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Table 3.2: Doors (Door Assembly) Table 3.3.a.: Fire Resistance Rating of Doors
DOOR FIRE SMOKE SELF- LATCHES
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS OCCUPANCY/ LOCATION
RATING PROOF CLOSING AND LOCKS
i. Horizontal sliding doors shall be considered part of means of egress provided
the door leaf is operable from either side without special knowledge or 4. Exit corridor of no fire rating None Not required Not required Latches only
effort and carries signage on it indicating that it is sliding door.
ii. The force required to operate the door leaf in the direction of travel is not 5. Service corridor of 1 hour fire rating 60 Minutes Not required Self-closing Table 3.2.
more than 133N (30lbf) to set the leaf in motion and is not more than 67N
(15lbf ) to close the leaf or open it to the minimum required width. 7. Service corridor of no fire rating None Yes Not required Table 3.2.
iii. Where fire ratings are required, sliding doors shall be tested and approved
as per Section 7. 8. Elevator lobby 60 Minutes Yes Self-closing Table 3.2.10.
iv. Where door leaves are operated by power upon the approach of a person
or are provided with power-assisted manual operation, the design shall be 9. Garbage room 60 Minutes Yes Self-closing Latches only
17. HORIZONTAL such that, in the event of power failure, the leaves open manually to allow
SLIDING egress travel or close when necessary to safeguard the means of egress.
DOORS AND v. The feature for manual operation must work at all times, even when other Table 3.3.b.: Fire Resistance Rating of Unit Doors
features of the door assembly’s mechanism such as the treadle, electric eye
POWER- LATCHES
or sliding rail, have failed. MAIN DOORS OF UNITS IN ENCLOSED DOOR FIRE SMOKE SELF-
OPERATED AND
vi. The door assembly shall be designed and installed so that, when a force is EXIT CORRIDOR RATING PROOF CLOSING
SLIDING applied to the door leaf on the side from which egress is made, it shall be LOCKS
DOORS capable of swinging from any position to provide full use of the required
width of the opening in which it is installed. 1. Apartment unit main door 60 Minutes Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.

vii. A readily visible, durable sign in letters not less than 25mm high on a
contrasting background that reads as follows shall be located on the egress 2. Residential unit main door 60 Minutes Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.
side of each door opening: “IN EMERGENCY, PUSH TO OPEN”.
viii. Sliding, power-operated door assemblies in an exit access serving an 3. Labor accommodation unit door 60 Minutes Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.
occupant load of fewer than 50 that manually open in the direction of
door leaf travel, with door opening force not exceeding 133N, shall not be 4. Staff accommodation unit door 60 Minutes Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.
required to have the swing-out feature. The required sign shall be in letters
not less than 25mm high on a contrasting background and shall read as: 5. Hotel unit main door 60 Minutes Not required Yes Table 3.2.7.
“IN EMERGENCY, SLIDE TO OPEN”.
18. FIRE 6. Office unit main door 60 Minutes Not required Yes Table 3.2.

RESISTANCE i. Fire resistance rating of doors, which open into exit corridors, exit access
corridors and into exit stairs shall comply with Table 3.3.a. and Table 3.3.b. 7. Kitchen door in residential/apartment None Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.
RATING OF unless specified in individual occupancies as per Section 5.
DOORS 8. Unit doors in open external corridor None Not required Not required Table 3.2.7.

