Part C

Fire Resisting
Construction

This Part contains three Sections:

• Section 1 – General
• Section 2 – Provisions for Fire Resisting Construction
• Section 3 – Fire Safety Provisions for Cinemas and Theatres

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Section 1 – General
Subsection C1 - Use of this Part

Clause C1.1

This Part provides the Deemed-to-Comply provisions on fire resisting construction and
should be read in conjunction with all other Parts in this Code.

Clause C1.2

Authorized persons, registered structural engineers, fire safety consultants and any person
responsible for the design of buildings may find this Part useful in ascertaining the
requirements under the Buildings Ordinance for provisions of fire resisting construction.

Clause C1.3

This Part provides guidance on how the Performance Requirements on the provisions of fire
resisting construction may be complied with.

Subsection C2 – Performance Requirements for Fire Resisting

Construction

Clause C2.1

Performance Requirements on the provisions of fire resisting construction are stipulated in

Subsection A9 of Part A.

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Section 2 - Provisions for Fire Resisting Construction
Subsection C3 – Fire Compartmentation

Clause C3.1

Every building should be divided into fire compartments by fire barriers without exceeding
the fire compartment area/volume specified in Table C1 in order to inhibit the spread of fire.

Clause C3.2

A fire compartment should be enclosed by fire barriers. Protection of all openings, joints and
penetrations located in a fire barrier should have an FRR not less than that of the fire barrier.

Subsection C4 - Fire Compartment Limitations and Fire Resistance

Ratings

Clause C4.1

Every element of construction within each fire compartment and every fire barrier of each
fire compartment should have an FRR of not less than that as specified in Table C1.

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Table C1 – Fire Resistance Rating and Fire Compartment Limitations

Compartment Area/ Fire Resistance Rating

Use Classification Volume (minutes)

1. Residential Not limited 60

2. Hotel and similar Not limited 60

Transient
Accommodation

3. Institutional Not exceeding 2,500m2 60

4. Commercial:

4a. Business Facilities Not exceeding 10,500m2 60

4b. Mercantile Facilities Not exceeding 2,500m2 60

Exceeding 2,500m2 but not 120

exceeding 10,500m2

5. Assembly:

5a & 5d. Not exceeding 60

PPE & Other assembly 2,500m2
premises
Exceeding 2,500m2 but not 120
exceeding 10,500m2

[Link] Not exceeding 2,500m2 60

establishments
Exceeding 2,500m2 but not 120
exceeding 10,500m2

5c. Transport facilities Not exceeding 10,500m2 120

6. Industrial:

6a. Industrial workplaces Not exceeding 10,500m2 120

6b. Bulk storage, Not exceeding 28,000m3 120

Warehouses and 10,500m2

6c. Storage, Not exceeding 7,000m3 120

manufacturing of
hazardous/dangerous
goods premises

7. Carparks Not exceeding 10,500m2 60

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Notes:
1. A fire compartment area/volume in excess of that given above will be dealt with on
individual merits giving full consideration to enhance means of escape, means of
access for firefighting and rescue, fire service installations and fire resisting construction
so as to achieve an equivalent level of fire safety.
2. Different Use Classifications should be separated in accordance with Subsection C7.

3. Special hazards should be separated in accordance with Subsection C13.

4. For any use not covered by Table C1, the FRR required will be determined by the
Building Authority having regard to the fire load, hazard level and other relevant fire
safety provisions of the building.
5. For Use Classification 1 – Residential, each flat should be separated from adjoining flats
by fire barriers.
6. For Use Classification 2 – Hotel, each guestroom should be separated from the
adjoining guestrooms and other Use Classifications by fire barriers.

Clause C4.2

The FRR required for the elements of construction, components and fire barriers should
satisfy one or more criteria of stability, integrity or insulation, related to various methods of
exposure as specified in Table C2 when tested in accordance with Part E.

Clause C4.3

Where a single-storey building does not exceed 7,000m³ in volume and 7.5m in height, any
steelwork construction may be unprotected, provided that the building is separated from any
adjoining building or the site boundary by a clear unobstructed open space not less than 6m
in width.

Commentary
No FRR is required for elements of construction of single-storey covered walkways on
podium or ground floor if they comply with Subsection C9 and Clause C12.4 and are
constructed of non-combustible materials complying with Part E.

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Table C2: Fire Resistance Rating Criteria for Elements of Construction,
Fire Barriers and Other Components

Elements of construction Criteria to be satisfied Method of Exposure

or other components
Stability Integrity Insulation
1 Structural frame, Y N N Exposed faces only
beam or column
2 Floor including fire Y Y Y Each side separately
compartment floor
3 Roof forming part of Y Y Y From underside
an exit route or
performing the
function of the floor
4 Loadbearing wall not Y N N Each side separately
being a fire barrier
5 External wall Y* Y Y Each side separately
6 Loadbearing wall Y Y Y Each side separately
being a fire barrier
7 Non-loadbearing wall N Y Y Each side separately
being a fire barrier
8 Protected shaft, lobby Y* Y Y Each side separately
and corridor
9 Fire shutter, fire stop, N Y N Each side separately
fire dampers, sealing
system (unless
specified)
10 Smoke outlet shaft Y Y Y From outside
11 Enclosure around N Y Y From outside
services other than
Item 14
12 Door (including frame N Y N Each side separately
and fixing) (except lift doors –
(unless from landing side only)
specified)
13 Fixed light ( including N Y Y Each side separately
frame, glazing &
fixing)
14 Enclosure around N Y Y Each side separately
services in required
staircase/protected
lobby

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Notes:
1. Y = required; N = not applicable; Y* = required for load bearing elements only.
2. Lintels, posts or jambs of an opening in a fire barrier should be regarded as an integral
part of that wall.
3. Subject to Subsection C5 and Clause C9.7, curtain wall glazing does not require to
have an FRR.
4. FRR requirements for different Use Classification are listed in Table C1.
5. Any restriction of the cross-section area of the smoke outlet shaft to 75% or less of its
original area should be deemed to constitute failure in stability.
6. When an FRR is specified for a fire barrier which consists of different items in this Table,
each of such items should satisfy the criteria as specified in this Table.

Subsection C5 – Prevention of Fire Spread between Buildings

Clause C5.1

Every building should be suitably enclosed by external walls and roof with an FRR to ensure
protection against spread of fire to adjoining buildings or site.

Clause C5.2 Separation between Buildings on the Same Site

Buildings on the same site are regarded as adjoining buildings if they are less than 1.8m
apart. Fire barriers should be provided in compliance with the following requirements:
(a) Where the angle made between two facades of two adjoining buildings is more than
135o as measured on plan:
(i) any part of any such building within 900mm of any such adjoining building
should be enclosed by imperforate external walls having an FRR of not less
than that of the internal elements of construction; and
(ii) notwithstanding (a)(i) above, unprotected openings may be made in such
external walls of the building provided they are not less than 900mm from such
unprotected opening in such adjoining building.
(b) Where the angle made between two facades of two adjoining buildings is at 135o or
less as measured on plan:
(i) any part of any such building within 1.8m of any such adjoining building should
be enclosed by imperforate external walls having an FRR of not less than that
of the internal elements of construction;
(ii) openings are permitted within the fire barriers, provided they are at a distance of
at least 900mm from the adjoining building and protected by a fixed light having
an FRR of not less than that of the storey complying with Table C2; and
(iii) notwithstanding (b)(i) & (b)(ii) above, unprotected openings may be made in
such external walls of the building provided they are not less than 1.8m from the
unprotected opening in such adjoining building.

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 (c) Any part of a roof within 1.8m of the adjoining building should be imperforate and
having an FRR of not less than that of the internal elements of construction of the
storey below. Openings are permitted within the fire barriers, provided they are at a
distance of at least 900mm from the adjoining building and protected by a fixed light
having an FRR of not less than that of the storey complying with Table C2.
See Diagram C1 for illustration.

Clause C5.3 Separation between Buildings not on the Same Site

Fire barriers should be provided to buildings of adjoining sites in the following manner:
(a) If any part of any building is within a distance of not more than 900mm from the site
boundary of the adjoining site, the external walls and roofs of that part should have
an FRR of not less than that of the internal elements of construction; and
(b) The external walls and the roof should be imperforate. Openings are permitted,
provided they are at a distance of at least 450mm from the common site boundary
of the neighbouring site and are protected by fixed light having an FRR of not less
than that of the storey and comply with Table C2.
See Diagram C1 for illustration.

Subsection C6 – Protection of Flats in Use Classification 1 and 2

Clause C6.1

In Use Classification 1 and domestic part of Use Classification 2, where flats or guestrooms
are connected to a common internal corridor:
(a) the common internal corridor should be provided with fire barriers having an FRR
that complies with Table C1;
(b) doors of each flat or guestroom leading to the common internal corridor should have
an FRR of not less than that of the fire barrier of the common internal corridor; and
(c) a smoke seal should be installed to every fire rated door of a flat or guestroom
leading to the common internal corridor.

Commentary
Smoke seal is very effective in preventing the spread of smoke through a fire rated door. A
tight-fitting and latched fire rated door does not prevent smoke spread. Smoke seals should
be provided to the top and sides of the fire rated door.

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Subsection C7 - Separation between Use Classifications

Clause C7.1

Where parts of any building:

(a) are for different Use Classifications, including the sub-class in Table A1 in Part A;
and/or
(b) are used for different occupancies,
they should be separated by fire barriers having the longer FRRs in respect of such Use
Classification as stipulated in Table C1.

