CHAPTER 3

FIRE PROTECTION

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 3/ FIRE PROTECTION

3/1 Structural Fire Precautions

3/1/1 Functional Requirements

3/1/1/1 The building shall be designed and constructed so that there shall
be means of escape in case of fire, from the buildings, to the place
of safety outside the building, capable of being safely and
effectively used at all times.

3/1/1/2 To inhibit the spread of fire within the building the internal linings
shall:

a) resist the spread of flame over their surface, and

b) have, if ignited, a rate of heat release that is reasonable in

the circumstance.

3/1/1/3 The building shall be designed and constructed so that in the event
of fire, its stability will be maintained for a period not less than 60
minutes.

3/1/1/4 A wall common to two or more buildings shall be designed and

constructed so that it resists the spread of fire between those
buildings.

3/1/1/5 To inhibit the spread of fire within a building it shall be subdivided

with fire resisting construction to an extent appropriate to the size
and intended use of the buildings.

3/1/1/6 The building shall be designed and constructed so that the unseen
spread of fire and smoke within concealed spaces in its structure
and fabric, is inhibited.

3/1/1/7 The external walls of the building shall resist the spread of fire
over the roof and from one building to another having regard to
the height, use and position of the building.

3/1/1/8 The roof of the building shall resist the spread of fire over the roof
and from one building to another having regard to the use and
position of the building.

3/1/1/9 The building shall be designed and constructed so as to provide

facilities to assist fire fighters in the protection of life.

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3/1/1/10 Provision shall be made within the site of the building to enable
fire appliances to gain access to the building.

3/1/2 Fire Resistance of Doors

3/1/2/1 Fire doors provided to protect means of escape should:

a) be capable of achieving a minimum fire resistance of 30

minutes

b) withstand smoke at ambient temperatures.

c) withstand limited smoke at medium temperatures.

3/1/3 Specification of Fire Resistant Doors

3/1/3/1 Fire doors shall be identified by the initials FD followed by the

performance in minutes that the door shall achieve when tested
for integrity. Where the door should also resist the passage of
smoke at ambient temperatures the suffix ‘S’ should be added to
the identification. The minimum specification of fire doors shall be
as indicated in table 3.1.

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TABLE 3.1 SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIRE RESISTANT DOORS

Minimum Fire Resistance of door

No Position of Door in terms of Integrity (minutes)
1 In a building compartment wall As for the wall in which door is fitted
separating buildings but a minimum of 60.
2 In a compartment wall-
a) If it separates a flat or
maisonette from a space in
common use. FD 30S

b) Enclosing a protected shaft

forming a stairway situated
wholly or partly above the
adjoining ground in a building
used for flats, other
residential, Assembly and
Recreation or office purposes. FD 30S

c) Enclosing a protected shaft Half the period of fire resistance of

forming a stairway not the wall which it is fitted but 30
described in (b) above. minimum with suffix S.

d) Not described in (a), (b) or As for the wall it is fitted in, but add S
(c) above if the door is used for progressive
horizontal evacuation under guidance
to Bylaw 3/1/1/2
3. In a compartment floor As for the floor in which is fitted.
4. Forming part of the enclosure of-

a) A protected stairway (except

where described in item 9 FD 30S
below).
FD 30
b) Lift shaft, or

c) Service shaft which does not

form a protected shaft in FD 30
2{c} above.
5. Forming part of the enclosure of-
a) A protected lobby
approach (or protected
corridor) to a stairway. FD 30S

b) Any other protected

corridor. FD 20S

6. Affording access to an external FD 30

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 escape route.
7 Subdividing

a) Corridors connecting
alternative exits FD 20S

b) Dead-end portions of
corridors from the remainder
of the corridor. FD 20S
8 Any door-

a) Within a cavity barrier. FD 20

b) Between a dwelling house and FD 20

a garage.

c) Forming part of the enclosure

to a communal area in
sheltered housing. FD 20
9 Any door-

a) Forming part the enclosure

to protected stairway in a
single family dwelling
house. FD 20

b) Forming part of the

enclosure to a protected
entrance hall or protected
landing in flat or
maisonette. FD 20

c) Within any other fire

resisting construction in a
dwelling not described
elsewhere in this table FD20

3/1/4 Compartmentalisation

3/1/4/1 To prevent the spread of fire within buildings, provision shall be

made to subdivide the building into compartments with restricted
floor and cubic capacity. Every compartment floor shall:

a) form a complete barrier to fire between the compartments

they separate.

