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# Chapter 2: Precautionary Requirements
2.1
Occupancy Classification
All buildings shall be classified according to their use or by considering the character
of their occupancy. For the purpose of this Code, the occupancy classification groups
shall be as follows:
Occupancy A:
Residential
Occupancy B:
Educational
Occupancy C:
Institution for care
Occupancy D:
Health Care
Occupancy E:
Business
Occupancy F:
Mercantile
Occupancy G:
Industrial
Occupancy H:
Storage
Occupancy I:
Assembly
Occupancy J:
Hazardous
Occupancy K:
Garages
Occupancy L:
Utilities
Occupancy M:
Miscellaneous
The details of occupancy classification of buildings are provided in Part 3 of this Code.
2.2
Classification of Construction Types
For the purpose of this Code, every room or control area or space of a building or a
building itself hereafter altered or erected shall be classified in one specific type of
construction as grouped as follows:
GROUP I- Non-combustible, subdivided as follows:
Type- I A
4 hour protected
Type- I B
3 hour protected
Type- I C
2 hour protected
Type- I D
1 hour protected
Type- I E
Unprotected
GROUP II- Combustible, subdivided as follows:
Type- II A
Heavy timber
Type- II B
Protected wood joist
Type- II C
Unprotected wood joist
Type- II D
Protected wood frame
Type- II E
Unprotected wood frame
The types of construction are based on fire resistance of construction elements, which are
detailed in Part 3 of this Code.
2.3
Fire Zones
The development areas of a city, township or municipality or union shall be divided into
Fire zones as distinct areas based on the inherent fire hazards of the buildings to be
constructed and the degree of safety desired for the occupancy group accommodated
therein.
2.4
Mixed or Separated or Detached Occupancy
Where two or more occupancy types are amalgamated in a floor or in a building shall be
designated as mixed occupancy shall be allowed as per provisions of A-Z list of Part 3
and this Code.
Where two or more occupancy types are in groups in a floor or in a building and
separated as specified in the Table 3.2.1 of Part 3 and as per provisions of this Code shall
be designated as separated Occupancy.
Hazardous occupancy J shall not be allowed as mixed or separated occupancy with any
other occupancy classification as per provisions of this Code.
Building structures are isolated by fire separation distances as per provision of this Code
shall be designated as detached occupancies.
2.5
Openings In Separation Wall
Opening means a hole or an aperture in the building envelope or in any wall within the
building through which air can pass. Protective type opening means a hole or an aperture
shall have open able closures with fire resistive assemblies to restrict air movement.
Separation wall not constructed monolithically or homogeneously and having joints shall
be complied with requirements of smoke lock and fire resistance rating as per provisions
of this Code.
Vertical solid elements which create a barrier within a space or create a building envelope
shall be designated as wall or partitions as per provisions of this Code.
(a)
The openings in occupancy separation wall shall conform to the provisions
set forth in the Part 3 of this Code.
(b)
Openings in fire separating walls and floors shall not exceed the approved
limit and the opening shall be of protective type and conform to the approved
provisions of this Code.
(c)
Fire separation walls shall not have opening exceeding 11.2 m2 in area and
the aggregate width of all openings at any floor level shall not exceed
25 percent of the length of the wall. When an entire storey floor area has
fire separation walls on two opposite sides have openings shall be covered
by automatic fire suppression system, the maximum allowable opening
may be doubled with a minimum distance of 0.9 m between adjacent
openings.
(d)
Each protected openings in a fire separation wall shall be limited to
### 5.6 m2 in area with a maximum height of 2.75 m and width of 2.20 m. Wall
or floor openings shall be protected with approved fire resisting means
conforming to approve standards as per provision of this Code. When
openings in floors have protected enclosures or have enclosure walls which
form a shaft and have openings on enclosure wall shall be protected by fire
assemblies.
(e)
Openings of service lines like cables, electrical wirings, telephone cables,
plumbing fixture etc. shall be protected by enclosures having an approved
fire resistance rating. Medium or low voltage electrical wire running through
shaft or ducts shall be either armoured or cased within metal conduits as per
provisions of Part 8 of this Code.
(f)
All openings in the fire separation walls shall be protected with fire resistance
assemblies or automatic fire suppression system as per provisions of this
Code.