Clause C7.2

Ancillary small offices, caretakers’ quarters and small storage areas or loading and
unloading areas in an industrial building, pantries in an office building and snack bar in Use
Classification 5a do not require a separation by fire barriers.

Clause C7.3

Provided that the fire compartment area limitations in Table C1 are complied with,
separation by fire barriers are not required between different occupancies for the following
uses:
(a) Use Classification 4a; or

(b) Retail shops in Use Classification 4b.

Clause C7.4

Except for shopping arcade in Use Classification 4b, every common internal corridor serving
rooms or flats in different occupancies should be separated from such occupancies by fire
barriers having an FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of that floor. Where
these FRRs differ, the higher FRR value should be adopted. Any fixed lights installed within
the corridor should have an FRR of not less than that of the wall.

Commentary
For shopping arcade, retail shops are not required to be separated from the common arcade
or mall area by fire barriers taking into account that the shops are under a common
management and a common fire alarm system actuated by a sprinkler alarm or by break
glass points is installed.

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Clause C7.5

For a balcony approach:

(a) Subject to (b), where part of the exit route is deadend, the deadend balcony
approach should be separated from the occupancies it served by fire barriers
having an FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of such occupancies.
This includes any doors and fixed lights installed in such separating walls;
(b) for Use Classification 1, any window within a deadend balcony approach should be
fixed and have an FRR of not less than -/30/30.

Subsection C8 - Openings through Fire Barriers and Vertical Shafts

Clause C8.1

Openings should not be formed at fire barriers forming part of a fire compartment as
described in Clause C3.1 unless such openings are protected by fire rated doors or fire
shutters having an FRR of not less than that of such fire barriers. If the total width of the
openings is more than 25% of the length of the compartment walls concerned, the fire rated
doors or fire shutters should have an FRR with regard to the criterion of insulation of not
less than that of the fire barrier. Such FRR with regard to the criterion of insulation can be
reduced to not less than 30 minutes if sprinkler heads are provided on each side of the fire
rated doors or fire shutters. The sprinkler heads should be a part of the fire service
installations of the building and should comply with the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire
Service Installations and Equipment.

Clause C8.2

Every opening for passage of air-conditioning ducts, ventilation ducts, electrical trunkings,
conduits, pipes, cables and the like through a fire barrier should be protected with fire
dampers or other suitable form of fire stop to maintain the required FRR of that fire barrier.

Clause C8.3

Where a vertical shaft linking different floors is formed by fire barriers, the openings within
the vertical shaft for passage of air-conditioning ducts, ventilation ducts, electrical trunkings,
conduits, pipes, cables and the like should be fire sealed. FRR to the floor enclosed by the
vertical shaft is not required. Doors and hatches, etc provided to the vertical shaft should
have an FRR of not less than that of the vertical shaft and be self-closing.

Commentary
Vertical shafts are normally unoccupied spaces and contain electrical, plumbing or
mechanical services.

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Clause C8.4

Subject to Clause C8.2, building services including the associated ducts, trunkings, conduits,
pipes, cables and the like are not required to be enclosed by fire barriers if they are installed
within the same fire compartment.

Clause C8.5

Any fire sealing system should comply with the following requirements:
(a) The sealing system should comply with the requirements in Part E;
(b) The performance of the sealing system should not be affected by moisture or
dampness;
(c) The life of the sealing system should not be shorter than that of the duct, pipe or
wire; and
(d) The sealing should be firmly fixed.

Clause C8.6

Where water-borne metallic pipes pass through fire barriers, gaps between the pipes and
the fire barriers should be properly filled by fire rated material having an FRR of not less
than that of the fire barrier that it penetrates.

Clause C8.7

Fire shutters should be constructed, installed and assembled to the satisfaction of the
Building Authority and the operation of the fire shutters should be designed, installed, tested
and maintained to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services. Fire dampers should be
designed, installed, tested and maintained to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services
or the Building Authority, as appropriate.

Commentary
Fire dampers that are directly associated with the ducting and trunking under the Building
(Ventilating Systems) Regulations are within the ambit of the Director of Fire Services. They
include blade type fire dampers manufactured and installed in accordance with the
standards and requirements stipulated by the Director of Fire Services.

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Subsection C9 – Protection of Required Staircases and Lifts

Clause C9.1

All liftwells should comply with the following requirements:

(a) all liftwells, except for openings for doors and ventilation or openings between the
liftwell and the machine or pulley room, should be separated from the rest of the
building by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than 120/120/120;
(b) penetrations in a liftwell wall around frames or reveals of lift landing doors, floor
indicator panels and lift call buttons should be properly sealed to maintain the FRR
of the wall and comply with Part E;
(c) a door provided at a lift landing to give access to the car of a lift and any other door
to the liftwell wall should have an FRR of not less than that of the fire barriers
therein with regard to integrity, or not less than -/120/-; and
(d) where a lift connects basement with storeys above the ground storey, the lift doors
at the basement should be protected by a smoke seal lobby complying with Part E.

Commentary
The FRR required for the lift car landing doors is for the purpose of resisting a fire from the
occupied side of the floor but not from the lift car side.

Clause C9.2

Provided that the lift machine or pulley room is completely separated by fire barriers from
the rest of the building (except for the opening for lift car cable/rope), fire resisting
construction is not required for the lift car including landing doors and the liftwell, if any, of a
bullet lift, panorama lift and the like serving a single fire compartment.

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Clause C9.3

All protected exits and protected lobbies should comply with the following requirements:
(a) They should be separated from the rest of the building by fire barriers having an
FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of that fire compartment to which
they connect;
(b) Any doorway giving access to the protected exits should be provided with a fire
rated door having an FRR, with regard to the criteria of integrity and insulation, of
not less than that of the fire barriers therein;
(c) The fire rated doors at the doorway giving access to a protected lobby should have
an FRR that complies with Clause C16.5 with regard to the criteria of integrity and
insulation; and
(d) All required staircases and their protected lobbies should not accommodate any
services other than emergency services such as fire hydrants, sprinkler systems,
emergency lights, exit signs, closed-circuit television and direct intercom link unless
such services are enclosed by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than that of
the walls separating the protected exit from the rest of the building. Any access
openings in such enclosures should be provided with a fire rated door having an
FRR, with regard to the criteria of integrity and insulation, of not less than that of the
fire barriers therein.

Clause C9.4

Each element of construction of a required staircase including the landings and supports
enclosed within the walls having the required FRR need not have an FRR but must be non-
combustible.

Clause C9.5

Where the ground storey of a building provided with only one required staircase is used for
any occupancy other than domestic or office, the required staircase from ground to first floor
level should be separated from the rest of the building by a fire barrier having the longer of
the FRRs specified in Table C1 and the wall enclosing the required staircase should, at the
main entrance, be returned for a distance of not less than 450mm along the frontage of the
ground storey.

Clause C9.6

Subject to Subsection C5, Clause C9.7 and C9.8, an external wall of a required staircase
and its protected lobby may be unprotected and openings may be made in the external wall.

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Clause C9.7

Where any external wall of a required staircase and its protected lobby opposing, either
directly or indirectly, and within 6 m of:
(a) the opposite side of a street;
(b) a common boundary with an adjoining site;
(c) any other external wall having an FRR of less than that required for the wall
separating the required staircase or protected lobby concerned from the rest of the
building, or other opening not protected by fixed light with an FRR of that required
for the wall of the required staircase or protected lobby concerned of the same
building; or
(d) any other building on the same site,
that part of the external wall should have an FRR of not less than that required for the wall
separating such required staircase or protected lobby from the remainder of the building. It
should also be imperforate, unless protected by fixed light which should not occupy more
than 25% of the area of the external wall of the storey in which it is located and having an
FRR of not less than that of the wall or, in the case of the discharge point at ground storey
or roof level, a fire rated door having an FRR of not less than that of the wall. See Diagram
C2 for illustration.

Commentary

The distance of 6m should be measured in a straight line between the features listed in (a)
to (d) of the clause and the side of the subject window of a required staircase or protected
lobby, nearest to such features. Any screen on such side of the window having the required
FRR of not less than that of the required staircase or protected lobby could be regarded as
solid screen wall in measuring the required minimum 6m distance. See Example (b) in
Diagram C2 for illustration.

Clause C9.8

Where the external wall coming under Clause C9.6 continues in the same plane with other
external walls of the same building and both such walls have an FRR of less than that
required for the wall separating the required staircase or protected lobby concerned from the
rest of the building, the remaining fire resisting walls of the required staircase or protected
lobby should, at the junction with the external wall, be extended for a distance of not less
than 450 mm at any angle, except that at the final discharge point at ground storey, the
extension should not project beyond the external wall. See Diagram C3 for illustration.

Commentary
The separation distances specified in Diagram C3 are to prevent fire spread or to prevent
thermal injuries to escaping occupants and are not intended to prevent smoke spread.

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Subsection C10 - Protection of Openings between Floors

Clause C10.1

For sprinkler protected building, at any internal unprotected opening in floors within a fire
compartment, such as those for escalators, circulation staircases or walkways, the following
should be provided:
(a) a barrier of not less than 450mm measured vertically downwards from the
underside of the floor should surround the opening. The barrier should have an FRR
of not less than -/30/- and be non-combustible complying with the requirements in
Part E. If false ceilings are hung in the vicinity of the opening, the barrier should
extend not less than 450mm below the false ceiling. See Diagrams C4 and C5 for
illustration; or
(b) a smoke curtain activated by a smoke detection system subject to the approval from
the Building Authority and the Director of Fire Services.

