Upcoming changes in NBC 2016 Part 4 ANNEX E (Clauses 5.1.4 and 6) E-7

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.

Summary of NBC 2016 Part 4 Fire and Life Safety

Summary of NBC 2016 Part 4 Fire and Life Safety 

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for development of standards, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC 2016), a comprehensive building Code prepared by BIS, is a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country.

Thus, the Code gives all the information required by the architect, engineer, structural engineer, construction engineer, services engineer and other professionals from the early stages of planning to translating the building on to terra firma. The comprehensive NBC 2016 contains 13 Parts some of which are divided into Sections and Subsections totalling 33 chapters.

Key Content - Fire and Life Safety

All buildings shall satisfy minimum requirements for safety of life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic arising from these or similar causes.

Classification of buildings based on occupancy

The city or area under the jurisdiction of the Authority shall be demarcated into distinct fire zones depending upon the existing layout, types of building construction, classification of existing buildings based on occupancy and expected future development of the city or area. Intermixing of hazardous occupancies should not be allowed in other zones.

1) Fire resistant walls, floors and compartments

• To limit the spread of fire

• No compromise for openings such as shafts, refuse chutes, vertical openings, etc.

2) Shafts

• To be provided with fire resistant rated inspection door for passage of building

services such as cables, electrical wires, telephone cables, plumbing pipes, etc

depending upon location.

3) Refuge area

• An area within the building for a temporary use during egress. It generally serves as

a staging area which is protected from the effect of fire and smoke.

4) Fire detection and firefighting installations

• These include fire alarm, fire extinguishers, hose reels, wet riser, down comer,

yard hydrants, sprinklers, deluge system, water spray, foam, water mist systems,

gaseous or dry powder system, water storage tanks and pumps, etc.

5) Means of egress

• Consists of three separate and distinct parts, that is, exit access, exit and exit discharge

• Exit access are working/functional areas

• Various types of exit access and exits are doorways, corridors and passageways, horizontal exits, internal staircases, exit passageways, external staircases and ramps.

6) Firefighting shafts

• With fire man talk back, fire door, wet riser, hose reel, signage showing floor plan and stairways and fire man’s lift

Fire prevention

Fire prevention is based on the following:

•        Occupancy

•        Fire zones

•        Types of construction

•        General requirement of all occupancies

•        Electrical installation

a.   Emergency power for fire and life safety system

b.   Substation

c.    Lightning protection

d.   Escape lighting and exit signage

e.   HVAC and smoke control

f.     Glazing

g.   Surface interior finish

h.   Fire Command Centre

•        Fire resistance rating of structural and non-structural elements updated

•        Fire resistance rating of service shaft and duct opening of 2 hours.                                 Inspection door and duct opening should have same resistance rating of  service shaft.

•        Facade protection and openable windows in facade shall have fire protection and smoke exhaust aspects

•        Compartment criteria of different occupancies and fire separating wall & floor partitions are modified

•        Provision of fire/smoke damper design more elaborated like provision of damper

A.   At the fire separation wall

B.   Where ducts/passage enter the vertical shaft

C.   Where the duct passes through floor

D.   At the inlet of supply air duct and return air duct of each compartment on every floor.

Glass facade

1. For fully sprinkler building having fire separation of 9 m or more, tampered glass in a non-combustible assembly with ability to hold the glass in position shall be provided
2. It shall be ensured that sprinklers are located within 60 cm and there is full coverage of glass. All the gaps between floor slab and facade assembly shall be sealed at all level by fire resistant sealant material of equal rating of floor slab to prevent fire and smoke propagation from one floor to another.
3. Openable panels shall be provided in each floor and shall be spaced not more than 10 m apart, measured along the external wall from the centre to centre of the access opening. Such opening shall be operable at a height between 1.2 m and 1.5 m from the floor in the form of openable panel (Fire Access Panel) not less than 1000 mm x 1000mm opening outward.

FIRE OPENABLE PANEL DO NOT OBSTRUCT IN  25 mm lettering in the inner side can also act as smoke exhaust at the time of distress.

Service Sector in Focus

Some important features considered in Hospitals

•        Each compartment shall be able to accommodate patients from adjoining compartment and Density Factor (Number of patient) area to be allotted 3.5 sq.m/person

•        Critical patients, incapable of self-preservation and physical impairment shall be housed within 30 m height

•        Other types of patient and occupancy like Nurses’ centre, Medical shop, Canteen, etc to be in between 30-45 m in height

•        Operation theatre, Delivery room, ICU, Recovery room shall have a separation with 2 hours of fire resistance rating

•        Passage width of aisles, corridor, ramp, etc shall be 2.4 m unobstructed through which patients are being moved and in case of inpatient width not less than 1.5

•        All exits from Hospital or Infirmary Section shall not be less than 2m

•        Minimum door width single/double occupancy shall be 1.25 m; for 3-5 patients, door width shall be 1.50 m; for more than 5 patients and patient evacuation bed (i.e. ICU) it shall be 2.0 m; for single/double doors, it shall be 1.5 m

•        Any sleeping accommodation or suite exceeding 100 sq.m in area, 2 no.s of access door leading to escape route, corridor, etc to be provided

•        Room designed for laboratory or like facility shall be limited to 100 sq.m in area for additional area coverage. Fire separation shall be done by 2 hours fire resistance.

•        A stretcher lift in the lift bank shall also act as a fireman lift

Life safety is based on:

•        General exit

•        Occupant load

•        Declaration of occupant load

•        Egress components

•        Smoke control of exit

•        Compartmentation

•        Smoke control above and below ground

•        Gas supply

•        Hazardous area

•        Fire detection

•        Fire drill

Safe electrical supply system

•        The electrical supplies towards the critical aspects of emergency power for fire and life safety addressed for respective system.

•        Power supply to the panel and distribution board be through fire proof enclosure or circuit integrity cable or through alternate route in the adjoining fire compartment is protected within the compartment of vulnerability and require location of the panel/distribution board feeding shall be in fire and safety zone and ensure supply of power to these system.

•        The high voltage electrical equipment safety including aspects of emergency and exit lighting of large and public assembly occupancies

•        HVAC system, smoke control and mitigation also to be taken care of with comprehensive approach towards compartmentation and spread of fire and smoke.

Life safety

•        To calculate the number of exit requirement with Density Factor

•        Exit Layout for better understanding of various aspects of means of egress, corridor, passageways, stair ways and exit

•        Provision for access control door, electromagnetic door, revolving door and turnstile (conditions to be fulfilled)

•        Provision of handrail at both sides of stairs and ramp width exceeding 1.5m

•        Internal stair width of residential building increased to 1250 mm from 1000 mm

•        External stairs width increased from 1250 mm to 1500 mm

•        Each fire rated door shall have a marking on the product of its certification. Door assembly parts like hinges, locks, panic bars, door closer and door viewer shall be certified.

•        Updated staircase pressurization requirement (Smoke control of exit) for lobbies & corridors

•        Smoke exhaust and pressurization of area below the ground floor

•        Requirement of smoke exhaust system having make up air system for the theatre and atrium

•        Smoke exhaust fan in the mechanical ventilation system shall be fire rated of 250 degrees centigrade for 2 hours (120 minutes)

•        Provision of smoke barrier and sprinkler around the opening for escalator

•        Requirement of display of occupancy load for assembly occupancy and call center.