DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY

PARTS 1,2,3 and 4

“A re-visit to the interpretations and applications
of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984”

And revisions to Fire Safety Provisions

Selangor Uniform Building
(amendment)(no2) By-Laws 2012

Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs

PAM CPD SEMINAR

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984
is a
“PRESCRIPTIVE” BUILDING CODE

• Compliance with this code is a requirement by law

• Sets rules and regulations on the application of the code
• Provides pre-determined prescriptions

The prescriptions are absolute :

no smaller than……..
no bigger than……..
no shorter than……
no longer than……
or
no less than and no more than.
CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY

1 EVACUATION

2 PASSIVE CONTAINMENT

3 ACTIVE INTERVENTION

4 ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE

Contributing factors to designing for evacuation

occupants

• Numbers and distribution

• State of mind
• Familiarity of place
• Physical mobility
Contributing factors to designing for evacuation

buildings
• Detection and alarm
• Complexity of plan
• Passive and active systems

These factors lead to the

designation of purpose groups in the
Fifth Schedule, UBBL
 Designation of purpose group
• UBBL 5th schedule
• UBBL 134
• UBBL 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
• Every building is to have one overall designation

• Individual components of building with different usage

from overall must be designed to accommodate the
more stringent requirement, and where these
requirements ‘spill’ into the other parts of the building,
the more stringent requirement applies.

• Only ‘horizontal’ separation is allowed between buildings

of different purpose groups
PURPOSE GROUP

I : Small Residential

II : Institutional

III : Other Residential

V : Shop

VII : Place of Assembly

MIXED USE BUILDINGS
BASIC CONCEPT

part of building
use/purpose grp : hotel/iii
HT. 1 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 6,7,9,10 of By-law.
A- HOTEL

part B of building
use/purpose grp : SHOPS/V
HT. 1
HT. 2 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 6,7,9,10 of By-
law.

Vertical compartment wall B-SHOPS

separating Purpose Groups
III & V -By-Law 215 HT. 2
b- shops
Ground level Ground level
Compartment floor
C-CARPARKS
above basement
part C of building c - basement
Depth 3
By-Law 138(d)
use/purpose grp :
basement parking/viii
depth/ht. 3 to be used for compliance
with Schedules 7,9,10 of By-law.
 • EVACUATION

• Detection
• Alarm
• Exits
• Travel distance
• Components
• Capacity of exits

Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:

“Only one fire at one location at a time”

NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover

Temperature / size

Untenable condition

Time

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Ignition & growth development Full fire Decay
 Available Safe Egress Time ASET
Temperature / size

Untenable condition
detection

alarm

movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition

Factor of safety:
RSET < 0.75 ASET
Required Safe Egress Time RSET
 exit
• Final exit

• ‘Alternative exits’

• Storey exit

• Horizontal exit

• Exit route
 Final exit
• UBBL 133 – interpretations

• Final exit refers to the threshold that

separates “still within the building” and
“out of the building”. The liability of the
design for evacuation from the building
ends at this point.
 ‘Alternative exits’
• UBBL 166

• This is the primary concept for safe evacuation.

Every floor space shall be provided with at least
two exits on the basis that if one exit is
inoperable, the other exit can serve the function.
• This ‘designing for redundancy’ principle applies
to all aspects of evacuation.
Alternative exits
Final exit

Alternative exits

Final
Final
exit
exit
 Horizontal exit
• UBBL 171

• Exits that lead to an adjacent (horizontal)

separated compartment within the same
floor
 Storey exit
• UBBL 167, 174

• Exits from a floor which is of a different level

from the final exit, or, if on the same level, a
distance away from the final exit.

• A storey exit is to lead to a final exit.

 Exit route
• UBBL 133 – interpretations
• UBBL 169

• the protected passage from a storey exit

that leads to the final exit.
• Can include spaces that are designated
as areas of refuge anywhere between the
storey exit and the final exit
 storey exit

Travel distance
Final exit

Travel distance Travel distance Exit route

horizontal exit

Final exit
 Travel distance
• UBBL 165
• 7th Schedule
• Dead end
• initial travel distance before a point where an alternative path
becomes available
• Direct distance
• Stipulates that travel distance must be measured along the actual
path of travel
• Open plan
• Where an actual path of travel cannot be determined, the direct
distance can be measured as a straight line direct to the exit.
Permitted travel distance is then reduced to 2/3.
Evacuation : small area
Evacuation : larger area
 UBBL
165 (B)
Max
15m if
room
< 6 pax

