Engineering Design

GUIDELINES
FIRE, LIFE & SAFETY
REVISION 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL 2
1.1 DESIGNER’S RESPONSIBILITIES 2
1.2 CODES AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE 2
1.3 DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SUBMISSIONS 3
1.4 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND INSTALLATION 3
2. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM 4
2.1 DESIGN CRITERIA 4
2.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATION 4
2.2.1 FIRE CONTROL PANEL 4
2.2.2 FIRE ALARM DETECTORS 4
2.2.3 ALARM AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES 5
2.2.4 CABLING & WIRING 5
3. EMERGENCY LIGHTING 6
4. EXIT SIGNS 7
5. FIRE SUPPRESSION 8
6. FIRE HYDRANTS 9
7. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 10
8. SMOKE CONTROL 11
9. GAS DETECTION 12

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1 GENERAL

1.1 DESIGNER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

 Engineers who design systems on behalf of the owner must fully understand their
obligations to familiarize themselves with all relevant standards and codes
 Design Engineer has to minimize impacts on aesthetics, architectural features and interior
designs of the facility.
 Engineer has to consider what types of engineering systems, devices, materials and
products will be required to properly support and integrate the overall design
 Items associated with engineering systems which may be specified by an interior designer,
architect or operator. Engineer has responsibilities to review all of those items and bring to
the attention of the concerns if any items that do not fit the quality or function of the
design for the hotel

1.2 CODES AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE

 The design must comply with all applicable local standards and, where the local standards
are considered insufficient, with applicable international standards as a minimum
 The recognized international standards that are acceptable include:
o NFPA 101 : Life Safety Code
o NFPA 13 : Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
o NFPA 14 : Standpipe Systems
o NFPA 17A : Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems
o NFPA 20 : Centrifugal Fire Pumps
o NFPA 24 : Private Fire Service Mains
o NFPA 30 : Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
o NFPA 70 : National Electric Code
o NFPA 72 : National Fire Alarm Code
o NFPA 80 : Fire Doors and Fire Windows
o NFPA 82 : Incinerators, Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment
o NFPA 88A : Parking Structures
o NFPA 90A : Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilation Systems
o NFPA 92A, 92B : Smoke Control Systems
o NFPA 96 : Ventilation & Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations
o NFPA 110 : Emergency and Standby Power Systems
o NFPA 1142 : Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting
o Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Listing
 Provide UL listed materials, appliances and equipment
o Governing Regulations
 Follow governing laws, codes, and regulations if more stringent
 Design Engineers must verify that the Codes and Sections they are using are the latest
applicable

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 All references in the National Fire Codes, to "authority having jurisdiction" must be
interpreted as referring to the competent local authority, as appropriate
 Best Western must approve the substitution of any standards from NFPA

1.3 DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SUBMISSIONS

 The designers are required to submit the technical document to Best Western office for
review.
 The technical documents required for submission are;
o Design concept – Engineers may submit the concept and diagram of the main system
to ensure that the systems are compliant with Best Western Standards before
develop the full design package
o Full package M&E drawings and technical document – when complete
 Best Western will check for compliant with Best Western Standards and in relation to
operation condition.
 It still remains the designers responsibility in case of any variations may be occurred and
required rectification at the designers cost

1.4 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

 All materials and equipment used shall generally have an expected life of 25 years
 All services must be located in positions that are easily accessible for maintenance without
causing disruption to the normal operation of the hotel.
 No material shall be used or specified which are harmful to human health or the
environment, either during their installation or during long term disposal or degradation.

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2 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
2.1 DESIGN CRITERIA
 Equipment and device comprise of Underwriters Laboratory approved.
 The installation, location and spacing of equipment and devices must be in accordance with
the latest edition of NFPA 72 or codes specified by the governmental authority having
jurisdiction

2.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATION

2.2.1 FIRE CONTROL PANEL

 The Fire Alarm Control Panel shall incorporate the following features:
o A visual alarm indicator for each zone and detector
o A visual fault indicator for each zone and detector
o An audible alarm device control for each zone
o Visual fault indicators for mains failure, battery and battery charger failure
o An audible alarm activated by any fault or alarm condition, complete with muting
switch
o General evacuations switch to operate all alarm sounders and with automated
evacuation message in multi-languages
o Fireman’s control of ventilation systems
o Interfacing /activating
 Sprinkler system
 Lifts and security system
 AHU for engineered smoke control systems
 Fire suppression systems
 Pressurized fans, smoke extractions
 Etc.
 This system shall activate the audible fire alarm system and send through the message for
alarm announcement
 Fire Alarm Control Panel must be located in the office behind the front desk
 Battery back-up as an integral part of the Fire Alarm Control Panel must be of sufficient
capacity to provide standby operation for 24 hours or alarm load for one hour

2.2.2 FIRE ALARM DETECTORS

 An intelligent addressable, automatic fire alarm system must be installed to cover the entire
buildings and facilities
 Manual Pull Station shall be installed as a minimum at all final exits plus emergency exits of
each floor or zone of the building, in major public areas/plant rooms and back of house
areas as well as the front desk located as to reach the alarm point within 100 ft (30 m)

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 Where atriums are present, optical beam detectors must be provided for detection of
smoke in the atrium and operation of the atrium smoke control system
 Duct Smoke detectors shall be provided in the supply duct for shut down of associated AHU
and annunciation at the Fire Panel

2.2.3 ALARM AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES

 A voice evacuation system with automated evacuation message in multi languages is
compulsory for fire evacuation purposes.
 Strobe notification appliances must be provided in accordance with federal accessibility rule
 Xenon beacons shall be provided in the Plant Rooms, Kitchens, Public Area, Laundry and
Accessible Guestrooms
 A 2-way fire phone communication system shall be provided for Fire Department use.
Phone jacks for the communication shall be located at the top and bottom of each egress
stairwell, areas of refuge, each elevator landing, remote fire alarm panels and other areas
required by code. The fire phone shall communicate back to the main fire alarm control
panel or fire command center
 Portable visible and vibrating alarm units must be provided for guests with impaired hearing
and pull cords shall be provided in disable rooms
 A remote visible indicator is required where detectors are installed in concealed zones,
risers, floor voids and ceiling voids etc. These must be installed in all voids in excess of
800mm unless there is no combustible material, or in compliance with the local regulatory
code.

