Fire Fighting System: Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD - 20CE34P 2021-22
Fire Fighting System: Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD - 20CE34P 2021-22
Fire Fighting System: Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD - 20CE34P 2021-22
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.
2 Fire Classification:
The classification of fire is from the following six categories:
Class A Combustible materials (Flammable solids Wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastic etc.
usually of an organic nature)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The use of spiral staircase shall be limited to low occupant load and to
a building height 9m.
❖ 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.
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.
All buildings of 15m. and above in height shall be equipped with fire alarm system, and also
residential buildings above 24 m. height.
❖ 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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Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD – 20CE34P 2021-22
❖ The Control Room shall be manned round the clock by trained firefighting staff.
❖ 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.
❖ 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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Building Planning and Drawing Using CADD – 20CE34P 2021-22
❖ 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.
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.
Assembly points or gathering points are open space to safely accommodate and evacuate the people
in building during the time of emergency.