Table 3.3.a.: Fire Resistance Rating of Doors

DOOR FIRE SMOKE SELF- LATCHES
OCCUPANCY/ LOCATION
RATING PROOF CLOSING AND LOCKS

1. Exit stair 90 Minutes Yes Self-closing Latches only

2. Exit passageway 90 Minutes Yes Self-closing Latches only

3. Exit corridor of 1 hour fire rating 60 Minutes Yes Self-closing Latches only

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3.3. Stair Table 3.4: Stair

3.3.1. Stairs can be used as a component in the means of egress, whether
interior or exterior to a building, serve multiple functions, allowing
normal occupant movement among floors of building, providing
egress during emergencies and fires and facilitating rescue and fire
control operations by fire fighters.
3.3.1. Exit stair is that part of the means of egress which is separated
from all other spaces of a building by a fixed and permanent non-
combustible construction as required by Chapter 1, providing a
protected way of travel to the Exit discharge.
3.3.2. Stair shall comply with Table 3.1 and Table 3.5. However, type of stair
allowed and modifications, if provided by individual occupancies
as per Section 5, shall override the requirements of Table 3.4.
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Maximum height between landings shall not be more than 3660mm.
ii. Every stair shall have landing at the door opening and landing width shall
not be less than the required stair width.
iii. Maximum landing area a stair door can encroach in its swing is one half of
5. LANDINGS the required landing width.
iv. Landing width shall not decrease in width along the direction of egress
travel. Landing width shall not be required to exceed 1220mm in the
direction of travel, provided that the stair has a straight run.
v. The landing slope shall not exceed 21mm/meter (slope of 1 in 48).
i. Stair treads and landings shall be free of projections or lips that could trip
stair users.
6. SURFACES
ii. Stair treads and landings within the same stairway shall have consistent
surface traction.

Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. The minimum required width of an exit stair serving up to 2000 persons
shall not be less than 1200mm and shall satisfy the egress capacity.
ii. The minimum required width of an exit stair serving more than 2000
persons shall not be less than 1420mm and shall satisfy the egress capacity.
1. STAIR WIDTH iii. Stair width shall not decrease in width along the direction of egress travel.
iv. The required width of a stair shall be measured from wall to the width of
the step. (See Figure 3.6.a.). The maximum projections of handrails allowed
in this required width is 100 mm on each side, at a height of 865mm—
965mm.
i. Maximum height of riser shall not exceed 180mm.
ii. Minimum height of riser shall not be less than 100mm.
2. STAIR RISER iii. Riser heights shall be uniform throughout each stair flight between
landings.
HEIGHT
iv. Where riser heights are adjusted to comply with acceptable stair treads,
flights and arrangements in accordance with Figure 3.13.a., the maximum
difference of dimension allowed in a flight is 10 mm.
Figure 3.5.: Stair Specifications

i. Minimum stair tread depth shall not be less than 280mm.

3. STAIR TREAD ii. The tread slope shall not exceed 21mm/meter (slope of 1 in 48)
DEPTH iii. Tread depth shall be uniform throughout the stair. The maximum difference
of dimension allowed in a flight is 10mm.

4. MINIMUM i. Head room on stairs shall not be less than 2030mm, measured vertically
HEADROOM above a plane, parallel to the most forward projection of the stair tread.

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Figure 3.6.a.: Stair Width, Landing, Tread and Riser Measurements

Figure 3.6.a.: Stair Width, Landing, Tread and Riser Measurements

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Table 3.4: Stair Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS ITEMS REQUIREMENTS