Commentary
The 450mm downstand at the edge of a void is for the purpose of ensuring the formation of
a hot smoke layer to activate sprinkler protection. The 450mm downstand will, in the very
early stages of a fire, provide a barrier to the expanding hot layer. The barrier is not
intended to prevent smoke from spreading between floors as fire develops.
The smoke curtain mentioned in Clause C10.1(b) above should:

(a) be deployed upon receipt of a fire alarm /smoke detection alarm signal or in the
event of main power failure;
(b) not be less than 450mm measured vertically downwards from the underside of the
floor or below the false ceiling if false ceilings are hung in the vicinity of the opening;
and

(c) be tested to BS EN12101-1 for 600oC for at least 30 minutes and BS EN 1634-3.

Clause C10.2

A curtain wall or other similar construction, which protects the building against the elements
and which extends beyond one storey in height, should be constructed entirely of non-
combustible materials (except for window sealants and gaskets). Any void formed between
the curtain wall and the perimeter of the building onto which the curtain wall is fixed should
be sealed to form an effective smoke and fire barrier to prevent smoke and fire spread
between floors. The smoke and fire barrier should have:
(a) an FRR of not less than that of the floors; and
(b) D-stability duration of not less than the FRR of the floors and the maximum leakage
is not more than 25m3/h/m2 at 25Pa at ambient temperature when tested in
accordance with BS EN 12101-1.

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Clause C10.3

An atrium in a sprinkler protected building should comply with the following requirements:
(a) the atrium should be separated from all other spaces by fire barriers having an FRR
of not less than that of those spaces. The fire barrier can be formed by fire rated
walls, fire shutters, fire curtains or fire rated glazings;

(b) the volume of an atrium should not exceed 28,000m3;

(c) the maximum height from lowest connected floor to the underside of the lowest
structural member of the ceiling of the upper-most connected floor should not
exceed 15m. See examples in Diagram C6;
(d) a sprinkler system designed and installed to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire
Services must provide coverage to the base of the atrium;
(e) the atrium cannot have more than 3 floors interconnected; and
(f) other fire separation requirements on special designs to be determined by the
Building Authority.

Commentary
An atrium is formed when floors are linked through openings between floors, there is a risk
of smoke spread that could affect adversely the life safety of occupants, especially on the
upper floors of the atrium. The fire separation of the atrium from the surrounding areas can
be achieved by fire barriers, fire rated glazing or automated fire shutters / curtains.

Subsection C11 – Protection against External Fire Spread

Clause C11.1

Subject to Subsection C5, the external wall of a building at any floor should be separated
from the external wall at the floor next below by:
(a) a spandrel that is a vertical element of 900mm, with an FRR of not less than that of
the intervening storey; or
(b) a horizontal projection of 500mm, with an FRR of not less than that of the
intervening storey.
This clause does not apply to a single family house or a sprinkler protected building.

See Diagram C7 for illustration.

Commentary
A 900mm spandrel or 500mm horizontal projection is effective in slowing flame spread only
and may not prevent fire spread. A sprinkler system installed in compliance with the
requirements of the Director of Fire Services is the most effective form of fire control to
prevent vertical fire spread.

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Clause C11.2

For Use Classification 1, openings of not more than 110mm in diameter are allowed at the
fire rated spandrels of the kitchen and bathroom for the penetration of plumbing and
drainage pipes.

Subsection C12 – Protection of Roofs

Clause C12.1

All roofs, together with the members forming the roof structure, should be constructed of
non-combustible materials complying with Part E.

Clause C12.2

The roof of every building with only one required staircase, forming part of a protected exit in
which the level of the highest floor is more than 13m above ground level should have an
FRR of not less than that of the storey below.

Clause C12.3

The main roof or any other part of the roof, which is used or intended to be used as a refuge
floor or part of a refuge floor, should have an FRR of not less than that of the storey below.

Clause C12.4

Where a protected exit leads to a temporary place of safety, which is an open area located
at an upper floor instead of leading directly to a street or to an ultimate place of safety, such
as podium level, the exit route at the temporary place of safety should comply with
Subsection C9. In particular, the floor of the temporary place of safety should have an FRR
of not less than that of the storey below.

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Subsection C13 - Protection of Areas of Special Hazard

Clause C13.1

Areas of a building accommodating a special hazard should be separated from the rest of
the building by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than -/120/120. If the special hazard
area is connected directly to a protected exit, the fire barriers should have an FRR of not
less than -/240/240.

Commentary
For the purpose of this clause, the hazard of occupancy should be the relative danger to the
start and spread of fire, the relative danger of smoke or gases generated and the relative
danger of explosion or other occurrence which may endanger the lives and safety of
occupants. The definition of special hazard is given in Part A. The protection to means of
escape should be enhanced where an area of special hazard opens direct to a protected
exit.

Clause C13.2

A kitchen in a restaurant may be regarded as ancillary accommodation to the restaurant for

the purpose of assessing the fire resisting construction requirements. Such a kitchen should
comply with the following requirements:
(a) the kitchen should be enclosed by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than
-/60/60 and any opening in the enclosure should be protected by fire rated door(s)
having an FRR of not less than -/60/60; and
(b) protected lobby in compliance with Clause C16.5 should be provided between the
kitchen and
(i) any exit route from the main building; and/or
(ii) the dining area of the restaurant where the kitchen has a usable floor area
exceeding 45m2 and the lobby opens onto an exit route of the dining area;
and
(c) subject to compliance with Clause C16.1, hold-open device for the doors of the
kitchen may be installed.

Clause C13.3

In any Use Classification 1 provided with a single exit door, a kitchen adjacent to such door
should be separated from the rest of the flat by walls having an FRR of not less than -/30/30
and the entrance to the kitchen should be provided with a fire rated door having an FRR of
not less than -/30/30.

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Clause C13.4

If fire barrier is not provided in accordance with Clause C13.3 (i.e. an open kitchen), the
following fire safety provisions should be provided:
(a) smoke detector(s) fitted with sounder base should be provided inside the subject flat.
The alarm signal of the smoke detector(s) should be connected to the local fire
services control panel of the building and should not be linked to the Fire Services
Communication Centre;
(b) smoke detector(s) should be provided at the common area outside the subject flat.
The alarm signal of the smoke detector(s) should be connected to the local fire
services control panel, the common fire alarm system of the building and the Fire
Services Communication Centre;
(c) sprinkler head(s) should be provided to cover the notional open kitchen area. The
alarm signal of the system should be connected to the local fire services control
panel, the common fire alarm system of the building and the Fire Services
Communication Centre;
(d) a full height wall having an FRR of not less than -/30/30 should be provided
adjacent to the flat exit door. The width of the wall should not be less than 600mm;
and
(e) For open kitchen in premises with internal staircase(s), a barrier of not less than
450mm measured vertically downwards from the underside of the floor shall be
provided. The barrier should surround the notional open kitchen area and should
have an FRR of not less than -/30/- and be non-combustible complying with the
requirements in Part E. If false ceilings are hung in the open kitchen, the barrier
should extend not less than 450mm below the false ceilings.

Commentary
The specification and location of the smoke detectors should be considered carefully when
they are installed inside the flats to minimize false alarms. Also taking into account the
effect of humidity, medium or low sensitivity smoke detectors are recommended to be
installed in living areas and placed away from the cooking range(s) and bathroom.
The smoke detectors and sprinklers are fire service installations designed in accordance
with the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment and should
be subject to annual inspection and certification by a registered fire service installation
contractor.
The full height wall having an FRR of not less than -/30/30 should be erected with a material
that is not easily removable (e.g. reinforced concrete construction).

93
Subsection C14 – Protection of Basements

Clause C14.1

Every basement should be provided with the following:

(a) fire barriers forming the fire compartment between the ground storey and a
basement should have an FRR of not less than -/240/240. This includes all
protected exits serving the basement;
(b) all elements of construction of the basement should have an FRR of not less than
240/240/240;
(c) fire barriers forming fire compartment walls within basements should have an FRR
of not less than -/120/120; and
(d) where a basement has the same Use Classification as the ground storey and any
upper storeys, the basement may be united with the ground and upper storeys,
provided that every element of construction and fire barriers in all such storeys
should have an FRR of not less than that of the basement as specified in (a), (b)
and (c) above.

Clause C14.2

Every basement that is enclosed on four sides should be provided with smoke outlets, which
should:
(a) be not more than 30m apart and situated along the street frontages or adjacent to
external walls;
(b) be sited at a high level, be evenly distributed around the perimeter of the building
and be so arranged as to create a through draft;

(c) be provided to every fire compartment as described in Clause C3.1 in the basement;
(d) have an area in aggregate of not less than 0.5% of the floor area they serve or, in
areas used for bulk storage or warehouse, not less than 2.5% of the floor area they
serve;
(e) be not less than 1m in its least dimension;
(f) be situated as far away as possible from the discharge points of all required
staircases and be suitably indicated on the external face of the building;
(g) be covered by stall-boards or pavement light that can be easily broken by
firefighters in an emergency; and
(h) be maintained unobstructed or covered only with a grill or louvres constructed of
metal other than aluminium where they are terminating in the open air in a position
inaccessible to a firefighter.

94
Clause C14.3

Where a dynamic smoke extraction system is provided in a basement which is subject to the
satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services, smoke outlets should be provided as follows:
(a) have at least one smoke outlet for every 3,500 m3 of fire compartment volume, but
in no case less than 1 outlet per floor;
(b) be readily accessible to firefighter in an emergency; and
(c) comply with the requirements of Clause C14.2, except (d) and (h) thereof unless
incompatible with the requirements in (a) and (b).