Final exits To comply with dead end

and travel distance

Max distance is 15m within room

plus max allowable travel distance
From door of room to final exit

Evacuation : multiple areas

165. Measurement of
(3) In any of individual room which is
travel distance to exits. subjected to occupancy of not more than To clarify that this requirement is
six persons, the travel distance shall be applicable to each individual room.
(3) In the case of individual rooms which measured from the door of such room:
are subject to occupancy of not more
than six persons, the travel distance
shall be measured from the doors of
such rooms: Provided that the area of the
Measurement based on floor area
room does not exceed 15 of a room provides stricter control.
Provided that the travel distance from
any point in the room to the room door
square metres or any other
does not exceed 15 metres. area determined by the Fire
Authority.
 Final exits UBBL 165 (B)
Max 15m2 and
< 6 pax

Travel distance measured

from door if room is less
than 15m2 and with less
than 6 occupants
Evacuation : multiple areas
Horizontal
exits

storey exits

Evacuation : multiple areas

 23
1

Horizontal exits
 2 2
1

Horizontal exits
 components

• Exit door
• Exit discharge
• Protected corridor
• Protected staircase
• Balcony approach
• Single staircase
 Exit door, exit discharge
• UBBL 173
• UBBL 186
• UBBL 193
• UBBL 133 - interpretations

• ‘Door’ refers to the physical door installed at an

exit, and all its functional components e.g.
locksets, latches, hinges and closers
• ‘discharge’ refers to the ‘doorway’ or threshold of
an exit
 Exit door, exit discharge
• Not all fire rated doors are exit doors
• Not all exit doors need to be fire doors
• Not all doors need to be exit doors
• Not all doors can be exit doors

• Exit doors must always be able to be opened (without

undue effort) at all times
• Exit discharge must always allow the passage of people
at all times

• ‘Exit’ in this context means storey exit, horizontal exit or

final exit
Final exit Final exit

Evacuation : separation of routes

 Protected corridor,
protected staircase
• UBBL 133-interpretations
• UBBL 157, 189, 190, 191

• While not expressed, it is inferred from the UBBL

that all components that form the Exit Route
shall be of protected construction.

• Using the same inference, ‘protected’ shall mean

‘enclosed’, ‘separated’ or ‘isolated’
 Single stair
• UBBL 194

• Special provision for the common ‘shop-house’ design

• Usage limited to shop (ground floor only), residential or

office.

• Uppermost floor level limited to 12m

 SINGLE STAIRCASE
Domestic or office use PROVISION
Height of UBBL 194
topmost floor < 12m

Shop or car park

Assumed Room of occupancy < 6

Diagram 4.4.8.1.
12m
Height of topmost floor
max.
of building with single not more 12m
12m
staircase max.

Diagram 4.4.8.2.
Maximum travel distance

By-Law 194 stipulates when a single staircase may be permitted. Essentially, this is only
allowed where the occupancy above ground level is confined to either domestic or office
purposes. The ground floor may be used for shops or car parks. (shop offices, shop
houses)

All elements of structure shall have a FRP of not less than one hour except the enclosure
for the staircase at the ground floor where the wall shall have an FRP of not less than two
hours, assuming the ground floor will not be used for residential purposes.
194. Building with single staircase.

A single staircase may be permitted in the following premises:

(a) any dwellings at a height of 12 metres measured from the fire

appliance access level to the highest and lowest floor; and

(b) any shophouses or dwellings not exceeding two (2) storeys or

the first storey not exceeding 6 metres from the ground level.
Clause 194 (b) : single staircase for shop house
Single staircase

House
House/
only
office

<=12m
<= 6m
Shop

1) House only on upper floor

2) No more than 2 storeys
3) Height of first floor no more than 6m above ground level

Clause 166 and 167 (not less than two exits) shall apply
for other building types
 Capacity of exits
• UBBL 7th Schedule
• UBBL 175, 176, 178

• Occupant load

• Exit width

• Application of horizontal exit

Sample calculation

Scenario 1: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A Stair B

50m
Occupancy load
Assume
(UBBL 180(b))lobby C is inaccessible,
=1.35m2/pax
VII persons per unit for stair = 75
Therefore 20m
C =Ahorizontal
and B must accommodate
exit, persons pertotal
unit occupancy
= 100
371 / 75= = 741
1000m2 / 1.35m2 4.95,persons
say 5
741 / 2 371
stairs
pax =/ 100371 persons per stair
= 3.71,
5 x 0.55m = 2.75m width each stair
3.71 x 0.55m = 2.04 m min width for lobby C

