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The National Building Code (NBC) contains set of minimum

provisions, designed to protect the safety of the public with
regard to structural sufficiency, fire hazards and health
aspects of buildings.

1st Published

1970

1st Revision

1983

2nd Revision

2005

OBJECTIVE
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE
PART - 4

Fire and Life Safety. (This Part covers the requirements for fire prevention, life
safety in relation to Fire and Fire protection of buildings. The Code specifies
construction, occupancy and protection features that are necessary to minimize
danger to life and property from fire.

NBC - SECTIONS
MAIN SECTIONS

Part - 0

Integrated Approach - Prerequisite for applying provisions of

this code (This part covers guidelines to be followed for judicious implementation of
the provisions of various Parts/ Sections of the Code).

Part 1

Definitions (This Part lists the terms appearing in all the Parts/ Sections of
the National Building Code of India).

Part 2

Administration (This Part covers the administrative aspects of the Code, such as
applicability of the Code, organization of building department for enforcement of the
Code, procedure for obtaining development and building permits, and responsibility of
the owner).

Part 3

Development Control Rules & General Building Requirements

(This Part deals with the development control rules and general building
requirements to ensure health and safety of the public).

Part 4

Fire and Life Safety. (This Part covers the requirements for fire prevention, life
safety in relation to f ire and fire protection of buildings. The Code specifies
construction, occupancy and protection features that are necessary to minimize
danger to life and property from fire.

NBC - SECTIONS
MAIN SECTIONS
Part 5

Building Material (This Part of the Code covers the requirements of building
materials and components, and criteria for accepting new or alternative building
materials and components).

Part 6

Structural Design (This Section covers basic design loads to be assumed in the
design of buildings).

Part 7

Constructional Practice and Safety (This Part of the Code covers the
constructional planning, management and practices in buildings; storage, stacking
and handling of materials. It also covers guidelines relating to maintenance
management, repairs, and strengthening of Buildings).

Part 8

Building Services (This Section covers requirements and methods for lighting and
ventilation of buildings).

Part 9

Plumbing Services (This Section covers the basic requirements of water supply).

Part 10

Landscaping, Science & Outdoor display structures (This Section covers

requirements of landscape planning and design).

BEURO OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Main Indian Standards on Fire Systems Design:

IS: 2190: 1992

Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of

portable first - aid fire extinguisher (third revision)

IS: 2189: 1988

Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of

automatic fire detection and alarm system (second revision)

IS: 15908: 2011 Selection, Installation & Maintenance of Control & Indicating
Equipment's for Fire Detection & Alarm System-Code of Practice
IS: 3844: 1989

Code of practice for installation of internal fire hydrants in Multistory buildings.

IS: 13039: 1991

External Hydrant Systems Provision & Maintenance - Code of

practice

IS: 15105: 2002 Design & Installation of Fixed Automatic Sprinkler Fire
Extinguishing Systems - System-Code of Practice

NBC - SECTIONS
Group

Type

Purpose

Residential

Building in which sleeping accommodation is provided for normal residential

purposes with or without cooking.

Educational

School, college and training institutions for day-care purposes.

Institutional

Building which is used for purposes, such as medical or other treatment.

Assembly

Building, where number of persons not less than 50 congregate or gather for
amusement, recreation, social, religious, patriotic, purposes.

Business

Building which is used for transaction of business.

Mercantile

Building, which is used as shops, stores, market, for display and sale of
merchandise, either wholesale or retail.

Industrial

Building in which products or materials of all kinds and properties are fabricated,
assembled, manufactured or processed,

Storage

Building used primarily for the storage or sheltering (i/c servicing, processing /
repairs incidental to storage) of goods, ware or merchandise

Hazardous

Building which is used for the storage, handling, manufacture or processing of

highly combustible or explosive materials.

Clause 3.1.11

Any building not covered by Annex B or 3.1.8 shall be classified in the group

which most nearly resembles its existing or proposed use.

