A PROJECT REPORT ON BUILDING BYE LAWS

FIRE & SAFETY

B. ARCH

UNDER GUIDANCE OF

Ar. Aanchal Sharma

Ar. Poonam Katre

ADVANCE CONSTRUCTION

SUBMITTED BY: -

Sarvesh Gaur
Simran Grover

Ritvika Gupta
Aditi Jain

Chestha Khurana

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LIFE SAFETY
The code states that “Every building should be so designed, constructed, equipped, maintained and
operated as to provide adequate means of egress to avoid undue danger to the life and safety of the
occupants from fire, smoke, fumes or panic during the time period necessary for egress”.

This implies that every building having human occupancy should be provided with adequate number
of exits to permit safe egress/evacuation of all the occupants, in case of fire or other emergency.

It is critical that occupants from any location in the building are able to get out within a prescribed
distance, should a fire break out. An exit/egress route is a continuous and unobstructed path of travel
from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. Exit routes
▪ must be of adequate capacity to support maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served.
▪ capacity (number and width) must not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to place of
safety.
▪ must be free from explosives or highly inflammable materials.
▪ should be arranged so that occupants will not have to travel towards a high hazard area, unless it
is effectively shielded.
▪ should be properly lit and marked. Lighting should be provided with emergency power back-up in
case of power failures.
▪ should have exit signs of adequate size and marking so that all those unfamiliar with the location
of the exits may safely find their way out to a place of safety.
▪ should have annunciation, announcements and voice guided/aided system in high occupancy
areas to direct the occupants towards safe egress routes, exits, and to avoid situation of panic
during distress.

1.1 Components of Life Safety

There are three components of means of egress or exit route in order of use:
▪ Exit Access
▪ Exit
▪ Exit Discharge

In an emergency, a person in any part of building uses exit access to reach an exit, from where he/she
discharges from the building. Figure 1.1 shows various components of means of egress/exit route.

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 Figure 1.1 Components of Life Safety (Ground Floor Plan)

Exit Access

It is that portion of a means of egress/ exit route that leads a person in any part of building to an exit
or an area of refuge. Once the occupants have entered the exit (For example, exit staircase) or area of
refuge, they are then protected from the exposure to fire risk and obstacle throughout their travel to
the place of safety. In exit access, the occupants are not protected from exposure to fire risk and
obstacles.

Exit access includes the room and building spaces, the doors along the egress routes, lobbies, aisles,
passageways, corridors, access stairs and ramps that will be traversed in order to reach an exit (refer
Figure 1.1)

1.1.1.1 General Guidelines for an Exit Access

▪ A common path of travel is desirable in exit access, which leads to two independent directions to
separate exits leading to exit discharge. In Figure 1.1 exit can be reached through two independent
directions as shown by arrows.
▪ Capacity of exit access:
➢ The width of corridors, aisles or ramps required for exit access should be sufficient to ensure
a smooth flow of all the occupants to the exit.
➢ If the corridor is the only way of access to an exit, the corridor width should not be less than
the calculated exit width as explained in Section 2.4.

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▪ Exit access should not pass through storage rooms, closets or spaces used for similar purpose.
▪ Exit access should not pass through a room that can be locked to prevent egress.
▪ Objects like tables, chairs or any other temporary/permanent structures in exit access corridors
should be avoided as this may result in congestion and also impeding smooth flow of personnel
during emergencies.

Exit
It is an unobstructed component of means of egress/ exit route that is between the exit access and
the exit discharge or public way. It is a protected space enclosed by fire resistant construction where
smoke or fire cannot enter and thus the occupants are protected from exposure to fire risk and
obstacle throughout their travel to the place of safety.

An exit may be a fire exit doorway, exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, exit stairways, exit
passageways, exit ramps and it also includes horizontal exits leading to an adjoining building.

The General Guidelines for an exit are described in Section 1.2 in detail.

Figure 1.2 Picture Depicting a View of an Exit

Exit Discharge
It is that component of means of egress/ exit route that leads directly outside to a space that is large
enough to accommodate all building occupants likely to use exit route. The space could be a street,
walkways, public way, or an open space with access to the outside.
An example of an exit discharge is a door at the bottom of a two-hour fire resistance- rated enclosed
stairways that discharges to a place of safety outside of building.

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The capacity of exit discharge should not be less than the required discharge capacity of exits being
served.
For example, If staircase has a width of 2 m, then the exit discharge door should also have a width of
at least 2 m.

1.2 General Guidelines for an Exit

i. Impediments to Egress

Every exit, exit passageway and exit discharge should be continuously maintained free of all
obstructions or impediments to full use in the case of fire or other emergency. In most of the
incidents the cause of casualty are obstructed exit passageways. There should be no obstructions in
exit passageways.

(a) (b)
Figure 1.3 Exit Passageway: (a) Incorrect Way (Obstructed Passageway), (b) Correct Way
(Un-Obstructed Passageway).

ii. Arrangement of Exits (for details refer Section 3.5)

▪ Exits should be so arranged that they are readily accessible at all times.
▪ If there are more than one exits, they should be placed as remotely as possible.
▪ Every occupant or tenant within a building or storey of a building should have direct access to the
required exit or exits without the need to pass through the spaces or rooms occupied by other
occupants or tenants.

iii. Non-naturally Ventilated Areas

In non-naturally ventilated areas (ex. internal exit staircase, lift well) it is essential to provide fire doors with
minimum 120 minutes fire resistance rating.

iv. Openings in Exit

▪ Openings into an exit must be only to allow access to the exit or to the exit discharge (ex. door).
➢ An opening into an exit must be protected by an approved self-closing fire door that remains
closed or automatically closes in an emergency.
➢ Doors in exits should open in the direction of exit.

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Exception

▪ Other than doors, there should not be any penetrations into and openings through an exit except
those necessary like for the fire protection piping, ducts for pressurization of exit only and similar
life safety services. Such openings as well as vertical passage of shaft through floors should be
protected by passive systems.

v. Head Room Requirement

The clear ceiling height of all the exits and exit passageways to exit discharge should be at least 2.4 m.
However, the height of exit door should be at least 2.0 m (refer Figure 1.4).

Figure 1.4 Minimum Head Room Requirement

vi. Capacity of Means of Egress

The capacity of the means of egress required from any story of the building should not be reduced
along the path of egress travel until arrival to the exit discharge.

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vii. Changes in Elevation in Exits

If there are changes in elevation of more than 300 mm, ramps or sloped surfaces should be provided
with handrails (refer Figures 1.5 and 1.6).

(a) Isometric View

(b) Ground Floor Plan

Figure 1.5 Change in Level at Exit Discharge

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 (a) Level 2 Floor Plan

(b) Section XX’

Figure 1.6 Change in Level in a Corridor

viii. Lifts, Escalators, Moving Walks, Turnstiles and Revolving Doors

These are not considered as exits and therefore, they should not be considered in determining the
required capacity of means of egress for the individual floor(s) or the building. However revolving
doors and turnstiles can be accepted as exit access under certain conditions (for details refer Section
3.1)

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 Moving Walks Revolving Door Turnstiles

ix. Walking Surfaces in Means of Egress - Exit Access/ Exits

The walking surfaces should comply with the following requirements for smooth exit:
a) Walking surfaces should be nominally leveled.
b) The slope of walking surface in the direction of travel should not exceed 1 in 20 unless the ramp
requirements are met (refer Figure 1.7).

Figure 1.7

c) The slope of walking surface perpendicular to the direction of travel should not exceed 1 in 48
(refer Figure 1.8).

Figure 1.8

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 d) Walking surfaces should be slip-resistant along the entire path of travel.

x. Basement Exits

▪ There should be minimum two independent basement exits.

▪ In basements having more than one occupancy, the number of exits should be calculated based
on total occupant load of all the occupancies.

Figure 1.9 is an example of basement exits used in a car parking. It may be noted that
▪ The doors leading to basement being used for car parking and having direct approach from any
occupancy above should be fire doors with 120 minutes fire rating.
▪ The exit discharge doors from the basements need not be fire rated.

