High Rise Hotel and Residential Occupancy Building - Comparison of Requirements in UAE Fire Code 2011 and UAE

Code 2017
Sl.No. UAE Fire Code 2011 Requirements UAE Fire Code 2017 Requirements

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY.

Type of occupancy

Type of occupancies based on thei usage. Hazard and number of occupants (RISKS)
Groupe-A 1. Hotels & 2. Hotel
apartments

1 Fire Rating Resistance

Each hotel room shall be compatmented from adjoing rooms and other part of the same building Each hotel room shall be compatmented from adjoing rooms and other part of the same building
by construction having fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour. by construction having fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
Staicase = 2 hour FRR wall with 90min FRR Staicase = 2 hour FRR wall with 90min FRR

2 Travel Distance & Occupancy Load Factor

Occupant load factor = 18.6 Persons / Sq.M
Dead End = 15m (Sprinklerd) 10.7m (Non-Sprinkled)
Common Path = 30m (Sprinklerd) 23m (Non-Sprinkled)
Total Travel Distance = 99m (Sprinklerd) 53m (Non-Sprinkled)
3 Exit Stairs and Passageways.
Occupant load factor = 18.6 Persons / Sq.M
Dead End = 15m (Sprinklerd) 10.7m (Non-Sprinkled)
Common Path = 15m (Sprinklerd) 10.7m (Non-Sprinkled)
Total Travel Distance = 61m (Sprinklerd) 53m (Non-Sprinkled)
Within guest room to main door. = NA (Common Path) NA (Dead end). Total travel distance
38m (Sprinkled) & 23m (Non-Sprinklerd)

All exit enclosures are provided with a pressurization system and 2 hours fire rated. 50% of the All exit enclosures are provided with a pressurization system and 2 hours fire rated. 50% of the
exits discharge directly to outside and are completely separated from the rest of the building. exits discharge directly to outside and are completely separated from the rest of the building.
 UAE Fire Code requires exit stairs shall have a minimum clear width of 1,200 mm unless it has a UAE Fire Code requires exit stairs shall have a minimum clear width of 1,200 mm unless it has a
cumulative occupant load of more than 2,000 in which case the minimum clear width shall be cumulative occupant load of more than 2,000 in which case the minimum clear width shall be
1,420 mm. 1,420 mm.

Exit stairs connecting storeys below the level of discharge and above the level of exit discharge Exit stairs connecting storeys below the level of discharge and above the level of exit discharge
are separated (by partitions, doors or similar means) and are provided with appropriate signage are separated (by partitions, doors or similar means) and are provided with appropriate signage

If the exit enclosure serves more than 4 storeys, re-entry is provided at least every 4 storeys. If the exit enclosure serves more than 4 storeys, re-entry is provided at least every 4 storeys.
Appropriate signage is provided on each level indicating the nearest floor allowing re-entry Appropriate signage is provided on each level indicating the nearest floor allowing re-entry

4 Doors and Corridors

All doors open in the direction of egress if they serve more than 50 people All doors open in the direction of egress if they serve more than 50 people
Minimum clear Stair Exit door width shall be 915 mm as per UAE Fire Code. Minimum clear Stair Exit door width shall be 915 mm as per UAE Fire Code.
No door in any means of egress is locked against egress when the building is occupied. Locks on No door in any means of egress is locked against egress when the building is occupied. Locks on
doors shall not require a key or special knowledge or effort and shall be able in a single motion doors shall not require a key or special knowledge or effort and shall be able in a single motion
under all lighting conditions. The releasing mechanism for any latch if provided shall be located as under all lighting conditions. The releasing mechanism for any latch if provided shall be located as
follows: (1) Not follows: (1) Not
less than 865 mm above the finished floor for other than existing installations less than 865 mm above the finished floor for other than existing installations
(2) Not more than 1220 mm above the (2) Not more than 1220 mm above the
finished floor finished floor
All exit doors are provided with suitable hardware including self-closing devices, panic and fire All exit doors are provided with suitable hardware including self-closing devices, panic and fire
exit hardware as required by the codes. exit hardware as required by the codes.
5 Egress Capacity
UAE Fire Code – The capacity of the exits for each floor is based upon egress capacity factors of UAE Fire Code – The capacity of the exits for each floor is based upon egress capacity factors of
5 mm per person for horizontal exits and ramps, and 7.6 mm per person for exit stairs. (Vertical 5 mm per person for horizontal exits and ramps, and 7.6 mm per person for exit stairs. (Vertical
egress) egress)
6 Number of Exits

All areas of the building have a minimum of 2 exits where the exits are remote from each other. All areas of the building have a minimum of 2 exits where the exits are remote from each other.
Where the occupant’s numbers are more than 500 and less than 1000, there shall be at least 3 Where the occupant’s numbers are more than 500 and less than 1000, there shall be at least 3
exits. For areas where the occupant load is more than 1000, at least 4 exits shall be provided exits. For areas where the occupant load is more than 1000, at least 4 exits shall be provided

The exits are remotely located from each other to minimize the potential that a single fire incident The exits are remotely located from each other to minimize the potential that a single fire incident
could compromise multiple means of egress. UAE Fire Code and NFPA 101 requires exits in fire could compromise multiple means of egress. UAE Fire Code and NFPA 101 requires exits in fire
sprinkler protected buildings to be separated by a distance at least equal to one-third of the length sprinkler protected buildings to be separated by a distance at least equal to one-third of the length
of the maximum diagonal of the area served. of the maximum diagonal of the area served.
7 Dimensional Criteria for Staircase
Minimum width 1200mm (if the total cumulative occupant load assigned to the stair is <2000). Minimum width 1200mm (if the total cumulative occupant load assigned to the stair is <2000).
1420mm (if the total 1420mm (if the total
cumulative occupant load assigned to the stair is >2000) cumulative occupant load assigned to the stair is >2000)
Maximum height of risers = 180mm Maximum height of risers = 180mm
Minimum height of risers = 100mm Minimum height of risers = 100mm
Minimum tread depth = 280mm Minimum tread depth = 280mm
Minimum headroom = 2030mm Minimum headroom = 2030mm
Maximum height between landing = 3660mm Maximum height between landing = 3660mm
Maximum tread and landing Slope = 21 (1 in 48) Maximum tread and landing Slope = 21 (1 in 48)
8 Exit Signage

Internally and externally illuminated exit signage shall be provided at all exits and exit access Internally and externally illuminated exit signage shall be provided at all exits and exit access
where the way to reach an exit is not readily apparent. The signage on the exit door shall be where the way to reach an exit is not readily apparent. The signage on the exit door shall be
tactile. The exit signs shall be no more than 30 m apart or the rated viewing distance of the sign. tactile. The exit signs shall be no more than 30 m apart or the rated viewing distance of the sign.
Directional signs shall be provided where the direction of travel to the nearest exit is not apparent. Directional signs shall be provided where the direction of travel to the nearest exit is not apparent.

Floor proximity signs for exit and egress path must be provided as required (if required by the Floor proximity signs for exit and egress path must be provided as required (if required by the
occupancy) in additional to normal exit signage. occupancy) in additional to normal exit signage.
The exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated and where emergency lighting is The exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated and where emergency lighting is
provided shall be provided with emergency power. provided shall be provided with emergency power.
Any doors, passage or stairway not serving as an exit that can be mistaken for an exit shall have Any doors, passage or stairway not serving as an exit that can be mistaken for an exit shall have
a “NO EXIT” sign. a “NO EXIT” sign.
9 Ventilation Requirement

High rise hotel corridors shall be provided with zone smoke control system (pressure sandwich High rise hotel corridors shall be provided with zone smoke control system (pressure sandwich
system). The pressure within such corrodors shall be higher than that in guest rooms and the system). The pressure within such corrodors shall be higher than that in guest rooms and the
pressure within the internal exit staircase higher than that of the corridors. pressure within the internal exit staircase higher than that of the corridors.

10 Smoke Control System

Corridor smoke control (Smoke extraxtion or pressurization)based on engineered design or fire Corridor smoke control (Smoke extraxtion or pressurization)based on engineered design or fire
safety. safety.
Staircase pressurization,
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
11 Extinguisher
Water Extingusher 9 litters, 15m Maximum Travel Distance Location of Extinguisher. Guest room, corridor, reception,Dining area & exit route

Co2 Extingusher 2Kg., 15m Maximum Travel Distance Co2 Extingusher 5Kg.,
Dry Powder Extingusher 4.5kg., 15m Maximum Travel Distance Dry Powder Extingusher 4kg.,
Location of Extinguisher. Chemical store, linen store, waste storage & cleaning solvent
store.
Foam type 9 liters.
Dry Powder Extingusher 4kg.,
12 Application of Fire Protection Systems
1. Wet Riser Sytem 1. Wet Riser Sytem
2. Automatic Sprinkler System 2. Automatic Sprinkler System
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
 A fire detection system shall be installed throughout the building in accordance with NFPA 72.
This system shall include approved emergency voice alarm communication system and a fire
department communication system.
The alarm system shall provide automatic notification of a fire incident to the fire department.
13 Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting shall be provided for at least 3 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting
throughout the exit access (stairs, aisles, corridors and passageways leading to an exit), exits and
exit discharge (stairs, ramps, aisles and walkways leading to a public way) and shall operate
within 10 seconds. The illumination level shall be no less than 10.8 lux on average (1.1 lux
minimum) at floor level where the uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.
A fire detection system shall be installed throughout the building in accordance with NFPA 72.
This system shall include approved emergency voice evscuation or communication system shall
be provided (EVC)
Two way telephonic system shall be provided
Emergency lighting shall be provided for at least 3 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting
throughout the exit access (stairs, aisles, corridors and passageways leading to an exit), exits and
exit discharge (stairs, ramps, aisles and walkways leading to a public way) and shall operate
within 10 seconds. The illumination level shall be no less than 10.8 lux on average (1.1 lux
minimum) at floor level where the uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.
Hotel Group A,B,C Requirements
re Code 2011 and UAE Code 2017
Remarks