Clause C14.4

Where a smoke outlet shaft serving a basement extends into or through another storey, it
should have an FRR or be protected with an enclosure having an FRR not less than that
required for the element of construction of the storey served or through which it passes,
whichever is the higher. Where a smoke outlet shaft serving a basement adjoins another
smoke outlet shaft, they should be similarly separated from each other. An unenclosed
smoke outlet shaft should be capable of resisting accidental mechanical damage to the
satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services.

Subsection C15 – Linked Buildings

Clause C15.1

A bridge may link two or more buildings and should comply with the following:-
(a) Where fire barrier is provided at each end of the bridge, the elements of
construction of the bridge and such fire barriers should have the longest of the FRR
of the storey(s) the bridge links. If the fire barriers are fire shutters, by-pass lobbies
clearly indicated by exit signs should be provided. The external walls at the
junctions of the bridge and the building(s) should comply with the requirements in
Subsection C5.
(b) Where no fire barrier is provided at each end of the bridge and the bridge is
unenclosed, i.e. both sides of the bridge are provided with, throughout its whole
length, protective barriers or parapets not higher than 1.2m, it should be constructed
of non-combustible materials and the elements of construction should have the
longest of the FRR of the storey(s) it links.
(c) Where no fire barrier is provided at each end of the bridge and the bridge is not
unenclosed, it will be regarded as an integral part of the fire compartment it links
and should comply with the relevant requirements in this Code with regards to the
building(s) it links.

Commentary
Where fire barriers are not provided at each end of the bridge, the bridge should be an
unenclosed bridge constructed of non-combustible materials to prevent spread of fire and
allow disperse of smoke. Otherwise, the bridge will be considered as a part of the building(s)
it links.

95
Clause C15.2

A tunnel linking two or more buildings should be provided at each end with fire barriers
having the longest of the FRR of the storey(s) it links. If fire shutters are used, by-pass lobby
clearly indicated by exit signs should be provided. Doors including by-pass lobby should
have an FRR of not less than that of the fire barriers. The tunnel should be of non-
combustible construction.

Commentary

Use of Fire Shutters and By-Pass Lobby

Fire shutters are fire barriers but also prevent means of escape movement. Occupants may
not realise the by-pass doors are means of escape and will often not use the by-pass doors
provided. Therefore, appropriate exit sign should be provided.

Subsection C16 – Fire Rated Doors

Clause C16.1

All fire rated doors should be self-closing and comply with the requirements in Part E.

Clause C16.2

Fire rated doors to a required staircase forming part of a protected exit and its protected
lobby should remain closed. Other fire rated doors are allowed to be held open provided that
the hold-open device complies with requirements in Clause B13.8.

Clause C16.3

Except for fire rated doors with hold-open devices complying with Clause C16.2, all fire
rated doors should be provided with a notice on both sides stating in English and Chinese
with words and characters, not less than 10mm high, as follows:

FIRE DOOR TO BE
KEPT CLOSED
防火門
應常關

96
Clause C16.4

All fire rated doors should be closely fitted around their edges to impede the passage of
smoke or flame. The bottom gap between such doors and the floor should not exceed
10mm.

Commentary
The bottom gap between the fire rated door and the floor shall be not more than the
designed values of such door specified in the fire test report.

Clause C16.5

A protected lobby should comply with the following requirements:

(a) all fire barriers should be constructed from the soffit of upper storey or from the
underside of a false ceiling to the floor. The fire barriers and the false ceiling should
have an FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of that floor; and
(b) if the FRR of the door facing the occupied side (or in case of Clause C13.2, the
kitchen side) is not less than the FRR of the fire barriers of that storey, the second
door is not required to have an FRR. Both doors should be provided with smoke
seals; or
(c) if both doors of the protected lobby have the same FRR, the FRR of both doors can
have an FRR of not less than half of the fire barriers of that lobby. Both doors
should be provided with smoke seals.

97
Subsection C17 – Protection for Refuge Floor at Intermediate Floor Level

Clause C17.1

The area for refuge on every refuge floor in a building should be separated from the rest of
the building, including vertical shafts or ducts passing through such floor, by walls having an
FRR of not less than -/120/120 and by floors having an FRR of not less than 120/120/120.
Any vertical shafts or ducts passing through a refuge floor should not open directly onto that
floor.

Commentary
One means of complying with the Performance Requirement for tall building is provided in
Subsection B18 of Part B, which details information for refuge floors, including aspects of
fire resisting construction and should be read in conjunction with this Subsection.
Access through a protected lobby will not be considered as open directly onto the refuge
floor.

Clause C17.2

Where the side of a refuge floor is required to be open, the open side should not directly or
diagonally be within a distance of less than 6 m from:
(a) the opposite side of a street;

(b) a boundary of another site;

(c) any other external wall having an FRR of less than 120/120/120; or

(d) any other building on the same site.

If the subject matter in (b), (c) or (d) are on or beyond the same plane of the open side of
the refuge floor, this requirement does not apply.

98
Commentary
(a) If a communal sky garden is incorporated in a refuge floor, the following
requirements should be observed :
(i) in Subsection B18 and C17, except those special provisions mentioned
below, should be complied with. In assessing the net area for refuge and
the minimum dimension of the area for refuge, no account should be
taken of the space occupied by any planters, equipment and furniture in
the refuge floor;
(ii) all garden furniture and equipment in the refuge floor should be firmly
fixed;
(iii) all furniture, equipment and rubbish bins should be of non-combustible
materials and so sited that they will not obstruct the exit routes and lift
openings. Rubbish bins, where provided, should be fitted with self-
closing lids; and
(iv) the garden should not be used for activities involving the use of naked
fire e.g. barbecuing. A notice to this effect should be posted at
prominent locations at the garden.
(b) Where a communal sky garden is incorporated in a refuge floor, a relaxation on the
restriction to provide lift door openings onto such floors may be granted subject to
the following:
(i) the lift landing doors should open onto a protected lobby with the doors
and walls having an FRR of not less than -/120/120; and
(ii) the lift operation is arranged in such a manner that the landing doors at
the refuge floor, other than those for fireman’s lifts, will be automatically
locked when the fire alarm is on.
(c) While live plants are unlikely to pose undue fire risk1, the use of artificial plants/soil
should be avoided where possible. The authorized person should advise the
management to include in the fire safety management plan ensuring that any
artificial plants and soil substrate materials are non-combustible and do not emit
toxic gases in case of fire.
(d) The Building Authority may impose additional requirements depending on the
special circumstances of individual cases. Authorized persons proposing communal
sky gardens in refuge floors with special design are advised to conduct a fire
engineering assessment. The Fire Services Department also welcomes any
enquiries prior to formal submission of plans.
1Live plants that are likely to be highly flammable (such as those secreting resinous sap
or having volatile waxes or oils in their leaves, twigs and stems) should be used with
caution.

99
Section 3 – Fire Safety Provisions for Cinemas and
Theatres
Subsection C18 - Fire Safety Provisions for Cinemas and Theatres

Clause C18.1

Cinemas in a non-domestic building or the non-domestic part of a composite building that

shares exit routes with other parts of the non-domestic uses in the same building should
comply with the following requirements:
(a) each cinema auditorium should form a fire compartment of its own having an FRR
complying with Table C1;
(b) a dedicated smoke extraction should be provided to all cinema auditoria, activated
by ceiling mounted smoke detection system, designed and installed to the
satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services;
(c) fixed seating and furnishing materials should comply with the requirements for the
retarding of ignition as stipulated in Part E; and
(d) all projectors and the associated equipment should be placed within a projector
room or projector rooms which are separated from the cinemas and other
accommodations by walls and floors having an FRR of not less than -/60/60. Every
door to a projection room should have an FRR of not less than that of the wall and
be provided with a smoke seal. This requirement should not apply to cinemas where
no film projection, and no electric arc, xenon, or other light source projection
equipment which generates hazardous gases, dusts or radiation are used.

Clause C18.2

Theatres should have the following fire safety provisions:

(a) the theatre should be fully sprinkler protected, designed and installed to the
satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services and provided with a proscenium wall that
separates the stage area from the seating areas;
(b) the proscenium wall separating the stage and the seating area should have an FRR
of not less than -/60/60; and
(c) the opening within the proscenium wall should be provided with a fire curtain or
water curtain to achieve fire separation between the stage and seating areas,
designed and installed to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services. The fire
curtain should have an FRR of at least -/30/- and be able to restrict the passage of
smoke.