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 b) have the appropriate fire resistance according to their user
group and

c) where needed (together with any beam or column which

forms parts of the wall, and any structure which carries it)
be constructed of materials of limited combustibility.

3/1/4/2 A compartment wall which is used to form a separate part of a

building shall run the full height of the building in the same
continuous vertical plane. It shall be taken up above the roof or
the roof should resist fire penetration and spread.

3/1/4/3 Where a compartment wall or floor meets another compartment

wall, or an external wall separating wall or protected shaft, they
shall be bonded together or fire stopped.

3/1/4/4 Spaces that connect compartments, such as stairways and service

shafts, shall be protected to restrict fire spread between the
compartments.

3/1/4/2 In multi-purpose buildings:

a) a wall common to two or more buildings (separating walls)

shall be constructed as a compartment wall.

b) compartment walls and/or floors shall be provided to

separate parts of a building that are occupied mainly for
different purposes from one another. This does not apply
where one of the different purposes is ancillary to the other.

3/1/4/3 In flats and maisonettes the following shall be constructed as

compartment walls or compartment floors:

a) Any floor (unless it is within a maisonette i.e. between one

storey and another within a dwelling).

b) Any wall separating a flat or maisonette from any other part

of the building.

c) Any wall enclosing a refuse chamber.

3/1/4/4 In institutional buildings:

a) All floors shall be constructed as compartment floors.

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 b) Any walls needed to divide the storey of a hospital into
compartments shall comply with means of escape provisions
and shall be constructed as compartment walls.

3/1/4/5 In semi-detached or terraced residential buildings, any floor shall

be constructed as compartment floor.

3/1/4/6 In non-residential buildings the following walls and floors should be

constructed as compartment walls and compartment floors:

a) any wall (unless the building is single storey) needed to

subdivide the building to observe the size limits on
compartments given in Table 3.2 below.

b) any floor of the building, or separated part of the building,

which has a storey with a floor at a height of more than 30
m above ground level.

c) the floor of the ground storey if the building has one or more
basements.

d) Any basement floor of the buildings, or separated part, has a

basement at a depth of more than 10 m below ground floor
level.

3/1/4/7 Where there is a junction between a compartment wall and roof the
following requirements shall apply:

a) a compartment should be taken up to meet the underside of

the roof covering or deck with fire stopping.

b) a 1.5 m strip either side of the wall, where it meets the roof,
shall be constructed of a designated type of covering on a
non-combustible substance or deck.

3/1/4/8 Any openings in a wall which is common to two or more buildings

shall be limited to:

a) a door which is needed to provide a means of escape in case

of fire and which has the same fire resistance as that
required for the wall and is fitted in accordance with the
relevant provisions;

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 b) the passage of a pipes and ducts which meet the relevant
provisions.

3/1/4/9 Openings in compartment walls other than those described in by-

law 3/1/4/8 shall be limited to those for:

a) doors which have the appropriate fire resistance given in

Table 3.1 and are fitted in accordance with the relevant
provisions,

b) the passage of pipes, ventilation ducts, chimney, appliance

ventilation ducts or ducts encasing one or more flue pipes
which meet the relevant provisions;

c) refuse chutes of non-combustible construction;

d) protected shafts which meet the relevant provisions.

3/1/5 Shopping Complexes

3/1/5/1 In shopping complexes, in addition to the requirements set out in

Bylaws 3/1/4/2, 3/1/4/7, 3/1/4/8, 3/1/4/9 the following shall be
provided:

a) adequate means of escape and smoke controls

b) sprinkler protection of all shop units, storage and service

areas and any part of the malls used for a purpose that
might introduce a fire load into the mall;

c) a fire alarm system incorporating automatic fire detection in

non public areas;
d) access for fire fighting purposes;

e) walls and floors between shop units constructed as

compartment walls and compartment floors;

f) floors in any shop unit opening onto the mall at more than
one level constructed as compartment floors;

g) construction consisting generally of materials of limited

combustibility.