Figure 1.9 Basement Exits

xi. Smoke Control of Exits (For details refer Section 3.7)

Smoke should not ingress into an exit. The exits should at all times be kept free of smoke and toxic
gases. This is done either by providing natural ventilation or by pressurization.

xii. Exit Components

Various exit components like doors, stairs, ramps, corridors, exit passageways, bridges should comply
with the detailed requirements given in Chapter III.

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 DETERMINATION OF EXITS

It is essential that the building designers establish the number, sizes and capacity of exit facilities,
especially that of exit doorways and exit staircases. This is necessary to ensure all the occupants are
safely evacuated from that building during an emergency. The Exit route should have adequate
capacity to support maximum permitted occupants for each floor served. This capacity must not
decrease in the direction of exit route travel to exit discharge in an exit route. The exit requirements
for a building are determined based upon the following factors:

a) type of use or occupancy of the building

b) floor area
c) occupant load
d) capacity of exits
e) travel distance to an exit

2.1 Occupancy Classification

The buildings are classified into 9 groups based on its occupancy usage. These groups are shown in
Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Classification of Buildings Based on Occupancy Usage
GROUPS OCCUPANCY TYPE
Group A Residential
Group B Educational
Group C Institutional
Group D Assembly
Group E Business
Group F Mercantile
Group G Industrial
Group H Storage
Group J Hazardous

The buildings in each occupancy have been further subclassified. These are given in Annexure I.

It is important to mention that commonly used buildings such as hospitals, hotels, schools, colleges,
museums, libraries are classified into light hazard class, while industrial buildings and similar complex
covered spaces are classified into moderate and high hazard.

Hazard based classification and its effect on egress design has been discussed in later section wherever
applicable.

i. Multiple Occupancy

It is possible that the part of a storey of the building or different storeys of the building are used for
different purposes at the same time i.e. they have different occupancies. Such buildings are
categorized as multiple occupancy buildings.

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a) Mixed Occupancy
It is a multiple occupancy where different occupancies are intermingled. Example of a mixed
occupancy in a building is when same floor is having different types of occupancies. Figure 2.1 shows
typical floor plan of a building having mixed occupancy where business occupancy (office) and
residential occupancy (residences) are on the same floor.

Figure 2.1 Typical Floor Plan of a Mixed Occupancy Building

b) Separated Occupancies
It is a multiple occupancy where different occupancies are separated by fire resistant construction.
Example of a separated occupancy in a single building is different floors of the building having different
occupancies. Figure 2.2 shows a vertical section of a building where one or more floors are having
business occupancy, one having residential occupancy and one having mercantile occupancy.

Figure 2.2 Vertical Section of a Mixed Occupancy Building

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2.2 Floor Area

Floor area needs to be calculated using the Architectural drawings to derive the permitted number of
occupants in that space, which will be used to calculate the capacity of exits required.

2.3 Occupant Load (OL)

The occupant load of a building means the total number of persons that may occupy such building at
any one time. This number may be the actual number of occupants that may be expected to be in the
building or calculated based on occupant load factor. The maximum of two values is used for
determining number of exits.
The code has given values of occupant load factor (m2/person) for different occupancies (Table 2.2).
These values along with floor area can be used to calculate the minimum number of occupants for
which the building should be designed.

The occupant load is established:

i. by dividing the floor area by occupant load factor given in Table 2.2 (refer Example 2.1)
ii. by number of fixed seating for assembly occupancies. The occupant load is determined by
multiplying the number of fixed seats by 1.2.
iii. The occupant load of any open mezzanine/balcony should be added to the occupant load of the
floor below for the purpose of determining exit capacity.
iv. If the floor comprises of mixed occupancies, then occupant load is calculated according to the type
of occupancy having the strictest requirement. (refer Example 2.2)
v. In case of buildings having multiple floors with different occupancies, the occupant load of each
storey is to be calculated individually to compute the number of exits at each storey. The storey
having maximum occupant load is then used to determine the exit capacity of the entire building
below that storey. (refer Example 2.3)

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 Table 2.2 Occupant Load Factor of Various Occupancy Groups
S. No. Group of Occupancy Occupant Load Factor
(m2/person)
i. Group A: Residential 12.50
ii. Group B: Educational 4.00
iii. Group C: Institutional (Note 1)
a) Indoor Patients’ Area 15.00
b) Outdoor Patients’ Area 10.00
iv. Group D: Assembly
a) Concentrated Use without Fixed Seating 0.65
b) Less Concentrated Use without Fixed Seating (Note 2) 1.40
c) Fixed Seating No of fixed seats x 1.2
d) Dining Areas and Restaurants with Seating and Table 1.80
vi. Group E: Business 10.00
v. Group F: Mercantile:
a) Street Floor and Sales Basement 3.00
b) Upper Sales Floor 6.00
c) Storage/Warehouse 20.00
vii. Group G: Industrial 10.00
viii. Group H: Storage & Car Parking Areas 30.00
ix. Group J: Hazardous 10.00
NOTE:

i. Occupant load in dormitory portions of homes for the aged, orphanages, insane asylums,
etc., where sleeping accommodation is provided, should be calculated at not less than 7.5
m2 gross floor area/person.
ii. These should include gymnasium, table tennis room, billiard room and other gaming rooms,
library, swimming pool and like.

Example 2.1 Calculate the occupant load of a business building shown in Figure 2.3 having floor area
of 2500 m2.

Figure 2.3 Typical Floor Plan of a Business Occupancy Building having Total Floor Area = 2500 m2.
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Solution
From Table 2.2, Occupant load factor is 10 m2/ person for Business occupancy.
Hence,
Occupant load = 2500 m2 /10 m2 per person = 250 persons.

Example 2.2: Calculate the occupant load of a mixed occupancy building floor shown in Figure 2.4
having floor area of 2500 m2.

Figure 2.4 Typical Floor Plan of a Mixed Occupancy Building having

Total Floor Area = 2500 m2

Solution
From Table 2.2
Occupant load factor is 10 m2/ person for Business Occupancy.
Occupant load factor is 12.50 m2/ person for Residential Occupancy.
Hence,
OL = 2500 m2 /10 m2 per person = 250 persons (Considering whole building as Business Occupancy)
OL = 2500 m2 /12.5 m2 per person = 200 persons (Considering whole building Residential Occupancy)

Result
The exit capacity of the building should be based on occupancy having the strictest requirement i.e.
with occupant load of 250 persons.

Example 2.3: Calculate the occupant load of a mixed occupancy building shown in Figure 2.5 having
floor area of each storey to be 1500 m2.

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 Figure 2.5 Vertical Section of a Mixed Occupancy Building having Total Floor Area = 1500 m2.

Solution
From Table 2.2,
Occupant load factor is 10 m2/ person for Business Occupancy (Offices).
Occupant load factor is 12.50 m2/ person for Residential Occupancy.
Hence,
OL = 1500 m2 /10 m2 per person = 150 persons (Ground Floor)
OL = 1500 m2 /10 m2 per person = 150 persons (1st Floor)
OL = 1500 m2 /10 m2 per person = 150 persons (2nd Floor)
OL = 1500 m2 /12.5 m2 per person = 120 persons (3rd Floor)
Total capacity / Occupant load of the building = 570 persons.

Result
The maximum OL of 150 persons (2nd Floor) is used to determine the exit capacity of the entire building
below that storey. On 3rd Floor, the exit capacity can be based on 120 persons but that would be till
2nd storey only.

2.4 Capacity of Exits

Exit capacity is the number of people that can pass through a stairway, door, passageway or ramps
(refer Table 2.3). The total capacity of exits serving a floor should be sufficient to allow egress of the
entire population of the floor.

