Designing For Fire Safety Notes

DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY
PARTS 1,2,3 and 4

A re-visit to the interpretations and applications
of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984
And revisions to Fire Safety Provisions
Selangor Uniform Building
(amendment)(no2) By-Laws 2012
Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs
PAM CPD SEMINAR
Uniform Building By-Laws 1984

is a
PRESCRIPTIVE BUILDING CODE

Compliance with this code is a requirement by law
Sets rules and regulations on the application of the code
Provides pre-determined prescriptions
The prescriptions are absolute :

no smaller than..
no bigger than..
no shorter than
no longer than
or
no less than and no more than.
CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY
EVACUATION
PASSIVE CONTAINMENT
ACTIVE INTERVENTION
ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE
Contributing factors to designing for evacuation
occupants
Numbers and distribution

State of mind
Familiarity of place
Physical mobility
Contributing factors to designing for evacuation
buildings
Detection and alarm
Complexity of plan
Passive and active systems
These factors lead to the
designation of purpose groups in the
Fifth Schedule, UBBL
Designation of purpose group

UBBL 5th schedule
UBBL 134
UBBL 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
Every building is to have one overall designation
Individual components of building with different usage
from overall must be designed to accommodate the
more stringent requirement, and where these
requirements spill into the other parts of the building,
the more stringent requirement applies.
Only horizontal separation is allowed between buildings
of different purpose groups
PURPOSE GROUP
I : Small Residential
II : Institutional
III : Other Residential
V : Shop
VII : Place of Assembly
MIXED USE BUILDINGS

BASIC CONCEPT
A- HOTEL
part of building
use/purpose grp : hotel/iii
HT. 1 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 6,7,9,10 of By-law.
part B of building
use/purpose grp : SHOPS/V
HT. 2 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 6,7,9,10 of Bylaw.
HT. 1
Vertical compartment wall

separating Purpose Groups
III & V -By-Law 215
B-SHOPS
HT. 2
b- shops
Ground level
part C of building
use/purpose grp :
basement parking/viii
depth/ht. 3 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 7,9,10 of By-law.
Compartment floor
above basement
C-CARPARKS
By-Law 138(d)
c - basement
Ground level
Depth 3
EVACUATION
Detection
Alarm
Exits
Travel distance
Components
Capacity of exits
Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:
Only one fire at one location at a time
Temperature / size
NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover
Untenable condition
Time
Stage 1
Ignition & growth
Stage 2
development
Stage 3
Full fire
Stage 4
Decay
ASET
Untenable condition
Temperature / size
Available Safe Egress Time

detection
alarm
movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition
Factor of safety:
Required Safe Egress Time
RSET
RSET < 0.75 ASET
exit
Final exit
Alternative exits
Storey exit
Horizontal exit
Exit route
Final exit
UBBL 133 interpretations
Final exit refers to the threshold that
separates still within the building and
out of the building. The liability of the
design for evacuation from the building
ends at this point.
Alternative exits
UBBL 166
This is the primary concept for safe evacuation.
Every floor space shall be provided with at least
two exits on the basis that if one exit is
inoperable, the other exit can serve the function.
This designing for redundancy principle applies
to all aspects of evacuation.
Alternative exits
Final exit
Alternative exits
Final
exit
Final
exit
Horizontal exit
UBBL 171
Exits that lead to an adjacent (horizontal)
separated compartment within the same
floor
Storey exit
UBBL 167, 174
Exits from a floor which is of a different level
from the final exit, or, if on the same level, a
distance away from the final exit.
A storey exit is to lead to a final exit.
Exit route
UBBL 133 interpretations
UBBL 169
the protected passage from a storey exit
that leads to the final exit.
Can include spaces that are designated
as areas of refuge anywhere between the
storey exit and the final exit
storey exit
Travel distance
Travel distance
Travel distance
Final exit
Exit route
horizontal exit
Final exit
Travel distance
UBBL 165
7th Schedule
Dead end
initial travel distance before a point where an alternative path
becomes available
Direct distance
Stipulates that travel distance must be measured along the actual
path of travel
Open plan
Where an actual path of travel cannot be determined, the direct
distance can be measured as a straight line direct to the exit.
Permitted travel distance is then reduced to 2/3.
Evacuation : small area
Evacuation : larger area
UBBL
165 (B)
Max
15m if
room
< 6 pax
Final exits
To comply with dead end

and travel distance
Max distance is 15m within room
plus max allowable travel distance
From door of room to final exit
Evacuation : multiple areas
165. Measurement of
(3) In any of individual room which is
subjected to occupancy of not more than To clarify that this requirement is
six persons, the travel distance shall be applicable to each individual room.
(3) In the case of individual rooms which measured from the door of such room:
are subject to occupancy of not more
than six persons, the travel distance
shall be measured from the doors of
Provided that the area of the
such rooms:
Measurement based on floor area
travel distance to exits.
Provided that the travel distance from

any point in the room to the room door
does not exceed 15 metres.
room does not exceed 15

square metres or any other
area determined by the Fire
Authority.
of a room provides stricter control.
Final exits
UBBL 165 (B)

