Part IV — Fire Protection
Chapter 1: General Provisions
1.1
Scope
This Part of the Code prescribes regulations for safeguarding life and property in the use
or occupancy of buildings or premises from the hazards of smoke and fire, and
explosions. The provisions of this Part include general requirements of fire protection,
precautionary requirements, means of egress, equipment and in-built facilities standard
installations required for firefighting, and firefighting arrangements required for all
occupancy groups.
1.2
Terminology
This Section provides an alphabetical list of the terms used in and applicable to this Part
of the Code. In case of any conflict or contradiction between a definition given in this
Section and that in Part 1, the meaning specified in this Part shall govern for
interpretation of the provisions of this Part.
ALARM
CONTROL UNIT
It consists of a circuit, controls, relays, switches and associated
system which receive signals from alarm initiating devices and
transmit to alarm signaling devices.
ALARM
INITIATING
DEVICE
An equipment operated manually or automatically which, when
activated, initiates an alarm through an alarm signaling device.
ALARM SIGNAL
Signals of audible or visual in nature, indicating the existence of
a fire and/or smoke condition. Audible devices may be bells,
horns, chimes, speakers or similar devices. Visual Alarms is a
strobe light emitting bright white light with approved insanity.
ALARM SIGNAL
DEVICE
The equipment that produces the alarm signal.
ALARM SYSTEM
It is a combination of compatible devices, which when activated
with necessary electrical energy can produce an alarm in the
event of fire.
ALARM ZONE
It describes a defined area of the building or buildings for alarm
initiating locations.
ANNUNCIATOR
Equipment capable of indicating the zone or area of a building
from which an alarm has been initiated or the location of such
devices and the operational condition of alarm circuit of the
system.
AUTOMATIC
FIRE DETECTING
AND ALARM
SYSTEM
These include all types of fire detecting and alarm signaling
devices which activate themselves during a fire without manual
intervention. The equipment/devices include temperature
sensitive fuses, thermostat, fluid filled tubes and electronic
devices which can detect a fire and transmit automatic alarm
signals.
AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
The system consists of an array of pipe-works fitted with fusible
solder or glass bulb. This system shall activate at a
predetermined temperature and the required water shall be fed to
the system from any source. In the event of fire or smoke the
system shall activate automatically by sensing the temperature
of fire and discharge water to extinguish. These devices also
actuate an audible alarm automatically.
AUTOMATIC
HIGH VELOCITY
WATER SPRAY
SYSTEM
This system applies water in the form of a conical spray
consisting of droplets of water discharged at high velocity
through specially designed projectors to extinguish fire by
emulsification, cooling and smothering.
BUILDING
Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any
use or occupancy.
BUILDING,
EXISTING
A building erected or officially authorized prior to the effective
date of the adoption of this edition of the Code by the agency of
jurisdiction.
CARBON
DIOXIDE
EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM
This installation consists of a group of one or more cylinders of
carbon dioxide, interconnected by a manifold and feeding into a
system of high pressure distribution pipe work fitted with
special discharge nozzles.
COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL
Any material which burns and enhances the magnitude of fire.
DRY-CHEMICAL
EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM
This system consists of specially designed pipe works and
discharge nozzles linked to the dry powder containers and
gaseous cylinders which are automatically/manually operated in
case of fire.
DRY RISER
A riser or standpipe system is normally kept empty of water, but
is capable to discharge water within 45 seconds and its
installation is equivalent to wet-riser system.
ELEVATOR
EVACUATION
SYSTEM
A system, including a vertical series of elevator lobbies and
associated elevator lobby doors, an elevator shaft(s), and a
machine room(s), that provides protection from fire effects for
elevator passengers, people waiting to use elevators, and
elevator equipment so that elevators can be used safely for
egress.
ELEVATOR
LOBBY
A space from which people directly enter an elevator car(s) and
to which people directly leave an elevator car(s).
EXTERIOR
STAIRWAY
A stairway in which at least one side have openings more than
50% in an Exterior wall in such a way that there shall be no
accumulation of smoke during fire.
FIRE BARRIER
A fire-resistance-rated wall inside a building, designed to
restrict the spread of smoke and fire. Opening in that wall, shall
be protected by fire protected doors or windows.
FIRE
COMPARTMENT
A space within a building that is enclosed by fire barriers on all
sides, including the top and the bottom to limit the transfer of
fire.
FIRE DAMPER
A device installed in air ducts or air transfer openings or any
openings designed to close automatically upon detection of fire
or smoke.
FIRE DOOR
See Fire door assembly.
FIRE DOOR
ASSEMBLY
Any combination of door leaf, frame, hardware and all other
accessories that together provide a specific degree of fire and
smoke protection to the opening where it is placed.
FIRE
RESISTANCE
RATING
It expressed as a period of time and denotes the property of a
building construction material or elements and/or construction
as a whole during which the materials or elements or
constructions are (a) resistant to collapse due to fire, (b) resistant
to flame penetration and (c) resistant to excessive temperature
rise to the unexposed surface.
FIRE SEPARATION
Refers to a fire-resistance-wall or slab between two buildings or
two spaces to protect spread of smokes or fire vertically and
horizontally.