The code has given capacity factors i.e. width required per person in stairways and level components
(corridors, passageways & doorways) & ramps for different occupancies (refer Table 2.3). Thus, if a
building design is given (number and width of exits), then it is possible to calculate the maximum
persons, which can be safely evacuated from the building. On the other hand, based on the floor area
and occupant load, it is possible to determine the adequate number and sizes of exits required for
safe evacuation of all the occupants. This will be useful in design of new buildings.

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 Table 2.3 Exit Capacity Factors for Various Occupancies

S.No. Occupancy Group Width per Person (mm)

Stairways Level Components* and Ramps
i. Residential (Group A) 10 6.5
ii. Educational (Group B)
iii. Institutional (Group C) 15 13
iv. Assembly (Group D)
v. Business (Group E)
vi. Mercantile (Group F) 10 6.5
vii. Industrial (Group G)
viii. Storage (Group H)
ix. Hazardous (Group J) 18 10
*Note: Level components includes corridors, passageways and doorways.

a) Exit Capacity in Multi-Storied Buildings having Multiple Occupancies: The number of required
means of egress is based on a floor-by-floor consideration, rather than the total of the occupant
loads of all the floors i.e. the occupant load of each storey is to be calculated individually to
compute the number of means of egress at each storey. However, the number of means of egress
cannot decrease as an occupant proceeds along the egress path i.e. the storey having maximum
occupant load is then used to determine the exit capacity of the entire building below that storey.
b) In spaces where two exits are provided or required by the code, then each exit should be of
sufficient capacity to accommodate minimum half the total occupant load i.e. both exits should
be of equal sizes.

2.5 Travel Distance to an Exit

Travel Distance is the distance required to be traversed from the most remote point in the building to
a protected exit, which may be an
▪ open exterior space, or
▪ exit staircase, or
▪ exit passageway.

This is required to determine the location and number of staircases.

2.5.1 Measurement of Travel Distance to Exit

i. The travel distance is measured on the floor along the centerline of the natural path of travel
starting from the most remote point of the occupancy. The path of travel should be natural and
un-obstructed.
ii. The measurement of travel distance starts at 400 mm from enclosure of wall as shown in Figure
2.6.

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 (a) (b)
Figure 2.6 (a) and (b) show Travel Distance Measurement- Starts at 400 mm from
Enclosure of Wall.

Example 2.6
i. Travel distance should be measured from the most remote point to the open exterior space i.e.
from the point A to B (refer Figure 2.7).

Figure 2.7 Travel Distance- To Open Exterior Space

ii. Travel distance should be measured from the most remote point to the door of the exit staircase
i.e. from the point A to B (refer Figure 2.8).

Figure 2.8 Travel Distance - To the Door of the Exit Staircase

iii. Travel distance should be measured from the most remote point to the door of the exit
passageway i.e. from the point A to B (refer Figure 2.9).

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 Figure 2.9 Travel Distance - To the Door of the Exit Passageway

iv. Travel distance from various rooms in a building (refer Figure 2.10). The path should be natural
and un- obstructed.

Figure 2.10 Travel Distance from Various Rooms in a Building to the Closest Exit Staircase

2.5.2 Guidelines for Travel Distance

i. Travel Distance Requirement

The maximum travel distance permissible on the floor for different occupancies is given in Table 2.5.
However, if the building is fully sprinklered, then these travel distance may be increased by 50% of the
value specified.

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Table 2.5 Travel Distance (Based on Occupancy and Construction Type)
S. No. Maximum Travel Distance (m)

Construction Type 1 Type 3

Type And Type 2 And Type 4

Occupancy Non Sprinklered Non Sprinklered

Group Sprinklered Sprinklered

i. Residential (Group A) 30.00 45.00 22.50 33.75

ii. Educational (Group B) 30.00 45.00 22.50 33.75
iii. Institutional (Group C) 30.00 45.00 22.50 33.75
iv. Assembly (Group D) 30.00 45.00 30.00 45.00
v. Business (Group E) 30.00 45.00 30.00 45.00
vi. Mercantile (Group F) 30.00 45.00 30.00 45.00
vii. Industrial (Group G)
G-1, G-2 45.00 67.50 Construction of Type 3 or Type 4 is
G-3 22.50 33.75 not permitted
viii. Storage (Group H) 30.00 45.00
ix. Hazardous (Group J) 22.50 33.75
NOTE:

a) Construction Type of Buildings

i. Type 1: Fire resistive buildings- These are made of concrete and protected steel frame, having
height of more than 10-15 m. (High rise buildings)
ii. Type 2: Non-Combustible Constructed Buildings- These have a construction of non-combustible
material in which walls are of reinforced masonry and roofs have metal structural members and
decking.
iii. Type 3: Ordinary building- These have a construction of non-combustible material in which walls
are of un-reinforced masonry and roofs are framed having lightweight roofing system.
iv. Type 4: Heavy timber construction building- Large dimensional lumber structural members are
used. Long span roofs have wooden trusses.

Consider Example 2.4 again. We have seen that minimum 7 staircases, each of 2 m width are required
for 917 persons. These staircases should be so placed that the maximum travel distance does not
exceed 30 m (from Table 2.5 for institutional building which is un-sprinklered). If travel distances
exceed 30 m, then additional staircases need to be provided.

ii. Travel Distance for Mixed Occupancy

In buildings having mixed occupancy, the exit requirements of the entire building should be
determined on the basis of that type of occupancy having the strictest exit requirements.

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a) Case I- Mixed Development with No Clear Separations or Compartmentation
The position of the exit staircases should be so located that the maximum permissible travel distance
from any remote point to the staircase should be based on the occupancy, having the stricter
requirements.
The Figure 2.11 shows a building floor having more than occupancy. AB and AC are ‘direct distance’
measurements while DEFB and DEGC are ‘travel distance’ measurement paths.

Figure 2.11 Building with Mixed Development (No Clear Compartmentation)

It can be seen from Table 2.5 that for a factory, the maximum travel distance permissible is 45 m while
for office and storage, it is 30 m. Hence, the strictest requirement of 30 m will be considered as
maximum travel distance throughout the floor. i.e. DEFB ⩽ 30 m and DEGC ⩽ 30 m.

b) Case II- Mixed Development with Different Occupancies Clearly Defined & Compartmentalised
The exit provisions in a mixed development may be assessed and provided separately if the different
occupancies are clearly defined and compartmentalized.

The Figure 2.12 shows that the floor has two occupancies – offices and production area. Both these
parts are compartmented i.e. they are separated with fire resistant construction- walls and fire door.
The connectivity between the two is through a fire door. The travel distance measurement paths for
office area are B-S1 or B-S3 while for production area it is A-S1 or A-S2.

It can be seen from Table 2.5 that for factory, the maximum travel distance permissible is 45 m while
for office, it is 30 m. In this case, exits in each occupancy can follow individual norms i.e. A-S1 or A-S2
⩽ 45 m and B-S1 or B-S3 ⩽ 30 m.

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 Figure 2.12 Separate Travel Distance Application in a Building

Remarks

i. The minimum required number of exits in a building is determined based on occupant load (refer
Table 2.2) and width required per person (refer Table 2.3) for respective occupancies, subject to
complying with maximum travel distance requirement (refer Table 2.5). The steps to determine
the number and adequacy of exit doorways and staircases from a building or storey of a building,
are as follows:
a) Classify the building based on its occupancy.
b) Determine the floor area of each storey of occupancy.
c) Determine the occupant load (OL), on each storey of the building based on floor area and occupant
load factor. This means computing the total number of persons that could be accommodated in
all spaces on a storey of the building. This is done on a storey by storey basis.
d) Determine the total width of exit required for facilitating escape for the above occupant load from
each storey of that building using capacity factors.
e) Determine the number and size of the exit doors and exit for facilitating escape for the above
occupant load from each storey of that building subject to complying with requirement of their
minimum width and maximum travel distance requirement based on occupancy.
f) For buildings having multiple floors, the storey having maximum occupant load is used to
determine the exit capacity of the entire building below that storey. This is again subject to
complying with requirement of the minimum width requirement based on occupancy.

ii. There should be minimum number of means of egress (doors) from any storey or from any
room/space within a storey based on number of occupants. These are given in Table 2.6.

