NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDSCONTENTS FOREWORD 3 1 SCOPE 2 TERMINOLOGY 3. FIRE PREVENTION 4 LIFE SAFETY 26 5 FIRE PROTECTION 32 6 ADDITIONAL OCCUPANCY-WISE REQUIREMENTS 49 ANNEX A CALORIFIC VALUES OF COMMON MATERIALS AND . 2 ‘TYPICAL VALUES OF FIRE LOAD DENSITY ANNEX B_ BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND. 6 NON-INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES INTO DIFFERENT DEGREE OF HAZARD . ANNEX C FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH RISE. 65 BUILDINGS — 15 m IN HEIGHT OR ABOVE ANNEX D__ FIRE PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS FOR VENTING IN n INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ANNEX E GUIDELINES FOR FIRE DRILL AND EVACUATION a TT PROCEDURES FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS (ABOVE 15 m IN HEIGHT) LIST OF STANDARDS 83 [NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA.National Building Code Sectional Committee, CED 46 FOREWORD This Part of the Code deals with safety from fire. It specifies the demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction of buildings in each fire zone, classification of buildings based on occupancy, types of building ‘construction according to fire resistance of the structural and non-structural components and other restrictions and requirements necessary to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the buildings can be evacuated. The Code recognizes that safety of life is more than a matter of means of exits and accordingly deals with various matters which are considered essential to the safety of life. Fire protection techniques have to be based on the fie behaviour characteristics of different materials and structural ) With 13 mom ligheweight aggre 90 90901001) 7S 88 100 appear pater 1) Baie of und le: 8) Without finish 0 1) 1190 1907S] LDA IT 5) With 13 "tom liphewoight aggregae 90-9090) 1) 17S 91D sypsum plaster i) Bloke of concrete 4) Without fish % 10 = S150 iy Wath 13 mm lightweight aggregse 99%) 30D DSSS MD ypsum plaster ©) With 13 mm cementsand o gypsum 799 9% 100140 sand i) Blocks of lightweight concrete: 4) Without ash 90 1) 004030882 1) Wit 3 mm lightweight aggregate 90 90-99 100 1D 503 gypsum plaster co) Win 13 mam cemenvsand or gypauny - = 8 8 9100 sind ti) Bleks of aerated concrete 2) Without ish % 1 040 nD 100 D) With 13 mm lghiweight aggregate 90 90100100150, aypsum plaster Walls containing at east | percent of vertical enforcement Minimum thickness of acl cover to reinforcement, ‘Table 3 Masonry Walls: Hollow (Required to Resist Fire from One Side at a Time) (Clause 3.3.2) st ‘Nature of Construction ‘Mlimum Thickness (um), Excluding any Finish for @ No, ‘and Materials Fire Resistance (Hours) of Tad Bearing ‘Now load Bebring Soo 7% 2 3 8 Tm 2 3 4 0 o ® © © © ® ® & oo a oD OD 1 Bieks of cay a) Without finish i 170170 200-200-7578 100 170-170 1) With 13 mm ligheweight aggreente 10D 100 170-1) 17075759 BO. 90100 sypsum plaster 1) Blocks of connote 2) Withoat nish 9 25 2s oo 150 1) With 13 mmcemenvsander gypsumsand 190 200 200 — — 9 125 125 140 140140 ©) With 13 mam lightweight aggregate 7% 9 9 10 1 1s ypsom plaster ii) Blocks of ighweight cone: 2) Without rsh, 10 100 1 S| 1 140150 ) Wit 13 mm cemenvsand or gypsuniiand — — 5 7% 75 10 140 0 ©} With 13 "mm ighiweight aggregate 5 & 6 & 7% «0 1% aypsum plaster PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 15‘Table 4 Framed Construction, Load Bearing (Required to Resist Fire from One Side at a Time) (Clause 3.3.2) a "Nature of Gonna wu Materials Timber Stade wt Contes wt ‘Minin Thicke (nm) of Protection No. Exceeding 600 mm, Faced on Each Side with fora Fire Resstance of Ih o 2 o 1) Plasterboard ayers with joints Staggered, joints in utr layer taped and iled — Tota 25 thikess foreach fae 10) One layer