2.6
Smoke and Heat Vents
Interior or indoor air qualities are maintained as good as natural outdoor air qualities as
per provisions of this Code through openings in the building envelope shall be designated
as Natural Ventilation.
Interior or indoor air qualities are maintained by the means of mechanical devices shall
be designated as Mechanical Ventilation. Restricted ventilation means excessive smoke
accumulation within a building during fire.
(a)
Smoke and heat vents shall be installed in areas of restricted ventilation such
as windowless buildings, underground structures, and factories floor spaces
of restricted ventilation.
(b)
Where exit access travel distance is more than 23 m, smoke and heat vents
shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
(c)
The vent area and spacing of the vents shall comply with Table 4.2.1.
(d)
Closures of natural draft, smoke and heat vents shall be installed in such a
way that fire service personnel can open it easily during a fire.
(e)
Smoke and heat vents on roof or ceiling or wall shall normally be kept open.
In case of closed vents, automatic activation of the openings by heat
responsive device rated at 38o C to 104o C above ambient shall be a
requirement. The releasing mechanism shall be capable of opening the vent
fully when the vent is exposed to a time-temperature gradient that reaches an
air temperature of 260o C within 5 minutes. The vents shall also be capable of
being opened by manual operation.
(f)
Fire Vents requirements for Industrial and Storage Buildings are given in
Appendix B of Part 4.
Table 4.2.1: Smoke and Heat Vent Size and Spacing
Use group
Hazard
Condition
Vent Area to
Floor
Area Ratio
Max Spacing
of
Vent Centres
Occupancy H1
Occupancy H2
Occupancy J1
Occupancy J2, J3, J4
Occupancy K1, K3
Low Hazard
Moderate Hazard
High Hazard
High Hazard
Low Hazard
1:150
1:100
1:30 to 1:50
1:30 to 1:50
1:150
45 m
36 m
### 22.5 m to 30 m
### 22.5 m to 30 m
45 m
| Use group | Hazard
Condition | Vent Area to
Floor
Area Ratio | Max Spacing
of
Vent Centres |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Occupancy H1
Occupancy H2
Occupancy J1
Occupancy J2, J3, J4
Occupancy K1, K3 | Low Hazard
Moderate Hazard
High Hazard
High Hazard
Low Hazard | 1:150
1:100
1:30 to 1:50
1:30 to 1:50
1:150 | 45 m
36 m
22.5 m to 30 m
22.5 m to 30 m
45 m |
2.7
Electrical, Gas and Hvac Services
The requirements of the electrical, HVAC and gas services shall meet the provisions of
Part 8 of this Code.
(a) Air-conditioning and ventilation systems shall be installed and maintained as per
provisions of this Code so that the fire, fumes or smoke do not spread from one
area of fire to other area of a building through the ducts or vents.
(b) Properly designed fire dampers shall be installed within the air-conditioning and
ventilation ducts, which shall automatically close the flow of air in case of fire.
(c) For large assembly areas, department stores and hotels with more than 100
rooms in a single block, effective means for preventing circulation of smoke
through the air-conditioning ducts shall be installed. Such means shall consist of
approved smoke sensing control devices, where fuses of dampers may not
function during early state of a fire due to insufficient heat as per provisions of
this Code.
2.8
Surface Finishes
Materials used to trim or cover the interior and the exterior surfaces of a building have
the potential of generating smoke and toxic fumes during a fire and have the potentiality
of changing the nature of fire due to its ignitability as fuel. Use of such finish materials
shall be classified as per provisions of this Code.
(a)
The fire susceptibility of various types of surface finishes shall be determined
in terms of the rate of spread of fire (ASTM E 84). Based on the rate of
spread of fire, the surface finish materials shall be classified into three (3)
classes:
Class I
Surfaces of low flame spread: Flame does not effectively spread
more than 300 mm in the first 1.5 minutes with an ultimate value
of 600 mm.
Class II
Surfaces of medium flame spread: Flame does not spread
effectively more than 300 mm and 850 mm in the first 1.5
minutes and 10 minutes respectively.
Class III
Surfaces of rapid flame spread: Flame spreads effectively more
than 300 mm and 850 mm in the first 1.5 minutes and 10 minutes
respectively.
(b)
Interior finish of walls and ceilings shall have a flame spread rating not
greater than those in Table 4.2.2 for various occupancy classes.
Table 4.2.2: Acceptable Flame Spread Rating Classes of Interior Finish
Occupancy Class/Use Group
Vertical Exits
and Passage
Ways
Corridors
Providing Exit
Access
Rooms or
Enclosed Areas
A1
Detached single family
dwelling
III
III
III
A2
Two family dwelling
I
I
II
A3
Flats or Apartment
I
I
I
A5
Hotels and Lodging
Housing
I
I
I
B
Educational
I
I
I
C1,
C2
Institutional, Residential
& custodial
I
I
III
C3
Institutional-Incapacitated
I
I
I
C4
Institutional- Restrained
I
I
I
D
Health Care
I
I
I
E
Business
I
II
II
F
Mercantile
I
II
II
G
Industrial
I
II
II
H
Storage
III
II
III
I1
Large assembly with
fixed seats
I
I
I
I2
Small assembly with
fixed seats
I
I
I
I3
Large assembly without
fixed seats
I
I
I
I4
Small assembly without
fixed seats
I
I
I
J
Hazardous
I
II
III
Note: Class III may be adopted Instead of Class II where the area is covered by
automatic fire suppression system.
2.9
Glazing Assemblies
(a)
Buildings of construction shall use any one of the following types of glazing
using wire glass by electro-copper or equivalent. Building of construction
types as designated as unprotected or combustible may use hardwood sashes
or frames or both.
(b)
Glazing system used partially or as a whole to fulfill fire separations or fire
barriers requirements as per provisions of this Code shall be the equivalent of
required fire resistance rating. Glazed doors, windows or partitions or wall
with appropriate smoke lock along with other safety due to fragility,
translucency or transparency shall be correctly installed. Such fire-resistant
glazing assembly must function as an integral system together with the frame,
beads, bead fixings, glazing materials and frame fixings all working together
with compatibilities with the standards installation as per provisions of this
Code.
(c)
Wired glass panels shall comply with the following requirements:
(i)
Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.
(ii)
Embedded wire netting mesh in the glass shall not be more than
25 mm mesh.
(iii) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any
other approved metal. The frame shall be securely fixed into the wall
(except panels of internal doors).
(iv) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of
not less than 6 mm diameter/width or depth keeping due allowance for
expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal
fastenings. Approved sealants may be used for weather proofing.
(v)
Where wired glass panels are labelled as protective openings, they shall
conform to the size limitations shown in the Table 4.2.3.
Table 4.2.3: Limitations of Wired Glass Panel sizes in Protective openings
Required Fire Resistance
Rating
Opening Size
Max Height (m) Max Width (m)
Max Area (m2)
3 hours
NP
NP
NP
1 1
2 hour door in exterior walls
NP
NP
NP
1 1
2 hour fire rating
0.85
0.25
0.065
4 hour fire rating
1.4
1.4
0.85
Fire windows
1.4
1.4
0.85
Note: Size limitations are not applicable for Fire Rated Glazing Assemblies.
NP = Not Permitted.
| Required Fire Resistance
Rating | Opening Size | Col3 | Col4 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Required Fire Resistance**
**Rating** | \*\*Max Height (m) \*\* | **Max Width (m)** | \*\*Max Area (m2) \*\* |
| 3 hours
1 1
2 hour door in exterior walls
1 1
2 hour fire rating
3
4 hour fire rating
Fire windows | NP
NP
0.85
1.4
1.4 | NP
NP
0.25
1.4
1.4 | NP
NP
0.065
0.85
0.85 |
(d)
Electro-copper glazing shall comply with the following requirements:
(i)
Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm.
(ii)
Not more than 0.4 m2 of square glass shall be formed by electro-copper
glazing in sectional lights.
(iii) The sashes or frames or both shall be entirely made up of iron or any
other approved metal. The frame shall be securely bolted into the wall
(except panels and internal doors).
(iv) Setting of the panels of glass shall be achieved by rebates or grooves of
not less than 6 mm width or depth keeping due allowance for
expansion. The glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal
fastenings. Approved sealants may be used for weather proofing.
(e)
Wall opening more than 5 m2 shall not be deemed to be effectively protected
by wired glass or electro-copper glazing.
(f)
Wired glass or electro-copper glazing not exceeding 0.85 m2 in area shall be
allowed provided it is cased in hard metal and secured to the frames by hard
metal hinges not exceeding 60 mm apart and by fastening at top, centre and
bottom.
