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Automatic fire suppression systems
37BNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A building shall be designed and constructed with a suitable automatic fire suppression system. This regulation applies only to— (a) a building, containing one or more flats, with a storey more than 1
fire-safetyhigh-risehrbflatsIntroduction to facilities and access provisions in Section 6
0.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The guidance in Section 6 relating to facilities and access is for the purposes of assisting the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure the safety of people in and around a building. Generally in small bu
fire-safetyhigh-riseFirefighting lift
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting lift – a lift designed to have additional protection, with controls that enable it to be used under the direct control of the Fire and Rescue Service when fighting a fire.
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseFirefighting lobby
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting lobby – a protected lobby for providing access from a firefighting stairway to the accommodation area and to any associated firefighting lift.
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeFirefighting shaft
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting shaft – a protected enclosure containing a firefighting stairway, firefighting lobbies and, if provided, a firefighting lift together with its machinery.
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseFirefighting stairway
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting stairway – a protected stairway communicating with the accommodation area only through a firefighting lobby.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshrbhigh-riseDefined term: Unprotected area
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Unprotected area – in relation to a side or external wall of a building means – (a) a window, door or other opening; (b) any part of the external wall which has less than the relevant fire resistance
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseProvisions for dwellinghouse with one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level
2.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with only one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) the top storey should – (i) be separated from the lower storeys by fire-resisting construction; and (ii) have an altern
dwellinghigh-risemeans-of-escapefire-safetystairsAdditional provisions for dwellinghouses with multiple storeys above 4.5 m
2.14NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with two or more storeys more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) all storeys above the storey containing the final exit should be served by a protected stairway which complies with
dwellinghigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsDucted air circulation systems in dwellinghouses with storeys over 4.5 m
2.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with a storey more than 4.5 m above ground level, any system of ducted air circulation should – (a) not be fitted with transfer grilles between any room and a protected stairway; (b
dwellingfire-safetyhigh-riseventilationPassenger lifts in dwellinghouses with storeys over 4.5 m
2.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a passenger lift is provided and serves a storey more than 4.5 m above ground level it should either – (a) be located in the enclosure of a protected stairway; or (b) be contained in a fire-resi
dwellingfire-safetyhigh-riseCorridor/lobby vents in multiple stair buildings over 11 m
2.34DNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a multiple stair building with a storey over 11 m above ground level, the corridor/lobby vents should activate automatically, as per the guidance for a single stair building.
flatshigh-risefire-safetyEscape Stairway Capacity Formula for Buildings More Than 10 Storeys
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
(ii) in a building of more than 10 storeys – that derived from the formula – P = 200w + 50(w – 0.3)(n – 1) for stairs not less than 1100 mm wide, where P = the number of people that can be accommodate
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshigh-riseWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Even Population Distribution
Worked examples (a)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A building comprises 12 storeys of offices (ground + 11). What is the minimum width needed for the stairs serving the office floors with a population of 1200 people (excluding the ground floor populat
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Uneven Population Distribution - Lower Floors
Worked examples (b)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The population is not distributed evenly (e.g. 1000 people occupy floors 1 to 9, and 200 occupy floors 10 to 11). As the top office storey is at a height greater than 18 m, both stairs need added prot
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Uneven Population Distribution - Upper Floors
Worked examples (b)(i)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
To find the width of the stairs serving floors 10 to 11 – P = 200/2 = 100, n = 2 From the formula – 100 = 200w + 50(w - 0.3)(2 - 1) 100 = 200w + (50w - 15)(1) 100 = 200w + 50w - 15 115 = 250w w = 0.46
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeRequirements for phased evacuation buildings
2.66(a)-(g)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In such a building, or part of a building – (a) every escape stairway should be approached through a protected lobby or protected corridor at each storey, other than at a top storey consisting exclusi
means-of-escapefire-safetyhrbhigh-risestairsaccessibilityStair width limitation for storeys above 30 m
Table 2.7 Note (2)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the stair serves a storey more than 30 m above ground level the width should not exceed 1400 mm [see paragraph 2.63(d)].