h) floors in any shop unit opening onto the mall at more than
one level constructed as compartment floors.

i) compartmentalisation between any large shop unit (over 3

700m2 in area) and any mall or between opposing large
shop units (each over 2 000 m2 ) and a mall.
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TABLE 3.2 MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS OF BUILDING OR
COMPARTMENT (MULTI STOREY NON-RESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS

PURPOSE GROUP OF HEIGHT OF FLOOR FLOOR AREA OF ANY

BUILDING (OR PART) OF TOP STOREY ONE STOREY IN THE
ABOVE GROUND BUILDING OR
LEVEL (M) COMPARTMENT (M2)
Office No Limit No Limit

Assembly and
recreation shop and
commercial : No Limit 2 000
Not sprinklered No Limit 4 000
Sprinklered

Industrial More than 20 7 000

Not sprinklered Not more than 20 2 000

Industrial sprinklered Not more than 20 14 000

More than 20 4 000

Storage 3 and other non-residential:

Car park for light No limit No limit

vehicles

Any other
building or part:
not sprinklered
Not more than 20 20 000
More than 20 4 000

- sprinklered Not more than 20 40 000

More than 20 8 000
Notes:

1. Sprinklered means that the building is fitted throughout with an

automatic sprinkler system meeting the relevant recommendations of
regulations.
2. This reduced area limit applies only to storeys that are more than 20 m
above the ground level.
3. There may be additional limitations on floor areas and/or sprinkler
provisions in certain industrial and storage users under other legislation,
for example in respect of storage of Liquified Petroleum Gases and
certain chemicals.

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3/2 MEANS OF ESCAPE

3/2/1 Fire Escape Passages

3/2/1/1 Escape routes such as corridors, lobbies and stairways shall be

constructed from suitable fire resistant materials and be
separated from the adjacent areas safe from the effects of the
heat and smoke of the fire.

3/2/1/2 In single storey premises where there is more than one final exit
no improvements in the existing arrangements for means of
escape are accepted if the floor area is of open plan design
unless:

a) Exits are so placed that a fire would make the approach to

all of them innaccessible at the same time;

b) The distance of travel to the nearest final exit exceeds 45

m in offices and factories and 30 m in shops.

3/2/1/3 Where there are alternative final exits and the floor area is sub-
divided into corridors and rooms, the maximum distance of
travel within a room to the room exit shall not exceed 12 m and
the overall distance of travel to final exit shall not exceed those
given in by-law 3/2/1/2.

3/2/1/4 If the premises have one final exit the maximum distance of
travel to that exit, irrespective of whether the floor area is of
open plan design or subdivided into corridors and rooms shall
not exceed 18 m in offices and shops and 25 m in factories.

3/2/1/5 In a situation where a room (inner room) is constructed so that

the only way out is through another room (access room), a
vision panel shall be provided in the door or wall of the inner
room of sufficient size and positioned to allow the occupant to
receive an early visual warning of fire. Where it is provided in a
fire-resisting wall or door the panel should be of fire resisting
quality.

3/2/1/6 The distance of travel from within the inner room to the access
room exit should not exceed 12 m.

3/2/1/7 If a corridor forms a dead end and does not connect directly
with a final exit or in the case of offices and shops joins another
corridor from which escape is possible in separate directions it
must be made a protected route. This route shall be separated
by fire resisting construction and fire doors from both sections of
the connecting corridor at the point where they conjoin.
3/2/1/8 The distance that occupants of offices and shops would have to
travel from the farthest point in any room in the dead end
corridor to the point where escape can be made in separate
directions should not exceed 18 metres. The overall distance of
travel from a dead end to the final exit should not exceed 45 m
in offices and 30 m in shops.

3/2/1/9 Where it is not possible to implement the provisions of Bylaws

3/2/1/1 to 3/2/2/8 of a suitable window or windows may be
used as a final exit in a single storey building, provided that:

a) no member of the public shall need to use the exit.

b) no more than 10 able-bodied people shall need to use the

exit.

c) the window is at least 850mm x 500mm wide in the clear

with the casement open to permit an average size person
to pass through with ease.

d) suitable steps are provided up to the window sill, both

inside and outside the building with handgrips provided as
necessary.

e) the external ground surfaces are level and unobstructed

f) the route of escape leads to the point of dispersal well

clear of the building.

g) the height of the window sill is not more than 1 m above

the floor level.

h) simple fastenings that do not require the use of a key in

an emergency are fitted to the open-able window.

i) the window is conspicuously sign posted as a FIRE EXIT.

