Exterior wall
with Fire
Separation
Distance of
Construction
Element
Exterior Wall
TYPE -I-A
TYPE -I-B
TYPE -I-C
TYPE -I-D
TYPE -I-E
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
9.0m or
more
Bearing
N.L
N.L
N.L
N.L
N.L
Non-
bearingf
Interior bearing walls and
bearing partitions
0g,i
Enclosure of vertical
exitse, exit passageways,
hoistways and shafts
Fire divisions and fire
barrior Walls or partitions
or ceiling slab
See Table 3.2.1 and provisions of this Code
Columnsk,
girders,
trusses
(other than
roof
trusses)
and framing
Supporting
one floor
1½
0g,i
Supporting
more than
one floorl
0g,i
Structural members
supporting walls
Structural members shall have the same fire resistance rating of wall to be supported, but not
less than rating required by the construction classification.
Floor construction
including beams
1½
0g,i
Roof
constructi
on,
including
beams,
trusses
and
framing
including
arches,
domes,
shells,
cable
supported
roofs and
roof
decksh
4.5m or less
in height
above floor
to lowest
member of
ceiling
1½
1i
1i
0g,i
4.5m to 6m
in height
above floor
to lowest
member of
ceiling
2c,i or 1d,i
1½c,i or 1d,i
1i
1i
0g,i
6m or more
in height
above floor
to lowest
member of
ceiling
2c,i or 0d,g,i
1½c,i or 1d,g,i
1c,i or 0d,g,i
1c,i or 0d,g,i
0g,i
Exterior wall
with Fire
Separation
Distance of
Construction
Element
Exterior Wall
TYPE -I-A
TYPE -I-B
TYPE -I-C
TYPE -I-D
TYPE -I-E
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Shafts (other than exits)
and elevator hoistways
Fire separation wall and
party wall
Access corridor leading
to fire exits
Non-combustible Material; Not Permitted; No Limit
Table 3.3.1 (b): Fire Rating for Construction Group II: Combustible
Exterior
wall with
Fire
Separation
Distance of
Construction
Element
Exterior
Wall
TYPE -II-A
TYPE -II-B
TYPE -II-C
TYPE -II-D
TYPE -II-E
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
0.9m or less
Bearing
N.P
N.P
N.P
N.P
N.P
Non-bearingf
More than
0.9m but less
than 4.5m
Bearing
as per
provisions
of this
Code
as per
provisions
of this Code
as per
provisions
of this
Code
as per
provisions
of this
Code
as per
provisions
of this Code
Non-bearingf
4.5m or more
but less than
9.0m
Bearing
Non-bearingf
9.0m or more
Bearing
N.L
1½
N.L
1½
N.L
N.L
N.L
Non-bearingf
Interior bearing walls and
bearing partitions
Enclosure of vertical exitse,
exit passageways, hoistways
and shafts
1i
1i
Fire divisions and fire barrior
Walls or partitions or ceiling
slab
See Table 3.2.1 and provisions of this Code
Columnsk,
girders,
trusses (other
than roof
trusses) and
framing
Supporting
one floor
as per provisions of
this Code
0 or 1j
Supporting
more than one
floor
as per provisions of
this Code
0 or 1j
N. P
N. L
Exterior
wall with
Fire
Separation
Distance of
Construction
Element
Exterior
Wall
TYPE -II-A
TYPE -II-B
TYPE -II-C
TYPE -II-D
TYPE -II-E
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Ratings
in
Hours
Exterior
Openinga,b
Structural members
supporting walls
2½
1½
Floor construction including
beams
as per provisions of
this Code
0 or 1j
Roof
construction,
including
beams,
trusses and
framing
including
arches,
domes,
shells, cable
supported
roofs and
roof decksh
4.5m or less in
height above
floor to lowest
member of
ceiling
as per provisions of
this Code
3/4
3/4
4.5m to 6m in
height above
floor to lowest
member of
ceiling
as per provisions of
this Code
3/4
3/4
6m or more in
height above
floor to lowest
member of
ceiling
as per provisions of
this Code
3/4
3/4
Shafts (other than exits) and
elevator hoistways
Fire separation wall and party
wall
Access corridor leading to fire
exits
Non-combustible Material ; Not Permitted ; No Limit
N. L
N. P
Notes:
a Requirements of protected exterior openings shall not apply to religious assembly.
