Fire and Smoke Damper Requirements as per IBC

Fire & Smoke Damper Requirements as per IBC

According to the International Building Code (IBC), fire and smoke dampers are required in certain locations to prevent the spread of smoke and protect people and buildings from fire.

Fire dampers are installed in ducts passing through or in air outlet openings terminating at shaft walls, fire barriers (such as an occupancy separation wall, horizontal exit walls, corridor walls, corridor ceilings, floor-ceiling assemblies) and other fire resistance–rated assemblies as required by a building or life safety code and other applicable standards.  Under severe fire exposure, a duct may eventually collapse or significantly deform, creating an opening in the fire barrier. Fire dampers provide a method of protecting such penetrations and openings. Fire dampers must be inspected one year after installation and every four years after that. Hospitals are an exception, and must be inspected after one year and every six years.

Smoke damper’s primary function is to control the movement of smoke in dynamic air distribution systems, and they reduce the possibility of smoke transfer within ductwork or through wall openings. They are installed in ducts passing through, or air outlet openings terminating at, smoke barriers, shaft walls, horizontal exit walls, corridor walls, corridor ceilings, and other barriers designed to resist the spread of smoke as required by a building or life safety code and other applicable standards. Smoke dampers operate automatically on detection of smoke and must function so that smoke movement through the duct is halted.  Their activation can be by area detectors that are installed in the related smoke compartment or by detectors that are installed in the air duct systems. 

Troubleshoot Fire Alarm Ground Faults

Troubleshoot Fire Alarm Ground Faults 

Ground Faults are a big issue. Almost anytime there is a ground fault on a fire alarm system, the panel displays a trouble. Then, no matter what caused the trouble, the trouble has to be fixed. However, the NFPA has an exception to the rules regarding the displaying of ground fault troubles. For all types of pathways for signal or power in building wide fire alarm systems, the rule of thumb for displaying a ground fault trouble goes something like this, "Whenever there is a ground fault, the panel will display a trouble." There is an exception to this rule of thumb. "If the ground fault cannot affect anything else, under any circumstances, then the panel does not have to display a trouble when that particular ground fault occurs."

OK, the NFPA doesn't use these words, but that is the meaning.

🧰 What and Where is a Ground Fault?

A ground fault is defined as the unwanted grounding of one or more conducting wires. This can occur in several places. It can happen inside the fire alarm control unit enclosure, metal raceway, ceiling grid, metal junction box, or any other location in which conducting wires and an earth ground source are close in proximity. Ground faults can potentially cause circuits to operate improperly due to the current being “bled” off to ground before making its way to devices. Depending on the circuit type, ground faults must be indicated at the fire alarm control unit. NFPA 72, Chapter 12, Circuits and Pathways (Sections 12.3) will provide useful information. Hopefully the fire alarm system will indicate which circuit has the ground fault condition, making it easier to locate and repair the fault. If it is a system that only alerts you to the presence of a ground fault condition, but not the circuit, then the job will take longer to troubleshoot.

In normal operation, a fire alarm system sends a trouble signal to the fire alarm annunciator (keypad) indicating that there is a ground fault on the system.
If it’s apparent that there truly is a ground, but it is not reporting, either the fire alarm system needs repair or *it has been tampered with by removing a ground jumper on the system.

*Note: On some fire alarm systems, there are jumpers that can be removed to disable ground faults. If this is found to be the case, call for technical help as soon as possible as this can impede the proper operation of the fire alarm system.

Example: If the ground happens to be on a smoke detector circuit, the system may not go into alarm upon activation of a detector. Disabling ground fault function is not only a potential danger to building inhabitants, but it is also against fire alarm codes to leave a system in this condition.

Why technician use the “disable ground” jumper on a fire alarm system?

In most cases, the ground disable jumper is used during troubleshooting procedures to silence the panel’s annunciator while working on the system. The big problem is when a technician, either purposely leaves the jumper on to “repair” the system or accidentally leaves it on when finished troubleshooting.