KEY CHALLENGES
FIRE ALARM

SPRINKLER

PUMPS

GENERAL

FIRE CONTROL ROOM

SPRINKLER IN ATRIUM WATER STORAGE

& PUMPS

BASIC TERMS

DETECTION IN
BASEMENT

DESIGN PARAMETERS

PUMP ROOM
LOCATION

REFUGE AREA & FIRE

CHECK FLOOR

BEAM STRUCTURE

OPTIONAL EXCEPTION

PUMP
ARRANGEMENT

BASEMENT
COMPARTMENTATION

DETECTOR SITTING

OBSTRUCTIONS

DETECTORS IN
BATHROOM
ONE & TWO WAY
COMMUNICATION
KEY POINTS

WATER CURTAIN

FIRE CONTROL ROOM

NBC-2005
For all buildings 15 m in height or above and apartment buildings with a
height of 30 m and above, there shall be a control room on the entrance
floor of the building with communication system (suitable public address
system) to all floors and facilities for receiving the message from different
floors.

BIS: 15908 - Control & Indicating Equipment's for Fire Detection & Alarm
System-Code of Practice
1.Control Centre of area 15 to 20 M Sq Mtr.
2.The Control room shall have attached WC & drinking water facility.
3.24 Hrs Manning.
4.Mimic Panel of premises protected.
5.Segregated from AC system of rest of building. If ducts are common,
provide damper.
6.In complex building with multiple entries, discuss with local fire authority
for control room.

DETECTION IN BASEMENT
1. Is it mandatory in the first place ? if so then which part
in NBC & relevant clauses call for it ?
2. If not, how important Is it from Life safety point of view ?
3. Are the other builders getting away with it in NOIDA ?
4. Can we do away with it and save some Rs. 1.5 cr /on an average

Early information is basement is must for fast

evacuation as these areas are critical and
unattended most of the time and thus allow fire
to spread with in building, if reaches to
hazardous condition. Sprinklers activate at later
stage (68 degree C).
Fire alarm system is required to activate the
smoke extraction system in basement for
extraction of smoke to help occupants to escape
at the earliest.

BEAM STRUCTURE
Heat Detector (Beam Structure)

D < 4 Inches = Smooth Ceiling spacing.

D > 4 Inches, spacing not more than 2/3rd of listed, perpendicular to
beam.
D > 18 Inches, separate area.
Smoke Detector (Beam Structure)
D < 10% of ceiling height = Smooth Ceiling spacing.
D > 10% & < 40%, spacing not more than 1/2 of listed,
perpendicular to beam.
D > 40%, Separate area.
D

DETECTOR SITTING
HEAT DETECTOR
BIS:2189

NFPA-72

Ceiling Height

Spacing

Ceiling Height (M)

Multiply Listed Spacing (15M) by

0-4

7M

0-3

1.00 (15 x 1 =15M)

4-5

6M

3 - 3.7

0.91

5-7

5M

3.7 - 4.3

0.84

7-8

4M

4.3 - 4.9

0.77

8 -9

3M

4.9 - 5.5

0.71

5.5 - 6.1

0.64

6.1 - 6.7

0.58

6.7 - 7.3

0.52

7.3 - 7.9

0.46

7.9 - 8.5

0.40

8.5 - 9.1

0.34 (15x 0.34=5.1 M)

DETECTOR SITTING
SMOKE DETECTOR
BIS: 2189
Without Forced Ventilation
Up to 6 M height 9.0 M
6 M to 7 M height 7.5 M
7 M to 8 M height - 6.5 M
8 M to 9 M height - 6.0 M
9 M to 10 M height 5.0 M
ACPH

Multification Factor

NFPA - 72
ACPH

Area Sq Meter

60

12

30

23

20

35

15

46

60

0.38

12

58

30

0.50

10

70

20

0.64

8.6

81

15

0.74

7.5

84

12

0.83

6.7

84

10

0.91

84 (9.1 M)

8.5

0.95

> 7.5

1.00 (9 X 1 = 9M)

DETECTOR SITTING
BIS: 2189

NFPA - 72

All points on the ceiling shall have a

detector within 7.5 m in case of smoke
detector and 5.3 m in case of heat
detector.

All points on the ceiling shall have a

detector within a distance equal to
or less than 0.7 times the listed
spacing Smoke- 9.1 x 0.7 = 6.37 M

Detectors shall be located on the Detectors shall be located on the

ceiling not less than 500mm from ceiling not less than100 mm from
sidewall
sidewall
Detectors shall not be mounted within Detectors shall not be mounted
I m of any air inlet (HVAC system).
within 950mm of air inlet (HVAC).

On the sidewalls between 150 mm On the sidewalls between 100 mm

and 300 mm from the ceiling.
and 300 mm from the ceiling.
Voids as in false ceiling/flooring more
than 800 mm shall be protected with
detectors.

Voids as in false ceiling/flooring

shall be protected.

DETECTORS IN BATHROOMS

ONE & TWO WAY COMMUNICATIONS

SP
SP
SP
Zone S.
Audio
Riser
Segment

P.A. Amp
A.S

Panel

P.A. Amp

KEY POINTS
All stairwells, lift shafts, other utility shafts etc, shall have a
detector at the top.
Lift machine rooms shall be provided with a detector.
Detectors shall not be required below open grid ceilings if
openings constitute at least 70 percent of the area of the ceiling
material.
Detectors shall not be required in concealed, accessible spaces
above suspended ceilings that are used as a return air plenum.
Bathroom, lavatories need not be protected.

A lobby smoke detector shall be located on the ceiling within 21 ft

(6.4 m) of the centerline of each elevator door.

SPRINKLER IN ATRIUM

Sustainability Concern
Indoor environment quality, air quality,
ventilation , restricted air movement

Sustainable Solutions
Open Spaces like atria

DESIGN PARAMETERS
BIS: 15105
Description

Light Hazard

Moderate Hazard

Definition

Non industrial bldgs.

individual room area
is not more than 125
Sq. mtr. and all walls
are going up to roof.

Non
industrial
bldgs. Manufacturing
individual room area is Occupancy
more than 125 Sq. mtr.
and/or all walls are not
going up to roof.

Occupancy

High Hazard

Hazard Table

Minimum Pressure
(Hydraulically)

0.70 Bar

0.35 Bar

0.50 Bar

Design Density

2.25 L/m/m2

5 L/m/m2

10 L/m/m2

Assumed Area of Operation

84 m2

360 m2

260 m2

Coverage area of Sprinkler

Side wall- 17m2 , Max

Spacing - 4.5 M
Other - 21m2 , Max
Spacing-4.5 M

Side wall- 09m2 , Max

Spacing 3.4 M
Other - 09m2 , Max
Spacing - 4.0 M

In general 09 m2
Spacing 3.4 M
Storage 10 m2
Spacing - 2.0 M

Water Velocity

Water velocity shall not exceed 6 m/sec at any valve or flow monitoring
device, or 10 m/sec at any other point in the system

OPTIONAL EXCEPTION

SPACE BELOW STAIRS

OPTIONAL EXCEPTION

OPTIONAL EXCEPTION
BIS: 15105

Sprinkler protection required in case ceiling void is 800mm or more.

Sprinkler protection required at top of elevator shaft, chute etc. Its required in boot
and motor of escalator. Its required in lift pit where is there is possibility of
accumulation of debris.

Sprinkler protection is required under ducts or other obstructions, if width of

obstruction is more than 1m. However its also required if width is more than 800mm
and distance of obstruction from side wall is less than 150mm.

Sprinklers shall be provided under work tables if there is power source below the
table.

SPRINKLER IN BEAM COFFER

As per National (BIS: 15105) and International (NFPA-13) codes, the beam
depth is not the deciding factor for putting sprinklers in coffer. In actual, its
the distance of sprinkler from edge of beam.
If sprinkler is coming with in distance if 1 feet from beam, then we can
provide it below the beams and no requirement of taking sprinkler in coffer.
However if distance of sprinkler is increasing from one feet, than the
position of deflector shits towards roof.

WATER STORAGE & PUMPS

PUMP ROOM LOCATION

Preferably the pump house shall be located outside the building at minimum distance of 6M
from adjoining building as per BIS: 12469. As per NFPA-20, it shall be 50 m away from
building.
In case pump room is located inside the building (Gnd or basement),it should be separated
from the rest portion with a wall having 2 h (4h)fire rating and fire check door at
its entrance having 1 h tire rating. As per NFPA, the rating required shall be of 2 Hrs.

