Fire Protection:There is now a fast growing awareness among the modern

architects and engineers to plan, design and construct the buildings in such a
manner that the safety of the occupants is assured to the maximum possible
extent in the event of outbreak of fire in the building. Once the fire stars, it
tends to ignite all the combustible materials in the surrounding areas and in
case it is not checked it may spread to other parts of the building. If the fire
is not controlled within the reasonable period, it may lead to the collapse of
the entire structure. It is not possible to attain absolute safety from fire but
by adopting certain measures it is definitely possible to provide reasonable
degree of safety from fire. From the study of the fire accidents in the past it
is analysed that fire causes damage to the building and its contents, whereas
the byproduct of the fire i.e. the smoke and the hot toxic gases cause
maximum damage to the human life. Smoke reduces visibility and the hot
toxic gases produce suffocating effect and the combined effect of the two is
to bring about mass panic which in turn causes maximum danger to life.
Thus, besides making a building with fire resistant materials, it is equally
important to plan it in such a way that the risk of panic due to smoke and hot
gases in minimized. The nature of dangers caused by fire can be broadly
divided into the following types.
i. Danger to life of occupants.
ii.
Danger of spread of fire to other areas.
iii.
Danger of damage to property (Building and its contents)
1. Danger to life of Occupants: - This danger can be taken care of by
providing adequate means of escape for the occupants so that they
can reach the place of safety in the shortest possible time in the event
of a fire. Thus, the building should be so planned that it has sufficient
provisions for safe exit from within the building by way definite escape
ways, passages, corridors and Stairs etc. leading to a street or to an
open space. Lifts and escalators are not considered as exits. this is on
account of the fact that from the experience in the past it is seen that
even well designed lifts failed to operate successfully in the in the
event of fire. This issue needs special attention in case of multistoried
buildings. In case there is a fire in a particular storey, the exit
provisions in the building should be such that the occupants of the
floor immediately above and below that floor should be able to have
safe exit in reasonable short time. Thus the size of the corridor, Width
of staircase and the location of the stair case halls should be suitably
decided keeping the above requirement in view. National Building Code

i.
ii.

iii.

has covered the topic of fire protection in detail. Some of the important
requirements relating to this issue as given in the code are highlighted
below:
Every tall building should have a minimum of two staircases.
The travel distance (i.e. the distance an occupant has to travel to reach
an exit) for different types of buildings should be as under
a) Residential, educational, institutional, hazardous. 225 m
b) Assembly, mercantile, industrial, and storage
..30 m
c) Business
.45 m

No revolving door should be treated as exits except in residential and

mercantile occupancies.
iv.
Lifts and escalators should not be considered as exits.
v. A separate fire lift should be provided for use of fire brigade in the
event of fire.
2. Danger of Spread of Fire to Other Areas: - This danger can be
taken care of by planning and designing the building in such a manner
that the fire can be contained in a limited area for sufficient time to
enable the occupants in the danger zone to escape to place of safety.
To meet this requirement, the building should be designed in the form
of series of compartments enclosed by floors and walls. Each
compartment should be so created that it is capable of restraining fire
within the compartment for appropriate duration of time. Besides this
each stairwell, elevator and service shaft (in case of multi-storeyed
building) should also be suitably treated so as to enable it to function
in the form of vertical compartment or cell extending from top to
bottom of the building.
3. Danger of damage to property (Building and its contents): This
danger can be minimized by use of fire resisting materials and by
carrying out the construction of the structural elements like columns,
beams, floors, load bearing walls, lintels, arches etc. in such a way that
at the time of fire they should continue to function as structural
elements till such time as would enable the occupants to escape to
safe places. The degree of fire resistance necessary to prevent
penetration by fire of any structural element is related to the fire load
i.e. amount of combustible materials (like furniture, upholstery,
carpets, curtains, clothes, paper etc.) present in the building per sq. m.
of its floor area. Keeping in view the high cost of construction of a fire
resistant building, it is not desirable to make all buildings fully
protected against fire. The degree of fire resistance to be provided
depends to a great extent upon the use of the building as well as the

extent of the number of people it accommodates. In general, buildings

like schools, hospitals, cinema, theatres, multi-storeyed office buildings
etc. should be designed to offer a greater degree of fire resistance as
compared to a warehouse or a godown.
National Building Code has classified construction into four
classes namely type 1,
type 2, type 3,and type 4 on the basis of fire resistance offered by
building components for 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours and 1 hours
respectively. Thus, in construction of type 1 all the structural
components of the building are constructed in such a manner and are
of such materials that, in case of outbreak of fire, they can withstand
fire as integral members of the structure for a duration of 4 hours.
Hence proper selection of a material and the method of
construction play an important role in minimizing danger from fire to
the property.