There are times when the technician has no control over their routing schedule or they forget to return altogether. Besides, if one leaves the system in this condition, the building (and its occupants) are left with a faulty system that can cause a false sense of security. What if there happened to be a real fire and occupants die in a fire?

If you are a technician, find a ground fault, and for some reason can’t make the repairs at the time of your visit, DO NOT disable this feature. Instead, put the appropriate sticker on the fire alarm panel (describing the problem) and contact building management authorities immediately.

You’ll sleep better at night and you’ll also be heading off a potential lawsuit (even jail time, if more serious).

🧰 Why Does a System Develop a Ground Fault Condition?

There are different reasons why your system may develop a ground fault condition. For example, in newly installed systems, it may have to do with how the conductors were installed in the metal conduit. Sometimes conductors are skinned as they are pulled in the conduit and the copper conductor becomes exposed. If it is not realized that the conductor insulation has been damaged, but the system is otherwise correctly installed and tested, the condition may be evident when the control unit is first powered up. In this case, the problem can be corrected so the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will accept the system.

There are times when a ground fault is not apparent when the unit is powered up. For instance, if there is a skinned conductor(s) but it is not in contact with the metal conduit or any metal junction box right away, then the ground fault may not be evident. There is technically no ground fault yet. When the system is tested everything checks out and is accepted by the AHJ. However, at some point later, the problem will show itself. Usually this occurs if the system is subjected to ambient conditions, has settled over time, or undergone some type of movement which causes the skinned conductor to connect with metal.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Digital Multimeter

Ground Fault Locator (if available)

Insulation Tester (Megger)

Screwdriver / Cable Cutter / Flashlight

As-built Drawings & Zone Details

🧰 What are the causes of a ground fault?

Sometimes they are caused by poor installation practices, such as attaching wires to all-thread hangers or building structures above ceiling tiles. After being set in place for a period of time, natural vibrations in a building can cause the wires to become worn and eventually touch a ground potential.

Other times grounds can be caused by other trades working in ceilings. If fire alarm wires are pulled or accidentally brazed, this can expose the metal conductors of a circuit causing an unwanted ground or short.

🧰 Use an Ohmmeter

Remember, if fire alarm circuit conductors are in contact with the grounded metal raceway or metal junction boxes, the problem will eventually be found using an ohmmeter. One or more circuit conductors will have continuity between it and a reliable grounding point. Finding the ground fault is only a matter of time and patience — and relatively easy to repair.

🧰 Multiple Paths Used

To get a signal from a device in the field to the control panel, or from the control panel to a device in the field, the signal sometimes travels down more than one path. Each path may be classified differently.

A pathway shall be designated as Class A when it performs as follows:

(1) It includes a redundant path.

(2) Operational capability continues past a single open, and the single open fault results in the annunciation of a trouble

signal.

(3) Conditions that affect the intended operation of the path are annunciated as a trouble signal.

(4) Operational capability on metallic conductors is maintained during the application of a single ground fault.

(5) A single ground condition on metallic conductors results in the annunciation of a trouble signal.

A pathway shall be designated as Class B when it performs as follows:

(1) It does not include a redundant path.

(2) Operational capability stops at a single open.

(3) Conditions that affect the intended operation of the path are annunciated as a trouble signal.

(4) Operational capability on metallic conductors is maintained during the application of a single ground fault.

(5) A single ground condition on metallic conductors results in the annunciation of a trouble signal.

A waterflow switch, for instance, starts out on a conventional Class B path to send a signal to an addressable input zone module. The signal is processed in the zone module to make it addressable and then the addressed signal may be sent to the panel on a Class A Signalling Line Circuit (SLC) path.

To turn on the fire horns, the addressed signal is sent from the control panel to another addressable supervised output module on the Class A SLC path. Then the supervised output module sends the signal (power) to the horns using a conventional Class B path.

If there's more than one control panel in the fire alarm system, these same signals could be sent over Class N pathways, which may involve fiber optics as well as CAT(X) wiring.

