Fire fighting system in buildings

FIRE FIGHTING
Presented By -
Id. Hetvi Trada
M.I.D, SMAID
SMAID
Charutar Vidhya Mandal University
SHANTABEN MANUBHAI PATEL
SCHOOL OF STUDIES & RESEARCH IN
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN

― Fire is a chemical process of combustion involving the oxidation
of a fuel particulates and gas source at a high temperature. It
releases energy and produces heat and light.
― FUEL:- Fuel is a flammable material that begins the process of
combustion. When fuel is heated past at its flash point, it enters
the gaseous phase & releases vapour pressure that can ignite in
air and support combustion.
― HEAT ENERGY:- Heat energy is produced during combustion
because the reaction is exothermic. Since these reactions are
ongoing. Combustion releases more than enough heat to make
the fire self-perpetuating.
WHAT IS FIRE ?
― OXYGEN:- Oxygen supports burning due to oxidation. This is when gases released by fuel heats up, break apart
& recombine with oxygen. This is what causes burning to begin.
― This combination is called “FIRE TRIANGLE” or “FIRE TETRAHEDRON.”
CAUSES OF FIRE
― THERE ARE TWO MAIN CAUSES OF FIRE:-
1. NATURAL
2. MAN-MADE

― LIGHTNING
1. NATURAL
― Lightning strikes can set trees or houses on
fire. Lightning can enter your home by
following wires and pipes that go into the
ground.
― it can also travel through metal reinforcing
wire or bars in concrete and explode.
Lightning often knocks out power lines and
sends powerful electrical surges through
electrical and phone lines.
― VOLCANIC ERUPTION ― FOREST FIRES
― Naturally occurring wildfires can
spark during dry weather and
droughts. In these conditions,
normally green vegetation can
convert into bone-dry, flammable
fuel; strong winds spread fire quickly;
and warm temperatures encourage
combustion.
― With these ingredients, the only thing missing is a spark—in the form of lightning, arson, a downed power line,
or a burning campfire or cigarette—to wreak havoc.

― Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture,
curtains, laundry, clothes and even yourself. If you have a furnace, get it inspected once a year to make sure it is
working to safety standards.
2. HEATING
MAN-MADE CAUSES
― Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves
cooking unattended. Always staying in the room, or asking someone to watch food, when cooking on
hotplates.
1. COOKING EQUIPMENT
― A cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame, as the butt may stay alit for a few hours. It could burst
into flames if it came into contact with flammable materials, such as furniture.
3. SMOKING
― An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire if it is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is
overloaded with double adapter plugs can cause a fire from an overuse of electricity. A power point extension
cord can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately.
4. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
― Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended they can cause a room to easily burst into flames. Keep
candles away from any obviously flammable items such as books and tissue boxes.
5. CANDLES

― Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from electrical hazards. Some signs to see if you’ve bad wiring
are:
1. Lights dim if you use another appliance.
2. For an appliance to work, you have to disconnect another.
3. Fuses blow or trip the circuit frequently.
6. FAULTY WIRING
― If any flammable liquids in the home or garage such as petrol, kerosene or methylated spirits, keeping them
away from heat sources and checking the label before storing.
7. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
8. OTHER CUASES OF FIRE
― SPARKS FROM OVEN
― SHORT CIRCUITS
― BURNING CHARCOAL
― SMOLDERING FUEL
― MISFIRING OF ENGINE
― BURSTING OF STOVES
― OVERHEATING OF ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
― CHEMICAL REACTION
― FRICTION
― FIREWORKS
― SABOTAGE
― ARSON
― SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
HOW FIRE SPREADS ?
― CONDUCTION: transfer of heat through solid body.
― CONVECTION: through the motion of heated matter, i.e. through the motion of smoke, air, gases etc. produced
by fire.

― RADIATION: heat radiation is the transfer of heat from a source without a material substance being involved.
An example of conduction: The temperature
along the rod rises because of the increased
movement of molecules from the heat of the
flame.
Heat transfer by radiation is invisible to eye and not
affected by the air flow. The transmission of energy as
an electromagnetic wave without an intervening
medium.
The transfer of the heat
energy by the movement of
heated liquids or gases.