The pump room inside the building shall have direct access in form of ramp / stair.
The fuel tank capacity shall be sufficient to run the diesel engine pump for minimum 4Hrs
as per BIS: 12469. As per NFPA-20, Fuel supply tank(s) shall have a capacity at least
equal to 5.07 L per kW (1 gal per]hp), plus 5 percent volume for expansion and 5 percent
volume for sump.

PUMP ARRANGEMENT
A minimum clearance of 1 m at front and back and 0.75 m on sides and between
pumps should be provided for all major pumps exceeding 2280 LPM capacity.
For smaller pumps, including jockey pumps, the clearance required should be 0.75
m at front and back and 0.60 m at sides and between pumps. The head room
clearance for all pump houses should be minimum 2.75 m.
As per BIS: 12469, the foundation of pumps shall have minimum grade of reinforced
concrete as M 15. The thickness of the foundation shall be 50 mm for pumps up
to 900 LPM, 75 mm for up to 2280 LPM, 100 mm up to 4500 LPM and 150 mm for
higher pumps.
As per NFPA-20, the weight of foundation must be at least 5 times the weight of pump-motor
set. Foundation bolts of proper size should be embedded in the concrete to a depth of 8
inches to 12 inches and locked with either a hook around reinforced bar or by using J
shaped bolt.
The capacity of the jockey pump shall neither be less than 3 percent (with a
minimum of 180 LPM) nor more than 10 percent of the installed pumping
capacity.

BASIC TERMS
Fire Load: The Maximum heat that will generate if all the contents of that space i/c
walls, partitions, furniture etc. will burn. It can be expressed in KJ/Kg (1KJ=1btu).
Fire Exit: A way out leading to escape route. It can be door way or even horizontal
exit. (Corridor).
Building Height: The vertical distance from the average level of ground floor to
the terrace of the last liveable floor of the building adjacent to the external wall;
Fire Tower: The enclosed staircase outside the building with approach from all floors and
separated by respective floor area by fire resistant door.
High Rise Building : All buildings 15 m or above in height shall be considered as
high rise buildings. As per NFPA, its 23 M.

FIRE RESISTANCE
STAIRCASES:
STAIRCASE WALLS - 2 HOUR RATED;
STAIRCASE DOORS / EXIT DOORS - 2 HOUR RATED;
GLASS IF USED IN STAIRCASE - 2 HOUR FIRE RATED.
LIFTS AND LIFTS LOBBIES:
LIFT WALLS - 2 HOUR FIRE RATED;
LIFT LOBBY DOOR - 2 HOUR FIRE RATED;
LIFT LANDING DOOR - 1 HOUR FIRE RATED.
ELECTRICAL SUB STATIONS:
CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING WALLS / DOORS / CUTOUTS - 4 HOUR FIRE RATED.

BOILER ROOMS :
CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING WALLS / CUTOUTS - 4 HOUR FIRE RATED.
DOOR - 2 HOUR FIRE RATING.
SHAFTS:
ENCLOSURE / INSPECTION DOORS OF ELECTRICAL SHAFT 2 HRS FIRE RATED
ENCLOSURE / INSPECTION DOOR OF OTHER SHAFTS - 1 HOURS FIRE RATING

REFUGE AREA

BASEMENT PARKING
NBC recommends that for basement car parking:
a.
b.
c.

Split area in to different compartments , each of no more than 1125 Sq Mtrs (If
sprinklered).
Provide Smoke Ventilation to achieve 30 Air Changes Per Hour.
Limit Travel Distance to 45 Meters.

The intent of compartmentation is to contain fire with in a certain space, delaying the spread,
aiding occupant evacuation.

WATER CURTAIN
Water Curtain Nozzle distributes water in the form
of a flat extending all the way to the ground for fire
compartment segregation. The fire water curtain
system is designed prevent the fire from
propagating into adjacent areas in case of a fire
incident.

The Water Curtain system consists of Pipe network,

Water Curtain nozzles and Deluge Valve with trims.
In case of fire, the Addressable detector at the
basement ceiling level shall detect the heat and
send the signal to the Fire alarm panel. The Fire
Alarm Panel shall send the signal to the solenoid
valve of the deluge valve of the respective zone.
The Deluge Valve shall open to spray water through
water curtain nozzles.