Fire Fighting System: Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD - 20CE34P 2021-22

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Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD – 20CE34P 2021-22

Fire Fighting System


1 Introduction
Protection from fire damage is essential to the preservation of building and its materials. A
firefighting system is probably the most important of building services, its aim is to protect human
life and property.

Buildings must be constructed in accordance with the building code that is in effect when an
application for a building permit is made. Fire Fighting, techniques and equipment are used to
extinguish fires and limit the damage caused by them. And it consists of large tanks, pumping system,
network of pipes, and hydrants or sprinklers.

All the floors in a multi storey building should be equipped with a fire detection and alarm system
wired directly to the local fire department 24-hour monitor. Most firefighting consists of applying
water to the burning material, cooling it to the point at which combustion is no longer self-sustaining.
Fires involving flammable liquids, certain chemicals, and combustible metals often require special
extinguishing agents and techniques. With some fuels the use of water may actually be dangerous.

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2 Fire Classification:
The classification of fire is from the following six categories:

Category Material Example

Class A Combustible materials (Flammable solids Wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastic etc.
usually of an organic nature)

Class B Flammable liquids Petrol, diesel, paint etc.

Class C Flammable gases Hydrogen, butane or methane etc.

Class D Combustible metals Magnesium, Aluminium or potassium etc.

Class E Electrical equipment Computers, generators etc.

Class F Cooking oils Kitchen oil and fats

3 Importance of providing Fire-fighting system


Fire safety and fire-fighting systems for buildings requires knowledge and understanding of hazards
to decrease the potential fire occurrence and its risk to life and property during fire.

When fire occurs, injury and death might be due to asphyxiation from poisons fume and smoke, burns
from direction exposure to the fire, heart attacks because of stress and exertion, impact resulted from
structural collapse, explosions, and falls.

Fire and Emergency Services department had been insisting that fire-fighting equipment be in place
only in high rise buildings, i.e., industrial, commercial buildings above 15 meters and residential
buildings above 18m height.

The life safety and property protection are not only influenced by the design of the structure and its
fire protection measure but also, they affected by construction material quality, maintenance and
building content.

Case study--Bangalore: A major fire break out in the Carlton Towers, a multi-storeyed commercial
complex in the year 2010 which was located in Old Airport Road in Domlur area, nine persons were
killed-- 3 of them jumping to death in panic, 70 persons were injured.

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The fire was caused by a spark in the lift service cable, in the second floor and spread through the
duct with smoke engulfing the remaining floors.

The investigation was made on the safety aspects of the building, including the fire safety and found
that there was some violation of building norms.

➢ The designated open space was subsequently converted into a commercial premises, thus
obstructing the ingress and egress during emergency.
➢ Certain pillars were found to have been constructed in the areas earmarked as open space
hampering the movement of fire-fighting equipment.

Fire accident in buildings is quite common and once it happens, it may cause a great loss. Fire alarm
system and fire-fighting system are crucial as it can reduce damage and loss.

Fire in most cases is originated by a spark from electronic appliances which is caused by a negligence
from users coupled with lack of maintenance; all create a short circuit.

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3.1. Short circuit


For generations, the most common root of fire accident is short circuit. Human always use electronic
appliances as it is convenient, when missed a regular maintenance, short circuit eventually arise.

3.2. Accidents from using electronic appliances


Even all electronic appliances and equipment are all examined and certified with specified voltage,
the misuse and inattentiveness such as plug in the electronic appliances forever can heat up the
appliances and causing ignitability and explosion.

It is strongly recommended to unplug electronic appliances after use as a standard practice and
frequent audit defects of those appliances and parts are essential.

Damage of fire accident in buildings without fire and safety prevention system is very dangerous.
Therefore, there is a law enforcement on this matter in order to protect life and assets.

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4 Fire safety requirement in building


Buildings shall be planned, designed and constructed to ensure fire safety and this shall be done in
accordance with part IV Fire Protection of National Building Code of India, unless otherwise
specified in these Bye-Laws.

The residential buildings up to stilt + five floors (below 18 metres) should have hose reel, manual
alarm and fire extinguishers. If any building has a cellar with more than 200 square metres, the builder
has to provide a sprinkler system in the building.

If the building is a commercial one and less than 15 metres height, they too have to provide equipment
as per norms. The width of staircase should be at least 1.5 metres in commercial and 1.2 metres for
residential buildings.

4.1. Provisions of Exterior Open Spaces around the Building


The setbacks of the respective building shall be as per Master Plan, detailed Layout Plan, general
Development Plan.

As per Building Bye-Laws shall have exterior open spaces around the buildings shall be as given in
Table

In case of multi storeyed buildings the exterior open space around a building shall be of hard surface
capable to taking load of fire engine weighting upto 45 tonnes.

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4.2. Static Water Storage Tank


A satisfactory supply of water exclusively for the purpose of firefighting shall always be available in
the form of underground static storage tank.

The static storage water supply should be accessible to the fire tenders of the local fire service.

Provision of suitable number of manholes shall be made available for inspection repairs and insertion
of suction hose etc.