As a signal travels from the detection device to the panel(s), and from the panel(s) to the fire horns We have to be aware of all the types and Classes of pathways that a signal might travel through.

Regarding any of the Classes of pathways (Class A, B, C, D, E, N, X), we as fire alarm designers, installers, and technicians have to know whether a signal pathway will allow a ground fault to affect the rest of the fire alarm system.

🧰 Coupled Pathway

When ground fault troubleshooting, a technician has to understand how various communication paths work in a fire alarm system.

The pathway signals can be divided into two groups: Direct Coupled and Indirect Coupled.

Direct Coupled is electrically connected or hard-wired - There are electrical current carrying copper wires used for transferring data between the electronics in all of the equipment and devices connected to the pathway.

Direct Coupled pathways would be:

·        The Signaling Line Circuit (SLC)

·        Upload & Download System Control and Power Loops (Four Wires - Plus, Minus, Send to Devices, Receive from Devices)

·        RS485 circuit

·        RS232 Circuit

·        Power Circuit (like for door holders, detectors, control circuits)

·        Any other pathway that use copper wires, Like wet contact AHU Tripping, Damper operation control, Door Handling unit, solenoid activation ….. etc.

Indirect Coupled is not electrically connected or hard wired - There is no electrical connection between any of the electronic equipment or devices.

Indirect Coupled pathways would be:

·        Radio Frequency (RF) Coupled like Wireless

·        Magnetically Coupled (Transformer Coupled) like CAT(x)

·        Optically Coupled like Fiber Optics

·        Any other pathway that use copper wires, Like dry contact or through NO/NC AHU Tripping, Damper operation control, PA Activation, Access Control Deactivation….. etc.

🧰 Continuity Test

The difference between Direct Coupled and Indirect Coupled is electrical continuity. It's not normally used in a fire alarm system, but a plain old light-bulb-and-battery continuity tester can often be used to check whether or not a pathway is Direct or Indirect Coupled.

No, don't do this, this is a mental test or a theory test of the pathway. Use an imaginary continuity checker because a real checker has a possibility of unforeseen damage. Connect your imaginary continuity checker to the positive wires at each end of the pathway, or connect your imaginary continuity checker to the negative wires at each end of the pathway.

If the data-path can turn on the light, the entire pathway is Direct Coupled, if the data-path can't turn on the light, the pathway is Indirect Coupled, at least at some point.

🧰 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting ground faults isn’t much different than troubleshooting any other electrical fault. Use a systematic approach to isolate the problem. In most cases there will be one or more conductors, or even whole circuits, that have made contact with a grounded piece of metal. Always keep in mind when it comes to fire alarm control units indicating a ground fault condition – sometimes a ground fault indication has absolutely nothing to with a grounded circuit. Every now and then there could be another reason — and that reason might be a little unusual – electrically speaking!

To find a ground fault, the first thing you should do is *remove all wires from the fire alarm control panel. If the ground trouble goes away, then you’ve ruled out the possibility that it is not an internal ground within the control panel.

*Note: If you decide to remove one wire at a time instead of follow my advice (and there is actually more than one ground fault), then you may never see the ground trouble go away.

By removing all of the loop cables, you will rule out that the ground fault is not an internal panel ground. If the ground is internal, then you’ll need to replace the fire control panel or components within the panel.

If the ground does go away, it’s time to break out the ohm meter.

To find a ground, click your meter to the highest continuity setting. Touch one of your meter leads to each conductor (not electrical circuits, of course) while also touching the other lead to a known ground. If installed properly, any electrical conduit is a good source to use as a ground reference.

Since you are using a highly sensitive meter, make sure you are not touching or holding any of the exposed wire leads with your fingers or you will skew the results.

Once you have found a ground, tag it and keep checking. Don’t assume this is the only ground fault.

After you’ve determined the source of the ground, it’s time to start troubleshooting in the field. If you have as-built drawings available (I know it’s rare), visually split the circuit in half and go from there.