i. Every stair serving as an exit in Low depth and Low rise buildings (having vi. Where intermediate handrails are provided because of the stair width
height up to 15m), shall be separated from rest of the building areas by a exceeding 1750mm, the minimum clear width between such handrails shall
7. STAIR
construction of at least block-work and ensure 2 hour fire resistance rating. be 510mm along the natural path of travel.
SEPARATION ii. Every stair serving as an exit in high depth, mid-rise and high-rise buildings vii. Handrails shall continue for the full length of each flight of stair.
FROM REST (having height more than 15m), shall be separated from rest of the building viii. Inside handrails shall be continuous and graspable between flights at
OF THE areas by a construction of RCC (reinforced concrete) and ensure 2 hour fire landings.
resistance rating. ix. Inside handrails shall be continuous between flights at landings.
BUILDING
iii. Separation shall extend vertically from the lowest level of the stair to a x. Handrails shall have circular cross section with an outside diameter of not
AREAS point 3m above the top most landing of the stairs or to the roofline. less than 32mm and not more than 51mm.
10. HANDRAILS
iv. Elevators shall not be in a common shaft enclosure with stairway. xi. Handrail shape that is other than circular shall be with a perimeter dimension
i. Space within the stair shall not be used for any other purpose than of not less than 100mm, but not more than 160mm, and with the largest
occupant exit and evacuation. cross-sectional dimension not more than 57mm, provided that graspable
ii. Space under the stair shall not be used for any other purpose, unless such edges are rounded so as to provide a radius of not less than 3.2mm.
space is fully isolated from the stair with 2 hour fire resistance construction xii. Handrail brackets shall not project horizontally beyond the sides of the
8. and entry/exit for such spaces shall not be through the stair enclosure handrail within 38mm of the bottom of the handrail and provided that,
enveloping that space. for each additional 13mm of handrail perimeter dimension greater than
PENETRATIONS
iii. Only penetrations allowed into stair enclosure are fire hose and sprinkler 100mm, the vertical clearance dimension of 38mm is reduced by 3.2mm.
INTO STAIR piping, fire protection piping valves, electrical conduits serving stair enclosure xiii. Handrail brackets shall have edges with radius not less than 0.25mm.
SPACE and fire detection and alarm system wiring enclosed in metal conduits.
iv. Fire hose reel and landing valve cabinets shall not be located in the stair
enclosure.
v. Pressurization ducting, AC units, ventilation ducts, water piping, heater
piping, drainage piping, etc., shall not be located in the stair enclosure.
i. Exit stair shall be illuminated at all times that the building is occupied.
Lighting control devices that turn lighting on and off based on occupant
movement or presence shall be permitted.
9. ii. Lighting control devices that dim the lighting levels within the exit enclosure
ILLUMINATION shall not be installed unless they provide a minimum of 1ft-candle (10.8lux)
FOR STAIR of illumination within the exit enclosure measured at the walking surface.
iii. Where stair is provided with photoluminescent strips or marking, the
lighting used to charge such photoluminescent materials shall not be
controlled by motion sensors.
i. Stairs shall have handrails on both sides.
ii. Handrails on stairs shall be not less than 865mm and not more than
965mm, above the surface of the tread, measured vertically to the top of
the rail from the leading edge of the tread.
iii. The height of required handrails that form part of a guard shall be permitted
10. HANDRAILS to exceed 965mm, but shall not exceed 1065mm, measured vertically to
the top of the rail from the leading edge of the tread.
iv. Handrails shall be installed to provide a clearance of not less than 57mm
between the handrail and the wall to which it is fastened.
v. Handrails shall be available within 760mm of all portions of the required
egress width.
SOME HANDRAIL SHAPES FOR ILLUSTRATION (See Table 3.4.10.x.)
Figure 3.7.: Handrail Specifications

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Table 3.4: Stair Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Guards shall be provided for every elevated means of egress, open landing
for stairs where elevated surface is more than 760mm from finished
ground level.
ii. Such guards shall not encroach the required clear width of the stair.
iii. The height of guards shall be measured vertically to the top of the guard
from the surface adjacent thereto.
iv. Guards shall be not less than 1200mm high. In case of stair or ramp
handrails that form part of a guard, the height of the guard can be reduced
11. GUARDS
to 1065mm.
v. Open guards, other than approved existing open guards, shall have
intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern up to a height of 865mm, such
that a sphere 100mm in diameter is not able to pass through any opening.
vi. The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread, and bottom element
of a guardrail at the open side of a stair shall be of such size that a sphere
100mm in diameter is not able to pass through the triangular opening.
vii. See Chapter 1, Section 2.17. for balcony railings, balustrades and fencing.
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Every building shall be provided with a signage, indicating the floor level,
wing of the building, if any, and direction of egress.
ii. Signage shall be in English and Arabic.
12. S
 TAIR AND iii. Signage shall be provided inside the stair enclosure at floor landings (not
FLOOR mid landings), clearly visible for stair users and shall be located a minimum
SIGNAGE of 1220mm above the floor landing, and the top of the signage shall be
located a maximum of 2135mm above the floor landing.
iv. Lettering shall be a minimum of 25mm high.
v. Signage shall not be provided on the door leaf.
i. Where contrasting marking is applied to stairs, such marking shall comply
with the following:
a. Exit stair treads shall incorporate a marking strip that is applied as a paint/
coating or be a material that is integral with the nosing of each step.
b. Surface-applied marking strips using adhesive-backed tapes shall not
be used.
13. TREAD
c. The marking strip shall be installed along the horizontal leading edge
MARKING
of the step and shall extend the full width of the step.
d. The marking strip shall have a minimum horizontal width of 25mm
and a maximum width of 51mm.
e. The marking strip shall be not more than 13mm from the leading edge
of each step and shall not overlap the leading edge of the step by more
than 13mm down the vertical face of the step.