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Table 2.6 Number of Means of Egress Doors According to Occupant Load of a Space
S.No. Occupant Load (Persons) Minimum Number of Exit
Doors or Depending Upon
Space Under Consideration /
Exit Access Doors
i. Less than 50 1
ii. 50-500 2
iii. 500-1000 3
iv. More than 1000 4

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 TYPES OF EXIT ACCESS AND EXITS
The various types of exit access and exits are doorways, corridors and passageways, horizontal exits,
staircases and ramps. Guidelines for each of them are as detailed below:

3.1 Doorways

The doorways are of two types (refer Figure 3.1)

i. Exit Access Door: These doors include doors of rooms which open into another room, corridor,
exit access staircase, exit access ramp. These are along the path of egress travel.
ii. Exit Door: These doors include doors to the exit passageways, exit ramps, exit staircases and
exterior door at the level of exit discharge. Exit doors provide a continuous and protected means
of egress.

Figure 3.1 Types of Doors in Egress Routes in a Building (Ground Floor Plan)

Note: Doors in folding partition, revolving doors, turnstiles are not considered as approved means of
egress i.e. they are not considered as exit access door or as exit doors.

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a) Revolving Doors can be accepted as a component in means of egress i.e. exit access door (door B)
when following conditions are met:
▪ Doors should be capable of collapsing to book fold position with parallel egress path of width not
less than 1000 mm.
▪ Doors should not be located within 3 m of the foot or top of stairs or escalators. A dispersal area
should be provided between the stairs or escalators and the doors.
▪ Each revolving door should be provided with a hinged door in the same wall within 3 m thereof,
with same exiting capacity.
▪ Each revolving door should be considered as capable of exiting only 50 persons.

(a) (b)
Figure 3.2 Revolving Door: (a) 3-Dimensional View, (b) Case When Revolving Door can be Considered
as a Component of Egress.

b) Turnstiles or Similar Devices that restrict travel to one direction or that are used to restrict
unauthorized entry are not considered as means of egress. They should be so placed that they do
not obstruct any required means of egress. However, if a door opening of required exit width is
given within 3 m of turnstile, then it can be considered as a means of egress i.e. exit access door
(refer Figure 3.3).

(a) (b)
Figure 3.3 Turnstiles: (a) 3-Dimensional View, (b) Case When Turnstiles can be Considered as a
Component of Egress.

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3.1.1 General Guidelines for Exit Doorway
i. Size of Door: The minimum height and width (clear) of exit doorway is given in Table 3.1. This clear
width of doorways is measured between the face of door and door-frame (refer Figure 3.4). The
door hardware (door knob) that protrudes less than 80 mm is ignored and not counted in clear
width. However, if doorknob is more than 80 mm, than clear width will be measured from the
inner side of the door knob. The maximum width of a swing door leaf should be 1250 mm nominal.
The purpose of having maximum width of 1250 mm of the single leaf is to discourage the use of
bigger, heavier leaf doors. This is because there is risk of door sagging and thus requiring more
effort to open the door. To overcome it, double-leaf doors should be used in larger openings
instead of single leaf swing door.

Table 3.1 Minimum Height and Clear Width of Doors for Various Occupancies
S.No. Occupancy Minimum Clear Width Minimum Height
(mm) (mm)
i. Assembly Building 2000 2000
ii. Institutional Building (Hospitals)* 2000 2000
Single or Double Occupancy Patient 1250 2000
room
3-5 patient beds ward 1500 2000
More than 5 patient beds ward 2000 2000
Exception - If two doors are provided 1500 2000
iii. Business Building 2000 2000
iv. All Other Occupancies 1000 2000
2
*Any sleeping accommodation or suite exceeding 100 m in area should have at least two doorways
leading to the exit access doors.

(a) Single Leaf Exit Doorway (b) Double Leaf Exit Doorway
Figure 3.4 Minimum Clear Width of Doorway

26
ii. Every exit doorway should open into an enclosed stairway or a horizontal exit of a corridor or
passageway providing continuous and protected means of egress (refer Figure 3.5).

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.5 Doors Opening into a (a) Protected Horizontal Exit Corridor, (b) Exit Staircase
Providing a Safe Egress Pathway.

iii. Direction of Door Opening

a) Doors in exits should open in the direction of exit. Exit doors opening into exit staircases and exit
passageways should not impede the egress of occupants when such doors are open. Figure 3.6,
shows the plan of staircase at level of exit discharge. The staircase also leads to a basement. The
access to a basement is through a separate staircase. Figure 3.6(a) shows an unacceptable
arrangement of doors. The occupants coming from top floor would exit through the door. The
door to staircase going to upper floor should open outward and not inside the staircase. Similarly,
the door of staircase at the level of discharge leading to basement should open outward as shown
in Figure 3.6(b). In upper floors, the doors should open inside the staircase as shown in Figure
3.5(b).

27
 (a) Incorrect

(b) Correct
Figure 3.6 (a) Unacceptable Arrangement for Enclosing a Stair Serving as a Required Exit
(b) Acceptable Arrangement for Enclosing a Stair Serving as a Required Exit at the Level of
Discharge

b) The exit door should not open immediately upon a flight of stair but should be through a landing,
so that such doors do not impede movement of people descending from a higher floor when fully
opened (refer Figure 3.7).

(a) Incorrect (b) Correct

Figure 3.7 Typical Floor Plan Indicating Direction of Opening of Door
28
iv. Access Controlled Doors and Electromagnetic Doors
▪ They should be fire resistant as per requirement.
▪ Activation of sprinkler system or fire detection system to access control system should
automatically unlock the doors in the direction of egress. The doors should remain unlocked till
the time the automatic sprinkler system or fire alarm system is reset.
▪ Any loss of power to access control system should automatically unlock the doors in the direction
of egress.
▪ Additionally, a manually release device should be put in the vicinity of egress door to open the
door which will override all controls.

3.7.1 Additional Guidelines for Exit Door

i.
An Exit Door should be unlocked and accessible all the time.
ii.
It must open from inside without any use any keys and tools.
iii.
Devices such as a Panic Bar that locks only from outside is permitted in an Exit Door.
iv.Mirrors should not be placed on exit doors and in exits to avoid confusion regarding the direction
of exit.
v. All fire rated doors and assembly should be provided with certificate and labels prominently
indicating the manufacturer’s identification, door details covering door type, serial/batch number,
month and year of manufacture and fire resistance rating. The doors and assembly should be
certified with all prescribed hardware such as hinges, locks, panic bars, door closer, and door
viewers.

3.2 Corridors and Exit Passageways

3.2.1 Corridors
These are passages providing means of access from rooms or spaces to an exit. These form part of
exit access component of means of egress. The corridor is not a protected space. Thus, the door to a
corridor need not be a fire door.

There are two types of corridors:

i. Internal Corridor – The corridor inside the building is called an internal corridor.
ii. External Corridor – The corridor whose at least one side is open to atmosphere is called an
external corridor. It may be enclosed on the open side by only a parapet wall of height not less
than 1 m and not more than 1.1 m. The external corridor provides a smoke free approach.

29
 (a)

(b)

(c)
Figure 3.8 Typical Floor Plan of a Building (a) with Internal Corridor, (b) with External
Corridor, and (c) with Both Internal Corridor and External Corridor

30
3.2.2 Exit Passageways
It is an exit component that is separated from other spaces in the building by fire resistance rated
construction. It is a protected corridor which provides a horizontal extension to a vertical exit i.e., exit
staircase or a passage leading from a courtyard to an open exterior space. It offers the same level of
protection and safety that is required on an enclosed exit staircase. It is therefore constructed of non-
combustible material throughout and have a fire resistance rating of minimum 120 minutes (refer
Figures 3.9 and 3.10)
Similar to internal and external corridor, the exit passageways are of two types:

i. Internal Exit Passageways are totally inside the building and protected on all sides by fire resistant
construction.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.9 Internal Exit Passageway: (a) Extension of Vertical Exit (Typical Floor Plan), (b) From
Courtyard to Exterior Space (Typical Floor Plan).

ii. External Exit Passageways are open to atmosphere, that serves as a required exit. The door to an
exit passageway has to be a fire door. It may be enclosed on the open side by only a parapet wall
of height not less than 1 m and not more than 1.1 m.