3/2/1/10 In multi-storey premises the distance of travel criteria applying

to single storey premises should also be followed. If the stairway
forming the escape route is a protected route, the distance of
travel should be between any point within the floor and a final
exit.

3/2/2 Single Stairway

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3/2/2/1 An existing internal stairway which serves as the single route of
escape from any floor above or below the ground floor can be
considered satisfactory if:

a) The distance of travel from any part of the premises via

the stairway to final exit does not exceed 18 m in offices
and shops and 25 m in factories; and

b) The upper floor or basement is not more than 3.5 m above

or below ground level respectively.

3/2/2/2 If the conditions in Bylaw 3/2/2/1 cannot be met, the stairway

shall be enclosed and made a protected route. The distance of
travel to the stairway entrance from any part of the floor should
not exceed 18 m in offices and shops and 25 m in factories.

3/2/2/3 In the case of a stairway that is a protected route not giving

immediately onto a final exit, the portion of the route leading to
the final exit should be made a protected route.

3/2/3 Multi Stairway

3/2/3/1 If the distance of travel to a final exit using any one of the
stairways does not exceed 45 m in offices and factories and 30
m in shops they can be considered satisfactory provided one
stairway is separated from another by fire resisting construction
at ground floor level.

3/2/3/2 If these distances of travel are exceeded each stairway should

be enclosed to form a protected route and the distance of travel
to the entrance of any of them shall not exceed 45 m in offices
and factories and 30 m in shops.

3/2/3/3 In the case of stairway that are protected routes and are without
a final exit direct to open air from their enclosures, the stairways
and the routes to their respective final exits must be separated
from one another by fire resisting construction to a standard not
less than that provided for the stairway enclosure.

3/2/3 Floors

3/2/3/1 Where that part of a floor forming an element of a protected

route is required to be separated by fire resisting construction
from a floor below the first consideration must be the ability of
the floor construction to resist the penetration of smoke and hot
gases.

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3/2/3/2 Accommodations stairways not required for escape purposes
need not be separated from the remainder of the building
provided that:

a) the means of escape is sufficient without relying on the

accommodation stairway:

b) no escape route from a dead end passes the head of the

accommodation stairway

c) no such stairway serves more than two floors;

d) neither of the floors is connected by an open stairway to

third floor.

3/2/3/3 Escalators shall not be used as means of escape.

3/2/3/4 Escalators not within stairway enclosures must be separated

from the remainder of the building by fire resisting construction
and by fire doors.

3/3 ACCESS AND FACILITIES FOR THE FIRE SERVICE

3/3/1 Access

3/3/1/1 Buildings must have sufficient means of external access to

enable fire appliances to be brought near it for effective use.

3/3/1/2 Buildings shall have sufficient means of access into it and within
it to enable fire fighting personnel to enter for the purpose of
fighting fire and effecting rescue.

3/3/1/3 Buildings shall have sufficient internal fire mains and other
facilities to assist Fire fighters in their tasks.

3/3/2 Provision of fire mains

3/3/2/1 Storey above ground level, in buildings with a floor at more than
20 m above ground level should be equipped with dry rising fire
mains.

3/3/2/2 Basements in buildings with a basement at more than 10 m

below ground level should be equipped with dry fire mains.

3/3/2/3 Storeys above ground level, in buildings with a floor at more

than 60 m above ground level, should be equipped with wet
rising fire mains.

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3/3/2/4 Where fire mains are installed they should be positioned so
that, at each level other than ground level, there is one main for
every fire fighting shaft provided.

3/3/2/5 The outlets from fire mains should be sited in:

a) a fire fighting shaft

b) a protected stairway or

c) a balcony or walkway in the open air.

3/3/2/5 The design and construction of fire mains should be in

accordance with the Fire Brigade standards.

3/3/2/6 For dry mains access for the pumping appliance should be within
18m of each fire main inlet, and the inlet should be visible from
the appliance.

