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Fire Safety Classification Standards
Commission Decision 2000/367/ECNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Commission Decision of 3 May 2000 (2000/367/EC) implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards the classification of the resistance to fire performance of construction products, construction wor
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingflatscommercialindustrialpublic-buildingCar parks for light vehicles
0.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In buildings or separated parts of buildings used as parking for cars and other light vehicles the fire load is well defined and not particularly high. Fire spread is not likely to occur between one v
fire-safetynon-domesticMaterial of Limited Combustibility – European Classification
1.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A material of limited combustibility is under European classification – (a) any material or product classified as non-combustible under paragraph 1.8(a) or (b); or (b) a material or product classified
fire-safetynon-domestichrbCalculating occupant capacity in non-domestic buildings
2.37NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In buildings other than dwellings the number of escape routes needed depends on the number of occupants (occupant capacity). In some cases a room or a storey is designed to accommodate a known number
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeFire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings
2.38NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In buildings other than dwellings a suitable fire detection and fire alarm system to BS 5839-1 should be installed. The factors which have to be considered when assessing what category of fire detecti
non-domesticfire-safetyIndependent means of escape for different purpose groups
2.39NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a building contains areas in different purpose groups the means of escape from any area which is of Purpose Group 1(a), 2 or 5 should be independent of the means of escape from other areas of th
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeHorizontal escape routes to storey exits
2.40NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The provisions in paragraphs 2.41 to 2.59 relate to horizontal escape routes leading to storey exits. They are mainly concerned with providing more than one escape route (except in the circumstances d
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeSingle escape routes - permitted circumstances
2.41NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Alternative escape routes should be provided from all parts of the building other than in the following circumstances where a single route is permitted – (a) areas from which a storey exit can be reac
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeNumber of escape routes and exits by occupant capacity
2.43 and Table 2.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The number of escape routes and exits should be not less than the number given in Table 2.1 for the relevant occupant capacity of the room or storey as appropriate. The escape routes and exits should
means-of-escapefire-safetypublic-buildingnon-domesticFloor space factors for occupancy calculation
Table 2.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Floor space factors Item Type of accommodation (1)(2) Floor space factor m2 per person 1 Standing spectator areas 0.3 2 Amusement arcade, assembly hall (including a general purpose place of assembly)
fire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticcommercialassemblypublic-buildingTable 2.3: Limitations on Travel Distances
Table 2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.3 Limitations on travel distances Purpose group | Use of the building or part of the building | Maximum travel distance where travel is possible in – One direction only (m) | More than one di
fire-safetymeans-of-escapedwellingflatsnon-domesticpublic-buildingcommercialindustrialNote 3: Small Building Exemption
Table 2.3 Note (3)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In the case of a small building described in paragraph 2.68 the maximum travel distance in one direction only may be – (a) increased to 27 m in the ground storey; and (b) measured to the foot of the u
fire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticInner rooms - permissibility conditions
2.45NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An inner room is only permitted where – (a) the number of occupants of the inner room is not more than 60 people (or in the case of a building in Purpose Group 2(a), 30 people); (b) it is not a bedroo
fire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticStoreys with ancillary food and drink consumption areas
2.50NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a storey has an ancillary use for the consumption of food or drink by customers, the area given over to that use should – (a) have not less than two escape routes; and (b) have escape routes tha
non-domesticcommercialmeans-of-escapeStoreys divided into different occupancies
2.51NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a storey is divided into two or more occupancies (i.e. ownerships, tenancies or similar) the means of escape from one occupancy should not pass through any other occupancy. However, where the me
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeTable 2.4: Widths of escape routes and storey exits
Table 2.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.4 Widths of escape routes and storey exits Maximum number of people(1) | Minimum width(2)(3) mm 50 | 750(4) 110 | 850 220 | 1100 More than 220 | 5 per person(5) Notes: (1) Assessed as being
means-of-escapefire-safetynon-domesticDead End Corridors - Diagram 2.9
Diagram 2.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Key fire-resisting door fire-resisting construction protected corridor (a) T–junction with main corridor (b) Continuation past stairway
fire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticWorked 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-escapeMinimum stair width for phased evacuation
Table 2.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The minimum width of a stair for phased evacuation should be that given in Table 2.7 for the appropriate maximum number of people on the most heavily occupied storey. Table 2.7 Minimum width of escap
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticPhased evacuation stair width calculation for populations over 190
Table 2.7 Note (1)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the number of people (P) on the most heavily occupied storey is more than 190, the minimum width of the escape stair (W mm) should be calculated from W = (P x 10) – 100.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticStair 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-domesticUnprotected stairways in small buildings
2.68NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An unprotected stairway may be used as an escape stairway in a small building provided that – (a) the building is of Purpose Group 3 or 4 and is not used for bar or restaurant purposes; (b) the buildi
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticExits from protected stairways
2.70NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Every protected stairway should discharge either – (a) directly to a final exit; or (b) to a protected exit passageway leading only to a final exit. Where the stairway is lobbied, any door openings in
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticSeparation of adjoining protected stairways and protected exit passageways
2.71NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where two or more protected stairways or protected exit passageways adjoin they should be separated by an imperforate enclosure.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticUse of space within protected stairways
