Fire Safety-
Systems, Norms &
Guidelines
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The Fire
Three things must be present at the same time to
produce fire:
1. Enough OXYGEN to sustain combustion
2. Enough HEAT to reach ignition temperature
3. Some FUEL or combustible material
Together, they produce the CHEMICAL
REACTION that is fire
Take away any of these things and the fire will be extinguished
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The Fire Triangle
Fire Safety, at its most basic, is based upon the
principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition
sources separate.
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FIRE Safety Approach – Passive
Passive Fire Protection approaches are
those which are adopted at the planning
stage of the building or facility:
– Provision of adequate Fire Resistance of the
structure.
– Provision of proper FAR, open spaces.
– Provision of adequate access to sufficient
and readily available water supply etc. for
fire brigade.
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FIRE Safety Approach – Passive
• Compulsory open spaces
– Around the building (i.e 4.5 mtr(min)) [free
from parking].
– The radius at the turnings minimum 9 mtr.
The width of entry shall not be less than 5
mtr (clear).
• Sufficient no. of Exits
• Travel Distance to the nearest exit –
maximum 22.5 mt.
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FIRE Safety Approach – Passive
• The panels of partitions shall be of fire
retarding Material having metallic
frame
• All furniture in technical rooms shall
be of steel. Plastic or wooden
furniture should not be used.
• Escape routes shall be marked clearly
with red arrows and should be free
from all obstructions. 6
FIRE Safety Approach – Passive
• Cable trenches inside substation shall
be filled with pebbles or sand, and
covered with rcc slabs or steel plates
• It is absolutely essential to ensure
that fuse wire of correct rating are
used in distribution system.
• The false ceiling of Air-conditioning
and its fixtures shall be non-
combustible material. 7
FIRE Safety Approach – Passive
• To enable fire service personnel, one
lift shall be designated as “FIRE LIFT”
with provision of alternative source of
supply. The word “FIRE LIFT” shall be
displayed at each floor.
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FIRE Safety Approach – Active
Active fire protection approaches
are those which operate (manual/
Automatic) in the event of out
break of fire
– Fire Extinguisher
– Automatic/Manual Fire Alarm
System
– Wet Riser System
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Active FIRE Safety Approach
– Fire Extinguisher
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Fuel Classifications
• Fires are classified according to the type of
fuel that is burning.
• If we use the wrong type of fire
extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, we
might make matters worse.
• Its very important to understand the four
different fire (fuel) classifications…
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Fuel Classifications
Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics—
solids that are not metals.
Class B: Flammable liquids—gasoline, oil,
grease, acetone, petrol, diesel. Includes
flammable gases.
Class C: Electrical—energized electrical
equipment. As long as it’s “plugged in.”
Class D: Metals—potassium, sodium,
aluminum, magnesium.
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Extinguishers
Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics—
solids that are not metals. WATER, FOAM
Class B: Flammable liquids—gasoline, oil,
grease, acetone, petrol, diesel. Includes
flammable gases. FOAM, CO2, , DRY POWDER
Class C: Electrical—energized electrical
equipment. As long as it’s “plugged in.” CO2
Class D: Metals—potassium, sodium,
aluminum, magnesium. SPECIAL DRY CHEMICAL
POWDER
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Fire Extinguisher
• Admn. Building:- For every 300 sq mt of
floor area – 1 no. 4.5 Kg CO2 type extinguisher
• Tech. Building:- For every 100 sq mt of
floor area – 1 no. 4.5 Kg CO2 type extinguisher
• A person does not have to travel more than 15
mt. to reach the nearest extinguisher
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Active FIRE Safety Approach
– Automatic / Manual fire
Alarm System
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Automatic / Manual fire
Alarm System
• Exchanges up to 1K are to be provided
with manual fire alarm system (Hooter
& Pill boxes)
• Automatic Fire Alarm System :
– For exchanges more than 1K lines.
– Building other than Telephone Exchange
– It should be as per Local fire by laws. If
it is not available than & If building
height > 15m – Automatic fire alarm is
must.
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Components
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Automatic / Manual fire Alarm
System
• Manual Call points shall be so located to
ensure that these are readily accessible to
occupants without having to travel more
than 22.5 mt.
• Detectors are provided by utilizing Zonal
Concept- Z 5/7 Zone 5 & Sr. No. 7
detector
• Provision for automatic connection to fire
station through external public telephone
lines.
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Automatic / Manual fire Alarm
System
• Fire control room of 4m x 4m (min.)
at ground floor entrance lobby for
high-rise buildings.
• Mimic diagram near panels
• Talk Back facilities between panels
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Active FIRE Safety Approach
– Wet riser System
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Wet riser System
• There may be Dry or Wet riser
• For buildings above 15 mt. in height
one wet riser for every 1000 sq. mtr
or part is required.
• Underground water storage capacity:-
50,000 lt (up to 15m); 1,00,000 lt
(15m to 24m)
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Components
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Wet riser System-
Components
• Down comers- pressure at topmost
point 3.5 Kg/cm2
• Landing Valves
• Hose Pipes in hose box (2 nos 15 m
length)
• Hose reel/ first aid reel
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Wet riser System-
Components
• Pumps
– Jockey Pump (for small pressure
drop)
– Main Electrical Fire Pump ( manual
shut off)
– Standby Diesel Fire Pump
• Fire Brigade Inlet
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Organization structure in a
Multistory building
1.Fire Safety Officer/Dy. Fire
Safety Officer
2.Floor Warden/ D. Floor
Warden
3.Staff
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Duties-Fire Safety Officer :
Responsible for maintenance and
upkeep of Fire Alarm & Fire
Fighting (FA & FF) system.
Organize periodical inspections &
performance Tests.
Responsible for training of Floor
Warden/Dy. Floor Warden
(FW/DFW).
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Go round the building once in a day;
check the housekeeping operations;
Inspect FF appliances for any visible
damage; Check availability of
FW/DFW.
Familiarize himself with fire safety
plan & operation of FA & FF system.
Maintain liaison with local fire
brigade.
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Organize fire drills with assistance of
local fire brigade – once in six months.
In the event of fire – take overall
command of FF and evacuation
operations; position himself in control
room & give necessary instructions to
FW/DFW on PA system/ Telephone;
Ensure fire brigade intimation; Assist
fire brigade.
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Duties- Deputy Fire Safety Officer :
All functions of fire safety officer
in his absence; perform routine
functions delegated to him.
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Duties- Floor Warden/ D. Floor Warden :
Shall familiarize themselves with FA &
FF appliances on the floor, location of
exist etc.
Damages if noticed-- shall be reported
to fire safety officer.
Shall check for obstructions, if any in
escape route and arrange to remove
them promptly.
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Shall check fire telephone daily.
Shall keep particulars of physically
handicapped occupants on each floor
for timely evacuation.
In case of fire – ascertain the
location of fire & take steps to
extinguish it with available
appliances; Intimation to fire safety
officer; organize evacuation
operations on the floor;
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Cheek the environment in
the stairs prior to evacuation.
If it is affected by smoke,
alternative stairs shall be used.
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Fire Safety Plan
Fire safety plan shall be drawn up in
consultation with the local fire
brigade and concerned Electrical
units; it also includes printing and
displaying of fire safety instructions
to the staff.
Fire safety plan shall specify action
to be taken by FW/DFW, A/C Staff,
liftmen, pump operator, S/Stn staff;
copy av. with fire brigade.
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Records : Log books of following should
be maintain -
1) Fire Alarm System – Record of
inspection notes, details of
replacements, modification,
abnormal behavior, corrective
measures etc.
2) Wet Riser System - Inspection notes
of pump, wet risers, static water
tanks etc.; record of deficiencies,
replacements etc.
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3) Fire Extinguisher – S.No..
Of extinguisher, type,
location, date of
purchase, inspection,
repairs and recharging.
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Typical Action Plan in Case of Fire
Action by Staff (General Instructions) :
1) On discovering fire, break the glass
of the nearest pill box.
2) Attack the fire with nearest
accessible extinguisher. Handle the
extinguisher only it you know how
to operate it.
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3)Do not use water for
extinguishing fire in electrical
installations unless power supply
is disconnected.
4)Inform your FW/DFW & Fire
brigade.
5)In case of fire in electrical
installation, inform substation to
disconnect mains supply.
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6) If you hear evacuation alarm/
instructions, leave the floor
immediately.
• Follow the nearest escape route
unless otherwise instructed. Do not
create panic.
• Do not crowd in staircase lobby.
• Do not use lifts for escape unless
instructed.
• Do not go to toilets.
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Action by FW/DFW :
In addition to earlier general instructions -
1) If fire in your floor, take charge of FF
operation.
2) Ensure to alert all staff members.
3) If fire on another floor, send one
representative to the warden of the
affected floor and rush extra manual
help/ first aid equipment, if required.
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4) Ensure A.C. blowers are switched OFF.
5) In case of fire in Telecom equipment/
power distribution system, inform power
room to disconnect mains as well as
batteries.
6) On getting evacuation instructions,
examine the escape routs on floor and
arrange evacuation in orderly manner. DO
NOT LEAVE TILL ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS
ARE EVACUATED.
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7)After fire is extinguished, inform
all other FWs/ Fire safety officer.
8)In case of absence of fire safety
officer or Dy. F.S.O., the senior
most available F.W. shall take
over all command of
FF/evacuation operators.
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Thank You
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