100
Diagram C1: Prevention of Fire Spread between Buildings (See Clauses C5.2 and C5.3)

Example (a): Buildings not on the same site (plan view)

Example (b): Buildings on the same site (plan view)

F b

BUILDING I BUILDING II

FRR of external walls ≥ FRR of that storey

F fixed lights having an FRR not less than that of the storey

U unprotected openings
a min. 900mm

b min. 1800mm

101
Example (c): The minimum distance between unprotected openings of two buildings
on the same site (plan view)

FRR of external walls ≥ FRR of that storey

F Fixed lights having an FRR not less than that of the storey

U unprotected openings

a min. 900mm

b min. 1800mm

θ The angle made between facades of two adjoining buildings > 135o

α The angle made between facades of two adjoining buildings ≤ 135o

102
Example (d): The minimum distance between unprotected openings of two buildings
(Section view)

Roof

BUILDING I BUILDING II

FRR of external walls/roof ≥ FRR of that storey

U unprotected openings

b min. 1800mm

103
Diagram C2: Openings at the External Walls of Required Staircases and Protected
Lobbies (see Clause C9.7)

Example (a)
A B

d
FRRe
A

Required Lobby
staircase
d

FRRs
GENERAL ACCOMMODATION
B

Example (b)

FRRe : FRR of the external wall

FRRs : FRR of the required staircase
FRRscreen wall: FRR of the screen wall ≥ FRRs
Where AB is:
i. Opposite side of the street,
ii. Common boundary with an adjoining site,
iii. Any other external wall of FRR <FRRe or unprotected opening of the same building
iv. Any other building on the same site

External wall may be unprotected if d > 6m

External wall with FRRe ≥ FRRs if d ≤ 6m
Openings: i) d ≤ 6m - Fixed light with FRR ≥ FRRe
- Door with FRR ≥ FRRe for:
 Discharge point at G/F
 Podium/Roof level
ii) d > 6m - unprotected

104
 Diagram C3: Separation between Required Staircase and Protected Lobbies from the
General Accommodation (see Clause C9.8)

450mm
450mm 450mm

FRRe : FRR of the external wall

FRRs : FRR of the required staircase

External wall with FRRe

Wall separating the staircase or lobby from the rest of the building with FRRs

Where FRRs ≥ FRRe

105
Diagram C4: Vertical Barrier at Escalator (see Clause C10.1)

106
Diagram C5: Vertical Barrier at Atrium (See Clause C10.1)

450 mm

Sprinkler

450 mm
False ceiling

Sprinkler

107
Diagram C6: Examples on Measuring Atrium Height (See Clause C10.3(c))

Example (a): Pitched Roof

Atrium Height – Base to the

underside of lowest structural
member of the roof

Atrium

a ≤ 15 m

108
Example (b): Flat Roof

Atrium Height – Base to soffit of

lowest structural member of the
roof

Roof

Atrium

a ≤ 15 m

109
Diagram C7: Protection against Spread of Fire by Spandrels (see Clause C11.1)

(F) Z
(F) Z

(E) Panel wall with

FRR ≥ (F)

a
(F) Z a

(F) Z

beam FRR ≥ (F)

(F)

Projection
with FRR ≥ (F)

(F)

(F) FRR of Intervening floor

Spandrel having FRR ≥ that of (F)

a ≥ 900 mm
b ≥ 500 mm

(E) External wall (e.g. curtain wall) with no FRR or FRR < that of (F)

110
 Part D -
Means of Access

This Part contains six Sections:

• Section 1 – General
• Section 2 – Provision of Access Staircase, Fireman’s Lifts and
Firefighting and Rescue Stairway
• Section 3 – Access Staircase
• Section 4 – Fireman’s Lift
• Section 5 – Firefighting and Rescue Stairway
• Section 6 – Provision of Emergency Vehicular Access

111
Section 1 – General
Subsection D1 – Use of this Part

Clause D1.1

This Part provides the Deemed-to-Comply provisions on means of access and EVA and is
to be read in conjunction with all other Parts of this Code.

Clause D1.2

Authorized persons, fire safety consultants and any person responsible for the design of
buildings may find this Part useful in ascertaining the requirements under the Buildings
Ordinance for the provisions of access to buildings for the purposes of firefighting and
rescue.

Clause D1.3

This Part provides guidance on how the Performance Requirements on the means of
access may be complied with.

Commentary
Fire safety in a building is determined by a number of factors, one of which is the means of
access to it to enable fire services personnel to effect rescue and fight fire. Requirements for
means of access to buildings are laid down in the Building (Planning) Regulations 41A, 41B,
41C and 41D.
The Building (Planning) Regulations 41A, 41B and 41C deal with the means of access to
the building. They require that every building shall be provided with an adequate number of
access staircases, fireman’s lifts and/or firefighting and rescue stairways having regard to
the intended use of the building, its height and size. These staircases, lifts or stairways shall
be so designed and constructed or installed as to allow firemen safe and unobstructed
access to various floors of the building in the event of a fire. Sections 2 to 5 provide
guidance on compliance with these requirements.
The Building (Planning) Regulation 41D deals with the means of access for emergency
vehicles to a building. It requires every building to be provided with an EVA which is so
designed and constructed as to allow safe and unobstructed access of a vehicle of the Fire
Services Department to the building and to provide for the safe operation of such a vehicle,
in the event of a fire or other emergency. The Building (Planning) Regulation 41D(2)
provides that the design and construction of an EVA shall be in accordance with such
requirements as may be specified by the Building Authority from time to time having regard
to the intended use of the building. Section 6 specifies such requirements.

Subsection D2 – Performance Requirements for Means of Access

Clause D2.1

Performance Requirements relevant to means of access including EVA are stipulated in

Subsection A10 of Part A.

112
Section 2 – Provision of Access Staircase, Fireman’s
Lift and Firefighting and Rescue Stairway
Subsection D3 - Number of Access Staircases, Fireman’s Lifts and
Firefighting and Rescue Stairways

Clause D3.1

Such numbers of access staircases, fireman’s lifts and firefighting and rescue stairways
should be provided in a building as required by the Building (Planning) Regulations 41A,
41B and 41C. The number of these means of access for firefighting and rescue as required
are summarised in Table D1.

Clause D3.2

In any building which the Building Authority considers to be likely to bear a high risk to life
from fire, such as Use Classification 5a, 5d or 6, additional number of fireman’s lifts and/or
firefighting and rescue stairways may be required.

113
Table D1 : Number of Access Staircases, Fireman’s Lift and Firefighting
and Rescue Stairways Required

No. of
No. of Access No. of Firefighting
Type of Building Staircases Fireman’s Lifts and Rescue
required required Stairways
required
(1) All buildings and all Not exceeding 1 storey - - -
basements
(2) Domestic buildings Not exceeding 3 main - - -
for single family storeys

(3) Domestic buildings (a) exceeding 1 storey but One - -

or offices with G/F not exceeding 6 storeys
shop or carport and uppermost floor not
exceeding 13m above
ground and usable floor
area not exceeding
250m² per floor
(b) exceeding 1 storey but One - -
not exceeding 6 storeys
and uppermost floor
exceeding 13m but not
exceeding 17m above
ground and usable floor
area not exceeding 150
m² per floor
(4) Domestic buildings (a) exceeding 1 storey but Two or more (as - -
or domestic part of not exceeding 30m many as escape
composite building above mean level of staircases)
other than lowest street,
buildings in (2) and irrespective of cubical
(3) extent
(b) exceeding 2 storeys Two or more (as One within 60m -
and exceeding 30m many as escape of any part of
above mean level of staircases) floor
lowest street,
irrespective of cubical
extent
(5) Non-domestic (a) exceeding 1 storey but Two or more (as - -
buildings or non- not exceeding 15m many as escape
domestic part of above mean level of staircases)
composite lowest street,
buildings other irrespective of cubical
than Use extent
Classification 6, (b) exceeding 1 storey and Two or more (as - -
Use Classification exceeding 15m but not many as escape
5a, hotels, exceeding 30m above staircases)
hospitals or the mean level of the
buildings in (3) lowest street and not
exceeding 7000m³ in
cubical extent including
basements
(c) exceeding 2 storeys Two or more (as One within 60m -
and exceeding 15m but many as escape of any part of
not exceeding 30m staircases) floor
above mean level of the
lowest street and
exceeding 7000m³ in
cubical extent including
basements
(d) exceeding 2 storeys Two or more (as One within 60m -
and exceeding 30m many as escape of any part of
above mean level of staircases) floor
lowest street,
irrespective of cubical
extent
(6) Use Classification (a) exceeding 1 storey but Two or more (as - -
5a, hotels or not exceeding 2 storeys many as escape
hospitals staircases)

114
 No. of
No. of Access No. of Firefighting
Type of Building Staircases Fireman’s Lifts and Rescue
required required Stairways
required
(b) exceeding 2 storeys, Two or more (as One within 60m -
irrespective of height many as escape of any part of
above mean level of staircases) floor
lowest street and
cubical extent
(7) Use Classification (a) exceeding 2 storeys Two or more (as One within 60m -
6 but not exceeding 30m many as escape of any part of
above the mean level staircases) floor
of the lowest street and
not exceeding 7000m³
in cubical extent
including basements
(b) exceeding 1 storey but Two or more (as One within 60m One within 60m
not exceeding 30m many as escape of any part of of any part of
above the mean level staircases) floor floor
of the lowest street and
exceeding 7000m³ in
cubical extent including
basements
(c) exceeding 1 storey Two or more (as One within 60m One within 60m
and exceeding 30m many as escape of any part of of any part of
above the mean level staircases) floor floor
of the lowest street but
not exceeding 7000m³
in cubical extent
including basements
(d) exceeding 1 storey, Two or more (as One within 60m One within 60m
30m above the mean many as escape of any part of of any part of
level of the lowest staircases) floor floor
street and 7000m³ in
cubical extent including
basements
(8) All basements (a) exceeding 2 storeys Two or more (as One within 60m One within 60m
and exceeding 7000m³ many as escape of any part of of any part of
in cubical extent staircases) floor floor
(b) exceeding a depth of Two or more (as One within 60m One within 60m
9m from the floor level many as escape of any part of of any part of
of the ground storey staircases) floor floor
above the basement to
the floor level of the
lowest storey in the
basement and
exceeding 7000m³ in
cubical extent

Note:
1. An access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway will be counted as one access
staircase for the purpose of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41A and a fireman’s lift
in a firefighting and rescue stairway will be counted as one fireman’s lift for the purpose
of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41B.

