 Reductions in the hydraulically most remote area allowed in NFPA 13 with
the use of quick response sprinklers are not permitted.
4.14.5.2.3 Variation in discharge from individual sprinkler heads in the hydraulically
most remote area shall be as per the respective density curves.
4.14.5.2.4 The calculated pipe velocity shall not exceed 20 ft/sec (6.1 m/sec).
4.14.5.2.5 Safety margin: The total demand water flow and pressure must be at least
10% less than the available water flow and pressure.
4.14.5.2.6 Pipe schedule: Schedule 40 or greater shall be used for all sprinkler piping
less than 4 inches (100 mm). Schedule 10, 40, or greater shall be used for
sprinkler piping 4 inches (100 mm) and larger.
4.14.5.2.7 Butterfly valves may be used only on piping 4 inches (100 mm) and less.
4.14.5.2.8 Gate valves shall be OS&Y style.
4.14.5.2.9 Use of restrictive orifices, reducing flanges, unions, and plain-end fittings
will not be permitted.
4.14.5.2.10 Branch outlet mechanical fittings and clamp-type fittings shall not be
permitted.
4.14.5.2.11 Compact shelving shall be protected with automatic sprinkler system
meeting the requirements of NFPA 909
4.14.6 Standpipe Systems
4.14.6.1 When required, standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 14,
Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.
4.14.6.2 Residual pressure requirements may be omitted for buildings under 150 ft (45 m) in
height where fire department apparatus are expected to boost pressure in standpipe
systems. Piping for standpipe systems shall be designed by hydraulic calculation to
show that the fire department pumper, connected to a fire department connection, can
deliver the needed flow and pressure at the topmost hose connections.

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4.14.6.3 Class I standpipe systems shall be provided in exit stairways of buildings four stories
or more in height. These systems shall not include hose. 2-1/2 by 1-1/2 (63.5 by
38mm) reducers, with caps, shall be provided at all fire department valves.
4.14.6.4 Class I standpipe systems shall also be provided in non-sprinklered facilities where all
portions of the building cannot be reached with 200 feet of fire fighting hose lines
extended from the exterior of the building, regardless of building height. Locate FD
hose connections such that all portions of the building can be reached with 100 ft.
(30.5m) of hose plus 30 ft. (9.14m) of hose stream.
4.14.6.5 Combined Class II and Class III standpipes are not permitted.
4.14.7 Private Systems
4.14.7.1 Private water distribution systems and water supplies shall be installed in accordance
with NFPA 24 NFPA20, NFPA 22 and AWWA M31
4.14.7.2 Supply Duration and Main Size Criteria: The water supply for fire protection shall have
minimum supply duration of 2-hours. New primary distribution mains shall in no case
be smaller than 12 inches (300 mm), building/facility loops shall be 8 inches (200 mm)
or larger, and fixed suppression feeds shall, in no case, be smaller than 6 inches (150
mm).
4.14.7.3 Distribution System: Fire protection water supply distribution systems for all new
installations shall be looped to provide two-way flow, with sectional valves arranged to
provide alternate water flow paths to any point in the system.
4.14.7.4 Independent Sources: Facilities having an MPFL in excess of AED 200 million shall
have two independent sources of fire protection water.
4.14.7.5 Hydrants: Fire hydrants shall be UL listed, FM approved, or listed or classified by an
NRTL and shall have two 2-1/2-inch (65 mm) hose outlets and one 4-1/2-inch (115
mm) suction connection with national standard fire hose threads in accordance with
NFPA 24 and NFPA 1963, Fire Hose Connections.
Hydrants shall be aboveground type.
Hydrants shall be installed adjacent to paved areas, accessible to fire department
apparatus/vehicles. Hydrants shall not be closer than 3 feet (1 m) or farther than 7 ft
(2.1 m) from the roadway shoulder or curb line. Hydrants shall be installed with not
less than 6-inch (65 mm) connection to the supply main, and valved at the
connection. Barrels shall be long enough to permit at least 18-inch (450 mm)
clearance between the center of the 4-1/2-inch (115 mm) suction connection and

