DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY

PARTS 3 and 4

ACTIVE SYSTEMS
And
ACCESS for FIRE FIGHTING and RESCUE

“A re-visit to the interpretations and applications

of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984”

Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs
with
Ir Wong See Foong
FIEM MIFireE PEng CEng PJB
Uniform Building By-Laws 1984
is a
“PRESCRIPTIVE” BUILDING CODE

•Compliance with this code is a requirement by law

•Sets rules and regulations on the application of the code
•Provides pre-determined prescriptions

The prescriptions are absolute :

no smaller than……..
no bigger than……..
no shorter than……
no longer than……
or
no less than and no more than.
CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY

1 EVACUATION

2 PASSIVE CONTAINMENT

3 ACTIVE INTERVENTION

4 ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE

NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover

Temperature / size

Untenable condition

Time

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Ignition & growth development Full fire Decay
Active systems for…..

 EVACUATION
 Detection and Alarm
 Communication
 Smoke control
 Portable fire extinguishers
Temperature / size Available Safe Egress Time ASET

Untenable condition
detection
alarm

movement
Total
evacuation
ignition Time

Factor of safety:
Required Safe Egress Time RSET RSET < 0.75 ASET
detection

 Very early detection

 Early detection

 Manual detection
alarm
 Automatic

 Pre alarm

 Local / manual
 FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM

System objective are:

 To detect outbreak of fire and warn occupants
 To activate fire safety systems
 To inform Fire Brigade
 To monitor fire safety equipment
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 237, fire alarm systems are required

for buildings defined under the 10th Schedule

Under UBBL 238, a fire command center is

required for all buildings above 30.5 meters or
exceeding 9,290 sq. meters in gross area.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Manual call points and bells to be along escape

corridors or beside exit and staircase doors, such
that no occupant need travel more than 30 meters
to reach a call point.
 MAIN FIRE ALARM PANEL
Main fire alarm panel comprises:
 Alarm, fault and isolation indication for each zone.
 Indicator lights to monitor status of power supply
and fire safety systems such as fire pumps, smoke
control equipment, carbon dioxide systems, fire
tank water levels, etc.
 Mimic panel to identify location of each zone.
 Battery with charger to provide power supply for
the whole system.
 FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

 Manual break glass for occupants to activate

manually.
 Heat detectors to detect heat intensive fires
automatically for spaces up to 9 meters high.
 Smoke detectors to detect smoke intensive fires
automatically for spaces up to 10 meters high.
 Beam (smoke) detectors for high spaces such as
atriums up to 25 meters high.
 Flame (IR or UV) detectors
 Heat …..or Smoke?
 Smoke detectors for electrical rooms and store
rooms.
 Heat detectors for general areas.
 Smoke detectors for areas where rapid heat
development is normal for the function of the
space, or where combustibles may burn with high
release of smoke
 Heat detectors for areas where smoke may be a
common presence in the space, or where
combustibles may burn rapidly and efficiently
 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

 To
guide the occupants in an orderly manner
during evacuation upon detection of fire.

 For
the firemen to communicate with one another
during fire fighting operations.
Active Fire Safety Systems
 RELEVANT BY-LAW

Under UBBL 239, two voice communication

system is required for all large buildings and high
rise buildings and they are:

 Public address system, and

 Fire brigade intercommunication system

 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Intended for use by the occupants during the early

stages of the fire

Under UBBL 227, portable fire extinguishers are

required for first aid use.
 CLASSES OF FIRES

 Class A: Combustible solids like paper, wood

 Class B: Inflammable Liquids like kerosene, diesel
 Class C: Flammable gases
 Class D: Reactive metals like sodium, potassium,
 Class E: Ignition of an electrical nature
 Class F: Cooking oil fires
 TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

 Water type for Class A fires

 Dry powder type for Class A, B, C and F fires
 Carbon Dioxide type for Class E fires
 Foam type for Class B fires

Dry powder type of 6 kg for general use.

Carbon Dioxide type for electrical rooms
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Beside exit and staircase doors

 Generally located within 20 meters of any potential

hazard
 Active systems for…..
 COMPARTMENTATION

 Smoke Control
 Extinquishment
 Manual

 Automatic
 SMOKE CONTROL
TYPES

 Pressurization system to prevent entry of smoke

by pressurizing the compartment with air.
 Space depressurization system to prevent the
spread of smoke by extraction.
 Smoke dilution system to remove the smoke by
extraction and make-up of air.
 PRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS

Typical application are in protected shafts and

corridors.

 Airis actively supplied into the compartment to be

protected to maintain a positive pressure relative
to the adjacent compartments.
 DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS

Typical application are multi-storey office

buildings.

 Flooron fire is maintained under negative

pressure by extracting the smoke laden air.