FIRE TOWER
Refers to a stairway open or enclosed, detached and isolated
from any building by a distance and can be approached from
various floors of a building or buildings by connecting passage
only.
FLOOR AREA,
GROSS
The floor area within the inside perimeter of the outside or
exterior walls of the building under consideration with no
deduction for hallways, stairs, closets, thickness of interior
walls, columns, or other features. Gross floor area of a building
means summation of gross floor areas of all the floors of a
building.
FLOOR AREA,
NET
The floor area within the inside perimeter of the outside or
exterior walls of the building under consideration with
deduction for hallways, stairs, closets, thickness of interior
walls, columns, or other features or spaces not used for human
occupancy.
FOAM
EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM
This system discharge foam to extinguish special fires.
HORIZONTAL
EXIT
Crossing a fire barrier of a building or connecting building in
the same level shall be treated as horizontal exit.
INTERIOR
STAIRWAY
A designated area on ground or on water or on a portion of a
building for helicopter landing or takeoff without servicing,
repairing and refueling facilities.
INTERIOR
STAIRWAY
A stairway within a building envelope.
PARTY WALL
A fire resistance rated wall where openings are protected, which
is constructed from the ground level and continued up to at least
1m above the roof of a building to restrict the spread of a fire.
PUBLIC WAY
A Street, alley, or other similar parcel of land essentially open to
the outside air deeded, dedicated, or otherwise permanently
appropriated for building users or for public use or a single
loaded corridor that is one lateral side opened to outer air,
designed in such a way that there shall be no accumulation of
smoke in case of fire. This corridor may be placed at any level
of a building having a clear width and height of not less than 3
meter having guards and connected to the exit termination or
refuge areas by exterior or enclosed stairs shall be treated as
public way.
ROOF REFUGE
AREA
When occupants are relocated at the flat roof of a building
which are not connected with any means of exit shall be treated
as isolated refuge area and must have provisions for placing of
leaders of fire department excess vehicles.
SMOKE
DETECTOR
A devise capable of sensing visible or invisible particles
produced during combustion.
TRAVEL
DISTANCE
Straight line distance between the remotest point of a space of a
floor and the exit access door placed thereof.
TRAVEL PATH
Length of a passage from the remotest point of a space up to the
exit access door placed thereof.
VENTILATION
Natural or mechanical intake of fresh air from outside and
removal of inside air of an enclosed space.
VESTIBULE
A compartment provided with two or more doors with smoke
lock system where the intended purpose is to prevent continuous
and unobstructed passage by allowing the release of only one
door at a time.
VENT, FIRE
A system which activates itself automatically or manually
during a fire or can be activated manually to release the heat and
smoke generated by the fire and smoke.
RAMP
A walking surface that has a slope steeper than 1 in 20 and
accessible ramps are not steeper than 1 in 12.
WET-CHEMICAL
EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM
A system where a solution of water and potassium carbonate
and/or
potassium
acetate
based
chemical
forms
the
extinguishing agent.
WET RISER
STAND PIPE
SYSTEM
A vertical pipe or consists of an array of pipes installed
vertically in a building having landing valves with appropriate
outlets at various levels of a building containing charged water
at a specified pressure for fire extinguishing purposes.
1.3
General Requirements
The provisions of this Section shall specify the general requirements in respect of height
and area limitations, open space requirements and access facilities for the fire service,
which are to be provided for a building to protect it from potential fire hazards.
1.3.1
Height and Area Limitations
The height and area limitations of all buildings and structures shall be governed by the
occupancy group classification, floor area ratio and type of construction, which are
specified in Part 3 of this Code.
1.3.2
Open Space or Fire Separation Requirement
For the purpose of applying the provisions of open space or fire separation requirements
of a building at its side, rear and frontages in Part 3 of this Code shall be followed.
1.3.3
Access Facilities for Fire Service
The access facilities for fire service vehicles and engines shall meet provisions provided
in Part 3 of this Code.
1.4
Fire Drill
Fire drills based on fire order shall be arranged to train the occupants of a building in
first-aid firefighting, relocation and orderly evacuation. The occupants shall be made
thoroughly conversant with fire order, firefighting, and relocation and evacuation
procedures in the event of an emergency. The guidelines of fire drill, relocation and
evacuation procedure are given in Appendix A.
1.5
Fire Tests and Fire Resistance Rating
The fire resistance rating of individual building construction components shall be
determined by standard materials testing procedure as detailed below.
(a)
The fire resistance ratings of building assemblies and structural elements
shall be determined in accordance with ASCE 29 or ASTM E 119.
(b)
The construction materials which are intended to be classified as non-
combustible shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 136.
(c)
Flame resistance rating of all materials used for interior finish and trim shall
be tested in accordance with ASTM E 84.
(d)
The fire door assemblies shall conform to the test requirements of ASTM
E 152.
(e)
The fire windows and fire shutters shall meet the test requirements of
ASTM E 163.
(f)
The fire resistances rating of structural elements are provided in Table 4.1.1.
For details refer to ASCE 29.
Table 4.1.1: Fire Resistance of Structures
Concrete
Aggregate
Type
Minimum Equivalent Thickness of Concrete Walls, Floors, and
Roofs for Fire Resistance Rating
1 hr
Last modified on August 26, 2026