of 12:7 mm plasterboard wath a finsh of ugheweigm aggregate gypsum 13 Pleser 4) Meal ath and plaster, thickness of plaster: 2) Sanded gypsum plaster (metal lating grade) 2 >) Lightweight ageregate gypsum plaster 1B Table § Framed Construction, Non-Load Bearing (Required to Resist Fire from One Side at a Time) (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Nature of Construction and MateralsSteel or Timber Frame at Stud Minimum Thickoess (mm) of Protection ‘Centres not Exceeding 600 mm, Facings on Both Sides of Construction fora Fire Resistance “eth hh o ® o ® ©» © ‘A) Diy lining with mateals Fed direct © studs (tout plaster fish) 1. One layer of plasterboard with taped and fled joints Timberorstell 127 2. Two layers of plasterboard with jim staggered, joins in Timberorstel 19,8, outer layer ape und filed — Total thickness foreach face 3. One layer of asbestos insulating boar with wansverse Joints Timber or sel ° 2 tacked hy fille of asbestorinulatng board not eve than © mmm thik, or by timber 44 One layer of wood woo lbs Timber 2s 5. One layer of chipboard or of plywood Timberorstel 18 Lining with materia Sted directo sods, with plaster Sinih Psterboard of thickness: Timber o steel 2) With not tee han S mm ey plaster finish os 1) With not les than 1 mm gyi plaster finish nt ) We finish Meu lah and psc, dickens of pliner: 9) Sande gypsum plaster Tuber vested 13 b) Lightweight ageegate gypsum plaster Timber Bo pos Sit 8 ‘Table 6 Framed External Walls Load Bearing (Required to Resist Fire from One Side at a Time) (Clause 3.3.2) s ‘Nature of Construction and Materials “Minimum Thickness (mm) of Protection Ne. fora Fire Resitance of Th w @ ° ‘Timber studs at ceters no exceeding 600 mam with interaal nings of ') Plasterboard layers with Joins in outer layer taped. and filed. toa thickness of 2s laserboaed ol 16 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA‘Table 7 Framed External Walls Non-Load Bearing Required to Resist Fire only from Inside the Building (Clause 3.3.2) (a) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimum Thickness (mm) of Protection fora Fire Reltance eth th 2h 3h oh © 2 ® @ o_o ‘Stel frame with an extemal cladding of non-combusible shes (excluding set ste), with ste! supporting framework al internal ining of 1, Metal ath and plaster, thickness of plaster 2) Sande gypsum plaster (etl ating grade) Boo by Lightweight ageregate gypsum plaster o 9 1s 9 Two layer of plasterboard with joins staggered joints im outer yer 2132 taped and filled — Total thickness 3. Plasterboard of thickness 8) With not es than $ mam gypsum plaster finish nt by With not es than 13 mu gypsum plaster ins 9s ©) With notes than 10 mm ightweight aggregate gypsum plaster 95 4 One lyer of asbestos insulating boar with wansverse joints backed by 9 = 9 fillers of asbestos insulating board nt less than 9 mm hek, or by tnber 5. One layer of woodool slabs withowt nish 0 6. One ayer of compressed straw bling slabs: 2) Without nih 50 by With not ess than $ mm gypsum plaster fish 0 7. Aerated concrete blocks 0 0 68 Sm 3. Bricks of oy: 2) Without fish 15 9 = 9% 1010 )_ With not ess than 13 mm lgheweightagargate gyprum plaster % 15 9% 90 ‘Table 8 Framed External Walls Non-Load Bearing Required to Resist Fire only from Inside the Building (Clause 3.3.2) B) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimum Thickness (mm) of Protection to ‘Provide Sufficient Insulation to Achieve ® ‘Modified Fire Reitance of Upto 4h o ® ‘Stel frame with an extra cladding of sheet sel fllylpped, sel boled ad ‘xed to see sheeting ral, with imber of tel supporting framework and internal lining of 1. Metal ah and plaster thickness of plaster: 2) Sanded gypsum plaster (metal lating grade) B 1b) Lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster 10 2. One layer ofplaserboard