Continue splitting the circuit into sections or areas until you narrow down the ground. If you find the ground is coming from the fire alarm cable between two devices, it is sometimes easier to simply replace the cable.

By bourn this issue need to counter and workout till it’s not gone.

If you are NOT an electrician or a licensed fire alarm technician, DO NOT attempt to make these repairs yourself. Only qualified personnel should make repairs and troubleshoot energized circuits.

If you need further help in resolving fire alarm system issues, please contact a certified commercial fire alarm company or electrical contractor in your area.

🚨 Common Causes of Ground Faults

Damaged Cable Insulation – Cuts, pinches, or worn insulation causes direct contact with grounded conduits or trays.

Moisture Ingress – Water in junction boxes, devices, or conduits, especially in basements, parking areas, or outdoor installations.

Improper Terminations – Loose strands touching grounded backboxes or enclosures.

Screws Piercing Wires – Device mounting screws penetrating cables inside backboxes.

Conduit or Box Grounding – Conductors squeezed between metal parts.

Incorrect Use of Shielded Cables – Improper grounding of shields may create a path to ground.

🧰 Experience Sharing

There are times when a ground fault indication on the control unit has nothing to do with a grounded circuit. The following is happening with SSA Integrate Engineer.

A fire alarm system with an intermittent ground fault condition had been giving us fits for two weeks. This was an older conventional system and did not indicate where the ground fault was. In the middle of trying to figure out which circuit had the problem the ground fault indication would go away. This made troubleshooting the problem even more difficult. We inspected and tested each field circuit looking for any indication of a ground fault and found nothing. We inspected inside the junction boxes for bad or damaged conductors. We looked for moisture in the conduit. We still found nothing. Then we even tried to narrow it down to a certain time of the day, but there was no consistent time of the day for the problem.

After two weeks, I happened to remove one of the batteries to clean the enclosure. I noticed there was a wet spot and paint had peeled up leaving a small area of bare metal. I checked the bottom of the battery. The battery had a tiny crack and was leaking a small amount of electrolytic fluid. The fluid would contact the bare metal. There was a complete circuit from the battery charger – through the battery – to the leaky fluid – to the grounded enclosure, which created a ground fault condition. We cleaned it up, replaced both batteries and did not have another issue from that fire alarm system. Luckily, we did not replace the control unit circuit board, as that would have not solved the problem. It was by chance that the problem was resolved. 

Another case we want to share, customer reported Ground Fault trouble showing in there FACP. Standalone FACP with 3 Loop System no Graphic software no BMS connectivity. Our Engineer visit and find out once loop 2 cable are opened Ground fault is removed. Now team just splitting the circuit into sections or areas until we narrow down the ground. And ultimately found the ground is coming from the fire alarm cable between two devices, simply we replace the cable.

Another case our engineer found pinching the insulation makes certain spots thinner. Even though the insulation is blocking most electrical current, you could say the insulation is breaking down at that location.

The insulation/voltage threshold is lower at that location on the wire, and the electrical current flowing through the insulation at that point can be the cause of the fire alarm panel detecting a ground fault.

Another case our engineer found Rubbing the insulation on a sharp edge. It happened during installation of cooper cable. Initial time it not effected in loop line. It is the cause of a lowered insulation/voltage threshold. Even though the insulation is still covering the copper, it is thinner at that point and the voltage required to push electrons through the insulation is lowered.

Another case our engineer found Water at lower voltages is an insulator; water at higher voltages is a conductor. The voltage/insulation threshold of water is greater for distilled water (very high voltage) than it is for dirty water (salt, chemicals, just plain dirt in the water).

Water in building wiring (it's not supposed to be there, but it gets there anyway) usually has an insulation/voltage threshold of about 7 to 9 volts.

On GST brand fire alarm control panel, on board one jumper is there to disable Ground Fault. Just open jumper to not showing Ground fault in Panel Display.