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grade. The ground shall be graded so that any surface drainage is away from the
hydrant.
Installation shall be in accordance with NFPA 24. Suction connection should be
perpendicular to the street to allow straight lined connection to the pumper.
A sufficient number of hydrants shall be provided so that hose stream demand can be
met without taking more than 1,250 gpm (4,740 L/min) from any single hydrant.
Hydrants must also be spaced in accordance with the following requirements:
4.14.7.5.1 All parts of the building exterior shall be within 350 ft (106 m) of a hydrant
with consideration given to accessibility and obstructions. Hydrants shall
be located with consideration given to emergency vehicle access.
4.14.7.5.2 At least one hydrant shall be located within 150 ft (45 m) of the fire
department connection.
4.14.7.5.3 Hydrants protecting storage facilities are to be spaced a maximum of 300
ft (91 m) apart.
4.14.7.5.4 Hydrants located adjacent to parking areas or other vehicle traffic areas,
shall be protected by bollards. The bollards shall be located so they are
not directly in front of an outlet.
(Refer to Appendix 33)
Guideline Notes:
i. Smoke Control & Heat Ventilation System: - Smoke & Heat vents shall be considered in buildings
where a high rate of heat release is anticipated during a fire. Relevant provisions of NFPA 92A,
NFPA 92B and BS EN 12101 shall be applicable where appropriate.
ii. Water demands for sprinklered buildings, facilities or structures: The water demand required for
sprinkler protection shall take into consideration occupancy, discharge density, design area and
type of sprinkler system (wet or dry), type of construction and other building features.
iii. Water demands for hose streams: Hose streams shall be needed concurrently with sprinkler
discharge in order to effect final extinguishment or to wet down adjacent areas / structures.
iv.

Total water demand for sprinklered occupancies: The total water demand for
sprinklered occupancies is equal to the sum of the domestic / industrial demand plus the sprinkler
system(s) water demand and hose stream(s) demand. The total demand shall be available at the
sprinkler system connection to the underground main and at the pressure necessary to produce
the required sprinkler density over the required hydraulically most remote area of sprinkler
operation.

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Water demand for special facilities, family housing, piled or rack storage, rubber tire storage,
flammable & combustible liquid storage shall be determined on the basis of relevant NFPA codes.
v. Water supply pressure requirements: Pressure required for sprinklered buildings, facilities or
structures shall be the most demanding pressure of the domestic / industrial demand, sprinkler
demand or hose stream demand and shall be determined by hydraulic calculations.
vi. Quantities of water required: Requirements for fire protection water storage shall be based on the
assumption that there will be only one fire at a time. The quantity of water required shall be equal
to the product of the fire protection water demand and the required duration.

This quantity

represents fire protection requirements only and shall be available at all times. Water supply for
domestic, industrial and other demands shall be added to these requirements to determine the
total amount of water that is necessary at the building, facility or structure. The water storage shall
be self replenishing. It shall reach required volume during normal consumption within 48 hours
and within 24 hours curtailing normal consumption.
vii. The pumps: Pumps shall have adequate capacity with reliable power and water supply. They shall
conform to the requirements of NFPA 20. Fire pumps, drivers and other equipment including
automatic accessories shall be listed by UL, approved by FM or listed or classified by NRTL. Fire
pumps shall be located in a detached, noncombustible pump house or located in a 2-hours fire
rated room with direct access from the exterior. A secondary fire pump shall be provided when the
water supply cannot support 25% of the sprinklers in the hydraulically most remote design area
with the primary fire pump out-of-service.
viii. Fire Mains: Use of fire mains for the services like irrigation, process & domestic purposes shall
not be permitted.
Pressure-Regulating Valves (PRVs): PRVs are restricted in use on fire protection water systems.
Where essential, PRVs shall be installed on individual service rather than on main piping. Where
PRVs are provided in distribution mains supplying systems or portions of systems with fire
hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems or other installed fire protection, the following features shall
be provided to safeguard against failures and to facilitate maintenance:a) Control valves on each side of the PRVs.
b) Bypass around PRVs.
Also refer to Appendix-31
ix. Foam Systems: Foam installations shall be in accordance with NFPA 11 , NFPA 11A and NFPA 16.
For more information refer to the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook and FM Global Data Sheets.

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x. Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems: Dry chemical extinguishing systems shall conform to NFPA
17. Dry chemical agents shall not be used protect sensitive electronics. Dry chemical
extinguishing systems are no longer UL listed or FM approved for the protection of cooking
equipment.
xi. Carbon Dioxide Systems: Carbon dioxide systems shall conform to NFPA 12.
xii. Wet Chemicals Extinguishing Systems: Wet Chemical Systems shall conform to NPFA 17 A.
xiii. Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems: Clean agent fire extinguishing systems are suitable for
protection of certain types of special occupancies, hazards and facilities and shall conform to
NFPA 2001. Clean agent fire extinguishing systems shall not be installed as a substitute for
required automatic sprinkler systems. Stand-alone control panels that are listed for releasing
device service and monitored by the building fire alarm system shall be provided.