with joints ape and filled 27 3, Plasterboard of thickness with nt ess than S me gypsum plaster fish 9s 44. One Iayer of asbestos insulating board with wansverse joints backed by 9 filles of asbestos insulating board not est than 9mm thick, orby timber 5. One ayer of wood! woo slabs 2 6. One ayer of compressed straw building labs 0 7. One layer of chipboard or of plywood 18 8. Aerated concrete blocks 2 9. Bricks of ly 1% 10. Any imernal decorative tning witha cavity fill independently supported 50 tnd retained in poston of mineral fe Insulating material (extoding las) ata deny of 48 gin? PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 7Table 9 Framed Walls Non-Load Bearing Required to Resist Fire only from Inside the Building (C) (Clause 3.3.2) "Nature of Construction and Materials “Minimum Thickness (mm) of Protection for a Fire Resistance of 13h, © @ Timber frame with exeralclding of weather boarding oF extemal plywood, on with an intemal ing of 1, Plasterboard aot les han 9.5 mm tic, finshed with 2), Gypsum plaser B by Lighnweight aggregate gypsum plaster 10 2, Plasterboard ot less than 12:7 mm thick, finshed wit: 8) Gypaum plaster 0 ‘by Lighrweight asaregatesypsum plaster 10 3. One layer of asbestos insulating board with transverse joints backed by filles 9 ‘of ashes inslating board no les than 9 thick, oy inber 2 Table 10 Reinforced Concrete Columns (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Sl Nature of Construction and Materials “Minimom Dimensions (mim) Excluding any Finish, No. fora Fire Redistance of — ie Tk ih Th 3 a o 2 ° ® o © © o 1) Fly exposed ‘with 150 2050 SC«MSSCOSSC Cover 0 ‘40 40 40 40 0 ii) Soperceat exposed ‘width Bs 160 200200 300 350 Cover 40 0 ‘40 40 40 40 ii) One face exposed Thickness 100 0 0 1 20 240 Cover 40 40 40 40 0 40 Table 11 Concrete Beams (Clause 33.2) ‘Sl Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Mintnem Dimensions (mm) Excading any Finish, No. fora Fire Reastance of — —_— on Wh ah Ra w 2 o Oo © 7 © 3) Reinforced concrete simply supported) With 200 2020S Cover 20 2% 40 70 1) Reinforesd concrete (continuous) Wiath 200 20 08D Cover 2 2 080 1) Presuessed concrete (simply supported) Width 1 02002 Cover 4S 1x), Prestressed concrete (continous) wit ® mt) am 2a Cover mo 3% 4 55D Require attention wo the additonal meatures necessary to reduce the risk of paling. Table 12 Concrete Floors (Clause 3.3.2) SI Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimum Dimensions (mm) Excluding any Faish, Ne. fora Fire Resistance af ae wh 2h 3h 4h © 2 oe © © © ® 1) Reinforced concrete (imply supponed) Thickness 8S nosis 70 Gover ar) 2535 as) 55 i) Reinforced concrete continoous) Thickness % 9s 103310170 Cover 2% 2353S " Reqire tention othe ational measures necessary to ede te risk of spalling. 18 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIATable 13 Concrete Floors: Ribbed Open Soffit (Clause 3.3.2) ‘S)__ Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimums Dimensions (mum) Excluding any Finish, No. fora Fire Resktance of a “bok Mh 2h HA o 2 o ® © © © 1) Reinforced concrete (imply supported) Thickressoffloor 78S: 150. ATD ib wid ms sss ts Cover 202 wm SS 1) Reinfored concrete (coninoas) Thickness 1% 95 st wath mss sss Cover 2 0 ee ‘Table 14 Encased Steel Columns, 203 mm x 203 mm (Protection Applied on Four Sides) (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Miaimm Dimensions (mua) Excluding any Faish, fora Fire Resistance of —_—————————-— Th Mh 2h o 2 © ©» 6 © |) Hollow protection (without an ar cavity over te fange) 1. Meta lating with toweledlighweight ageegate gypsum plaster = 13S 2D 2, Plasterboard with 6 mm wire binding at 100 mm pitch, Finis with lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster mot less than the thickness specie: 8) 9.8mm plasterboard wo os b) 19mm plasterboard o 3% 4. Asbestos insulating boards, thickness of boar: 1) Single thickness of board, with 6 mm cover flets at wansverse wos jeans 1) Two ayers oft thickness 8B 4, Solid bricks of clay, composition or sand lime, reinforced in every 50 $0, $75,100, hociznntal joint unplastered ‘Actated concrete blocks o © w 6, Solid blocks of lightweight concrete hollow protection (wth an ait S030 506] TS cavity over he Manges) 2) Asbestos insulating board screwed to 25 mm asbestos battens now ©) Soli protections é 1. Concrete, no leaner tan 1:24 mix (wplastre): 8) Concrete not assumed tobe load Beavng. enforced * ws DS ) Concrete assume to be load bearing so SS 2. Lighowight concrete, not leaner than 12:4 mix (wnpaseed): conte 2525S 4D ‘ot sued tobe load bering enforced” " So‘ixed or designed, at allow full penetation fr mechanical bon. ® Reinfowcerent shall consis of sel binding wie not les than 23 mm in thicknes, oa see mesh weighing not les than 0 kg/m. In concrete protection, the spacing ofthat enforcement shal not exceed 200 mm in ay direction. PART 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY BdTable 15 Encased Steel Beams, 406 mm x 176 mm (Protection Applied on Three Sides) (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimum Thickness (um) of Protection fora Fire Resistance of Zibb ahha o 2 ®@ © 8 © ‘A) Hollow protection (without an ar cavity beneath the Tower Mange): 1. Meta ling wih owelled lighiweght aparegate gypsum plaster 1313S mos 2. Plasterboard with .6 mm wire binding” af 100 mm pitch, Hnshed with Tightweight aggregate gypsum plaster oot fess. than the Thickness speci 3) 9.5 mm plasterboard, wo 1 as by 19mm plasterboard 0 10 Bo 3. Asbestos insulating board, thicknes of boat a) Single thieknes of board, with 6mm cover filles at transverse wos joints by Two yer, of tol thickness 30 1B) Hollow protection (rh an air cavity below the fower flange): 1.” Asbeston insulating board screwed to 25 mm asbestos bates s 2 © Soi prsection (Concrete, no leaner than 1:24 mix (nplatece): a) Conese not ssmed tobe lad bering, enforced” 3% ss 23 08 1) Concrete assumed 1 be oud being 0 SS 2. Lightweight cone, not leaner than 1:2:4 (mix) unpasered 3% 8s 2 wo So xed or designed. ato allow fll peneutin fr mechanical bon. © Where wire binding canoot be used, expert advice shouldbe sought regarding ternative methods of support to enable te lower edges ofthe plasterboard to he fice together ato the lower flange, and forte tp edge ofthe plasterboard tobe hein poston, ‘Reinforcement shal consist of sel hindng wie notes than 23 mm in thickness oa steel mesh weighing nt lee han 0. kn? In concrete protection the spacing of ht reinforcement shal not exceed 200 mm in any ection © Concrete not asad oe tod Rearing, enfored ‘Table 16 Timber Floors —Tongued and Grooved Boarding, or Sheets of Tongued and Grooved Plywood or Wood Chipboard, of not Less than 21 mm Finished Thickness (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minka Tlckness (mmm) of Protection fora Fire Resiatance of ——_—_—_—— ory 1h 2h o ® ° © ‘37 (ns) tbe joss with cling of 1. ‘Timber ahing and plaster paste of thickness 1s 2. Metal thing and plaster, thickness of plaster: 8) Sande gypsum plaster (metal athing grade) 1s b) Lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster B B 25 3. One layer of plastrbosrd with apd and filled joint 7 Two layers of plasterboard with joins staggered, ois in ouer layer 1» a ‘ape at filled tal thikness 5. One layer of plasterboard not ess than 9.8mm hick, Rinished wih 3) Gypsum plaster 5 ) Sande gypsum plaster B ©) Lightweight aggrerate gypsum plaster B 6. One ayer of plasterboard notes than 12.7 mm thik, inished with 2) Gypsum plaster s ») Lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster 10 7. One layer of asbestos insulating board with any wansverse joints 9 n hacked hy lets of asbesios intulaing board ot less than rom thick, or by timber 20 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA‘Table 17 Timber Floors — Tongued and Grooved Boarding, or Sheets of Tongued and Grooved Plywood or Wood Chipboard, of not Less than 15 mm Finished Thickness (Clause 3.3.2) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials “Minimum Thickness (um) of Protection for @ Fire Resiatanceof| _ oo 1h 1h 2h o ® o © 37 mm (anima) mer joss with cling of 1. Timber lating and pase, plaster o thickness 1s 2. Metal lating nd plaster, thickness of plaster fo: 2) Sanded gypsum paste (metal lating grade) 15 1) Liphiweight aggregate gypsum plaster 3 B 2s 3. One nyerof plated with tape an filed joints 27 ‘Tw layers of plasterboard with joins staggered, joints in cue layer taped 22 a sn ile otal thickness 5. Onetayer of pateboard nt less than 9S man tic, Fash wit 2) Gypsum plaster s 1b) Sanded gypsum plaster 5 ©) Lighiveigh aggregate aypsum plaster B 6. One ayer of plasterboard not Tess than 12.7 ma thick, Fished with 2) Gypsum plaster 3 2) Lightwejeht agereaate gypsum plaster 10 (One layer of asbestos insulating board, with any transverse joints backed by 9 ro Hl of asesos insulating Board not ls tan 9 mm thick cr by inber ° Finished on top with 25mm minimum thick pas fle or mineral woo! laid berwen ois. ‘Table 18 Timber Floors — Any Structurally Suitable Flooring of ‘Timber or Lignocelluloses Boards (Clause 33.2) ‘Nature of Construction and Materials ‘Minimo Thickness (mun) of Protection for@ Fire Resistance of eee ae 1h o o ® ‘37 vam minimum) be ists with clog oF 1. Timber lthing nd plaster, plaster of thickness 1s 2. Meta lating and plaster, thickness of plaster fr: 8) Sanded gypsum pastr (metal lating grade) 1s ) Lightweight azregate gypsum plaster B 9 3. One layerof plasterboard with joins tape and filed and backed by timber 127 4. Two layers of plasterboard wih joins staggered, joints in outer layer taped 2 tnd filled total hickess Two ayers of plasterboard, cach not les than 95 mm thik, joints between 5 boards staggered and outer ayer ished with gypsum plaster 6. One ayer of plasterboard no less hun 9.5mm hick Fish wit 3) Sande gypsum plaser ') Lightweight aggsegae gypsum plaster 11. One layer of plasteroard notes than 12.7 mm thick, finshed With 2) Sande gypsum plaster ') Lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster 8. One layer af asbestos insulating board with any tanserse joints backed by filles of asbestos insulting board notes than 9mm thick by timber 33.3 Steel Construction of fire. This could be achieved by use of appropriate Load bearing steel beams and columns of buildings methodology using suitable fire resistance rated having total covered area of 500 me? and above shall be materials alongwith suppression system (see Table 14, protected against failure/collapse of structure in case Table 15 and also accepted standard [4(5)]} RY 4 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY 213.4 General Requirements of All Individual Occupancies 341 General Al buildings shall satisfy certain requirements which contribute, individually and collectively, to the safety of life from fire, smoke, fumes and panic arising from these or similar causes. There are, however, certain general principles and common requirements which are applicable to all or most of the occupancies. 