Fire Protection of Buildings

Building Construction IV, August 2010

Terms to Familiarise (Contents)

Calorific Value of a material Fire Load Fire Resistance Fire Hazards Fire Zones

*IS:1641,IS:1642

Fire Load - Occupancy Grading

Class of fire load Low Fire load value (kcal/m2) 275,000 Recommended for Domestic buildings, hotels, offices etc. Factories, trading establishments Warehouses

Moderate

275,000< x 550,000

High

550,000< x 1100,000

Fire Load - Occupancy Grading

FIRE LOAD GRADING OF OCCUPANCIES

Class of fire load Low

Fire load value (kcal/m2) Avg 275,000, 550,000 on limited isolated areas

Moderate

Avg > 275,000, 550,000 ; 1100,000 on limited isolated areas

High

Avg > 550,000, 1100,000 ; 2200,000 on limited isolated areas

Fire Resistance Grading of Structural Components

Grade Time in Hours- Minimum resistance against standard fire Fire load and class of fire which the structural element can withstand (kcal/m2) 1100,000 and more 550,000 to 1100,000 275,000 to 550,000 < 275,000

1 2 3 4 5

6 4 2 1 1/2

Type

Minimum Fire Resistance of Structural Components in Buildings (in Hours) Walls Extern al Separ ating Diversi on Other fire resisti ng or load bearin g 6 4 2 Columns and Beams, Supporting Extern al walls Diversi on walls Other fire resisti ng or load bearin g walls 6 4 2 Floors Stairca ses, Floors and Flat roofs

1 2 3

6 4 2

6 6 6

6 4 2

6 4 2

6 4 2

6 4 2

6 4 2

1
2

6
6 6

1
2

1/2

1/2

Fire Hazards

Personal Exposure Internal

Fire Zoning
Concept applies to city or area planning Buildings classified on the basis of occupancies in A-J groups Fire zones demarcated on the basis of type/s of fire hazard the occupancies are prone to No. of fire zones depends on existing layouts, types of building occupancies, expected future development of the city/ area A B C D E F G H J Residential Education Institutional Assembly Business Mercantile Industrial Storage Hazardous

Fire Zoning

Fire Zone 1
Groups A-D, E-1,F; or areas under development for these occupancies

Fire Zone 2
E-2, E-3, G-1,G-2; or areas under development for these occupancies

Fire Zone 3
G-3,H,J ; or areas under development for these occupancies

Buildings situated in more than one zone to be identified with the zone where most part of the bldg is situated Buildings extending equally to two or more zones identified with zone having greater risk of hazards Temporary buildings permitted only in zones 1,2