Lobby C
Sample calculation

Scenario 2: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A Stair B

15m 35m
Assume C inaccessible, either B or D
B = stair = 75 pax per unit
Must accommodate
260/ 75 = 3.47
222 persons 519= persons
3.47 x 0.55m 1.9m width
519 / 2 exits = 260 persons
20m
222 persons
D = horizontal exit = 100 pax per unit
260/ 100 = 2.6
door D 2.6 x 0.55m = 1.43m width

Lobby C
 storey exit

250 pax 250 pax

Final exit

400 pax
400 pax

200 pax 150 pax Exit route

400 pax

horizontal exit
300 pax 400 pax

200 pax
Final exit
400 pax
7th Schedule : Maximum Travel Distance

9
6 60 UBBL 1984
provisions
shown in RED
10
10 45
0 30 45
60
30 45

45
22.5

0 61

NR NR NR
NR 22.5 30
30 45
NR
NR 22.5 22.5
7th Schedule : Occupant Load and capacity of exits

UBBL 1984
22 provisions
shown in RED
100 60 60 60 45

------OFFICE

------SHOP
 Compartmentation

• Size limitations of ‘compartments’

• Fire Resistance Ratings of ‘elements of

structure’
 Compartmentation
• To contain the spread of fire from point of origin
• To limit the potential size of the fire
• To separate areas of different levels of hazard
• To separate areas for safe exit, evacuation or
refuge
• To limit threat to the structural integrity of the
building
• To allow sufficient time for safe evacuation,
active extinguishment of fire and rescue.
 compartmentation
Fire Load

• Surface area / volume of combustible

content (A)
• Combustion heat per area / volume (B)
• Fire Load = (A) x (B)
NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover

Temperature / size

Untenable condition

Time

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Ignition & growth development Full fire Decay
EQUAL VOLUME
Temperature / size

‘high’ Btu

‘moderate’ Btu

‘low’ Btu

Time
EQUAL Btu
Temperature / size

‘high’ volume

‘moderate’ volume

‘low’ volume

Time
EQUAL VOLUME EQUAL Btu
Temperature / size

Temperature / size
‘high’ Btu

‘moderate’
Btu ‘high’ volume

‘low’ Btu
‘moderate’ volume
‘low’ volume

Time Time

Purpose Group classification

Prescription of
Limitation of Fire Resistance Rating
Floor Areas and Volume
Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:

“Only one fire at one location at a time”

Primary objective of compartmentation:

“To contain the one fire within

the one location at all times”
 Contributing factors to potential fire load :

Contents of the building

• Fittings and furnishings………..
• ……………..including the building itself
• Furniture and equipment
• Consumables
• Storage items
• Presence of hazardous materials
• Presence (or absence) of human
occupants
These factors lead to the
designation of purpose groups in the
5th Schedule, UBBL, …….

……and to the prescriptions of UBBL

6 Schedule
th

8th Schedule
9th Schedule
 UBBL 5 Schedule th

• UBBL 5th schedule

• UBBL 134
• UBBL 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
• Every building is to have one overall designation

• Individual components of building with different usage

from overall must be designed to accommodate the
more stringent requirement, and where these
requirements ‘spill’ into the other parts of the building,
the more stringent requirement applies.

• Only ‘horizontal’ separation is allowed between buildings

of different purpose groups
 UBBL 5th Schedule
• Dimensions of buildings and
compartments

• Single storey buildings : limitations apply

only to II and III
• Others : dimensional limitations does not
apply to I, IV and VII
 other limitations that may affect areas
and volumes
• UBBL
• 136, 220 : if automatic sprinklers installed,
limits can be doubled ( x 2 )
• 137 : floor to floor compartmentation
• 138 : floor and wall compartmentation for
flats, basement and areas of different
usage
• 139 : compartmentation of hazardous
areas
 other limitations that may affect areas
and volumes

• 158, 178 to 188 : specific coverage for VII

– places of assembly

• Travel distances and occupant loads

 UBBL 6 th
Schedule

• UBBL 142, 145 Construction and

protection of external walls
 UBBL 8 th
Schedule

• UBBL 204 to 207

• Flame spread over surfaces of walls and
ceilings
 UBBL 9 th
Schedule

• Minimum periods of Fire

Resistance for
Elements of Structure.
• UBBL 213 : every element of structure to have
FRP no less than as specified in 9th Schedule
 Elements of structure
for application of FRP
• Structural frame, beams and columns (excluding
roof structures)
• Floor (except the lowest floor)
• Compartment floor
• External wall
• Separating wall ( including party wall )
• Compartment wall
• Protected shaft : structure and enclosure
• Load bearing wall
• gallery
 SEPARATING WALL : TERRACE HOUSES

