Location of firefighting shafts and distance requirements

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 shafts should be provided so that every part of every storey is no more than 60 m from a fire main outlet in a firefighting shaft (see Diagram 6.1B a and b). (b) If the building is not fitted with sprinklers, then every part of every storey should be no more than 60 m from a fire main in a fire-fighting shaft and in addition 45 m from a fire main outlet in a protected stairway (see Diagram 6.1B c, d and e). Note 1: Distance should be measured from the fire main outlet on a route suitable for laying a hose. Note 2: If the internal layout is not known, direct distances may be used for assessment. The direct distance is taken as two thirds of the travel hose laying distance. Note 3: In order to meet the 45 m hose criterion in (b), it might be necessary to provide additional fire mains in protected stairways. This does not imply that these stairways need to be designed as fire-fighting shafts.