Points to Ponder
FLOOR THE 13th!
Many of the building owners do
not want to name 13th floor in their
building. Many of the buyers do not
buy units on 13th floor. Floor signage
after 12th floor is labeled as 14th floor.
Civil Defence strongly object to this
practice and recommends naming all floors
appropriately in sequence, not to hamper
rescue and fire-fighting operations.
Figure 3.9.: Stair Signage

Figure 3.8.: Guard Specifications

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Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. An open outside exit stair shall not be allowed to be provided in any
building at more than 15m from finished ground level.
ii. Outside stairs more than 11m above the finished ground level, shall be
provided with an opaque visual obstruction not less than 1220mm in height.
iii. Outside stairs shall be separated from the interior of the building by
construction with the 2 hour fire resistance rating with fixed or self-closing
opening protectives. See Figure 3.11.
iv. Such separation shall extend vertically from the finished ground level
to a point 3m above the topmost landing of the stairs or to the roofline,
whichever is lower. And horizontally separation shall extend for not less
than 3m. See Figure 3.11.
14. OUTSIDE
v. Roof shall extend horizontally to each side of the stair for not less than the Figure 3.11.a.: Outside stair with exterior wall flushed with building wall
STAIR stair width.
vi. Outside stairs, other than existing outside stairs, shall be not less than 50
percent open on one side
vii. Outside stairs and landings shall be designed to minimize water
accumulation on their surfaces.
viii. Outside stairs serving an exterior exit access balcony that has two remote
outside stairways or ramps shall be permitted to be unprotected.
See Figure 3.10.
ix. Outside stairs serving not in excess of two adjacent stories, including the
storey of exit discharge, shall be permitted to be unprotected where there
is a remotely located second exit. See Note in Figure 3.10.

Figure 3.11.b.: Outside Stair with Exterior Wall Protruding outside The Building

Figure 3.11.c.: Outside stair with Exposed to Adjacent Building Wall

Figure 3.10.: Outside Stair with Exterior Exit Access Balcony

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Table 3.4: Stair Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
x. All openings below an outside stair shall be protected with an assembly
having not less than a 45 minutes fire protection rating.
xi. Openings to the side of an outside stair within 3m should have a fire
14. OUTSIDE protection rating of 30 minutes.
STAIR xii. Outside stairs shall be arranged to avoid any impediments to the use of
the stairs by persons having a fear of high places. Outside stairs more than
three stories in height or 11m in height, shall be provided with an opaque
visual obstruction not less than 1220mm in height.
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Interlocking or scissor stairs shall be considered as a single exit.
ii. Scissor Stairs shall be enclosed by a 2 hour fire resistance rated construction,
with block wall for non-high rise buildings and with RCC in high-rise
15. SCISSOR OR buildings.
INTERLOCKED iii. Both sections of a scissor stairs are not required to be fire separated from
STAIR each other as the scissor stair is considered as a single exit.
iv. Penetrations or communicating openings are allowed between two
sections of scissor stairs.
v. Doors shall be 90 minutes fire protection rated in scissor stairs.

PLAN

Figure 3.11.d.: Opening Protection around Outside Stair

SECTION
Figure 3.12.: Scissor or Interlocked Stair

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Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Spiral stairs are not allowed in means of egress except for the following:
a. In Industrial occupancy to access equipment, mezzanine where
equipment access is required, control room to access equipment and
process line floor.
b. In storage occupancy to access mezzanine which is only for storage
and not office space.
c. In retail areas to access mezzanines where goods are stored.
d. Private and commercial villa
16. SPIRAL
ii. The clear width of the stairs shall be not less than 660mm.
STAIR
iii. The height of risers shall not exceed 240mm.
iv. The headroom shall be not less than 1980mm. Table 3.4: Stair
v. Treads shall have a depth not less than 190mm at a point 305mm from the
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
narrower edge.
vi. All treads shall be identical. i. Industrial equipment access shall comply to the following:
vii. Handrails shall be provided as per Table 3.4.10. a. Minimum horizontal dimension of walkway, landing or platform shall
viii. The turn of the stairway shall be such that the outer handrail is at the right be 560mm.
side of descending users. b. Minimum stair or ramp width shall be 560mm.
i. Winders are not allowed in means of egress except for the following: c. Minimum tread width shall be 560mm.
19. EQUIPMENT d. Minimum tread depth shall be 255mm.
a. In Industrial occupancy to access equipment, mezzanine where
equipment access is required, control room to access equipment and ACCESS e. Maximum riser height shall be 230mm
process line floor. f. Maximum height between landings shall be 3660mm.
b. In storage occupancy to access mezzanine which is only for storage g. Minimum head room shall be 2030mm.
17. WINDERS and not office space. h. Minimum width of door opening shall be 560mm.
c. In retail areas to access mezzanines where goods are stored. i. Railings height shall be 865mm to 965mm and shall be permitted to
d. Private and commercial villa. terminate directly above top and bottom risers.
ii. Winders can be used in open stairs which are not exit stairs.
iii. Winders shall have tread depth of not less than 150mm and tread depth of
not less than 280mm, at a point 305mm from narrowest edge.
i. Curved stairs are not allowed in means of egress except for the following:
a. In Industrial occupancy to access equipment, mezzanine where
equipment access is required, control room to access equipment and
process line floor.
b. In storage occupancy to access mezzanine which is only for storage
18. CURVED
and not office space.
STAIRS c. In retail areas to access mezzanines where goods are stored.
d. Private and commercial villa
ii. Curved stairs can be used as open stairs which are not exit stairs.
iii. Curved stairs shall have tread depth of not less than 255mm at a point
305mm from narrowest edge.

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Table 3.4: Stair

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Exit stair designs is preferred to be as per Figure 3.13.a. (Refer to Figure
3.13.a.)
a. Regular flights and consistent dimensions of steps is acceptable.
b. Consistent flights and consistent dimensions on all sides are acceptable.
c. Consistent flights and consistent dimensions of steps are acceptable.
d. Direct exit at discharge level from under the stair flight.
e. Two doors on opposite sides are acceptable, if each door swing does
not obstruct more than half of the required landing width.
f. RCC Stairs with separate core but common RCC divider is acceptable
only in low-rise and mid-rise buildings, provided whole stair complies
with building construction type and separation distance.
g. Straight run stairs are acceptable, provided maximum height between
landings is 3660mm.
h. RCC Stairs with separate core but common RCC divider is acceptable
only in low-rise and mid-rise buildings provided whole stair complies
with building construction type and separation distance between
exits.
i. Consistent flights with consistent dimensions of steps on opposite
sides are acceptable.
20. STAIR j. RCC stairs with separate core but common RCC divider is acceptable
TREAD, only in low-rise and mid-rise buildings provided whole stair complies
FLIGHTS AND with building construction type and separation distance between exits.
ii. Exit stair designs shown in Figure 3.13.b. are not acceptable. (Refer to Figure
ARRANGEMENT
3.13.b.)
a. Winders are not acceptable.
b. Less than 3 steps at intermediate landings are not acceptable.
c. Step riser height dimensions exceeding maximum variation of 10mm
within flight is not acceptable.
d. Winders are not acceptable.
e. Door in the middle of landing obstructing more than half of required
landing width is not acceptable.
f. Step riser height dimensions exceeding maximum variation of 10mm
within flight is not acceptable.
g. Stair doors next to each other is not acceptable.
h. Stair doors opening into each other and obstructing more than half of
the required landing width is not acceptable.
i. Stair doors next to each other is not acceptable.
j. Step riser height dimensions exceeding maximum variation of 10mm
within flight are not acceptable.
k. Stair doors next to each other is not acceptable.
l. Less than 3 steps not recommended but acceptable only from basement
to ground floor or roof access from a floor below. Figure 3.13.a.: Preferred Stair Treads, Flights and Arrangements