On Edwards or Notifier or Simplex, all are UL & FM listed panel. They don’t have such option to avoid ground fault.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Ground Fault Troubleshooting Process

🔧 Step 1: Identify the Type of Ground Fault

Check if it’s:

·        Positive (NAC/24V+) Ground Fault

·        Negative (COM/Ground) Ground Fault

Most panels can indicate which side is faulted. Check panel diagnostics or use a multimeter if needed.

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🔧 Step 2: Isolate Field Wiring (Loop)

Disconnect outgoing circuits one at a time (SLC, NAC, IDC, etc.) from the panel.

·        After each disconnection, observe if the ground fault clears.

·        If it clears, the fault is in that circuit.

·        If not, continue isolating other circuits.

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🔧 Step 3: Divide and Conquer

Once the faulty loop is identified:

1.   Go to the midpoint of the circuit and disconnect. E.g. if you have 100 devices, split it into 50/50.

2.   Check both sides: Keep continue this process until you reach to the point and fix this fault.

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🔧 Step 4: Physical Inspection

·        Check all device boxes for moisture, corrosion, or loose strands.

·        Inspect conduits for damage, especially where mechanical works recently occurred.

·        Use a megger or ground fault locator for more advanced detection.

✅ Pro Tips

Always label wires during isolation to avoid confusion.

Document findings – especially if you're working in a large or multi-team project.

If working in a damp area (e.g., basements), ensure junction boxes are IP-rated and sealed properly.

Don’t ignore intermittent ground faults—they often show up only in wet or humid conditions.

 

🛡️ Prevention is Better than Cure

Use proper cable supports and avoid over-tightening.

Train installation teams on neat termination practices.

Keep wires away from sharp edges or screw points.

Seal all junctions and outdoor boxes from water entry.

Regular preventive maintenance to check insulation and terminations.

Checklist of Fire Safety System for Healthcare

Checklist of Fire Safety System for Healthcare building

Building Name:

Building address:

Building Floor name:

Local Fire Bridged name & Cont nos:

As per National Building Code (NBC) Hospital Buildings, Nursing Homes, Sanatoriums have been categories under Group-C “Institutional Building”.

The Institutional Buildings are having some high risk areas with special problems relates life risk of both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. It is therefore necessary to understand the types of hazards associated with the Institutional Buildings vis-à-vis life safety concept.

Life Safety from fire in Hospitals relies on a “Defined – in- Place” principle. Horizontal exits or smoke barriers are required to sub-divide each storey of a Hospital to provide an area of refuge on each floor.

In case of emergency the objectives should be “Keep the fire away from the Patient rather than more the patient away from the fire”

A. Procedure for Calling the Fire Brigade:

a) When calling the Fire Brigade give clear information.

1. Name & Address of the premises where fire has actually broke out.

2. Nearest land mark & name of the access road.

3. Character to the Building and type of occupancy.

4. Nearest water body is available.

5. Telephone No. of the caller & of the particular premises if known.

B. Procedure to be followed for Raising the Alarm:

All occupants/ employees should be aware of how to raise the alarm.

1. Once detector actuated, the on duty staffs will act according to pre-determined plan.

2. The source of alarm must be monitored regularly.

3. Whole premises should be warned through the P.A. system in such a manner that should not generate any panic amongst the occupants.

4. The system should be incorporated to disseminate the information to other emergency support services.

C. Pre-determined area should be identified for refuge or assemble of the occupants (Patient).

D. The assembly or refuge area should have the facility of medical support for patient if needed.

E. The assembly or refuge area must have the access of the emergency vehicles like ambulance or fire service vehicles.

F. Roll call should be taken to ensure that all occupants/ patients are evacuated from the danger zone and the missing person should be notified to the Fire Service and Police Authority.

G. Procedure for Fighting the Fire:

1. In the early stages of a fire it may be possible to successfully contain it or extinguish it with first aid fire fighting equipment.