To prevent stagnation of water in the static water tank the suction tank of the domestic water supply
shall be fed only through an over flow arrangement to maintain the level therein at the minimum
specified capacity.

4.3. Provision of Staircase


For buildings identified in Bye-Laws there shall be minimum of two
staircases and one of them shall be enclosed stairway and the other
shall be on the external walls of building and shall open directly to the
exterior, interior open space or to any open place of safety.

Single staircase may be accepted for commercial building where floor


area does not exceed 300 sqm. and height of the building does not
exceed 24 m.

The use of spiral staircase shall be limited to low occupant load and to
a building height 9m.

4.4. Provision of Lifts


❖ Provision of the lifts shall be made for all multi-storeyed building having a height of 15.0 m. and
above.

❖ 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.

❖ Grounding switch at ground floor level to enable the fire service to ground the lift car in case of
emergency shall also be provided.

❖ The lift machine room shall be separate and no other machinery be installed in it.

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4.5. Automatic Sprinklers


An automatic sprinkler is a fire-suppression or fire-control device with a heat-activated element. The
sprinkler operates automatically when the air temperature rises or reaches above the device's specified
temperature rating.

Automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all buildings of 24 m. and above in height. In case of
buildings like hotels, mercantile, and institutional buildings of 15 m. and above automatic sprinkler
systems are provided. Also, it is mandatory to provide in underground shopping complex and
underground parking area.

4.6. Fire Alarm System


Fire Alarm System is designed to alert us to an emergency so that we can take action to protect
ourselves, staff and the general public.

Whatever the method of detection is, if the alarm is


triggered, sounders will operate to warn people in the
building that there may be a fire and to evacuate.

The fire alarm system may also incorporate a remote


signal system which could then alert the fire department
via a central station.

All buildings of 15m. and above in height shall be equipped with fire alarm system, and also
residential buildings above 24 m. height.

4.7. Control Room


❖ There shall be a control room on the entrance floor of the building with communication system
to all floors and facilities for receiving the message from different floors.

❖ Details of all floor plans along with the details of firefighting equipment and installation shall be
maintained in the Control Room.

❖ The Control Room shall also have facility to detect the fire on any floor through indicator boards
connecting fire detection and alarm system on all floors.

❖ The staff in charge of the Control Room shall be responsible for the maintenance of the various
services and firefighting equipment and installation.
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❖ The Control Room shall be manned round the clock by trained firefighting staff.

4.8. House Keeping


A high standard of housekeeping must be insisted upon by all concerned. There must be no laxity in
this respect. It must be borne in mind that fire safety is dependent to a large extent upon good
housekeeping.

Good House-Keeping includes the following:

❖ Maintaining the entire premises in neat and clean condition

❖ Ensuring that rubbish and combustible material are not thrown about or allowed to accumulate,
even in small quantity, in any portion of the building

❖ Providing metal waste paper basket (of non-combustible material) at suitable locations for
disposal of waste.

❖ Ensuring that all electrical and mechanical service equipments are maintained in good working
condition at all times

❖ Ensuring that self-closing fire/smoke check doors close properly and that the doors are not
wedged open and are maintained in good condition.

4.9. Provision of Helipad


All high-rise buildings 50 m. and above shall have provision for a Helipad on the terrace. The same
shall be approved by the Authority

4.10. Fire Prevention


❖ In addition to the safety measures the following fire prevention measures must be implemented
when the building is in occupation.

❖ Storage of flammable substances, such as diesel oil, gasoline, motor oils, etc must not be allowed
anywhere within the building.

❖ Where heaters are used during winters, all heaters, except convector heaters, must be fitted with
guards. It must be kept away from curtains. Heaters must not be left unattended while they are
switched on. Use of heaters must be prohibited in the entire basement, fire control room and in
all-weather maker rooms throughout the building
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❖ Filling up of old furniture and other combustible materials such as scrap paper, rags, etc. must not
be permitted anywhere in the building.

❖ More than one portable electrical appliance must not be connected to any single electrical outlet.

❖ All shutters/doors of main switch panels and compartments for electrical cables must be kept
locked.

❖ Fire detectors must not be painted under any circumstances and must also be kept free from
lime/distemper.

4.11. Fire Evacuation Maps


Fire evacuation maps are simplified building schematics that guide building users away from an
imminent threat or hazardous area. Typically, these maps show building features such as rooms,
doors, exits, hallways, stairwells, and more. Evacuation maps will also show a ‘You Are Here’
location and safe egress routes.

An emergency evacuation maps keep employees, customers, and visitors safe. Not only do they give
clear direction in the event of a fire, but they may be used during fire drills to confirm everyone is
following the safest egress routes.

Evacuation maps must be simple and easy to understand. Specific features to include in map will vary
depending on the building and the environment.

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Common features of an emergency evacuation map include

• You are here location


• Location of fire alarm
• Location of fire extinguishers, hose reels
• Emergency exit or egress routes
• Alternate exit routes
• Clear Map Legend
• Assembly points

Assembly points or gathering points are open space to safely accommodate and evacuate the people
in building during the time of emergency.

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