Careful

consideration shall be given to compartment under/over-pressurization during the discharge of

total flooding clean agent systems. Pressure relieving vents, located near the finished ceiling,
may be necessary to regulate rapid pressure changes during discharge.

Manufacturers

recommended procedures relative to enclosure venting shall be complied with.

A manually

activated exhaust system to facilitate the extraction of any remaining clean agent after the
required hold time of the total flooding clean agent system shall be provided. The exhaust system
can be integrated into HVAC system for the enclosure.
xiv. Cooking Equipment Suppression Systems:
a)

All commercial grease hood and ducts shall meet the requirements of NFPA 96
and NFPA 17A.

b)

Grease ducts shall be protected by approved products, designed with clearance

reduction methods and installed as fire rated enclosures.

xv. Water Mist Fire Protection Systems: Water mist fire protection systems shall conform to NFPA
750. Water mist fire protection systems shall not be installed as a substitute for required automatic
sprinkler systems.
xvi. Emergency Warning System shall include both: audible and visual alarms.
xvii.

Seismic Criteria: Fire protection systems shall be designed and installed to withstand seismic
events in accordance with the applicable NFPA standards except as required by other criteria for
safety class equipment.

4.15 Means of Access / Accessibility:

4.15.1 Relevant provisions of NFPA 5000 shall apply.

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4.15.2 No building, facility or structure shall be erected so as to deprive any other building of the
means of access.
4.15.3 The approach road to the building and open spaces on its all sides up to 6m width and the
layout for the same shall be done in consultation with EHS-Fire Department and the same shall
be of all-weather ground access hard surface capable of taking the weight of the heaviest fire
vehicle available with Fire Dept. /Dubai Civil Defence.
4.15.4 Main entrances to the premises shall be of adequate width to allow easy access to the fire
vehicles and in no case it shall measure less than 5 meters. The entrance gate shall fold back
against the compound wall of the premises, thus leaving the exterior access way within the plot
free for movement of the Fire/ Civil Defence Vehicles. If archway is provided over the main
entrance, the height of the archway shall not be at a height less that 4 m.
4.15.5 Any locking device controlling vehicle access shall be under control of 24 hour security
personnel located at the specific facility.
4.15.6 Buildings, facilities or structures with fire department connections for sprinkler or standpipe
systems shall be provided with suitable all-weather ground access surface for pumper
apparatus within 45m of such fire department connections.
4.15.7 The provisions of Part 5 Section 5 of these regulations shall be complied with.
4.15.8 Refer to Appendix 6 for the requirements concerning Fire Department Vehicle Access.
4.16 Means of Egress:
4.16.1 Every building, facility or structure shall be provided with safest means of egress and other
safeguards of kinds, numbers, locations and capacities appropriate to the individual building
or structure with due regard to type of occupancy, the capabilities of the occupants, number of
persons exposed, the fire protection available, the type of construction of the building or
structure and other factors necessary to provide all occupants with a reasonable degree of
safety.

The requisite number and size of various exits shall be provided based on the

population in each room, area and floor based on the occupant load, capacity of exits, travel
distance and height of buildings. (Refer to Appendix 7)
4.16.2 Adequate means of egress shall be provided in every building, facility or structure, where the
size, area of occupancy and other arrangements [that are likely to endanger the occupants
attempting to use a single means of egress] are blocked by fire or smoke. All such means of
egress shall be so arranged to minimize the possibility of theirs being rendered impassable by
the same emergency conditions.
4.16.3 Every exit stairway and other vertical openings between floors of a building, facility or

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structure shall be suitably enclosed or protected as necessary to afford reasonable safety to