 Immediate floors above and below are maintained

at positive pressure by supplying air to these
floors.
 DILUTION SYSTEMS

Typical application are basement car parks and

shopping complexes.

 Smoke is extracted from zone on fire.

 Make-up air is provided to zones adjacent to area

on fire.
 HOSE REELS

Intended for the occupants to use during early

stages of the fire
Active Fire Safety Systems
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Near exit and staircase doors

 All spaces to be within 36 meters of a hose reel.

 No restriction on location of hose reel pumps and

tanks.
 SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Intended to detect and extinguish a fire and warn

the occupants to evacuate.

Under UBBL 226, automatic sprinkler systems are

required for storage and other types of
occupancies where automatic extinguishing
system is necessary.
 TYPES OF SYSTEMS
 Wet pipe system where pipe work is charged with
water at all times.
 Dry pipe system where pipe is charged with water
only after the sprinkler head is activated.
 Pre-action system where system is charged with
water after fire is detected but before the sprinkler
head is activated.
 Deluge system where water is discharged
simultaneously from all sprinkler heads upon
activation.
 TYPES OF HAZARDS
 LightHazard e.g. apartments, schools
 Ordinary Hazards:
 OH Group I : Offices, restaurants
 OH Group II : Laundries, bakeries
 OH Group III : Departmental Stores, Car parks
 OH Group IV : Film and television studios
 High Hazards:
 Process risks
 High piled storage risks
 SPRINKLER TANKS

 Typical location at ground or first basement

although no restriction on the location except for
distance from pump.
 AREAS EXEMPTED

 Transformer Rooms;
 Switch gear Rooms;
 Lift Motor Rooms; and
 Toilets;
INSTALLATION CONTROL VALVE

Water supply to sprinklers feed from

Installation control valve with alarm gong and
shut-off valves.

For life safety systems, Sprinklers are grouped

such that each zone does not have more than
200 sprinkler heads with its own flow switch.
 SPRINKLER PIPE WORK

 The height between the lowest and highest

sprinkler within one stage not to exceed 45 m.
 For buildings exceeding 45 m., multiple stages are
required.
 Express risers are permitted to bypass lower
stgages and serve the upper stage.
8. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM

System using carbon dioxide to extinguish a fire

by excluding oxygen from the fire and commonly
used for electrical rooms where water may not be
suitable.

The by-law relevant to this system is UBBL 235.

 TYPES OF SYSTEMS

 Total Flooding System uses CO2 to displace

oxygen within entire room.

 Local Application creates envelope around fire and

exclude oxygen around the fire only.
 AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION

 Heat and smoke detectors installed to detect fire.

 Activation of one detector initiates alarm but not
gas discharge.
 Activation of any two detectors initiates gas
discharge.
 Time delay of 30 sec. before gas discharge.
 MANUAL ACTIVATION

 Manual activation by pull station in event of

failure of automatic activation.
 Pull station to be outside of room protected.
 Audio and visual warning activated upon gas
discharge to warn occupants from entering.
Active systems for…..

 FIRE FIGHTING and RESCUE

 Lifts
 Risers
 Hydrants
 FIRE LIFT

Intended to assist the firemen to reach the floors on

fire rapidly.

Under UBBL 243, any building exceeding 18.5

meters high shall be provided with firemen’s lift.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Notmore than 61 meters from the furthermost

point of the floor.

 Not more than 61 meters from the main entrance

of the building or the fire control room whichever
is nearer.
 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

 Lift capacity to be able to carry 550kg. min.

 Lift car platform size to be not less than 1.45 sq.
meters.
 Lift car door to be min. 800 mm clear in width.
 Lift to serve all occupied floors.
 FIRE MODE OF OPERATION

 Lift to be provided with emergency power for

operation during power failure.
 Lift to return to main landing upon detection of
power failure and remain inoperable until firemen
arrive.
 Fire switch to be provided at main landing for
firemen to activate the lift for their use.
 DRY RISER SYSTEMS

Intended for the firemen to pump water up to the

floors on fire.

Under UBBL 230, dry risers required for all

buildings with topmost floor above 18.3 meters
from fire appliance access level
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Landing valves located within fire access lobbies.

 Provided on every upper floor such that all spaces

are within 45 m from a landing valve.

 Breechinginlet to be no more than 18 m. from fire

appliance access road and not more than 30 meters
from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 DRY RISER PIPE WORK

 Dry
riser to be 100 mm dia. If highest outlet is no
more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.

 Dry
riser to be 150 mm dia. If highest outlet is
more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.
 5. WET RISER SYSTEMS

Intended to supply water up to the floors on fire

for the firemen to use.

Under UBBL 231, wet risers required for all

buildings with topmost floor above 30.5m. From
the fire appliance access level.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Landing valves located within fire access lobbies.

 Provided on every upper floor such that all spaces
are within 45 m from a landing valve.
 Distance between landing valves on the same floor
not to exceed 60 m.
 Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from fire
appliance access road and not more than 30 meters
from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 PUMPS AND PIPE WORK

 Eachstack not to exceed 60 m or 71 m if approved

by the Director General of Fire and Rescue Dept.

Stack height is defined as the height from the wet

riser pump to the topmost floor protected.
 WET RISER PUMPS AND TANKS

 Location of wet riser pumps and tanks restricted to

ground, first or second basement.

 Lowest basement may not be premitted due to

possibility of flooding.
 6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEMS

Intended to provide water from roof fire tank to

the floors on fire using static head available.

Only permitted for private residential buildings

where the topmost floor is no higher than 60 m.
above fire appliance access level.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

 Landing valves located within fire access lobbies

 Provided on every upper floor such that all spaces

are within 45 m from a landing valve.

 Breechinginlet to be no more than 18 m. from fire

appliance access road and not more than 30 meters
from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 DOWNCOMER TANKS

 Tankslocated on roof of building for maximum

pressure.
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

UBBL

 196, 197 - smoke lobbies, protected lobbies

 198, 199, 200, 201 – ventilation of stairs
 229 – fire fighting lobbies
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

 Protected Lobby : protected lobby separated or

isolated from fire and smoke infiltration
 Smoke Lobby : a protected lobby primarily to
isolate staircases from smoke infiltration
 ventilated lobby : protected/smoke lobby by
means of natural ventilation from outside
 Fire Fighting Access Lobby : a protected
lobby designed for fire fighting access
 SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

To control the spread of smoke from the source of

fire to other occupied spaces and maintain
visibility as much as possible during evacuation.
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL clauses 196 and 197 requires fire

fighting access lobbies and smoke lobbies to be
pressurized if natural ventilation cannot be
provided.

Under UBBL clauses 200, 201 and 202 requires

escape staircases to be pressurized if natural
ventilation cannot be provided.
 STAIRCASE PRESSURIZATION

 Entire staircase pressurized with air.

 Air pressure within staircase is controlled to

permit opening of exit doors without the need of
excessive force.
 LIFT LOBBY PRESSURIZATION

 Lift lobbies are individually pressurized with air.

 Air pressure within lift lobbies is controlled to

permit opening of exit doors without the need of
excessive force.
 External wall Ventilation opening

No protected
lobby required

Protected
lobby
requirement
for building >
18m Protected
lobby
(By-Law 197) requirement Building more than
18m above ground
level
 Ventilated
opening

Omission of
No protected
protected lobby lobby
for pressurised required
staircase for Staircase
buildings pressurised
below 45m For building
above
18m but below
No protected
45m
lobby required
 Ventilation opening

Protected lobby No protected

lobby required
requirement for
building > 45m
[By-Law 197(2)]
Protected
lobby to be
pressurised

Above 18m, need PROTECTION

Above 45m, protection by
PRESSURISATION
PROTECTED / PRESSURISED
UBBL 229
 EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANTS

System of Pipe work connected to public water

mains to provide water for the pumps in the fire
engine.

For industrial plants, fire pumps have to be

provided where flow is unreliable or pressure is
inadequate
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 225, every building shall be

provided with at least one fire hydrant.
Hydrants should be located:

i) away from obstructions such as street furniture (benches), phone

booths, etc.

ii) not less than 2,000mm from adjacent buildings and overhangs.

iii) between 610mm to 2,400mm from Fire Appliance Access.

iv) away from risks of vehicular damage.

v) not more than 90m apart from each other (in new buildings adjacent
to existing developments, a new hydrant within 45m radius of the new
building).
 No overhangs
Building over hydrants

Pavement

Verandah Hydrant

> 2m 0.6m to 2.4m

Access
 EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Intended to provide emergency power to operate

all fire safety systems.

Under UBBL 253, emergency power is to be

provided for fire pumps, fire lifts, fire alarm,
smoke control, emergency lighting, voice
communication, firemen intercom, etc.
 SOURCES OF EMERGENCY POWER

 Standby electrical generator with changeover

switch activated upon power failure;

 Batterybanks with charger to maintain them in

charged condition.
 LOCATION

 Generator to be located at ground or first basement

for easy access by firemen.

 Outdoor air required to cool diesel engine’s

radiator.
 INTEGRATION WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clauses 136, limits of dimensions for

compartmentation can be doubled with the
provision of automatic sprinkler system.
 INTEGRATION WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clause 202, escape staircases have to

be pressurized if inadequate natural ventilation is
provided.