31
 Figure 3.10 External Exit Passageway (Typical Floor Plan)

3.2.3 General Guidelines for Corridors/Exit Passageways

i. The door to an exit passageway should be a fire door.
ii. Exit passageway is used to connect exit staircase with exterior of building (refer Figure 3.11). This
is used when exit staircase is inside the core of the building. A protected passageway is then
required to discharge people from exit staircase to exit discharge i.e. outside the building.

Figure 3.11 Exit Passageway Connects Exit Staircase with the Exterior of the Building
(Ground Floor Plan)

iii. Sometimes the travel distances are more than the prescribed limits (refer Table 2.5). In such cases,
exit passageways are intended as an extension of exit staircase in order to keep travel distance
within prescribed limits as given in Table 2.5. They thus bring an exit closer to where the occupants
are located (refer Figure 3.12).

32
 Figure 3.12 Exit Passageway Used to Keep Travel Distance from Becoming Excessive.
Travel distance without exit passageway: T1 -T3 ≥ 30 m,
Travel distance with exit passageway: T1 -T2 < 30 m

iv. Width of Corridors/ Exit Passageways

a) The width of corridors and exit passageways leading to an exit should not be less than the
calculated aggregate width as determined in Section 2.4 subject to the minimum width given in
Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Minimum Clear Width of Passageways/Corridors for Various Occupancies

S.No. Occupancy Minimum Clear
Width (mm)
i. Assembly Building (Auditorium, Cinema Halls) 2000
ii. Institutional Building (Hospitals, Nursing Homes) 2000
Institutional Building (IPD)- where patients are moved 2400
Areas not intended for housing treatment or use by 1500
Patients
iii. All Other Occupancy (except assembly and institutional 1000
occupancy)

b) This required width of the corridors and exit passageways is clear width and free from any
obstructions.

For example, Figure 3.13 shows the width of exit door to be 2.0 m. Therefore, the minimum width of
corridor/exit passageway should be at least 2.0 m. This width of 2.0 m should be clear width not
including the width of an obstructions like shafts, racks etc. as shown in Figure 3.13.

33
 Figure 3.13 Clear Width of Corridor/Exit Passageway

v. Doors in Corridors/ Exit Passageways

a) In case any door opens in corridor / exit passageway, then the clear width remaining after opening
of door should be minimum one half the required width of the corridor/exit passageway (refer
Figure 3.14). Doors open in corridors/exit passageways in assembly and institutional buildings
and in situations where occupant load is more than 50.

(a) (b)
Figure 3.14 Clear Width of Internal Corridor or Exit Passageway: (a) When Doors are not Installed
Opposite to Each Other, (b) When Doors are Installed Opposite to Each Other.

b) In the case of buildings where there is a central corridor, which is part of the exit access (refer
Figure 3.15), the doors of rooms (except for rooms having assembly occupancy) should open
inwards to permit smooth flow of traffic in the corridor. However, the doors of assembly
occupancy should open outward i.e. in the direction of egress from assembly occupancy hall. The
opened door in corridor will reduce clear width of corridor thus creating obstruction for the people
escaping through the corridor. The corridor should be of sufficient width so that clear width after
opening of doors should be minimum one half the required width of the corridor. Alternatively,
the doors may need to be recessed as shown in Figure 3.15.

34
 Figure 3.15 Indicating Door Opening Directions

vi. Ventilation
a) All internal exit passageways should be naturally ventilated by fixed ventilation openings in
external wall.
b) The size of openings should not be less than 15 percent of the floor area of the exit passageway.
c) If internal exit passageway cannot be naturally ventilated, then mechanical ventilation should be
provided.

Figure 3.16 Natural Ventilation of Exit Passageway (Typical Floor Plan)

35
3.7 Staircases

In the path of egress, there are two types of staircases namely, Exit Staircase and Exit Access
/Accommodation Staircases. Both exit access and exit staircases can be internal or external staircase.
Exit staircases provide a continuous and protected means of egress while exit access staircases are
unprotected and do not provide a smoke free path to the occupants.

3.3.1 Types of Staircases

i. Exit Staircase

a) Internal Exit Staircase

Internal stairs provide a protected space to the occupants. They are therefore constructed of non-
combustible materials throughout having a minimum fire-resistant rating of 120 minutes. The access
to exit staircase should be only through a fire door of minimum 120 minutes fire rating (refer Figure
3.17). The internal staircase may be constructed with an external wall.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.17 Ground Floor Plan of a Building Depicting Internal Staircase: (a) with an Internal Wall,
(b) with External Walls.

36
b) External Exit Staircase
The external staircases are the staircases provided on the external wall/façade and are open on at
least one side. The staircase should be directly connected to the ground. The entrance to the external
stairs should be separate and remote from the internal staircase (refer Figure 3.18).
For a staircase to be considered as an external staircase, it should be:
▪ located outside the building;
▪ open to outdoor air;
▪ at least one side should be enclosed by parapet or railing.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.18 Typical Floor Plan of a Building with External Exit Staircase having (a) Internal Corridor
(b) External Corridor

ii. Exit Access Staircase

These are staircases in the path of egress, which leads to an exit. They are unprotected and do not
provide a smoke free path to the occupants. Similar to exit staircases, these can be inside the building,
in that case it becomes an internal exit access staircase. When the staircase is on the external wall and
open to atmosphere and following criteria of external exit staircase, it becomes an external exit access
staircase. In addition, there are accommodation staircases or curved staircases.

37
a) Accommodation or Access Staircase: Accommodation or access staircases are provided solely for
the convenience of moving easily and quickly from one floor to another, and are not considered
as exit staircases (refer Figure 3.19).

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.19 Accommodation or Access Staircase: (a) Ground Floor Plan, (b) Isometric View.

b) Curved/ Circular Staircases are not treated as a part of egress. They are not recommended for
use as exit staircases due to their varying tread size, which can cause escaping occupants to lose
footing and falling more frequently than straight run staircases. However, these may be used as
a part of exit access provided the depth of tread is not less than 280 mm at a point, 350 mm from
the narrower end of the tread, and the smallest radius is not less than twice the width of the stair
width (refer Figure 3.20).

38
 Figure 3.20 Curved Staircase When Used as an Access Staircase

3.3.2 General Guidelines for Staircases in a Building

i. Minimum Number of Staircases
All buildings should have a minimum of two staircases.

ii. Discharge from Staircases

All exit staircases should discharge, at the level of exit discharge, to the exit discharge, either,
▪ directly, or
▪ through an Exit Passageway, or
▪ through a Lobby.
At least 50 percent of the staircases should discharge as per (a) and/or (b) below.

(a)

39
 (b)

(c)
Figure 3.21 Exit Discharge from Exit Staircase: (a) Directly to Outside Space, (b) Through an Exit
Passageway, (c) Through a Lobby.

iii. Head Room

a) The minimum head room in a passage under landing of a staircase and under staircase should be
2200 mm (refer Figure 3.22).

40
 Figure 3.22 Minimum Head Room Measurements

b) Beams/Columns and other building features should not reduce the headroom/ width of the
staircase (refer Figure 3.23).

Figure 3.23 Head Room Measurement from Beam Bottom to the Top of Tread in a Staircase

iv. Width of Staircases for Various Occupancies

The width of staircase is based on exit capacity and travel distance requirements in a building as
determined in Section 2.4. However, National Building Code has defined minimum width of staircases
for various occupancies which are outlined in Table 3.3.

