MODULE-5
ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE
SAFETY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Ar. Dashnaamurthy SJBSAP
INTRODUCTION
•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.
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.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE AND CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS
Classification of Hazards
•Light (low) hazard: Locations where the total amount of Class A
combustible materials is minor. >275000 kcal/m
•Ordinary (moderate) hazard: Locations where Class A combustibles and
Class B flammables are present in greater amounts than expected under
light hazard occupancies. >550000 kcal/m
•Extra (high) hazard: Locations with large quantities of highly combustible
materials and conditions are such that fires could develop quickly with
high heat release.> 1100000 kcal/m2
Type of Construction
Building construction is divided into types 1 through 5.
Type 1: (Fire-Resistive) structures are high-rises, and they’re the stoutest of all construction types
when exposed to fire. High-rises are usually defined as buildings more than 15m tall. Type 1 structures
are constructed of concrete and protected steel .
Type 2: (Non-Combustible) construction is typically found in new buildings and remodels of
commercial structures. The walls and roofs are constructed of non-combustible materials. Specifically,
walls are usually reinforced masonry.
Type 3: (Ordinary)buildings can be of either new or old construction, and they have non-combustible
walls and a wood roof. Older construction buildings may consist of unreinforced masonry and have a
conventionally framed roof, while newer buildings will have lightweight roof systems supported by
reinforced masonry or tilt slab.
Type 4: (Heavy Timber)construction is found in older buildings and utilizes large dimensional lumber
for structural members and interior elements. These buildings hold up well under fire conditions, but
it’s critical that firefighters not feel a false sense of security
Type 5: (Wood-Framed) construction is found in many modern homes. The walls and roofs are made
of combustible materials—most commonly wood. If the walls are wood-framed, the roof usually is as
well.
FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
[Link] buildings more than one story shall provided with liberally designed and safe fireproof exits or
escapes
[Link] exits shall be so placed that they are always immediately accessible and each is capable of taking
all persons on that floor as alternative escape routes may be rendered and unusable and unsafe due to
fire.
[Link] routes shall be well ventilated as persons using the escapes are likely to be overcome by
smoke and fumes which may enter from the fire.
[Link] proof doors shall confirm rigidly to the fire safety requirements.
[Link] fire resisting doors are employed as cut off or fire breaks they shall be maintained in good
working order so that they may be readily opened to allow quick escapes of person trapped in that
section of the building and also, when necessary prompt rescue work can be expeditiously carried out.
[Link] and mechanical lifts while reliable under normal conditions may not always relied on for
escape purposes in the event of a fire, as the electrical supplied to the building itself may be cut off or
otherwise interrupted, or those relying as mechanical drive may not have the driving powder available.
[Link] shafts and stairways invariably served as flues or tunnels thus increasing the fire by increased
drought and their design shall be such as to reduce or avoid this possibility and consequent spread of
fire.
[Link] ceiling, either for sound effects or air conditioning or other similar purpose shall be so
constructed as to prevent either total or early collapsed in the event of fire so that person
underneath are not fatally trapped before they have the time to reach the exits, shall apply to cinema
theaters and other public or private buildings where many people congregate.
[Link] be the class or purpose of the building the design and construction shall embody the fire
retardant for ceilings and roofs.
[Link] required to withstand the effect of fire for the full period stated for particular grading.
The design and construction of floors shall be of such a standard that shall obviate any replacement,
partial or otherwise, because experience shows that certain type of construction stand up
satisfactorily against collapse and suffer when may first be considered as negligible damage, but in
practice later involve complete stripping down and either total or major replacement. This
consideration shall also be applied to other elements of structure where necessary.
[Link] for the various fire grades of the building shall be designed and constructed to withstand
the effect of fire for the maximum period for the particular grading and this requires concrete or
equivalent construction. It is however important that maximum endurance is provided.
[Link]. Where basements are necessary for a building where such basements are used for
storage, provision shall be made for the escape of any heat arising due to fire and for liberating and
smoke may be caused. It is essential that fire resistant of the basement shall confirmed to the highest
order and all column for supporting upper structures shall have a grading not less than laid down in
types 1 to 3.
[Link] extraction from basements. The following requirements shall be provided for smoke
extraction :
• Unobstructed smoke extracts having direct communications with the open air shall be provided
in or adjoining the external wall and in positions easily accessible for firemen in an emergency.
• The area of smoke extracts shall be distributed as far as possible, around the perimeter to
encourage flow of smoke and gases where it is impractical to provide a few large extracts for
eg:-not less than 3 m2 in area, a number of small extracts having the same gross area shall be
provided.
• Covers to the smoke extracts shall, where practicable, be provided in the stall board and
pavement light at pavement level, and be constructed of light cast iron frame or other
construction which may be readily broken by fireman in emergency. The covers shall be suitably
marked.
• When they pass through fire resisting separations, smoke extracts shall in all cases be
completely separated from other compartments in the building by enclosures of the
appropriate grade of fire resistance. In other cases, steel metal duct may be provided.
• Where these are sub basements, the position of the smoke extracts from sub basements and
basements shall be suitably indicted and distinguished on the externals faces of the building
DETECTION