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3.4. Horizontal Exit

3.4.1. Horizontal exits shall be permitted to be substituted for other
exits where the total egress capacity and the total number of the
other non-horizontal exits leading outside the building is not less
than half (50%) that required for the entire area of the building
or connected buildings, unless otherwise permitted by health care
and detention occupancies.
3.4.2. Horizontal exit shall comply with Table 3.1 and Table 3.6. However,
allowance of horizontal exits and modifications, if provided by
individual occupancies sections, shall override the requirements of
Table 3.6.

Table 3.6: Horizontal Exits

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS

i. Every fire compartment considered as horizontal exit shall also have at least one
or 50% of the required number of exits with required exit capacity that is not a
horizontal exit.
1. COMPARTMENTS
ii. Any fire compartment not having an exit leading directly to outside shall be
considered as part of an adjoining fire compartment with an exit leading to the
outside.
i. Fire barriers separating areas or buildings, forming horizontal exits shall have
minimum of 2 hour fire resistance rating, continuous from ceiling to finished
floor level of the areas it is separating.
ii. The floors on which the horizontal exit fire barrier is omitted, shall be separated
from the floor having horizontal exit by at least 2 hour fire resistance rating.
iii. Vertical openings between the storey with horizontal exits and the open fire
area storey shall be enclosed with 2 hour fire resistance rated construction.
iv. Where fire barriers serving horizontal exits terminate at outside walls, and the
2. FIRE RATING
outside walls are at an angle of less than 180 degrees for a distance of 3m on
each side of the horizontal exit,
a. Such outside walls shall be 1 hour fire resistance rated with 45 minutes rated
openings protectives, for a distance of 3m on each side of the horizontal
exits.
b. Or one of the outside walls shall have a 2-hour fire resistance rating with
opening protectives having a minimum 90 minutes fire protection rating,
for a distance of 3m from intersection with the horizontal exit.

i. Every horizontal exit shall be arranged such that there are continuously available
Figure 3.13.b.: Not Acceptable Stair Treads, Flights and Arrangements 3. EXIT TO OUTSIDE paths of travel leading from each side of the horizontal exit to stairway or
corridor or smoke proof enclosure or ramp, leading to outside the building.

i. Wherever either side of a horizontal exit is occupied the doors used in the
4. LOCKS
horizontal exit shall be unlocked from the egress side.