115
Section 3 – Access Staircase
Subsection D4 - Required Staircase as Access Staircase

Clause D4.1

The required staircases in every building provided in accordance with the Building (Planning)
Regulation 41(1) and Part B can be taken as access staircases for the purposes of the
Building (Planning) Regulation 41A but can only be taken as access staircases in firefighting
and rescue stairways if the requirements of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41C and this
Part are also complied with.

Subsection D5 – Firefighting and Rescue Stairway as Required Staircase

Clause D5.1

Every access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway provided in accordance with the
Building (Planning) Regulation 41C and this Part may be taken as a staircase for means of
escape for the purposes of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41(1) if the requirements for
required staircases in Part B are also complied with.

116
Section 4 – Fireman’s Lift
Subsection D6 - Designation of Fireman’s Lift

Clause D6.1

Where more than one lift installed in a building is required to have a fireman’s lift, the lift
which is to be the fireman’s lift should be that designated by the Director of Fire Services.

Clause D6.2

A lift mainly intended for the transport of goods in a building of Use Classification 6 should
not be designated as a fireman’s lift.

Subsection D7 - Access to a Fireman’s Lift at Ground Storey

Clause D7.1

Access to a fireman’s lift (“fire service access point”) should be available at a ground storey
in the perimeter of the building either directly from a street which is accessible by the
vehicles of the Fire Services Department or through an open area having a minimum
dimension of 1.5m and having access free from any permanent obstruction to such a street.
Such access should not be closed with doors or gates unless they are capable of being
readily openable without the use of a key.

Clause D7.2

A fireman’s lift may be set back from the fire service assess point at the ground storey in the
perimeter of the building provided that the horizontal distance from the fire service access
point to the doors of the fireman’s lift is not more than 18m. In cases where the physical
characteristics and constraints of a site render it desirable, the Building Authority may allow
a longer horizontal distance provided that level of fire safety is not adversely affected.

Clause D7.3

The passage from the fire service access point to the fireman’s lift should –
(a) have a clear width of not less than 1500mm and a clear headroom of not less than
2000mm; and
(b) be separated from the remainder of the ground storey by walls having an FRR of
not less than that required for the elements of construction in the ground storey. Any
opening in these walls for communication with ground storey should be through a
protected lobby complying with Clauses C9.3 and C16.5.

117
Clause D7.4

A notice in the following form indicating the fire service access point should be displayed at
a conspicuous position outside the building near the point:

Fireman’s Lift
消防員升降機

The height of the words and characters on the notice should be not less than 20mm. Such
notice should be either illuminated by two separate systems of electric light or a type of
safety sign which is self-energized in respect of luminosity and which requires no external
source of power.

Subsection D8 - Floors Served by a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D8.1

Fireman’s lifts should be provided to enable firefighters to reach any floor that may be on fire
in the building without having to traverse more than two floors and should be arranged in
such a way that:
(a) in the case of a single fireman’s lift, it serves at least the alternate floors;
(b) in the case of multiple fireman’s lifts within a common liftwell, the lifts may serve
different zones of the building provided that the zones to be served are clearly
indicated;
(c) in all cases, subject to Clause D8.1(d), the pattern of service should be uniform and
regular, i.e. a lift serves either the odd floors, even floors or all floors; and
(d) Where refuge floors are provided, every such refuge floor should be served by at
least one fireman’s lift. The lift doors opening onto the refuge floors should comply
with Clause B18.2(i).

Clause D8.2

Where the pattern of service adopted for a fireman’s lift is such that the top floor is to be
served, the top floor should be served unless the lift machine room has to be located at the
top floor due to height restrictions.

118
Clause D8.3

The lowest landing of a fireman’s lift serving the storeys above ground storey or topmost
landing of a fireman’s lift serving the basement, as the case may be, should be situated at
the level of the fire service access point in Subsection D7. If this is not possible due to site
constraints or other special reasons acceptable to the Building Authority, such landing may
be situated not more than one floor above or below the level of the fire service access point.

Clause D8.4

No part of the floor served by a fireman’s lift should be more than 60m from the door of the
lift lobby measured along actual passages. If the internal layout is not known at the design
stage or is not shown on plan, a direct line measurement of 45m may be used for design
purposes, provided that the layout of the floor when occupied satisfies the 60m requirement.

Subsection D9 - Liftwell of a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D9.1

A separate liftwell should be provided for each fireman’s lift and up to three fireman’s lifts
may share the same liftwell. See Diagram D3.

Clause D9.2

A notice should be displayed outside the liftwell indicating the fireman’s lift by the words
‘FIREMAN’S LIFT’ and“消防員升降機”in English and Chinese and the floors served. The
height of the words and characters on the notice should be not less than 15mm.

Subsection D10 – Lift Car of a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D10.1

The car of a fireman’s lift should have a minimum internal dimension of 1.1m, a net internal
floor area of not less than 1.35m2 and a rated load of not less than 680 kg.

Subsection D11 – Lobby to a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D11.1

Each point of discharge from a fireman’s lift to the floor served, except at the fire service
access point in Subsection D7, should be through a lobby having a floor area of not less
than 2.25m² and a minimum dimension of 1.5m. The lobby should be separated from that
floor by walls and doors having an FRR of not less than that required for the elements of
construction in that floor, subject to a maximum of 120 minutes and complying with the
requirements in Table C2.

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Clause D11.2

Openings for lighting and/or ventilation may be made in an external wall enclosing the lobby
provided that the requirements in Clauses C9.6 to C9.8 of Part C are complied with.

Clause D11.3

Where only one or some of the lifts in a bank of lifts are fireman’s lifts, they may share a
common lift lobby, provided that such lobby is provided on every floor served by any of
these lifts.

Clause D11.4

Every lobby to a fireman’s lift should have direct access, without any obstruction and
lockable door, to a protected exit. Such lobby should be designed as a common area and an
integral part of the fireman’s lift so that it could not be readily incorporated as part of any
adjacent unit(s) of accommodation.

Subsection D12 – Doors of a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D12.1

The door opening of a fireman’s lift should not be less than 800mm wide and 2000mm high.
The doors should be fitted with power operated automatic self-closing device.

Subsection D13 – Control and Operation of a Fireman’s Lift

Clause D13.1

A fireman’s lift should be designed and installed in accordance with the special control,
operational, electrical and mechanical requirements for fireman’s lifts specified in the Code
of Practice on the Design and Construction of Lifts and Escalators published by the Director
of Electrical and Mechanical Services.

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Section 5 – Firefighting and Rescue Stairway
Subsection D14 - Access to a Firefighting and Rescue Stairway at Ground
Storey

Clause D14.1

Access to a firefighting and rescue stairway (“fire service access point”) should be available
at a ground storey in the perimeter of the building either directly from a street which is
accessible by the vehicles of the Fire Services Department or through an open area having
a minimum dimension of 1.5m and having access free from any permanent obstruction to
such a street. Such access should not be closed with doors or gates unless they are
capable of being readily opened without the use of a key.

Clause D14.2

A firefighting and rescue stairway may be set back from the fire service access point at the
ground storey in the perimeter of the building provided that the horizontal distance between
the fire service access point and the doors of the fireman’s lift or the first step of the access
staircase in the stairway is not more than 18m. In cases where the physical characteristics
and constraints of the site render it desirable, the Building Authority may allow a longer
horizontal distance provided that fire safety standards are not adversely affected. In any
case, both the fireman’s lift and the access staircase in the stairway should be accessible
from the same street.

Clause D14.3

A firefighting and rescue stairway and the passage from the fire service access point to the
stairway should be separated from the remainder of the ground storey (including a lobby or
hall to cargo lifts) by walls having an FRR required in Clause D17.2. Any opening in these
walls for communication with the ground storey should be through a protected lobby
complying with Clauses C9.3 and C16.5.

Clause D14.4

The passage from the fire service access point to the firefighting and rescue stairway should
have a clear width of not less than 1500mm and a clear headroom of not less than 2000mm.

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Clause D14.5

A notice in the following form indicating the fire service access point should be displayed at
a conspicuous position outside the building near the point:

Firefighting and Rescue Stairway

消防和救援樓梯間

The height of the words and characters on the notice should be not less than 20mm. Such
notice should be either illuminated by two separate systems of electric light or a type of
safety sign which is self-energized in respect of luminosity and which requires no external
source of power.

Subsection D15 - Floors Served by a Firefighting and Rescue Stairway

Clause D15.1

Both the access staircase and the fireman’s lift in a firefighting and rescue stairway should
serve every floor, including refuge floor, and every part of the building. When the roof of a
building is served by other staircases, the access staircases in the firefighting and rescue
stairway should also serve the roof. For the avoidance of doubt, the fireman’s lift is not
required to serve the roof but it should serve the top floor except where the lift machine
room has to be located at the top floor due to height restriction.

Clause D15.2

Where a building is required to have a firefighting and rescue stairway, areas for ancillary
uses such as carparking and loading and unloading in the building, whether occupying the
whole floor or part of a floor, should also be served by the firefighting and rescue stairway.

Clause D15.3

The lowest landing of the fireman’s lift in a firefighting and rescue stairway serving the
storeys above ground storey or the topmost landing of that serving the basement, as the
case may be, should be situated at the level of the fire service access point in Subsection
D14. If this is not possible due to site constraint or other special reasons acceptable to the
Building Authority, such landing may be situated not more than one floor above or below the
level of the fire service access point.

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Clause D15.4

Every access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway serving the upper floors should
not continue directly to serve the basements.