2. To accomplish this, staff members should be instructed in the use of hand held extinguishers and hose reels.

3. Certain members of staff may be designated as a fire fighting team as part of the emergency procedures & their function would be to assess and "if safe to do so" tackle the fire with the available equipment until the Fire Brigade arrive.

H. Procedure for Assisting the Fire Brigade:

a) When the Fire Brigade arrives they need proper assistance and information as much as possible in order to take the best course of action. The type of information required includes:

1. Exact location of the fire;

2. Type of materials involved in fire;

3. Details of missing persons;

4. Location of nearest fire hydrants;

5. Location of all access doors to the building.

6. Location of any special risks adjoining to the fire location;

7. Keys for access into any locked areas.

RECOMMENDATION OF

MINIMUM ESSENTIAL FIRE SAFETY MEASURES IN INSTITUTIONAL

BUILDINGS

Preventive Measures

1. Good housekeeping in all area, specially stores, kitchen, electrical installation, transformer house and waste disposals etc. should be maintained.

2. No Smoking Zone (while applicable in office, store, depot etc) shall be enforced rigidly.

3. All electrical installations shall be periodically checked & tested by competent electrical

engineers, while all loose electrical wiring if any shall be replaced immediately.

4. Appropriate M.C.B. shall be installed where necessary in the electrical installation as per

Indian Electrical Rules.

5. All old electrical wiring especially in the zone of insignificant and abundant area shall

replace with the new ones.

6. The basement if any should not be used as store room / material dumping / in patient ward or any other purpose which will cause Fire / Smoke.

7. Lift shaft and stair lobby / landing shall be free from any obstacles / obstruction.

8. Use of LPG gas cylinders not more than 320 kg come into a gas bank, to be installed with separate place with barrier and precaution as per IS : 6044.

9. Trained staff in dealing with the fire fighting extinguisher / appliance / Evacuation procedure shall be engaged. Fire fighting drill and evacuation drill should be held on regular basis.

10. Building should come into a modular by making corridors horizontal & vertical exits from the origin of the fire place to a safe area easily and also by incorporating Fire & Smoke Check Door in the lobby approaching to stairways and lift.

11. One senior personal preferably from administration may co-ordinate & look into.

12. On site Emergency / Evacuation plan shall have to be prepared and update at regular

interval.

13. Fire Notice, Fire order, Exit sign, Floor Nos. shall be displayed at conspicuous places as per requirements of NBC Part IV 2016.

14. Arrangement should be made for proper checking, testing and maintenance of all fire

protection and detection system to keep them in properly working condition at all the time.

15. Electrical Safety Audit should be carried out at regular interval as per Indian Electrical Rules.

Protective Measures

1. Water Reservoir exclusively for fire fighting shall be made available as prescribed in National Building Code (NBC) Part IV 2016.

2. Replenishment of the reservoir may be incorporated with deep tube well with auto facility.

3. Fire Hydrant Ring main with Yard Hydrant & Wet Riser system with landing valve shall be installed as per NBC Part IV & IS: 3844.

4. Hose Box containing two nos. 15 M long Hose & 1 No. Branch Pipe with Nozzle to be

installed near each Yard Hydrant & Landing Valve.

5. First-Aid Hose Reel 40 M long to be provided near each landing valve tapped off from the Wet Riser.

6. Sprinkler system to be provided for all the floors & other places / areas as applicable as per NBC Code.

7. Fire fighting extinguisher should be provided within the building as per IS: 2190 and person having work station in that area should be trained to use the same if required initially in case of emergency.

8. The main Fire Pump and one stand by pump of capacity minimum 2280 LPM and head of the pump will be such that 3.5 Kg/cm2 pressure is available at the furthest/highest landing valve, to be installed. Auto start facility should be incorporated in fire pump. Accordingly, Jockey Pump of Capacity 180 LPM shall also be installed.

9. The Stand by pump of equal capacity must be available on alternate sources of

supply, preferably diesel operating pump.