41
 Table 3.3 Minimum Width of Staircases for Various Occupancies
S.No. Occupancy Internal External
Staircase Staircase
Width (m) Width (m)
i. Residential (A-2) 1.00 1.50
NOTE- For row housing with 2 storeys, the
minimum width should be 0.75 m.
ii. Residential (A-1, A-3 and A-4) 1.25 1.50
iii. Residential hotel (A-5 and A-6) 1.50 1.50
iv. Assembly (Occupant Load ≥ 150 persons) 2.00 2.00
v. Assembly (Occupant Load < 150 persons) 1.50 1.50
vi. Educational 1.50 1.50
vii. Institutional 2.00 2.00
vii. All other occupancies 1.50 1.50

For example, According to Table 3.3 the minimum width of internal staircase is 1.00 m for a residential
A2 building, which is shown in Figure 3.24.

Figure 3.24 Plan of a Residential A-2 Building

v. Opening Restrictions in Stairwell Walls

There may be situations where non-rated walls or unprotected openings (windows) enclose the
exterior of a stairway. In such cases, it is necessary to protect the exterior wall of a stairway from fires
in other portions of the building, which may traverse from any openings (doors/ windows) in the
external face of the building. This is to avoid any heat radiation from fire through external window
affecting occupants escaping down the external staircase.

42
a) If the exterior wall of the stair was flush with the building exterior wall, the fire would need to
travel around 180 degree in order to impact the staircase. In such situations no protection is
required.

Figure 3.25 Windows Placed on External Wall of a Building Making an Angle of

180 degree with Each Other

b) If the angle of exposure is less than 180 degree, protection of either the stairwell wall or building
wall is required. For this
▪ There should be no unprotected opening within 3 m of the staircase either horizontally or
vertically.
▪ If any such opening is provided then they should be protected with fire rated doors/window
assemblies having a minimum rating of 60 minutes.

43
 (a)

(b)
Figure 3.26 Scenario 1: (a) Typical Floor Plan – No Opening is permitted till 3 m on Building’s External
Wall if the Internal Staircase Stairwell has any Opening which is making an Angle of Less than 180
degree with the External Building Wall, (b) Isometric View.

44
 (a)

(b)
Figure 3.27 Scenario 2: (a) Typical Floor Plan – Window Installed on Building’s External Wall is
making an Angle of less than 180 degree with the Opening of the Wall of External Staircase, Thus,
Minimum 3 m Gap is Required, (b) Isometric View.

45
 Figure 3.28 Scenario 3: Typical Floor Plan – No Opening on Building’s External Wall is Permitted
till 3 m so, to prevent External Staircase getting effected due to Fire

Exceptions:
a) Separation and Protection of Internal Stairs
In cases where internal exit staircase is directly approached from an external exit passageway or
external corridor, then a fire rated enclosure with fire door is not required between staircase and the
exit passageway or external corridor.

Figure 3.29 Internal Exit Staircase Approached through an External Corridor

b) Separation and Protection of External Stairs

In cases, where external exit staircase is directly approached from an external corridor, then a fire
rated enclosure with fire door is not required between external staircase and external corridor if
followings conditions are met.
▪ The external corridor shall be served by at least 2 outside staircases or ramps;
▪ The unobstructed ventilation openings shall be provided along the long side of the external
corridor above the parapet or balustrade.
▪ Outside stairs in existing buildings is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system.

46
 Figure 3.30 Typical Floor Plan

vi. Staircase Identification

In a building there may be many blocks of many floors, and maybe many staircases in each block.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to identify each staircase so as to help fire fighters to locate and
approach the fire in earliest possible time.
a) Each floor should have floor indication boards that should be placed inside the staircase on the
wall nearest to fire door and facing it (refer Figure 3.31). The boards should be placed at a height
of 1500 mm from the floor.
b) The floor indication boards should indicate the location (Block/ Wing/ Building name), staircase
number, respective floor number and direction to exit discharge. The size of indication board
should be more than 300 mm × 200 mm.

47
 Figure 3.31 Sign Marking and Requirement in Exit

3.3.3 Additional Guidelines for Internal Staircases in a Building

An Internal Staircase should comply with the following:

i. Construction
The staircase should be constructed of non-combustible materials throughout having a minimum fire-
resistant rating of 120 minutes. No combustible material should be used for decoration /wall paneling.

ii. Arrangement
a) A staircase should not be arranged round a lift shaft (refer Figure 3.32).

48
 Figure 3.32 Staircase Not Allowed Around a Lift

b) Lift should not open in staircase (refer Figure 3.33).

Figure 3.33 Lift Opening in a Staircase (Incorrect)

iii. Opening Restrictions in Stairwell Walls

a) There should not be any opening in walls or in doors, separating exit staircase from adjoining
areas.
b) No living space, store or other fire risk should open directly into staircases.
c) Exit should not be used as a portion of supply, return or exhaust air system serving adjoining area.
d) No flue chimney, electromechanical equipment, air conditioning units, gas piping or electrical
panels should be allowed in the stairway.
e) No electrical shaft/ air conditioning ducts or gas pipes etc. should pass through or open in the
staircases.

49
Exception
▪ Other than doors, any penetrations into and openings through an exit should be limited to those
necessary like
➢ electrical conduit serving exit enclosure,
➢ fire protection piping,
➢ ducts and equipment for pressurization of exit staircase only.
➢ fire alarm circuits and similar life safety services.

Such openings as well as vertical passage of shaft through floors should be protected by passive
systems.

Figure 3.34 Typical Floor Plan – No Service Openings are allowed Inside a Stairwell Unless mentioned

iv. Discharge from Staircase

▪ All staircases should terminate at the level of exit discharge.
▪ The access to the basement should be through a separate staircase.

v. Doorways in Staircase
▪ The doors should open in the direction of egress travel.
▪ The exit door in exit staircase should not open immediately upon a flight of stair but should be
through a landing (refer Figure 3.35).

50
 (a) Incorrect (b) Correct

Figure 3.35 Typical Floor Plan with Door of Staircase Opening in the Direction, (a) Against Occupant’s
Movement, (b) Towards Occupant’s Movement.

3.3.4 Additional Guidelines for External Exit Staircases in a Building

i. The staircase should lead directly to a street or open space with direct access to street.
ii. The entrance to the external stairs should be separate and remote from the internal staircase.
iii. External staircase should be constructed of non-combustible material and any doorway leading to
it should have fire resistance rating of 120 minutes.

The Figure 3.41 shows two exit staircases – one is internal staircase and other is external staircase.
The internal staircase is enclosed on all sides and the entry is through a fire door. The external staircase
is open to atmosphere. However, since it connects through an internal access corridor, the external
staircase is also provided with a fire door.

Figure 3.41 Typical Floor Plan comprising of both Internal and External Exit Staircases

51
3.3.5 Additional Guidelines for Basement Exit Staircases
The exit staircase that serves a basement storey of a building is called basement exit staircase. The
exit staircases should comply with all provisions of exit staircases. Additionally,

i. The basement exit staircase should not be made continuous with any other exit staircase which
serves a non-basement storey of the building i.e. the basement exit staircase should be a separate
protected shaft.
ii. Basement exit staircases, which are vertically aligned with the exit staircases of non-basement
storeys, should be separated from such staircases by construction having fire resistance for a
minimum 120 minutes (refer Figure 3.43).

Figure 3.43 Basement Exit Staircase

3.3.6 Guidelines on Treads, Risers and Nosing of Staircases

i. The minimum width of treads (without nosing) and risers (with nosing) in a staircase for different
occupancies are given in Table 3.4 (refer Figure 3.44).

52
 Figure 3.44 Image depicting Treads, Risers, and Nosing in a Staircase

Table 3.4 Minimum Width of Treads and Risers

Occupancy Min. Width of Tread (T) Min. Width of Riser (R)
(Without Nosing) (With Nosing)
Residential Buildings 250 mm 190 mm

Other Buildings 300 mm 150 mm

ii. The number of risers should be limited to 12 per flight.

iii. The tread should be constructed and maintained in a manner to prevent skidding.

