Building Code Of Australia

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

This Objective is based on the belief that a building should:

Provide people with an environment which, during a fire, will minimise the risk of them suffering illness or injury; Provide people with an evacuation route which will minimise the risk of them suffering illness or injury while escaping a fire;
facilitate the role of emergency services personnel, such as the fire brigade, if it becomes necessary for them to undertake such operations as fire-fighting and search and rescue; assist in minimising the risk of fire spreading from one building to another; and not have a structural failure during a fire that results in damage to another building, allotment or road.

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

Interpretations and classifications

Evacuation Route

Means the continuous path of travel (including exits public corridors and the like) from any part of the building including with in a sole occupancy unit in a Class 2 and 3 building or class 4part to a safe place

Evacuation Times Exit

Means the time calculated from when the emergency starts for the occupants of the building to evacuate to a safe place Means (a) Any or any combination of the following if they provide egress to road or open space An internal or external stairway A ramp A fire isolated passageway A doorway opening to a road or open space (b) A horizontal exit or a fire isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

FIRE DOOR Fire Door is a door and frame which automatically closes with appropriate hardware, which has a Fire Resistance Level (FRL) to retard and limit the spread of fire and smoke through a door opening, fire gases from entering egress corridors and fire isolated stairways. Typical locations of fire doors include doors opening into stairways, doors in in afire wall that open into other spaces (offices, storage rooms, meeting rooms), and mechanical rooms.

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

CLASSIFICATION OF A BUILDING
The classification of a building or part of a building is determined by the purpose for which it is designed, constructed or adapted for use. This also has a bearing on the egress, distance of travel and exit routes.
Class 1: one or more buildings, which in association constitute Class 1(a) - a single dwelling Class 1(b) a boarding house, guesthouse, hostel which not more than 12 persons would ordinarily be resident, Class 2: a building containing 2 or more sole-occupancy units each being a separate dwelling. Class 3: a residential building, Class 5: an office building used for professional or commercial purposes, excluding buildings of class 6,7, 8 or 9. Class 6: a shop or other building for the sale of goods by retail or the supply of services direct to the public, including Class 7: a building, which is a car park; for storage, for display of goods produce for sale by wholesale. Class 8: a laboratory, or a building in which a handcraft or process Class 9: a building of a public nature Class 9a a health-care building; including those parts of the building set aside as a laboratory Class 9b an assembly building, Class 9c building are aged care buildings which may contain residents who have a various care level Class 10(a,b): a non-habitable building or structure

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

ACCESS and EGRESS (BCA Part D) The objective of the this section is to provide a reasonable practical access to a building and egress from a building safely and equitable with dignity,

particularly during an evacuation

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

TRAVEL DISTANCE AND EGRESS
One of the fire safety design features specified the maximum permissible travel distances to exits. These vary according to the class of building Allowing people to exit to a roadway or open space

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

DISCHARGE FROM EXIT
Must not be blocked at the point of discharge and where necessary suitable barrier be provided to prevent vehicles from blocking the exit or access from it

EXIT WIDTH
If a required exit leads to open space, the path of travel to the road must have an unobstructed with throughout of not less them 1meter

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

OPERATION OF LATCH A door in a required exit forming or in the path of travel to a required exit must be readily operable with out a key from the side that faces a person seeking egress, by a single hand downward action or pushing action on a single device except if it (C) Serves an occupancy where special arrangements for security are necessary and it can be immediately unlocked by hand by a person or persons, specifically nominated by the (ii)
owner properly instructed as to the duties and responsibilities involved and available at all times when the building is lawfully occupied so person in the building or part may immediately escape if there is a fire

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECURITY LOCKING

Fail Safe Operation Devices

Understanding the Building Code of Australia in Emergency Procedures

The BCA specifies the fire safety features/services are required to be regular maintained in a building. They may typically include requirements for such facilities as egress routes, exit lights, emergency lighting, extinguishers, hose-reels, fire detection and alarm systems, warning systems sprinkler systems, hydrants, fire doors, smoke control systems, smoke control doors

Site Plan

Assembly Point

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