Max 15m2 and
< 6 pax
Travel distance measured
from door if room is less
than 15m2 and with less
than 6 occupants
Horizontal
exits
storey exits
1
Horizontal exits
23
2
1
Horizontal exits
components
Exit door
Exit discharge
Protected corridor
Protected staircase
Balcony approach
Single staircase
Exit door, exit discharge
UBBL 173
UBBL 186
UBBL 193
UBBL 133 - interpretations
Door refers to the physical door installed at an

exit, and all its functional components e.g.
locksets, latches, hinges and closers
discharge refers to the doorway or threshold of
an exit
Exit door, exit discharge
Not all fire rated doors are exit doors

Not all exit doors need to be fire doors
Not all doors need to be exit doors
Not all doors can be exit doors
Exit doors must always be able to be opened (without

undue effort) at all times
Exit discharge must always allow the passage of people
at all times
Exit in this context means storey exit, horizontal exit or
final exit
Final exit
Final exit
Evacuation : separation of routes
Protected corridor,
protected staircase
UBBL 133-interpretations
UBBL 157, 189, 190, 191
While not expressed, it is inferred from the UBBL
that all components that form the Exit Route
shall be of protected construction.
Using the same inference, protected shall mean
enclosed, separated or isolated
Single stair
UBBL 194
Special provision for the common shop-house design
Usage limited to shop (ground floor only), residential or
office.
Uppermost floor level limited to 12m
SINGLE STAIRCASE
PROVISION
Domestic or office use
UBBL 194
Height of
topmost floor < 12m
Shop or car park
Assumed Room of occupancy < 6

Diagram 4.4.8.1.
Height of topmost floor of
building with single
12m
max.
not more 12m
staircase
12m
max.
Diagram 4.4.8.2.
Maximum travel distance
By-Law 194 stipulates when a single staircase may be permitted. Essentially, this is only
allowed where the occupancy above ground level is confined to either domestic or office
purposes. The ground floor may be used for shops or car parks. (shop offices, shop
houses)
All elements of structure shall have a FRP of not less than one hour except the enclosure
for the staircase at the ground floor where the wall shall have an FRP of not less than two
hours, assuming the ground floor will not be used for residential purposes.
194. Building with single staircase.

A single staircase may be permitted in the
following premises:
(a)any dwellings at a height of 12 metres
measured from the fire appliance access level
to the highest and lowest floor; and
(b)any shophouses or dwellings not exceeding
two (2) storeys or the first storey not exceeding
6 metres from the ground level.
Clause 194 (b) : single staircase for shop house

Single staircase
House
House/
only
office
<=12m
<= 6m
Shop
1) House only on upper floor
2) No more than 2 storeys
3) Height of first floor no more than 6m above ground level
Clause 166 and 167 (not less than two exits) shall apply
for other building types
Capacity of exits
UBBL 7th Schedule
UBBL 175, 176, 178
Occupant load
Exit width
Application of horizontal exit
lculation
1: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A
Stair B
50m
Occupancy load
Assume
C is inaccessible,
(UBBL
180(b))lobby
=1.35m2/pax
VII persons per unit for stair = 75
20m
Therefore
and B must
accommodate
C =Ahorizontal
exit,
persons pertotal
unit occupancy
= 100
1000m2 / 1.35m2
371 / 75= = 741
4.95,persons
say 5
741 / 2 371
stairs
persons per stair
pax =
/ 100371
= 3.71,
5 x 0.55m = 2.75m width each stair
3.71 x 0.55m = 2.04 m min width for lobby C
Lobby C
lculation
2: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A
Stair B
15m
35m
C inaccessible, either B or D
B = Assume
stair
=
75 pax per unit
Must accommodate
260/ 75 = 3.47
222 persons 3.47519
519
persons
x
0.55m
=
1.9m
width
/
2
exits
=
260
persons
222 persons
door D
20m
D = horizontal exit = 100 pax per unit