3.3.7 Guidelines on Handrails of Staircases

i. Handrails should be provided on the sides of the staircase. In case width of staircase is less than
1500 mm and one side of staircase has a wall while the other side is open, then a handrail is to be
provided on one side i.e. open side. If width is less than 1500 mm and both sides are open, than
handrails are to be provided on both sides. If width is 1500 mm or more than handrails should be
provided on both sides and a central handrail should also be provided (refer Figure 3.45)

Figure 3.45 Handrails Guidelines in Accordance with the Width of Staircase

ii. The projection of handrail(s) in the staircase width should not be more than 115 mm. The height
of handrail(s) should be between 1000 mm to 1200 mm. The maximum gap between two balusters
should be 150 mm in a staircase (refer Figure 3.46)

53
 Figure 3.46 Staircase Section showing Projection, Height and Gap between Balusters of Handrail
iii. Handrails may project inside the measured width by not more than 90 mm. In such case, the clear
width of staircase should be between balusters if handrails are on both sides (refer Figure 3.47
(a)). If handrails project by more than 90 mm, then the clear width of staircase should be between
handrails (refer Figure 3.47 (b)).

(a) (b)
Figure 3.47 Clear Width of Staircase when Handrail Projection is (a) Equal to or less than 90 mm, and
(b) Greater than 90 mm.

iv. If Handrail is placed over balusters on one side and other side is wall, then the clear width of
staircase should be between side wall on one side and balusters on the other side. If handrails
project by more than 90 mm, then the clear width of staircase will be between handrails (refer
Figure 3.48).

54
 .

3.5 Arrangement of Exit Access / Exit / Exit Discharge

i. Exits and Exit access facilities should be clearly visible and their locations should be clearly
indicated.
ii. Exits should be located, and exit access should be arranged, so that exits are readily accessible and
unobstructed at all times.
iii. Exits should be arranged so that travel distance on the floor does not exceed the distances given
in Table 2.5 for various occupancies.
iv. Exit access should not pass through a room that can be locked to prevent egress.

Figure 3.51 Incorrect Arrangement of an Exit Staircase in a Building

v. Every occupant or tenant within a building or storey of a building should have direct access to the
required exit or exits without the need to pass through the spaces or rooms occupied by other
occupants or tenants. This could be facilitated via common or neutral spaces like corridors or
lobbies that are accessible to all occupants on that storey.

Case I - The Figure 3.52 shows an example of correct method of determining access travel routes to

55
the required exits. The building has two tenants A and B. The occupants of both the tenants can reach
the exit without the need to pass through space occupied by another tenant. This is done by using a
common corridor.

Figure 3.52 Common Corridors Accessible to All Occupants of Different Occupancies (A & B)
on that Storey

Case II - The Figure 3.53 shows an incorrect method of determining access travel routes as the paths
have to traverse through other tenancies. Though tenants A and C may have adequate direct access
to exits, tenant B will have to approach the exit by passing through area occupied by tenant C and
hence, it would not be allowed.

Figure 3.53 Example of Incorrect Arrangement of Exit Access Travel Route

vi. Where exits are not immediately accessible from an open floor area, continuous passageways,
aisles, or corridors leading directly to every exit, a common path of travel is desirable in exit access,
which leads to two independent directions to separate exit. In Figure exit can be reached
through two independent directions as shown by arrows.
56
3.5.1 Remoteness of Exits (Two-Way Escape)
i. In buildings where more than one exit, exit access, or exit discharge is required, the exits should
be placed as remotely as possible from each other. This is required so that if access to one exit is
blocked by fire or other emergency condition, than access to the other exit should be available for
evacuation.

Case I - Figure 3.54(a) shows that both the exits are arranged close to each other. A fire in the vicinity
of the staircase blocks access to both the protected staircase. This is not a desirable situation.

Case II - In Figure 3.54(b) the exits are arranged remote to each other. Even if there is a fire in the
vicinity of one staircase, access to an alternative protected staircase is still available. This is a desirable
situation.

(a)

(b)

57
 Figure 3.54 Remoteness of Exit: (a) Staircase Placed Close to Each Other, and (b) Staircase Placed at
a Location Far from Each Other.

ii. The remoteness of exits can be ensured by adhering to following guidelines:

a) Where two exits, exit accesses, or exit discharges are required, the exit doors or exit access
doorways should be placed at a distance from one another not less than one-half the length of
the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served. This length is
measured in a straight line between the nearest edge of the exit doors or exit access doorways.

Case I - Figure 3.55(a) shows Room A having 2 exit access doors. The length of diagonal of the room is
‘d’. The exit access doors should be arranged so that minimum distance between them is d/2.

Case II - Figure 3.55(b) shows Room A have 2 exit access doors and Room B has two exit doors. The
exit access door discharges occupants into room B. To determine the separation distance between
these doors, the area to be considered is of Room A. The length of diagonal of the Room A is ‘d’. The
exit access doors in Room A should be arranged so that minimum distance between them is d/2. On
the other hand, the exit doors discharge all the occupants of the building (Room A and B) to the place
of safety. Therefore, the separation distance between these exit doors should be based on the area
of whole building. Hence, the exit doors in Room B should be arranged so that minimum distance
between them is D/2 where the length of diagonal of the building (Room A and B) is ‘D’.

(a) (b)
Figure 3.55 (a) Diagonal Rule for Exit Access Door Remoteness, (b) Diagonal Rule for Exit and
Exit Access Door Remoteness.

b) In buildings protected throughout by automatic sprinkler system, the minimum separation

distance between two exit doors, exit access doorways should be not less than one-third the
length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served (refer
Figure 3.56).

58
 Figure 3.56 Diagonal Rule for Exit Access Door Remoteness for a Sprinklered Building

c) In buildings where more than two exits, exit accesses, or exit discharges are required, at least two
of the required exits, exit accesses, or exit discharges should be arranged to comply with the
minimum separation distance requirement.
d) The balance of the exits, exit accesses, or exit discharges should be placed as remote as possible
so that, if one becomes blocked, the others are available.

3.5.2 Dead End

A dead-end refers to common area, normally a corridor or lift lobby spaces, where exit is only possible
from one end, with no possible escape from the other end. There are two situations where dead ends
can exist (refer Figure 3.57).

i. “T” junction with main corridor – The dead-end corridor length is measured from the dead end to
the point at which main corridor starts.
ii. Continuation past staircase – The dead-end corridor length is measured from the dead end till the
centre of exit door.

(a)
59
 (b)

Figure 3.57 Dead End Corridor: (a) “T” Junction with Main Corridor, and (b) Continuation Past
Stairway.

3.5.3 Guidelines for Dead End:

i. The exit access should be arranged such that there are no dead ends in corridors.
ii. If there exist dead ends, then the maximum dead-end corridor length in exit access for various
occupancies should be as given in Table.

Table 3.5 Maximum Permissible Dead-End Corridor Length for Various Occupancies
S. No. Occupancy Maximum Dead-End Corridor
Length
i. Educational, Institutional & 6m
Assembly Occupancies
ii. Other Occupancies 15 m

60
3.6 Horizontal Exit

The horizontal exits are an exit component, which allows egress from a compartment to a
compartment in adjoining building or in the same building at approximately the same level. The
compartment in the adjoining building or in the same building offers safety to occupants from fire and
smoke from area of incidence and thus it also acts as area of refuge.

i. In the building under consideration, the occupants from building ‘A’ can move to Building ‘B’ and
vice versa through a horizontal exit. Building B is adequately separated from the rest of the
building by fire resisting construction.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.58 Typical Floor Plan Indicating Horizontal Exit having Parapet Wall on (a) One Side,
(b) Both Sides.

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 ii. In the building under construction, the occupants from compartment ‘A’ can move to
compartment ‘B’ and vice versa of the same building through a horizontal exit. Both the
compartments are adequately separated by fire resisting construction.