• Constructional function : Party Wall UBBL 86

• Fire safety function : Separating wall to be Compartment Wall UBBL
138(c)
• Check compartment size
• Check Fire Resistance Period of elements of structure

• UBBL 214 : External Wall and Separating Wall minimum FRP

86 Party walls.
By-law 141: Separating walls
(1) All party walls shall generally be of
not less than 200 millimetres total
-Deleted- has already provided the
thickness of solid masonry or insitu necessary fire requirements
concrete which may be made up of two served to prevent the spread of
separate skins each of not less than
100 millimetres thickness if fire from one separate unit of
consctructed at different times: house to another. As such the
Fire Authority will only make
reference to by-law 141.
Provided that in multi-storeyed flats and
terrace houses of reinforced concrete
or of protected steel framed
construction having floors and roofs
constructed to the requirements of
these By-laws, the party wall thereof
shall not be less than 100 millimetres
total thickness.

(2) Party walls in single storeyed

houses may be in load-bearing 100
millimetres solid masonry or insitu
concrete provided the requirements of
Part V, VI and VII of these By-laws are
complied with.

(3) All party walls shall be carried above

the upper surface of the roof to a
distance of not less than 230
millimetres at right angles to such
upper surface.

(4) Other non-combustible materials

may be used for party walls provided
the requirements of Part V, VI and VII of
these By-laws are complied with.
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP

Service
138(c) : floor and walls separating purpose group
apts
215(1) : reference to elements of structure,
by building, or by compartments
215(2) : reference to height, by building only
138(d) : floor separating basements

137 : floor to floor compartment for buildings

Offices
> 30m height
138(b) : floor and walls separating flats

Cineplex
Shops

Carpark
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP

Basement compartment volume limit 42,000m3

Separation of vertical ‘shaft’

Compartment D Compartment A

Compartment B

Compartment C
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Large Shopping Malls (Sarawak Building Ordinance)

Shop compartment limit 4,000m2 14,000m3 (sprinklered )

Compartment B
No limits if
Compartment A At least 60% area are shops Compartment C
Less than 280m2 each
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE

Reference plane

relevant boundary
Reference plane
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE

notional boundary
Reference plane
Reference plane

SEPARATING WALL
Sample calculation
2h x 3w
1) Establish Purpose Group
3h x 9w
2) Establish height and width
of enclosing rectangle 9m

1) Enclosing rectangle on reference plane :

24m high x 9m wide = 216m2
2) Total unprotected area :
( 2m x 3m) x 10 = 60m2
3m x 9m = 27m2
total = 87m2
3) Percentage of unprotected area : 24m
87m2 / 216m2 = 40 %

4) Minimum distance from reference plane

to relevant boundary : 5m
(IV –Office)

Office building Protected staircase

FLAME TRAJECTORY OUTSIDE WALL OPENINGS

Shape of opening

Square

1: 2
height

1: 3

Distance from face of wall

EXTERNAL WALL BARRIERS
UBBL 149

900mm vertical or
750mm horizontal barrier
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space (NFPA 101)
137 Floor in building Compartmentation by To provide stricter requirements in
relation to the extent of subdivision
exceeding 30 height. of a building as compartment floors.
metres in height to
(1) In any building not exceeding 30
be constructed as metres in height, any floor which is more
compartment floor. than 9 metres above ground floor level
which separates one storey from another
In any building which exceeds 30 storey, other than a floor which is either
metres in height, any floor which is
more than 9 metres above ground within a maisonette or a mezzanine floor
floor level which separates one shall be constructed as a compartment
storey from another storey, other floor.
than a floor which is either within a
maisonette or a mezzanine floor
shall be constructed as a (2) In any building exceeding
compartment floor.
30 metres in height, all floors
-None- shall be constructed as
compartment floors, other
than a compartment which is
within a residential
-None- maisonette which may
comprise two storey levels.