2.2.4 CABLING & WIRING

 Use fire rated cabling to essential equipment (to NFPA standards)
 Designated loop isolators shall be provided for monitoring the zone states

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3 EMERGENCY LIGHTING

3.1 DESIGN CRITERIA

 Provide adequate luminance to enable safe movement and evacuation of the hotel in the
event of a local circuit or main power failure
 Emergency lighting is required throughout all areas of the hotel.
 A minimum of 10 Lux measured at floor level is required within defined or undefined escape
routes
 In addition to emergency lighting for means of escape a minimum illumination level of 5 Lux
measured at floor level shall also be maintained in all areas covered by security cameras

3.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATION

 LED lamp is required
 Central battery is preferable
 The emergency lighting shall have a minimum duration of 3 hours. Calculations shall be
provided to prove these levels have been achieved
 The lighting system shall be automatically operates under the electrical failure
 The activation of emergency lighting within kitchens, laundries and fitness centers shall be
instantaneous
 Use fire rated cable for all wiring associated with central battery systems and generators

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4 EXIT SIGNS

4.1 DESIGN CRITERIA

 Exit signs must be provided adequately so those occupants unfamiliar with the building can
find an exit and leave the building in a safe, timely manner.
 Emergency power must be provided to supply power to the exit signs.
 New sign placement must be such that no point in an exit access corridor is in excess of the
rated viewing distance or 30 m, whichever is less, from the nearest sign.
 Exit signs indicating the nearest exit must be placed in lift lobbies and at the entrance to
escalators unless the location of an exit is obvious.

4.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT AND SPECIFICATION

 Exit signs must be illuminated 24 hrs a day. LED lamp is preferable
 Exit signs must be provided with self-contained Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and chargers
with sufficient capacity for 2 hours back-up.
 Exit signs must be provided in graphical sign that comply with local codes

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5 FIRE SUPPRESSION
 Fire suppression systems shall be strictly in accordance with this brief and the local fire
officer’s particular specific requirements
 All hotels must have a sprinkler system installed throughout
 Sprinklers to be provided to refuse and laundry chutes and laundry rooms where included
 Standpipes must be provided in all new build high rise hotels 25 m
 Hose valves and/or reels must be provided in accordance with local codes requirements
 Fire pump(s) and fire water storage shall be installed
 Automatic suppression system shall be provided to main engineering plant room
 Automatic suppression system shall be provided to all I.T. and main telephone rooms.
 Automatic wet chemical fire suppression shall be provided for cooking ranges in the
kitchens.
 Activation of automatic suppression system shall:
o Interface with the main building fire alarm system for annunciation
o Isolate the gas and power supplies to all kitchen equipment automatically on
activation of the suppression system
o Switch off the supply and exhaust ventilation system serving the kitchen unless the
fire suppression system within a grease hood has gone off
o Typically the supply fan is de-energized and the exhaust fan remains operational

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6 FIRE HYDRANTS
 A fire hydrant or other water supply approved by the fire brigade must be provided for the
Fire Fighting water supplies to the building.
 Hydrants must be installed in accordance with local fire officer/authority requirements

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7 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 Handheld extinguishers must be of a type of appropriate to their environment that is CO2
near electrical switch panels, fire blankets in kitchens etc.
 The maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher will not exceed 25 m
 Fire extinguishers must be contained in appropriate recessed cabinets in public spaces
according to relevant codes
 Fire extinguishers must be mounted in public areas, laundry, plant rooms, corridors and
near storage rooms include otherwise where required by the local codes
 Fire extinguishers must be in clear view and reach with no obstruction
 Portable Fire extinguishers must be provided and installed for restaurant kitchens in
accordance with NFPA 10 and NFPA 96

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8 SMOKE CONTROL

 Buildings in excess of 23m (75ft) to the top most occupiable floor or where required by local
codes shall be provided with:
o Stair pressurization in guest floor fire exit staircases
o Lobby relief in guest corridors (for smoke exhaust and to enable the pressurization
system to operate)
o Zone smoke control to all public areas
o Activation of the smoke control system shall be via the area smoke detectors or
sprinkler flow switches, and shall activate the HVAC equipment per the specified
smoke control sequence of operation
o Manual override of these systems shall be provided in a Fireman’s Fire Control
Panel, located adjacent to the Fire Alarm Control Panel.
o The systems shall be controlled direct from the fire detection and alarm system in
hard wire fire rated cabling
o The systems shall be tested to clear “cold smoke” so that exit signs are visible within
10 minutes of activation
o The system’s compliance with NFPA or local codes, the more stringent code shall be
applied

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9 GAS DETECTION

 Natural gas (methane, LPG, etc.), LP, CO, CO2 gas detection shall be installed where
required by local codes or where a gas intake/fume exhaust point is such that any escape
could cause a buildup of gas that be hazardous to either personnel or the facility
 Interface with the fire alarm system and fire suppression system shall be provided to shut
down the gas supply on an alarm

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