[Protected openings within an exterior separation of 0.9m or less are permitted for
buildings classified in Occupancy Groups A provided, however said openings do
not exceed in total area of 25% of the façade of the storey in which they are
located. The openings however, may not be credited towards meeting any of the
mandatory natural light and ventilation as per provisions of this Code. Protection
of openings with an exterior separation of 0.9 m to 9 m shall not be required for
A-1, A-2 and A-3 Occupancy groups] or to buildings classified in Occupancy
groups J, G and H additional requirements for exterior walls and exterior wall
openings as per provisions of this Code.
b Upon special application, the area development authorities may permit exterior
wall openings to be constructed in excess of the permitted area established by this
Table if such openings at the time of their construction are located at least 18m in
a direct line from any neighboring building except as otherwise permitted in
footnote f. Such additional openings may not however be credited toward meeting
any of the mandatory natural light and ventilation requirements of Sec 1.19 Part 3
of this Code. If any neighboring building is later altered or constructed to come
within the above distance limitation, the affected exterior openings shall
immediately be closed with construction meeting the fire-resistance rating
requirements for exterior wall construction of the building in which they are
located.
c Applies to occupancy groups J, G and H
d Applies to occupancy groups J, G and H
e See Provisions of this Code for additional impact resistance requirements
applicable to certain stair enclosures and for certain exceptions to stair enclosure
requirements.
f When two or more buildings are constructed on the Plot and the combined floor
area of the buildings does not exceed the limits established by this Code for any of
the buildings, not fire-resistance rating shall be required for non-bearing portions
of the exterior walls of those buildings facing each other, and there shall be no
limitation on the permitted amount of exterior openings.
g Fire retardant treated wood complying with the requirements of this Code may be
used.
h Tabulated ratings apply to buildings over one storey in height. In one storey
building, roof construction may be of material having zero hour fire-resistance
rating.
3.1.3.3
Construction Type II-C
This Construction type includes buildings and portion thereof in which
(a)
Exterior walls, fire walls, exit ways, and shaft enclosures are of non-
combustible materials having the required fire-resistance ratings; and
(b)
The floors, roofs and interior framing are wholly or partly of wood of smaller
dimensions than required for type II-A construction, or are of other combustible
or non-combustible materials, having no required fire-resistance rating.
3.1.3.4
Construction Type II-D
This Construction type includes buildings and portion thereof in which exterior walls,
bearing walls, floors, roofs, and interior framings are generally of wood or other
combustible materials having the required fire-resistance ratings.
i Materials which are not non-combustible as defined in this Code may be used in
nonbearing construction elements as per provisions for this Code.
1 Materials having a structural base of non-combustible materials as defined in this
Code, and having a surface not over 3.2 mm thick which when tested in
accordance with the provisions of this Code has a flame spread rating not higher
than 50 (fifty).
2 Materials which when tested in accordance with the provisions of this Code have
a surface flame spread rating not higher than twenty five without evidence of
continued progressive combustion, and which are of such composition that
surface which would be exposed by cutting through the material in any way
would not have a flame spread ratings higher than twenty-five without evidence
of continued progressive combustion.
j Applies to the construction of the street floor and all construction below the level
of the street floor in building or spaces classified in occupancy group A-3 except
where the space below the street floor does not exceed five feet in height.
k Columns supproting the roof of a one-story building shall have the same fire-
resistance rating as required for a column supporting one floor in a building of the
same construction class.
l Members supporting loads of not more than two floors or one floor and a roof need
not have a fire-resistance rating greater than the floor construction fire-resistance
requirement in buildings classified in occupancy groups B, C and A-3, not
including unsprinklered spaces of other occupancies, and in fully sprinklered
buildings in occupancy groups E and A-5.