(3) An atrium shall comply

with the requirements of by-
law 252A.
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space (NFPA 101)

• Minimum dimension of 6m and minimum area of 95m

• Required exits to be separated from atrium volume
• Atrium construction and usage to be of hazard level no
higher than ‘ordinary’
• Entire building to have automatic sprinklers
• Designed for smoke exhaust and smoke control
• Atrium volume to be separated from adjacent
occupancy, or to be engineered such that the adjacent
occupancies are not at risk from a fire originating from
the atrium
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space (NFPA 101)

UBBL 251
Smoke venting for
Safe exit
Compartmentation of large volumes
Compartmentation of large volumes
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements

• UBBL 141 : Separating walls

• Diameter of combustible pipe < 25mm

• Diameter of non-combustible pipe <150mm
• No flue pipes allowed
• Doors to have equal or greater FRP as with the element

UBBL 148 : Compartment floor and walls

• Opening for protected shaft

• Ventilation duct with fire damper
• Encased ducts to have FRP no less than half of the element
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements

UBBL 150 : Protected Shafts

• for pipes, ducts, sanitary facilities, staircase, lift

UBBL 156 : Ventilating Duct in Protected Shaft

• To have automatic Fire Dampers at ‘appropriate’

intervals
 Required FRP
Max 25mm (/)

Max 150mm (/)

Half of required FRP

Required FRP
Half of required FRP

Required FRP
Full FRP for structures

Half of required FRP

 Active systems for…..

• EVACUATION and FIRST AID

– Detection and Alarm
– Communication
– Smoke control
– Portable fire extinguishers
Temperature / size Available Safe Egress Time ASET

Untenable condition
detection

alarm

movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition

Factor of safety:

Required Safe Egress Time RSET

RSET < 0.75 ASET
10th Schedule
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
OPEN STRUCTURE

(1)Total surface area of openings is to be no less than

40% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing the
floor or compartment

(2)The opening is to be shaped and located in such a

way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is to
be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor or
compartment

“ Openings” is to be opened to outside, unenclosed

space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
 Example:
OPEN STRUCTURES Total perimeter length (25m + 50m ) x 2 = 150m
minimum 50% = 75m
Total perimeter wall area 150m x 5m = 750m2
minimum 40% = 300m2

5m

50m
25m

25m++50m)x2
Total length of openings (25m
: 50m 75m
50m = 100m
= 150m
75m xx4m
Total area of openings : 150m
100m 3m==300m2
2m 300m2
OPEN CORRIDOR

(1)Total surface area of opening(s) is to be no less

than 25% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing
the balcony (corridor)

(2)The opening(s) is to be shaped and located in such

a way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is
to be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor
or compartment

“ Openings” is to be opened to outside, unenclosed

space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
 Example (corridor)
OPEN CORRIDOR Total perimeter length (24m + 2m ) x 2 = 52m
minimum 50% = 26m
Total perimeter wall area 52m x 3m = 156m2
minimum 25% = 39m2
6m 6m
6m
6m
3m
3m

2m
Permitted Airwells
(UBBL 40)

Total length of openings 24m + 2m + 2m= 28m

Total area of openings : 28m x 1.5m = 42m2
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
HOTELS

A : HR 1 : ManAl
B : Spkr 2 : AutoD
C : GasEx 3 : CMS
D : PrHy 4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
 detection

• Very early detection

• Early detection

• Manual detection
 alarm
• Automatic

• Pre alarm

• Local / manual
 FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM

System objective are:

• To detect outbreak of fire and warn occupants
• To activate fire safety systems
• To inform Fire Brigade
• To monitor fire safety equipment
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 237, fire alarm systems are

required for buildings defined under the 10th
Schedule

Under UBBL 238, a fire command center is

required for all buildings above 30.5 meters or
exceeding 9,290 sq. meters in gross area.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Manual call points and bells to be along

escape corridors or beside exit and staircase
doors, such that no occupant need travel more
than 30 meters to reach a call point.
 MAIN FIRE ALARM PANEL
Main fire alarm panel comprises:
• Alarm, fault and isolation indication for each
zone.
• Indicator lights to monitor status of power
supply and fire safety systems such as fire
pumps, smoke control equipment, carbon
dioxide systems, fire tank water levels, etc.
• Mimic panel to identify location of each zone.
• Battery with charger to provide power supply
for the whole system.
 FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

• Manual break glass for occupants to activate

manually.
• Heat detectors to detect heat intensive fires
automatically for spaces up to 9 meters high.
• Smoke detectors to detect smoke intensive
fires automatically for spaces up to 10 meters
high.
• Beam (smoke) detectors for high spaces such
as atriums up to 25 meters high.
• Flame (IR or UV) detectors
 Heat …..or Smoke?
• Smoke detectors for electrical rooms and
store rooms.
• Heat detectors for general areas.
• Smoke detectors for areas where rapid heat
development is normal for the function of the
space, or where combustibles may burn with
high release of smoke
• Heat detectors for areas where smoke may
be a common presence in the space, or
where combustibles may burn rapidly and
efficiently
 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

• To guide the occupants in an orderly manner

during evacuation upon detection of fire.

