3.

4 Provisional Requirements for Safe Egress, Fire Containment, and Emergency

Systems

To ensure safe evacuation and effective fire response in apartment buildings, the following
provisional requirements should be considered during design, construction, and ongoing
maintenance:

3.4.1 Means of Egress Design

 Minimum Exits: Each dwelling unit must have at least two distinct means of egress
remote from each other. This could include doors leading to corridors, exterior balconies
with access to fire escapes, or windows meeting specific size and accessibility
requirements.
 Corridor Width: Exit access corridors should be wide enough to accommodate the
anticipated occupant load during an evacuation. Refer to NFPA 101 or the International
Building Code (IBC) for specific width requirements based on the occupancy
classification and the number of people expected to use the corridor.
 Travel Distance: The distance occupants need to travel to reach an exit should be
minimized. Maximum allowable travel distances are specified in codes and standards like
NFPA 101 and the IBC. These distances vary depending on factors such as occupancy
type, building height, and the presence of sprinkler systems.
 Dead-End Corridors: Dead-end corridors should be avoided whenever possible. If they
cannot be eliminated, their length should be limited to comply with code requirements.
Typically, dead-end corridors are limited to 20 feet in unsprinklered buildings and 50 feet
in sprinklered buildings.
 Stairwells: Stairwells should be enclosed with fire-resistant construction to prevent
smoke and flames from spreading between floors. They should also be adequately lit and
ventilated.
 Doors: All exit doors should be fire-rated and equipped with self-closing and self-
latching hardware to maintain compartmentation and prevent the spread of fire and
smoke.

3.4.2 Limiting Fire and Smoke Spread

 Compartmentation: Fire-resistant walls, floors, and ceilings should be used to create

compartments within the building. This helps to contain fires and limit their spread to
other areas, providing more time for evacuation.
 Fire Doors: Properly installed and maintained fire doors are critical for
compartmentation. They should be self-closing and self-latching, and the door frame and
hardware should also be fire-rated.
 Firestopping: All penetrations in fire-rated assemblies, such as those for pipes, ducts,
and electrical conduits, should be properly sealed with approved firestopping materials to
maintain the integrity of the fire barrier.
 Smoke Barriers: Smoke barriers can be installed to create additional compartments and
restrict the movement of smoke.
  Ventilation Systems: Consider the installation of smoke control systems, including
exhaust systems to remove smoke and pressurization systems to keep stairwells clear of
smoke.

3.4.3 Emergency Lighting and Exit Signage

 Emergency Lighting: Ensure adequate emergency lighting throughout the means of

egress, including corridors, stairwells, and exit discharge pathways. This lighting should
activate automatically in the event of a power outage and provide sufficient illumination
for occupants to navigate safely.
 Exit Signage: Clear and readily visible exit signs should be installed at regular intervals
along the means of egress and above all exit doors. Signs should be illuminated and
indicate the direction of travel.
 Accessibility: Consider additional signage or wayfinding aids, such as floor plans or
tactile signage, to assist individuals with disabilities or those who may be unfamiliar with
the building's layout.

By incorporating these provisional requirements, apartment buildings can significantly enhance

their fire safety features, ensuring that occupants have a safe and reliable means of egress and
that the spread of fire and smoke is effectively controlled.
3.9 Provisional Requirements and Design Guidance

The following are essential design considerations for ensuring safe and efficient evacuation in
apartment buildings, drawing upon NFPA, IBC, and relevant British Standards:

Means of Egress

 Capacity:
o The number and width of exits must comply with occupancy load calculations.
o NFPA 101 and IBC provide specific requirements based on occupancy type and
building size.
o Consider potential future changes in occupancy and ensure adequate exit capacity
for those scenarios.
 Travel Distance:
o Minimize the distance occupants must travel to reach an exit.
o Adhere to maximum allowable travel distances as per NFPA 101 and IBC.
o Carefully consider the layout of apartments and common areas to optimize travel
distances.
 Dead-End Corridors:
o Limit the length of dead-end corridors to comply with code requirements.
o If possible, design the building to avoid dead-end corridors altogether.
 Stairwells:
o Ensure stairwells are enclosed with fire-resistant construction to prevent smoke
infiltration.
o Provide handrails on both sides of the stairwells.
o Maintain adequate width for safe evacuation.
 Accessibility:
o Design at least one accessible means of egress per floor for individuals with
disabilities.
o Consider ramps, elevators with fire service capabilities, and visual/audible alarms
for accessibility.

Limiting Fire and Smoke Spread

 Fire-Resistance Ratings:
o Ensure walls, floors, and ceilings along the means of egress have the required
fire-resistance ratings as per building codes.
o Use appropriate fire-rated materials and assemblies for construction.
 Fire Doors:
o Install fire doors with proper ratings at required locations (e.g., stairwell
entrances, corridor separations).
o Ensure fire doors are self-closing and self-latching with approved hardware and
gaskets.
 Firestopping:
 o Thoroughly seal all penetrations in fire-rated assemblies with approved
firestopping materials and methods.
o Engage qualified professionals for firestopping installation to ensure code
compliance.
 Smoke Barriers:
o Install smoke barriers in corridors, elevator lobbies, atriums, and other large open
areas to limit smoke spread.
o Use materials with appropriate fire-resistance ratings for smoke barriers.
 Ventilation Systems:
o Design and install ventilation systems for smoke control that comply with
relevant standards and codes.
o Consider both exhaust systems for smoke removal and pressurization systems for
stairwell protection.

Emergency Lighting and Exit Signage

 Illumination:
o Ensure sufficient emergency lighting throughout the means of egress.
o Use battery backup systems to maintain illumination during power outages.
 Exit Signs:
o Install clearly visible exit signs above all exit doors and at regular intervals along
the means of egress.
o Signs should be illuminated by both normal and emergency power.
 Wayfinding Signage:
o Provide additional directional signage, floor plans, or illuminated markings for
complex buildings or situations with limited visibility.