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Table 3.6: Horizontal Exits
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. The floor area on either side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient to hold the
5. FLOOR AREA occupants of both floor areas and shall provide at least 0.28m2 clear floor area
per person.
i. Ducts penetrating fire barrier with horizontal exit shall have listed fire dampers.
6. PENETRATIONS ii. Penetration of ducts shall not be allowed without dampers in non-sprinklered
buildings.
i. Doors shall be 90 minutes fire resistance rated.
ii. Doors shall swing in the direction of egress.
7. DOORS iii. Two-way swing fire doors with vision glass shall be permitted.
iv. All doors in horizontal exits shall be self-closing or automatic closing.
v. All doors serving horizontal exit shall have approved vision panel.
i. Bridges serving horizontal exits between buildings shall have fire barrier of 2
hour fire resistance rating extending vertically from ground or a point 3m below
the bridge to a point 3m above the bridge or to the roofline, whichever is lower
8. BRIDGES and horizontally for not less than 3m to each side of the bridge.
SERVING AS
ii. Any opening in such fire barriers shall be protected with fire door assemblies or
fixed fire window assemblies having a 45 minutes fire protection rating.
HORIZONTAL
EXITS BETWEEN iii. Where bridge connects buildings and serves egress in both directions, double
egress doors shall be provided.
BUILDINGS
iv. Every bridge width shall be as wide as the building doors it connects to but in no
case shall be less than 1200mm in width.
v. Also see Chapter 1, Table 1.9.52.
Figure 3.14.: Typical Fire Barrier with Horizontal Exits
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3.5. Smokeproof Enclosures
3.5.1. Smokeproof enclosure in a means of egress is designed to limit
the entry and movement of smoke and products of combustion
produced by a fire. This can be achieved by using natural ventilation,
by using mechanical ventilation incorporating a vestibule, or by
pressurizing the stair enclosure.
3.5.2. Smokeproof enclosures shall comply with Table 3.1 and Table 3.7.
However, allowance of smokeproof enclosures and modifications,
if provided by individual occupancies sections, shall override the
requirements of Table 3.7.
Table 3.7: Smokeproof Enclosures
ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. A smokeproof enclosure shall be continuously enclosed by barriers
having a 2-hour fire resistance rating from the highest point to the level
of exit discharge.
1. FIRE RATING
ii. When smokeproof enclosure discharges into exit corridor or passageway,
the exit passageway shall be separated from the remainder of the
building by a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
i. Access to any smokeproof enclosure shall be through a vestibule or by
2. ACCESS
way of an exterior balcony, unless the enclosure is pressurized.
i. Where a vestibule is used, it shall be within the 2-hour-rated smokeproof
enclosure and shall be considered part of the smokeproof enclosure.
ii. Vestibule door separating outside area shall be 90 minutes fire rated.
3. VESTIBULE iii. Vestibule door connecting smokeproof enclosure shall be 30 minutes fire
(LOBBY) rated.
iv. Vestibule doors shall be air leak proof and self-closing or automatic
closing by the activation of smoke detector located within 3 m of the
vestibule door opening.
i. Every smokeproof enclosure shall discharge into a public way, into a yard
or court having direct access to a public way.
ii. When smokeproof enclosure discharges into exit corridor or passageway,
4. DIRECT such exit passageways shall be without openings, other than the entrance
to the smokeproof enclosure and the door opening to the outside yard,
DISCHARGE court, or public way.
iii. When building is sprinklered, such direct discharge from smokeproof
enclosure shall be 50% of the required number of exits and egress
capacity.
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Table 3.7: Smokeproof Enclosures

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS
i. Every vestibule using natural ventilation shall have a net area of not less
than 1.5m2 of opening in an exterior wall facing an exterior court, yard,
or public space not less than 6m in width.
5. BY NATURAL
ii. Every vestibule using natural ventilation shall have a minimum dimension
VENTILATION
of not less than the required width of the corridor leading to it and a
dimension of not less than 1830mm in the direction of travel. See Chapter
10, Section 2.16.
i. Every vestibule using mechanical ventilation shall have a dimension of
not less than 1200mm in width and not less than 1830mm in the direction
of travel.
ii. The vestibule shall be provided with not less than one air change per
minute and the exhaust shall be 150% of the supply.
6. BY iii. Supply air shall enter and exhaust air shall discharge from the vestibule
MECHANICAL through separate tightly constructed dedicated ducts.
VENTILATION iv. Supply air shall enter the vestibule at lower level, within 150mm of the
floor level. The top of the exhaust register shall be located not more than
150mm below the top of the trap and shall be entirely within the smoke
trap area.
v. Door leaves, when in the open position, shall not obstruct such duct
arrangements. See Chapter 10, Section 2.17.
i.
Smokeproof enclosures using pressurization shall use an approved
engineered system with a design pressure difference across the barrier of
not less than 0.05in. water column (12.5N/m2) in sprinklered buildings, or
0.10in. water column (25 N/m2) in on sprinklered buildings, and shall be
7. BY
capable of maintaining these pressure differences under likely conditions
PRESSURIZATION of stack effect or wind.
ii. The pressure difference across door openings shall not exceed that which
allows the door leaves to begin to be opened by a force of 30lbf (133N)
iii. See Chapter 10, Section 2.16. for design details.

Figure 3.15.: Smokeproof Enclosure with Vestibule

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