PARTS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER & HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

TYPES OF FIRE EXTENGUISHERS
WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
― Water extinguishers suitable for Class A fires
consisting of paper, wood, straw, coal,
rubber, solid plastics and soft furnishings.
― They are the simplest, most common, and
least expensive type of extinguisher.
― Water extinguishers are the easiest to
maintain variety and the least hazardous,
since they only contain water.
― They cool the fire by soaking it and the
materials with water. This extinguishes the
flames, absorbing heat from burning
objects.
― They are often found in shops, offices, retail
premises, schools, hotels, warehouses and
domestic premises.
― They may have spray or jet nozzles and are
usually able to put out a fire completely.

FOAM EXTINGUISHERS
― The foam smothers the fire in solids and liquids (Class A and B), but not in burning fats or cooking oils (Class F).
― They can be used on some electrical fires if they have been tested and if fired from 1 metre away. However, they
leave a residue that has to be cleaned up, and they are more expensive than water extinguishers
― These are suitable for fighting burning solids, liquids and gases (Class A, B and C fires). Specialist powder
extinguishers are designed to tackle type D fires involving combustible metals such as lithium, magnesium, or
aluminum.
― They work by the powder forming a crust which smothers the fire and stops it from spreading. Disadvantages
are that the powder does not soak into materials and does not have an effective cooling effect on the fire,
which can result in the fire reigniting.
― The powder is hazardous if inhaled, so they should be used in well-ventilated areas and are not suitable for
offices and domestic premises. The powder damages soft furnishings, machinery, etc., and needs a lot of
cleaning up after use. They cannot be used on chip pan fires (Class F).
DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS
― These contain only pressurized carbon dioxide gas and therefore leave no residue. They are suitable for use on
fires involving burning liquids (Class B), and electrical fires, such as of large computer equipment, so are practical
in offices. CO2 works by suffocating the fire and does not cause damage to the electrical items or cause the
system to short circuit.
CO2 EXTINGUISHERS

― These are the only extinguishers apart from water mist suitable for Class F fires (fats and cooking oils) and are
mainly used in kitchens with deep fat fryers. They can also be used on Class A and some can be used on Class B
fires. They consist of a pressurized solution of alkali salts in water, which, when operated, creates a fine mist,
cooling the flames and preventing splashing.
WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS
Class A – water, water mist, foam, dry powder, wet chemical
Class B – water mist, foam, dry powder, CO2, some wet chemical
Class C – water mist, dry powder
Class D – specialist dry powder
Electrical – water mist, foam, CO2
Class F – water mist, wet chemical.
2 TYPES OF FIRE COMPONENT SYSTEM
― ACTIVE SYSTEM
― PASSIVE SYSTEM
― Fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and fire alarms are all vital components of your active fire protection
systems, also called AFP.
― These all need to be activated whenever a fire breaks out, although sometimes they need to be operated by a
user instead of automatically responding.
― Smoke and fire alarms, and for that matter, carbon monoxide detectors, are all useful pieces of technology.
1. ACTIVE SYSTEM

CATEGORIES OF ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE DETECTION
― Fire is detected either by locating the smoke, flame or heat, and an
alarm is sounded to enable emergency evacuation as well as to
dispatch the local fire department.
HYPOXIC AIR FIRE PREVENTION
― Fire can be prevented by hypoxic air. hypoxic air fire prevention
systems, also known as oxygen reduction systems are new automatic
fire prevention systems that reduce permanently the oxygen
concentration inside the protected volumes so that ignition or fire
spreading cannot occur.
REQUIREMENT OF WATER
― The quantity of water required for fire extinction depends upon the
magnitude of fire and duration taken to extinguish it. the use of
non-potable water should be avoided for the fear of cross
connection and subsequent health hazards.
― The size of main ring, dry riser and wet riser, for fire fighting within
a building, is designed keeping in mind that a distant hydrant will
discharge about 1000 litres per minutes at 3.5 kg/sq.cm pressure.
and at any given time at least two hydrants are in operation.