260/ 100 = 2.6
2.6 x 0.55m = 1.43m width
Lobby C
storey exit
250 pax
Final exit
400 pax
150 pax
200 pax
250 pax
400 pax
Exit route
400 pax
horizontal exit
300 pax
200 pax
400 pax
Final exit
400 pax
7th Schedule : Maximum Travel Distance
10
10
0
60
30
45
45
30
60
45
45
22.5
0
NR
NR
NR
NR
61
NR
22.5
30
22.5
NR
30
45
22.5
UBBL 1984
provisions
shown in RED
7th Schedule : Occupant Load and capacity of exits
UBBL 1984
provisions
shown in RED
22
100
------OFFICE
------SHOP
60
60
60
45
Compartmentation
Size limitations of compartments
Fire Resistance Ratings of elements of
structure
Compartmentation
To contain the spread of fire from point of origin
To limit the potential size of the fire
To separate areas of different levels of hazard
To separate areas for safe exit, evacuation or
refuge
To limit threat to the structural integrity of the
building
To allow sufficient time for safe evacuation,
active extinguishment of fire and rescue.
compartmentation
Fire Load
Surface area / volume of combustible
content (A)
Combustion heat per area / volume (B)
Fire Load = (A) x (B)
Temperature / size
NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover
Untenable condition
Time
Stage 1
Ignition & growth
Stage 2
development
Stage 3
Full fire
Stage 4
Decay
Temperature / size
EQUAL VOLUME
high Btu
moderate Btu
low Btu
Time
Temperature / size
EQUAL Btu
high volume
moderate volume
low volume
Time
high Btu
moderate
Btu
low Btu
EQUAL Btu
Temperature / size
Temperature / size
EQUAL VOLUME
high volume
moderate volume
low volume
Time
Time
Purpose Group classification

Limitation of
Floor Areas and Volume
Prescription of
Fire Resistance Rating
Accepted assumption in designing for safe
evacuation:
Only one fire at one location at a time

Primary objective of compartmentation:
To contain the one fire within

the one location at all times
Contributing factors to potential fire load :
Contents of the building
Fittings and furnishings..

..including the building itself
Furniture and equipment
Consumables
Storage items
Presence of hazardous materials
Presence (or absence) of human
occupants
These factors lead to the

designation of purpose groups in the
5th Schedule, UBBL, .

and to the prescriptions of UBBL
6 Schedule
8th Schedule
9th Schedule
th
UBBL 5 Schedule
th
UBBL 5th schedule

UBBL 134
UBBL 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
Every building is to have one overall designation
Individual components of building with different usage
from overall must be designed to accommodate the
more stringent requirement, and where these
requirements spill into the other parts of the building,
the more stringent requirement applies.
Only horizontal separation is allowed between buildings
of different purpose groups
UBBL 5th Schedule

Dimensions of buildings and
compartments
Single storey buildings : limitations apply
only to II and III
Others : dimensional limitations does not
apply to I, IV and VII
other limitations that may affect areas

and volumes
UBBL
136, 220 : if automatic sprinklers installed,
limits can be doubled ( x 2 )
137 : floor to floor compartmentation
138 : floor and wall compartmentation for
flats, basement and areas of different
usage
139 : compartmentation of hazardous
areas
other limitations that may affect areas

and volumes
158, 178 to 188 : specific coverage for VII
places of assembly
Travel distances and occupant loads
UBBL
th
Schedule
UBBL 142, 145 Construction and

protection of external walls
UBBL
th
Schedule
UBBL 204 to 207

Flame spread over surfaces of walls and
ceilings
UBBL
th
Schedule
Minimum periods of Fire
Resistance for
Elements of Structure.
UBBL 213 : every element of structure to have

FRP no less than as specified in 9th Schedule
Elements of structure
for application of FRP
Structural frame, beams and columns (excluding
roof structures)
Floor (except the lowest floor)
Compartment floor
External wall
Separating wall ( including party wall )
Compartment wall
Protected shaft : structure and enclosure
Load bearing wall
gallery
SEPARATING WALL : TERRACE HOUSES
Constructional function : Party Wall UBBL 86

Fire safety function : Separating wall to be Compartment Wall UBBL
138(c)
Check compartment size
Check Fire Resistance Period of elements of structure
UBBL 214 : External Wall and Separating Wall minimum FRP
86 Party walls.
(1) All party walls shall generally be of
not less than 200 millimetres total
thickness of solid masonry or insitu
concrete which may be made up of two
separate skins each of not less than
100
millimetres
thickness
if
consctructed at different times:
Provided that in multi-storeyed flats and

terrace houses of reinforced concrete
or
of
protected
steel
framed
construction having floors and roofs
constructed to the requirements of
these By-laws, the party wall thereof
shall not be less than 100 millimetres
total thickness.
(2) Party walls in single storeyed

houses may be in load-bearing 100
millimetres solid masonry or insitu
concrete provided the requirements of
Part V, VI and VII of these By-laws are
complied
with.
(3) All party walls shall be carried above
the upper surface of the roof to a
distance of not less than 230
millimetres at right angles to such
upper
surface.
(4) Other non-combustible materials
may be used for party walls provided
the requirements of Part V, VI and VII
of these By-laws are complied with.
-Deleted-
By-law 141: Separating walls

has already provided the
necessary fire requirements
served to prevent the spread of
fire from one separate unit of
house to another. As such the
Fire Authority will only make
reference to by-law 141.
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Service
apts
138(c) : floor and walls separating purpose group

215(1) : reference to elements of structure,
by building, or by compartments
215(2) : reference to height, by building only
138(d) : floor separating basements
Offices
137
: floor to floor compartment for buildings

> 30m height
138(b) : floor and walls separating flats

Cineplex
Shops
Carpark
Basement compartment
volume limit 42,000m3
Separation of vertical shaft
Compartment D
Compartment A
Compartment B
Compartment C

Large Shopping Malls (Sarawak Building Ordinance)
Shop compartment limit 4,000m2 14,000m3 (sprinklered )
Compartment A
Compartment B
No limits if
At least 60% area are shops
Less than 280m2 each
Compartment C
relevant boundary
Reference plane
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE
Reference plane
notional boundary
Reference plane
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE
SEPARATING WALL
Reference plane
Sample calculation
2h x 3w
1) Establish Purpose Group
3h x 9w
2) Establish height and width

of enclosing rectangle
1)
9m
Enclosing rectangle on reference plane :
24m high x 9m wide = 216m2

2)
Total unprotected area :
( 2m x 3m) x 10 = 60m2
3m x 9m
= 27m2
total = 87m2
3) Percentage of unprotected area :
24m
87m2 / 216m2 = 40 %
4) Minimum distance from reference plane
to relevant boundary :
5m
(IV Office)
Office building
Protected staircase
FLAME TRAJECTORY OUTSIDE WALL OPENINGS
Shape of opening
Square
height
1: 2
1: 3
Distance from face of wall
EXTERNAL WALL BARRIERS

UBBL 149
900mm vertical or
750mm horizontal barrier

Atrium Space (NFPA 101)
13
7
Floor in building
exceeding 30
metres in height to
be constructed as
compartment floor.
In any building which exceeds 30
metres in height, any floor which is
more than 9 metres above ground
floor level which separates one
storey from another storey, other
than a floor which is either within a
maisonette or a mezzanine floor
shall
be
constructed
as
a
compartment floor.
-None-
-None-
Compartmentation by
height.
(1) In any building not exceeding 30
metres in height, any floor which is more
than 9 metres above ground floor level
which separates one storey from another
storey, other than a floor which is either
within a maisonette or a mezzanine floor
shall be constructed as a compartment
floor.
(2) In any building exceeding

30 metres in height, all floors
shall be constructed as
compartment floors, other
than a compartment which is
within a residential
maisonette which may
comprise two storey levels.
(3) An atrium shall comply
with the requirements of bylaw 252A.
To provide stricter requirements in

relation to the extent of subdivision
of a building as compartment floors.

Minimum dimension of 6m and minimum area of 95m

Required exits to be separated from atrium volume
Atrium construction and usage to be of hazard level no
higher than ordinary
Entire building to have automatic sprinklers
Designed for smoke exhaust and smoke control
Atrium volume to be separated from adjacent
occupancy, or to be engineered such that the adjacent
occupancies are not at risk from a fire originating from
the atrium

UBBL 251
Smoke venting for
Safe exit
Compartmentation of large volumes
Compartmentation of large volumes
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements

UBBL 141 : Separating walls
Diameter of combustible pipe < 25mm

Diameter of non-combustible pipe <150mm
No flue pipes allowed
Doors to have equal or greater FRP as with the element
UBBL 148 : Compartment floor and walls

Opening for protected shaft
Ventilation duct with fire damper
Encased ducts to have FRP no less than half of the element
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements
UBBL 150 : Protected Shafts

for pipes, ducts, sanitary facilities, staircase,
lift
UBBL 156 : Ventilating Duct in Protected Shaft
To have automatic Fire Dampers at
appropriate intervals
Max 25mm (/)
Required FRP
Max 150mm (/)
Half of required FRP

Required FRP
Required FRP
Full FRP for structures
Active systems for..