Fire Resisting Properties of Material:The Fire Resisting Properties of the different Material commonly
used for construction purposes are described below.
1. Timber: Timber has unique property of self-insulation and slow
burning and offers considerable resistance to fire. When subjected to
fire, timber first gets charred to certain depth and thereafter, this
charred layer serves as insulation to check the spread of fire to the
inner portion. Additional fire resistance is achieved through
impregnation of timber with large quantities of fire resistance is
achieved through impregnation of timber, with large quantities of fireretarding chemicals. The commonly used chemicals for this purpose
are ammonium phosphate and sulphate, borax and boric acid, zinc
chloride etc. This treatment retards increase in temperature during fire;
decrease rate of flame spread and enable easy fire control. Usually 32
to 48 kg of chemical per cubic metre of wood are used for moderate
protection and 80 to 96 kg. per cubic metre for high protection. During
the recent years, a number of fire resistant paints have also been
introduced for rendering the timber fire-resistant. Paints of asbestos,
magnesium sulphate, ferrous-oxide etc. have been found to be very
much effective.
2. Brick: First class bricks moulded from good clay can stand exposure to
fire for a considerable length of time. The properties of bricks which
render them fire resistant are the size of bricks, the method of
construction and the component of fire-resistive material in bricks i.e.

3.

4.

5.

6.

clay etc. It has been well established that brick masonry construction is
most suitable for safeguarding the structure against fire hazards.
Stone: The usage of stone in a fire resistive construction should be
strictly restricted to the minimum. Hot stone when subjected to sudden
cooling develops cracks and can lead to failure of structure. Granite,
when exposed to severe fire, explodes and disintegrates. Lime stone is
least recommended as it crumbles and gets ruined by an ordinary fire.
Only compact sand-stone having fire grains may be used as it can
stand the exposure to moderate fire without serious cracks.
Steel: Steel although incombustible has a very low fire resistance
value. With the increase in temperature, the co-efficient of elasticity of
the metal falls appreciably rendering the structural members in this
state come in contact with water used for extinguishing the fire, they
tend of contract, twist or distort and thus the stability of the entire
structure is endangered. It has been noticed that unprotected steel
when subjected to fire, causes the collapse of the structure. Hence in a
fire resistant construction, structural steel members must be suitably
protected by covering them with materials like brick, terra-cotta,
concrete etc.
Concrete: The influence of fire on concrete varies with the nature of
its coarse aggregate and its density. It has been found that aggregates
obtained from igneous rocks containing higher calcerous content, tend
to crack when subjected to fire. Coarse aggregates like foamed slag,
cinder and brick are best suited for a concrete which has to be fire
resistive. It has been noticed that in an average fire, the concrete
surface gets disintegrated for a depth of about 25 mm. This is due to
the dehydration of mortar in concrete by the fire. Hence in a reinforced
concrete fire resistant construction, the thickness of clear cover should
be more.
Glass: glass conducts heat faster than metal. Because of its low
thermal conductivity, the change in volume on account of expansion or
contraction is very small and as such it may be considered to be a
good to be a good fire resisting material. However when subjected to
sudden and extreme variation of temperatures, it fractures or cracks.
By the use of glass reinforced with steel wire netting, such cracks can
be minimized. Even when the cracks are formed, the fractured glass
remains in its original position, as the embedded wire holds the
cracked portion and does not allow it to fall. The reinforced glass, and
as such it is commonly used for fire resisting doors, windows, sky-lights
etc.

7. Asbestos: Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which is combined with

Portland cement to from a material having great fire resistive value.
Asbestos cement products are largely used for the construction of fireresistive partitions, roof etc. On account of its low co-efficient of
expansion and property of incombustibility, the structural members
blended with asbestos cement possess great resistance to cracking,
swelling or disintegration when exposed to fire.
8. Plaster or Mortar: Plaster or Mortar is incombustible and as such, by
suitable choice of the type of mortar, the walls or ceiling of a building
can be made more fire resistant. Cement mortar is preferred to lime
mortar as the latter is liable to calcine. The resistance of the plaster to
fire hazards can be increased by using it in thicker layers or reinforcing
the plaster with metal laths. Gypsum plaster when applied over
structural members like steel columns etc. makes the have good fireresistive qualities.