Clause D15.5

Every access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway passing through a refuge floor
should discontinue at such level so that the access route is diverted to pass over the area
for refuge before it is continued to access upwards. The doors of the fireman’s lift opening
onto the refuge floor should comply with Clause B18.2(i).

Clause D15.6

No part of the floor served by a firefighting and rescue stairway should be more than 60m
from the door of the lobby to the stairway measured along actual passages. If the internal
layout is not known at the design stage or is not shown on plan, a direct line measurement
of 45m may be used for design purposes, provided that the layout of the floor when
occupied satisfies the 60m requirement.

Subsection D16 - Access to a Floor from a Firefighting and Rescue

Stairway

Clause D16.1

In every floor, except the ground storey, served by a firefighting and rescue stairway, access
from the stairway to that floor should be through a lobby which should –
(a) have a floor area of not less than 5m² and not more than 10m² with a minimum
dimension of 1.5m;
(b) in storeys above ground storey, have an external wall as one of its enclosing walls;
(c) in storeys above ground storey, be provided with natural ventilation by means of
openings on the external wall complying with Clause D16.1(b). Such openings -
(i) should have a total area of not less than 25% of the floor area of the lobby;
(ii) should be situated as near the ceiling as is practicable and in no case
should the top of such openings be less than 1.9m above the level of the
lobby floor;
(iii) should face directly into the external air which has a horizontal area of not
less than 21m² and is vertically uncovered and unobstructed above. If it is
enclosed on all sides, it should have an area of not less than 1m² per 1m
height of the enclosing walls and have a minimum dimension of 1.5m;
(iv) may be provided with windows which should be side hung, open outward a
minimum of 30°, be openable from inside without the use of a key and be
fitted with simple lever handles or rotary drives to simple rack or gear
operated devices; and

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 (d) in storeys below ground storey, be provided with natural ventilation by:
(i) unobstructed smoke outlets having a cross-sectional area of not less than
1m² for each lobby and ventilating into the outside air above ground storey.
Lobbies at basement should be individually ventilated by separate smoke
outlets provided at the ceiling of the lobby. Such smoke outlets may be
covered at or above ground storey with breakable covers and should be
located at least 5m clear of the final discharge point of an exit route or a
fire service access point. This distance may be reduced to not less than
2.5m if, and only if, any smoke from such smoke outlets is directed away
from and is not likely to affect, by natural convection, any exit route or fire
service access point. The smoke outlet shafts should have an FRR or be
enclosed by construction having an FRR of not less than that of the
perimeter walls of the firefighting and rescue stairway. An unenclosed
smoke outlet shaft should be capable of resisting accidental mechanical
damage to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services; or
(ii) openings complying with Clause D16.1(c)(i), (c)(ii) and (c)(iv) and
ventilating into an open well having an area of not less than 1m² per 1m
height of the wall enclosing the open well and having a minimum
dimension of 1.5m,
provided that the natural ventilation to the lobby is not required if the access
staircase to which the lobby leads is a staircase which is open on 3 sides for a
height of not less than 900mm between the top of the balustrade or parapet and the
underside of the flight of stair immediately above, and which is open to a void
having an area of not less than 10m² and a minimum dimension of 1m and being
unobstructed above to provide adequate ventilation.

See Diagram D2 for illustration.

Clause D16.2

Every fireman’s lift in a firefighting and rescue stairway should open into the lobby in
accordance with Clause D16.1.

Clause D16.3

The access staircase and the fireman’s lift in a firefighting and rescue stairway should
communicate with each other at every floor served by the stairway.

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Subsection D17 - Protection of a Firefighting and Rescue Stairway

Clause D17.1

Every firefighting and rescue stairway should be enclosed by walls and these walls, the
landings, flights, balustrades, partition walls and finishing, including wall and ceiling lining
and floor finishing, in the stairway should be constructed of wholly non-combustible
materials complying with Part E.

Clause D17.2

The perimeter enclosing walls that separate the access staircase, the fireman’s lift and the
lobby in a firefighting and rescue stairway from the floor served by the stairway, together
with any supporting structure and floor slabs forming the enclosures of the stairway should
have an FRR of not less than that required for the elements of construction in that floor.

Clause D17.3

Within the perimeter of a firefighting and rescue stairway, walls or partitions which separate
the access staircase and the lobby from each other should have the FRR of not less than
that required for the elements of construction in that floor.

Clause D17.4

The doors of the lobby to a firefighting and rescue stairway should have an FRR of not less
than that required for the walls therein and complying with the requirements in Table C2 and
Clause C16.5. They should not be fitted with any bolts, locks or other fastenings except that,
if for security reasons, the door between the lobby and the floor served may be fitted with a
lock which is openable from the floor side without the use of a key. If a locking device is
electrically operated, the lock should comply with requirements in Clause B13.2.

Clause D17.5

Openings formed in the external walls of a firefighting and rescue stairway should also
comply with Clauses C9.6 to C9.8 of Part C and in no case should such openings be formed
within 450mm measured horizontally from any opening in the external walls of the same
building.

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Subsection D18 – Construction of Access Staircase in a Firefighting and
Rescue Stairway

Clause D18.1

Every access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway should:

(a) have a clear width of not less than 1050mm and a clear headroom of not less than
2000mm;
(b) be arranged in straight flights without winders and each flight should consist of not
more than 16 risers nor less than 2 risers. Treads should be not less than 225mm
wide, measured clear of nosings, and risers should be not more than 175mm high;
(c) be provided with landings at the top and bottom of each flight with a minimum
dimension of not less than the width of the flight and no door should at any part of
its swing reduce the effective width or effective radius of such landings; and
(d) be provided with handrails on each side of the staircase at a height of not less than
850mm and not more than 1100mm above the steps or landings. The handrails
should not project so as to reduce the clear width of the staircase by more than
90mm for each handrail and should be continuous throughout each flight of the
staircase but need not be carried round a landing or half landing.

Subsection D19 – Ventilation of Access Staircase in a Firefighting and

Rescue Stairway

Clause D19.1

Every access staircase in a firefighting and rescue stairway should be provided with:

(a) Pressurization designed as required in Clause D21.1; or

(b) Natural ventilation :
(i) at each storey above the ground storey, by openings in the external
enclosure wall having a total area of not less than 15% of the internal area
on plan of the access staircase. Such openings may be provided with
windows which should be side hung, open outward a minimum of 30°, be
openable from inside without the use of a key and be fitted with simple
lever handles or rotary drives to simple rack or gear operated devices; and
(ii) at it highest point, by a vent capable of being opened manually or
automatically by a remote control switch and having an area of not less
than 5% of the internal area on plan of the access staircase. The remote
control switch should be situated in a conspicuous position at the fire
service access point of the stairway at ground storey.

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Subsection D20 - Fireman’s Lift in a Firefighting and Rescue Stairway

Clause D20.1

Up to three fireman’s lifts, but no other lifts, may be installed and may share the same liftwell
in a firefighting and rescue stairway. A lift mainly intended for the transport of goods should
not be designated as a fireman’s lift.

Clause D20.2

Every fireman’s lift in a firefighting and rescue stairway should comply with the requirements
in Clauses D9.2 and Subsections D10, D12 and D13.

Subsection D21 – Mechanical Ventilation of a Firefighting and Rescue

Stairway

Clause D21.1

Any natural ventilation to a firefighting and rescue stairway and its lobby required in this Part
may be omitted where a mechanical system to control the ingress of smoke into the
stairway or lobby, such as pressurization, is provided to the satisfaction of the Director of
Fire Services.

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Section 6 – Provision of Emergency Vehicular Access
Subsection D22 - EVA to Virgin Sites

Clause D22.1

For the purpose of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41D, this Subsection specifies the
design and construction requirements of EVA serving buildings erected or to be erected on
virgin sites. For the avoidance of doubt, the requirements in this Subsection should also
apply to all subsequent redevelopments on virgin sites.

Clause D22.2

Every EVA to which this Subsection applies should be designed and constructed complying
with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified in this Subsection:
(a) the width of an EVA in the form of a carriageway should not be less than 7.3m. An
EVA that is not in the form of a carriageway should be hard-paved, not less than 6m
wide and well demarcated on site;
(b) if there is any overhead structure over any part of the EVA, a clear headroom of not
less than 4.5m should be maintained;
(c) the gradient of the EVA should not be steeper than 1:10. For such portion of the
EVA that is not serving any major façade of any building, the gradient may be
increased to not steeper than 1:6. Wherever there is a change in gradient, the EVA
should be designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements illustrated
in Diagram D5 so as not to cause any obstruction to the vehicles of the Fire
Services Department;
(d) the EVA should allow safe and unobstructed access and safe operation of a vehicle
of the Fire Services Department having the following specifications :

(i) Gross weight 30,000 kg

(ii) Turning circle 26m

(iii) Length 12m
Turning space for vehicles of the Fire Services Department should be provided at
all deadend EVA;
(e) the EVA should serve at least one major facade of the building. For this purpose, a
major facade of a building is the facade having not less than one-fourth of the total
length of all the perimeter walls of the building. In case the major facade is less than
one-fourth of the total length of all the perimeter walls of the building, the EVA
should serve this major facade and, in addition, other facades of the building such
that the aggregate length of the facades served is not less than one-fourth of the
total length of all the perimeter walls of the building. A part of the building facade is
deemed to be served by the EVA if the horizontal distance between the EVA and
such part of the facade does not exceed 10m. This requirement on horizontal
distance from the EVA shall not apply to the level of the building facade more than
60m high measuring from the level of the EVA serving the facade. The part of the
EVA serving a building facade should not be covered.