EVACUATION and FIRST AID
Detection and Alarm
Communication
Smoke control
Portable fire extinguishers
ASET
Untenable condition
Temperature / size
Available Safe Egress Time
detection
alarm
movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition
Factor of safety:
Required Safe Egress Time RSET
RSET
< 0.75 ASET
10th Schedule
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Manual Electric Fire Alarm

Automatic Fire Detector System
Centralised Monitoring System
Public Address System
Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fire Command Center
OPEN STRUCTURE
(1)Total surface area of openings is to be no less than
40% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing the
floor or compartment
(2)The opening is to be shaped and located in such a
way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is to
be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor or
compartment
Openings is to be opened to outside, unenclosed
space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
Example:
Total perimeter length (25m + 50m ) x 2 = 150m
minimum 50% = 75m
Total perimeter wall area 150m x 5m = 750m2
minimum 40% = 300m2
OPEN STRUCTURES
5m
50m
25m
25m++50m)x2
75m
Total length of openings (25m
: 50m
50m = 100m
= 150m
75m xx4m
Total area of openings : 150m
100m
2m
3m==300m2
300m2
OPEN CORRIDOR
(1)Total surface area of opening(s) is to be no less
than 25% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing
the balcony (corridor)
(2)The opening(s) is to be shaped and located in such
a way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is
to be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor
or compartment
Openings is to be opened to outside, unenclosed
space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
OPEN CORRIDOR
Example (corridor)
Total perimeter length (24m + 2m ) x 2 = 52m
minimum 50% = 26m
Total perimeter wall area 52m x 3m = 156m2
minimum 25% = 39m2
6m
6m
6m
6m
3m
2m
3m
Permitted Airwells
(UBBL 40)
Total length of openings 24m + 2m + 2m= 28m

Total area of openings : 28m x 1.5m = 42m2
10th SCHEDULE
A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy
1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy
1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy
1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
HOTELS
A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy
1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy
1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
detection
Very early detection
Early detection
Manual detection
alarm
Automatic
Pre alarm
Local / manual
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM
System objective are:

To detect outbreak of fire and warn occupants
To activate fire safety systems
To inform Fire Brigade
To monitor fire safety equipment
RELEVANT BY-LAWS
Under UBBL 237, fire alarm systems are
required for buildings defined under the 10th
Schedule
Under UBBL 238, a fire command center is
required for all buildings above 30.5 meters or
exceeding 9,290 sq. meters in gross area.
LOCATION AND SPACING

Manual call points and bells to be along
escape corridors or beside exit and staircase
doors, such that no occupant need travel more
than 30 meters to reach a call point.
MAIN FIRE ALARM PANEL

Main fire alarm panel comprises:
Alarm, fault and isolation indication for each
zone.
Indicator lights to monitor status of power
supply and fire safety systems such as fire
pumps, smoke control equipment, carbon
dioxide systems, fire tank water levels, etc.
Mimic panel to identify location of each zone.
Battery with charger to provide power supply
for the whole system.
FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

Manual break glass for occupants to activate
manually.
Heat detectors to detect heat intensive fires
automatically for spaces up to 9 meters high.
Smoke detectors to detect smoke intensive
fires automatically for spaces up to 10 meters
high.
Beam (smoke) detectors for high spaces such
as atriums up to 25 meters high.
Flame (IR or UV) detectors
Heat ..or Smoke?

Smoke detectors for electrical rooms and
store rooms.
Heat detectors for general areas.
Smoke detectors for areas where rapid heat
development is normal for the function of the
space, or where combustibles may burn with
high release of smoke
Heat detectors for areas where smoke may
be a common presence in the space, or
where combustibles may burn rapidly and
efficiently
VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

To guide the occupants in an orderly manner
during evacuation upon detection of fire.
For the firemen to communicate with one
another during fire fighting operations.
RELEVANT BY-LAW
Under UBBL 239, two voice communication
system is required for all large buildings and
high rise buildings and they are:
Public address system, and
Fire brigade intercommunication system
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Intended for use by the occupants during the
early stages of the fire
Under UBBL 227, portable fire extinguishers
are required for first aid use.
CLASSES OF FIRES
Class A: Combustible solids like paper, wood
Class B: Inflammable Liquids like kerosene,
diesel
Class C: Flammable gases
Class D: Reactive metals like sodium,
potassium,
Class E: Ignition of an electrical nature
Class F: Cooking oil fires
TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS
Water type for Class A fires