• For the firemen to communicate with one

another during fire fighting operations.
 RELEVANT BY-LAW

Under UBBL 239, two voice communication

system is required for all large buildings and
high rise buildings and they are:

• Public address system, and

• Fire brigade intercommunication system

 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Intended for use by the occupants during the

early stages of the fire

Under UBBL 227, portable fire extinguishers

are required for first aid use.
 CLASSES OF FIRES

• Class A: Combustible solids like paper, wood

• Class B: Inflammable Liquids like kerosene,
diesel
• Class C: Flammable gases
• Class D: Reactive metals like sodium,
potassium,
• Class E: Ignition of an electrical nature
• Class F: Cooking oil fires
 TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

• Water type for Class A fires

• Dry powder type for Class A, B, C and F fires
• Carbon Dioxide type for Class E fires
• Foam type for Class B fires

Dry powder type of 6 kg for general use.

Carbon Dioxide type for electrical rooms
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Beside exit and staircase doors

• Generally located within 20 meters of any

potential hazard
 Active systems for…..

• COMPARTMENTATION and
FIRE FIGHTING

– Smoke Control
– Extinquishment
• Manual
• Automatic
 SMOKE CONTROL
TYPES

• Pressurization system to prevent entry of

smoke by pressurizing the compartment with
air.
• Space depressurization system to prevent the
spread of smoke by extraction.
• Smoke dilution system to remove the smoke
by extraction and make-up of air.
 PRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS

Typical application are in protected shafts and

corridors.
• Air is actively supplied into the compartment to
be protected to maintain a positive pressure
relative to the adjacent compartments.
 DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS

Typical application are multi-storey office

buildings.
• Floor on fire is maintained under negative
pressure by extracting the smoke laden air.
• Immediate floors above and below are
maintained at positive pressure by supplying
air to these floors.
 DILUTION SYSTEMS

Typical application are basement car parks

and shopping complexes.

• Smoke is extracted from zone on fire.

• Make-up air is provided to zones adjacent to

area on fire.
 HOSE REELS

Intended for the occupants to use during early

stages of the fire
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Near exit and staircase doors

• All spaces to be within 36 meters of a hose

reel.

• No restriction on location of hose reel pumps

and tanks.
 SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Intended to detect and extinguish a fire and

warn the occupants to evacuate.

Under UBBL 226, automatic sprinkler systems

are required for storage and other types of
occupancies where automatic extinguishing
system is necessary.
 TYPES OF SYSTEMS
• Wet pipe system where pipe work is charged
with water at all times.
• Dry pipe system where pipe is charged with
water only after the sprinkler head is activated.
• Pre-action system where system is charged
with water after fire is detected but before the
sprinkler head is activated.
• Deluge system where water is discharged
simultaneously from all sprinkler heads upon
activation.
 TYPES OF HAZARDS
• Light Hazard e.g. apartments, schools
• Ordinary Hazards:
– OH Group I : Offices, restaurants
– OH Group II : Laundries, bakeries
– OH Group III : Departmental Stores, Car
parks
– OH Group IV : Film and television studios
• High Hazards:
– Process risks
– High piled storage risks
 SPRINKLER TANKS

• Typical location at ground or first basement

although no restriction on the location except
for distance from pump.
 AREAS EXEMPTED

– Transformer Rooms;
– Switch gear Rooms;
– Lift Motor Rooms; and
– Toilets;
INSTALLATION CONTROL VALVE

Water supply to sprinklers feed from

Installation control valve with alarm gong
and shut-off valves.

For life safety systems, Sprinklers are

grouped such that each zone does not have
more than 200 sprinkler heads with its own
flow switch.
 SPRINKLER PIPE WORK

• The height between the lowest and highest

sprinkler within one stage not to exceed 45 m.
• For buildings exceeding 45 m., multiple stages
are required.
• Express risers are permitted to bypass lower
stgages and serve the upper stage.
 AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION

• Heat and smoke detectors installed to detect

fire.
• Activation of one detector initiates alarm but
not gas discharge.
• Activation of any two detectors initiates gas
discharge.
• Time delay of 30 sec. before gas discharge.
 MANUAL ACTIVATION

• Manual activation by pull station in event of

failure of automatic activation.
• Pull station to be outside of room protected.
• Audio and visual warning activated upon gas
discharge to warn occupants from entering.
Active systems for…..