― A sufficient quality of water for the purpose of fire fighting of the
building must be made available in an underground tank within the
premises.
― Tank capacity may be taken as 30 min water supply at 1000 litres per
minutes the water tank and cover should be designed to take load of 18
tones vehicular load if flush below ground level.
― The fire fighting storage and pumps requirements as per development
control regulation of the municipal corporation of Delhi.
― It may be broadly classified as external (City) and Internal Building)
fire fighting System
― Hydrants are generally provided at street
crossings, water demands of one liter per head
per day is considered for fire hydrants.
― Fire hydrants are of two types pillar or post
hydrant and sunk or flush hydrants.
STORAGE OF WATER
― Fire hydrant are generally located at a distance apart of about 90
m to 120 m in inhabitant area and about 300 m in an open area.
One fire hydrant for every 4000 to 10000 sq.m area is normally
provided.
EXTERNAL FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM

― FIRE HYDRANTS fall within one of two types; wet and
dry barrel.
― Dry Barrel, as implied, is not water-filled until the
hydrant valve is opened. Dry hydrants are the most
popular type of hydrant provided to insulate the
depth to prevent freezing portions of the water
supply.
― Wet Barrel hydrants have one or more operating
stems which run horizontal at each outlet. As
wet barrel hydrants are water-filled at all times.
― CONICAL CAP :- The conical cap for the hydrant, or bonnet, holds the
operating stem nut in place and protects the hydrant from mechanical
damage and water penetration.
― BRANCH :- The branch pipe serving the hydrant from the city main is one
restriction for the overall capacity of a hydrant. A minimum of 6-inch pipe
should be used to limit pressure loss and permit greater flow capacity.
― FLANGE :- The flange at the base of the hydrant is the point of connection
for the hydrant to the rest of the barrel.
― HYDRANT COLOR :- Some jurisdictions paint hydrants or hydrant bonnets to
identify the capacity of the hydrant.

― NFPA 291, the Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing
and Marking of Hydrants, suggests hydrant colors as
Red/Class C, Orange/Class B, Green/Class A, and Light
Blue/Class AA.
― OUTLET :- A traditional dry barrel fire hydrant contains
three outlets: two 2 1/2-inch (65 mm) side outlets and a
single 4 1/2-inch (115 mm) or 6-inch (150 mm) "pumper“.
― STEM NUT :- The stem nut is the key to operating the
valve within the hydrant. Typically shaped as a pentagon,
the stem nut will turn the operating stem of the hydrant
and raise the valve to an 'open' position when turned with
a hydrant wrench.
― THURST BLOCK :- Unless mechanically restrained, thrust
blocks serve as a way to distribute the hydraulic force of
the pipe network into the soil.
VALVE :- When in the 'open' position, the valve at the bottom of a dry barrel hydrant rises to plug drain holes and
simultaneously permit water to fill the barrel of the hydrant.
When in the 'closed' position, the valve lowers to block water passage and re-open drain holes at the bottom of the
hydrant. These drain holes act as weeps which slowly drain the hydrant barrel and help prevent freezing.

Fire hydrant model including two 100 feet
of connected fire hoses and fire nozzles.
Fire Hydrant model including one 4 ½ inch
connected fire hose going to the Fire Truck.
Fire Hydrant model including one 2 ½ in
connected fire hose and fire nozzle.
Fire hydrant model

― Passive fire protection systems are also called PFP. While active systems can contain and control fires that break
out, and eventually extinguish them, passive systems help out by giving everyone in the building more time to
evacuate by slowing the spread of the fire and the smoke that comes with it.
― Firewalls, Firestop technology, fire doors, and fire dampers are all crucial parts of an effective and comprehensive
passive fire protection system.
2. PASSIVE SYSTEM
― A method of fire protection
involves the conveyance of
water I pipes to extinguish fire
within a building falls into the
field of plumbing. Water may
be supplied through riser
pipes or standpipes.
― Protect employees, property,
and facilitate business
continuity.
OBJECTIVES
― Preventing fires
― Detecting and responding to
fires
― Controlling & suppressing
― Extinguishing fires
― Recovering from fires

NBC REGULATIONS
― The national building code (NBC) contains set of minimum provisions, designed to protect the safety of the
public with regard to structural sufficiency, fire hazards and health aspects of buildings.
1st Published
1st Revision
2nd Revision
1970
1983
2005
NBC PART-4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY
― This part covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and
fire protection of buildings. The code specifies construction, occupancy
and protection features that are necessary to minimize danger to life and property from fire.

― The local self govt i.e. Municipal Authorities have been empowered to make by laws to protect lives &
properties for fire protection system within their municipal limits. These bylaws are generally based on NFPA
(National Fire Protection Act).
― The following methods are classified to extinguish fire within the buildings.
SYSTEM OF FIRE FIGHTING (INTERNAL)
― Fire Hose System Dry Riser/ Wet Riser
― Automatic Sprinkler Systems
RESIDENTIAL PREMISES FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
― Potable fire extinguishers,
― Fire alarm Systems
― FIRE HOSE SYSTEM DRY RISER/ WET RISER :- This system involves the installation of vertical riser pipe with hose
connections at strategic points throughout the building. The standpipe or riser can be kept filled with water is
known as wet riser system otherwise it is known as dry riser system
― The main features of these systems includes:
― Hose & Automatic SprinklerSystem
― The courtyard of the building should have at least two fire hydrant. The pumps will have a RPM not exceeding
2000. These hydrants are connected to an overhead/ storage tank for fire fighting purpose with a booster
pump, and a non-return valve near the tank and a fire pump, gate valve over the underground storage tanks.
― The facility to boost water pressure in the riser directly from the mobile pump should also be provided to the wet
riser system.

DRY RISER SYSTEM
― A dry Riser system or dry pipe system is made of
complete water-distribution system with sprinkler
head or risers and branches with hydrants
throughout the buildings in which there is no
running water.
― In the sprinkler system the dry pipe system is
used partly to protect the interior of the
buildings against hazards of burst and leaky pipe
to avoid freezing of water in thepipes.
― Water is turned into water distribution system
either automatically or manually on the outbreak
of fire or the sounding of alarm gong to
smother or extinguishfire.
― When the fuse melts in due to the heat
generated by fire, water gushes in and air
exhausted through the sprinkler head quickly.
― In the reaction system water is admitted to the
system by a valve actuated by a thermostatic
controlled device that function in advance of the
sprinklersystem.

― The distribution system is laid with a slope of
about 1:200, so that the complete water is drained
out of the system.
― Provision of necessary pressure gauges is made
on main water supply, distribution, air tank,
pumps, etc.
― The provision of wet riser system whenever made
for residential building should have the following
features:
― The Wet riser are designed for Zonal distribution
of water according to height of building.
― The first riser up to 60 m height should be 10 cm
dia.The second riser up to 100m height of 15 cm
dia.The third riser up to 150 m height of 15 cm dia.
― These risers are connected to fire pumps
separately provided for this purpose in the
buildings.
― A wet riser must be provided near the enclosure
staircase.
― The pipe fitting should be approved make and
quality by the competent authority.
WET RSER MAIN

DELUGE RISER SYSTEM
― A deluge fire sprinkler system is similar to a pre-action
system except the sprinkler heads are open and the pipe is
not pressurized with air.
― Deluge systems are connected to a water supply through a
deluge valve that is opened by the operation of a smoke or
heat detection system. The detection system is installed in
the same area as the sprinklers.
― When the detection system is activated water
― Pre-action fire sprinkler systems are filled with air and water is
allowed to pass through when the smoke alarm or detector goes
off. This type of system requires two triggers to start water flow.
― Pre-action systems have closed sprinkler heads. When the FACP
goes into alarm, the FACP activates and opens the water solenoid
valve. This action causes the sprinkler pipes to be filled with water.
systems are used in places that are considered high hazard areas such as power plants, aircraft hangars and
chemical storage or processing facilities. Deluge systems are needed where high velocity suppression is
necessary to prevent the fire spread.
PRE ACTION FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
discharges through all of the sprinkler heads in the system. is necessary to prevent fire spread. Deluge

― As soon as a sprinkler head activates due to high temperature, water is released. It helps greatly that the pre-action
fire sprinkler can be set to prevent water from spouting in case of a false alarm or a mechanical failure.
― Such buildings include libraries and data centers. These places contain items of high value like electronics and
goods damageable by water such as books
― Early Suppression Fast Response systems are a great option for warehouses. They can be used in place of in-rack
sprinklers provide better protection and to avoid accidental discharge.
― An ESFR system is a high volume, high velocity system that is located in the ceiling to protect storage areas.
ESFR SPRINKLER SYSTEM
In-rack fire sprinklers are
used in warehouses to
contain fires to a small
area and prevent the
entire storage area from
being ruined by a fire.
These sprinklers are
located in close proximity
to storage areas.
IN-RACK
SPRINKLER
SYSTEM