10. Fire Detection & Alarm System for the entire Building shall be provided as per IS: 2185

11. Public Address System with Two way communication System

12. Emergency power supply shall be provided to the following equipment and system.

A. Illumination of means of escape route.

B. Fire Alarm Panel & P.A. Console.

C. Fire Pumps

D. Fire Lift

E. Bore Well

Fire Command Structure:-

1. Chief Executive Officer or Head of the Organization will act as the commanding officer during emergency.

2. The commanding Officer has the primary responsibility to recognize hazards and prepare the fire order and fire operation plan & get them promulgated.

3. To supervise the regular training to the hospital staff (non-medical & medical) of the hospitals and keep them informed about the fire emergency evacuation plan.

4. Medical Superintendent will act as a occupant/patient evacuation supervisor and formulate the emergency evacuation plan and impart training to all the staffs (medical & non-medical) regarding the emergency evacuation procedure.

5. Floor managers/Matrons/floor supervisor will assist the evacuation supervisor in evacuation process.

6. The Chief Engineer/ Maintenance Engineer will act as a head of the fire fighting team and his responsibility to maintain all the fixed fire fighting installation system and constitute the fire fighting team. He should also impart the training about the operation and maintenance of fire fighting installation and conduct training at regular intervals.

ACTION BY SECURITY / DESIGNATED FIRE FIGHTING STAFF

A) INFORM THE FIRE BRIGADE THROUGH ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PHONE NUMBERS:

                                    XXX XXXX XXXX

                                    YYY YYYY YYYY

B) ALERT THE OCCUPANTS BY USING PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM & GIVE THEM PROPER GUIDANCE FOR SAFE EVACUATION FROM THE BUILDING.

C) OPERATE THE GROUNDING SWITCH TO BRING FIRE ELEVATOR TO GROUND FLOOR LEVEL.

D) EVACUATE THE OCCUPANTS BY USING FIRE EXITS AND EMERGENCY EXITS ONLY AND ASSEMBLE THEM IN A SAFE PLACE.

E) SWITCH OFF THE POWER SUPPLY OF THE BUILDING EXCEPTING EMERGENCY LIGHT / FIRE LIFT / FIRE ALARM PANEL, PA & TALKBACK PANELS.

F) FIGHT THE FIRE USING NEAREST SUITABLE EXTINGUISHER OR WATER FROM NEAREST HOSE REEL / HYDRANT POINT DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF FIRE.

G) GUIDE THE FIRE FORCE, ON THEIR ARRIVAL TO THE SEAT OF FIRE.

H) INCASE OF CAUSALITIES, CALL AMBULANCE OR MOBILE TRAUMA CARE UNIT.

I) ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY CONSTRAINED, UNCONSCIOUS, DISABLE AND WOMAN ARE EVACUATED.

Weekly Fire Checklist:

Escape routes			Notes / action needed
1	Are escape routes clear?	Yes/No
2	Is there any combustible waste or storage in corridors, lobbies, stairways and chute rooms?	Yes/No
3	Are there any signs of damage to fire-resisting walls, doors and glazing between units and the common parts?	Yes/No
4	Are external routes clear and safe? And if needed well lit?	Yes/No
5	Have any vents required for smoke control been tampered with, forced open and damaged (e.g. by residents seeking to air stuffy atmospheres or to remove the smell from illicit smoking) or blocked up to prevent draughts?	Yes/No
6	Are fire exit signs or fire action notices missing or defaced?	Yes/No
7	Where required are there spare batteries for emergency escape lights & torches.	Yes/No
8	Have emergency lights been inspected – tell-tale lights illuminated	Yes/No
9	Where fitted is emergency lighting and sign lighting working correctly?	Yes/No
Fire doors
1	Can all fire exits be opened immediately and easily?	Yes/No
2	Are fire doors clear of obstructions?	Yes/No
3	Are fire door smoke seals in good condition (not painted over / damaged)?	Yes/No
4	Do all self-closing fire doors work correctly?	Yes/No
5	Do fire doors fit closely with a maximum of 5mm gaps?	Yes/No
6	Do all emergency fastening devices to fire exits (e.g. push bars) work correctly?	Yes/No
7	Are front doors and other entrance and exit doors closing properly?	Yes/No
8	All enclosed staircases shall have access through self closing doors of at least two hour fire resistance – these shall be swing doors opening in the direction of escape. The door shall be fitted with check action door closers.	Yes/No
Fire Detection & Alarm System
1	Is the indicator panel showing ‘normal’?	Yes/No
2	Where provided, are fire detectors, MCP, CM, MM still in place and/or damaged, covered over or interfered with in anyway?	Yes/No
3	Where provided, are fire detectors, MCP, CM, MM indication LED are blinking?	Yes/No
4	Where provided, are 70% fire detectors, MCP, Strobe, Battery are tested?	Yes/No
5	Where applicable has the fire alarm been tested on a weekly basis?	Yes/No
6	Is an ongoing periodical maintenance contract in place?	Yes/No
7	Automatic fire dampers shall be provided at the inlet of the fresh air and return air duct of each compartment on every floor.	Yes/No
8	Fire alarm system should be intercommunicate with BMS	Yes/No
9	Fire alarm system should be intercommunicate with Access Control	Yes/No
10	PA System speaker must be placed so that the information is clearly audible in all areas	Yes/No
Firefighting equipment
1	Are all fire extinguishers in place?	Yes/No
2	Are fire extinguishers discharged or damaged?	Yes/No
3	Are fire extinguishers clearly visible and accessible?	Yes/No
4	Gross weight of Cylinder when inspected in Kgs?	Yes/No
5	Are fire extinguishers Safety Pin damaged?	Yes/No
6	Are vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them?	Yes/No
7	Are all Sprinklers shall cover the entire area?	Yes/No
8	Are all Sprinklers line is energized?	Yes/No
9	Are last Sprinklers properly tested?	Yes/No
10	Distance between two hydrants or extinguisher stations must not be more than 30 m, and very clearly marked	Yes/No
11	A Diesel fire pump should be required and provide diesel exhaust pipe from the diesel engine and terminate to atmosphere in a location acceptable to the local Authority / Architect.	Yes/No
12	An additional static water storage tank to be provided at roof / terrace level with capacity specified by the local fire authority with arrangements of replenishment by main or alternate source of supply, which can be used in the eventuality of failure of other system under gravity flow.	Yes/No
13	All valves must be open, accessible and unobstructed	Yes/No
14	All the fire pumps to have direct access from the ground level.	Yes/No
15	What is the capacity of Under Ground / Terrace Static Storage Tank? (in ltr)	Yes/No
16	Whether the fire pump room is separated by fire walls all around and provided with fire doors.	Yes/No
17	Whether an undertaking from LPG piping installation agency and client stating that proposed gas bank , supply lines and other fitting associated with it is as per NBC of India -2016, Part-IV	Yes/No
18	Whether an affidavit / Confirmation is produced by the Applicant and Licensed contractor stating that all the proposed lightning protection installations for building is as per NBC of India -2016; Part-IV?	Yes/No
19	Whether an affidavit / Confirmation is produced by the applicant and HVAC Consultant be stating that all the proposed Air Conditioning, Smoke Management, Ventilation and Staircase Pressurisation Systems for the building is as per NBC of India -2016; Part-IV?	Yes/No
20	Whether an affidavit / Confirmation from the Applicant and the Electrical Consultant produced along with plan stating that all the proposed Electrical Installations and power supply for the proposed building is as per NBC of India -2016 Part 1V and necessary emergency power distribution system for fire and life safety systems also proposed in the building as per NBC 2016 Part IV 3.4.6.2 ?	Yes/No

All Fire Stations / Cabinets, for installing or keeping First Aid Fire Protection Equipment such as fire hose reel, hydrant valve, fire hose, branch pipe, etc should be provided in strategic locations of all floors, @ one station for every 1000M2 of plinth area.