• FIRE FIGHTING and

RESCUE
– Lifts
– Risers
– Hydrants
 FIRE LIFT

Intended to assist the firemen to reach the

floors on fire rapidly.

Under UBBL 243, any building exceeding 18.5

meters high shall be provided with firemen’s
lift.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Not more than 61 meters from the furthermost

point of the floor.

• Not more than 61 meters from the main

entrance of the building or the fire control room
whichever is nearer.
 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

• Lift capacity to be able to carry 550kg. min.

• Lift car platform size to be not less than 1.45
sq. meters.
• Lift car door to be min. 800 mm clear in width.
• Lift to serve all occupied floors.
 FIRE MODE OF OPERATION

• Lift to be provided with emergency power for

operation during power failure.
• Lift to return to main landing upon detection of
power failure and remain inoperable until
firemen arrive.
• Fire switch to be provided at main landing for
firemen to activate the lift for their use.
 DRY RISER SYSTEMS

Intended for the firemen to pump water up to

the floors on fire.

Under UBBL 230, dry risers required for all

buildings with topmost floor above 18.3 meters
from fire appliance access level
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Landing valves located within fire access

lobbies.

• Provided on every upper floor such that all

spaces are within 45 m from a landing valve.

• Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from

fire appliance access road and not more than
30 meters from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 DRY RISER PIPE WORK

• Dry riser to be 100 mm dia. If highest outlet is

no more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.

• Dry riser to be 150 mm dia. If highest outlet is

more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.
 5. WET RISER SYSTEMS

Intended to supply water up to the floors on

fire for the firemen to use.

Under UBBL 231, wet risers required for all

buildings with topmost floor above 30.5m.
From the fire appliance access level.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Landing valves located within fire access

lobbies.
• Provided on every upper floor such that all
spaces are within 45 m from a landing valve.
• Distance between landing valves on the same
floor not to exceed 60 m.
• Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from
fire appliance access road and not more than
30 meters from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 PUMPS AND PIPE WORK

• Each stack not to exceed 60 m or 71 m if

approved by the Director General of Fire and
Rescue Dept.

Stack height is defined as the height from the

wet riser pump to the topmost floor protected.
 WET RISER PUMPS AND TANKS

• Location of wet riser pumps and tanks

restricted to ground, first or second basement.

• Lowest basement may not be premitted due to

possibility of flooding.
 6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEMS

Intended to provide water from roof fire tank to

the floors on fire using static head available.

Only permitted for private residential buildings

where the topmost floor is no higher than 60
m. above fire appliance access level.
 LOCATION AND SPACING

• Landing valves located within fire access

lobbies

• Provided on every upper floor such that all

spaces are within 45 m from a landing valve.

• Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from

fire appliance access road and not more than
30 meters from nearest outdoor hydrant.
 DOWNCOMER TANKS

• Tanks located on roof of building for maximum

pressure.
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

UBBL

• 196, 197 - smoke lobbies, protected

lobbies
• 198, 199, 200, 201 – ventilation of stairs
• 229 – fire fighting lobbies
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

• Protected Lobby : protected lobby

separated or isolated from fire and smoke
infiltration
• Smoke Lobby : a protected lobby primarily
to isolate staircases from smoke infiltration
• ventilated lobby : protected/smoke lobby
by means of natural ventilation from outside
• Fire Fighting Access Lobby : a
protected lobby designed for fire fighting
access
 SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

To control the spread of smoke from the

source of fire to other occupied spaces and
maintain visibility as much as possible during
evacuation.
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL clauses 196 and 197 requires fire

fighting access lobbies and smoke lobbies to
be pressurized if natural ventilation cannot be
provided.

Under UBBL clauses 200, 201 and 202

requires escape staircases to be pressurized if
natural ventilation cannot be provided.
 STAIRCASE PRESSURIZATION

• Entire staircase pressurized with air.

• Air pressure within staircase is controlled to

permit opening of exit doors without the need
of excessive force.
 LIFT LOBBY PRESSURIZATION

• Lift lobbies are individually pressurized with

air.

