NBC REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE SAFETY FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

 Every high rise building shall have at least two staircases and fire escape stairways shall be
directly connected with public or common areas on all floors and shall lead directly to the
ground.
 The route to fire escape shall be free of obstruction at all times except a door way leading to the
fire escape which shall have the required fire resistance.
 At least one side of the stairway shall be an external wall either with large openings or with
break open glass to facilitate rescue operations during an emergency.
 Every high rise apartment building having more than 16 dwelling units shall be provided with at
least one lift capable of carrying a stretcher.
 Handrails shall be of a height of not less than 100 cm.
 Buildings shall be planned, designed and constructed to ensure adequate fire safety to the
property and inhabitants and this shall be carried out, in accordance with Part IV Fire Protection
of the National Building Code of India (Part IV of NBC India deals with the requirements
necessary to minimize danger to life and property from fire and adopts an integrated approach.).

 Main entrances to the premises shall be of adequate width to allow easy access to the fire engine
and in no case it shall measure less than 5 meters.
 A spiral fire escape stairway shall be not less than 150 cm in diameter and shall be so designed
as to give adequate headroom.
 No building shall be altered so as to reduce the number, and size of exits to less than that
required.
 Fire escapes shall be constructed of non-combustible materials. Lifts and escalators shall not be
considered as exits.
 For buildings with ground floor + four floors and above (or height of 15 mtrs. and above),
clearance of the Director of Fire Services shall be obtained regarding the Fire Protection
Provision in building.
 Every building meant for human occupancy shall be provided with exits sufficient to permit
safe escape of occupants in case of fire or other emergency.
 Fire fighting equipment where provided along exits shall be suitably located clearly and yet
there should beck indication about its location from either side of the exit way.
 An exit may be doorway, corridor, and passageways to an internal staircase or external
staircase, ramps or to a veranda and/or terraces, which have access to the street or to roof of a
building.
 Revolving doors shall not be used as required exits except in residential, business and
mercantile occupancies, but shall not constitute more than half the total required door width.
 Fire escape staircases are more important in multi-storey buildings. These are made mostly of
steel or fire retardant materials. To match the architectural style and interior ambiance, staircase
can be built using materials that complement the colour scheme. Any building having more than
four floors including basement or sunken floors, shall have at least two staircases. A main
staircase would be the primary one, to be centrally located and used by the residents.

ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE SAFETY IN HIGH RISE BUILDING - MODULE-5
Ar.RAKESH.M. ASST.PROFESSOR
BMSSA-YELAHANKA-BANGALORE