3.1.3.5
Construction Type II-E
This Construction type includes buildings and portion thereof in which
(a)
The exterior walls are generally of wood or other combustible materials
having the required fire-resistance ratings, and
(b)
In which the bearing walls, floors, roofs, and interior framing are of wood or
other combustible materials, generally having no fire-resistance ratings.
3.1.4
Separated Occupancy and Construction
When two or more occupancies accommodated in a building, each such occupancy shall
be separated according to the provisions specified in Sec 2.3 Chapter 2 Part 3 and
Table 3.2.1.
When two or more types of construction used within a building, the entire building shall
be subject to the most restrictive construction type and shall comply with FAR
restrictions as per provisions of this Code.
However if the Occupancies within the different Types of Construction are completely
separated by construction that meets the fire-resistance rating requirements for fire
separation listed in Table 3.2.1 of Chapter 1 Part 3 then each Occupancy so separated
may, for the purpose of this Code, be considered as separate building section.
3.1.4.1
Restriction for mixed construction
In buildings of mixed construction, no structural element shall be supported by
construction having a lower fire-resistance rating than that required for the element being
supported.
3.1.5
Fire Zones
The planning and development authority of the city, township, municipality or region
where this Code is intended to be implemented shall divide the area under their
jurisdiction into distinct fire zones. The basis for this zoning shall be the fire hazard
inherent in the buildings and the degree of safety desired for the occupancy
accommodated therein. The number of zones in an area shall depend on its size and the
strategies undertaken for its development.
3.1.5.1
Fire Zone 1
The following occupancy groups shall comprise this zone:
Occupancy A:
Residential
Occupancy F:
Mercantile
Occupancy B:
Educational
Occupancy H:
Livestock Storage
Building
Occupancy C:
Institutional for Care
Occupancy I:
Assembly
Occupancy D:
Health Care
Occupancy K:
K1 and K2 Parking
Occupancy E:
Offices
Occupancy M:
Miscellaneous Buildings
3.1.5.2
Fire Zone 2
The following occupancy groups shall comprise this zone:
Occupancy G:
Industrial Buildings
Occupancy H:
Storage Buildings
Occupancy K:
K3 Parking
3.1.5.3
Fire Zone 3
The only occupancy falling in this zone shall be Occupancy J, Hazardous Buildings.
3.1.5.4
Change in Fire Zone Boundaries
The demarcations of fire zones may be changed or new occupancies may be included in
any fire zone through the same procedure as for promulgating new rules or ordinances or
both.
3.1.5.5
Buildings on overlapping fire zones
Buildings falling on more than one fire zones shall be considered to be situated on the
zone in which the major portion of the building falls. If a building is divided equally
between more than one fire zones, it shall be considered as falling in the fire zone having
more hazardous occupancy buildings.
3.1.5.6
Restrictions on temporary constructions
Permission may be granted by the Authority for temporary constructions only in fire
zones 1 and 2 and not in fire zone 3. Such temporary constructions shall adhere to the
conditions of the permission and shall be demolished and removed completely after the
expiry of the duration of the permission unless it is extended by the Authority or a new
permission is obtained.
3.1.6
Permissible Types of Construction for Various Occupancies
3.1.6.1
New buildings
Types of constructions permitted for various buildings on the basis of fire zones are
specified in Table 3.2.4.
3.1.6.2
Existing buildings
Existing buildings in any fire zone need not comply with the provision of this Code for
type of construction unless they are altered or in the opinion of the Authority they
constitute a hazard to the safety to the occupants of the buildings or the adjacent
properties.
3.1.7
Exterior Walls
The fire resistance rating of the exterior walls shall conform to the provisions set forth in
Table 3.2.2 and Sec 3.2.3.