― An automatic sprinkler head is a fire extinguisher nozzle, closed in a state of readiness by a heat sensitive release
element.
― The sprinkler may be classified as : (a) Sprinkler based on Release. (b)glass bulb
― Fusable element Sprinkler is opened under the influence of heat by the melting of eutectic metal or chemical.
― Glass bulb sprinklers are opened under the influence of heat by the destruction of the glass bulb through pressure
of the fluid enclosed therein.
SPRINKLER CLASSIFICATION
― Sprinklers differ in various aspects which include design approaches, installation orientation, hazards protected,
and response time and temperature ratings.
― Upright sprinklers
― Sidewall Sprinklers
― Extended coverage sprinklers
― Quick-response sprinklers
― Conventional Sprinkler – The Conventional sprinkler have a spherical water distribution directed towards the
ground and the ceiling for the definite protection area.
― Umbrella Sprinklers- The umbrella sprinklers have a parabolic water distribution directed towards the ground
for a definite protection area with some of water sprays the ceilings
― Sidewall Sprinkler- The sidewall sprinkler has a one –sided half-parabolic water distribution directed towards
the ground for a definite protection area.
SPRINKLER BASED ON WATER DISTRIBUTION

― Pendant Sprinklers have deflectors below the sprinklers.
― Pendant heads are the most common sprinkler heads because of
their coverage.
― These heads extend from the ceiling to provide you with as much
coverage as possible. When activated, these heads spray a stream
of water downward onto the deflector.
TYPES OF SPRINKLER HEADS
PENDANT
― Many industries use pendent sprinklers in areas with finished ceilings, and upright sprinklers are used in areas
without finished ceilings.
― Concealed pendent and recessed pendent sprinklers are also there. Recessed pendent sprinklers body is partially
fitted in ceiling surface while concealed sprinklers body is completely hidden above a cover plate.

― Sidewall sprinklers are usually employed when sprinkler fitting in the ceiling is not feasible due to section
geometry or some other issues.
― These sprinklers have different design specifications than standard spray sprinklers and are projected horizontally
from the wall.
― The major concerns are the difficult concealing piping in the walls and limited space that can be preserved by
sidewall sprinklers.
SIDEWALL SPRINKLERS
― upright sprinklers are mounted with deflectors above the sprinklers.
― An upright sprinkler head sits on top of the water pipes and sprays the water
upwards toward the deflector.
― Although it looks like a pendant head, this head should not be placed upside
down.
UPRIGHT

― Concealed sprinkler heads are connected to rigid pipes and fittings
and require exact placement when they’re installed.
― If the pipes sit too close or too far away from the wall, the cover
plate won't seat correctly (and the sprinkler's spray may not reach
its destination).
― Cover plates quickly push or thread on to a concealed sprinkler
head. They're easy to connect, but they'll need to be replaced if a
fire (or any excessive heat) causes them to detach.
CONCEALED
QUICK-RESPONSE SPRINKLERS
― In quick response sprinkler, the thermal operating
portion operates quicker than the one in a standard
sprinkler, allowing water discharge earlier before the
fire grows.
― The main benefits of fire sprinklers are property
protection and an increase in the level of life safety and
a reduction in hydraulic requirements.
― For standard light risks, quick-response sprinklers got
extensively specified as their drawbacks are minimal.

― A fire escape is a special kind of emergency exit, usually
mounted to the outside of a building or occasionally inside but
separate from the main areas of the building.
― It provides a method of escape in the event of a fire or other
emergency that makes the stairwells inside a building
inaccessible.
― Fire escapes are most often found on multiple-story residential
buildings, such as apartment buildings.
― At one time, they were a very important aspect of fire safety
for all new construction in urban areas; more recently, however,
they have fallen out of common use.
― This is due to the improved building codes incorporating fire
detectors, technologically advanced fire fighting equipment,
which includes better communications and the reach of fire
fighting ladder trucks, and more importantly fire sprinklers.
― The international building codes and other authoritative
agencies have incorporated fire sprinklers into multi-story
building below 15 stories and not just skyscrapers.
― An exit may be a doorway; corridor; passageways to an internal
staircase, or external staircase, or to a VERANDAH or terraces,
which have access to the street, or to the roof of a building or
a refuge area.
FIRE ESCAPES

