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• Fire protection is the study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of
potentially destructive fires.

• A fire protection system includes: devices, wiring, piping, equipment, and

controls
to detect fire or smoke, to actuate signal, and to suppress the fire or smoke.

• Objectives of fire protection

1)Primary objectives: to save lives and protect property.
2)Secondary objective: to minimize interruptions of service due to a
fire.
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Current trends in building design and modern lifestyles

contributing to serious fire hazards:

1) High-rise buildings: Buildings become taller and more densely situated.

2) Architectural design: Larger areas and open spaces. Less separation walls.

3)Controlled indoor environment: Constructed of fixed glass windows instead of

operable windows in order to mechanically control temperature, humidity and air quality
and to minimize a stack effect.

4)Increased use of combustible materials: Furnishings, equipment, and decorative

finishes made of materials such as plastic and synthetics are a source of toxic gas
and smoke during a fire.
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FIRE LOAD
• Fire load is the amount of heat in kilocalories (kcal) which is liberated per square meter of floor
area of any compartment by the combustion of the contents of the building and any
combustible part of the building itself. This amount of heat is used as the basis of grading of
occupancy's

• The fire load is determined by multiplying the weight of all combustible materials by their
calorific value and dividing the floor area under consideration
Coverage and Floor Area Ratio
(1) The maximum percentage of coverage permissible for each occupancy shall
limit the maximum area at any floor of a building. The floor area ratio value
shall limit the maximum buildable total floor area. Floor Area Ratio ie F.A.R
shall be calculated as shown below:

Coverage = maximum built up area at any floor /Plot area)x 100

F.A.R. = Total floor area on all floors/Plot Area

Alternative escape routes

Escape routes sufficiently separated by

either direction and space, or by fire
resisting construction, to ensure that one
is still available, should the other be
affected by fire. Note:- A second stair,
balcony or flat roof which enables a
person to reach a place of safety.
Alternative exit
One of two or more exits, each of which is separate from the other.
Atrium
A space within a building, not necessarily vertically aligned,
passing through one or more structural floors
Auto Ignition Temperature (AIT)
AIT is the lowest temperature at which substance will ignite
spontaneously or by itself without any external source of ignition.
Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System
Fire Alarm system comprising components for automatically
detecting a fire, initiating an alarm of fire and initiating other
actions as appropriate. Note:- This system may also include
manual fire alarm call points.
Automatic Sprinkler System:
A system of water pipes fitted with sprinkler heads at suitable intervals and heights and
designed to actuate automatically, control and extinguish a fire by discharge of water.
Building
Any structure for whatsoever purpose and of whatsoever materials constructed and every part
thereof whether used as human habitation or not and includes foundations, plinth, walls, floors,
roofs, chimneys, plumbing and building services, fixed platform, varandah, balcony, cornice or
projection, part of a building or anything affixed thereto or any wall enclosing or intended to
enclose any land or space and signs and outdoor display structures. Tents, Shamianahs,
tarpaulin shelters, etc, erected for temporary and ceremonial occasions with the permission of
the Authority shall not be considered as building
Building, Height of:
The vertical distance measured in the case of flat roofs, from the average level of the ground
around and contiguous to the building to the terrace of the last livable floor of the building
adjacent to the external wall; and in the case of pitched roof up to the point where the external
surface of the outer wall intersects the finished surface of the sloping roof, and in the case of
gables facing the road, the mid point between the eaves level and the ridge. Architectural
features serving no other function except that of decoration, shall be excluded for the purpose of
measuring heights.
Co-efficient of linear expansion
The amount by which unit length of a solid substance expands
when its temperature is raised by 1oC is called the co-efficient of
linear expansion of the substance. 10.
Combustion
Combustion is an exothermic, self-sustaining reaction involving
a condensed-phase fuel, a gas-phase fuel, or both. The process is
usually associated with the oxidation of the fuel by atmospheric
oxygen with the emission of light.
Combustible material
The material which either burns itself or adds heat to a fire. when
tested for non-combustibility in accordance with accepted
standard
Compartmentation
The division of a building into fire-tight compartments by fire
resistant elements of building construction in order to control a
fire for a stated period of time within the compartment of origin.
Compartment (Fire)
A building or part of a building, comprising one or more rooms,
spaces or storeys, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or
from another part of the same building, or an adjoining building.
Compressed Gases
Are gases which exist solely in the gaseous state under NTP
(Normal Temperature and Pressure) inside the container.
Cryogenic Gases
Are liquefied gases which exist in the container at temperatures far below
normal atmospheric temperature, but usually slightly above their Boiling
Point at NTP, and at correspondingly low to moderate pressures.
Dead End
Area from which escape is possible in one direction only .
Down Comer
An arrangement of fire fighting within the building by means of down
comer pipe connected to terrace tank through terrace pump, gate valve and
non return valve, and having mains not less than 100mm internal diameter
with landing valves on each floor landing. It is also fitted with inlet
connections at ground level for charging with water by pumping from fire
services appliances and air release valve at roof level to release trapped air
inside.
Element of Structure