• Air pressure within lift lobbies is controlled to

permit opening of exit doors without the need
of excessive force.
 External wall Ventilation opening

No protected
lobby required

Protected
lobby
requirement
for building >
18m
(By-Law 197)
Protected
lobby
requirement Building more
than 18m above
ground level
 Ventilated
opening

Omission of
protected lobby
No
for pressurised protected
staircase for lobby
buildings below required
45m Staircase
pressurised
For building
above
18m but
No protected
below 45m
lobby required
 Ventilation opening

Protected lobby
No protected
requirement for
lobby required
building > 45m
[By-Law 197(2)]

Protected
lobby to be
pressurised

Above 18m, need PROTECTION

Above 45m, protection by

PRESSURISATION
PROTECTED / PRESSURISED
UBBL 229
 EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANTS

System of Pipe work connected to public water

mains to provide water for the pumps in the
fire engine.

For industrial plants, fire pumps have to be

provided where flow is unreliable or pressure
is inadequate
 RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 225, every building shall be

provided with at least one fire hydrant.
 EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Intended to provide emergency power to

operate all fire safety systems.

Under UBBL 253, emergency power is to be

provided for fire pumps, fire lifts, fire alarm,
smoke control, emergency lighting, voice
communication, firemen intercom, etc.
 SOURCES OF EMERGENCY POWER

• Standby electrical generator with changeover

switch activated upon power failure;

• Battery banks with charger to maintain them in

charged condition.
 LOCATION

• Generator to be located at ground or first

basement for easy access by firemen.

• Outdoor air required to cool diesel engine’s

radiator.
140 Fire Appliance Access
197A. Means of access and fire fighting in building over 18.0
metres high.

(1) Buildings in which the topmost floor is more than 18.0 metres
above fire appliance access level shall be provided with means of
gaining access and fighting fire from within the building consisting of
fire fighting access lobbies, fire fighting staircases, fire lifts and dry
or wet rising systems.
197B. Fire fighting access lobbies.
Fire fighting access lobbies shall conform to the following
requirements:

(a) each lobby shall have a floor area of not less than 6.0
square metres; and

(b) the openable area of windows or area of permanent

ventilation shall be not less than 25% of the floor area of the
lobby and, if ventilation is by means of openable windows,
additional permanent ventilation having a free opening of 464
square centimetres shall be provided except that mechanical
pressurisation may be provided as an alternative
 FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS
UBBL 140
ACCESS WAY
An area for the entry, maneuvering and parking of Fire
Appliances during fire fighting and rescue operations
ACCESS ROAD
A road capable of accommodating the passage of Fire
Appliances to enter an Access Way
ACCESS OPENINGS
Doorways or openings that allows fast and safe entry of
Fire Fighting and Rescue personnel into a building
during fire fighting and rescue operations
EXTERNAL ACCESS

Access for emergency and rescue vehicles,

equipment and personnel
• Roads
• Pavements
• Parking

Availability of water :
• Hydrants
• Storage tanks
• Lakes, rivers, ponds

And access to fire fighting systems in the

premises
AT THE PREMISES

Clarity of :
• Type of building and function
• Configuration of building
• Location of fire control panel
• Location of breaching inlets and pump
rooms
Access into the building
• Protected passage
• Protected stairs
• Firemen’s lift
• Fire fighting lobby
Pressurised Hydrant System
Sprinkler System
Dry Riser system
Wet Riser System
External source of water
• Hydrants
• Lakes, Ponds, Pools, rivers

• Fire Tenders

Internal Systems
Fire Fighting Appliance Breaching Inlet
• Sprinklers
on ‘Access Way’ • Sprinklers
• Hose reels
• Risers
• Dry/Wet Risers
 Required portion of
building fronting Required portion of
the Access Way building fronting
the Access Way

ACCESS WAY
• Minimum 6m width
ACCESS WAY
• 30 tonnes load
• Gradient <= 1:15
ACCESS ROAD • No overhead obstructions
• (Suggested)
minimum width 4m
• Gradient <= 1: 8.3
• Minimum
overhead
clearance 4.5m ACCESS ROAD
ACCESS OPENING • (Suggested)
• Located fronting minimum width 4m
Access Way • Gradient <= 1: 8.3
• (suggested) width Edge of Access Way
• Minimum 2m • Minimum
>= required exit overhead
width • Maximum 10m
clearance 4.5m
 Fire Fighting Access Lobbies

Maximum 90m
Hydrant to Hydrant
Hydrant
Emergency
Power
Generators

Fire Pumps A
O MB
R A B UAN
Breeching Inlets E
N T N LA
L
E
A N J GKA
LU N
LA OSO
K
Maximum 30m
HydrantHydrant to Breeching Inlet
 THANK YOU

Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs