Upcoming changes in NBC 2016 Part 4 ANNEX E (Clauses 5.1.4 and 6) E-7
As on date 31-08-2025, latest version of NBC 2025 still not released. This post is tentative / draft only. Latest version of NBC 2025 is applicable for existing buildings when they are altered (see clause 5.1.4 and 6) or in the opinion of the authority constitute a hazard to the safety of the adjacent property or to the occupants of the building itself or are unsafe.
ANNEX E indicate ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
E-1
GENERAL (No Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-2
EGRESS AND EVACUATION STRATEGY (No
Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-3
FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFTS (No
Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-4
HORIZONTAL EXITS AND REFUGE AREA
(Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-5
ELECTRICAL SERVICES (No Changes in
upcoming NBC 2025)
E-6
FIRE PROTECTION (Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-7 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY AUDIT (Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
E-8
HELIPAD (No Changes in upcoming NBC 2025)
The purpose of the Fire and Life Safety audit is to reduce injury, loss of life, and property damage by developing the area of fire prevention and life safety via leadership and vision for fire safety professionals. Fire and life safety audit is concerned with protecting the occupants of a building from any associated fire and life safety risk by taking life safety precautions.
The
objectives of Fire & Life Safety Audit can be focused on the following:
·
Review
of Fire safety policy statement (Fire order)
·
Identify
all significant fire hazards
·
Identify
the people who are at risk from each hazard
·
Evaluate
the existing control measures
·
Determine
the additional control measures required
·
Examine
the availability of a suitable emergency plan detailing the responsibility and
action of key personnel
·
Review
the availability of a suitable fire alarm and detection system
·
Review
the availability of suitable fire fighting facilities, such as hydrants,
sprinklers, extinguishers, etc.
·
Evaluate
passive fire protection systems provided
·
Evaluate
the general awareness of occupants and security personnel on matters relating
to fire safety and rescue operations
·
Evaluate
the training and instructions on fire safety imparted to the employees and
occupants
·
Verifying
the records of training imparted to employees and occupants with regards to
fire safety
·
Assessing
all relevant electrical safety risks
·
Examining
the storage and control of flammable and hazardous substances
·
Assessing
the existing fire preventive and protective control measures, On-site emergency
response plans and fire risk assessment report
· Testing of all fire safety equipment and systems (Optional).
At SSA
Integrate, we specialize in helping businesses develop effective, cost-efficient
fire safety strategies. Here’s how we can assist:
1. Fire Risk Assessment: Identifying potential fire hazards
and risks in your facility.
2. Custom Safety Plans: Designing tailored fire
prevention and protection strategies.
3. Compliance Support: Ensuring adherence to local and
national fire safety regulations (NBC, IE, CEA and BIS).
4. Staff Training: Equipping your team with the
knowledge to respond to fire emergencies.
5. Cost-Effective Solutions: Maximizing safety while minimizing
costs.
Case
Study 1: AMRI Hospital Fire, Kolkata (2011)
On
December 9, 2011, a massive fire broke out at AMRI Hospital in Kolkata,
originating in the basement where flammable materials like diesel and medical
supplies were stored. The fire spread rapidly, filling the building with toxic
smoke, and tragically claimed 90 lives, mostly patients and staff who were
unable to escape due to blocked exits and non-functional fire alarms.
Reference link: https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/4-years-after-kolkata-hospital-fire-in-which-90-died-charges-framed-1426676
Case
Study 2: Kumbakonam School Fire, (2004)
In 2004, a
devastating fire at a school in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, resulted in the tragic
deaths of 94 children. The incident led to legal proceedings against several
individuals associated with the school.
Reference link: https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/kumbakonam-fire-mishap-madras-high-court-suspends-conviction-sentence-of-7-1736263
E-7.1
The following shall be applicable:
a) Fire
and life safety audit shall be carried out for all buildings having a height
of more
than 15m.
b) Such
audits shall preferably be conducted by a third party auditor having
requisite
experience in fire and life safety inspections.
c) Frequency of such audits shall be once in two years.
E-7.2
Good practices towards fire and life safety audit shall be as given below:
a)
Objective is to ensure that a building’s fire prevention, fire protection and
life
safety measures are evaluated against established ISs.
b)
Methodology includes: Audit planning, on-site audit execution, documentation
& reporting, coordination & communication, follow-up procedures.
c) Audit objectives to cover: compliance verification, risk identification, performance evaluation, corrective recommendations, documentation & process review.
d)
Fundamental principles shall be: objectivity, consistency, risk-based approach,
comprehensive coverage, continuous improvement, transparency & documentation, and stakeholder involvement.
e) In the
audit methodology and process the following should be adhered:
Planning and Preparation (Pre-Audit data collection, Risk assessment & prioritization techniques, Audit team composition & qualifications), Audit Execution (On-site inspection procedure, Documentation review and interview, Checklist & Performance indicators), and Audit Reporting (Structure & content of the report, Documentation of Non-Compliances & Recommendations, Methods for Risk Communication).
f) Audit
criteria for fire safety should be well established, covering respectively for
Fire
Prevention namely:
1)
Building design & construction features
i. Structural fire resistance
ii. Fire compartmentation &
separation
iii. Material selection &
non-combustibility
iv. Means of egress & access
routes
v. Integration of fire safety systems
vi. Compliance with regulatory
requirements
vii. Documentation & verification
2)
Maintenance of fire prevention systems & house keeping practices
i. Regular maintenance and servicing
ii. House keeping practices
iii. Documentation & verification
iv. Training & accountability
g) Audit
criteria for fire safety should be well established; covering respectively for
Fire
Protection Systems namely:
1)
Assessment of fire detection & alarm systems
i. Design & installation
compliance
ii. Function performance & testing
iii. Maintenance & calibration
iv. Integration with emergency systems
v. Documentation & compliance
verification
2)
Inspection of fire suppression systems
i. Design & installation
compliance
ii. Operational testing &
performance
iii. Maintenance & inspection
records
iv. Integration with fire safety
systems
v. Physical condition &
accessibility
vi. Compliance with regulatory &
manufacturer specifications
3)
Evaluation of emergency lighting signage
i. Design & installation
compliance
ii. Visibility & illumination
levels
iii. Operational performance
iv. Maintenance & inspection
v. Integration with overall safety
systems
vi. Documentation & compliance
verification
4)
Evaluation of life safety components
i. Assessment of exit routes,
corridors and stairways
- Design & layout
- Unobstructed passage
- Dimensions & capacity
- Signage & Emergency lighting
- Physical condition & maintenance
- Special provisions
- Documentation & verification
ii. Verification of occupant load,
exit capacities & travel distances
- Occupant load verification
- Assessment of exit capacities
- Measurement of travel distances
- Integration & documentation
- Assessment of portable & wheeled fire extinguisher
h) Audit
criteria for Life Safety should be well established to cover:
1) Structural and environment safety
i. Evaluation of structural fire
resistance & compartmentation
ii. Assessment of emergency
communication systems & evacuation aids
2) Accessibility and special needs
i.
Consideration for persons with disabilities
i. Audit of assisted evacuation procedures
ii) Performance Indicators and Compliance Assessment – To address:
1) Scoring and rating methodologies
for audit findings
2) Risk evaluation and prioritization
of deficiencies
3) Criteria for Compliance/ Partial Compliance / Non-Compliance
j)
Corrective actions and follow-up are essential so as to provide opportunity to
the
building owner/resident to address the shortfall so as to make the premises
safe.
k)
Reporting & Record keeping – to have standard formats/templates to record
observations,
measurements including photographs stored in compatible
formats, all with a view to enable suitable reviewing for consistency.
Reference:-
CED
46(26992) WC - Draft Code for Comments Only.
NBC 2016 Part 4.