3/3/2/7 In the case of building fitted with wet mains the access should
be within 18 m, and within sight of a suitable entrance giving
access to the main and within sight of, the inlet for the
emergency replenishment of the suction tank serving the main.

3/3/2/2 As for fire vehicle access to buildings not fitted with fire mains
the specifications outlined in table 3.2 shall apply.

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Table 3.3- Provision of fire vehicle access to buildings not fitted with
fire mains.

TOTAL FLOOR HEIGHT OF PROVIDE VEHICLE TYPE OF

(1) AREA OF FLOOR OF ACCESS TO APPLIANCE
BUILDING M2 TOP STOREY
ABOVE
GROUND M
Up to 2 000 Up to 9 Vehicle access to Pump
Over 9 within 45 m High Reach
15% of perimeter
2 000 – 8 000 Up to 9 15% of perimeter Pump
Over 9 50% of perimeter High Reach
8 000 – 16 000 Up to 9 50% of perimeter Pump
Over 9 50% of perimeter High Reach
16 000 – 24 000 Up to 9 75% of perimeter Pump
Over 9 75% of perimeter High Reach
Over 24 000 Up to 9 100% of perimeter Pump
Over 9 100% of perimeter High Reach

NB The total floor area is the aggregate of all the floors in the building.

3/4 FIRE PRECAUTIONS

3/4/1 Application

3/4/1/1 Fire Precautions apply to all workplaces if, in such premises,

there are at any one time either:

a) more than twenty people at work or

b) more than ten people at work elsewhere than on ground

floor, in which case the owner or occupier of the premises
is required to apply for a Fire Certificate.

3/4/1/2 Workplaces exempted from Bylaw 3/4/1/1/ are:

a) workplaces used solely by self employed;

b) workplaces which form part of a mine for the purpose of

the
Mines and Mineral Act;

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 c) where a certificate issued under the safety of Sports
Grounds and Safety of places of Sports Act is in force;

d) construction sites as defined by Regulations of the

Construction (Health and Safety Welfare);

e) workplaces to which the Fire Certificates (special

premises)
Regulations apply.

f) workplaces in or on an aircraft, a locomotive or rolling

stock, a trailer or semi-trailer used as a means of
transport, or vehicle for which a licence is in force under
the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act, or a vehicle that is
exempted from duty under that act.

3/4/1/3 A disused railway carriage or aircraft or other vehicle that is

used as an office, a shop or workshop is not an ‘exempted
workplace’.

3/4/2 Fire Detection and fire fighting

3/4/2/1 The workplace shall, to the extent that is appropriate, be

equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment and with fire
detectors and alarms.

3/4/2/2 Any non-automatic fire fighting equipment such as portable fire

extinguishers, fire hose-reels, and fire blankets, shall be easily
accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

3/4/2/3 The employer shall take measures for fire fighting in the work
place.

3/4/3 Emergency Routes And Exits At Workplace

3/4/3/1 The employer in a workplace is required to ensure that the

following conditions apply:

a) people must be able to reach a place of safety in three

minutes;

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 b) escape routes must not be less than 800 mm wide;

c) routes to emergency exits, and the exits must be kept

clear
at all times.

d) Routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a

place
of safety.

3/4/3/2 Doors on escape routes shall open in the direction of travel

where they:

a) lead from high hazard areas

b) may be used by more than 50 people,

c) are at the foot of a stairway

3/4/3/3 Sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically
intended to be used as emergency exits

3/4/3/4 Emergency doors must not be so locked or fastened that they

cannot be easily and immediately opened in an emergency. This
requirement does not apply to prisons, borstals, remand
centres, detention centres, or any part of other premises used
for keeping people in lawful custody or detention.

3/4/3/5 Emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs.

3/4//3/6 Emergency routes and exits that require illumination must be

provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity.
3/4/3/7 Emergency routes and exits that are to be used by people with
disabilities shall be indicated as such in Bylaw 14/4/5/1 -
14/4/5/4.

3/4/4 Maintenance

3/4/4/1 Fire fighting equipment, and devices shall be subject to a

suitable system of maintenance and be maintained in an
efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.

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3/5/5 Management of Health And Safety At Work Place

3/5/5/1 The design and maintenance of all workplaces as defined within

these Bylaws must comply with the Occupational Health Safety
and Welfare Act.