Dry powder type for Class A, B, C and F fires
Carbon Dioxide type for Class E fires
Foam type for Class B fires
Dry powder type of 6 kg for general use.
Carbon Dioxide type for electrical rooms

Beside exit and staircase doors
Generally located within 20 meters of any
potential hazard

COMPARTMENTATION and
FIRE FIGHTING
Smoke Control
Extinquishment
Manual
Automatic
SMOKE CONTROL
TYPES
Pressurization system to prevent entry of

smoke by pressurizing the compartment with
air.
Space depressurization system to prevent the
spread of smoke by extraction.
Smoke dilution system to remove the smoke
by extraction and make-up of air.
PRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS
Typical application are in protected shafts and
corridors.
Air is actively supplied into the compartment to
be protected to maintain a positive pressure
relative to the adjacent compartments.
DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS
Typical application are multi-storey office
buildings.
Floor on fire is maintained under negative
pressure by extracting the smoke laden air.
Immediate floors above and below are
maintained at positive pressure by supplying
air to these floors.
DILUTION SYSTEMS
Typical application are basement car parks
and shopping complexes.
Smoke is extracted from zone on fire.
Make-up air is provided to zones adjacent to
area on fire.
HOSE REELS
Intended for the occupants to use during early
stages of the fire

Near exit and staircase doors
All spaces to be within 36 meters of a hose
reel.
No restriction on location of hose reel pumps
and tanks.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Intended to detect and extinguish a fire and
warn the occupants to evacuate.
Under UBBL 226, automatic sprinkler systems
are required for storage and other types of
occupancies where automatic extinguishing
system is necessary.
TYPES OF SYSTEMS
Wet pipe system where pipe work is charged
with water at all times.
Dry pipe system where pipe is charged with
water only after the sprinkler head is activated.
Pre-action system where system is charged
with water after fire is detected but before the
sprinkler head is activated.
Deluge system where water is discharged
simultaneously from all sprinkler heads upon
activation.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
Light Hazard e.g. apartments, schools
Ordinary Hazards:
OH Group I : Offices, restaurants
OH Group II : Laundries, bakeries
OH Group III : Departmental Stores, Car
parks
OH Group IV : Film and television studios
High Hazards:
Process risks
High piled storage risks
SPRINKLER TANKS
Typical location at ground or first basement
although no restriction on the location except
for distance from pump.
AREAS EXEMPTED
Transformer Rooms;
Switch gear Rooms;
Lift Motor Rooms; and
Toilets;
INSTALLATION CONTROL VALVE

Water supply to sprinklers feed from
Installation control valve with alarm gong
and shut-off valves.
For life safety systems, Sprinklers are
grouped such that each zone does not have
more than 200 sprinkler heads with its own
flow switch.
SPRINKLER PIPE WORK

The height between the lowest and highest
sprinkler within one stage not to exceed 45 m.
For buildings exceeding 45 m., multiple stages
are required.
Express risers are permitted to bypass lower
stgages and serve the upper stage.
AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION
Heat and smoke detectors installed to detect
fire.
Activation of one detector initiates alarm but
not gas discharge.
Activation of any two detectors initiates gas
discharge.
Time delay of 30 sec. before gas discharge.
MANUAL ACTIVATION
Manual activation by pull station in event of
failure of automatic activation.
Pull station to be outside of room protected.
Audio and visual warning activated upon gas
discharge to warn occupants from entering.

FIRE FIGHTING and
RESCUE
Lifts
Risers
Hydrants
FIRE LIFT
Intended to assist the firemen to reach the
floors on fire rapidly.
Under UBBL 243, any building exceeding 18.5
meters high shall be provided with firemens
lift.

Not more than 61 meters from the furthermost
point of the floor.
Not more than 61 meters from the main
entrance of the building or the fire control room
whichever is nearer.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Lift capacity to be able to carry 550kg. min.
Lift car platform size to be not less than 1.45
sq. meters.
Lift car door to be min. 800 mm clear in width.
Lift to serve all occupied floors.
FIRE MODE OF OPERATION

Lift to be provided with emergency power for
operation during power failure.
Lift to return to main landing upon detection of
power failure and remain inoperable until
firemen arrive.
Fire switch to be provided at main landing for
firemen to activate the lift for their use.
DRY RISER SYSTEMS

Intended for the firemen to pump water up to
the floors on fire.
Under UBBL 230, dry risers required for all
buildings with topmost floor above 18.3 meters
from fire appliance access level