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshigh-risenon-domesticRefuge in a stair with wheelchair space
Diagram 2.12, para. 2.78NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Diagram 2.12 Refuge in a stair Provision where access to the wheelchair space is counter to the access flow within the stairway
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeaccessibilityhrbhigh-riseRefuge formed by compartmentation in stairway
Diagram 2.13, para. 2.78NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Diagram 2.13 Refuge formed by compartmentation Storey divided into two refuges by compartment wall (stairways not provided with wheelchair space). Note: Persons occupying the left-hand compartment wou
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbhigh-risePressurization systems compatibility with building services
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a pressurization system is installed in a protected stairway all mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems in the building should be compatible with it when operating under fire condit
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbhigh-riseMinimum periods of fire resistance by building use and height
Table 4.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 4.2 NEW Minimum periods of fire resistance Purpose group of building | Minimum period (minutes) for elements of structure and other components of the building forming part of Basement storey+ i
fire-safetystructuraldwellingflatsnon-domesticcommercialindustrialhigh-riseCompartmentation requirements by building purpose group
4.18NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
(c) in a building of Purpose Group 2 – (i) every floor; and (ii) in the case of a health care building – a wall needed to divide a storey into compartments for means of escape purposes; (d) in a build
fire-safetycompartmentationhigh-risenon-domesticCavity barriers in rain screen cladding voids
Table 4.6, Item 9NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Within the void behind the external face of rain screencladding at every floor level, and on the line of compartment walls abutting the external wall, of buildings which have a floor more than 18 m ab
fire-safetyhigh-risehrbAlternative arrangement of cavity barriers in roof space over protected stairway
Diagram 4.6, para 4.36(a) and Table 4.6 item 2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Alternative arrangement of cavity barriers in roof space over a protected stairway in a dwellinghouse of three or more storeys. (a) With cavity barrier(s) as required by Table 4.6. (b) Alternative arr
fire-safetycavity-barriersdwellingstairshigh-riseCombustibility of External Walls – General Principle
5.2ANI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The external walls of a building should not provide a medium for fire spread if that is likely to be a risk to health and safety. Combustible materials, cavities in external walls and attachments to e
fire-safetyhigh-riseexternal-spaceMaterials and Products for High-Rise Buildings
5.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a building has a storey the floor of which is 18 m or more above ground level, any insulation material, and any filler material (such as the core materials of metal composite panels, sandwich pa
hrbhigh-risefire-safetyexternal-spaceReaction to fire performance of external surface of walls
Table 5.1ANI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 5.1A Reaction to fire performance of external surface of walls Building Type | Building height | Less than 1m from the relevant boundary | 1m or more from the relevant boundary 'Relevant build
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseexternal-spaceRegulation 23(2) - Materials in External Walls of Relevant Buildings
5.4DNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Regulation 23(2) applies to any building with a storey at least 18m above ground level and which contains one or more dwellings; an institution; or a room for residential purposes (excluding any room
dwellinghigh-risefire-safetyhrbScope of Regulation 23(2) - Building Types Included
5.4D Note 1NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The above includes any building with a storey at least 18m above ground level that contains student accommodation, care homes, nursing homes, sheltered housing, hospitals, dormitories in boarding scho
dwellinghigh-risefire-safetyhrbpublic-buildingUnprotected areas in external walls
5.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Any part of an external wall which has less fire resistance than that required by Section 4 should be considered to be an unprotected area. Where an external wall has the appropriate fire resistance
fire-safetyexternal-spacehrbhigh-risePermitted unprotected percentages in relation to enclosing rectangles (Method 3) for 18 m high buildings
Table 5.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Enclosing rectangle 18 m high Width of enclosing rectangle (m): 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, No limit Distance from relevant boundary for unprotected percentage not
fire-safetyhigh-riseexternal-spacePermitted unprotected percentages in relation to enclosing rectangles (Method 3) for 27m high buildings
Table 5.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 5.4 Permitted unprotected percentages in relation to enclosing rectangles (Method 3) (cont'd) Width of enclosing rectangle (m) | Distance from relevant boundary for unprotected percentage not e
fire-safetyhigh-riseexternal-spaceFirefighting Shafts - General Requirements