Figure 3.59 Typical Floor Plan Indicating Horizontal Exit Connecting Adjoining Parts of
the Same Building

3.6.1 General Guidelines for Horizontal Exit

i. A horizontal exit should be through a fire door of 120 minutes rating in a fire-resistant wall.
ii. The separation between compartments of same building or adjoining buildings area should be
through 120 minutes fire barrier.
iii. Width of horizontal exit door way should be suitable to meet the occupant load factor for egress.
iv. Doors in horizontal exits should be openable at all times from both sides.
v. All doors should swing in the direction of exit travel, if a double leaf door is used the right-hand
leaf should swing in the direction of exit travel.
vi. Door leading to horizontal exit can also be treated as a required exit from the area served by it,
and hence travel distance can also be measured to this door.
vii. Where there is a difference in levels between connected areas for horizontal exits, ramps of slope
not steeper than 1 inch should be provided and steps should be avoided.

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3.7 Area of refuge

It is an area within a building for temporary use during egress that allows the occupants more time for
evacuation. Hence, it should be protected from the fire and smoke risk from building. The area of
refuge is adequately separated from the rest of the building by fire resisting construction. The area of
refuge can be a compartment in the adjoining building or in the same building. It can be part of
staircase also.

Example 3.1

i. A part of the floor of a high-rise building acting as an area of refuge.

Figure 3.60 High Rise Building’s Typical Floor Plan Having Refuge Area - Portion of the Floor of a
Building acting as Area of Refuge

ii. The floor of building ‘B’ serves as area of refuge for occupants of building ‘A’. The evacuees from
building ‘A’ enters the area of refuge using a horizontal exit that links building ‘A’ to building ‘B’.

Figure 3.61 Typical Floor Plan – Building ‘B’ acts as a Refuge Area for Building ‘A’

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iii. An area of refuge may also be an area in adjoining building, which is separated from the building
under consideration by fire resisting construction.

The compartment ‘B’ serves as area of refuge for occupants of compartment ‘A’ of the same building.
The evacuees from compartment ‘A’ enters the area of refuge i.e. compartment ‘B’ in the same
building using a horizontal exit that links compartment ‘A’ to compartment ‘B’.

Figure 3.62 Adjoining part of the same building acting as an Area of Refuge

Note: In case of situations depicted in Figures 3.61 and 3.62

a) It is acceptable for compartment B to act as an area of refuge for compartment A or vice versa.
a) Each connecting area shall have at least one protected staircase or exit facility of adequate width
discharging at ground level.
b) Door leading to area of refuge can also be treated as a required exit from the area served by it,
and hence travel distance can also be measured to this door.

3.7.1 General Conditions for Area of Refuge

i. Doors
a) The entry to an area of refuge should be through a fire door of 120 minutes rating in a fire-resistant
wall.
b) Access door to an area of refuge shall be kept accessible at all times.

ii. Occupant Load

a) Refuge area is a temporary holding area to accommodate the people in case of emergency. Refuge
area provided should be planned to accommodate the occupants of two consecutive floors i.e.,
the floor where refuge is provided and occupants of the floor above.
b) In case of buildings connected by horizontal exits, the refuge area should be planned to
accommodate its own occupants and that of floor in adjoining building. In Figures 3.61 and 3.62,
the refuge area should accommodate occupants of both compartment ‘A’ and ‘B’.

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iii. Size of Refuge Area
a) The size of refuge area should be based on 0.3 m2 per person for the calculated number of
occupants where occupant load should be derived on basis of 12.5 m 2 of gross floor area and
should also include additional accommodation for person on wheelchair of about 0.9 m 2 for every
200 occupants portion there off based on the occupant load served by the area of refuse or a
minimum of 15 m2 whichever is higher shall be provided.
b) The size should be not less than 10% of gross area of floor.

Example 3.2

iv. Location
a) The refuge area should be provided on the periphery of the floor and open to air at least on one
side protected with suitable railings thus, maintaining ventilation. This area is also provided with
first aid box, fire extinguisher, public address speaker, fireman talk back and emergency lighting,
as well as drinking facility.
b) Refuge area should connect to exit staircase directly, or through smoke stop lobby or through
firefighting lobby without having the occupants requiring returning to the building space where
fire occurred.

v. High Rise Buildings

a) Refuge area should be provided at a height of 24 m and thereafter every 15 m.
b) High-rise apartment buildings with apartments having balcony need not be provided with refuge
area. However, apartment buildings without balcony should be provided with refuge areas.
c) High-rise apartment buildings of height above 60 m even while having balconies should be
provided with refuge area at a height of 60 m and thereafter every 30 m.

vi. Assembly buildings

a) Refuge area to be provided on the floor at or immediately above 18 m. The size should be not less
than 10% of gross area of floor.
b) Next refuge area should be designed on the floor immediately above 24 m.
c) The refuge area should be 10% of the respective lower floor which may be divided into two or
more separate refuge areas at each of respective floors with each being not less than 100 m2.

vii. Drainage from refuge Area

Refuge area should be provided with a drainage facility to maintain efficient storm water disposal.

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3.8 Smoke-stop Lobby

A smoke stop lobby is located at the entrance of an exit staircase which help in prevention or minimize
the entry of smoke into the staircase. This lobby is separated from the adjoining areas of the building
by a fire rated wall.

3.8.1 General Guidelines for Smoke-Stop Lobby

i. The design of a smoke-stop lobby must be such as not to impede movement of occupants through
the escape route.
ii. The doors to smoke stop lobby should be fire rated and also fitted with automatic self-closing
device.
iii. The size of the lobby shall not be smaller than 3 m2.

Note: If a smoke-stop lobby serves as a firefighting lobby, the floor area shall be not smaller than 6 m²
and should not be greater than 10 m2 with no dimension smaller than 2 m.

iv. A smoke stop lobby should be properly ventilated by:

a) Permanently Fixed Ventilation Openings in the External Wall of the Lobby

If smoke which finds its way into the smoke stop lobby, the natural ventilation provided by the window
will help to prevent the smoke from infiltrating into the protected staircase. Such ventilation openings
shall have an area of not less than 15% of the floor area of the lobby and located not more than 9 m
from an air-well or external recessed space of minimum clear area 93 m² and minimum width of 6 m.
The air-well or external recessed space should have no obstruction vertically throughout the air space
for ventilation.

(a)

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 (b)
Figure 3.63 Naturally Ventilated Smoke Stop Lobby (a) Typical Floor Plan, and (b) Isometric View.

b) Mechanically Ventilated Shafts

In the case of mechanical ventilated smoke- stop lobby, smoke will be prevented from entering the
lobby by the exertion of air pumped into it by the air shaft. This technique is required when the lobby
is placed internally without any external wall, where provision of natural lighting/ventilation is not
possible.

Figure 3.64 Mechanically Ventilated Smoke Stop Lobby

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3.9 Fire Fighting Lobby

A firefighting lobby is kind of smoke-stop lobby which is adjacent to a fire lift and exit staircase
designated for use by the firefighting team during an emergency. The lobby provides a buffer zone to
prevent smoke from streaming into the protected staircase.

3.9.1 General Guidelines for Fire Fighting Lobby

i. The lobby should not be used for any other purposes and the size of the lobby should not be
smaller than 6 m2 and with no dimension smaller than 2 m.
ii. The lobby floor should be graded from the lift-landing door towards the lobby door with a fall not
exceeding 1:200 to prevent water from flowing into the lift shaft.
iii. There is a need to limit the size to max 10 m2. to prevent the space being used for other purposes.
iv. The fire-fighting lobby should not be converted to other usage. It should be kept free of any article
or furniture. Therefore, it should be kept as a common area and not be included as part of the
strata unit.
v. The fire-fighting lobby shall be equipped with fireman talk back, wet risers and landing valve,
which can be used by fire fighters in case of an emergency.

Figure 3.65 Firefighting Lobby

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