Landing valves located within fire access
lobbies.
Provided on every upper floor such that all
spaces are within 45 m from a landing valve.
Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from
fire appliance access road and not more than
30 meters from nearest outdoor hydrant.
DRY RISER PIPE WORK

Dry riser to be 100 mm dia. If highest outlet is
no more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.
Dry riser to be 150 mm dia. If highest outlet is
more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.
5. WET RISER SYSTEMS

Intended to supply water up to the floors on
fire for the firemen to use.
Under UBBL 231, wet risers required for all
buildings with topmost floor above 30.5m.
From the fire appliance access level.

lobbies.
Distance between landing valves on the same
floor not to exceed 60 m.
PUMPS AND PIPE WORK

Each stack not to exceed 60 m or 71 m if
approved by the Director General of Fire and
Rescue Dept.
Stack height is defined as the height from the
wet riser pump to the topmost floor protected.
WET RISER PUMPS AND TANKS

Location of wet riser pumps and tanks
restricted to ground, first or second basement.
Lowest basement may not be premitted due to
possibility of flooding.
6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEMS
Intended to provide water from roof fire tank to
the floors on fire using static head available.
Only permitted for private residential buildings
where the topmost floor is no higher than 60
m. above fire appliance access level.

lobbies
DOWNCOMER TANKS
Tanks located on roof of building for maximum
pressure.
Protection of stairs and lobbies

UBBL
196, 197 - smoke lobbies, protected

lobbies
198, 199, 200, 201 ventilation of stairs
229 fire fighting lobbies
Protection of stairs and lobbies

Protected Lobby : protected lobby
separated or isolated from fire and smoke
infiltration
Smoke Lobby : a protected lobby primarily

to isolate staircases from smoke infiltration
ventilated lobby : protected/smoke lobby

by means of natural ventilation from outside
Fire Fighting Access Lobby : a

protected lobby designed for fire fighting
access
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

To control the spread of smoke from the
source of fire to other occupied spaces and
maintain visibility as much as possible during
evacuation.
RELEVANT BY-LAWS
Under UBBL clauses 196 and 197 requires fire
fighting access lobbies and smoke lobbies to
be pressurized if natural ventilation cannot be
provided.
Under UBBL clauses 200, 201 and 202
requires escape staircases to be pressurized if
natural ventilation cannot be provided.
STAIRCASE PRESSURIZATION
Entire staircase pressurized with air.
Air pressure within staircase is controlled to
permit opening of exit doors without the need
of excessive force.
LIFT LOBBY PRESSURIZATION

Lift lobbies are individually pressurized with
air.
Air pressure within lift lobbies is controlled to
permit opening of exit doors without the need
of excessive force.
Ventilation opening
External wall
No protected
lobby required
Protected
lobby
requirement
for building >
18m
(By-Law 197)
Protected
lobby
requirement
Building more
than 18m above
ground level
Ventilated
opening
Omission of
protected lobby
for pressurised
staircase for
buildings below
45m
Staircase
pressurised
No protected
lobby required
No
protected
lobby
required
For building
above
18m but
below 45m
Ventilation opening
Protected lobby
requirement for
building > 45m
[By-Law 197(2)]
No protected
lobby required
Protected
lobby to be
pressurised
Above 18m, need PROTECTION

Above 45m, protection by
PRESSURISATION
PROTECTED / PRESSURISED
UBBL 229
EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANTS

System of Pipe work connected to public water
mains to provide water for the pumps in the
fire engine.
For industrial plants, fire pumps have to be
provided where flow is unreliable or pressure
is inadequate
RELEVANT BY-LAWS
Under UBBL 225, every building shall be
provided with at least one fire hydrant.
EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Intended to provide emergency power to
operate all fire safety systems.
Under UBBL 253, emergency power is to be
provided for fire pumps, fire lifts, fire alarm,
smoke control, emergency lighting, voice
communication, firemen intercom, etc.
SOURCES OF EMERGENCY POWER

Standby electrical generator with changeover
switch activated upon power failure;
Battery banks with charger to maintain them in
charged condition.
LOCATION
Generator to be located at ground or first
basement for easy access by firemen.
Outdoor air required to cool diesel engines
radiator.
140
Fire Appliance Access
197A. Means of access and fire fighting in building over 18.0

metres high.
(1) Buildings in which the topmost floor is more than 18.0
metres above fire appliance access level shall be provided
with means of gaining access and fighting fire from within the
building consisting of fire fighting access lobbies, fire fighting
staircases, fire lifts and dry or wet rising systems.
197B. Fire fighting access lobbies.
Fire fighting access lobbies shall conform to the following
requirements:
(a) each lobby shall have a floor area of not less than 6.0
square metres; and
(b) the openable area of windows or area of permanent
ventilation shall be not less than 25% of the floor area of
the lobby and, if ventilation is by means of openable
windows, additional permanent ventilation having a free
opening of 464 square centimetres shall be provided
FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS

UBBL 140
ACCESS WAY
An area for the entry, maneuvering and parking of Fire
Appliances during fire fighting and rescue operations
ACCESS ROAD
A road capable of accommodating the passage of Fire
Appliances to enter an Access Way
ACCESS OPENINGS
Doorways or openings that allows fast and safe entry of
Fire Fighting and Rescue personnel into a building
during fire fighting and rescue operations
EXTERNAL ACCESS
Access for emergency and rescue vehicles,
equipment and personnel
Roads
Pavements
Parking
Availability of water :
Hydrants
Storage tanks
Lakes, rivers, ponds
And access to fire fighting systems in the
premises
AT THE PREMISES
Clarity of :
Type of building and function
Configuration of building
Location of fire control panel
Location of breaching inlets and pump
rooms
Access into the building
Protected passage
Protected stairs
Firemens lift
Fire fighting lobby
Pressurised Hydrant System
Sprinkler System
Dry Riser system
Wet Riser System
External source of water

Hydrants
Lakes, Ponds, Pools, rivers
Fire Tenders
Fire Fighting Appliance

on Access Way
Breaching Inlet
Sprinklers
Risers
Internal Systems
Sprinklers
Hose reels
Dry/Wet Risers
Required portion of
building fronting
the Access Way
ACCESS WAY
ACCESS ROAD
(Suggested)
minimum width 4m
Gradient <= 1: 8.3
Minimum
overhead
clearance 4.5m
ACCESS OPENING
Located fronting
Access Way
(suggested) width
>= required exit
width
Required portion of
building fronting
the Access Way
ACCESS WAY
Minimum 6m width
30 tonnes load
Gradient <= 1:15
No overhead obstructions
Edge of Access Way

Minimum 2m
Maximum 10m
ACCESS ROAD
(Suggested)
minimum width 4m
Gradient <= 1: 8.3
Minimum
overhead
clearance 4.5m
Fire Fighting Access Lobbies
Maximum 90m
Hydrant to Hydrant
Hydrant
Emergency
Power
Generators
Fire Pumps
Breeching Inlets
A
MB
O
A B UAN
R
E
L
N T N LA
E
N J GKA
A
N
LU
LA OSO
K
Maximum 30m
HydrantHydrant to Breeching Inlet
THANK YOU
Ar Chong Lee Siong
APAM MIFireE MMIArbs

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DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY

PARTS 1,2,3 and 4

Ar Chong Lee Siong

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984

PRESCRIPTIVE BUILDING CODE

The prescriptions are absolute :

CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY

ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE

Contributing factors to designing for evacuation

Numbers and distribution

Contributing factors to designing for evacuation

Designation of purpose group

III : Other Residential

MIXED USE BUILDINGS

Vertical compartment wall

Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:

Only one fire at one location at a time

Available Safe Egress Time

RSET < 0.75 ASET

Evacuation : small area

Evacuation : larger area

To comply with dead end

Evacuation : multiple areas

travel distance to exits.

Provided that the travel distance from

room does not exceed 15

of a room provides stricter control.

UBBL 165 (B)

Evacuation : multiple areas

Evacuation : multiple areas

Exit door, exit discharge

Door refers to the physical door installed at an

Exit door, exit discharge

Not all fire rated doors are exit doors

Exit doors must always be able to be opened (without

Evacuation : separation of routes

Domestic or office use

Assumed Room of occupancy < 6

not more 12m

194. Building with single staircase.

Clause 194 (b) : single staircase for shop house

1: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

2: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

D = horizontal exit = 100 pax per unit

7th Schedule : Maximum Travel Distance

7th Schedule : Occupant Load and capacity of exits

Purpose Group classification

Accepted assumption in designing for safe

Only one fire at one location at a time

To contain the one fire within

Contributing factors to potential fire load :

Contents of the building

Fittings and furnishings..

These factors lead to the

5th Schedule, UBBL, .

UBBL 5th schedule

UBBL 5th Schedule

other limitations that may affect areas

other limitations that may affect areas

UBBL 142, 145 Construction and

UBBL 204 to 207

Minimum periods of Fire

UBBL 213 : every element of structure to have