Fire Resistant Construction:In a Fire Resistant Construction, the maximum use of non-combustible
materials should be encouraged. All the structural elements such as beams,
Columns, lintels, arches, floors, and roofs, load-bearing walls and partition
walls etc. should be constructed in such a way that they should continue to
function as structural members at least for the period which may be
sufficient for the occupants to escape. The following additional points should
be kept in view while designing a fire resistant structure:
1) The load-bearing walls or columns of masonry should be thicker in
section so that they may successfully act as fire barrier for a
considerable time.
2) As far as possible fire resisting material should be used in the
construction of flooring.
If the usage of material which is likely to
be damaged cannot be avoided either due to financial or other
considerations, the following precautions should be observed:
i. In case of wooden floors, thicker joists spaced at greater distance apart
should be used.
ii.
Fire stops should be provided in wooden floors at suitable intervals.
iii.
Flooring made from materials like concrete, brick, ceramic tiles etc., is
considered to be most suitable for fire-resistant construction. In case,
cast iron, wrought iron, or combustible materials like rubber, cork,
carpet etc. have to be used in flooring, such material like ceramic tiles,
terracotta, bricks etc.
3) Reinforced concrete framed structures should be preferred to steel
structures. As steel is liable to twist, sag or distort under heavy fire,

the metal should be protected by using concrete, hallow clay tiles,

bricks, metal lath and plaster, etc. The treatment given to steel
columns is shown in Figures.

Various Type of Fire-proofing treatment given to steel

and concrete columns
The cover of the protected material like tiles or bricks etc. all round the
steel members should be at least 10 cm. from all sides. In any case,
the metal flanges should be protected with not less than 5 cm. layer of
concrete. The cover of concrete for reinforced concrete members, like
beams, or columns should be sufficient to enable the members
function satisfactorily, under fire for a maximum time. The concrete
cover outside the main reinforcement should be at least 5 cm. for very
important structural members, like columns, grinders, trusses etc.38
mm for ordinary beam, or long span slabs, arches etc. and 25 mm. for
partition walls and short span slabs.

4) The partition walls should similarly be of fire-resistant material. In

general, R.C.C., R.B.C., metal lath and plaster, asbestos cement board,
hollow concrete or clay tiles should be used in the construction of
partition walls. In case, wooden partition has to be made fire resistant,
it should be covered with metal lath and plaster.
5) The load-bearing walls, as well as non-load bearing walls, should be
plastered with fire-resistive mortar.
6) The ceiling should be directly attached or suspended from the floor
joist and it should be made fire-resistant by fixing asbestos cement
boards, fiber boards, metal lath and plaster etc. to its framework.

Various Types of Fire-proofing treatment

given to beams
7) The doors, windows or exposed sides should be glazed and fitted with
reinforced glass panels.
8) As far as possible, use metal frames for doors with steel shutters.
9) Due consideration should be made for providing suitable means of
escape for the occupants of the structure. In single storey building, the
provision of an accessible window, large enough to permit the
occupants to get out through the opening should be ensured. In case
of multi-storeyed structures, the location of staircase should be
decided carefully. For stairs of important buildings, a higher standard
of the fire resistance is required. R.C.C. Stair considered best from all
considerations. The staircase hall which acts like a vertical shaft

connecting the various floors should be surrounded with the enclosure

walls made up of fire-resistive materials. The lift halls should also be
similarly treated. All the doors or windows of the staircase hall or lift
well should preferably be of metal frame with steel shutters.
10)
As far as possible, flat roof should be encouraged. In case, the
sloping roof is considered necessary, either due to site conditions or
due to architectural reasons, the ceiling of the sloped roof should be
made up of fire-resistive material.

Fire Protection requirements for Multi-storeyed

Buildings:Main Fire Protection requirements for Multi-storeyed Building can be
summarized as under:
1) Structure: The structural framework can be in R.C.C. or steel. In case
of steel structure, it will be necessary to encase the structural
components by tiles, concrete, or bricks. The fire resistance of load
bearing walls, Columns, and beams should not be less than two hours.
2) Internal Walls and Partition Walls: Internal walls could be brick,
hollow concrete blocks, tiles or timber. The material of the walls should
however, be treated in such a manner that they should have fire
resistance of not less than one hours.
3) Stair Case: The enclosing walls of the main staircase should have a
fire resistance of not less than one hour. The Stair case enclosure
should be of self contained type with one side preferably being
adjacent to an external wall. Staircase should not be arranged around
the lift shaft. Access to the staircase should be through doors having
fire resistance of at least half an hour. The doors should be of swing
type opening in the direction of the escape. The door of the staircase
enclosure at ground floor should open out into an open space.
Adequate number of stair case should be provided to meet the travel
distance requirements of the type of building.
4) Fire escape or external stair: In addition to the main staircase it is
necessary to make suitable provision of fire escape in the form of
external stairs. All fire escapes should be directly connected to ground
floor and their entrance should be away from the internal staircase of
the building.
5) Basements: The basement should be property ventilated. The main
staircase of the building should preferably terminate at ground floor
and as far as possible access to basement should be through a
separate staircase. The staircase of basement should be of enclosed
type and should have fire resistance of not less than two hours. In case

the basement is to be used for car parking, installation of electric substation, storage of combustible material, etc it is necessary to install
sprinkler system for extinguishing fire.
6) Water Storage Tank: There should be a provision of an underground
water storage tank of one to lakhs litres capacity exclusively meant for
firefighting purposes. The tank should have arrangement of
replenishment of water either by the municipal mains or by tube well.
7) Fire detection and Extinguishing System: All multistoried
buildings should have adequate provisions for fire detection and fire
extinguishing.

Fire detection and extinguishing System:In important structures particularly in multistoryed buildings, besides
fire-resisting materials and method of construction, it is obligatory to make
provision of fire detection and or fire extinguishing systems. These systems
are described below:
1. Fire detection System: Also known as installation provided with the
aim of warning the occupants of the building of the outbreak of fire and
to call for assistance at the same time. Fire alarm system can be either
manual or automatic.
i. Manual Fire alarm System: This consists of a hand bell or similar
sounding device emitting distinctive sound when struck. Such
devices are installed near all the main exits and passages. In the
event of fire, the device is sounded by watch man and the
occupants are thereby warned to have safe exit in shortest possible
time.
ii.
Automatic alarm System: This type of system, on detection of
fire, stars sounding alarms or information to the nearest control
point. Besides this, the system can also perform the function of
sounding of evacuation gongs, hooters or siren and to transmit
information of fire to a remote fire station.
2. Fire Extinguishing System: The commonly adopted Fire
Extinguishing Systems are described below:
i. Manual Fire-extinguishing Equipment: Portable fire extinguisher is
the Equipment most commonly adopted in this category. Portable fire
extinguisher can be of carbon dioxide type, large foam generation type
and so on. Depending upon the capacity, the discharge from a fire
extinguisher may last from 20 to 120 seconds. Sometimes buckets full
of water and dry sand are also installed at convenient places for taking
care of minor fires. These equipment are useful in extinguisher fire as
soon as it starts.

ii.

iii.

iv.

Fire hydrants: This consists in providing a 150 mm diameter ring

main outside in the ground around the periphery of the building. Fire
hydrants are provided on the ring main. The ring main is fed from an
underground water tank and it is ensured that the water pressure
available at each fire hydrant is of the order of 3.5 kg/cm2.
Water riser system: This consists in providing 100 to 150 mm
diameter vertical G.I. pipes at suitable locations within the building.
The pipes are also known as risers and are fed from an underground
water storage tank through a fire pump which ensure supply of water
at 3 kg/cm2 at the topmost outlet. The wet risers have suitable
connections at each floors from where constant supply of water can be
drawn in the event of fire.
Sprinkler System: In this system a network of water supply pipes
(normally 20 mm. dia.) are fixed to the ceiling of the floor or roof slab.
The centre spacing of the pipes is normally 3m. The pipes receive
supply of water through header pipes normally 40 mm. dia. Which in
turn are connected and fed from water storage tank. An installation
known as Sprinkler head is fitted to the pipes in ceiling at regular
intervals normally at 3m c/c. Each sprinkler nearest to fire melts by
virtue of rise in temperature and water gushes out of the sprinkler
head. The water spray falls on the fire and helps in extinguishing the
same.
Question for Review

1. What do you understand by the term fire-proof construction? Describe

the fire. Proofing properties of the following material?
i. Timber
ii.
Stone
iii.
Steel
iv.
Brick
v. Concrete
vi.
Glass
vii.
Asbestos
viii.
Plaster or mortar
2. What are the guiding factors that should be kept in view while diciding
the structural and architectural requirements of fire-resistive structure?
Describe the fire-resistive properties of the following:
i. Asbestos
ii.
Concrete
iii.
Steel

3. How will you render a steel column fire resistant? Draw different
sketches adopting various types of materials you can use to achieve
the object.
4. Write an essay on a fire-proof building.