occupants while using the means of egress and to prevent the spread of fire, smoke or fumes
through the vertical openings from floor to floor before the occupants have reached the
nearest exit.
4.16.4 Exits shall be so arranged that they may be reached without passing through another
occupied unit except in case of residential buildings.
4.16.5 Means of egress component shall comply with NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000.
4.16.6 The population in rooms, areas of floors shall be calculated based on the occupant load
factors given in the Appendix-8 to these regulations.
4.16.7 Common path, Dead-End and Travel Distance limits etc. shall comply with Appendix-9 to
these regulations.
4.16.8 Illumination of means of Egress shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 101 for every
building and structure where required.
4.16.9 Emergency lighting facilities for means of egress shall be provided in accordance with NFPA
101 for the buildings and structures where required.
4.16.10 Walking surfaces in means of egress shall comply with NFPA 5000.
4.16.11 Every ramp used as a component in means of egress shall conform to the general
requirements of NFPA 5000.
4.16.15 Areas of refuge shall conform to NFPA 5000.
4.16.13 Slid Escapes shall be permitted as a component in a means of egress where permitted in
NFPA 5000.
4.16.14 Locks, latches, alarm devices, delayed egress locks, access controlled egress doors, Panic
hardware, Fire exit hardware, Self closing devices, Powered doors, revolving doors, turnstiles,
doors in folding partitions, balanced doors, horizontal sliding doors, stairs, curved stairs, spiral
stairs, winders, landings, guards, handrails, bridges and balconies etc shall comply with
relevant sections of NFPA 5000 & NPFA 101.
4.16.15

Corridors: Egress corridors shall not be used as a portion of a

supply, return or exhaust air system serving adjoining areas. Air transfer opening(s) shall not
be permitted in walls or in doors separating egress corridors from adjoining areas. Exception:
Toilet rooms, bath rooms, shower rooms, sink closets and similar auxiliary spaces opening
directly onto the egress corridor.

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4.16.16 Stairways: Stairs shall be constructed of concrete, steel or a combination of two. Wood
construction shall not be used. Treads shall be provided with non-skid nosings or an integral
abrasive in eh tread surface. Stairways that are part of the egress pattern shall have widths,
run lengths, landings, treads, risers, handrails, guardrails, headroom, door sizes, door swings,
door ratings, interior finishes, windows and other openings in accordance with NFPA 101 and
NFPA 80.
4.16.17 Scissor staircases are not permitted
Guideline notes:
i

Exit shall be either of horizontal or vertical type. An exit may be doorway, corridor and
passageways to an internal staircase or external staircase, ramps or to verandah or terraces
which have access to the street or to roof of a building. An exit leading to an adjoining building at
the same level.

ii

Doors of small individual rooms such as offices are not considered as exits unless they actually
lead directly to the open air.

iii

Doors of large rooms are considered to be exits.

iv

An interior passageway does not become part of an exit until it is enclosed as a fire compartment
with at least half an hour fire resistance.

Where an external stairway exists it shall be ensured that the use of it at the time of fire is not
prejudiced by smoke and flame issuing from openings (e.g. Windows, doors) in the external face
of the building.

vi

Internal stairways [as means of escape/egress] shall be suitably enclosed or protected as

necessary to afford reasonable safety to occupants and to prevent spread of fire, smoke or fumes
through the vertical stairway opening.

vii

Lifts, escalators, and revolving doors not to be considered as EXITS.

viii

Adequate capacity of all escapes route paths/passageways.

ix

Protection for escape paths/passageways:a) Mark/signpost.

b) Mark exit paths/passageways clearly and light them.
c) Restrict fuel loads and finishes in exit paths/passageways.
d) Enclose stairways.
x

Revision: 00

Use construction barriers to keep fire out.

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xi

Use smoke control methods to protect atmosphere in exit paths.

xii

Escape to outside or to protected place or adequate defense of places where occupants should
remain.

xiii

Avoidance of makeshift security arrangements.

xiv

Escape routes shall be lighted in such a manner that they can be used in a fire when a failure of
a local electrical circuit is probable.

xv

Escape lighting shall be distinguished from the Emergency lighting which might be provided, on
failure of a mains supply, by a standby generator. Such emergency lighting probably will not
function in a fire due to local circuit failure and escape lighting shall be provided by self
contained fittings which are capable of running for a set period of time. The provisions of NFPA
70 (Article 700) shall be complied with.

xvi

Escape lightings shall be provided / sited at but not limited to the following: a) Each Exit Door.
b) Near Each Staircase So Each Flight Receives Direct Light.
c) Each Other Change of Floor.
d) Near Changes of Direction.
e) Near Each Intersection.
f) Near Each Fire Alarm Call Point.
g) Near Fire Fighting Equipment.
h) Outside Each Final Exit and Close to it.
i) Lift Cars.
j) Plant Rooms.
Escape lightings shall also be provided to illuminate exits and safety signs.

xvii

Egress lights are fixtures connected to normal power supply systems and are to functions at all
times when the building is occupied.

xviii

Emergency lights or stand-by lights are normally battery-type emergency unit equipment that
provide no illumination until failure of the egress lighting circuit. These units serve as a backup
for egress lights.

xix

Revision: 00

The colour of the exit signs shall be green.

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