Likewise under UBBL clause 196(5), smoke lobbies

have to be pressurized or ventilated if natural
ventilation is inadequate.
 INTEGRATION WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clauses 250 for smoke venting,

mechanically operated smoke vents have to be
provided if there are inadequate openings for
smoke venting.
 INTERFACE WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clauses 164(3), fire doors can be held

open provided the device incorporates a heat
activated mechanism to release the door.

However, this cannot be used for doors to

protected corridors or staircases.
 INTERFACE WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

 Fire shutters to meet compartmentation

requirements can be left open until activated
by fire alarm.

 Glass curtain walls can be utilized to contain

smoke and fire if water spray or water curtain
is provided to cool the glass.
FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS
Refers to an area “Access Way” specifically allocated for the
parking of Bomba appliances during fire fighting and
rescue operations.

UBBL 140

“Access Way” (street, road or open space) is to be provided

as a proportion of the perimeter of the building, with
reference to the volume of the building.
EXTERNAL ACCESS

Access for emergency and rescue vehicles,

equipment and personnel
•Roads
•Pavements
•Parking

Availability of water :
•Hydrants
•Storage tanks
•Lakes, rivers, ponds

And access to fire fighting systems in the premises

AT THE PREMISES

Clarity of :
•Type of building and function
•Configuration of building
•Location of fire control panel
•Location of breaching inlets and pump rooms

Access into the building

•Protected passage
•Protected stairs
•Firemen’s lift
•Fire fighting lobby
Pressurised Hydrant System
Sprinkler System
Dry Riser system
Wet Riser System
External source of water
•Hydrants
•Lakes, Ponds, Pools, rivers

•Fire Tenders

Internal Systems
Fire Fighting Appliance Breaching Inlet •Sprinklers
on ‘Access Way’ •Hose reels
•Dry/Wet Risers
Vehicles in use by JBPM :

•Motorcycle
•Terrain buggy
•Rapid Fire Rescue Tender
•Fire Rescue Tender
•Turntable ladder
•Hydraulic platform
•Hazmat
Rapid response motorcycles
Terrain buggy
Rapid Fire Rescue Tender
Fire Rescue Tender (medium)
Fire Rescue Tender (light)
HAZMAT tender
Turntable ladders
Pump tanker
Hydraulic platforms
Example of Fire Fighting Access Way
Fire appliance Access Way at upper ground level
access level and
Access Way
 13,000 m3 (1/6)

Access way at upper ground level

Access road 8,600m3 36,000m3 Access road / ramp

/ ramp (1/6) (1/4)

Access way at appliance access level

 Access
ramp

Access ramp Command center

Breaching inlet
Pump room access
Building volume
7,001 cu m A

to 28,000 cu m
B
D

Fire appliance
Isolated site/location
X access with no adjacent
property/building.

X => 1/6 (A+B+C+D)

Note: Turning provision required for fire appliances if dead end access
exceeds 18 m.
Turning provision can be in the form of hammer-head or turning
circle
Building volume
7,001 cu m A 6m back lane
to 28,000 cu m
City/Built up location
with adjacent buildings D B

Pavement
C

Main road used for

Accessible perimeter appliance access
of building if not less than 12m wide

C => 1/6 (A+B+C+D)

Appliance access from main road is sufficient if the building volume does not exceed
28,000 m3.

In the event the 6 m back lane is accessible by fire fighting appliances and the
building volume exceeds 28,000 m3 but is less than 56,000 m3, then,

A + C => 1/4 (A+B+C+D)

Building volume min. 6m

A
56,001 cu m to
84,000 cu m D B Access
road
> 18m
C

Fire appliance access Access road

12m
B + C => 1/2 (A+B+C+D)

6m back lane
A accessible to fire appliance

D B

Pavement
C
Access road
12m
A + C => 1/2 (A+B+C+D)
Building volume
84,001 cu m to Fire appliance
A
112,000 cu m access minimum
6m width
D B

Access road 12m

A+B+C 3/4 (A+B+C+D)

Building volume A
84,001 cu m to
112,000 cu m
D B

Access road 12m

B + C + D => 3/4 (A+B+C+D)

Building
volume
above A

112,000 cu m
D B
Minimum 6m width
Fire appliance access

Access road 12m

The minimum permissible width of a Fire Appliance Access is 6.0m.
The minimum turning radius around corners of buildings shall be provided as follows:

L(13m) min. 6m
W1

d1
W2
(min 6m)
d2

L(13m)

W = unobstructed width of Appliance Access

L = length of largest Fire Appliance (currently 13m)
d - cut-back distance is obtained by intersecting the imaginary corner of a
building with line A - C
Horizontal exit
?

?
Final exit
?
Thank you !