― A exit may also include a horizontal exit leading to an adjoining building at the same level. Lifts and escalators
shall not be considered as exits. Every exit, exit access or exit discharge shall be continuously maintained free of
all obstructions or impediments to full use in the case of fire or other emergency.
― Exits shall be clearly visible and the route to reach the exits shall be clearly marked and signs posted to guide
the occupants of the floor concerned. Signs shall be illuminated and wired to an independent electrical circuit
on an alternative source of supply. The sizes and colors of the exit signs shall be in accordance with good
practice . The color of the exit signs shall be green.
TYPES OF FIRE ESCAPES
― There are many designs, variations and styles of fire escapes, but they can be categorized into three types;
1. The Standard, 2. The Party Wall Balcony 3. The Exterior Stairway.
― Most commonly found, normally accessed by windows,
― Metal balconies with metal ladders,
― Metal parts usually connected with bolts or rivets and some
were welded, width 3-4 ft., with stairway angles 45, 60, 75
degrees or steeper,
THE STANDARD
― Drop down ladder is a vertical ladder normally held in the "up" position at the second floor balcony of the fire
escape by a hook. When this ladder is to be used, the hook is released and the drop ladder is lowered or dropped
to the ground.
DROP DOWN LADDER

― A vertical ladder fixed to the front or side of the lowest balcony
― held in the up position at the second balcony by a hook.
― lowered by lifting off the hook and letting it drop to the ground, are
heavy and can come free of track guides.
― A vertical ladder, the side rails of which are
curved at the top, used between the top
floor balcony of a fire escape and the roof.
― Normally used from the top floor balcony
to the roof.
― Normally lagged into roof joist.
― Sometimes have metal supports tied to
parapet or roof joists for support.
GOOSENECK LADDER
― Counterbalanced stairs are less common than drop down ladders. These fire escapes have a set of stairs that attach
to a hinge system.
― The stairs are held by a counterweight system and are designed to go down as the weight of the occupants are
applied to the stairs. These types of stairs are dangerous to operate.
COUNTERBALANCED LADDER

― It is critical not to stand or operate under the stairs or the counterbalance
weight.
THE PARTYWALL BALCONY
― A Structure built as an emergency means of egress from a building which
will afford horizontal access to an adjoining building or apartment
separated by a fire wall. They do not have ladders to ascend or descend
from floor to floor or to the roof.
― May connect two or more buildings.
― MOSTLY found in old tenement areas.
― No ladders or stairs connecting the balconies to allow floor to floor
movement.
― No Fire Wall ,No Gooseneck Ladder , No stairs or ladders between floors.
― Occupants use the balcony to enter adjoining buildings (essentially a horizontal exit).
― Entry into adjoining building(s) may be hampered by window gates or other security
measures.
― May have to be removed by ground and/or aerial ladders. may become overcrowded
very quickly, causing overloading and possible collapse.
OCCUPANTS ESCAPING FIRE CONDITIONS

― An escape chute is a special kind of emergency exit, used where conventional fire escape stairways are impractical.
― The chute is a fabric (or occasionally metal) tube installed near a special exit on an upper floor or roof of a building,
or a tall structure.
― During use, the chute is deployed, and may be secured at the bottom by a fire fighting crew some distance out
from the building. Once the tube is ready, escapees enter the tube and slide down to a lower level or the ground
level.
ESCAPE CHUTE

― A semi-enclosed means of egress serving all floors with landings at each floor. Entry is through a doorway instead
of a window.
― Often found where large number of people are within the building, (manufacturing, schools, public assemblies) .
some have screened fence at stairway. there also may be a cover over the platform and stairs, also exposed to the
elements. Entry is normally through doorway instead of a window.
EXTERIOR STAIRWAY
― May have been present for more
than 50 years.
― Exposed to the elements and
weakened by corrosion.
― Neglect or improper maintenance
making them extremely
dangerous.
― Broken, missing steps, the most
severe hazard to firefighters
― Open mortar joints or cracked
bricks at the connection points.
FIRE ESCAPE STRUCTURAL
HAZARD

3. Staircases and lift lobbies –
1. All enclosed staircases shall have access through self-closing door for fire resistance.
2. The staircase enclosures on the external wall of the building shall be ventilated to the atmosphere at each
landing.
3. There shall be no glazing or the glass bricks in any internal closing wall of staircase.
4. If the staircase is in the core of the building and cannot be ventilated at each landing, a positive pressure
of 5-mm. e.g. by electrically operated blowers shall be maintained.
BUILDING PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR FIRE PREVENTION
1. Passive fire protection (PFP) – PFP attempts to contain fires or slow the spread through use of fire-resistant walls,
floors, and doors.
2. Non combustible materials – building components like floors, walls, columns, beams, ceilings, roofs, shafts etc.
Should be fire rated building elements and have fire resistance rating as stated in the NBC.
4. All the floors shall be accessible for 24 hrs. by the lift. The lift provided in the buildings shall not be considered as
a means of escape in case of emergency.
5. If the lift shaft and lobby is in the core of the building a positive pressure between 25 and 30 pa shall be
maintained in the lobby and a possible pressure of 50 pa shall be maintained in the lift shaft.
6. The mechanism for the pressurization shall act automatically with the fire alarm/sprinkler system and it shall be
possible to operate this mechanically also.
7. For buildings 15.0 m. and above in height, collapsible gates shall not be permitted for lifts and solid doors with
fire resistance of at least one hour shall be provided.

HOW TO ESCAPE THE FIRE
― Escaping with elevators.
― Escaping through staircases.
― Rescuing people by firemen and rescue services.
― Rescuing with a telescopic ladder. Rescuing people through the windows. Emergency escaping
with the rescue hose.
MEANS OF ESCAPE
― Time of evacuation
― Travel distances , Capacity of Exits .
― Calculation of Exit Widths .
― Calculation of Minimum Number of Exits
Class ‘A’ construction – 3 minutes
Class ‘B’ construction – 2.5 minutes
Class ‘C’ construction – 2 minutes
TIME OF EVACUATION
CAPACITY OF EXITS
― The unit of exit width, used to measure the capacity of any exit, shall be 500 mm. A clear width of 250 mm shall
be counted as an additional half unit. Clear widths less than 250 mm shall not be counted for exit width.
― The total occupants from a particular floor must evacuate within 2½ minutes for Type 1 construction, 1½ minutes
for Type 2 construction and 1 minute for Type 3 construction. Size of the exit door/exitway shall be calculated
accordingly keeping in view the travel distance as per Table.

― A storey exit into a protected stairway or to the lobby approached by stairway.
― A door in a compartment wall or separating wall leading to an alternative exit.
― A door which leads directly to a protected stair or a final exit via a protected corridor.
TRAVEL DISTANCE (PLACES OF RELATIVE SAFETY)
U = N / (40 x T)
Where: - U = number of units required;
N = number of occupants;
40 = standard rate of flow – constant;
T = Flow time (i.e. 3 mins for Class ‘A’, 2.5 mins for Class ‘B’ and 2 mins for Class ‘C’)
CALCULATIONS OF EXIT WIDTH
E = U / 4 + 1
E = number of exits
U = number of units of exit width (from exit width formula);
4 = size of largest exit permitted.
1 added to ensure there would always be at least one unit
CALCULATIONS OF MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXIT

― https://www.phoenixfirenc.com/types-fire-protection
― https://www.fireline.com/2-types-fire-protection/
― https://www.ifsecglobal.com/sprinklers/types-fire-sprinkler-systems-designs-colour-codes-
suppliers/
― http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FormB/EC/Risk_Assessment/19032018OZ
72TU32RiskAssessment.pdf
― https://polycarbonateroofings.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/passive-fire-protection-in-
chennai-12/
― https://www.slideshare.net/gauravashist/active-fire-protection-system?qid=b6721148-
d254-4639-8721-9adbb97a9ddd&v=&b=&from_search=28
― http://nebula.wsimg.com/009133c43b834fdcaf5069023bb67a7d?AccessKeyId=28A1E6251C
FF04C6D154&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
― https://www.vikingsprinkler.com/esfr.php
― https://www.frontierfireprotection.com/sprinkler-heads-fire-protection/
― http://urpravo2.ru/types-of-sprinkler-heads/
― https://www.slideshare.net/RanjitMarketing/types-of-fire-sprinkler-heads
― file:///C:/Users/HETVI/Downloads/services-150923131804-lva1-app6892.pdf
― https://www.slideserve.com/richard-hartman/fire-escapes
REFERENCES

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