2.72NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A protected stairway, other than a firefighting stairway (see Section 6), should not contain any accommodation or services other than – (a) sanitary accommodation or wash rooms provided that they are
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticBasement stairways
2.73NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where an escape stairway forms part of the only escape route from an upper storey of a building (or part of a building) it should not serve a basement storey. Where there is more than one escape stair
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticExternal escape stairs
2.75NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where more than one escape route is available from a storey (or part of a building), one or more than one, of those routes may be by way of an external escape stair provided that – (a) there is at lea
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairspublic-buildingnon-domesticLimitations on the use of uninsulated glazing in enclosures and fire doors
Table 2.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.8 Limitations on the use of uninsulated glazing in enclosures and fire doors Position of glazed element | Permitted extent of glazing in parts of a building with access to – A single stair |
fire-safetyglazingmeans-of-escapedwellingflatsnon-domesticConstruction of escape stairs – materials of limited combustibility
2.93NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than in a dwellinghouse every escape stair and its associated landings should be constructed of materials of limited combustibility where – (a) it is the only stair serving the building (or part
fire-safetystairsmeans-of-escapenon-domesticArtificial lighting in escape routes (non-domestic buildings)
2.96NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than in a dwellinghouse all escape routes should have adequate artificial lighting. The areas listed in Table 2.9 should also have escape lighting, which will illuminate the escape route if the
non-domesticfire-safetymeans-of-escapeProvisions for escape lighting by purpose group
Table 2.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.9 Provisions for escape lighting Purpose Group 2: All common escape routes (including external escape routes) Purpose Groups 3, 4(2), 6 and 7(a): (a) Underground or windowless accommodation
fire-safetymeans-of-escapenon-domesticProtected power circuits
2.97NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where it is critical for electrical circuits to be able to continue to function during a fire, protected circuits are needed. The potential for damage to cables forming protected circuits should be li
fire-safetynon-domesticExit signs
2.98NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than in a dwellinghouse, exits on escape routes except those in normal use for egress, should be marked with signs which are readily visible so that the occupants of a building can clearly and r
fire-safetynon-domesticmeans-of-escapeWaste chutes and storage room requirements
2.102NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A room used for the storage of waste or containing a waste chute should be – (a) separated from other parts of the building by fire-resisting construction; (b) located outside protected stairways and
fire-safetynon-domestichrbFire classification of construction products
3.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Performance in terms of reaction to fire to be met by construction products is determined by Commission Decision 200/147/EC of 8th February 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards th
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingSurface classifications for walls and ceilings
Table 3.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 3.1 Surface classifications for walls and ceilings Type of building: Purpose Groups 1 and 2 Room(1) or circulation space: Rooms not exceeding 4 m2 | Surface class for both walls and ceilings Na
fire-safetydwellingnon-domesticWindows and internal glazing in circulation spaces and rooms
3.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A window in the external wall of a circulation space and all internal glazed areas should be glazed with a material having a classification not lower than that given in Table 3.1. A window in an exte
fire-safetyglazingnon-domesticdwellingLimitations on Class 3 plastic rooflights and thermoplastic rooflights and lighting diffusers in suspended ceilings
Table 3.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 3.2 Limitations on Class 3 plastic rooflights and thermoplastic rooflights and lighting diffusers in suspended ceilings | Minimum classification of lower surface | Use of space below rooflight
fire-safetyglazingdwellingnon-domesticTable 4.1: Fire Resistance Test Provisions for Building Elements
Table 4.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 4.1 Specific provisions of test for fire resistance of elements of structure and other components of a building (cont'd) Part of building | Minimum provisions when tested to the relevant part o
fire-safetyhrbstructuraldwellingnon-domesticMinimum 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-riseFire Resistance Periods for Car Parks (Table 4.2 cont'd)
Table 4.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Purpose group of building: 7(b) car park for light vehicles (i) open sided car park: Basement (More than 10m): Not applicable; (Not more than 10m): Not applicable; Ground/upper storey (Not more than
non-domesticfire-safetystructuralTwo-storey Purpose Group 4 or 6 buildings with ancillary upper storey
4.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In the case of a two storey building of Purpose Group 4 or 6, where the use of the upper storey is ancillary to the main use of the ground storey, the ground storey may be treated as a single storey b
fire-safetycompartmentationnon-domesticCompartmentation 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-domesticMaximum floor areas and volumes of buildings or compartments
Table 4.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 4.4 Maximum floor areas and volumes of buildings or compartments Purpose group of building (or part) | Height of top storey of building above ground level (m) | Floor area of any one storey in
non-domesticfire-safetycommercialindustrialassemblystorageJunction of compartment wall and roof - Buildings Purpose Groups 1, 2(b), 3 or 5 up to 15 m
Diagram 4.2 (b)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
AA, AB or AC roof covering 1.5 m 1.5 m mortar slates/tiles bedding timber battens sarking felt (b) Building of Purpose Group 1, 2(b), 3 or 5 not more than 15 m in height not less than 375 mm not less
fire-safetycompartmentationdwellingnon-domesticTable 4.5: Performance of fire doors
Table 4.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Performance of fire doors Location of door | Minimum fire resistance of door in terms of integrity (minutes) when tested to BS 476: Part 22(1)(3) | Minimum fire resistance of door terms of integrity
fire-safetymeans-of-escapeflatsdwellingnon-domesticFire door safety signage requirements
4.35NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
All fire doors, other than those listed below, should be marked with an appropriate fire safety sign complying with BS 5499: Part 1 indicating whether the door is – (a) to be kept closed when not in u
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingflatsProvision of cavity barriers - general requirement
4.36NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
To restrict the spread of smoke and flame through concealed spaces in the construction of a building, cavity barriers should be provided – (a) in a building of any purpose group – (i) at the intersect
fire-safetynon-domestic