6.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In low rise buildings without deep basements fire and rescue personnel access requirements will be met by a combination of the normal means of escape in the building and the measures for vehicle acces
fire-safetyhigh-risehrbFirefighting Shafts - When Required
6.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A building should be provided with a firefighting shaft or shafts, to serve all storeys, where – (a) it has a storey more than 18 m above fire and rescue access level; (b) it is a building of Purpose
fire-safetyhigh-risehrbcommercialFirefighting shaft scope - basement and upper storey service requirements
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
However, a firefighting shaft provided under (a) or (b) need not serve a basement storey unless (c) or (d) applies and similarly a firefighting shaft provided under (c) or (d) need not serve an upper
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeFirefighting shaft components and outlet locations
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
NOTES: 1. Outlets from a fire main should be located in the firefighting lobby or, in the case of a shaft serving flats, in the firefighting stairway (see Diagram b). 2. Smoke control should be provid
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseflatsmeans-of-escapeFire resistance requirements for firefighting shaft
Diagram 6.0NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Minimum fire resistance REI 120 from accommodation side and REI 60 from inside the shaft with E 60 Sa fire doors Minimum fire resistance REI 60 from both sides with E 30 Sa fire doors
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapefire-resistanceFirefighting shafts with lifts for large buildings
6.3ANI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A minimum of two firefighting shafts (each containing a firefighting lift) should be provided to buildings with a storey that has a floor area of 900 m2 or more and a floor level 18 m or more above fi
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeFirefighting shafts without lifts
6.3BNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A minimum of two firefighting shafts (which do not need to include a firefighting lift) should be provided to buildings where 6.3(b) applies.
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeLocation of firefighting shafts and distance requirements
6.3CNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting shafts and protected stairways should be located such that – (a) If the building is fitted throughout with a sprinkler system in accordance with Section 8, then sufficient fire-fighting s
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeMinimum number of firefighting shafts by floor area
6.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a building is to be provided with firefighting shafts the minimum number (subject to paragraph 6.5) should be – (a) where a building is fitted throughout with an automatic sprinkler system compl
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeMaximum hose route distance from fire main outlet
6.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting shafts should be located so that every part of every storey (other than fire and rescue access level) is not more than 60 m from a fire main outlet, measured on a route suitable for layin
hrbhigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapeDiagram 6.1B: Location of firefighting shafts - hose laying distances
Diagram 6.1BNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Location of firefighting shafts: hose laying distances With sprinklers: 45m floor plan within 45m hose laying distance from fire main outlet Without sprinklers: 60m floor plan within 60m hose laying
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeFire mains types and supply
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Fire mains may be of the dry type which are normally empty and are supplied through hose from a fire and rescue pumping appliance. Alternatively, they may be of the wet type where they are kept full o
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseFire main requirements for firefighting shafts
6.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A firefighting shaft should be provided with – (a) a wet fire main where it has a storey more than 50 m above fire and rescue access level; or (b) a wet or a dry fire main in any other case.
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeFire main location and outlets
6.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The fire main should be located in the firefighting lobbies of the firefighting shaft and should have an outlet connection and valve at every level other than at fire and rescue access level. However,
fire-safetyhrbhigh-risemeans-of-escapeFire main design and construction standards
6.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The design and construction of a fire main should be in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 9990.
fire-safetyhrbhigh-riseHigh Reach Appliance Vehicle Access and Hardstanding Dimensions
Diagram 6.2, para 6.20NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Diagram 6.2 Relationship between a building and a vehicle access route or a vehicular hardstanding area for a high reach appliance Type of appliance | Dimensions | Hydraulic Turntable platform (m) |
fire-safetymeans-of-escapehrbhigh-riseVehicle access and hardstanding for high reach appliances
6.21NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the height of the top storey of a building is more than 11 m above the level of the adjoining ground the vehicle access route and the vehicular hardstanding area should be suitable for a high re
fire-safetyhigh-risehrb