3.1.8
Basement Floor
Basement floor of a building shall be enclosed with a one hour fire resistive construction.
Doors in such constructions shall be made of noncombustible materials.
3.1.9
Restricting Horizontal and Vertical Spread of Fire
Generally walls restrict horizontal movement and slabs restrict vertical movement of fire.
3.1.9.1
Interior or barrier or enclosure wall
Propagation of fire, smoke, gas or fume through the openings or shafts or penetrations of
fire resistive floors and walls shall be restricted by sealing with an approved material
which shall have a fire resistance rating at least equal to that of the floor-wall assembly.
The sealing material shall be capable of preventing passage of flame and hot gases
sufficient to ignite cotton waste when tested in accordance with ASTM E119.
3.1.9.2
Exterior walls
Permitted unprotected openings in the exterior wall in two consecutive floors lying within
1.5 m laterally or vertically shall be separated with flame barriers as similar as sunshades
or cornices or projected wall at least 750 mm from the external face of the exterior wall. The flame barrier shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than three-fourths hour. 3.1.10 Exceptions to Fire Resistance Requirements The provisions of this Section are exceptions to the occupation separation requirements of Table 3.2.1.3.1.10.1 Fixed partitions
(a) Stores and Offices: In such cases where offices, stores and similar places occupied by one tenant are separated by non-load bearing walls that do not form a corridor serving an occupant load, the partition walls may be constructed of any one of the following: (i) Noncombustible materials; (ii) Fire retardant treated wood; (iii) One hour fire resistive construction; (iv) Wood panels or similar light construction up to three fourths the height of the room in which placed; and (v) Wood panels or similar light construction more than three-fourths the height of the room in which placed with not less than upper one fourth of the partition constructed of glass. (b) Hotels and Apartments: In such cases where non-load bearing walls act as interior partitions in individual dwelling units in apartment houses and guest rooms or suites in hotels when such dwelling units, guest rooms or suites are separated from each other and from corridors by not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction, the partition walls may be constructed of any one of the following: (i) Noncombustible materials of fire retardant treated wood in buildings of any type of construction; or (ii) Combustible framing with noncombustible materials applied to the framing in buildings of Type II construction. (c) Folding, Portable or Movable Partitions: Folding, portable or movable partitions need not have a fire resistance rating if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) Required exits are not blocked without providing alternative conforming exits; (ii) Tracks, guides or other approved methods are used to restrict their locations; and (iii) Flammability shall be limited to materials having a flame-spread classification as set forth in Table 3.3.2 for rooms or areas. Table 3.3.2: Flame Spread Classification Class Flame Spread Index I 0-25 II 26-75 III 76-200 (d) Walls Fronting on Streets or Yards: For walls fronting on a street or yard having a width of at least 12 m, certain elements of the wall may be constructed as follows regardless of their fire-resistive requirements: (i) Bulkheads below show windows, show window frames, aprons and show-cases may be of combustible materials provided the height of such construction does not exceed 5 m above grade. (ii) Wood veneer of boards not less than 25 mm in nominal thickness or exterior type panels not less than 10 mm in nominal thickness may be used in walls provided: the veneer does not extend beyond 5 m above grade; and The veneer is placed either directly against noncombustible surface or furred out from such surfaces not to exceed 40 mm with all concealed spaces fire blocked.
(e) Trim: Wood may be used to construct trim, picture moulds, chair rails, baseboards,
handrails and show window backing. If there is no requirement for using fire
protected construction, unprotected wood doors and windows may be used.
(f) Loading Platform: Noncombustible construction of heavy timber may be used for
exterior loading platforms with wood floors not less than 50 mm in nominal
thickness. Such wood construction shall not be carried through the exterior walls.
(g) Insulating Boards: Combustible finished boards may be used under finished flooring.
3.1.11
Shaft Enclosures