Dear All,
After the fire accident that occurred in Bangalore, I wanted to share some information on the safety measures that should be implemented in buildings.
Staircase:
A stairway should be wide enough for the number of people likely to use it in an emergency, with a minimum width of 1 meter. In cases where only a few people familiar with the stairway will use it, a narrower one may be sufficient.
If multiple stairways are available, assume that the widest one may be unusable during a fire. Therefore, the remaining stairway(s) should provide a suitable escape route for everyone present.
Protected stairways should be the norm, with fire-resisting partitions and self-closing doors leading directly to a way out of the building. However, in workplaces with low or normal fire risk, an unprotected stairway may be acceptable under certain conditions.
People should not be required to pass through a protected stairway to access an alternative stairway. If necessary, doors connecting adjacent rooms can be used as a bypass, provided they remain unobstructed.
A single stairway may suffice for escape in low or normal fire risk workplaces, as long as it is constructed as a protected stairway, serves no more than three floors above or one floor below ground level, and leads directly to open air.
There is no need for protected lobbies in low fire risk workplaces. This exemption also applies to normal fire risk workplaces if certain fire safety features are installed in rooms or areas leading to the protected stairway.
In small workplaces with low or normal fire risk, unprotected stairways may be acceptable for escape if they provide access between specific floors and exits can be reached within specified escape times.
External stairways should have fire-resisting doors and windows if located within a certain distance. Accommodation stairways, not needed for formal escape, must meet specific criteria.
Means of Escape for Use by Staff:
Certain features like revolving doors, portable ladders, and window exits are not conventional escape routes for the public but may be used by trained staff in specific circumstances.
Items Prohibited on an Escape Route:
To ensure clear escape routes, items that pose a fire hazard or obstruct movement should not be placed in corridors or stairways. Prohibited items include portable heaters, cooking appliances, upholstered furniture, and electrical equipment not essential for safety or security systems.
Escape Doors:
Escape doors should open in the direction of travel in specific situations, and mechanisms like panic latches or bolts should be used for fastening. Fire doors should be self-closing and labeled accordingly.
Fire Doors:
Fire doors must have effective self-closing devices and appropriate labeling. Automatic door release mechanisms can be used but should comply with fire safety regulations.
Please review and implement these safety measures as necessary.
Thank you.
From India, Bangalore
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482After the fire accident that occurred in Bangalore, I wanted to share some information on the safety measures that should be implemented in buildings.
Staircase:
A stairway should be wide enough for the number of people likely to use it in an emergency, with a minimum width of 1 meter. In cases where only a few people familiar with the stairway will use it, a narrower one may be sufficient.
If multiple stairways are available, assume that the widest one may be unusable during a fire. Therefore, the remaining stairway(s) should provide a suitable escape route for everyone present.
Protected stairways should be the norm, with fire-resisting partitions and self-closing doors leading directly to a way out of the building. However, in workplaces with low or normal fire risk, an unprotected stairway may be acceptable under certain conditions.
People should not be required to pass through a protected stairway to access an alternative stairway. If necessary, doors connecting adjacent rooms can be used as a bypass, provided they remain unobstructed.
A single stairway may suffice for escape in low or normal fire risk workplaces, as long as it is constructed as a protected stairway, serves no more than three floors above or one floor below ground level, and leads directly to open air.
There is no need for protected lobbies in low fire risk workplaces. This exemption also applies to normal fire risk workplaces if certain fire safety features are installed in rooms or areas leading to the protected stairway.
In small workplaces with low or normal fire risk, unprotected stairways may be acceptable for escape if they provide access between specific floors and exits can be reached within specified escape times.
External stairways should have fire-resisting doors and windows if located within a certain distance. Accommodation stairways, not needed for formal escape, must meet specific criteria.
Means of Escape for Use by Staff:
Certain features like revolving doors, portable ladders, and window exits are not conventional escape routes for the public but may be used by trained staff in specific circumstances.
Items Prohibited on an Escape Route:
To ensure clear escape routes, items that pose a fire hazard or obstruct movement should not be placed in corridors or stairways. Prohibited items include portable heaters, cooking appliances, upholstered furniture, and electrical equipment not essential for safety or security systems.
Escape Doors:
Escape doors should open in the direction of travel in specific situations, and mechanisms like panic latches or bolts should be used for fastening. Fire doors should be self-closing and labeled accordingly.
Fire Doors:
Fire doors must have effective self-closing devices and appropriate labeling. Automatic door release mechanisms can be used but should comply with fire safety regulations.
Please review and implement these safety measures as necessary.
Thank you.
From India, Bangalore
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Thank You Mahesh, Is there a norm which makes it mandatory for having a minimum number of stairways In some of the older constructions only one stairway is available Anil
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Anil,
Normally, a workplace must have at least two exit routes to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency. More than two exits are required, however, if the number of employees, size of the building, or arrangement of the workplace will not allow employees to evacuate safely. Exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
Exception: If the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace allows all employees to evacuate safely during an emergency, one exit route is permitted.
From India, Bangalore
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Normally, a workplace must have at least two exit routes to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency. More than two exits are required, however, if the number of employees, size of the building, or arrangement of the workplace will not allow employees to evacuate safely. Exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
Exception: If the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace allows all employees to evacuate safely during an emergency, one exit route is permitted.
From India, Bangalore
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