a)a member forming part of the structural frame of a

building or any other beam or column;
b) a load bearing wall or load bearing part of a wall;
c) a floor;
d)a gallery;
e)an external wall; and
f) a compartment wall (including a wall common to two
or more buildings).
Emergency Lighting
Lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails.
Emergency Lighting System: A complete but discrete emergency lighting
installation from standby power source to the emergency lighting lamp(s),
for example, self contained emergency luminaire or a circuit from central
battery generator connected through wiring to several escape luminaries.
Escape Lighting
That part of emergency lighting which is provided to ensure that the escape
route is illuminated at all material times (for example, at all times when
persons are on the premises), or at times the main lighting is not available,
either for the whole building or the escape routes.
Escape Route Route forming that part of the means of escape from any
point in a building to a final exit.
Evacuation Lift
A lift that may be used for the evacuation of disabled people in a
fire.
Exposure Hazard
The risk of fire spreading from a building, structure or other
property to an adjoining building or structure, or to another part
of the same building or structure by radiated heat across the
intervening space.
Fire Damper
A closure which consists of a normally held open damper
installed in an air distribution system or in a wall or floor
assembly and designed to close automatically in the event of a
fire in order to maintain the integrity of fire separation.
Fire Detector
A device which gives a signal in response to a change in the ambient
conditions in the vicinity or within the range of the detector, due to a fire.
Fire Door
A fire-resistive door approved for openings in fire separation walls.
Fire Exit
A way out leading to an escape route. This can either be a doorway or even a
horizontal exit.
Fire fighting Access
Approach facilities provided to or within a building to enable fire service
personnel and equipment to gain access thereto for fire and rescue
operations.
Fire fighting Shaft
A protected enclosure containing a fire fighting stair, fire fighting lobbies
and, if provided, a fire fighting lift, together with its machine room.
Fire Lift
The lift installed to enable fire services personnel to
reach different floors with minimum delay.
Fire Load Density
The fire load per unit area.
Fire Point
Is the lowest temperature at which the heat from the
combustion of a burning vapour is capable of
producing sufficient vapour to enable combustion to
be sustained.
Fire Prevention
The whole set of precautions to prevent the outbreak of fire and to limit its
effects.
Fire Protection
Design features, systems or equipment in a building, structure or other fire risk,
to minimise the danger to persons and property by detecting, containing and/or
extinguising fires.
Fire Resistance
Fire resistance is a property of an element of building construction and is the
measure of its ability to satisfy for a stated period some or all of the following
criteria:
(a)Resistance to collapse
(b)Resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases, and
(c)Resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face upto a maximum of
180oC and / or average temperature of 150oC
Fire Resistance Rating
The time that a material or construction will withstand the standard fire
exposure as determined by fire test done in accordance with the standard
methods of fire tests of materials/ structures.
Fire Separation
The distance in meters measured from the external wall of the building
concerned to the external wall of any other building on the site, or from other
site, or from the opposite side of street or other public space to the building for
the purpose of preventing the spread of fire.
Fire Separating Wall: The wall provides complete separation of one building
from another, or part of a building from another part of the same building, to
prevent any communication of fire or heat transmission to wall itself which may
cause or assist in the combustion of materials on the side opposite to that
portion which may be on fire.
Fire Stop:
A fire resistant material or construction having a fire resistance
rating of not less than the separating elements installed in concealed
spaces or between structural elements of a building to prevent the
spread/propagation of fire and smoke through walls, ceilings and the
like as per the laid down criteria.
Fire Tower: An enclosed staircase which can only be approached
from the various floors through landings or lobbies separated from
both the floor areas and the staircase by fire-resisting doors, and
open to the outer air.
Flash Point Is the lowest temperature at which the vapour produced
by a substance will flash momentarily when a flame is applied.
Gallery
An intermediate floor or platform projecting from a wall of an
auditorium or a hall providing extra floor area, additional seating
accommodation etc. It shall also include the structures provided
for seating in stadia.
Group Housing Group or multi-storeyed housing for more than
one dwelling unit, where land is owned jointly (as in the case of co-
operative societies or the public agencies, such as local authorities
or housing boards, etc.) and the construction is undertaken by one
Agency/Authority.
High Rise Building
As per NBC Part-4, all buildings 15m and above in height shall be
considered as high rise buildings
Horizontal Exit
An arrangement which allows alternative egress from a floor area to another
floor at or near the same level in an adjoining building or an adjoining part of
same building with adequate fire separation.
Inhibition
A process of fire extinguishment in which the extinguishing agent used prevents
the development of chemical reactions in the flame initiating and sustaining the
fire.
Interior Finish
Generally consists of those materials or combinations of materials that form the
exposed interior surface of walls and ceilings.
Latent Heat The thermal energy or the heat of a substance absorbed when it is
converted from a solid to a liquid, or from a liquid to a gas / vapour, is called
latent heat. It is measured in Joules per unit mass(J/kg).
Latent Heat of Vapourisation
The heat which is absorbed by a liquid for conversion to its vapour
stage is the latent heat of vapourisation for that liquid. The heat
which is absorbed by water for conversion to steam is the latent heat
of vapourisation of water.
Latent Heat of Fusion
The heat which is absorbed during change of state from solid to
liquid is called the latent heat of fusion. When ice melts to form
water and heat is absorbed, it is called as the latent heat of fusion of
ice.
Liquefied Gases
Are gases which, at normal atmospheric temperature inside the
container exists partly in the liquid state and partly in the gaseous
state and under pressure, as long as any liquid remains in the
container.
Means of Egress
A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or
structure to a place of comparative safety.
Mezzenine Floor An intermediate floor, between two floors, above ground
level, accessible only from the lower floor
Occupancy or Use Group The principal occupancy for which a building or a
part of a building is used or intended to be used. For the purpose of
classification of a buliding according to the occupancy, an occupancy shall be
deemed to include subsidiary occupancies which are contingent upon it.
Occupant Load The number of persons for which the means of egress of a
building or a portion thereof is designed.
Plenum An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are
connected and which forms part of an air distribution system.
Plinth Area
The built-up covered area measured at the floor level of the
basement or of any storey.
Public Address System (PA System)
The complete chain of sound equipment (comprising essentially of
microphones, amplifiers, and loud speakers) required to reinforce
the sound emanating from a source in order to provide adequate
loudness for comfortable hearing by the audience.
Public Building A building constructed by government, semi-
government organisations, public sector undertakings, registered
Charitable Trusts or such other organisations for their non-profitable
public activities.
Pyrolysis Irreversible chemical decomposition of a material due to
an increase in temperature.
Pressurisation
The establishment of a pressure difference across a barrier to protect
a stairway, lobby escape route, or room of a bulding from smoke
penetration.
Pressurisation Level
The pressure difference between the pressurised space and the area
served by the pressurised escape route, expressed in pascals(Pa)
Protected Shaft A shaft which enables persons, air or objects to pass
from one compartment to another, and which is enclosed with fire
resisting construction.
Roof Exits A means of escape on to the roof of a building where the
roof has access to it from the ground. The exit shall have adequate
cut-off within the building from staircase below.
Smoke A visible suspension in air of a mixture of gaseous and
particulate matter resulting from combustion or pyrolysis.
Specific Heat
The heat energy required to raise the temperature of unit mass of a substance
through 1oC is the specific heat of the substance. (J/kg per oC) 71.
Refuge Area
An area where persons unable to use stairways can remain temporarily to await
instructions or assistance during emergency evacuation.
Stairway (Enclosed)
A stairway in a building, physically separated(eg. by walls, partitions, screens,
barriers etc.) from the accommodation through which it passes, but not
necessarily a protected stairway.
Stairway (Protected)
A stairway having the required degree of fire protection and forming the vertical
component of a protected escape route or means of egress.
Special Building
(i) A building solely used for the purpose of a drama or cinema theatre, motion
picture, a drive-in theatre, an assembly hall or auditorium, town hall, lecture
hall, an exhibition hall, theatre museum, stadium, community hall, marriage
hall;
(ii)A Hazardous Building;
(iii)An Institutional Building;
(iv)An Industrial Building;
(v)A Storage Building
(vi)A Multi-purpose Building or Multiplex
Stack Pressure
Pressure difference caused by a temperature difference creating an air
movement within a duct, chimney or enclosure.
Stack Effect
Is the vertical natural air movement from the building caused by the differences
in temperature and densities between the inside and outside air. This stack
effect plays a vital role in smoke movement.
Travel Distance
The distance to be travelled from any point in a building to a
protected escape route, external escape route or final exit.
Unsafe Building A building which,
(i) is structurally unsafe,
(ii)is insanitary,
(iii)is not provided with adequate means of egress,
(iv)constitutes a fire hazard,
(v)is dangerous to human life, and
(vi)in relation to its existing use constitutes a hazard to safetly or
health or public welfare by reasons of inadequate maintenance,
dilapidation or abandonment.
Ventilation:
Supply of outside air into, or the removal of inside air from an
enclosed space.
Venting Fire
The process of inducing heat and smoke to leave a building as
quickly as possible by such paths so that lateral spread of fire and
heat is checked, fire fighting operations are facilitated and minimum
fire damage is caused.
Volume to Plot Area Ratio (VPR)
The ratio of volume of building measured in cubic metres to the area
of the plot measured in square metres and expressed in metres.
Wet Riser
An arrangement for fire fighting within the building by means of
vertical rising mains of not less than 100 mm diameter with landing
valves on each floor/landing for fire fighting purposes and
permanently charged with water from a pressurised supply