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Clause D22.3

Subject to Clause D22.2 above, every EVA should comply with the following requirements
according to the Use Classification of the building it serves:
(a) for Use Classification 6, EVA should be provided to serve two opposite facades that
are remote from each other and each having a length of not less than one-fourth of
the total length of all perimeter walls of the building. If access to the site from more
than one street is available, the EVA serving the two facades should gain access
from different street. The EVA should be in the form of a two-way carriageway and
the width of the carriageway should be not less than 13.5m if there is no central
divider. If there is a central divider, the width of each carriageway should not be
less than 7.3m. If any such EVA is outside the site, a reserve area of not less than
6m wide measured from the building boundary alongside that EVA should be
provided as an additional EVA (see illustration in Diagram D6);
(b) for Use Classification 5a, the EVA should comply with the requirements of
thoroughfares stipulated in Subsection B20;
(c) for a building with mixed Use Classifications, the EVA should comply with the most
stringent requirements for any particular Use Classification in this Clause.

Clause D22.4

For an EVA which is not normally used as access for other vehicles to the building, an
emergency crash gate conforming to or equivalent to the Highways Department standards
as illustrated in Diagram D7 should be provided perpendicular to the centre line of the EVA.
A clear space should be provided in front of the crash gate in accordance with the
illustration in Diagram D8.

Subsection D23 - EVA to Redevelopment Sites

Clause D23.1

For the purpose of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41D, this Subsection specifies the
design and construction requirements of EVA serving buildings erected or to be erected on
redevelopment sites, i.e. not virgin sites.

Clause D23.2

Every EVA to which this Subsection applies should be designed and constructed complying
with the requirements in Clause D22.2(b), (c) and (d). An EVA that is not in the form of a
carriageway should be hard-paved and well demarcated on site.

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Clause D23.3

Subject to Clause D23.2 above, every EVA should comply with the following requirements
according to the Use Classification of the building it serves:
(a) for Use Classification 6, the EVA should serve at least one major façade of the
building complying with Clause D22.2(e). Such EVA should have a minimum width
of 7.3m;
(b) for Use Classification 5a, the EVA should comply with the requirements of
thoroughfares in Clause B20;
(c) for a building of any other types of Use Classifications, the EVA should serve at
least one major façade of the building complying with Clause D22.2(e). Such EVA
should have a minimum width of 6m;
(d) for a building with mixed Use Classifications, the EVA should comply with the more
stringent requirements for any particular Use Classification in this Clause.

Clause D23.4

Emergency crash gates should be provided to the EVA complying with Clause D22.4.

Subsection D24 - EVA Signs

Clause D24.1

For the purpose of the Building (Planning) Regulation 41D, this Subsection specifies the
requirements of signage for EVA to indicate the extent of the designated EVA within a site.

Clause D24.2

For an EVA in the form of a carriageway:

(a) a sign showing the layout of the EVA should be erected at the entrance of the EVA
(see Diagram D9);
(b) EVA indication signs should be erected at an interval of not more than 100m along
the EVA (see Diagram D10); and
(c) “No Parking” signs conforming to the standards stipulated in the Road Traffic
(Parking on Private Roads) Regulations and the Code of Practice for Private Roads
issued by the Transport Department should be erected at an interval of not more
than 50m along the EVA except where designated carparks are marked (see
Diagram D11).

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Clause D24.3

For an EVA which is not in the form of a carriageway:

(a) a sign showing the layout of the EVA should be erected at the entrance of the EVA
(see Diagram D9); and
(b) EVA indication signs should be provided complying with Clause D24.2(b) above.
Alternatively, emergency route signs should be fixed to kerbstones, planters, or
other similar objects as appropriate at an interval of not more than 100m to mark the
EVA. Such signs should be painted or engraved and should be made of durable
materials such as metal (see Diagram D12).

Subsection D25 - Exemption and Modification

Clause D25.1

A building may be exempted from any or all of the design and construction requirements of
EVA stipulated in Subsections D22, D23 and D24 and under the Building (Planning)
Regulation 41D(3) in the following cases:
(a) where the purpose for which the building is to be used constitutes a low fire risk; or
(b) where the site is situated in an area the topographical features of which make the
provision of an EVA or the compliance with requirements in Subsections D22, D23
and D24 above impracticable.

Clause D25.2

Where the circumstances in Clause D25.1 arise that an EVA will not be provided or where
the EVA provided cannot comply with the standards as stipulated in this Section, an
application for exemption from the Building (Planning) Regulation 41D(1) or (2) should be
submitted for consideration by the Building Authority, justified by a fire safety assessment
report (FSAR). Part G provides the details on the preparation of the FSAR.

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Commentary
The submission of the FSAR to the Building Authority under Clause D25.2 should assess
the probability of occurrence and the likely consequence of a fire incident. Factors such as
fire load, spread of fire and density of population in different parts of the building, the
behaviour of the occupants in case of panic and the impact of topographical constraints (in
case of Clause D25.1 (b) only) to the ingress and escape to and from the building should be
analysed. The Building Authority in consultation with the Director of Fire Services will
consider such an application on its individual merits, aiming to comply with the relevant
Performance Requirement in Part A.
Examples of buildings that may be considered as having low fire risk under Clause D25.1(a)
include a microwave transmitter station, an unmanned transposer station, a beach house or
a pylon supporting cables. Factors mentioned above should be analysed to determine
whether a building is of low fire risk.
Examples of sites that may be considered as having topographical constraints under Clause
D25.1(b) include a site abutting a stepped street or abutting a road or street that is not up to
the standards in this Part and the owner of the site has no control over such road or street.
For sites located in remote areas or in outlying islands where the vehicles of the Fire
Services Department of smaller size can be deployed, the access requirements will be
specified by the Building Authority in consultation with the Director of Fire Services on a
case-by-case basis.

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Subsection D26 - Enhanced Fire Safety Provisions

Clause D26.1

Under the Building (Planning) Regulation 41D(4), the Building Authority may require to
enhance the fire safety provisions to compensate for the non-provision or deficiency of EVA
when exemption is granted as stipulated under Subsection D25. The enhanced fire safety
provisions so required may include enhanced provisions of means of escape, means of
access, fire resisting constructions, fire service installations or a combination of these fire
safety provisions.

Commentary
Based on the consideration to protection of means of escape and adequacy of water supply
for fire suppression, additional fire service installations in pursuance of the Code of Practice
for Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment may be required as enhanced fire
safety provisions for the building in case of non-provision or deficient provision of EVA. The
following typical enhancements on fire safety provisions may vary according to special
circumstances of each case:
(a) sprinkler system for light hazard group designed and installed to the satisfaction of
the Director of Fire Services should be provided to protect all common areas of
domestic buildings including lift lobbies, staircases, common corridors and all exit
routes leading to ground storey. An independent sprinkler tank of appropriate
capacity should be provided. For composite (domestic and commercial) buildings,
sprinkler system for the appropriate hazard group should be provided to protect the
entire commercial portion (irrespective of floor area) and all common areas of the
domestic portion. Sprinkler heads should be of the approved fast response type;
(b) pressurization of staircase or natural venting of staircase should be provided in
accordance with the standards and specifications as laid down in the Code of
Practice for Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment;
(c) a direct line to the Fire Services Communication Centre should be provided and
connected to the sprinkler alarm system and manual fire alarm system. Despite the
provision of such direct line, the capacity of the sprinkler water tank, with both ends
fed water supply, is not allowed to be reduced to 2/3;
(d) enhanced size of water tank/inflow rate for sprinkler or fire hydrant/hose reel system
tank;

(e) any combination of the above items.

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Diagram D1: Requirements of a Firefighting and Rescue Stairway above
Ground Storey

External Perimeter Wall 450mm min (see Clause D17.5)

Perimeter enclosure walls with FRR required in Clause D17.2

Lobby walls with FRR required in Clause D17.3

A Access Staircase - min. width 1.05m (see Clause D18.1 (a))

B Fireman’s Lift - min. car size 1.35m² and rated load 680kg (see Clause D10.1)
C Ventilated Lobby - size 5m² - 10m² and min. dimension 1.5m (see Clause D16.1(a))
D1 Lobby Openings - min. size 25% of lobby floor area (see Clause D16.1(c))
D2 Staircase windows - min. size 15% of staircase area (see Clause D19.1(b))
E Lobby Doors - self-closing, complying with Part C (see Clause D17.4)

Note:

1. Ventilation may be omitted where a suitable mechanical system, such as pressurization, is

provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services (see Clause D21.1)

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Diagram D2: Ventilation of Lobby of Firefighting and Rescue Stairway
Below Ground Storey

Alternative 1 (smoke outlets)

Smoke outlets at Fireman’s Lift

ceiling - - min. size 1m² per
lobby and lobbies to be
individually ventilated (see
Clause D16.1(d)(i))

Alternative 2 (open well)

Fireman’s Lift

Ventilation Openings ─ Min. size 25% of

lobby floor area (see
ClauseD16.1(c))

Open Well ─ Min.

dimension 1.5m
Area not less than 1m²
per 1m of wall height.
(see Clause D16.1(d)(ii))

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 Alternative 3 (open staircase)

Void ─ min. 10m² in area

clear opening
of min. 900mm

balustrade
/parapet

Open staircase facing

Section a─a
void on 3 sides (see
Clause D16.1(d))

Natural ventilation
may be omitted Fireman’s Lift

Note:

1. Ventilation may be omitted where a suitable mechanical system, such as pressurization, is

provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services (see Clause D21.1)

136