2.10
Skylights
(a)
Wired glasses used in skylights shall comply with the following
requirements:
(i)
Thickness of the glass shall not be less than 6 mm;
(ii)
Wire netting mesh embedded in the glass shall not be more than 25 mm
square;
(iii) The glazing shall be caged in frame of continuous metal divided by
bars 750 mm apart centre to centre. The frame and bars shall be iron or
other approved metal (or of hard wood covered with sheet metal). The
glass shall be secured to the frame by hard metal fastenings. Approved
sealants may be used for weather proofing.
(b)
Single opening for Skylight more than 5 m2 shall not be deemed to be
effectively protected by wired glass.
2.11
Fire Lifts
(a)
Fire lifts shall be installed as per provisions of this Code. Fire lifts, where
installed shall be fully automated from the ground level with all though fire
rated and protected wiring and switches and shall have a minimum capacity
of 8 persons.
(b)
Fire lifts shall be operated and maintained by the inmates of building except
during fire. During fire, Firemen shall takeover to operate such lifts.
(c)
Fire lifts shall be equipped with approved two way voice communication
with the fire command station or control room or security room on the exit
termination level of a building.
(d)
Number and location of fire lifts in a building shall be decided on the basis of
total occupant load, floor area and compartment.
(e)
A Lift shaft or bank shall be dedicated to Fire lift.
(f)
The speed of the lift shall be such that it can reach the top floor from ground
level (non-stop) within 1 minute.
(g)
Smoke detectors shall be installed at a distance of 3m from every entry doors
of Fire Lifts and links with corresponding lift control panel to prevent lift
doors to open in case of fire at any level.
(h)
All lifts in tall structure shall be operable during fire. There shall be
provisions for firemen to take over the control of lift operation as per
provision of this Code.
(i)
All stretcher and hospital lifts shall be operable during fire. There shall be
provisions for firemen to take over the control of lift operation as per
provision of this Code.
(j)
Lifts installed for accessibility shall be operable during fire. There shall be
provisions for firemen to take over the control of lift operation as per
provision of this Code.
(k)
Lift lobby shall be connected with at least one fire stair by a means of exit
component.
2.12
Utilities (Occupancy L) and Exempted Quantities of Hazardous
Material
Occupancy type L is a separated occupancy from the main occupancy classifications to
provide ancillary electro-mechanical service facilities require a special attention which
shall be taken as per provision of this Code. Utilities (Occupancy L) and exempted
quantities of hazardous materials for different occupancies are given below:
2.12.1
Occupancy A: Residential
(i)
Flammable liquids used for domestic purposes shall be kept adequately
sealed in approved containers within the limit of exempted quantity at all
times.
(ii)
Stoves and heaters using open flame shall be so located at defined space with
proper precaution.
(iii) Exhaust fans used in kitchens shall be placed on a peripheral wall of the
building or to a duct connected directly to outside and shall be made of non-
combustible material. The duct shall not pass through combustible materials.
(iv) Doors leading into a room containing flammable liquids shall be provided
with self-closing devices. Appropriate signs identifying the storage materials
and requesting the users to keep the door closed shall be marked on both
sides of the door.
(v)
All outdoor roof top antennas shall be protected by proper lightning arrester.
(vi) Rooms containing boiler shall be separated from the main building by
appropriate separation wall with all its openings protected as per provisions
detailed in Sec 2.3 of Part 3 and Sec 2.5 of this Chapter.
(vii) Areas or rooms within the building identified as Control Area shall be
protected or segregated by appropriate separation wall or by other approved
means as per the provisions of this Code.
2.12.2
Occupancy B: Educational
(i)
Control areas containing volatile flammable liquids shall be separated from
the adjoining areas in as per provisions of this Code.
(ii)
Gas pipeline entering any building shall be equipped with shutoff valves
outside the building with conspicuous marking clearly delineating the
location as per provisions of Part 8 of this Code.
(iii) The openings of boiler rooms shall be adequately protected by fixed,
automatic or self-closing fire assemblies.
2.12.3
Occupancy C: Institutional
Permit shall not be granted for storage or handling of any hazardous material even
in control areas, except for normal use in amounts not exceeding the exempted amounts
specified in Chapter 2 of Part 3, in a building or part thereof classified as Occupancy C.
2.12.4
Occupancy D: Health Care
Storage of volatile flammable liquids such as chloroform, ethyl alcohol, mentholated
spirit etc. shall be stored in Control Areas and no unauthorized person shall be allowed to
handle such liquids.
2.12.5
Occupancy E: Business
(i)
Exit aisles or approaches in self-service in a space shall not be obstructed by
placing checkout stand with associated railings or barriers on its passage.
(ii)
All operations in open air markets, refuelling stations, road side stands for
sale of farm products etc. shall be so conducted that unobstructed access to
exits are always maintained.
2.12.6
Occupancy F: Mercantile
Provisions are same as those of Sec 2.12.5 (Occupancy E).
2.12.7
Occupancy G: Industrial
(i)
Apparatus are not capable to igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted
within a control area of a building using or processing or storing volatile
flammable liquid. Control Areas of a building using or processing or storing
such flammable liquid shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.
(ii)
Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be separated from the
rest of the occupancy as per provisions of this Code.
(iii) Adequate protective measures shall be taken against hazards associated with
distribution and use of electricity and gas in accordance with the provisions
of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.
(iv) The machine layout shall be congenial to safe fire practice.
2.12.8
Occupancy H: Storage
(i)
Apparatus are not capable to igniting flammable vapour shall be permitted
within a Control area or part of a building using or storing volatile flammable
liquid. Control Areas of a building using or storing such flammable liquid
shall be covered by exhaust ventilation system.
(ii)
Boiler rooms and areas containing heating plants shall be effectively
segregated from the main occupancy.
(iii) Adequate protection shall be taken against hazards associated with
distribution and use of electricity and gas in accordance with the provisions
of Chapters 2 and 8 of Part 8.
2.12.9
Occupancy I: Assembly
(i)
All materials used for decorative purposes in buildings of Occupancy I shall
be non-combustible. If fabrics and papers are used for decorative purposes,
shall be treated with flame resistant chemicals/materials.
(ii)
Rooms and parts of a building containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating
machinery, large transformer or other service equipment having explosion
potential shall not be located on or adjacent to the defined exit route. Such
rooms shall be effectively cut off from the rest of the building and connected
to open air through approved ducts or openings.
(iii) Rooms or parts of a building used for storage of combustible materials such
as paints or other items shall be effectively cut off from main assembly
building or protected by approved automatic sprinkler system. Such areas
shall be away from staircases.
(iv) Legitimate stages having such facilities as fly galleries, gridirons and rigging
shall be covered by an automatic sprinkler system above and below such
stage areas or spaces. Auxiliary spaces such as dressing rooms, store rooms,
and workshops and the proscenium opening shall be effectively covered by
fire resistant curtains capable of withstanding a lateral pressure of 4 kN/m2.
The curtain shall be equipped with self-closing emergency device and when
closed shall be tight enough to prevent spread of smoke.
(v)
Legitimate stage roof above every theatre using movable scenery or motion
picture screen constructed of highly combustible materials shall be fitted with
ventilators in or above it. The ventilators shall be operable from the stage
floor manually or by fusible links or some approved automatic heat actuated
device to give an opening to sky with an area of one-eighth the area of the
stage.
(vi) In theatres not protected by automatic fire sprinklers, the proscenium wall
using movable scenery of decorations shall be provided with maximum of
two openings to enter the stage and each opening shall not be of more than 2
m2.
(vii) Film projection apparatus shall be enclosed within fire resistant enclosures.
(viii) Auditoriums of theatres and cinemas shall be installed with vents on roof
having vent area equal to the floor area including balconies and galleries,
boxes and tiers. Larger numbers of smaller vents shall be preferable over
smaller number of larger vents.
#### 2.12.10 Occupancy J: Hazardous
(i)
Equipment and machinery in operations, igniting and/or emitting combustible
volatile substances shall be installed in a standard environment as
recommended in NFPA or equivalent standards.
(ii)
Rooms containing boiler or heating plant shall be effectively separated from
the main occupancy.
#### 2.12.11 Occupancy K: Garage
As per safety requirement of NFPA or equivalent standard.
#### 2.12.12 Occupancy L: Utility
As per safety requirement of NFPA or equivalent standard.
#### 2.12.13 Occupancy M: Miscellaneous Buildings
As per safety requirement of NFPA or equivalent standard.
2.13
RELATED APPENDIX
Appendix B Fire Protection Considerations for Venting in Industrial and Storage
Building.