34.2 Exceptions and Deviations :xceptions and deviations to the general provisions of requirements of individual occupancies are given as applicable t0 each type of occupancy in 6.1 to 6.9. In case of practical difficulty or to avoid unnecessary hardship, without sacrificing reasonable safety, the Authority may grant exemptions from the Code. 34.3. Occupation of Buildings under Construction 34.3.1 A building or portion of the building may be ‘occupied during construction, repairs, alterations or additions only if all means of exit and fire protection measures are in place and continuously maintained for the occupied part of the building, 4.3.2 A high rise building during construction shall be provided with the following fire protection ‘measures, which shall be maintained in good working ‘condition at all the times: 8) Day riser of minimum 100 mm diameter pipe with hydrant outlets on the floors constructed ‘with a fire service inlet to boost the water inthe dy tiser and maintenance should be as per the requirements laid down in good practice [46)]. b) Drums filled with water of 2 000 litres capacity ‘with two fire buckets on each floor; and ©) A water storage tank of minimum 20000 litres capacity, which may be used for other construction purposes also, 34.4 Maximum Height Every building shall be restricted in its height above the ground level and the number of storeys, depending ‘upon its occupancy and the type of construction. The height shall be measured as specified in Part 3 Development Control Rules and General Building Requirements’. The maximum permissible height for any combination of occupancy and types of ‘construction should necessarily be related to the width, of street fronting the building, or floor area ratios and the local fire fighting facilites available, 34S Floor Area Ratio ‘The comparative floor area ratios for different ‘occupancies and types of construction are given in 2 Table 19 (see also Part 3 ‘Development Control Rules and General Building Requirements’) ‘Table 19 Comparative Floor Area Ratios for Occupancies Facing One Public Street Atleast 9m Wide (Clauses 2.6 and 3.4.5) ‘Occupancy ‘Type of Construction Classification ‘Type! Type? Types Typed © 2 © © © Residential uw) Educational W200 iA Tastintiona uo isos Assembly ue 1b os Business UL 29236 Mercantil 80 181410 Inds 73191613 Storge(seeNoweS) 60S ASAD Havardous(seeNoteS) 28 L109 NP UL — Untimie. NP —Not permitted Nomes 1 The FAR values given in tis table are subject to overall restsietions on the heights of buildings in the case of ‘ducational, institutional, assembly, storage and hazardous ‘ocupancies as specified in col 2 of Table 23, 2 This table has been prepared, taking into sccouat the combustible content inthe different occupancies as well as the fire resistance offered by the type of construction. 3 This table shouldbe mositied by the Authority, taking ato secount the other aspects as given below: 2) Density in tems of dvelling units pe hectare: ) Traffic considerations; ©) Parking spaces; 4) Local fie fighting facies: and ©) Water soppy, deunage and sanitation requirements. 44 The FAR values specified in this table may be increased by 20 percent forthe following servi 2) basement r cellar space under a builing constructed fon stilts and used as a parking space and air conditioning plant room used a4 accessory tothe Principal use: ') Watchman’s boot, pumnphouse, garbage shal electric ‘shin or substation and other uly sractees meant forthe services ofthe building ander considerations: Projections and accessory buildings as specifically ‘exempted under the Code, and Siaircate room and lift rooms above the topmost ore architectural fate; and chimneys and elevated tanks ‘of dimensions as permissible under the Code; the aca ‘ofthe it shal shall be taken only on one floor. 5 Insofar as single storey storage and hazardous occupancies tre concemed, they would be further governed by volume to Plot area ratio (VPR) tobe decided bythe Authority 3.4.5.1 Each portion of a building, which is separated by one or more continuous fire resisting walls, having a fire resistance of not less than 2 h, extending from the foundation to 1 m above the roof at all points, may NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA