Ghana Building Code - Part 03 PDF

GHANABUILDINGCODE
PART3USEANDOCCUPANCY
TABLEOFCONTENTS
3.1 GENERAL3
3.1.1
Scope
3.1.2
Definitions
3.2CLASSIFICATIONOFBUILDINGSORPARTSOFBUILDINGS
BYMAJOROCCUPANCY
6
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
BuildingSizeDetermination
10
ProvisionofCompartmentWallsandCompartmentFloors
11
FireResistanceofElementsofStructure
13
FireResistanceofFloorsinConjunctionwithSuspendedCeilings
3.2.6ExternalWalls
3.2.7CalculationofPermittedLimitsofUnprotectedAreas
3.2.8RulesforCalculationbyReferencetoanEnclosingRectangle
3.2.9 SeparatingWalls
3.2.10 CompartmentWallsandCompartmentFloors
3.2.11ProtectionofOpeningsinSeparatingWalls,CompartmentWalls
andCompartmentFloors
3.2.12 FireStopping
3.2.13RestrictionofSpreadofFlameOverSurfaceofWallsandCeilings
3.2.14 RoofCovering
3.2.15 SmallGaragesandSmallOpenCarports
3.2.16 OccupantLoad
41
42
43
44
57
60
61
71
73
76
81
84
3.3
SAFETYREQUIREMENTSWITHINFLOORAREAS86
3.3.1
RequirementsApplyingtoallFloorAreas
ResidentialOccupancy
3.3.2
3.3.3
InstitutionalOccupancy
3.3.4
BusinessandPersonalServicesOccupancy
3.3.5
Mercantileoccupancy
3.3.6
IndustrialOccupancy
3.3.7AssemblyOccupancy
3.4
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3
3.4.4
3.4.5
3.4.6
3.4.7
3.4.8
86
91
93
94
95
96
98
REQUIREMENTSFOREXITS105
GeneralRequirements
105
NumberandLocationofExitsfromFloorAreas
106
WidthandHeightofExits
109
FlameSpreadRatingforExits
112
RequiredFireSeparationforExits
112
ExitSigns
114
LightingforExits
115
TypesofExitFacility
115
3.5
3.5.1
3.5.2
3.5.3
3.5.4
HEALTHREQUIREMENTS121
HeightandAreaofRooms
121
Windows
121
Ventilation
121
PlumbingFacilities
122
APPENDIX1REFERREDSTANDARDS126
2
PART3USEANDOCCUPANCY
3.1 GENERAL
3.1.1 Scope:Thispartcoverstherequirementsoffireprotectionofbuildingsandthehealth
ofthebuildingenvironment,throughtheclassificationofbuildingsbasedonoccupancy,
typeofconstruction,andtheirrequirements.
3.1.1(1)Thispartappliestoallbuildingsofmorethantwostoreysorwhosetotalfloorareaexceeds
220m2.
(2)Forbuildingsnotlistedin3.1.1(1),requirementsrelatingtouseandoccupancywillbefound
inPart7oftheCode.
3.1.2 Definitions
3.1.2.1Forthepurposeofthispart,thefollowingdefinitionsshallapply;andinthecaseofstorey
levels,refertotheBritishsystem:
basementstoreymeansastoreywhichisbelowthegroundstorey;or,ifthereisnogroundstorey,
meansastorey,thefloorofwhichissituatedatsuchalevelorlevelsthatsomepointonitsperimeteris
more than 1.2m below the level of the finished surface of the ground adjoining the building in the
vicinityofthatpoint.Fig.3.1.2.1A
compartment means any part of a building which is separated from all other parts by one or more
compartmentfloorsorbybothsuchwallsandfloorsandforthepurposesofthispart,ifanypartofthe
top storey of a building is within a compartment, the compartment shall also include any roof space
abovesuchpartofthetopstorey.Fig.3.1.2.1B
compartmentwallandcompartmentfloormeanrespectively,awallandafloorwhichcomplieswith
subsection3.2.8andwhichisprovidedforthepurposesofsubsection3.2.3ortodivideabuildinginto
compartmentsforanypurposeinconnectionwithsubsection3.2.4,3.2.5or3.2.6.
doorincludesanyshutter,coverorotherformofprotectiontoanopeninginanywallorfloorofa
building,orinthestructuresurroundingaprotectedshaft,whetherthedoorisconstructedofone or
moreleaves.
elementofstructuremeans
(a)
any member forming part of the structural frame of a building or any other
beamorcolumn(notbeingmemberformingpartofaroofstructureonly).
(b)
afloor,includingacompartmentfloor,otherthanthelowestfloorofabuilding.
(c)
anexternalwall
(d)
aseparatingwall
(e)
acompartmentwall
(f)
structureenclosingaprotectedshaft
(g)
aloadbearingwall
3
(h)
agallery.Fig.3.1.2.1C
externally noncombustible means externally faced with, or otherwise externally consisting of non
combustiblematerials.
firestopmeansabarrierorsealwhichwouldpreventorretardthepassageofsmokeorflamewithina
cavityoraroundapipeorductwhereitpassesthroughawallorfloororatajunctionbetweenelements
ofstructure.
ground storey means a storey the floor of which is situated at such a level or levels that any given
pointonitsperimeterisatorabout,ornotmorethan1.2mbelow,thelevelofthefinishedsurfaceof
thegroundadjoiningthebuildinginthevicinityofthatpoint;or,iftherearetwoormoresuchstoreys,
meansthehigherorhighestofthese.Fig.3.1.2.1E
heightofbuildinghasthemeaningascribedtoitinsubsection3.2.2.
opencarpotmeansacarpotofnotmorethanonestorey,whichisopenontwoormoreofitssides;
andforthepurposeofthisdefinitionasidewhichincludesorconsistsofadoorshallnotforthatreason
beregardedasanopenside.
permittedlimitofunprotectedareasmeansthemaximumaggregateareaofunprotectedareasinany
sideorexternalwallofabuildingorcompartment,calculatedasprescribedinsubsection3.1.7.7.
protected shaft means a stairway, lift, escalator, chute, duct or other shaft which enables persons,
thingsorairtopassbetweendifferentcompartmentsandcomplieswithsubsection3.1.10.
relevantboundaryinrelationtoasideorexternalwallofabuildingorcompartment,meansthatpart
oftheboundaryofthepremisesorofthenotionalboundarywhichisadjacenttothatsideorwalland
eithercoincideswithisparalleltoorisatanangelofnotmorethan180owiththatsideorwall.
Fig.3.1.2.1D
separatingwallmeansawallorpartofawallwhichiscommontotwoadjoiningbuildings.
unprotectedareainrelationtoanexternalwallorside,ofabuildingmeans
(a) awindow,doororotheropening
(b) anypartoftheexternalwallwhichhasfireresistancelessthanthatspecifiedbythispart
forthatwall,and
(c) any part of the external wall which has combustible material more than 1 mm thick
attachedorappliedtoitsexternalface,whetherforcladdingoranyotherpurposes.
(2) Anyreferenceinthisparttoabuildingshall,inanycasewheretwoormorehousesadjoin,he
construedasreferencetooneofthosehouses.
(3) Ifanypartofabuildingotherthanasinglestoreybuilding
(a) consistsofgroundstoreyonly
(b) has a roof to which there is only such access as may be necessary for the purposes of
maintenanceorrepair;and
(c) compartmentwallorcompartmentwallsinthesamecontinuousverticalplane,thatpart
maybetreated,forthepurposesofthispart,asapartofasinglestoreybuilding.
Fig.3.1.2.1F
(4) Any reference in this part to a roof of a specified designation shall be construed as a
requirementthattherooforpartoftheroofshallbesoconstructedtothesamespecification,if
exposedtotestbyfireinaccordancewithBS476:Part3:1958,wouldcomplywiththerelevant
testcriteriaspecifiedinrelationtothatdesignation.
Anyrooforpartofaroofshallbedeemedtobeofthespecifieddesignationifitconformswith
oneofthespecificationssetoutagainstthatdesignationinTable3.1.10.7B.
3.2 CLASSIFICATIONOFBUILDINGORPARTSOFBUILDINGSBYMAJOROCCUPANCY
3.2.1 (1)
(2)
Everybuildingorpartthereof,whetherexistingorhereaftererected,shallbeclassified
by the authority having jurisdiction, as belonging to one of the following groups
according to the use or its major character of occupancy and as described and
exemplifiedin Table3.2.1A
Thepurposeofclassificationistodeterminewhichrequirementsapply.Thispartofthe
code requires classification in accordance with very major occupancy for which the
buildingisusedorintendedtobeused.Thisgivestheauthorityhavingjurisdictionthe
righttoenforceregulationsforeverysuchoccupancy.
(3)
Except as provided in 3.2.1 (4) when a building is divided into compartments used or
intended to be used for more than one major occupancy, the occupancy of each
compartmentshallbedeterminedseparately.
(4)Wherethewholeorpartofabuildingorcompartment(asthecasemaybe)isusedor
intended to be used for more than one major occupancy only the main occupancy of
that building or compartment shall be taken into account in determining which
occupancygroupitfalls.
Table3.2.1A
FormingpartofArticle3.2.1(1)
CLASSIFICATIONBYGROUPOFTYPICALOCCUPANCIES
Group
Description
Occupancies
Residential occupancies used for
sleeping accommodation is provided
fornormalresidentialpurposes,withor
without cooking or dining or both
facilities, excluding those covered in
GroupCoccupancies,including:
Educational
occupancies
where
building is used for school, college or
daycare purposes involving assembly
forinstruction,educationorrecreation
and which is not covered by Group F,
including:
Institutionaloccupanciesinwhich:
(i) persons are detained for penal or
correctional
purposes,
or
for
involuntary detention, or whose
libertiesarerestricted,including:
(ii) persons because of age, mental or

physicallimitationsrequirespecialcare
ortreatment,including:
Examples
Apartments(flats)
BoardingHouses
Clubs,residential
Convents
Dormitories
1or2familyprivatehouses
Schools(residential)
Colleges(residential)
Jails
Penitentiaries
Policestations(1)
Minorscorrectional
centres(3)
Convalescenthomes(3)
Hospitals
Infirmaries
Hotels
Lodging
Monastries
Motels
Prisons
Psychiatrichospitals(1)
Reformatories(1)
Orphanages
Psychiatrichospitals(2)
Reformatories
Sanitoria(2)

Business and personal services
occupancies for conducting business
and rendering professional and
personalservicesincluding:
B
Mercantile occupancies for displaying,

or selling of retail goods wares, or
merchandise,eitherwholesaleorretail,
M
including:
Factory occupancies in which persons

are employed in any process for or
incidentalto:
(a)makingofanyarticleorpartofany
articleor
(b) altering, repairing ornamenting,

finishing, cleaning or washing or
breakingupordemolitionofanyarticle
(c) the adapting for sale of any article,

including:
Assembly occupancies used for the

attendance of persons for or in
connection with social, amusement,
recreational, religious, patriotic, civil,
travel, educational, business or other
activities and not comprised within
groupsAtoFincluding:
Banks
Barber and hair dressing
shops
Beautyparlours
Dentaloffices
Drycleaning,
selfservice
notemploying
flammableorexplosive
solventsorcleaners
Firestations
Laundry
selfservice
Medicaloffices
Offices
Policestation(2)
Radiostations
Smalltool
and
appliance
rentalandservice
Telephone
exchanges
Departmentstores
Exhibitionhalls
Markets(areaupto500m2)
Shops
Stores
Supermarkets(witharea
morethan500m2)
Underground shopping
centres

Factories
Laboratories
Powerplants
Assemblyplants
Drycleaningplants
Pumpingstations
Laundries
Gasplants
Refineries
Sawmills
Motionpicturehouses
Theatres
Placesofworship
Courtrooms
Dancehalls
Exhibitionhall
Arenas
Reviewingstands
Stadia
Grandstands
Passengerstationsand
terminalsofair,surfaceand
marinepublic
transportation
services
8
Televisionstudios
admitting a viewing
audience
Lecturehalls
Lodgerooms
Museums
Libraries
Gymnasia
General Storage buildings or part of a

buildingusedprimarilyfor;
(i) the storage or sheltering of

goods, wares, merchandise
(except those that involve
highlycombustibleorexplosive
productsormaterials),vehicles
oranimals,including:(4)
HighHazard Storage Buildings or part

ofabuildingusedprimarilyfor:
(ii) thestorage,handling,
manufacture or processing of
highlycombustibleorexplosive
materialsorproductswhichare
liable to burn with extreme
rapidity and/or which may
produce poisonous fumes or
explosions;
for
storage,
handling, manufacture or
processingwhichinvolvehighly
corrosive, toxic or noxious
alkalis,acidsorotherliquidsor
chemicals producing flame,
fumes
and
explosive,
poisonous, irritant or corrosive
gases; and for the storage,
handling or processing of any
material producing explosive
mixtures of dust which will
result in the division of matter
into fine particles subject to
spontaneous
ignition,
including:
Warehouses
ColdStorage
Freightdepots
Transitsheds
Storehouses
Grainelevators
Barns
Stables
Bulkplantsforflammable
liquids
Aircraftrepairhangers
Boxfactories
Distilleries
Rubberprocessingplants
Manufactureofartificial
flowers,
synthetic
leather,
ammunition,explosives
andfireworks.
Printingplants
Truck and Marine
terminals
Garages
Hangers (other than
aircraftrepairhangers)
Storageunderpressure
ofmorethan
0.1N/mm2andin
quantitiesexceeding
70m3,ofacetylene,
hydrogen,
illuminatingand
naturalgases,
ammonia,chlorine,
phosgene,sulphur
dioxide,carbon
dioxide,methyloxide
andallgasessubject
toexplosion,fumeor
toxichazard,
cryogenicgases,etc.
Col.1
UtilityandMiscellaneous
Includes the following types of

buildingsandstructures:
Accessorybuilding
Miscellaneous buildings not
classifiedinanothercategory
Aircraft
hangers
where
accessory is to a 1 or 2family
residence
Grain silos where accessory is
toabuildinginOccupancyclass
R
Buildingtypesinclude:
Agriculturalbuilding
Carports
Fences(>1.8mhigh)
Greenhouses
Livestockshelters
Privategarages
Sheds
Tanks
Towers
NotestoTable3.1.2A
(1) Withdetentionquarters
(2)
Withoutdetentionquarters
(3)
Wheretheoccupantsareambulatoryandliveasasinglehousekeepingunitinadwellingunitwithsleepingaccommodationfornot
morethan10people,theoccupancymaybeconsideredtobeGroupR
Storagepropertiesarecharacterizedbythepresenceofrelativelysmallnumberofpersonsinproportiontothearea.Anynewuse
whichincreasesthenumberofoccupantstoafigurecomparablewithotherclassesofoccupancyshallchangetheclassificationof
thebuildingtothatofthenewuse,forexample,hangarsusedforassemblypurposes,warehousesusedforofficepurposes,garage
buildingsusedformanufacturing.
BuildingsnotlistedinoneoftheoccupancycategoriesbytheCodearetobeassignedtothecategorywiththemostsimilarfireand
otherhazards.
Aspacewithchangeableoccupanciesmustcomplywiththerulesofalloccupanciesinvolved.
Buildingswithmorethanoneoccupancymustcomplywithmixedoccupancyrequirements.
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
3.2.2 Buildingsizedetermination
3.2.2 (1)Inthispart:
(a) The height of a building, or (where relevant) of part of a building, means the height of such
buildingorpart,measuredfrommeanlevelofthegroundadjoiningtheoutsideoftheexternal
wallsofthebuildingtothelevelofhalftheverticalheightoftheroofofthebuildingorpartor
topofthewallsoroftheparapet(ifany)whicheveristhehigher.
Fig.3.2.2A
(b) (i)theareaofanystoreyofabuildingorcompartmentshallbetakentobethetotalareaofthat
storeyboundedbytheinnerfinishedsurfacesofenclosingwallsor,onanysidewherethereis
noenclosingwallbytheoutermostedgeoftheflooronthatside;
(ii)theareaofanyroomorgarageshallbetakentobethetotalareaofitsfloorboundedbythe
innerfinishedsurfacesofthewallsformingtheroomorgarage.
10
(iii) the area of any part of a roof shall be taken to be the actual visible area of such part
measuredonaplaneparalleltothepitchoftheroof.Fig.3.2.2B
(c) thecubiccapacityofabuildingorcompartmentshallbeascertainedbymeasuringthevolume
ofspacecontainedwithin
(i)theinnerfinishedsurfacesoftheenclosingwallsor,onanysidewherethereisnoenclosing
wall,aplaneextendingverticallyabovetheoutermostedgeoftheflooronthatsideand
(ii)theuppersurfaceofitslowestfloorand
(iii)inthecaseofabuildingorofacompartmentwhichextendstotherooftheundersurfaceof
theroofor,inthecaseofanyothercompartment,theundersurfaceoftheceilingofthehighest
storeywithinthatcompartmentincludingthespaceoccupiedbyanyotherwallsoranyshafts,
ductsorstructurewithinthespacetobemeasured.Fig.3.2.2C,Fig.3.2.2D
3.2.3 ProvisionofCompartmentWallsandCompartmentFloors
3.2.3(1)Exceptasprovidedin3.2.3(2)anybuildingofanoccupancygroupspecifiedincolumn(1)of
Table3.2.3Awhichhas:
(a) anystoreyorfloorareawhichexceedsthatspecifiedasrelevanttoabuildingofthat
occupancy group and height in column (3) of the Table; or (b) a cubic capacity which
exceeds that specified in column (4) of the Table shall be divided into compartments by
meansofacompartmentwallsorcompartmentfloorsorbothsothat;
(i)
nosuchcompartmenthasanystoreythefloorareaofwhichexceedsthearea
specifiedasrelevanttothebuildingincolumn(3)oftheTable;and
(ii)
no such compartment has a cubic capacity which exceeds that specified as
relevantincolumn(4)oftheTable.
3.2.3(2)
For any building of occupancy group D fitted throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system,thelimitsofdimensionsspecifiedincolumns(3)and(4)ofTable3.2.3Ashallbe
doubled.
11

12
3.2.3(3)Inanybuildingwhichexceeds28minheight,anyfloorwhichseparatesonestoreyfromanother
otherthanafloorwhichis
(a)withinamaisonette;or
(b)abovethegroundstoreybutataheightnotexceeding9mabovetheadjoininggroundshall
beconstructedasacompartmentfloor.Fig.3.2.3A
3.2.3(4)Thefollowingwallsandfloorsshallbeconstructedascompartmentwallsorcompartment
floors:
(a)anyfloorinabuildingofoccupancyGroupB;
(b)anywallorfloorseparatingaflatormaisonettefromanyotherpartofthesamebuilding;
Fig.3.2.3B
(c)anywallorfloorseparatingpartofabuildingfromanyotherpartofthesamebuildingwhich
is used or intended to be used mainly for an occupancy falling within a different occupancy
groupinTable3.2.3A;and
(d)anyfloorimmediatelyoverabasementstoreyifsuchastorey
(i)formspartofabuildingofoccupancyGroupAwhichhasthreeormorestoreysora
buildingorcompartmentofoccupancygroupD;and(ii)hasanareaexceeding100m2.
3.2.4 Fireresistanceofelementsofstructure
3.2.4(1)InthissubsectionandTable3.2.4A:
(a) anyreferencetoabuildingofwhichanelementofstructureformspartmeansthebuilding
or (if a building is divided into compartments) any compartment of the building of which
theelementformspart;and
(b) referencetoheightmeanstheheightofabuildingnotofanycompartmentinthebuilding,
but if any compartment is completely separated, throughout its height both above and
belowgroundfromallotherpartsbyacompartmentwallorcompartmentwallsinthesame
continuousverticalplane,anyreferencetoheightinrelationtothatpartmeanstheheight
solelyofthatpart.Fig.3.2.4A
3.2.4(2)Subjecttotheprovisionsof3.2.4(3),3.2.4(4)and3.2.5everyelementofstructureshallhave
fireresistanceofnotlessthantherelevantperiodsetoutinTable3.2.4Aprovidedthat:
(a)anyexternalwallshallnothaveafireresistanceoflessthanonehour;
(b)anyseparatingwallshallnothaveafireresistanceoflessthanonehour;
(c) any compartment wall or compartment floor which separates a part of a building falling
within occupancy group other than occupancy groups R , E and B shall not have a fire
resistanceoflessthanonehour;
13

(d) anyrelevantofstructurewhichformspartofmorethanonebuildingorcompartmentshall
be so constructed as to comply with the greater or greatest of the relevant requirements
specifiedinTable3.2.4A;and
(e) any relevant of structure shall not have fire resistance of less than the minimum period
requiredbytheseprovisionsofthecodeforanyelementwhichitcarries.
14
15
Table3.2.3A
(DimensionsofbuildingsandCompartments)
Fig.3.2.3C
Occupancy
Heightofbuilding
(2)
(1)
Limitsofdimensions
Floorareaofstorey
Cubic capacity of
buildingor
building
or
2
3
compartment(inm ) compartment(inm )
(3)
(4)
PartIBuildingsotherthansinglestoreybuildings
Notexceeding28m
3000
8500
R(Residential)
Exceeding28m
2000
5500
EandI
Anyheight
2000
Nolimit
Anyheight
2000
7000
Nolimit
2000
Nolimit
1000
28000
5500
21000
Nolimit
(Educational/Institutional)
BandM
(Business/Mercantile)
F(Industrial)
S,H(General
HazardousStorage)
Notexceeding28m
Exceeding28m
Notexceeding28m
and
Exceeding28m
Part2Singlestoreybuildings
R(Residential)
Anyheight
EandI(Educational/
Institutional)
Anyheight
16
3000
Nolimit
3000
Nolimit

3.2.4(3)
Anycompartmentwallseparatingaflatormaisonettefromanyotherpartofthesame
buildingshallnotberequiredtohavefireresistanceexceedingonehourunless
3.2.4(4)
(a) Thewallisaloadbearingwallorawallformingpartofaprotectedshaft;or
(b) Thepartofthebuildingfromwhichthewallseparatestheflatormaisonetteisofa
differentpurposegroupandtheminimumperiodoffireresistancerequiredbythe
provisionsofthesubsection3.2.4foranyelementofstructureinthatpartisone
andahalfhoursormore.
Provisionsof3.2.4(2)shallnotapplyto
(a) Anypartofanexternalwallwhichisnonloadbearingandwhichinaccordancewith
subsection3.2.6maybeconsideredanunprotectedarea;or
(b) Inthecaseofasinglestoreybuildingorabuildingconsistingofagroundstoreyand
one or more basement storeys, any element of structure which forms part of the
groundstoreyandconsistsof
(i) part of an external wall which does not support a gallery and which may in
accordancewithsubsection3.2.6beanunprotectedarea;or
(iii)
a structural frame or a beam or column; provided that any beam or column
whichgivessupporttoawallorgalleryshallhaveafireresistancenotlessthan
theminimumperiodrequiredbyprovisionsofthiscode;or
17
(iv)
Aninternalloadbearingwalloraloadbearingpartofawallunlessthatwallor
partis,orformspartofacompartmentwalloraseparatingwall,orformspart
ofthestructureenclosingaprotectedshaftorsupportsagallery.
Table3.2.4A
MinimumPeriodsofFireResistance
Part1:BuildingsOtherthanSingleStoreyBuildings
Maximumdimensions
Occupancygroup
Height
Cubiccapacity
Floorarea
(inm)
(inm3)
(inm2)
(1)
(3)
(4)
(2)
R(Residential)
Buildinghavingnotmorethan
twostoreys
Buildinghavingthreestoreys
Buildinghavinganynumber
ofstoreys
Buildinghavinganynumberof
storeys
EandI
B(Businessand
PersonalService)
M(Mercantile)
F(Industrial)
Minimumperiodoffire
resistance(inhours)for
elementsofstructureforming
partof
Groundstorey
Basement
upperstorey
storey
(5)
(6)
NoLimit
500
NoLimit
1x
NoLimit
250
NoLimit
1(a)
28
3000
8500
NoLimit
2000
5500
28
Over28
2000
2000
7.5
7.5
15
28
NoLimit
7.5
7.5
15
28
NoLimit
7.5
7.5
15
28
28
Over28
250
500
Nolimit
5000
NoLimit
150
500
Nolimit
1000
2000
250
Nolimit
Nolimit
Nolimit
NoLimit
2000
1(a)
1
1
0
1(a)
1
2
0
1(a)
1
2
2
1(b)x
1
1
1
2
1(b)
1
1
2
4(y)
1(b)
1
1
2
4
4
18
NoLimit
NoLimit
NoLimit
NoLimit
3500
1400
NoLimit
NoLimit
NoLimit
3500
7000
7000
NoLimit
1700
4250
8500
28000
5500
Table3.2.4APart1(Contd.)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
7.5
250
NoLimit
1(b)
7.5
500
NoLimit
A(Assembly)
15
Nolimit
3500
1(a)
28
5000
154000
NoLimit
Nolimit
Nolimit
(6)
S,H(GeneralandHazardous
Storage)
7.5
150
NoLimit
1(b)
7.5
300
Nolimit
15
Nolimit
1700
1(a)
15
Nolimit
3500
28
Nolimit
7000
28
NoLimit
21000
Over28
1000
NoLimit
NotestoTable3.2.4aPart1
(*)
A floor which is immediately over a basement storey shall be deemed to be an element of structure
formingpartofabasementstorey.
(a) Thisperiodisreducedtohalfanhourinrespectofafloorwhichisnotacompartmentfloorexceptasto
thebeamswhichsupportthefloororanypartofthefloorwhichcontributestothestructuralsupportof
thebuildingasawhole.
(b) No fire resistance is required if the elements form part of a basement storey which has an area not
exceeding50m2.
(x) The items thus marked are applicable only to buildings, not to compartments, except in relation to
occupancygroupR
(y) If the building is fitted throughout with an automatic sprinkler system any maximum limits specified in
columns(3)and(4)shallbedoubled.
19
Table3.2.4APart2 Singlestoreybuildings
MinimumperiodsofFireresistance
Occupancygroup
(1)
Minimumfloorarea
(inm2)
(2)
Minimumperiodof
fireresistance(in
hours)forelementsof
structure
(3)
R(Residential)
EandI
B(Businessand
PersonalService)
M(Mercantile)
F(Industrial)
G(Assembly)
S,H(Generaland
Hazardous
Storage)
3000
3000
3000
NoLimit
2000
3500
NoLimit
2000
3000
NoLimit
3000
Nolimit
500
1000
3000
NoLimit
NotestoPart2:z,SeeArticle3.2.6(4)(i)
20
Table3.2.4B
NationalPeriodsofFireResistance
Inthistable:
(a) Class 1 aggregate means foamed slag, pumice, blast furnace slag, pelleted fly ash, crushed
brick and burnt clay products (including expanded clay), wellburnt clinker and crushed
limestone.
Class 2 aggregate means flint gravel, granite and all crushed natural stones other than
limestone.
(b) Anyreferencetoplastermeans:
i)
inthecaseofanexternalwall1mormorefromtherelevantboundary,plasterapplied
ontheinternalfaceonly;
ii)
inthecaseofanyotherwall,plasterappliedonbothfaces;
iii)
iftoplasterofagiventhicknessontheexternalfaceofawall,exceptinthecaseofa
referencetovermiculitegypsumorperlitepypsumplaster,renderingontheexternal
faceofthesamethickness;
iv)
iftovermiculitegypsumplaster,vermiculitegypsumplasterofamixwithintherangeof
1to2:1byvolume.
(c) Loadassumedtobeoninnerleafonlyexceptforfireresistanceperiodoffourhours.
21
A.Masonryconstruction
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
Part1:Walls
ConstructionandMaterials
1.Reinforcedconcrete,minimum
concretecovertomainreinforcementof
25mm.
a)unplastered
b)12.5mmcementsandplaster
c)12.5mmgypsumsandplaster
d)12.5mmvermiculitegypsumplaster
2.NonfinesconcreteofClass2aggregate
a)12.5mmcementsandplaster
b)12.5mmgypsumsandplaster
c)12.5mmvermiculitegypsumplaster
3.Bricksofclay,concreteorsandlime
a)unplastered
4.ConcreteblocksofClass1aggregate
a)unplastered
5.ConcreteblocksofClass2aggregate
a)unplastered
4hrs
180
180
180
125
Minimumthicknessexcludingplaster(inmm)forperiodoffireresistanceof
LoadbearingNonloadbearing
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
100
100
100
75
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
63
hr
75
75
75
63
150
150
150
200
200
200
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
170
170
170
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
150
150
150
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
150
100
100
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
62
75
75
75
50
50
50
50
50
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
150
150
150
100
100
100
100
75
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
75
50
50
50
50
22
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
Part1:Walls(contd.)
6. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks density

4751200kg/m3
7.Hollowconcreteblocks,onecellinwall
Thickness,ofClass1aggregate
a)unplastered
8. Hollow concrete blocks, one cell in wall
thicknessofclass2aggregate
a)unplastered
9.Cellularclayblocknotlessthan50%solid
a)12.5mmcementsandplaster
b)12.5mmgypsumsandplaster
c)12.5mmvermiculitegypsumplaster
4hrs
180
LoadbearingNonloadbearing
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
100
100
100
100
100
62
62
50
50
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
150
150
150
100
100
100
100
75
100
75
75
75
100
75
75
62
75
75
75
62
150
150
150
125
150
150
150
100
125
125
125
100
125
125
125
100
125
100
100
75
200
100
100
100
100
100
75
75
62
23
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
Part1:Walls(contd.)
4hrs
10.Cavitywallwithouterleafofbricksorblocks
orclay,composition,concreteorsandlime,not
lessthan100mmthickand
a) inner leaf of bricks or blocks of clay

100
compositionorsandlime
b)innerleafofsolidorhollowconcretebricksor
100
blocksofclass1aggregate
11. Cavity wall with outer leaf of cellular clay

150
blocks/9 above and inner leaf as of autoclaved
aerated concrete blocks, density 475 1200
kgm3.
Loadbearing
Nonloadbearing
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
100
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
75
*Perlitegypsumplastertoclaybricksonly
24
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
Part1:Walls(contd.)
B.
Framedandcompositeconstruction(nonloadbearing)contd.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Steelframewithexternalcladdingof16mmrenderingonmetal
lathing and internal lining of autoclaved aerated concrete
blocks,density4801120kg/m3ofthicknessof:
50mm
62mm
75mm
Steel frame with external cladding of 100mm concrete blocks
andinternalliningof16mmgypsumplasteronmetallathing
Steelframewithexternalcladdingofbricksofclay,concreteor
sandlime 100mm thick and internal lining of cement pulp
asbestosinsulatingboardofthicknessof9mm
Steelframewithexternalcladdingof16mmrenderingonmetal
lathingandinternalliningof9mmasbestosinsulatingboard
16mmgypsumplasteronmetallathing
Steelortimberframewithfacingsoneachsideof:
(a) Metal lathing with cementsand or gypsum plaster of

thicknessof:
19mm
12.5mm
(b) Metal lathing with vermiculite gypsum or perlite

gypsumplasterofthicknessof:
25mm
19mm
12.5mm
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness

of5mm
(d) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite gypsum plaster
ofthicknessof
25mm
16mm
10mm
5mm
25
Periodsoffireresistanceinhours
2
3
4
2
1
1
2
1
1
B.
Table3.2.4BPart1:Wallscontd.
6.
(e) 12.5mmplasterboard
unplastered with gypsum plaster of thickness of
12.5mm
(f) 12.5mmplasterboardwithvermiculitegypsumplaster
ofthicknessof:
25mm
16mm
10mm
(g) 19mm plasterboard (or two layers of 9.5mm fixed to
breakjoint)withoutfinish
(h) 19mm plasterboard (or two layers of 9.5mm) with

vermiculitegypsumplasterofthicknessof:
16mm
10mm
(i) 12.5mmfibreinsulatingboardwithgypsumplasterof
thicknessof12.5mm
(j) Cement pulp asbestos insulating board not less than

9mmthickwith9mmfilletstofaceofstuds
(k) Cement pulp asbestos insulating board not less than

12mmthick
(l) 25mm wood wool slabs with gypsum plaster of

thicknessof12.5mm
Compressed straw slabs in timber frames finished on both

faceswithgypsumplasterofthicknessof5mm
2
1
1
2
1
7.
8.
Plasterboard9.5mmcellularcorepartition:
(a) Unplastered
(b) 12.5mmgypsumplaster
(c) 22mmvermiculitegypsumplaster
Plasterboard19mmfinishedonbothfaceswith16mmgypsum
plaster
26
Table3.2.4BPart1:Walls(contd.)
B.
Plastered12.5mmcellularcorepartition:
(a) Unplastered
(b) 12.5mmgypsumplaster
1
(c) 16mmvermiculitegypsumplaster
2
Plasterboard 12.5mm bonded with neat gypsum plaster to
eachsideof19mmplasterboard
1
Threelayersof19mmplasterboardbondedwithneatgypsum
plaster
2
Woodwoolslabwith12.5mmrenderorplasterofthicknessof:
75mm
2
50mm
1
Compressed straw slabs, with 75mm by 12.5mm wood cover
stripstojoints,ofthicknessof50mm
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
27
C.
Externalwallsmorethan1mfromtherelevantboundary(nonloadbearing)
1.
2.
Steel frame with external cladding of noncombustible sheets

andinternalliningof:
(a) 9mmcementpulpasbestosinsulatingboard
(b) 12.5mm cementsand or gypsum plaster on metal

lathing
(c) Sprayedcementpulpasbestosofthicknessof12.5mm
(d) Twolayersof9.5mmplasterboard
(e) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with gypsum plaster of

thicknessof12.5mm
(f) 12.5mm plastered board finished with 5mm gypsum

plaster
(g) 50mmcompressedstrawslabs
(h) 50mm compressed straw slabs finished with 5mm

gypsumplaster
Timberframewithexternalcladdingof10mmcementsandor
cementlimerenderingandinternalliningof:
(b) 16mmgypsumplasteronmetallathing
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with 12.5mm gypsum

plaster
(d) 50mmcompressedstrawslabs
(e) Aeratedconcreteblock
50mm
62mm
75mm
100mm
28
3
4
4
4
C.
Externalwallsmorethan1mfromtherelevantboundary(nonloadbearing)
3.
*4.
Timberframewithexternalcladdingof100mmclay,concrete
orsandlimebricksorblocksfinishedinternallywith:
(a) Cementpulpasbestosinsulatingboard
Timber frame with external cladding of weather boarding or

9.5mmplywoodandinternalliningof:
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with 12.5mm gypsum

plaster
(d) 12.5mm plasterboard finished with 5mm gypsum

plaster
(e) 50mmcompressedstrawslabs
(f) 75mmwoodwoolslabsfacedeachsidewithasbestos
cement
(g) Aeratedconcreteblock
50mm
62mm
75mm
100mm
29
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartII:ReinforcedConcreteColumns
1.(a)Withoutplaster
(b)With12.5mmcementsandof
gypsumsandplasteronmesh
reinforcementfixedaroundcolumn
(c) Finishedwith12.5mmencasement
ofvermiculitegypsumplaster
(d) With 2.5mm hard drawn steel

wire fabric, of maximum pitch
150mm in each direction, placed
in concrete cover to main
reinforcement
(e) With limestone or lightweight

aggregateascoarseaggregate
2.Builtinto+anyseparatingwall,
compartmentorexternalwalls++
(a) Withoutplaster
(b) Finished
with
12.5mm
of
vermiculitegypsumplaster
Minimumdimensionofconcretecolumn*withoutfinish
(inmm)forafireresistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
450
300
250
200
150
300
225
150
150
150
275
200
150
120
120
300
225
200
150
150
300
225
200
200
150
180
125
100
75
100
75
75
63
75
63
*Theminimumdimensionofacircularcolumnisthediameter
+Nopartofcolumnprojectingbeyondeitherfaceofwall
++Havingnotlessfireresistancethanthatofthecolumnandextendingtothefullheightof,andnot
lessthan600mmoneachsideofthecolumn
30
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartIII:ReinforcedConcreteBeams
Minimumdimensionofconcretecolumn*withoutfinish
(inmm)forafireresistanceof
1.(a)Withoutplaster
(b)finishedwith12.5mmvermiculite
gypsumplaster
(c) With12.5mmcementsandorgypsum
sand plaster on mesh reinforcement
fixedaroundbeam
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
63
45
35
25
12.5
25
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
50
30
20
12.5
12.5
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartIV:PrestressedConcreteBeamswithPostTensionedSteel
Cover
Reinforcement
None
AdditionalProtection
(a)
None
(b)
Vermiculite concrete slabs (permanent

shuttering)12.5mmthick
plaster 12.5mm thick on mesh reinforcement
fixedaroundbeam
(c)
(d)
Light
mesh
reinforcement
(having
a
minimum
concrete cover
of 25mm) to
retain
the
concrete
in
positionaround
thetendons
(a)
(b)
(c)
vermiculitegypsum plaster 12.5mm thick or

sprayedcementpulpasbestos10mmthick
None
Minimumconcrete coverto
tendons(inmm)forafire
resistanceof
4hrs 2hrs 1hrs
1hr
38
38
25
25
50
38
25
38
25
25
100
63
63
90
75
50
75
(e)
plaster12.5mmthickonmeshreinforcement
shuttering)12.5mmthick
shuttering)25mmthick
Vermiculitegypsumplaster12.5mmthick
(f)
vermiculitegypsumplaster25mmthick
50
(g)
Sprayedcementpulpasbestos10mmthick
75
(h)
Sprayedcementpulpasbestos19mmthick
50
(d)
31
A.
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartV:StructuralSteel
EncasedSteelStanchions(masspermetrenotlessthan45kg)
(A)SolidProtection*(unplastered)
1.ConcretenotleanerthanC20mix
withnaturalaggregates+
(a) Concretenotassumedtobeload
bearingreinforced
(b) Concrete assumed to be load
bearing, reinforced in accordance
withBS5950:Part2:2000
2.Solidbricksofclay,compositionorsand
Lime
3.Solidblocksoffoamedslagorpumice
concretereinforced+ineveryhorizontal
joint
4.Sprayedcementpulpasbestosof
density140240kg/m3
5.Sprayedvermiculitecement
(B)HollowProtection+
1.Solidbricksofclay,compositionorsand
limereinforcedineveryhorizontaljoint,
unplastered
2.Solidblocksoffoamedslagorpumice
concretereinforcedineveryhorizontal
joint,unplastered
3.Metallathingwithgypsumorcement
limeplasterofthicknessof
4.(a)Metallathingwithvermiculite
gypsumorperlitegypsumplasterof
thicknessof
(b) Metal lathing spaced 25mm from
flangeswithvermiculitegypsumorperlite
gypsumplasterofthicknessof
Minimumthickness(inmm)ofprotectionforafire
resistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
50
25
25
25
25
75
50
50
50
50
75
50
50
50
50
62
50
50
50
50
44
19
15
10
10
115
38
50
32
50
19
50
12.5
50
75
50
50
50
50
38
25
19
12.5
50
19
16
12.5
12.5
44
19
12.5
12.5
12.5
32
A.
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartV:StructuralSteel
EncasedSteelStanchions(masspermetrenotlessthan45kg)
resistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
12.5
12.5
12.5
10
16
12.5
10
32
10
10
(B)HollowProtection++(contd.)
5.Gypsumplasterboardwith1.6mmwire
bindingat100mmpitch
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum
ofthicknessof
(b) 19mm plasterboard with gypsum
plasterofthickness
6.Gypsumplasterboardwith1.6mm
wirebindingat100mmpitch
(a) 9.5mm
plasterboard
with
vermiculite gypsum plaster of
thicknessof
(b) 19mm
plasterboard
with
vermiculite gypsum plaster of
thicknessof
Solidprotectionmeansacasingwhichisbeddedclosetothesteelwithoutinterveningcavitiesandwith
alljointsinthatcasingmadefullandsolid.
++
Reinforcement shall consist of steel binding wire not less than 2.3mm in thickness, or a steel mesh
weighing not less than 0.48 kg/m2. In concrete protection, the spacing of that reinforcement shall not
exceed150mminanydirection.
Hollowprotectionmeansthatthereisavoidbetweentheprotectivematerialandthesteel.Allhollow
protectiontocolumnsshallbeeffectivelysealedateachfloorlevel.
Lightmeshreinforcementrequired12.5mmto19mmbelowsurfaceunlessspecialcornerbeadsareused.
AsreadwithBS5950:2000andEurocode3
33
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartV:StructuralSteel(contd.)
A.
Encasedsteelstanchions(Masspermetrenotlessthan45kg)contd.
resistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
(B)HollowProtection*(contd.)
7.Metallathingwithsprayedasbestosof
thicknessof:
44
19
15
10
10
8. Vermiculitecement slabs of 4:1 mix

reinforced with wire mesh and finished
63
25
25
25
25
withplasterskim.Slabsofthicknessof:
9.Cementpulpasbestosinsulatingboards
of density 510880 kg/m3 (screwed to
25
19
12
9
25mmthickcementpulpasbestosbattens
forhourand1hourperiods)
B.Encasedsteelbeams(Masspermetrenotlessthan30k)
resistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
(A)SolidProtection+(unplastered)
1. Concrete not leaner than 1:2:4 mix
(C20)withnaturalaggregates
(a) Concretenotassumedtobeload
bearing,reinforced
63
25
25
25
25
(b) Concrete assumed to be load

bearing, reinforced in accordance
withBS5950/Eurocode3
75
50
50
50
50
2. Sprayed cement pulp asbestos of

density140240kg/m3
44
19
15
10
10
38
32
19
12.5
+Solidprotectionmeansacasingwhichisbeddedclosetothesteelwithoutinterveningcavitiesandwithalljointsin
thatcasingmadefullandsolid.
++
Reinforcementshallconsistofsteelbindingwirenotlessthan2.3mminthickness,orasteelmeshweighingnotless
than0.48kg/m2.Inconcreteprotection,thespacingofthatreinforcementshallnotexceed150mminanydirection.
*
Hollowprotectionmeansthatthereisavoidbetweentheprotectivematerialandthesteel.Allhollowprotectionto
columnsshallbeeffectivelysealedateachfloorlevel.
34
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartV: StructuralSteel(contd.)
B.Encasedsteelbeams(Masspermetrenotlessthan30kg)contd.
resistanceof
4hrs
(B)HollowProtection*
1.Metallathing
(a) With cementlime plaster of
thicknessof:
(b) With gypsum plaster of thickness
of:
(c) Withvermiculitegypsumorperlite
32
2.Gypsumplasterboardwith1.6mmwire
bindingat100mmpitch
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum
plasterofthicknessof:
(b) 19mm plasterboard with gypsum
3. Plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding
at100mmpitch
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard nailed to
wooden cradles finished with
(b) 9.5mm
plasterboard
with
vermiculitegypsum plaster of
thicknessof:
(c) 19mm
plasterboard
with
32+
thicknessof:
(d) 19mm
plasterboard
with
thicknessof:
35
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
38
22
12.5
12.5
25
19
12.5
10
19
16
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
16
10
12.5
12.5
10
10
12.5
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartV:StructuralSteel(contd.)
B.Encasedsteelbeams(Masspermetrenotlessthan30kg)contd.
resistanceof
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
4.Metallathingwithsprayedcementpulp
asbestos of density 140240 kg/m3 and
thicknessof:
5.Cementpulpasbestosinsulatingboards
of density 510880 kg/m3 (screwed to
forhourand1hourperiods)
6. Vermiculitecement slabs of 4:1 mix

reinforced with wire mesh and finished
withplasterskim.Slabsofthicknessof:
7. Gypsum sand plaster 12.5mm thick

applied to heavy duty (Type B as
designatedinB.S.1105:1963).Woodwool
slabsofthicknessof:
44
19
15
10
10
25
19
12
63
25
25
25
25
50
38
38
38
Hollowprotectionmeansthatthereisavoidbetweentheprotectivematerialandthesteel.All
hollowprotectiontocolumnsshallbeeffectivelysealedateachfloorlevel.
Lightmeshreinforcementrequired12.5mmto19mmbelowsurfaceunlessspecialcornerbeads
areused.
36
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartVI:StructuralAluminium
Encasedaluminiumalloystanchionsandbeams(Masspermetrenotlessthan16kg)
resistanceof
ContructionandMaterials
4hrs
2hrs
1hrs
1hr
hr
(A)SolidProtection*
1. Sprayed cement pulp asbestos of

density140240kg/m3
(B)HollowProtection+
1.Metallathingwithvermiculitegypsum
orperlitegypsumplasterofthickness
of:
2.Metallathingfinishedwithneatgypsum
3. Gypsum Plasterboard 19mm thick with

1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch
finishedwithgypsumvermiculiteplaster
ofthicknessof:
4. Cement pulp asbestos insulating board

of density 510 880 kg/m3 (screwed to
forthehourperiod)
48
32
19
44
32
22
22
16
34
16
19
10
21
10
12.5
12.5
10
Solidprotectionmeansacasingwhichisbeddedclosetothealloywithoutinterveningcavitiesandwithalljointsin
thatcasingmadefullandsolid.
Hollowprotectionmeansthatthereisavoidbetweentheprotectedmaterialandthealloy.Allhollowprotectionto
columnsshallbeeffectivelysealedateachfloorlevel.
37
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartVII:TimberFloors
Minimumthick(inmm)forfireresistance
of:
1hr
hr
Modifiedhr++
(A) Plainedgeboardingontimberjoistsnotlessthan
38mmwidewithceilingof:
16
(i) Timberlathandplasterthicknessofplaster
(ii)Timberlathandplasterwithplasterofminimum
12.5
thicknessof16mmcoveredonundersidewith
plasterboardofthickness
16
(iii)metallathingandplasterthicknessofplaster:
12.5
(a) Gypsum
(b) Vermiculite
12.5
(iv)onelayerofplasterboardofthickness
(v) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness

12.5
9.5mmfinishedwithgypsumplasterofthickness
12.5
(vi) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness
25
19
(vii)twolayersofplasterboardoftotalthickness
(viii) two layers of plasterboard each of minimum
thickness9.5mmfinishedwithgypsum plaster of
thickness
(ix) one layer of fibre insulating board of minimum
thickness12.5mmfinishedwithgypsumplasterof
12.5
thickness
12
(x)onelayerofasbestosinsulatingboardofminimum
thickness
5
(xi)woodwoolslab25mmthickfinishedwithgypsum
plasterofthickness
++
ThetermmodifiedhourreferstotherequirementsspecifiedinBS476Part2023:1987andBS476Part1:2004
forfloorsofupperstoreyinsmallresidentialbuildingswhichhave2storeys.
38
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartVII:TimberFloors(contd.)
(B) Tongued and grooved boarding of not less than
16mm (finished) thickness* on timber joists not
lessthan38mmwidewithceilingof:
(j) timberlathandplasterthicknessofplaster
(ii)timberlathandplasterwithplasterofminimum
thicknessof16mmcoveredonundersidewith
plasterboardofthickness
(iii)metallathingandplasterthicknessofplaster:
(a) gypsum
(b) vermiculite
9.5mmfinishedwith:
(a) gypsumplasterofthickness
(b) vermiculitegypsumplasterofthickness
(vi) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness
(viii) one layer of fibre insulating board of minimum
thickness12.5mmfinishedwithgypsumplasterof
thickness
(ix)onelayerofcementpulpasbestosinsulatingboard
ofminimumthickness
(x)onelayerofasbestosinsulatingboardofminimum
thickness of 12mm finished on top with glass fibre
ormineralwoolofthickness
(xi)woodwoolslab25mmthickfinishedwith
Oranequivalentthicknessofwoodchipboard
39
Minimumthick(inmm)forfireresistance
of:
1hr
hr
Modifiedhr++
16
9.5
16
22
12.5
12.5
9.5
12.5
12.5
22
25
10
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartVII:TimberFloors(contd.)
Minimumthick(inmm)forfireresistanceof:
(C)Tonguedandgroovedboardingofnotlessthan
16mm(finished)thickness*ontimberjoistsnotless
than175mmdeepby50mmwidewithceilingof:
(i)Timberlathandplasterthicknessofplaster
(ii)metallathingandplasterthicknessofplaster
(iii)metallathingandsprayedcementpulpasbestosto
thicknessof
9.5mmfinishedwith:
(a) gypsumplaster
(vi)onelayersofplasterboardofminimumthicknessof
(viii)onelayeroffibreinsulatingboardofthickness
(ix)onelayeroffibreinsulatingboardofminimum
thicknessof12.5mmfinishedwithgypsumplaster of
thickness
(x)onelayerofcementpulpasbestosinsulatingboard
ofthickness
(xi)woodwoolslab25mmthickfinishedwith:
1hr
hr
Modifiedhr++
19
12.5
10
16
16
12.5
12.5
9.5
12.5
19
12.5
*Oranequivalentthicknessofwoodchipboard
++ThetermmodifiedhourreferstotherequirementsspecifiedinBS476Part2023:1987andBS476Part1:2004for
floorsofupperstoreyinsmallresidentialbuildingwhichhave2storeys
40
Table3.2.4B(contd.)
PartVIII:ConcreteFloors
Solidflatslaborfillerjoist
floor.UnitsofchannelorT
section
Solidflatslaborfillerjoist
floorwith25mmwoodwool
slabceilingbase
UnitsofinvertedUsection
withminimumthicknessat
crown
Hollowblockconstruction
unitsofboxorIsection
Cellularsteelwithconcrete
topping
Minimumthickness
ofsolidsubstance
includingscreed
(inmm)
90
100
125
150
90
100
125
150
63
75
100
150
63
75
100
150
63
Ceilingfinishforafireresistance
4hours
2hours
1hours
25mmVor25mmA
19mmVor19mmA
10mmVor12.5mmA
Nil
10mmVor12.5mmA
7mmV
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
12.5mmGsuspendedon
metallathing
10mmVor12.5mmA
7mmV
Nil
Nil
12.5mmG
Nil
Nil
Nil
12.5mmG
Nil
Nil
Nil
12.5mmVsuspendedon
metallathingor
12.5mmA(direct)
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
12.5mmGsuspended
onmetallathing
VVermiculitegypsumplaster.
Asprayedcementpulpasbestos
Ggypsumplaster
Note: Whereacolumnrelatingtoceilingfinishcontainsnoentryoppositeaspecification,thenotionalperiodof
fireresistancespecifiedinthatcolumnisnotapplicable.
41
3.2.5
3.2.5
FireresistanceofFloorsinconjunctionwithSuspendedCeilings
(1)
Thissubsectionisconcernedonlywiththeeffectmadebysuspendedceilingstothefire
resistance of floors. It is not related to the protection given by suspended ceilings to
structuralsteelwork.
(2)
In the application of subsection 3.2.4 to floors, no account shall be taken of any fire
resistance attributable to any suspended ceiling other than a suspended ceiling
constructedasdescribedinTable3.2.5A.
Table3.2.5ASuspendedCeilings
Typeoffloor
Requiredfire
resistanceoffloor
DescriptionofSuspended
Ceiling
Noncompartment
1hourorless
Lessthan1hour
Surface of ceiling exposed

withinthecavitynotlowerthan
class1
Height
Lessthan15m
Compartment
Compartment
1hour
15mormore
Any
1hourorless
Any
Any
Morethan1hour

Class O supports and fixings for
theceilingnoncombustible
Class O and jointless, supports
and fixings for the ceiling non
combustible
Ceiling of noncombustible
construction and jointless;
supports and fixings for the
ceilingnoncombustible
3.2.6 ExternalWalls
(1) Thissubsectiondoesnotapplytosmallgaragesandsmallopencarports.
(2) Anypartofaroofshallbedeemedtobepartofanexternalwallorsideofabuildingifitis
pitchedatanangleof700ormoretothehorizontalandadjoinsaspacewithinthebuilding
to which persons has access not limited to the purposes of maintenance and repair.
Fig3.2.6A
42

(3) If a building is to be erected on land which will be occupied in common with another
buildingandeitherthebuildingtobeerectedortheotherbuildingisofoccupancygroupA
then:
(i) intheapplicationoftheprovisionsofthisregulationtoanysideorexternalwallofthe
building to be so erected which faces a side of external wall of the other building a
notionalboundaryshallbeassumedtopassbetweenthosebuildings.
(ii) suchnotionalboundaryshallbesosituatedastoenabletheadjacentsidesandexternal
wallsofbothbuildingstocomplywiththerequirementsofthispartofthecode.
(iii)ifthatotherbuildingisanexistingbuildingitshallbetreatedasitwereanewbuilding
of the same occupancy group and having the same unprotected areas and fire
resistanceastheexistingbuilding.Fig.3.2.6B
(4) Any external wall which is situated within a distance of 1m from any part on the relevant
boundaryandanyexternalwallofabuildingwhichexceeds15minheightshall:
(a) be constructed of wholly of incombustible materials apart from any external cladding
whichcomplieswith3.2.6(5)orinternalliningwhichcomplieswith3.2.9(6)and
(b) be so constructed that any fire resistance required by these regulations is attained by
thenoncombustiblepartalone.
(5) Therequirementsof3.2.6(4)shallnotapplyto:
(i) AnexternalwallofabuildingwhichiswithinthelimitsofsizeindicatedbyletterXin
Part 1 of Table 3.2.4A or of a building which is not divided into compartments and is
withinthelimitsofsizeindicatedbyZinPart2ofTable3.2.4Aprovidedthebuilding
doesnotexceed15minheight.
(ii)anexternalwallofabuildingofoccupancygroupAwhichconsistsofflatsormaisonettes
if that building has not more than 3 storeys or that part is separated as described in
3.2.4(1)bandhasnotmorethan3storeys:or
(iii) an external wall of a part of a building if that wall is situated 1m or more from the
relevant boundary and that part is separated as described in 3.2.4 (1)b and does not
exceed15minheight.
(6) Any external cladding which is situated within a distance of 1m from any point on the
relevantboundaryandanyexternalcladdingorabuildingwhichexceeds15minheightshall
haveasurfacecomplyingwiththerequirementsforclassspecifiedin3.2.9.6(1)(e).
Fig.3.2.6C
(7) Anybeamorcolumnformingpartof,andanystructurecarrying,anexternalwallwhichis
requiredtobeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerialsshallcomplywiththeprovisionsof
3.2.6(4)and3.2.6(5)astononcombustibility.
43
CalculationofPermittedLimitsofUnprotectedAreas
3.2.7.1 Generalrulesapplicabletothissubsection:
3.2.7
3.2.8
3.2.8
3.2.8
(1) Thepermittedlimitofunprotectedareasinanysideofabuildingorcompartmentshallbe
calculatedbyreferencetoTable3.2.7.1Aand3.2.7.1B.
(2) In calculating the size of unprotected areas or the permitted limit of unprotected areas,
thefollowingprovisionsshallapply:
(a) Where any part of an external wall is an unprotected area, only because it has
combustiblematerialattachedtoitascladdingthesizeofunprotectedareashallbe
deemedtobehalftheareaofsuchcladding. Fig.3.2.7A
(b) Noaccountshallbetakenofanyofthefollowing:
(i) exceptasprovidedin3.2.7.1(2)b(iii),anunprotectedareawhichdoesnotexceed
0.1m2 and which is not less than 1.5m from any other unprotected area in the
samesideofthebuildingorcompartment..
(ii)oneormoreunprotectedareashavinganarea(orifmorethanoneanaggregate
area)notexceeding1m2andnotlessthan4mfromanyotherunprotectedareain
thesamesideofthebuildingorcompartment(exceptanysuchareaasisspecified
in(i)above).Fig.3.2.7B
(iii) an unprotected area in any part of an external wall which forms part of a
protectedshaft.
(iv)anunprotectedareainthesideofabuildingnotdividedintocompartments,ifthe
areaisnotlessthan28maboveanygroundadjoiningthesideofthebuilding.
Fig.3.2.7C
RulesforcalculationbyreferencetoanEnclosingRectangle
(1)
Thepermittedlimitofunprotectedareasinanysideofabuildingorcompartmentshall
becalculatedbyreferencetotherequirementsofTables3.2.8Aor3.2.8B.
(2)
Definitions:Forthepurposeofthissubsection:
(a) planeofreferencemeansanyverticalplanewhichtouchesthesideofsomepartof
thesideofabuildingorcompartment,butwhichdoesnotpasswithinthestructure
ofsuchabuildingorcompartment;andtherelevantplaneofreferenceshallineach
case be taken as that most favourable in that respect to the person erecting the
building.Fig.3.2.8A

44
45
46
(a) enclosingrectanglemeansthesmallestrectangleontherelevantplaneofreference
whichwould:
(i)enclosealltheouteredgesofanyunprotectedareasofthebuildingor,ifthe
building is divided into compartments the outer edges being for this
purposeprojectedontheplaneofcommonbylinesperpendiculartosuch
plane;
(ii) havenohorizontalsides;and
(iii) have height and width falling within those listed in Tables 3.2.8A Fig.
3.2.8B
(c) Unprotected percentage means the percentage of the area of the enclosing
rectangle which is equal to the aggregate of the unprotected areas taken into
accountincalculatingtheenclosingrectangleandasprojectedonit.
3.2.8
(3) Theconditionsofthissubsectionshallbesatisfiedifabuildingorcompartmentisso
situatedthatnopointontherelevant boundaryiseitherbetweentherelevantplaneof
referenceandthesideofthebuildingorcompartmentoratadistancefromtherelevant
planeofreferencewhichislessthanthedistancespecifiedinTable3.2.8A,accordingto
the purpose group of the building or compartment, the dimensions of the enclosing
rectangleandtheunprotectedpercentage.
47
48
Table3.2.8ABuildingsorCompartmentsofPurpose
GroupsR(Residential),I(Institutional),B(Office)andA(Assembly)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
NoLimit
Distanceinmetresfromrelevantboundaryforpercentagenotexceeding
20
30
40
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
50
60
70
80
90
100
EnclosingRectangle3mHigh
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
3.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.5
8.0
8.0
2.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
9.5
10.0
10.0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
NoLimit
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
4.5
5.0
6.0
4.5
5.0
6.0
4.5
5.5
6.5
4.5
5.5
6.5
5.0
5.5
6.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
49
Table3.2.8A(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
30
40
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
1.5
2.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
50
60
70
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
4.5
5.5
6.0
5.0
6.0
6.5
5.0
6.5
7.0
5.5
6.5
7.5
5.5
7.0
7.5
6.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
7.5
8.5
6.5
8.0
9.0
6.5
8.0
9.5
7.0
8.5
10.0
7.0
8.5
10.0
7.0
8.5
10.0
7.0
8.5
10.6
80
90
100
3.0
4.5
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
11.0
11.5
11.5
11.5
12.0
3.0
4.5
5.5
6.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
9.5
10.5
11.5
11.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
3.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
7.5
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.5
14.5
15.0
3.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.5
10.5
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.5
15.0
15.0
15.5
3.5
5.0
6.5
7.5
8.5
8.5
10.0
10.5
11.5
11.5
13.0
14.0
14.5
16.0
16.5
17.0
17.0
3.5
5.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
10.5
11.5
12.0
12.5
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
1.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
1.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.5
Enclosingrectangle12mhigh
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
5.5
6.5
7.0
5.5
6.5
7.5
6.5
7.5
8.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
7.5
8.5
9.5
8.0
9.5
10.5
8.5
10.0
11.0
9.0
10.5
12.0
9.0
11.0
13.0
9.5
11.5
13.5
9.5
11.5
13.5
9.5
12.0
14.0
50
Table3.2.8A(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
30
1.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
40
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
50
60
70
2.5
2.5
3.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
5.5
6.5
7.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
8.5
7.5
8.5
9.5
8.0
9.0
10.0
8.5
9.5
10.5
8.5
10.0
11.0
9.5
11.0
12.5
10.0
12.0
13.5
10.5
12.5
14.0
11.0
13.5
15.0
11.5
14.0
16.0
11.5
14.0
16.5
12.0
14.5
17.0
80
90
100
3.5
5.5
6.5
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
13.5
15.0
15.5
17.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
3.5
5.5
7.0
8.5
9.5
10.5
11.0
12.0
12.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
17.0
18.5
19.5
20.5
21.0
4.0
6.0
7.5
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.0
16.0
17.5
18.0
20.0
21.5
22.5
23.0
3.5
5.5
7.0
8.5
9.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
17.5
19.0
20.5
21.0
22.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
9.0
10.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.5
16.5
18.0
19.5
21.0
22.5
23.5
24.0
4.0
6.5
8.5
10.0
11.0
13.0
13.0
14.0
14.5
15.5
17.5
19.0
20.5
22.5
24.0
25.5
26.5
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
8.0
2.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
6.0
6.5
6.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.5
7.5
9.5
10.5
8.0
8.5
11.0
10.0
11.5
9.0
10.5
12.0
9.5
11.0
11.0
13.5
12.0
11.5
15.0
13.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
17.0
13.0
15.0
18.0
13.5
16.0
16.5
19.0
14.0
17.0
19.5
14.0
51
Table3.2.8A(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
30
40
0.5
1.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.0
5.0
5.5
7.5
2.0
3.5
4.5
5.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
10.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
50
60
70
2.5
3.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
6.5
7.5
6.5
7.5
8.5
7.5
8.5
9.5
8.0
9.5
10.5
9.0
10.0
11.0
9.5
10.5
12.0
10.0
11.5
13.0
10.5
12.0
13.0
12.0
13.5
15.0
13.0
14.5
16.5
13.5
15.5
17.5
14.5
17.0
19.0
15.5
16.0
16.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
80
90
100
3.5
6.0
7.5
9.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.0
14.0
14.5
16.5
18.0
19.0
21.0
4.0
6.5
8.5
10.0
11.5
12.5
13.5
14.0
15.0
16.0
18.0
20.5
21.5
22.5
23.5
25.0
26.5
22.0
25.0
26.5
4.5
7.0
9.0
10.5
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
16.5
19.0
21.0
22.5
25.0
27.0
28.5
29.5
3.5
6.0
8.0
9.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
15.5
18.0
19.5
21.0
23.5
25.0
26.5
27.5
4.0
7.0
9.0
10.5
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
19.0
21.0
23.0
25.5
27.5
29.0
30.0
4.5
7.0
9.5
11.5
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
20.5
22.5
24.5
27.5
29.5
31.0
32.5
20.0
21.0
23.5
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
0.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
2.0
3.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
11.0
12.0
12.5
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.5
2.5
4.5
5.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.5
10.0
11.0
11.5
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.5
17.0
17.5
18.0
52
3.0
5.0
6.5
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.0
14.5
16.0
17.0
18.5
20.0
20.5
21.0
3.5
5.5
7.5
8.5
10.0
11.0
12.0
12.0
13.5
14.0
16.0
17.5
19.0
21.0
22.5
23.5
24.0
Table3.2.8A(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
20
30
40
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.0
2.0
3.5
5.0
6.0
12
2.5
4.5
6.0
15
3.0
5.5
18
3.5
21
50
70
80
90
100
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
7.0
7.5
8.5
9.5
10.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.5
11.0
12.0
7.0
8.5
9.5
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.5
6.0
8.0
9.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.5
14.5
3.5
6.5
8.5
10.0
11.5
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
24
3.5
7.0
9.0
11.0
12.5
13.5
15.0
16.0
17.0
27
4.0
7.5
10.0
11.5
13.0
14.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
30
4.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
13.5
15.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
40
5.0
9.0
11.5
14.0
15.5
17.5
19.0
20.5
22.0
50
5.5
9.5
12.5
15.0
17.0
19.0
21.0
22.5
24.0
60
5.5
10.5
13.5
16.0
18.5
20.5
22.5
24.5
26.5
80
6.0
11.0
14.5
17.5
20.5
22.5
25.0
27.5
29.5
100
6.0
11.0
125.5
19.0
21.5
24.5
27.0
30.0
32.0
120
6.0
11.5
15.5
19.5
22.5
26.0
28.5
32.0
34.0
NoLimit
6.0
11.5
15,.5
20.0
23.5
27.0
29.5
33.0
35.0
53
60
Table3.2.8BBuildingsorcompartmentofpurposeGroups
M(Shop),F(Factory)andS,H(StorageandGeneralHazard)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
NoLimit
Distanceinmetresfromrelevantboundaryforunprotectedpercentagenotexceeding
20
30
40
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
50
60
70
80
90
100
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
4.5
5.5
6.0
5.5
4.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
6.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
7.5
8.0
8.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
9.0
9.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
9.5
10.0
4.0
5.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
16.5
17.0
18.0
4.0
6.0
7.0
8.5
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.0
12.0
12.5
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.5
18.0
19.0
19.0
8.0
8.5
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.5
8.0
8.0
8.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
9.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
54
3.0
4.5
5.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.0
12.0
3.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
9.0
9.5
9.5
10.0
11.0
11.5
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.0
14.0
3.5
5.5
6.5
7.5
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.5
10.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.5
15.0
15.5
16.0
Table3.2.8B(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
30
40
1.5
2.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
3.0
4.5
5.5
6.0
6.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
11.0
11.5
11.5
11.5
11.5
50
60
70
3.5
4.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
7.5
7.0
7.5
8.5
8.5
9.5
7.5
9.5
10.0
8.5
11.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
9.5
11.0
10.0
11.5
12.5
10.5
13.0
12.0
11.5
14.5
13.0
14.0
15.5
12.5
15.0
16.5
13.0
13.5
16.0
17.5
14.5
14.5
15.0
16.5
17.0
18.5
19.5
17.5
20.0
80
90
100
4.5
6.5
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.0
15.5
17.0
18.0
19.5
21.0
21.5
22.5
5.0
7.0
8.5
9.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.5
15.0
17.0
21.5
22.5
23.5
24.5
5.0
7.0
9.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.5
14.5
15.0
16.0
17.5
19.5
21.0
23.0
24.5
26.0
27.0
5.5
8.0
9.5
11.5
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
17.5
20.0
23.0
23.5
26.0
28.0
29.5
30.5
5.5
8.5
10.5
12.0
13.5
14.5
16.0
16.5
17.5
18.5
21.0
23.0
25.0
27.5
30.0
31.5
34.0
18.5
19.5
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.5
2.5
4.0
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.0
8.5
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
11.5
12.0
3.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.5
10.5
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.5
15.0
15.0
15.5
3.5
5.5
7.0
8.0
4.0
6.5
7.5
9.0
10.0
11.0
17.0
18.0
4.5
7.0
8.5
9.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
14.5
15.0
17.5
19.0
20.0
19.5
21.5
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
22.5
25.0
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.5
12.0
12.5
12.0
12.5
14.0
14.0
15.5
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
55
13.5
5.0
7.5
9.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
16.5
18.5
20.5
21.5
23.5
25.5
27.0
28.0
Table3.2.8B(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
30
40
2.0
3.0
2.5
4.5
5.5
3.5
5.5
6.5
8.0
9.0
4.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
11.0
12.0
12.5
13.5
14.0
14.0
14.5
9.5
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
13.5
15.0
15.5
17.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
50
60
70
4.0
4.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
7.5
7.5
8.5
9.5
9.0
10.0
11.0
11.5
12.5
10.0
12.5
13.5
11.0
14.5
12.0
13.5
15.5
13.0
14.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
14.0
17.0
16.0
16.0
19.5
18.0
19.5
21.5
17.5
21.0
23.5
180
20.0
23.0
25.5
21.5
22.5
24.5
25.5
27.5
28.5
23.5
27.0
30.0
80
90
100
5.5
8.0
10.0
12.0
13.5
14.5
16.0
17.0
18.0
18.5
21.0
23.0
25.0
28.0
30.0
31.5
34.0
6.0
9.0
11.0
13.0
14.5
15.5
16.5
18.0
19.0
20.0
22.5
30.0
32.5
34.5
36.0
6.0
9.0
11.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
17.5
19.0
20.0
21.0
23.5
26.0
28.0
31.5
34.5
37.0
39.0
6.5
9.5
12.0
14.0
15.5
17.0
18.0
.19.5
20.5
21.5
25.0
27.5
29.5
33.5
36.0
39.0
41.0
6.5
10.0
12.5
14.5
16.5
18.0
19.5
20.5
21.5
22.5
26.0
29.0
31.0
35.0
38.5
41.5
43.5
25.0
27.0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
2.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
2.5
4.5
6.0
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
16.5
17.0
3.5
5.5
7.0
8.5
9.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
17.5
19.0
20.5
21.0
22.0
4.0
6.5
8.5
10.0
5.0
7.5
9.5
11.0
12.5
13.5
21.5
23.0
5.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
13.5
14.5
16.0
16.5
17.5
18.5
21.5
23.5
26.0
26.0
28.5
28.0
29.5
31.0
32.5
30.5
34.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
14.5
15.5
14.5
15.5
17.5
17.0
19.5
19.0
20.5
22.5
24.0
25.5
26.5
56
16.5
6.0
9.0
11.0
13.0
14.5
16.0
17.0
18.5
19.5
20.5
23.5
26.0
27.5
31.0
33.5
35.5
37.0
Table3.2.8B(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
20
30
40
2.0
3.5
3.0
5.0
6.5
3.5
6.0
7.5
9.0
10.5
4.5
5.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
10.0
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
7.5
8.5
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.5
12.0
13.5
14.5
15.5
17.0
18.0
18.5
19.0
11.5
12.5
13.0
14.0
14.5
16.5
18.0
19.5
21.0
22.5
23.5
25.0
50
60
70
4.5
5.0
5.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
10.0
12.0
13.0
13.5
14.5
12.0
14.5
16.0
13.0
17.0
14.0
15.5
18.0
15.0
16.5
16.0
18.0
19.0
16.5
20.5
18.5
19.0
23.0
21.5
23.5
25.5
21.0
25.5
28.0
22.5
25.0
28.5
31.5
27.0
28.5
31.0
32.5
34.5
36.5
29.0
34.5
38.0
80
90
100
6.0
9.5
12.0
14.0
16.0
17.0
18.5
20.0
21.0
22.0
25.5
28.0
30.5
34.0
37.0
39.5
41.5
6.5
10.0
13.0
15.0
16.5
18.0
20.0
21.0
22.5
23.5
27.0
36.5
40.0
43.0
45.5
7.0
10.5
13.5
16.0
17.5
19.5
21.0
22.0
23.5
25.0
28.5
31.5
33.5
38.5
42.0
45.5
48.0
7.0
10.5
13.5
16.0
18.0
19.5
21.0
22.5
24.0
25.0
29.0
32.0
35.0
39.5
43.0
46.5
49.5
7.5
11.0
14.5
16.5
19.0
20.5
22.0
24.0
25.5
26.5
30.5
33.5
36.5
41.5
45.5
49.0
52.0
30.0
32.5
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
NoLimit
2.0
3.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.5
3.0
5.0
6.5
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.5
12.5
13.0
14.5
16.0
17.0
18.5
20.0
20.5
21.0
3.5
6.0
8.0
9.5
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
15.5
18.0
19.5
21.0
23.5
25.0
26.5
27.5
4.5
7.0
9.5
11.5
5.0
8.5
11.0
12.5
14.5
15.5
25.5
27.5
5.5
9.5
12.0
14.0
15.5
16.5
18.0
19.5
20.5
21.5
25.0
27.5
30.0
31.0
34.5
33.5
36.0
37.0
39.5
37.5
42.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
16.5
18.0
17.0
18.0
20.5
20.0
23.0
22.5
24.5
27.5
29.5
31.0
32.5
57
19.0
6.0
10.0
13.0
15.0
17.0
18.5
20.0
21.0
22.5
23.5
27.5
30.0
32.5
37.0
40.0
43.0
45.5
Table3.2.8B(contd.)
Widthof
rectanglein
metres
20
30
40
2.0
3.0
4.0
3.5
5.0
6.5
7.5
8.5
5.0
7.0
8.5
10.0
12
6.0
8.0
10.5
15
7.0
9.5
18
8.0
21
50
60
70
80
90
100
4.5
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
9.5
10.5
11.0
12.0
11.5
12.5
13.5
14.5
15.0
12.0
13.5
14.5
16.0
17.0
17.5
11.5
13.5
15.0
16.5
18.0
19.0
20.0
10.5
12.5
14.5
16.5
17.5
19.5
20.5
21.5
8.5
11.5
14.0
16.0
18.0
19.0
21.0
22.5
23.5
24
9.0
12.5
15.0
17.0
19.0
20.5
22.5
24.0
25.5
27
10.0
13.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
22.0
24.0
25.5
27.0
30
10.0
13.5
17.0
19.0
21.0
23.0
25.0
26.5
28.0
40
11.5
15.5
19.0
22.0
24.5
26.5
29.0
30.5
32.5
50
12.5
17.0
21.0
24.0
27.0
29.5
32.0
34.5
36.0
60
13.5
18.5
22.5
26.5
29.5
32.0
35.0
37.0
39.0
80
14.5
20.5
25.0
29.5
33.0
36.5
39.5
42.0
44.0
100
15.5
21.5
27.0
32.0
36.5
40.5
43.0
46.5
48.5
120
15.5
22.5
28.5
34.0
39.0
43.0
46.5
50.5
53.0
NoLimit
15.5
23.5
29.5
35.0
40.5
44.5
48.5
52.0
55.5
3.2.9
SeparatingWalls
3.2.9
(1)
Exceptasprovidedin(2)anyseparatingwallshallbeimperforatedandshallforma
completeverticalseparationbetweenanybuildingsseparated(includinganyroofspace
therein).
(2) Nothingin(1)shallprohibit.
(a) The passage through a separating wall of a pipe, if the pipe complies with
subsection3.2.13orFIG.3.2.9A
(b) anopeninginaseparatingwallwhichisnecessaryasmeansofegressfromfire,if
theopeningisfittedwithadoorwhich
58
(i)complieswiththerequirementsofsubsection3.2.12;and
(ii)hasfireresistancewhichisnotlessthantheperiodrequiredbysubsection3.2.4for
theseparatingwall.
59
(3) Exceptasprovidedin(4),anyseparatingwallwhichformsajunctionwitharoofshallbe
carriedabovetheuppersurfaceofthecoveringofthatrooftoadistanceofnotlessthan
375mm(measuredatrightanglestosuchuppersurface). FIG.3.2.9B
(4) Aseparatingwallshallnotberequiredtocomplywiththeprovisionsof(3)
(a) ifthebuildingsseparatedbytheseparatingwallaresoconstructedthat:
(i)
anypartoftheroofwhichiswithin1.5moftheseparatingwallisdesignatedAA,
ABandAC;and
(ii)
thedeckofsuchpartoftheroofisofsolidorhollowslabconstructionofnon
combustiblematerial;and
(iii)
thejunctionbetweentheseparatingwallandsuchroofisfirestoppedor
(b) if
(i)
eachofthebuildingsseparatedbytheseparatingwallisofoccupancygroupR,
BorA,and
(ii)
neitherbuildingexceeds12.5minheight;and
(iii)
anypartoftheroofwhichiswithin1.5moftheseparatingwalliscoveredwith
noncombustiblematerial;and
(v)
thejunctionbetweentheseparatingwallandtheroofcoveringisfirestopped.
FIG.3.2.9C
(5) Ifanyexternalwalliscarriedacrosstheendofaseparatingwall,suchexternalwalland
separating wall shall be bonded together or the junction of such walls shall be fire
stopped.
(6) Anycombustiblematerialwhichisbuiltintoorcarriedthrough,acrosstheendoforcover
thetopofaseparatingwallshallnotbeofsuchatypeorusedinsuchawayaswallrender
ineffectivetheresistanceofthattotheeffectsorspreadoffire.FIG.3.2.9D
(7) Except as provided in (8) any separating wall shall be constructed wholly of non
combustiblematerialsapartfromanysurfacefinishwhichcomplieswithsubsection3.2.16
andtherequiredfireresistanceshallbeattainedindependentlyofanysuchcombustible
surfacefinish.
(8) Therequirementsof(7)shallnotapplyto:
(a) Awallseparating buildingswhichare notdividedintocompartmentsandarewithin

thelimitsofsizeindicatedbytheletterXinPart1ofTable3.2.4A;or
60
(b) Awallseparatingsinglestoreybuildingswhicharenotdividedintocompartmentsand
are within the limits of size indicated by the letter X in Part 2 of Table 3.2.4A of
subsection3.2.4.
(9) Any beam or column forming part of, and any structure carrying a separating wall is
required to be constructed of, noncombustible materials shall itself comply with the
requirementsof(7)astononcombustibility.
3.2.10CompartmentWallandCompartmentFloors
3.2.10(1)Anycompartmentwallorcompartmentfloorshallbeimperforatedwiththeexception
ofanyoneormoreofthefollowing:
(a) (i) inthecaseofacompartmentwallseparatingaflatormaisonettefromanyspacein

common use giving access to that flat or maisonette, an opening fitted with a door
whichcomplieswithsubsection3.2.11andhasafireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfan
hour;
(ii) inanyothercase,anopeningfittedwithadoorwhichcomplieswiththerequirements
of subsection 3.2.11 and has fire resistance of not less than the minimum period
requiredbysubsection3.2.4forthewallorfloor.FIG.3.2.10A
(b) anopeningforaprotectedshaft
(c) anopeningforaventilationductifanyspacesurroundingtheductisfirestoppedandthe
ductisfittedwithanautomaticfireshutterwhereitpassesthroughthewallorfloor.
FIG.3.2.10B
(d) Anopeningforapipeinconformancewithsubsection3.2.11.3.FIG.3.2.10C
(e) Anopeningforachimney,applianceventilationduct
(f) Anopeningforarefusechute
(2) Whereacompartmentwallorfloorjoinsanycompartmentwall,externalwallorseparatingwall
or any structure enclosing a protected shaft, such structures shall be bonded together at the
junctionorthejunctionshallbefirestooped.FIG.3.2.10D
(3) Whereanycompartmentwallformsajunctionwitharoof,suchwallshallbecarriedabovethe
upper surface of the roof covering for a distance of not less than 375mm, measured at right
anglestothesurfaceoftheroof.
(4) Any combustible material which is built into or carried through or across the ends of any
compartment wall or compartment shall not be of such a type or used in such a way as will
renderineffectivetheresistanceofthatwallorfloortotheeffectorspreadoffire.
(5) Anychimney,applianceventilationductorductencasingoneormorefluepipeswhichpasses
throughacompartmentfloororcompartmentwallshallbeseparatedfromthatcompartment
61
floororwallbynoncombustibleconstructionhavingafireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfthe
minimumfireresistancerequiredbysubsection3.2.4.
(6)
(7)
Any chimney, appliance ventilation duct or duct encasing one or more flue pipes which forms
part of a compartment wall shall be separated from any compartment adjoining that wall by
noncombustible construction having, at any level, fire resistance of not less than half the
minimum fire resistance required by subsection 3.2.4 for the compartment wall at that level
FIG.3.2.10E
Anycompartmentwallorfloorwhichisrequiredbysubsection3.2.4tohavefireresistanceof
onehourormoreshallbeconstructedwhollyofnoncombustiblematerialsapartfrom:
(i)
anyfloorfinish;or
(ii)
any surface finish to a wall or ceiling which complies with the requirements of
subsection3.2.13;
(iii)
any ceiling which complies with the description specified in the Table 3.2.5A to
subsection3.2.5and,apartfromanysuchceiling,therequiredfireresistanceofthewall
orfloorshallbeobtainedwithoutassistancefromanycombustiblematerialpermitted
inthissubsection.
(8)
Any beam or column forming part of, and any structure carrying any compartment wall or
compartmentfloorwhichisrequiredtobeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerials,shallitself
complywiththeprovisionsofsubsection3.2.10(7)astononcombustibility.
3.2.11Protectionofopeninginseparatingwalls,compartmentwallsandcompartment

floors
3.2.11.1Protectedshafts
3.2.11.1(1)Inthissubsection,protectingstructuremeansanywallorfloororotherstructurewhich

enclosesaprotectedshaftotherthan:
(a) a wall which forms part of an external wall, separating wall or compartment
wall;or
(b) afloorwhichisalsoacompartmentorafloorlaiddirectlyontheground;or
(c) aroof. FIG.3.2.11A
(2) No protected shaft shall be constructed for use for any purpose additional to those
specifiedin3.1.2.1otherthanthepassageofpipeorductorassanitaryaccommodation
orwashroomsorboth.
(3)
Subject to the provisions of this subsection, any protected shaft shall be completely
enclosed.
62

63
(4)
Exceptasprovidedin(5)anyprotectingstructurewhichisrequiredbysubsection3.2.4
to have fire resistance of one hour or more shall be constructed wholly of non
combustible materials apart from any surface finish which complies with the
requirementsof3.2.13.
(5)
Therequirementsof(4)shallnotapplytoprotectingstructurewhichissituatedwithin
groundstoreyoranupperstoreyofabuildingorpartofoccupancyGroupRconsisting
offlatsormaisonettesifthatbuildinghasthreestoreys.
(6)
Any beam or column forming part of, and any structure carrying protecting structure
which is required to be constructed of noncombustible materials shall itself comply
withtheprovisionsof3.2.11.1(4).
(7)
Anywall,floororotherstructureenclosingaprotectedshaftbutnotbeingprotecting
structuremaycontainopeningsinconformancewithotherprovisionsofthispartofthe
Code.
(8)
Thereshallbenoopeninginanyprotectingstructureotherthananyoneormoreofthe
following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(9)
anopeningforapipewhichcomplieswiththeprovisionsof3.2.11.3
an opening fitted with a door which has fire resistance complying with the
provisionsof3.2.11.1(9)and3.2.11.2;
(if the protected shaft contains a lift), an opening which complies with the
provisionsof3.2.11.1(10);and
(if the protected shaft serves as or contains a ventilation duct), an inlet to or
outletfromthatductoranopeningforthatduct.
Anydoorfittedinanopeninginaprotectingstructureshallhavefireresistanceforthe
followingminimumperiod:
(a) If the protected shaft is in a building of purpose group R, I or F and is wholly or

partlyabovetheleveloftheadjoiningground,notlessthanhalfanhour;or
(b) Inanyothercaseeithernotlessthanhalftheperiodrequiredbyotherprovisionsof
thispartofthecodefortheprotectingstructuresurroundingtheopeningornotless
thanhalfanhour(whicheveristhegreater).
(10)Anyprotectedshaftcontainingaliftorlifts:
(a)
(b)
shall be ventilated to the external air by means of one or more permanent

openingssituatedatthetopoftheshaftandhavingatotalunobstructedareaof
notlessthan0.1m2foreachliftintheshaft;and
shallnotcontainanypipeconveyinggasoroiloranyventilatingduct;and
64
(c)
may have an opening in its protecting structure for the passage of the cables
operating the lift into the room containing the lift motor; provided that if the
openingisatthebottomoftheshafttheopeningshallbeassmallaspracticable.
(11) (a) Ifaprotectedshaftservesasorcontainsaventilatingduct:
(i) theductshallbefittedinternallywithautomaticfireshutterssoconstructed
atsuchintervalsandinsuchpositionsasmaybenecessarytoreducesofaras
practicable the risk of fire spreading from a compartment to any other
compartment;
(ii) the duct shall not be constructed of, or lined with, any material which
substantiallyincreasessuchrisk.
(b) In addition, in the case of a protected shaft containing a ventilating duct, the shaft
shallbeconstructedwithadditionalbarrierstofirebetweentheductandtheshaftas
may be necessary to reduce, so far as practicable, the risk of fire spreading from a
compartmenttoanyothercompartment.
(12) Ifaprotectedshaftconsistsofastairway,itshallnotcontainanypipeconveyinggasoroil
oranyventilatingduct.FIG.3.2.11B
3.2.11.2
FireResistantDoors
(1) General:
This subsection applies to any door which is required by the provisions of this part of the
codetohaveafireresistance.
(2) Inthissubsection:
automaticselfclosingdevicedoesnotincluderisingbutthingesexceptasprovidedin(6):
and electricmagnetic or electromechanical device susceptible to smoke refers only to
anysuchdevicewhichwillallowthedoorheldopenbyittocloseautomaticallyuponthe
occurrenceofeachoranyoneofthefollowing:
(i)detectionofsmokebyautomaticapparatussuitableinnature,qualityandlocation;
(ii)naturaloperationofaswitchfittedinasuitableposition
(iii)failureofaelectricitysupplytothedeviceapparatusorswitch;
(iv)ifafirealarmsystemisinstalledinthebuilding,operationofthatsystem.
65
(3) (a) except as permitted in (8) any fire resisting door shall be fitted with an automatic self
closingdevice
(b)nomeansofholdinganysuchdooropenshallbeprovidedotherthanafusiblelinkor,if
the door is so constructed and installed that it can readily be opened manually, an
electromagneticorelectromechanicaldevicesusceptibletosmoke.
(c) nopartofahingeonwhichanysuchdoorishungshallbemadeeitherofcombustible
materialorofnoncombustiblematerialhavingameltingpointlessthan8000C.
(4) Exceptasprovidedin(5)anydoorfittedinanopeningwhichisprovidedasameansofescape
intheeventoffireshallbesoconstructedandinstalledthatitcanreadilybeopenedmanually
and shall not be held open by any means other than an electricmagnetic or electro
mechanicaldevicesusceptibletosmoke.
(5) Adoorwhichisprovidedasameansofescapeintheventoffirebutwhichcannotreadilybe
openedmanuallymaybeinstalledif:
(i) suchadoorisfittedwithanautomaticselfclosingdeviceandisheldopenbyafusible
link;
66
(ii) themanuallyopenabledoorhasfireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfanhour;and,
(iii)therequiredfireresistanceisachievedbythetwodoorstogether.
(6) Anydoortowhichreferenceismadein3.2.10(1)aor3.2.11.4(3)bshallbeeithersingleleafdoor
swinginginonedirectiononlyoradoubleleafdooreachleafofwhichswingsintheopposite
directionfromtheotherleaf.FIG.3.2.11.2A
(7) Anydoorwhichisfittedinprotectingstructureandisnotrequiredbytheprovisionsof
3.2.11.1(9)tohavearesistanceofmorethanhalfanhourmayconsistofanysingleordouble
leaf door, other than a double leaf door, both leaves of which swing in one and the same
directionandhaverebatedmeetingstilesif:
(a) thedooropensintoahall,lobbyorcorridorenclosedbywallsorpartitionshavingfire
resistanceofnotlessthanhalfanhour;and
(b) theclearancebetweentheleaforleavesofanysuchdoorsanditsframeandbetween
theleavesisassmallasisreasonablypracticable.FIG.3.2.11.2B
(8) Adoorwhichisnotfittedwithselfclosingdevicemaybeinstalledinanopeningonthe
structurewhichenclosesaprotectedshaftcontainingexclusivelyaliftorliftsifeither:
(a) the door has fireresistance for a period of not less than half an hour and there is also
installed,soastoclosethesameopening,anotherdoorwhichisfittedwithanautomatic
selfclosing device, is held open by a fusible link and has fire resistance for a period not
lessthanprescribed bytherelevantprovisionsofthispartofthecodeforthestructure
surroundingtheopening;orFIG.3.2.11.2C
(b) (unlessthe openingisincompartmentwallandis oneoftwoopeningsprovidedat the

sameleveltoallowaccesstoaliftfromdifferentsides),thedoorhasfireresistancefor
periodnotlessthanthatprescribedbyrelevantprovisionsofthispartofthecodeforthe
structuresurroundingtheopening.FIG.3.2.11.2D
3.2.11.3PenetratingofelementsofstructurebyPipes
(1) InthissubsectionPipe
(a) excludes flue pipes, ventilation pipes, ventilation ducts and any pipes which contains or
conveyheatorsmoke.
(b) includesventpipetodrainagesystem,ventpipetosoilsystem,ventpipetowastesystem
andpipefittingsandaccessories.
(2) Subjecttotheprovisionsof(3)and(5)thenominalinternaldiameterofthepartofapipe
whichpassesthrough:
(i) anopeninginaseparatingwall;or
67
(ii) anopeninginacompartmentwallorcompartmentfloorotherthananysuchopening
whichiswhollyenclosedwithinaprotectedshaft;
(iii)anopeninginprotectingstructureshallnotexceedtherelevantdimensionsprescribed
inTable3.2.11.3A.FIG.3.2.11.3A
(3) Ifoneithersideofthestructurepenetratedandwithinadistanceof1m(measuredalong
the pipe) from the point of penetration, the pipe which penetrates the structure is of
specification (a) and is connected to a pipe of specification (b) or (c),or the pipe is of
specification (b) and is connected to a pipe of specification (c), the maximum internal
diameterofthepipeshallbedeterminedasthoughitwereofthesamespecificationasthe
pipetowhichitisconnected.
(4) Anyopeningshallbeassmallasisreasonablypracticableandshallbefirestoppedaround
thepipe.
(5) A pipe which forms part of an above ground drainage system comprising pipes which
comply with specification (b) in Table 3.2.11.3A and have a nominal internal diameter not
exceeding150mminthe caseofastackpipeor100mminthe caseofabranch pipemay
pass through an opening in a separating wall between houses or an opening in a
compartmentwallorcompartmentfloorbetweenflatsormaisonettesif
(a) thepipe,beingastackpipe,iscontainedineachstoreywithinanenclosureor,beinga
branchpipe,dischargeintoastackpipecontainedwithinanenclosure,formedinpartby
thewallpenetratedbythebranchpipe;
(b)anysuchenclosure:
(i) extends, in each storey, from the floor to the ceiling of that storey or, if the ceiling is
suspendedbeneathafloor,tothatfloor;
(ii) has each side formed by a separating wall, compartment wall or external wall or by
casing;
(iii) has an internal surface, excluding any supporting members, which complies with the
requirementsforclass0specifiedinsubsection3.2.11.6;
(iv) hasnoaccesspanelsituatedinabedroomorcirculationspace;and
(v) isnotusedforanyotherpurposeexcepttoaccommodatepipesconveyingwater;
(c)anysuchcasing
(i) isimperforateexceptforanyopeningmadeforthepassageofapipeorfittedwithan
accesspanel;
(ii) consistsofanymaterialotherthansheetmetal;and
(iii) (includinganyaccesspanel)hasafireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfanhour,and
(d)anyopeningmadeforthepassageofabranchpipethroughaflooratthebaseortopofan
enclosure(includinginthecaseofamaisonette,anyfloorwithinthedwelling)isassmallas
reasonablypracticableandisfirestoppedaroundthepipe.Figs.3.2.11.3B,3.2.11.3C
68
69
70
Table3.2.11.3A
MaximumNominalInternalDiameterofPipes
SpecificationofPipe
Pipemadeofanynoncombustiblematerialwhich
ifexposedtoatemperatureof8000Cwillnot
fracturetosuchanextentastopermitflamesor
hotgasestopassthroughthewallofthepipe
Pipemadeofleadoraluminumoralloythereof;
asbestoscementpipe;ornonplasticized
polyvinylchloridepipecomplyingwithBS4514:
2000/BSEN1329Part1:2000
Pipemadeofanyothermaterial
Maximumnominalinternaldiameterofpipe
(inmm)
150
100ifitpenetratesstructure(otherthana
separatingwall)enclosingaprotectedshaftnot
regularlyusedforthepassageofpeople.
38inallothercases
38
3.2.11.4 Stairways
(1) Everystairway(includinganylandingthereof)whichformspartofabuildingshall,whether
thestairwayisinternalorexternal,beconstructedofnoncombustiblematerialexcept
(a) aninternalstairwaywhichissituated
(i)withinamaisonette;or
(ii)withinanystoreywhichcompriseselementsofstructureforwhichthefire

resistancerequiredbythispartofthecodeislessthanonehour;or
(iii)withinthegroundstoreyoranupperstoreyofabuildingorpartofoccupancygroup
Awhichconsistsofflatsormaisonettesifthatbuildinghasnotmorethanthree
storeysorthatpartisseparatedasdescribedin3.2.4(1)bandhasnotmorethan
threestoreys;or
(iv)withinabuildingorcompartmentofoccupancygroupbutnotwithinaprotected
shaft;or
(b) anexternalstairwaywhichissituatedbetweenthegroundandafloororflatroofthe
level of which at the head of the stairway, is not more than 6m above the finished
surfaceofthegroundadjoiningthefootofthestairway.
(2) Theprovisionsof3.2.11.4(1)shallnotprohibittheadditionofanycombustiblematerialtothe
uppersurfaceofanystairwayoflanding.FIG.3.2.11.4A
71
(3) In any building of occupancy group A which has three or more storeys, any internal stairway
(includinganyhallorlandingassociatedtherewithandanypartofafloorwhichaffordspassage
between flights of the stairway) shall be separated from all other parts of the building by
structurecomplyingwiththefollowingrequirements
(a) thestructureshallhavefireresistancefornotlessthantheminimumperiodrequiredby
subsection 3.2.4 for elements of structure forming part of the storey in which it is
situated;and
(b) anyopeninginthestructurewhichgivesaccesstoahabitableroomorkitchenshallbefitted
withadoorwhichhasafireresistanceofnotlessthanhourandcomplieswithsubsection
3.2.11.2.FIG.3.2.11.4B
(4)Forstairwaysforphysicallychallengedpersons,referenceistobemadetoAppendixEofPart4of
thisCode.
3.2.12FireStopping
(1) Thissubsectionappliestoalltypesofconstructionunlessotherwisespecified.
(2) AnyfirestoppingrequiredbytheprovisionsofthispartoftheCodeshallbesoformedand
positionedastopreventorretardthepassageofflame.
(3) Fire stops shall be provided at floor, ceiling and roof levels to cut off completely all
concealed horizontal and vertical draft openings occurring between storeys and between
topstoreysandroofspacesincluding
(a) Everystudwallandpartitionatceilingandfloorlevels
(b) Everystudwallandpartitionofcombustibleconstructionsothatthemaximumvertical
dimensionofanyconcealedspaceisnotgreaterthan3m
72

(c) Everyfurredwallandpartitionsothatconcealedspacesbetweenfurringstripsarefire
stoppedatthefloorandceilinglevels.
(d) Atthebottomofthecoveineverycovedceilingofcombustibleconstruction
(e) Thetopandbottomofeachrunofstairsatceilingandfloorlevels,and
(f) Thetopandbottomofeveryexpansionjointbetweenfloorsandwallsinheavytimber
construction.
(4) Wherecombustiblefloorsarelaidonwoodsleepersontopofslabsinbuildingsrequiredto
be of noncombustible construction, the space between the underside of the flooring and
floordeckshallbefilledwithnoncombustiblematerialorfirestoppingshallbeprovidedin
suchamannerthatthereisnoopenspaceinexcessof9m2inarea.
(5) Where combustible ceiling finishes are attached to wood furring strips fastened to a non
combustible backing in buildings required to be of noncombustible construction fire
stoppingshallbeprovidedinsuchamannerthatthereisnoopenspaceinexcessof2m2in
betweentheceilingfinishandthebacking.
(6) Aconcealed spaceerectedbyasuspended ceiling roofspaceorunoccupied atticspacein

buildings of combustible construction shall unless sprinkle red, be separated by fire stops
intodrafttightcompartmentsnotexceeding
(a) 560m2inareaor60minanydimensionwherematerialshavingaflamespreadratingof
class0asdefinedin3.2.13areexposedinthespace;
(b) 280m2 in the area or 18m in any dimension where materials having a flame spread
ratinggreaterthanclass0areexposedinthespace.
(7) The concealed spaces in exterior cornices including the mansard type, balconies and
canopies of combustible construction shall be fire stopped from the point where such
concealedspacesextendacrosstheendofrequiredfireseparation.
(8) Everyfirestopshall:
(a) beconstructedof:
(i)
cementpulpasbestosboard,gypsumboardorothernoncombustiblematerial
havingameltingpointabove7600Csuchassheetsteel
(ii)
solidlumbernotlessthan50mminnominalthicknessor
(iii)
12mm thick plywood with joints back with like material or 50mm thickness of
lumber not less than 25mm nominal in thickness with joints staggered, where
the width or height of the opening or space to be stopped is such that more
than1pieceof50mmthicklumberisnecessary,and
73
(b) Conformtotheappropriaterequirementsofthesubsection.

(9) Accessopeningsthroughfirestopsshallbeprotectedwithselfclosingdrafttightclosuresof
constructionequivalenttothefirestop.
(10)Wherefirestopsarepiercedbypipes,ductsorotherelementsorassemblies,theintegrity
ofthefirestopshallbemaintained.
3.2.13Restrictionofspreadofflameoversurfacesofwallsandceilings
(1) ForthepurposesofthissubsectionandTable3.2.13A
(a) ceiling includes any soffit and any roof light, skylight, or other part of a building which
enclosesandisexposedoverheadwithinaroom,circulationspaceorprotectedshaft;
circulationspacemeansanyplacewhichissolely,orpredominantlyusedasameansof
accessbetweenaroomandaprotectedshaftorbetweeneitheraroomoraprotectedshaft
andanexitfromthebuildingorcompartment.
small room means a room which is totally enclosed and has a floor area not exceeding
that specified in column (2) of Table 3.2.13A according to the occupancy group of the
buildingorcompartment.
trimmeansanyarchitrave,covermould,picturerail,skirtingorsimilarnarrowmember,
(b) any reference to the surface of a wall shall be construed as a reference to that surface
excluding the surface of any other door, door frame window, frame, mantelshelf, fitted
furnitureortrim;
(c) any reference to the surface of a ceiling shall be construed as a reference to that surface
excludingthesurfaceoftheframeofanyrooflightorskylight;
(d) anypartofaceilingwhichslopesatanangleof700ormoretothehorizontalandisnotpartof
arooflightorskylightshallbedeemedtobeawall.
(e) except as provided in (f) any reference to a surface being of class 0 shall be construed as a
requirementthat
(i)
(ii)
the material of which the wall or ceiling is constructed shall be noncombustible

throughout;or
thesurfacematerial(orifitisbonded,throughouttoasubstrate,thesurfacematerial
inconjunctionwiththesubstrate)shalliftestedinaccordancewithBS476:Part6:A1:
2009 have an index of performance (i) not exceeding 12 and subindex (ii) not
exceeding6;
74
(f) thefaceofplasticsmaterialhavingasofteningpointlessthan1200iftestedbymethod102C
ofBS2782Part1:1978shallnotberegardedasasurfaceofclass0unless
(i)
thematerialisbondedthroughouttoasubstradewhichisnotaplasticsmaterialand
thematerialinconjunctionwiththesubstratesatisfiesthetestcriteriaprescribedin
subsectione(ii)above;or
(ii) thematerialsatisfiesthetestcriteriaprescribedin(ii)aboveandisusedasthelining
ofawallsoconstructedthatanysurfacewhichwouldbeexposediftheliningwere
notpresentsatisfiesthesaidtestcriteriaandisthefaceofamaterialotherthan
0
plasticshavingasofteningpointlessthan120 C;
(g) any reference to a surface being of a class other than class 0 shall be construed as a
requirementthatthewallorceilingshallbesoconstructedthataspecimenconstructedtothe
samespecification,ifexposedtotestbyfireinaccordancewithBS475:Part7:1971,would
complywiththetestcriteriaastosurfacespreadofflamespecifiedinrelationtothatclass.
(h) theauthorityhavingjurisdictionmayaccepttheresultsoftestsbased,onteststandardsother
thanasdescribedin(g)providedheissatisfiedthatsuchalternateteststandardswillprovide
aflamespreadratingorsmokedevelopedclassificationcomparabletothatobtainedin(g).
(i) in relation to a requirement that surface shall be of a class not lower than a specified class,
class0shallberegardedasthehighestclassfollowedindescendingorderbyclass1,class2,
class3andclass4.

Class1asurfaceofverylowflamespread
Class2 asurfaceoflowflamespread
Class3 asurfaceofmediumflamespread
Class4 asurfaceofrapidflamespread

Class0 anadditionalclasswhichmustcomplywithoneofthe
alternativessetoutin(1)(e).
(2) Exceptasprovidedin(3)and(4)thesurfaceofawallorceilinginaroom,circulationspaceor
protectedshaftshallbeofaclassnotlowerthanthatspecifiedinTable3.2.13A.
(3) AnypartofthesurfaceofawallinaroommaybeofanyclassnotlowerthanClass3ifthearea
ofthatpart(or,iftherearemoresuchparts,thetotalareaofthoseparts)doesnotexceedthe
lesserofthefollowing
(a) Halfthefloorareaoftheroom;or Fig.3.2.13A
(b) 20m2inoccupancygroupsR,EandI;
(c) 60m2inoccupancygroupsBandtoSandH.Fig.3.2.13B
75

(4) AnypartofthesurfaceofaceilingmaybeofanyclassnotlowerthanClass3ifthatpartof
the surface is the face of a layer of material the other face of which is exposed to the
externalairand
(a) (i)
theceilingisthatofaroominabuildingorcompartmentofoccupancygroups
R,E,I,B,MorAorthatofacirculationspaceinabuildingorcompartmentofany
occupancygroupand
(ii)
theareaofthatpartdoesnotexceed2.5m2and
(iii)
thedistancebetweenthatpartandanyothersuchpartisnotlessthan2.5m;or
(b) (i)
theceilingisthatofaroominabuildingorcompartmentofoccupancygroupF,
SorH;and
(ii)
theareaofthatpartdoesnotexceed5m2;and

(iii)
thedistancebetweenthatpartandanyothersuchpartisnotlessthan1.8m;

and

(iv)
thatpartandallothersuchpartsareevenlydistributedoverthewholeareaof
theceilingandtogetherhaveanareawhichdoesnotexceed15%ofthefloor
areaoftheroom;or
(c) the ceiling is that of a balcony, verandah, open carport, covered way or leading bay
whichhasatleastoneofitslongersideswhollyandpermanentlyopen;or
(d)theceilingisthatofagarage,conservatoryoroutbuildingwhichhasafloorareanot
exceeding40m2.Fig.3.2.13C
Table3.2.13A
Occupancygroupof
buildingor
compartment
(1)
R
SpreadofFlameoversurfaceofWallsandCeilings
(SurfacesofWallsandCeilings)
Classofsurfaceforbothwallsandceilings(exceptwhere
Maximumfloorarea
separatelyspecified)
ofsmallrooms(in
m2)
Smallroom
Roomsotherthan
Circulationspaces
(SeeCol.2)
smallrooms
andprotectedshafts
(5)
(2)
(3)
(4)
4
3
1
0
E,I
1
3
(Wall)0
(Ceiling)
1
30
30
30
30
S,H
30
76
3.2.14 Roofcovering
IntroductoryNote
(In this subsection two letters will be used in the designation of each roof. The first letter
relatestoresistancetothepenetrationoffireasfollows:
Aroofswhichcanwithstandpenetrationforonehour
Broofswhichcanbepenetratedbetweenhalfanhourandonehour
Croofswhichcanbepenetratedinlessthanhalfanhour
Droofswhicharepenetratedinthepreliminarytest.
Thesecondletterrelatestothespreadofflame.
Aroofswherethereisnospreadofflame
Broofswherethereisnotmorethan533.4mmspreadofflame
77
Croofswherethereismorethan533.4mmspreadofflame
Droofswhichcontinuetoburnfor5minutesafterwithdrawaloftheflame,orspreadmore
than381mmacrosstheregionofburningduringthepreliminarytest).
3.2.14(1)Nopartoftheroofofabuildingwhich:
(a) Hasacubiccapacityexceeding1500m3;or
(b) IswhollyorpartlyofoccupancygroupI,SorH;or
(c) Isahouseinacontinuousterraceofmorethantwohousesshallbesoconstructed
as to be designated BD, CA, CB, CD, DA, DB, C, DC or DD or to be covered with
thatchorwoodshingles.
(2) AnypartofaroofwhichissodesignatedBA,BB,orBC,shallnotbelessthan6mfromany
pointonaboundary.
(3) Anypartofaroofwhichissodesignated,AD,BD,CA,CB,CCorCDoriscoveredwiththatch
orwoodshingles,shallbenotlessthan12mfromanypointonaboundaryunlesssuchpart
is:
(a) ofanareanotexceeding3m2,and
(b) separatedfromanyotherpartofthesameroofwhichissodesignatedorcovered
with thatch or wood shingles by an area of roof which is at least 1.5m wide and
whichiscoveredbynoncombustiblematerialinwhichcasesuchdesignatedpartor
partcoveredwiththatchorwoodshinglesshallbenotlessthan6mfromanysuch
point.Fig.3.2.14
(4) AnypartofaroofwhichissodesignatedDA,DB,DCorDDshallbe:
(a) notlessthan22mfromanypointonaboundary;and
(b) ofanareanotexceeding3m2;and
(c) separatedfromanyotherpartofthesameroofwhichissodesignatedbyanareaof
roofwhichisatleast1.5mwideandcoveredwithnoncombustiblematerial.
78
79
Table3.2.14APermittedRoofCovering
TypeofBuilding
Exceeding1500m3
Terraceofmorethan2houses
Allotherbuildings
DistancefromBoundary
DesignationofCovering
AAABAC
AAABACBABB
Morethan6mbutlessthan12m BC(ADwithrestriction)
AAABAC
Morethan12m
ADBABBBC
Within6m
AAABAC
AAABAC
Morethan6mbutlessthan12m BABBBC
(ADwithrestrictions)
AAABAC
Morethan12m
ADBABB
BC
Within6m
AAABAC
AAABAC
BABBBC
Morethan6mbutlessthan12m Withrestrictionsastoarea
AOBDCACBCCCD
Thatchorshingles
AAABACAD
Morethan12mbutlessthan
BABBBCBD
22m
CACBCCCD
Thatchorshingles
AAABACAD
BABBBCBD
CACBCCCD
Morethan22m
Thatchorshingles
Withrestrictionsastoarea
DADBDCDD
Within6m
*Note:Table3.2.14Blistsvariouspitchedandflatroofcoveringsineverydayuse
80
Table3.2.14BNotionalDesignationofRoofCovering
PartI: PitchedRoofscoveredwithSlatesortiles
Coveringmaterial
1.Naturalslates
2.Cementpulpasbestosslates
3.Claytiles
4.Concretetiles
Supportingstructure
Designation
1.Timberrafterswithorwithout
underfelt,sarking,boarding,
woodwoolslabs,compressed
strawslabs,plywood,woodor
fibreinsulatingboard
AA
PartII:PitchedRoofscoveredwithPreformedSelfsupportingSheets
Material
Corrugatedsheetsof:
(i)galvanizedsteel
(ii)aluminium
(iii)compositesteeland
(iv)cementpulpasbestos
(v)PVCcoatedsteel
Construction
Supportingstructure
Designation
1.Singleskinwithoutunderlay
orwithunderlayof:
(i)cementpulpinsulatingboard Structure of timber,

AA
steelorconcrete
(ii)plasterboard
(iii)fibreinsulatingboard
(iv)woodwoolslab
2.Doubleskinwithoutunderlay
orwithunderlayof:
AA
Structure of timber,
i)resinbondedglassfibre
steelorconcrete
(ii)bitumenbondedglassfibre
(iii)mineralwoolslabor
blanket
(iv)polysterene;or
(v)polyurethane
81
PartIII:PitchedorFlatRoofscoveredwithFullySupportedMaterial
Coveringmaterial
1.Aluminiumsheet
2.Coppersheet
3.Zincsheet
4.Leadsheet
5.Masticasphalt
6.Vitreousenameledsteelsheet
Supportingstructure
1.Timberjoistsand:
(i)Tonguedandgroovedboardingor
(ii)Plainedgedboarding
2.Steelortimberjoistswithdeckof:
(i)woodwoolslab
(ii)compressedstrawslab
Designation
AA
AA
(iii)woodorflaxchipboard
(iv)fibreinsulatingboard
(v)9.5mplywood
3. Concrete or claypot slab (cast in
situ or precast); or noncombustible
deck of steel, aluminium or cement
pulp asbestos (with or without
insulation)
AA
3.2.15 SmallGaragesandSmallOpencarports
(1) Exceptasprovidedin(7)thefollowingprovisionsshallapplytoanygaragewhichhasafloor
areanotexceeding40m2.
(2) Ifsuchgarageisaseparatebuildingand:
(a) isnotlessthan2mfromanyboundaryoranyhousewithintheboundary;or
Fig.3.2.15A
(b) (beinglessthan2mfromanyboundary)complieswiththerequirementin(3);or
(a) (being less than 2m from any house within the boundary) complies with the
requirementof(4).

Itshallnotberequiredtocomplywithanyregulationinthissubsectionexceptsubsection

3.2.14andanyotherprovisionsexpresslyreferredtointhissubsection.
(3) Any such garage which is less than 2m from any boundary shall be so associated that any
part of an external wall which is less than 2m from the boundary is externally non
82
combustible and the walls of the garage have an internal surface which fulfils the
requirementsforClass0.Fig.3.2.15B
(4) Any garage which is less than 2m from any house within the same boundary shall be so
constructed that any part of an external wall which is less than 2m from such house is
externallynoncombustibleandthewallsofthegaragehaveaninternalsurfacewhichfulfils
the requirements for Class 0 but these requirements shall not apply if every part of any
externalwallofsuchhousewhichislessthan2mfromthegarage
(a) isexternallynoncombustible
(b) hasresistancetoexternalfireofnotlessthanhalfanhour;and
(c) hasnounprotectedareawhichexceeds0.1m2orislessthan1.5mfromanyother
unprotectedareainthatpart.Fig.3.2.15C

(5) In the application of (3) and (4) any exposed surface of a frame member forming the
structureofawallshallnotbedeemedtobepartoftheinternalsurfaceofthatwall.
(6) If a garage to which (1) applies is attached to or forms part of a house, it shall be so
constructedthat:
(a) anyfloorimmediatelyoversuchgaragehasfireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfanhour;
and
(b) anywallbetweensuchgarageandsuchhousehasfireresistanceofnotlessthanhalfan
hour;and
(c) anyopeninginsuchwallis:
(i)
at its lowest point, not less than 100mm above the level of the garage floor;
and
(ii)
fitted with a door, shutter or cover which has fire resistance of not less than
halfanhourandwhichcomplieswiththeprovisionsofsubsection3.2.11.2.
Fig.3.2.15D
83
84
3.2.16 OccupantLoad
3.2.16 (1)
Theoccupantloadofeveryfloorarea,orpartthereof,shallbe:
(a) Thenumberofpersonsforwhichthefloorarea,orpartthereofisdesigned,but
(b) Unless otherwise approved, not less than the number of persons that can be
accommodatedonthefloorareaorpartthereofasdeterminedfromTable3.2.16A.
(2) Forthepurposeofthissubsection,mezzanines,tiersandbalconiesshallberegardedas
partofthefloorarea.
(3) Wherearoomorgroupofroomsisintendedfor2ormoreoccupanciesatdifferenttimes,
thevaluetobeusedfromTable3.2.16Ashallbethevaluewhichgivesthegreatest
numberofpersonsfortheoccupanciesconcerned.
Table3.2.16AFormingpartof3.2.16(1)
ItemNo.
1
2
1
2
3
1
2
TypeofUseofFloorAreaorPartthereof
RResidentialuses:
Houses
Dormitories
IInstitutionaluses:
Surgicalandobstetricalsuites
Wardscontainingmorethan2beds
Detentionquarters
BBusinessandPersonalServicesuses:
Personalserviceshops
Offices
MMercantileuses:
Retailsalesfloorsatground,basementorcellar
Otherfloors
85
AreaperPersonm2
(2)
SeePart7
4.65
11.61
4.65
11.61
4.65
11.61
2.79
5.57
Table3.2.16A(contd.)
ItemNo.
TypeofUseofFloorAreaorPartthereof
AreaperPersonm2
FFactory(Industrial)uses:
Manufacturingorprocessrooms
4.65
Storagegarages
46.45
Storagespaces(warehouse)
27.87
Aircrafthangers
46.45
AAssemblyuses:
(1)
Spacewithfixedseats
(1)
Spacewithnonfixedseats
0.74
Stagesfortheatricalperformance
0.74
Spacewithnonfixedseatsandtables
0.93
Standingspace
0.37
Stadiaandgrandstands
0.56
Billiardrooms
9.29
Classrooms
1.86
Schoolshopsandvocationalrooms
9.29
10
Readingorwritingroomsorlounges
1.86
11
Dining,beverageandcafeteriaspace
1.11
12
Laboratoriesinschools
4.65
U,SOtheruses:
Cleaningandrepairofgoods
4.65
Kitchens
9.29
Storage
46.45
Col.1
NotestoTable3.2.16A
(1) Theoccupantloadshallbebasedonthenumberofseatsprovided
(2) Theoccupantloadfordwellingunitsshallbebasedon2personsperbedroomsorareaprovidedforsleeping
86
3.3
SAFETYREQUIREMENTSWITHINFLOORAREA
Interpretation
(Section3.3regulatessafetywithinfloorareasincludingroomsorotherspaceswithinabuilding
withtheexceptionofserviceroomsandservicespacesthatareregulatedinSection3.5.The
regulations are grouped according to the occupancy of the floor area; room or space. The
occupancy of these floor areas and other spaces is not necessarily the major occupancy for
whichthebuildingisclassified.Forexample,abuildingmaybeclassifiedbymajoroccupancyas
an office building, and as such, the provisions for structural fire protection for office buildings
prescribed in Section 3.2 apply. Within that building, a room or floor area may be used for
mercantile,institutional,business,residential,industrialorotheroccupancy.
Lifesafetyfortheoccupantsofanyfloorareaisdependentinthefirstinstanceontheuseor
occupancy of that floor area. The risks to these occupants occur in the early stages of a fire.
These risks are not the same for different occupancies and must be regulated differently.
Section3.3regulatesthesespecialliferiskswithinfloorareasandtheseapplyregardlessofthe
majoroccupancy,ofthebuildingthatcontainsthem.
For example, an assembly room must comply with the requirements for assembly occupancy
whether it is contained in an office building, hospital, hotel, theatre, industrial or other major
occupancy).
3.3.1 Requirementsapplyingtoallfloorareas
3.3.1.1General
(1) Wherehazardoussubstancesareusedinconnectionwiththeactivitiesofanyoccupancyother
thanasprovidedinsubsection3.3.7forGroupsSandH,thestorage,handlinganduseofsuch
substancesshallbeinaccordancewiththeappropriateregulationinthefirepreventionBylaw.
(2) Every room or vault where hazardous substances are stored shall be separated from all other
occupanciesbya3hourcompartmentwall.
3.3.1.2 MeansofEgress(Exits)
(1) Ameansofegressshallbeprovidedfromeveryroofwhichisintended

foroccupancy,andfromeverypodium,terrace,platformorcontainedopenspace.
(2) Means of egress to exists within floor areas shall conform to subsection 3.3.2 to 3.2.7 in
additiontorequirementsofthissubsection.
3.3.1.3(1)Exceptaspermittedin3.3.2.2(1)eachindividuallyrentedroomorsuiteofroomsinafloor
areaoccupiedbymorethan1tenancyandeachdwellingunitshallhaveexteriordoorwayat
orneargroundlevel,oradoorwayleadingtoanexteriorpassagewayopentotheoutdoors,
ortoaninteriorcorridor.Fromthepointwheresuchdoorwayenterstheexterior
passagewayorinteriorcorridoritshallbepossibletogoinoppositedirectionstoeachof2
separateexists,except,aspermittedinthissection.
87
(2) Except as otherwise permitted in this part, public corridors shall be separated from the
remainderofthebuildingbyacompartmentwallhavingafireresistanceatleastequaltoone
hourexceptthat:
(a) the fireresistance need not exceed hour when the fireresistance rating of the floor
assemblyisnotrequired,toexceedhour;
(b) nofireresistanceratingisrequiredwhenthefloorareaissprinkleredandthecorridordoes
notserveGroupsR,EandIoccupancy.
3.3.1.3 Doorwaysrequired
(1) Anyroomorsuiteofroomsoccupiedbyasingletenancyshallhave2egressdoorwaysplacedin
such a manner that one doorway could provide egress from the room or suite of rooms as
required in 3.3.1.3 if the other doorway becomes inaccessible to the occupants due to a fire
whichmightoriginateintheroomorsuiteofrooms:
(a) wheretheoccupancyisclassifiedasGroupsSandH
(b) whichisintendedforanoccupantloadofmorethan60persons;or
(c) except for dwelling units where area of a room or suite of rooms or the distance
measured from any point within a room or suite of rooms to the nearest door opening
onto a public corridor, a corridor used by the public or a corridor serving classrooms or
patients bedrooms or opening directly to an exit exceeds the values shown in Table
3.3.1A.
Table3.3.1A
Formingpartofsentence3.3.1.3(1)
OccupancyofRooms,Suiteor
FloorArea
MaximumareaofRoom,
Suiteorfloor
(m2)
Maximumdistanceto
EgressDoor
(m)
GroupR
93(1)
15(1)
GroupE,I
70
11
GroupB
186
23
GroupM
139
11
GroupF
186
15
GroupA
139
15
GroupS,H
139
11
Column1
*NotetoTable3.3.1A
(1)Seesentence3.3.4.2(6)fordwellingunit.
88
(2)
Wherearoofisusedorintendedforanoccupantloadofmorethan60personsatleast
2 separate means of egress shall be provided from the roof to stairs, designed in
conformancewiththerequirementsforexitstairs,locatedsothatthedistancebetween
suchstairsconformtotherequirementsin3.4.2.2forexists.
(3)
Where a podium, terrace, platform or contained open space is provided egress

requirements shall conform to the appropriate requirements for rooms and suite of
roomsinsentence(1).
3.3.1.5 Thetotalminimumnumberofdoorwaysfromanyroomcontainingahighoccupantloadshall
bethesameasthenumberofexitsrequiredforafloorareahavingthesameoccupantloadas
determinedbyArticle3.4.2.4andsuchdoorwaysshallbeprovidedwithexitsignsasprescribed
inArticle3.4.6.1.
3.3.1.6 (1)Corridors:Theminimumwidthofeverypubliccorridorshallbe1.10m.

(2)
Except as provided in sentence 3.3.1.7 (1) the minimum unobstructed width of every
corridor used by public and every corridor serving classrooms or patients bedrooms
shallbe1.10m.

(3)
Where a public corridor, corridor used by the public or corridor serving classrooms or
patients bedrooms contains an occupancy, such occupancy shall not reduce the
unobstructedwidthofthecorridortolessthanitsrequiredwidth.

(4)
Theminimumheadroomclearanceofeverypubliccorridorandeverydoorwayinsuch
publiccorridorshallconformtoArticle3.4.3.5.

(5)
Every exit, public corridor, corridor providing access to exit for the public or serving
patients bedrooms or classrooms shall be equipped to provide illumination to an
average level of at least 53.8 lux at floor level and at all points such as angles and
intersectionsatchangesoflevelwheretherearestairsorramps.
3.3.1.7 (1)
Doors: Except as provided in sentence (4) every door that opens onto a corridor or
otherfacilitythatprovidesaccesstoexitfromaroomorsuiteofroomsshallswingona
verticalaxis,andwheresuchroomorsuiteofroomsisusedorintendedforanoccupant
load of more than 60persons or for a group of S or H occupancy, shall swing in the
directionofexittravel.

(2)
Everydoorthatdividesacorridorwheresuchcorridorisrequiredtobeseparatedfrom
theremainderofthefloorareabyseparatingwallshallswing onavertical axisin the
directionofexittravel.

(3)
Where sliding doors are provided in locations described in sentence (1), they shall be
designedandinstalledtoswingontheverticalaxisinthedirectionofexittravelwhen
pressureisapplied.Suchdoorsshallbeidentifiedasaswingingdoorbymeansofasign
ordecalaffixedtothedoor.
89
(4)
InGroupEoccupancy,aslidingdoormaybeusedasanaccesstoexitfromaroomor
suiteofroomswherepersonsareunderlegalrestraint,providedlocksareconnectedto
releasingdevicesoperatedfromaconstantlysupervisedcontrolstation.
3.3.1.8(1)
Everydoorthatopensonto,orislocatedwithinapubliccorridororotherfacilitythat
providesaccesstoexitfromaroomorsuiteofroomsoccupiedasasingletenancy,shall
(a) beatleast810mminwidthwherethereisonly1doorleaf;
(b) havenosingleleafinanymultipleleafdoorlessthan600mmormorethan1200mm
inwidth;
(c) notopenontoastep;and
(d) be readily openable without the use of keys in the direction of travel to an exit,
exceptthatthisrequirementdoesnotapplytodoorsofroomswherepersonsare
underlegalrestraint.
3.3.1.9 (1)
Exceptasprovidedin3.3.1.9(2),ramps,stairways,escalatorsandpassagewaysusedby
thepublicasaccesstoexitshallconformwiththerequirementsinsubsection3.4.8.
(2)
Curvedorspiralstairs
In a stairway not required as an exit, a curved or spiral stairway having treads with a
minimum average run of 200mm and having risers in conformance with 3.4.8.6 (1) is
permitted.
3.3.1.10(1)
TheCapacityofaccesstoexits
Thecapacityofanypublicaccesstoexitshallbebasedontheoccupantloadofthefloor
area served and be computed on the basis of the following maximum number of
persons per unit width as determined by the method for computing exit width in
3.4.3.2.
(a) Exceptasprovidedin(c),doorways,corridorsandpassagewaysshallbeassumedto
accommodatenotmorethan90personsperunitofexitwidth(550mm).
(b) Except as provided in (c), stairways, ramps and escalators shall be assumed to
accommodatenotmorethan60personsperunitofexitwidth(550mm)and
(c) Accesstoexitfromafloorareaintendedforthetreatmentorcareofinfirmpersons
shallbeassumedtoaccommodatenotmorethan30personsperunitofexitwidth
(550mm).
90
3.3.1.11 Flamespreadratingincorridors
(1) Thesurfaceofawallorceilingofanypubliccorridororcorridorservingclassrooms,or

patientsbedrooms,shallhaveaflamespreadratingofaclassnotlowerthanClass0

(seesubsection3.2.11).

(2) Whereapubliccorridor,acorridorusedbythepublicoracorridorservingclassrooms
orpatientsbedroomcontainsanoccupancy,theinteriorfinishmaterialsusedonwalls
or ceilings of such occupancy shall have a flamespread rating in conformance with
3.3.1.11(1).
3.3.1.12 Guards
(1)Aguardatleast1050mminheightshallbeprovided:
(a) Aroundeachrooftowhichaccessisprovidedforotherthanmaintenance;
(b) At each raised floor, mezzanines, balcony, gallery and other locations where the
differenceinfloorelevationsisgreaterthan600mm.
(2)Heightofguards:Theheightofguardsonstairsusedbythepublicbutnotformingpartof
arequiredexitshallbenotlessthan900mmmeasuredverticallytothetopoftheguard
fromalinedrawnthroughtheoutsideedgesofthestairnosingsand1050mmaround
landings.

(3) Except as provided in 3.3.1.12(2), the size of any opening through a required guard
servingaroom,stairwayorspacetowhichthepublicisadmittedorservinganexterior
balconyshallbesuchastopreventthepassageofasphericalobjecthavingadiameter
of100mminresidentialoccupanciesand200mminotheroccupanciesunlessitcanbe
showntothesatisfactionoftheauthorityhavingjurisdictionthatthelocationandsize
ofopeningsthatexceedtheselimitsdonotpresentahazardouscondition.
3.3.1.13
TransparentdoorwaysandPanels
(1) Except as provided in 3.3.1.13 (3), every glass or transparent door accessible to the
publicshallbedesignedandconstructedsothattheexistenceandpositionofsuchdoor
is readily apparent by attaching thereto nontransparent hardware, bare or other
permanentfixtures,andwhenconstructedofglassshallbeconstructedofwiredglassor
safetyglassconformingtoPart7ofthecode.

(2) Except as provided in 3.3.1.13 (3) transparent panels used in an access to exit which
becauseoftheirphysicalconfigurationordesigncouldbemistakenasameansofegress
shallbemadeinaccessibletooccupantsbybarriersorrailings.

(3) Sliding glass partitions which separate a public corridor or wall from an adjacent
occupancy and which are open during normal working hours need not conform to
3.3.1.13(1)and(2)exceptthatsuchpartitionsshallbesuitablymarkedtoindicatetheir
existenceandposition.
91
(4)
Glassindoorsandsidelightsthatcouldbemistakenfordoorswithinorattheentrance
todwellingunitsandinpublicareasshallconformtotherequirementsofPart7ofthis
Code.
3.3.1.14 ExhaustVentilationRequired
(1) Everybuildingorpartofabuildinginwhichtheremaybeormaydevelop,byreasonofuse
ofoccupancy,dust,fumes,gases,vapourorothervariousimpuritiesorcontaminantsthat
may create a fire or an explosion hazard shall be provided with an exhaust ventilation
systemofapproveddesign.

(2) Whensubstancesorconditionsthatmaycreateanexplosionhazardarepresentasthe
resultoftheprincipaluseofbuildingspace,suchspaceshallbeprovidedwithapproved
explosion relief devices and vents or other protective measures shall be taken which
conformstogoodengineeringpractice.

(3) Allexplosionreliefdevicesshallbeofanapprovedtype.
3.3.1.15 (1) Exceptasprovidedin3.3.1.15(2)andasotherwiserequiredinthispartofthecode,the

portions of a floor area or mezzanine that do not terminate at an exterior wall, a
compartmentwalloraverticalshaft,shallterminateataverticalfireseparationhaving
a fireresistance rating at least equal to that required for the floor assembly that
terminatesattheseparation.

(2) Amezzanineneednotterminateataverticalfireseparationwherethemezzanine:
(a) ServesaGroupFmajoroccupancy
(b) Isnotconsideredasastoreyincalculatingbuildingheightprovidedthemezzanine
doesnotexceed460m2inareaanddoesnotcontainaGroupEoccupancy.
3.3.2 ResidentialOccupancy
3.3.2.1 Scope:Thissubsectionappliestofloorareasorpartsthereofusedorintendedforuseas

residentialoccupancies.
3.3.2.1 (1) Sleepingroomsoccupiedseparatelyandnotassuites,andsuitesordwellingunitsin

hotelsandotherresidentialbuildings,shallbeseparatedfromadjacentrooms,suitesand
public corridors by a fire separation having a fireresistance rating of at least 1hour
except that a hour fire resistance rating is permitted if the floor assembly is not
requiredtoexceedhourfireresistancerating(SeeTable3.2.4A).

(2) Exceptforhotelsandmotels,adooropeningontoapubliccorridorwhichprovidesaccess
toexitfromindividuallyrentedrooms,suiteofroomsordwellingunitsshallbedesigned
nottolookautomatically.
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(3) Trunk rooms and storage rooms for the use of tenants of residential occupancies not
formingpartofanindividualdwellingunitorsleepingroomoccupiedseparatelyandnot
as a suite shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 1hour separation,
exceptthatahourfireseparationispermittedwherethefireresistanceratingofthe
floorassemblyisnotrequiredtoexceedhour.
(4) Exceptasprovidedin(5)everydwellingunitcontainingmorethan1storeyshallhavean
exit or public access to exit from the uppermost storey and the lowest storey of the
dwellingunit.
(5) Asingleexitispermittedformadwellingunitwheretheuppermostfloorlevelisnotmore
than4.5mabovethefloorleveladjacenttotheexitprovidedsuchexitisanexteriordoor
leadingdirectlyfromastoreyofthedwellingunitatorneargroundlevel.
3.3.2.2(1)
(2)
3.3.2.3
In buildings of residential occupancy and not more than 3 storeys in building height, a
doorway from a habitable room is permitted to open directly into an exit stairway
providedtheprovisionsof3.2.11.4(3)arecompliedwith.
Adoorwayfromadwellingunitmayopenontoaninteriorcorridorservedbyasingleexit,
oranexteriorbalconyservedbyasingleexitstairway,providedeachdwellingunithasa
secondandseparatemeansofegress.
FlameSpreadRating:Interiorfinishmaterialusedonthewallorceilingofeveryroomor
space used or intended to be used for residential occupancy shall have a flamespread
ratingcomplyingwiththeprovisionsof3.2.13.
3.3.2.4 DeadendCorridors:Exceptforcorridorsservedbyasingleexitasdescribedin3.3.2.2(2)a
deadend public corridor is permitted only if it does not exceed 6m in length measured
fromtheendofthecorridortothenearestexit.Suchdeadendcorridorsshallcontainno
door openings except entrance doors to individually rented rooms, suite of rooms or
dwellingunitslocatedsothatitisnotnecessarytopassmorethan2doorsintravellingto
thenearestexit.
3.3.2.5 Partitionswithindwellingunits
(1) Ineverybuildingrequiredtobeofnoncombustibleconstruction,partitionsof
combustibleconstructionasdescribedin3.3.2.5(2)maybeusedwithindwellingunits.
(2) Partitionsofcombustibleconstructionreferredtoin3.3.2.5(1)shallbelimitedtowood
studscoveredonbothsidesbynoncombustiblecladdingorgypsumwallboardexcept
thatsuchcladdingorwallboardmaybecoveredwithpaint.
(3) Storagelockersinstorageroomssharedbymorethan1tenantmaybeconstructedof
woodinbuildingrequiredtobeofnoncombustibleconstruction.
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3.3.2.6

3.3.2.7

SecondControl:Wallsandfloorsseparatingdwellingunitsshallbedesignedand
constructedtorestrictsoundtransmissioninconformancewithPart7ofthisCode.
Guards:Guardsaroundbalconiesinbuildingofresidentialoccupancyshallbedesignedso
thatnomember,attachmentoropeninglocatedbetween100mmand900mmabovethe
balconywillfacilitateclimbing.
3.3.3 InstitutionalOccupancy

institutionaloccupancies.
3.3.3.2 (1) Exceptforsleepingroomsandpatientsbedroomswithinasuite,sleepingroomsand

patientsbedroomsshallbeseparatedfromadjacentroomsorsuitesbyafireseparating
havingafireresistanceratingofatleast1hour.

(2) Except for corridors within suites, corridors used by the public or serving patients
bedroomsorsleepingroomsshall:
(a) Be separated from the adjacent rooms or suites by a fire separation having a fire
ratingasrequiredin3.3.3.2(1).
(b) HavingsurfacefinisheswithaflamespreadratingconformingtoTable3.2.13A.
(2) Accesstoexitfromaroomorsuitemaybebyadeadendcorridorprovidedtheroomor
suitehasasecondandseparatemeansofegress.
3.3.3.3Thefireseparationrequiredbetweeninstitutionaloccupancy(GroupC)andarepairgarage
shallhavenoopenings.
3.3.3.4 Flamespreadrating:Theinteriorfinishofwallsandceilingsshallhaveaflamespreadrating
conformingtotheprovisionsofsubsection3.2.13.
3.3.3.5 SeparatedZonesinFloorAreas
(1) Everyfloorareausedorintendedtobeusedforpatientsinbedorinformpersonsshallbe
dividedinto2ormorezonesseparatedbyafireseparationinsuchamannerthatthe
occupantsineveryzonehaveaccessto2exitseitherdirectlyorthroughadjacentzones.

(2) Fireseparationsbetweenzonesshallhaveafireresistanceratingofatleast1hour.

(3) Doors acting as closures in fire separations between zones shall be designed and
installedtoretardthepassageofsmoke.
94
(4) Everyzoneshallaccommodate,inadditiontoitsownoccupants,theoccupantsofthe
largestadjacentzoneinafloorareadeterminedbytherequirementsforhorizontalexits
insubsection3.4.
(5) The travel distance from any point within each zone to an adjacent zone shall not
exceed30m.
3.3.3.6 Corridors
(1) Everycorridorinwhichitisnecessarytomovepatientsinbedsshallbeatleast2.4mwide.

(2) Paireddoorsincorridorsshall:
(a) swinginoppositedirections,therighthanddoorswinginginthedirectionoftravel;
and
(b) beatleast1.1mwideand2.1mhightopermitmovementofbeds.
3.3.4 BusinessandPersonalServicesOccupancy

businessandpersonalservicesoccupancies.
3.3.4.1 (1)Partitions:Ineverybuildingrequiredtobeofnoncombustibleconstruction,partitionsof

combustibleconstructionasdescribedin(2)maybeusedwithinfloorareasusedorintendedto

beusedforabusinessorpersonalservicesoccupancywherethepartitionsarenotrequired

toactasfireseparations.
(a) wherethefloorareaissprinklered;or
(b) within spaces having an area not more than 1000m2 where such spaces are
separatedfromtheremainderofthefloorareabyatleast1hourfireseparationof
noncombustibleconstruction.

(2)Partitionsofcombustibleconstructionreferredtoin(1)shallbelimitedto:
(a) wood studs covered on both sides by noncombustible cladding or gypsum wall
board,exceptthatsuchcladdingorwallboardmaybecoveredwithpaint;
(b) glassinwoodsash;or
(c) solidlumbernotlessthan50mmthickness.
3.3.4.3 FrameSpreadRating:Interiorfinishmaterialusedonthewallofeveryroomorspaceusedor

intendedtobeusedforbusinessandpersonalservicesoccupancyshallbeofClass0.
3.3.4.4 DeadendpubliccorridorsarepermittedinGroupBoccupanciesprovidedtheareas

servedbythecorridorhaveasecondandseparatemeansofegressorprovided:
95
(a) theoccupantloadservedbythedeadendcorridordoesnotexceed30persons;
(b) door openings other than entrance doors to individually rental rooms or suites are
not,locatedinthedeadendportionthatservesasaccesstoexit;
(c) the travel distance from the most remote point of the deadend portion to the
nearestexitdoesnotexceed9minlength;
(d) the doors in the deadend portions are located so that it is not necessary to pass
morethan2doorsintravellingtothenearestexitand;
(e) thedoorsinthedeadendportionsarewithselfclosingdevicesanddesignednotto
lockautomatically.
3.3.5 MercantileOccupancy

mercantileoccupancies.
3.3.5.2 Partitions
(1) In every building required to be of noncombustible construction, partitions of
combustible construction asdescribed in(2) maybeusedwithinfloorareasintendedfor
mercantileoccupancywherethepartitionsarenotrequiredtoactasfireseparations:
(a) wherethefloorareaissprinklered;or
(b) where a floor area comprising a single tenancy does not exceed 1000m2 and is
enclosedbya1hourfireseparationofnoncombustibleconstruction.

(2) Partitionsofcombustibleconstructionreferredtoin(1)shallbelimitedto:
(a) woodstudscoveredonbothsidesbynoncombustiblecladdingorgypsumwallboard
exceptthatsuchcladdingorwallboardmaybecoveredwithpaint;
(b) glassinwoodsash;or
(c) solidlumbernotlessthan50mmnominalthickness.
3.3.5.3 FlameSpreadRating:Interiorfinishusedonthewallorceilingofeveryroomorspaceusedor

intendedtobeusedformercantileoccupancyshallhaveaflamespreadratingofClass0.
3.3.5.4 PostsorTurnstiles:Inanymercantileoccupancynoobstructionssuchaspostsorturnstiles

shallbeplacedsoastorestrictthewidthofanormalmeansofegressfromafloorareaorpart

ofafloorareatolessthan750mmunlessanalternativemeansofegressisprovidedadjacent

toandisplainlyvisiblefromtherestrictedegress.
3.3.5.5 Deadendpubliccorridorsarepermittedinmercantileoccupanciesprovidedtheareasserved
bysuchcorridorshaveasecondandseparatemeansofegress.
96
3.3.6 Factory(Industrial)Occupancy

industrialoccupancies.
3.3.6.2 FireSeparation:Everyprocessroomwherehazardoussubstancesareusedorintendedtobe

usedshallbeseparatedfromtheremainderofthebuildingbya2hourfireseparation.The

authorityhavingjurisdictionmaywaivetherequirementforsuchseparationwhereapproved

fireextinguishingequipmentisinstalled.
3.3.6.3Spacesbelowgrade:
(1)Basementsorcellarsshallnotbeusedforthestorage,manufactureorhandlingofvolatile

solids,liquidsorgasesthatgenerateexplosiveairvapourmixturesorforprocessesthat

involveexplosivedusts.

(2) Entrances and exists to basements cellars and rooms containing building services in
buildings involving the storage, manufacture or handling of volatile materials that
generateexplosiveairvapourmixturesorprocessesthatproduceexplosivedustsshallbe
separatedformtheotherpartsofthebuilding.Suchbasements,cellarsandroomsshall
beseparatedfromotherpartsofthebuildingwithavapourtightseparation.
3.3.6.4ExteriorWallOpenings: WhereanystoreyofabuildingclassifiedasGroupSorHmajor
occupancyisrequiredtobeseparatedfromthestoreyaboveorbelowafireseparation,every
openinginanexteriorwalllocatedverticallyaboveanotheropeningshallbeseparatedbyapron
orspandrelwallsatleast90mminheightorbyacanopyatleast90mmwideateachfloorlevel
andsuchapron,spandrelorcanopyshallhaveafireresistanceratingequivalenttothe
constructionrequiredforthefloorassemblyandneednotbegreaterthan1hour.
3.3.6.5 FlameSpreadRating:Interiorfinishmaterialusedonthewallorceilingofeveryroomorspace
usedorintendedtobeusedforindustrialoccupancyshallhaveaflamespreadratingofClass0.
3.3.6.6 Garages

(1) Whereaccessisprovidedfromastoragegaragetoastairtowerorelevatorlobbyserving
occupanciesabovethelevelofastoragegarage,suchaccessshallbethroughavestibule
conformingto3.3.6.6(13).

(2) Mechanical storage garages of not more than 4 storeys in building height where no
persons other than parking attendants are permitted above street floor level, need not
haveafireseparationbetweenexitsandtheremainderofthebuilding.

(3) Everygarageshallbeprovidedwithnaturalormechanicalventilationinconformancewith
subsection3.5.3topreventexcessiveaccumulationofcarbonmonoxide,exhaustfumesor
flammableandtoxicvapours.

(4) Theclearheightofeverystoreyinastoragegarageshallbeatleast1.95m.
97
(5)
Acontinuouscurbatleast150mminheightandaguardatleast1050mminheightshall
be provided at every floor opening and around the perimeter of every floor where the
exteriorwallsareomitted.
(6) The floor finish of every garage shall be of noncombustible material, asphalt or other
approvedmaterial.
(7) Only 3 exists located remote from each other need be provided in storage garages
providedpersonsotherthanattendantsarenotpermittedabovethestreetfloorlevel.
(8) Exceptforabasementinwhichthefloorlevelisnotmorethan900mmbelowgrade,orin
whichatleast25percentofthetotalareaoftheperimeterwallsoneachstoreyisopen
to the outdoors and distributed to provide cross ventilation, every storey of a storage
garageorrepairgaragelocatedbelowgradeshallbe.
(9)Repairgarages:Arepairgarageshallbeseparatedfromotheroccupanciesbyatleast2
hourfireseparation.
(10)Storagegarages:Astoragegarageshallbeseparatedfromotheroccupanciesbyatleasta1

hourfireseparation.
(11)VestibuleRequired:Whereaccessisprovidedthroughafireseparationbetweenastorage

garageandaGroupEorgroupAoccupancy,suchaccessshallbethroughavestibule

conformingto3.3.6.6(13).
(12)Inbuildingsexceeding3storeysinbuildingheightwhereaccessisprovidedthroughafire
separationbetweenastoragegarageandaGroupRoraGroupAoccupancysuchaccess
shallbethoroughavestibuleconformingto3.3.6.6.(13).
(13)VestibuleRequirements:Whereaccessisprovidedthroughavestibuleasrequiredin
sentences(1),(11),and(12),thevestibuleshall:
(a) beatleast1.8minlength;
(b) naturallyventilatedtooutsideairinanapprovedmanner,ormechanicallyventilated
attheraterequiredbyarticle3.5.3.3.;
(c) have the openings between the vestibule and or adjoining occupancy provided with
selfclosingdoorshavingnoholdopendevices.
3.3.6.7 DispensingofPetrol
(1) Facilitiesforthedispensingofpetrolshallnotbeinstalledaboveanyspaceintendedfor
occupancy.

(2) Facilitiesforthedispensingofpetrolshallnotbeinstalledinanybuildingexceptthatthis
requirement does not apply to a canopy which is open on at least 75 percent of its
perimeter,or,whenapproved,toabuildingofGroupAoccupancy.
98
3.3.6.8
Rooms or spaces involving the use of explosive substances shall be ventilated in

conformancewith3.3.1.14.
3.3.6.9 (1)

Accesstoexitfromaroomorsuiteofroomscontaininganindustrialoccupancywithan
occupancyloadofmorethan30personsorahighhazardindustrialoccupancyshallnotbe
throughadeadendcorridorunlessthereisasecondandseparatemeansofegress.
3.3.7 AssemblyOccupancy
3.3.7.1
Scope:Thissubsectionappliestofloorareasorpartsthereofusedorintendedforuseas
assemblyoccupancies.
3.3.7.2 Fireseparationrequired

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, different occupancies of the same
occupancyclassification,anyoneofwhichhasanoccupantloadexceeding200persons,
shallbeseparatedfromeachotherbyafireseparationhavingafireresistanceofatleast
1hourexceptthatafireseparationhavingafireresistanceratingofhourmaybeused
wherethefloorassemblyisnotrequiredtohaveafireresistanceratinggreaterthan
hour.

(2) Where usable space exists under tiers of seats in arenatype buildings, a hour fire
separation shall be provided between such space and the seats or the space shall be
sprinklered.

(3) Anassemblyoccupancyshallbeseparatedfromagaragebyafireseparationconforming
to3.3.6.6.
3.3.7.3 FlameSpreadRating:Interiorfinishmaterialsusedonthewallorceilingofaroomorspace
intendedforassemblypurposesshallhaveaflamespreadratingofClass0.
3.3.7.4 FixedSeats
(1) Except for benchtype seats as provided in 3.3.7.9; 3.3.7.11 and 3.3.7.12, in places of
assemblywithfixedseats,suchseatsshallbe:
(a) attachedorsecuredtothefloor,platformorplatformriser;
(b) providedwitharmsandback;and
(c) arranged in rows having an unobstructed passage of at least 400mm measured
horizontally between plumb lines from the backs of the seats in one row and the
edges of the furthest forward projection of the seats in the next row in the
unoccupiedposition.
(2) Aislesonthemainfloorandinthebalconiesandgalleriesshallbelocatedsothatthereare
notmorethan7seatsbetweenanyseatandthenearestaisle,exceptwhere:
99
(a) a door or doorway leading directly to an access exit is provided for every 3 row of
seatsinwhichcasesuchdoorsordoorwaysneednotbeprovidedwithexitsigns;and
(b)thenumberofseatsinarowdoesnotexceed100.
(3) Seating arrangements that do not conform to the requirements of 3.3.7.4 (2) may be
approvedprovidedthestandardofsafetyisnotreducedandthetimerequiredforegress
isnotincreased.
3.3.7.5 Aisles

(1) Exceptasrequiredin3.3.7.9,3.3.7.11and3.3.7.12aislesleadingtoexitsshallbeprovided
inplacesofassemblywhichcontainfixedseatsinconformancewith3.3.7.5(2)and3.3.7.5
(9).

(2) The minimum clear width of aisle shall not be less than 1100mm except that the width
maybereducedtonotlessthan:
(a) 750mmwhenserving60seatsorfewer,and
(b) 900mmwhenservingseatson1sideonly.
(3) Except in the case of bleacher seats, the minimum clear width of aisles referred to in
3.3.7.5(2) shall be measured at the point farthest from an exit, cross aisle or foyer and
shallbeincreasedinwidth38mmforeach1.5minlengthtowardtheexit,crossaisleor
foyer.
(4) Aislesshallterminateinacrossaisle,foyerorexit,andthewidthofsuchcrossaisle,foyer
orexitshallbeatleasttherequiredwidthofthewidestaisleplus50percentofthetotal
requiredwidthoftheremainingaislethatitserves.
(5) Deadendaislesshallbenotmorethan6minlength.
(6) Thelengthoftraveltoanexitdoorbyanaisleshallnotbelongerthan45m.
(7)
Sideaislesshallbeatleast1100mmwidewhenseatingisprovidedinconformancewith
3.3.7.4(2)(a)and(b)
(8) Thefloorofeveryaisleshallhaveagradientofnotmorethan1to8.
(9) Stepsshallnotbeplacedinanyaisleunlessthegradientwouldexceed1to8;suchsteps
shallconformtothefollowingrequirements:
(a) the passageway between rows of seats shall be level at right angles to the line of
travel;
(b) theriserheightshallbe115mm;
100
(c) theriserheightshallnotexceed200mmwherenotmorethan1riserisusedbetween
adjacent seating platforms and shall not exceed 200mm where more than 1 riser is
used;
(d) wherevariationsinriserheightoccur;
(i) theheightsofadjacentrisersshallnotvarymorethan6mm;and
(ii) treadsoranypartofaplatformshallextendatleast425mm.
(e) thewidthofstairtreadsbetweenplatformshallconformtoArticle3.4.8.7;
(f) aisle platform where they extend at least 425mm in the direction of exit travel may
slope6mmin300mm;
(g) an unobstructed platform at least 800mm square shall be provided adjacent to an

aislewhereastepisusedattheentrytorowofseats;and
(h) the location of every riser is made apparent from both directions of travel by
strategicallyplacedlight,contrastingmarkingstripesorotherapprovedmethods.
3.3.7.6 (1)
Corridorsusedbythepublicinassemblyoccupanciesorservingclassroomsasaccessto
existsshall:
(a) be separated from the remainder of the building by a fireseparation having a fire
resistanceratingofnotlessthan1hourexceptthat;
(i) thefireresistanceneed notbegreaterthan hourwhere thefloorassemblyis

permittedtohaveahourfireresistancerating;
(b) have surface finishes with flame spread rating conforming to the requirements in
3.3.1.11(1)forpubliccorridors.
(2)
3.3.7.7 (1)
(2)
3.3.7.8
Accesstoexitusedbythepublicorwhichserveclassroomsinassemblyoccupanciesmay
be by a deadend corridor provided the areas served by the deadend corridor have a
secondandseparatemeansofegress.
Everydoorinaprincipalaccesstoexitfromaroom,suiteofroomsorfloorareaofGroup
A occupancy containing an occupant load of more than 100 persons shall be equipped
withanapprovedhardwarethatwillreleaseandallowthedoortoswingwideopenwhen
aforceof90Nisappliedtothedeviceinthedirectionofthetraveltotheexit.
A door between a corridor and adjacent classrooms providing access to exit from the
classroomsneednotbeequippedwithaselfclosingdevicewherethebuildingdoesnot
exceed3storeysinbuildingheight.
Accesstoexitfromaroomorsuiteofroomsofassemblyoccupancyshallnotbethrougha
deadendcorridorunlessthereisasecondandseparatemeansofegressfromtheroom
orsuiteofrooms.
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3.3.7.9
(1)
Fixedbenchtypeseatswithoutarms
Wherefixedbenchtypeseatswithoutarmsareprovidedtheseatswidthperpersonshall
beassumedtobe450mm.
(2) The centretocentre spacing between rows of benchtype seats shall be at least 75mm
wherebackrestsareprovidedandatleast550mmwherebackrestsarenotprovided.
(3)
Thereshallbeaspaceofatleast300mmbetweenthebackofeachseatandthefrontof
theseatimmediatelybehindit.
(4) Exceptasprovidedin3.3.7.4(2)aislesshallbelocatedsothattherearenotmorethan7
seatswithbacksor20seatswithoutbacksbetweeneveryseatandthenearestaisle.
(5) Thewidthofeveryaisleservingbenchtypeseatshallconformto3.3.7.5.
(6) Stepsshallnotbeplacedinanyaisleunlessthegradientwouldexceed1to8;suchsteps
needtohavehandrailswhentheadjacentseatingisonthesamelevel.
(7) Seating arrangements that do not conform to the requirements in this Article may be
approvedprovidedthestandardofsafetyisnotreducedandthetimerequiredforegress
isnotincreased.
3.3.7.10
(1)
HeightofGuards
Except as required in 3.3.7.10 (2) to (4) for bleacher seats, guards shall be installed in
outdoorplacesofassemblywithfixedseatssothat:
(a) atthefasciaofeverybox,balconyorgallerywheretheseatsextendtotheedge,the
height of guards is at least 250mm in front of the seats and at least 900mm when
locatedattheendoftheaislesoratthefootofsteps;
(b) theheightorguardsalongeverycrossaisleotherthanthoseadjacenttothefasciaof
everybox,balconyorgalleryisatleast650mmexceptthatsuchguardsneednotbe
provided where the backs of the seats along the front side of the aisle are at least
600mmabovetheflooroftheaisle;and
(c) where the seating is arranged in successive tiers and the height of rise between
platforms exceeds 450mm, the height of guards is at least 650mm along the entire
rowofseatsattheedgeoftheplatform.
(2)
Thebacksandendsofbleacherseatsmorethan1.2mabovethegroundorfloorthatare
notadjacenttoawallshallbeprotectedwithaguard:
(a) atleast1.05minheightaboveanadjacentaislesurfaceoffootrest;and
(b) atleast0.9minheightabovethecentreofanadjacentseatboard.
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(3)

(4)

3.3.7.11
(1)
If the front of a bleacher is more than 600mm above the ground or floor, it shall be
protectedwithaguardatleast830mminheightabovethefrontfootrest.
Thesizeofanyopeninginaguardrequiredin(2)and(3)shallbesuchastopreventthe
passageofasphericalobjectmorethan300mminsize.
OutdoorPlacesofAssembly
Any outdoor places of assembly and each tier or balcony thereof that has a capacity of
morethan:
(a) 1000personsshallhaveatleast3separateexits,or
(b) 4000personsshallhaveatleast4separateexits.
(2)
In every outdoor place of assembly, every seat shall be located so that the travel
distancedoesnotexceed45mmeasuredalongthepathoftravelfromtheseatto:
(a) theground,
(b) anexit,
(c) anopeningtoapassagewayleadingfromtheseatingarea,or
(d) anopeningthroughtheseatingdeckstructuresuchasaportalorvomitory.
(3)Exitsfromoutdoorstadiaorgrandstandsshallbelocatednotmorethan22.5mapart.
(4)Thecapacityofmeansofegressforoutdoorplacesofassemblyshallbebasedon:
(a) 1unitofexitwidthforeach300personsfor:
(i)aisles,
(ii)stairsotherthanexitstairs,and
(iii)rampsandlevelpassagewaysinvomitoriesandinexits,and
(b)1unitofexitwidthforeach225personsforexitstairs.
(5)Aisleinoutdoorplacesofassembly:
(a)shallbelocatedsothattherearenotmorethan20seatsbetweenanyseatandthe
nearestaisle.
(b)shallbeatleast1.2minwidthexceptthatanaisleservingfewerthan60personsmay
be0.75minwidth,and
(c)shallnothavestepsunlessthegradientoftheaislewouldexceed1in8.
103
(6)Exceptasprovidedin3.3.7.12(1)and(2)wherestepsareprovidedinaisles,suchsteps
shall:
(a) extendthefullwidthoftheaisles,
(b) haverisersnotexceeding230mminheight,and
(c) havetreadswitharunofatleast250mm.
3.3.7.12 Bleachers
(1) Wherestepsareprovidedinaislesofbleachersofthetelescopictypesuchstepsshall:
(a) haverisersnotexceeding250mm,and
(b) haveriserswitharunofatleast275mm.
(2) When the vertical distance between seating platforms in bleachers exceeds 275mm, an
intermediate step shall be provided the full width of the aisle, and proportioned to
provide2equalrisersbetweenplatformsandwhentheverticaldistancebetweenseating
platforms exceeds 450mm, 2 intermediate steps shall be provided the full width of the
aislesothatthereare3equalrisersbetweenplatforms.
(3) Where the passageway between rows of seats is not a closed deck, footboards shall be
providedsothat:
(a) the total width of the footboards shall be not less than of the centretocentre
spacingbetweenrowsofseats,and
(b) thespacingbetweenfootboardmembersshallnotexceed25mm.
3.3.7.13 Libraries
(1) Whereabookstorageroominalibraryexceeds232.3m2inarea,orwherethebookstacks
exceeds9minheightorpenetratemorethan1storey:
(a) thebookstorageroomshallbeseparatedfromtheremainderofthebuildingbya2
hourfireseparation,or
(b) thebuildingshallbesprinklered.
(2) Openbookshelvesarepermittedaboveandbelowamezzaninefloor,inalibrarybuilding
providedtheheightofsuchbookshelvesisnotmorethan2.10mor75percentofthefloor
toceilingheightofthespaceaboveorbelowthemezzaninefloorassembly.
3.3.7.14 StagesfortheatricalPerformance
(1) Structuralmemberssupportingthefloorofanystagefortheatricalperformancesshallbe
of noncombustible construction unless the building is permitted to be of combustible
construction.
104
(2)A 1hour fire separation shall be provided between every stage for theatrical
performancesandancillaryspaces,suchasworkshops,dressingroomsandstorageareas.
(3) Every stage for theatrical performance and ancillary spaces, such as work storage and
dressingrooms,shallbeseparatedfromtheaudiencespacebya1hourfireseparation,
exceptforaprosceniumopeningwhichshallbeprotectedwithanapproved:
(a) unframedasbestosfirecurtainwhentheopeningdoesnotexceed18.29minwidth,or
(b) semirigidasbestosfirecurtainwhentheopeningismorethan18.29minwidth.
(4) Every cement pulp asbestos curtain as required by (3) shall be operated manually by
remotecontroldevices,oneonthestagecontrolpanelandoneoneachsideofthestage.
(5) Atleast2ventsforthepurposeofventingfireandsmoketotheoutsideofabuildingshall
be provided above every stage designed for theatrical performances and shall have an
aggregateareaofatleast1/8oftheareaofthestagebehindtheprosceniumopening;
(a) where any requirement of (1) to (5) is incompatible with the function of the stage,
other fire safety measures may be substituted provided the authority having
jurisdictionissatisfiedthatthestandardofsafetyisnotreduced.
3.3.7.15 MotionPictureProjectionRooms
(1) Thispartofthecodedoesnotapplytoportablemotionpictureprojectors.
(2) Except as provided in (1), every motion picture projector, together with all associated
electrical devices, shall be operated within a projection room separated from the
remainderofthebuildingbyafireseparationhavingafireresistanceratingofatleast1
hour.
(3)Aclearspaceofatleast750mmshallbeprovidedbehindprojectionequipmentinevery
projectionroom.
(4)Everyprojectionroomshallhaveatleast2doorwayswithdimensionsatleast750mmin
width and 2.03m in height. Such doorways shall be separated by at least 1/3 of the
perimeteroftheroomandshallleadtoanaccesstoexit.
(5) Doors installed in projection rooms shall be equipped with selfclosing devices and shall
openoutward.
(6)Everyprojectionroomshallbeequippedwithexhaustventilationofsufficientcapacityto
provide6airchargesperhourandshallbedesignedinconformancewithgoodpractice.
(7) Every shelf, fixture and major item of fixed equipment in a projection room shall be
constructedofnoncombustiblematerials.
105
3.4
REQUIREMENTSFOREXITS
3.4.1
GeneralRequirements
3.4.1.1(1) Scope:Exitfacilitiescomplyingwiththissectionshallbeprovidedtoapublicthoroughfare
or toanapprovedopenspacewithaccesstoapublicthoroughfarefromeveryfloorarea
whichisintendedforoccupancy.
(2) Wheremorethan1exitisrequiredfromafloorarea,eachexitshallbeseparatedfrom
everyotherexitleadingfromthatfloorarea.
(3)AccesstoexitsshallconformtoSection3.3.
3.4.1.2 (1) Unlessotherwiseindicated,therequirementsofthissectionshallapplytonew
construction.
(2)Wherealterationsaremadeorchangesofoccupancyoccurinanexistingbuilding:
(a) exists shall conform to this Part, except that the authority having jurisdiction may
permit other arrangements when in his opinion safety to life is not unduly
endangered;and
(b) theauthorityhavingjurisdictionmayrequireanydeficiencyinexitstobecorrected,
and may permit fire escapes as described in 3.4.8.14 for this purpose provided such
fireescapesservefloorareas.
(i)notmorethan2storeysabovegroundlevelinGroupBoccupancies,and
(ii)notmorethan5storeysabovegroundlevelforoccupanciesotherthanGroupB.
3.4.1.3 TypesofExits:Subjecttotherequirementsofthissection,anexitfromanyfloorareashallbe
oneofthefollowing,usedsinglyorincombination:
escalatorthatiscapableofmovingonlyinthedirectionofexittravel
exteriordoorway
exteriorpassageway
exteriorramp
exteriorstairway
fireescape
interiorpassageway
interiorramp
interiorstairway
movingwalkwaythatiscapableofmovingonlyinthedirectionofexittravel
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3.4.1.4
RestrictedUseofExits
(1)Ahorizontalexitshallnotbepermittedasarequiredexitfromaroomorfloorareahaving
ahighoccupantload.
(2) Horizontalexitsshallnotcomprisemorethanoftherequirednumberofexitsfromany
floorarea.
(3)Afireescape(emergencyescaperoute)shallnotbeerectedonanynewbuilding.
(4)Afireescape(emergencyescaperoute)shallnotbeerectedonanexistingbuildingunless
it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the authority having jurisdiction that it is
impracticabletoprovideoneormoreoftheexitfacilitiesin3.2.14.
(5) Glass and transparent door assemblies accessible to the public, transparent panels, side
lightsandwindowsinexits,glassinexitdoorsandsidelightsfordoors,withinandat the
entrancetodwellingunitsshallconformtotherequirementsin3.3.1.13forsuchassemblies
inaccessexits.
3.4.2
NumberandLocationofExitsfromFloorAreas
3.4.2.1
(1) MinimumNumberRequired:Exceptasprovidedin(2)andin3.3.2.1(5),everyfloorarea
asregulatedin3.4.1.1shallbeservedbynotfewerthan2exits.
(2)Exceptfordwellingunitsfloorareasdesignedforanoccupantloadofnotmorethan60
persons in buildings not exceeding 2 storeys in building height may be served by 1 exit
providedthefloorarearequirementsconformtoTable3.4.2A.
(3)Forthepurposeofthissubsection,traveldistancemeansthedistancefromanypointin
thefloorareatoanexitmeasuredalongthepathofexittravel,exceptthatwhenafloor
area issubdivided into suites of rooms or rooms within suites and served by a corridor
requiredtoprovideafireseparationfromsuchadjacentroomsorsuitesofroomsorbyan
exteriorpassageway,thetraveldistanceshallbemeasuredfromthedoorofsuchrooms
orsuitestothenearestexit.
(4)Exceptformezzanines,thatarenotenclosedandareofasizepermittedinTable3.3.1Ato
haveasingleegress,mezzaninesshallbeprovidewithexitsonthesamebasisasrequired
forfloorareasinthissection.
107
Table3.4.2A
Formingpartofsentence3.4.2.1(2)
OccupancyofFloorArea
MaximumFloorArea(m )
95(1)(2)
MaximumTravelDistance
15
E,I
70(1)
10
185
25
140
15
140
10
140
15
S,H
185
25
NotestoTable3.4.2A
(1)
Singleexitpermittedwhensuchexitisanexteriordoororneargroundlevel
(2)
Seesentence3.3.2.4fordwellingunits.
3.4.2.2 DistancebetweenExits
(1)Exceptwhereafloorareaisdividedbyafireseparationsothatit isnecessarytopass
throughittotravelfromoneexittoanotherexit,theleastdistancebetween2
requiredexitsfromafloorareashallbe:
(a)onehalfofthemaximumdiagonaldimensionofthefloorareabutneednotbemore
than9.1mforafloorareahavingapubliccorridorservingmorethan1tenant,or
(b)onehalfthemaximumdimensionofthefloorarea,butnotlessthan9.1mforallother
floorareas.
(2) The minimum distance between exits referred to in 3.4.2.2 (1) shall be the shortest
distance that smoke would have to travel between the required exits assuming that
smokewillnotpenetrateaninterveningfireseparation.
3.4.2.3 LocationofExits
(1) Wheremorethan1exitisrequiredfromafloorarea,suchexitsshallbelocatedsothat
thetraveldistancetoatleast1exitasdescribedin3.4.2.1(3)shallbenotmorethan:
(a) 22.9minanyGroupSorHoccupancy
108
(b) 45.8minanysprinkleredfloorareathatcontainsanoccupancyotherthanGroupSor
H
(c) 38.1minanyGroupBoccupancy,and
(d) 30.5minanyotheroccupancy
(2) ExceptforGroupSorHoccupancy,3.4.2.3(1)neednotapplyifexitsareplacedalongthe
perimeter of the floor area and are not more than 61.0m apart, measured along the
perimeterprovidedeachmainaisleinthefloorarealeadsdirectlytoanexit.
(3)Where more than 1 exit is required, every exit shall be considered as contributing not
morethantherequiredunitsofexitwidth.
(4)Exits shall be located and arranged so that they are clearly visible or their locations are
clearlyindicatedandtheyareaccessibleatalltimes.
(5)Whereanassemblyhallortheatrehasmorethan1balconyorgallery,everyexitstairor
rampleadingfromabalconyorgalleryabovethefirstbalconyshallbeseparatedfromany
otherstairwayandinaseparateenclosure.
3.4.2.4
Exceptasprovidedin3.3.7.11foroutdoorplacesofassembly,thenumberofexistsfrom
eachfloorareainwhichthereisahighoccupantloadshallconformtoTable3.4.2B.
Table3.4.2B
FormingpartofArticle3.4.2.4
TotalNumberofPersons
61600
MinimumNumberofExitsRequired
6911000
Over1000
109
3.4.2.4
Exitforcoveredmalls
(1) Everycoveredmallshall:
(a) be served by at least 2 exits located remote from each other, so that the travel
distancefromanypointwithinthecoveredmalltoamallexitdoesnotexceed61m,
and
(b) have an unobstructed pedestrian travel space at least 3.7m wide, parallel and
adjacenttoeachconnectedbuilding,andextendingtoeachmallexit.
(2) Exits from floor areas of portions of buildings considered as separate buildings which
adjoinacoveredmallshallnotcomprisemorethanoftherequiredunitsofexitwidth
fromthatfloorarea.
(3) Every required exit from a storey above a floor area adjoining a covered mall shall lead
directlytotheoutdoors.
(4)Requiredexitsfromacoveredmallshallnotemptyintoanothersuchcoveredmall.
3.4.3
WidthandHeightofExits
3.4.3.1
ExitWidth
(1) Theaggregatewidthofrequiredexitsshallbeatleastthevaluecomputedinaccordance
with3.4.3.2and3.4.3.3.
(2) Exceptasprovidedin3.4.3.1(3)to3.4.3.1(8)andin3.4.8.14(6),theclearwidthofevery
exitshallbeatleast910m.
(3)Theclearwidthofanycorridorusedasanexitshallbeatleast1.12m.
(4)Theclearwidthofanyexitservingpatientsinbedshallbeatleast1.12m.
(5) The width of an exit stair shall be at least 1.12m where the stair serves 1 or more floor
areashavingacombinedoccupantloadgreaterthan100persons.
(6)Everydoorleafinanexitdoorwayshallbe:
(a) notmorethan1.22minwidth,
(b) notlessthan610mmwidthwherethereismorethan1leafprovidedinthewidthofa
doorway,and
(c) notlessthan810mminwidthifthereisonly1leafprovidedinthedoorway.
110
(7)Theaggregatewidthofdoorwaystoexitstairways,exitrampsanddoorwaysproviding
directaccesstotheoutsidefromafloorareashallbesufficienttoprovidethenumberof
unitsofexitwidthrequiredtoservethefloorareafromwhichtheylead.
(8)Everydoorway,leadingfromexitstairwaysandexitrampsinthedirectionofexittravel
shallprovideatleastthenumberofunitsofexitwidthrequiredforexitpurpose,butshall
notbelessthanofthewidthofthestairwayorrampitserves.
3.4.3.2Widthbasedonoccupantload
(1) For the purpose of determining aggregate width of required exits, the occupant load of
every room or floor area of the building to be considered shall be determined in
conformancewithsubsection3.2.16.
(2) The aggregate width of exits from a room or floor area expressed as units of exit width
(550mm)shallbedeterminedbydividingtheoccupantloadoftheroomorfloorareaby
theallowablenumberofpersonsperunitofexitwidthspecifiedin3.4.3.3.
(3) Indeterminingthewidthinunitsofanindividualexit,thewidthofanexitinmmshallbe
divided by 550. When the remainder is less than 300mm, it shall not be considered as
contributingtothenumberofunits.Wheretheremainderis300mmormore,itshallbe
considered as contributing unit of exit width in the case of stairs, and unit of exit
widthinthecaseofotherexitfacilities.
(4) Except as provided in (5) and (6), the required units of exit width shall be cumulative
where2ormoreexitsconverge.
(5) Exceptasprovidedin(6)whereexitstairserves2ormorefloorways,oneabovetheother,
therequiredunitsofexitwidtharenotcumulative.
(6) Therequiredunitsofexitwidthforexitstairsthatserve1ormorefloorareascontaininga
highoccupantloadshallbeincreasedbyanamountrequiredforthehighoccupantload,
except that such increase need not extend to more than 5 storeys beneath the storeys
withthehighoccupantloadsinhighrisebuildings.
3.4.3.3 Capacityperunitexitwidth
(1) The aggregate width of required exits shall be computed on the basis of the maximum
numberofpersonsperunitofexitwidthasspecifiedin3.4.3.3(5).
(2) Thenumberofpersonsperunitofexitwidthshallbeassumedtobe30indeterminingthe
exitrequirementsfromfloorareascontainingGroupRorGroupEoccupancies.
(3) Exceptaspermittedinsentences(2)and(4),thenumberofpersonsperunitofexitwidth
shallbe90forexteriorexitdoors.
111
(4) Thenumberofpersonsperunitofexitwidthforoutdoorplacesofassemblyshallconform
toArticle3.3.7.11.
(5) Except as provided in sentences (2) to (4) the number of persons per unit of exit width
shallbe60.
3.4.3.4 ReductionofExitWidth
(1) No fixture, turnstile, or construction shall project into or be fixed within the required
widthofanyexit,exceptaspermittedinsentences(2)to(5).
(2) Exitdoorsshallbesohungandarrangedthatwhenopenedtheyshallneitherdiminishnor
obstructtherequiredwidthofexitbymorethan50mmforeachfullunitofexitwidth.
(3)Swingingdoorsintheirswingshallnotreducetheeffectivewidthofexitstairsorlandings
tolessthan760mmorreducetheeffectivewidthofanexitpassagewaytolessthanthe
minimumrequiredwidth.
(4) Nohandrailorstairstringershallprojectmorethan90mmintotherequiredwidthofan
exit.
(5)Inplaceshavingahighoccupantloadwherepersonsareadmittedtothebuildingand
allowedtowaituntilseatsbecomeavailable,specialwaitingareasshallbeprovidedwhich
shall:
(a) notencroachontherequiredexitwidth,
(b) beseparatedfromtherequiredmeansofegressbypartitionsorguardsnotlessthan
1070mminheight,and
(c) be provided with an aggregate width of exit determined on the basis of subsection
3.2.16andArticle3.4.3.3.
3.4.3.5 HeadroomClearance
(1) Except as provided in sentence (2) to (4) every means of egress shall have a headroom
clearanceofatleast2.15m.
(2) The headroom clearance for stairways measured vertically above any landing or the
nosingofanystairtreadshallbeatleast2.10m.
(3) Theheadroomclearancedoorwaysshallbeatleast2.05m.
(4)Nodevicesuchasadoorclosershallbeinstalledsoastoreducetheheadroomclearance
ofadoorwaytolessthan2.0m.
112
3.4.4 FlameSpreadRatingforExits
3.4.4.1 (1)
Exceptaspermittedinsentence(2)theflamespreadratingofawallorceilinginanexit
shallbeofdesignationClass0.
(2) Theflamespreadratingofanypartofthesurfaceofthewallfinishofalobbyusedasan
exitaspermittedin3.4.5.1(6)maybeofanyclassnotlowerthanclass3iftheareaofthat
part(or,iftherearemoresuchparts,thetotalareaofthoseparts),doesnotexceed25
percentofthewallarea.
3.4.5 RequiredFireSeparationforExits
3.4.5.1 GradeofSeparations
(1) Exceptasprovidedinsentences(3)and(4)andinsentence3.3.6.6(2),everyexitshallbe
separatedfromtheremainderofthebuildingitservesbyafire separationhavingafire
resistanceratingconformingtoTable3.4.5Aforthegradeoffireseparationrequiredfor
the floor assemblies of the storeys through which it penetrates or which it serves. This
requirement shall not be deemed to prohibit unprotected openings in walls of an exit
enclosurethatarenotfireseparations.
(2) Except as provided in sentence (3), not more than 1 required exit from any floor area
above or below the first storey shall not lead through a lobby, including the foyer or
sentencehallofanotherflooratgroundlevel.
Table3.4.5A
FormingPartofSentence3.4.5.1(1)
Gradeoffireseparationrequiredforfloor
assemblies
(hr)
Lessthan
Minimumfireresistanceratingforfire
separationofexit
(hr)
113
3.4.5.1(3)
Exitleadingthroughalobby:Notmorethan1requiredexitfromanyfloorareamaylead
throughalobbywhere,
(a) thelobbyfloorismorethan4.57mabovegrade,
(b) thepathoftravelthroughthelobbydoesnotexceed15.24m,
(c) thelobbyconformsinallaspectswiththerequirementsforexits,exceptthat,
(i)roomsotherthangarbagerooms,incineratorroomsandjanitorsstoragerooms
mayopenontothelobby,
(ii)thefireseparationbetweenthelobbyandaroomusedforthesolepurposeof
controlandsupervisionofthebuildingneednothaveafireresistancerating,and
(iii)thefireseparationbetweenthelobbyandadjacentoccupanciesthatare
permittedtoopenontothelobbyneednothaveafireresistanceratingwhenthe
lobbyandtheadjacentoccupanciesaresprinklered.
(4)Therequirementsinsentence(1)donotapplytoanexteriorpassagewaythatisdesigned
asanexitfacilityprovidedthepassagewayisopentotheoutdoorsandisservedbyanexit
stairateachendofthepassageway.
3.4.5.2 IntegrityofExits
(1) There shall be no openings in any fire separation, separating exits except exit doorways
andopeningsforstandpipes.
(2) Exit stairways that are continuous such as scissors stairs shall be separated from each
otherbyasmoketightfireseparationhavingafireresistanceratingatleastequaltothat
requiredforthefloorassemblythroughwhichtheypass.
(3) Fire separations separating continuous stairs in sentence (2) shall not be pierced by
doorways,ductworkoranyotheropeningsthataffectthecontinuityoftheseparation.
(4) Anexitshallnotbeusedasaplenumforventilatingairconditioningsystem
(5) An exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting, except that an exit may
alsoserveasanaccesstoafloorarea.
(6) Serviceroomssuchasfurnaceandincineratorroomsandancillaryroomssuchasstorage
rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, garbage rooms and laundry rooms should not open
directlyintoanexit.
114
3.4.6 Exit(MeansofEgress)Signs
3.4.6.1 (1)
Everyexitdoorotherthanthemainentrancetoaroomorbuildingshallhaveanexitsign
placedoveritwhentheexitserves:
(a) abuildingexceeding2storeysinbuildingheight;
(b) abuildinghavinganoccupantloadgreaterthan150;
(c) aroomwithahighoccupantloadofmorethan60exceptasprovidedin3.3.7.4(2)(a);
(d) aroomorfloorareathathasafireescapeaspartoftherequiredmeansofegress;or
(e) a corridor exceeding 22.9m in length and serving patients or inmates bedrooms in
GroupsEandIoccupancies.
(2)
Everyexitsignrequiredinsentence(1)shall:
(a) bevisiblefromtheexitapproach;
(b) havethewordEXITdisplacedinplainlegibleletters;
(c) bedesignedtobeilluminatedcontinuouslywhilethebuildingisoccupied;
(d) beconnectedtoanelectricalcircuitseparatefromotherelectricalcircuits;and
(e) bedesignedtobeilluminatedbyanemergencypowersupplyasdescribedinsentence
3.4.7.1(1)and(2).
(3) Lettersonexitsignsshallbe:
(a) white letters on contrasting background of green at least 114mm high with 19mm
strokespellingEXIT,whenthesignisinternallyilluminated,
(b) white letters on green background at least 150mm in height with 19mm stroke
spellingEXIT,whenthesignisexternallyilluminated.
(4)TheminimumsizeofexitsignlettersforviewingdistancesshallbeasgiveninTable3.4.6
Table3.4.6:Sizeofexitsignletters
Viewingdistance
Letterheight
Lessthan20m
50mm
2030m
75mm
3040m
100mm
Morethan40m
125mm
(5)Wherenecessary,signsshallbeprovidedtoindicatethedirectionofegressinpublic
corridorsandpassagewaysandshallhavethewordEXITwithasuitablearroworpointer
indicatingthedirectionofegressandthesizeofletteringshallconformtosentence(3).
115
(6)Nomirrorsshallbeplacedinoradjacenttoanyexitinsuchamannerastoconfusethe
directionofexit.
3.4.7 LightingforExits
3.4.7.1 (1)
Everyexit,publiccorridor,corridorprovidingaccesstoexitforthepublicorserving
patientsbedroomsorclassroomsshallbeequippedtoprovideilluminationtoanaverage
levelandatleast54luxatfloorlevelandatallpointssuchasanglesandintersectionsat
changesoflevelwheretherearestairsorramps.
(2) Emergencylightingshallbeprovidedtoaveragelevelsofatleast11luxatfloorortread
levelin:
(a) exitsandcorridorsusedbythepublicandprincipalroutesprovidingaccesstoexitin
anopenfloorareawheresuchexits,andcorridorsandroutesthatarebelowgradeor
arewindowless,
(b) undergroundwalkways,and
(c) coveredmalls.
3.4.8 TypesofExitFacility
3.4.8.1 Scope: Except when stated otherwise the requirements apply to both interior and exterior
exits.
3.4.8.2Stairsandramps
(1)Thefinishfortreadsandlandingsofinteriorandexteriorstairsandramps
accessibletothepublicshallhavenonskidfinishorbeprovidedwithnonskidstrips.
(2)Everyflightofinteriorstairsshallhaveatleast3risers.
(3)(i) Noflightofstairsshallhaveaverticalriseofmorethan3.7mbetweenfloorsor

landings, except the flights of stairs serving as exits from rooms intended for infirm
persons,orhavingahighoccupantloadshallhaveaverticalriseofnotmorethan2.4m
betweenfloorsorlandings.
(ii) The length and width of landings shall be at least the width of stairways in which they
occur,exceptthatinastraightrunthelengthofalandingneednotexceed1.12m.
3.4.8.3Handrails
(1)Everyexitramporstairwayshallhaveahandrailonatleast1side,andwhere1.12mormorein
widthshallhavehandrailsonbothsides.
(2)Wheretherequiredwidthofaramporflightofstairsexceeds2.22m,1ormoreintermediate
handrailsbetweenlandingsshallbeprovidedandthenumberandpositionofthese
intermediatehandrailsshallbesuchthattherewillbenotmorethan1.68mbetween
handrails.
(3)Handrailsshallbeconstructedsothattherewillbenoobstructiononorabovethemwhichwill
breakahandhold.
116
(4)Handrailsonstairsandrampsshallbenotlessthan810mmandnotmorethan910mmin
height,measuredverticallyfromalinedrawnthroughtheoutsideedgesofstairnosing,except
thathandrailsnotmeetingtheserequirementsarepermittedprovidedtheyareinstalledin
additiontotherequiredhandrails.
(5)Aclearanceofatleast38mmshallbeprovidedbetweeneveryhandrailandanywalltowhichit
isfastened.
(6)Windowsinexitstairwaysthatextendtolessthan1.07mabovethelandingshallbeprotected
byabarrierorrailinglocatedapproximately1.07mabovesuchlanding.
3.4.8.4Guards
(1)Everyexitsuchasarampstairwayorpassagewayshallhaveawallorawallsecured
guardoneachside.
(2) Exceptasprovidedinsentence(3),theheightofguardsonexitstairsshallnotbelessthan
915mminheightmeasuredverticallytothetopoftheguardfromalinedrawnthrough
theoutsideedgesofthestairnosingsand1.07maroundlandings.
(3) The height of guards on exterior stairs and landings, more than 10.7m above adjacent
groundlevelshallnotbelessthan1.52mmeasuredverticallytothetopoftheguardfrom
alinedrawnthroughtheoutsideedgesofthestairnosings.
(4) Thesizeofanyopeningsthroughguardsforexitsshallbesuchastopreventthepassage
of a spherical object having a diameter of 100mm in buildings of residential occupancy
and200mminbuildingsofotheroccupancy,unlessitcanbeshowntothesatisfactionof
theauthorityhavingjurisdictionthatthelocationandsizeoftheopeningsthatexceedthis
limitdonotpresentahazardouscondition.
3.4.8.5 SignforBasementStair:Inbuildingsover2storeysinbuildingheight,anypartofanexit,ramp
orstairthatcontinuespasttheexitdooratgroundleveltoabasementorcellarshallbeclearly
markedbyasignindicatingitdoesnotleadtoanexit.
3.4.8.6RampGradientandLandings
(1)Themaximumgradientoframpsshallbe:
(a) 1in10inanyGroupA,BorCoccupancy,
(b) 1in6inroomsorfloorareasclassifiedasGroupMorGroupSorHoccupancy,
(c) 1in8fromanyotherfloorareaand,
(d) 1in10foreveryexteriorramp.
(2)Whereadoorwayorstairwayemptiesontoarampthroughasidewall,thereshallbealevel
areaextendingacrossthefullwidthoftherampway,andforadistanceof300mmoneither
sideofthewallopening,exceptingonesidewhenitabutsonanendwall.
(3) Whereadoororstairwayemptiesthroughanendwallontoaramp,thereshallbealevel
areaacrossthefullwidthofarampandalongitslengthforatleast915mm.
117
3.4.8.7StairTreadsandRisers
(1)Treadsandrisersineveryexitstair,exceptafireescapestairshallbeproportionedsothat
theproductoftheriseandruninmmshallnotbelessthan1750andnotmorethan1900;
risersshallhaveamaximumriseof200mmandaminimumriseof130mm,treadsshall
haveaminimumrunoff230mmexclusiveofnosing.
(2) Treadsandrisersineveryexitstair,exceptafireescapestair,shallhaveuniformrunand
riseinanyoneflightandshallnotaltersignificantlyinrunandriseinsuccessiveflightsin
anystairsystem.
(3) Wheretherunofanytreadinanexitstairislessthan250mm;anosingofatleast25mm
shallbeprovidedbeyondthefaceoftheriseroranequivalentbackslopeontherisershall
beprovided.
(4) Thefrontedgeofstairtreadsinexitsandpublicaccesstoexitsshallbeatrightanglesto
thedirectionofexittravel.
3.4.8.8 CurvedStairsProhibited:Nowindersorcurvedstairsshallbeusedinarequiredexit.
3.4.8.9EscalatorsandMovingWalks
(1)Anyescalatorofthehorizontaltreadtypeenclosedinaccordancewiththerequirementsof
thispart,andanymovingwalksenclosedinaccordancewiththispartanddesignedin
accordancewiththeprovisionsforrampsinthispartmaybeconsideredasanexitprovided
itconformstothisarticle.
(2) An escalator or moving walkway that pierces a required fire separation and serves as
requiredexitshallbeenclosedinthesamemannerasexitstairs.
(3) Where any escalator serves as a required exit, the width of the tread shall be at least
900mm, the rise shall not exceed 220mm and the run shall be at least 4000mm; there
shall be a clear width of at least 1.12m at the handrails, and the escalator may be
consideredtohave2unitsofexitwidth.
(4) Noescalatororinclinedmovingwalkwayshallhaveaverticaltravelofmorethan1storey.
(5) Every escalator or inclined moving walkway shall have top and bottom landings as
requiredhereinforstairs.
3.4.8.10HorizontalExits
(1)Thefloorareaoreachsideofahorizontalexitshallbesufficienttoaccommodatethe
occupantsofbothfloorareas,allowingnotlessthan0.5m2ofclearfloorspaceperperson,
exceptthat1.50m2shallbeprovidedforpersonsinwheelchairsand2.25m2forbedridden
patients.
(2) Where vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used as part of any horizontal exit,
theirclearwidthshallbeatleastthatoftheexitdoorwaysopeningintothem,exceptthat
handrailsmaynotprojectintothisclearwidthmorethan90mm.
118
(3) Inanyhorizontalexitwherethereisadifferenceinlevelbetweenconnectedfloorareas,
gradientsnotexceedingthosespecifiedin3.4.8.6maybeused.
(4) Nostairorstepsshallbeusedinhorizontalexit.
(5) Every opening used as a horizontal exit shall be protected by a closure consisting of an
approvedselfclosingdoorordoorsthatswinginaverticalaxis.
(6) Where2doorsareprovidedinahorizontalexittheyshall:
(a) bemountedadjacenttoeachother,
(b) be mounted in separate opening or mounted in 1 opening and meet on a mullion

unlessotherwiseapproved,
(c) swinginoppositedirectionsandhavesignsoneachsideofthewalltoindicateasthe
exitthedoorthatswingsinthedirectionoftravelfromthatside.
(7)BridgesandBalconiesasHorizontalExits
(a)Wherebuildingsareconnectedbyawalkway,eachbuildingshallbeseparatedfrom
walkwaybyatleasthourfireseparation.
(b)Awalkwayshallbeofnoncombustibleconstructionwhenconnectedtoabuilding
requiredtobeofnoncombustibleconstruction,exceptthatwhereatleast50percent
oftheareaoftheenclosingperimeterwallsofwalkwaysatorneargroundlevelare
opentotheoutdoors,suchwalkwaysmaybe,madeofheavytimberconstruction.
(8) Guardsshallbeatleast1.20minheightandtheleastdimensionofanyopeningthrough
theguardshallnotexceed100mm.
3.4.8.11Passageways:Passagewaysandstairwaysshallbedesignedsoastokeepthelengthoftravel
toaminimum.
3.4.8.12(1)Accesstoexteriorpassagewaysfromafloorareashallbethroughexitdoorsatthefloor
level.
(2) Everyexteriorpassagewaywhichhasadropofmorethan500mmonanysideshallhave
guardsontheopensidesatleast1.07mhigh.
3.4.8.13Doors
(1)Noexitdoorsshallopenimmediatelyontoaflightofstairs,butshallopenontoalanding
atleast300mmwiderandlongerthanthewidthofsuchdoor.
(2) Noriserofanyflightofstairsshallbelocatedwithin300mmofanexitdoor.
119
(3) Exit doors shall be clearly identifiable and no hangings or draperies shall be placed over
exitdoorstoconcealorobscureanyexit.
(4) Nomirrorsshallbeplacedinoradjacenttoanyexitinsuchamannerastoconfusethe
directionofexit.
(5) Noexitdoorshallopendirectlyontoastep.
(6) Every door shall open in the direction of exit travel except for doors serving a single
dwellingunitandshallswingonitsverticalaxis.
(7) (a) Every exit door that is normally required to be kept closed shall be provided with a
reliableselfclosingmechanism,andshallnotatanytimebesecuredinanopenposition
exceptasspecifiedin(b);
(b)Wherethesafetyoftheoccupantsisnotendangeredthereby,andwiththeapproval
of the authority having jurisdiction, approved holdopen devices may be installed on
closuresthatarerequiredtobeselfclosingotherthanclosuresonvestibulesrequiredin
Article3.3.6.6andonexitshafts.
(8) Slidingdoors:Exitdoorsleadingdirectlytooutdoorsatgroundlevelmaybeslidingdoors,
providedtheyconformtosentence3.3.1.7(3).
(9)
Revolvingdoors:Whererevolvingdoorsareusedtheyshall:
(a) beapprovedcollapsiblerevolvingdoors,
(b) havehingeddoorsprovidingequivalentunitsofexitswidthlocatedadjacenttothem,
(c) notbeusedatthefootofanystairway,and
(d) notbeusedasanexitforfloorareascontainingahighoccupantloadorGroupEor
GroupSorHoccupancies.
(10) Arevolvingdoormaybeconsideredtoprovidenotmorethanunitofexitwidth.
(11) Approvedhardwarethatwillreleaseandallowthedoortoswingwideopenwhenaforce
of90Nisappliedtothehardwareinthedirectionofexittravelshallbeinstalledon:
(a) everyexitdoorfromafloorareacontainingaGroupFoccupancyhavinganoccupant
loadofmorethan100persons,
(b) every door leading to an exit lobby from an exit stair shaft, and every exterior door
leadingfromanexitstairshaftinbuildingshavinganoccupantloadofmorethan100
persons,and
(c) everyexitdoorfromafloorareacontainingaGroupSorHoccupancy.
120
(12) Everyexitdoorshallbedesignedandinstalledsothatwhenthelatchisreleasedthedoor
willopeninthedirectionofexittravelunderaforceofnotmorethan90Nappliedatthe
knoborotherlatchreleasingdevice.
(13) Fasteningsonanyrequiredexitdoorshallbesuchthatthedoormaybereadilyopened
fromtheinsidewithouttheuseofkeysexceptthatthisrequirementshallnotapplytothe
doorsofroomswherepersonsareunderlegalrestraint.
3.4.8.14Emergency(Fire)Escapesroutes
(1)Emergency(fire)escapesshallbeinstalledinconformancewithsentence3.4.1.2(2)and
sentence 3.4.1.4 (3) and (4) and shall be of metal or concrete, of the stair type,
extending to ground level, constructed throughout in a strong substantial manner and
securelyfixedtothebuildings,exceptthatwoodenfireescapesmaybeusedonbuildings
ofcombustibleconstructionifallpostsandbracketsareatleast100mmintheirleast
nominal dimension and all other woodwork is at least 50mm in its least nominal
dimension.
(2) Accesstoemergencyescapesshallbefromcorridorsthroughdoorsatfloorlevel,except
that access from a dwelling unit may be through a casement window having an
unobstructedopeningofnotlessthan1.07mhighby560mmwidewithasillheightofnot
morethan900mmabovetheinsidefloor.
(3) Stairsshallbeinclinedat anangleofnotmorethan45degrees with the horizontaland

shallhaverisersofnotmorethan210mminheightandtreadsofnotlessthan220mmin
widthexclusiveofnosing.
(4) Stairway headroom shall not be less than 1.95m plus height of one riser measured
verticallyabovethenosingofanytreadorplatform.
(5) Wheredoorsopenontofireescapebalconies,suchbalconiesshallhaveaclearareaofnot
lessthan8.60m2.
(6) Thewidthofanemergencyescapeshallconformtosentence3.4.3.1(1)exceptthatthe
widthofanemergencyescapeshallbeatleast550mmwhenserving:
(a) notmorethan3storeys,and
(b) notmorethan15persons.
(7) The open sides of every platform, balcony and stairway shall be protected by guards at
least900mminheightmeasuredverticallyabovethenosingofanytreadorplatform.
(8) Two equally spaced rails not more than 450mm apart, parallel to stair stringers and to
platformedgesshallbetheminimumprotectionprovided,andthetoprailmayserveasa
handrailiffreefromobstructionswhichcouldbreakahandhold.
(9) Awallhandrailshallbeinstalledwherethefireescapeismorethan550mminwidth.
121
(10) Unlessotherwiseapproved,theflightofstairsleadingtothegroundatthefootofafire
escapeshallbefixedinposition.Wheresuchflightofstairsisnotfixedinposition,itshall
be held in the up position without a latch or locking device, and shall be fitted with an
approval counter balancing device that will permit it to be easily and quickly brought into
positionforuse.
3.5
HEALTHREQUIREMENTS
3.5.1 HeightandAreaofRooms
3.5.1.1(1)Theheightofeveryroomandspaceshallbesuchthatadequatelightandair
maybeprovidedfortheintendedoccupancy,andthatnoobstructiontomovementor
activitiesbelowiscausedbytheceilingorceilingfixtures.
(2)TheunobstructedheightindwellingunitsshallconformtoPart7ofthecode.
(3)Theclearheightaboveandbelowamezzaninefloorassemblyshallbeatleast2.15munless
otherwiseapproved.
3.5.2 Windows
3.5.2.1 Unlessotherwiseapprovedeveryroomusedforsleepinginanybuilding,andeveryprincipal
roomsuchaslivingroom,diningroomorcombinationthereofindwellingunits,shallbe
providedwithwindowsinconformancewithPart7ofthisCode.
3.5.3 Ventilation
3.5.3.1 AirContaminants:Aircontaminantsreleasedwithinbuildingsshallberemovedinsofaras
possibleattheirpointsoforigin,andshallnotbepermittedtoaccumulateinunsafe
concentrations.
3.5.3.2 RoomVentilation
(1)Allroomsandspacesshallbeventilatedinconformancewithsentences(2)and(3).
(2)TheventilationofroomsorspacesbynaturalmethodsinGroupAoccupanciesshallconform
toPart7ofthisCode.
(3)Theventilationofroomsandspacesinoccupanciesotherthanresidentialoccupanciesby
naturalmethodsshallbepermittedinlieuofmechanicalventilationwhentheauthorityhaving
jurisdictionissatisfiedthatsuchventilationwillprovidesufficientairchangetoprovide
healthfulconditionsinthatoccupancy.
3.5.3.3Ventilationforexplosivesubstances
(1)Exceptasprovidedinsentences(4)and(5),anenclosedstorage,garageandrepairareasina
garageshallhaveaventilationsystemdesignedtolimittheaverageconcentrationofcarbon
monoxidetonotmorethan100partspermillionpartsofairforperiodslongerthan1hour
122
withamaximumconcentrationatanytimeofnotmorethan400partsofcarbonmonoxideper
millionpartsofairwhenmeasuredbetween900mmand1.2mfromthefloor.
(2)Therequirementinsentence(1)isconsideredtobemetbyasystemdesignedtoprovidea
3
2
continuoussupplyoffreshairatarateequaltoatleast0.23m ofairperminuteforeachm of
floorarea.
(3) Mechanical ventilation systems provided in accordance with sentence (1) shall include
automaticventilatingfan controlby meansofapprovedcarbon monoxide monitoringdevices,
orbyotherapprovedmeanslocatedsoastoprovidefullprotectionfortheoccupancy.
(4) In garages subject to the requirements of sentences (1), (2) and (3) where motor vehicles are
parkedbymechanicalmeanstheventilationrequirementsmaybereducedbyonehalf.
(5) Storagegarageswithatotalcapacityoflessthan20motorvehiclesneednothavemechanical
ventilating system if the downward slope of the floor to the outside door is 1 in 120 and the
garagefloorisaboveoutsidegroundlevel.
(6) Therequirementsofsentences(1)to(5)shallnotapplytoanystoragegarageprovided:
(a)atleast25percentofthetotalareaoftheperimeterwallsoneachstoreyisopentothe
outdoorsanddistributedtoprovidecrossventilation,
(b)noportionofanyfloorofthegarageismorethan900mmbelowtheadjacentground
level,and
(c)notarpaulins,glassorothermaterialsareusedtoclosetherequiredexterioropeningsatany
time.
3.5.4 PlumbingFacilities
3.5.4.1 SystemsRequired
(1)Eachbuildingsituatedonpropertythatabutsonastreetinwhichapublicor
municipalwatermainislocatedshallbeprovidedwithorhaveaccessibletoitsoccupantsa
plumbingsystemincludingaportablewatersupply,asanitarydrainagesystemandtoilet
fixtures.
(2)Whentheinstallationofasanitarydrainagesystemisnotpossiblebecauseoftheabsenceofa
watersupply,sanitaryprivies,chemicalclosetorotherapprovedmeansforthedisposalof
humanwasteshallbeprovided.
(3)PlumbingsystemsshallbedesignedandinstalledinaccordancewithPart9.6ofthisCode.
3.5.4.2 MinimumNumberofFixtures
(1)Waterclosetsshallbeprovidedforeachsexinaccordancewiththeanticipated
proportionofeachsexintheoccupancywhenthiscanbedeterminedwithreasonable
accuracy,exceptthatwheneachdeterminationcannotbemadewithreasonableaccuracy,it
maybeassumedthattheoccupancy,isequallydividedbetweenthesexes.
(2)Wheremorethan2waterclosetsarerequiredinthissubsection,urinalsmaybesubstitutedfor
2/3oftherequirednumberofwaterclosetsandmaybecountedaswaterclosets.
(3)Exceptasprovidedinsentence(4),atleast1lavatoryshallbeprovidedinaroomcontaining1
123

or2waterclosetsorurinals,andatleast1additionallavatoryshallbeprovidedforeach
additional2suchfixtures.
(4)Washfountainsincircularformmaybeprovidedinlieuoflavatoriesrequiredinsentence(2)
providedeach500mm,ofitscircumferenceisconsideredtobeequivalentof1lavatory.
(5)ThenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforGroupAoccupanciesandforauditoria,gymnasia,
lecturehalls,secondaryschools,nonresidentialcollegesandsimilaroccupanciesshallconform
toTable3.5.4A.
(6) ThenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforGroupBoccupanciesandforrestaurants,
nonresidentialclubs,communityhalls,lodgerooms,passengerstationsanddepots,art
galleries,exhibitionhalls,libraries,museums,courtroomsandsimilaroccupanciesshall
conformtoTable3.5.4B.
(7) Thenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforprimaryschoolsanddaycarecentresshallbeatleast
1fixtureforeach30malesand1fixtureforeach25females.
Table3.5.4A
NumberofPersons
150
MinimumNumberofWaterClosets
Male
Female
1
2
51100
101200
201400
Over400
6plus1foreachadditional200
8plus1foreachadditional150
malesover400
femalesover400
3.5.4.2(8)Thenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforplacesofworshipandundertakingpremisesshall
beatleast1fixtureforeach150personsofeachsex.

(9) The number of water closets required for institutional occupancies shall conform to good
practiceandshallbesubjecttotheapprovaloftheauthorityhavingjurisdiction.
124
Table3.5.4B
MinimumNumberofWaterClosetsforeachSex
NumberofPersons
125
2650
2plus1foreachadditional50personsofeachsex
over50
Over50
3.5.4.2(10)Thenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforresidentialoccupanciesshallbeatleast1
fixtureforeach10personsofeachsex,exceptthatdwellingunitsshallconformto
requirementsinPart7ofthisCode.
(11)Thenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredformercantileoccupanciesshallbeatleast1fixture
foreach300malesand1fixtureforeach150females.
(12)Thenumberofwaterclosetsrequiredforindustrialoccupanciesshallconformto
Table3.5.4C.

Table3.5.4CForming
PartofSentence3.5.4.2(12)
NumberofPersonsofeachsex
110
MinimumNumberofWaterClosetsforeachsex
1125
2650
5175
76100
Over100
5plus1foreachadditional30personsofeachsex
over100
3.5.4.3 Glass,otherthansafetyglass,shallnotbeusedforashowerorbathtubenclosure.
125
APPENDIX1
ReferredStandards
STANDARD
TITLE
BSEN
Thermalinsulationproductsforbuildings.Factory
13168:2001 madewoodwool(WW)products.Specification
ASTM
ASTMC39008e1Standard
PracticeforSamplingand
AcceptanceofThermal
InsulationLots
ASTME11912StandardTest
MethodsforFireTestsof
BuildingConstructionand
Materials
BS476
PART
20:1987
Firetestsonbuildingmaterialsandstructures.
Methodfordeterminationofthefireresistanceof
elementsofconstruction(generalprinciples),
BS476
PART
21:1987
Methodsfordeterminationofthefireresistance
ofloadbearingelementsofconstruction
Materials
BS476
PART
22:1987
Methodsfordeterminationofthefireresistance
ofnonloadbearingelementsofconstruction
BS476
PART
23:1987
Methodsfordeterminationofthecontributionof
componentstothefireresistanceofastructure
Materials
MethodforSurfaceBurning
CharacteristicsofBuilding
Materials
BS5950
PART
5:1987
Structuraluseofsteelworkinbuilding.Codeof
practicefordesignofcoldformedthingauge
section
126
ASTMA992/A992M11
StandardSpecificationfor
StructuralSteelShapes
SABS
SANS13814Materials
forthermalinsulationof
buildings
SANS101772
Firetestingofmaterials,
componentsand
elementsusedin
buildingsPart2:Fire
resistancetestfor
buildingelements
SANS101771
componentsand
elementsusedin
buildingsPart1:General
introductiontothe
methodsoftest
SANS101601
Basisofstructural
designandactionsfor
buildingsandindustrial
structuresPart1:Basis
ofstructuraldesign
SANS101778
componentsand
elementsusedin
buildingsPart8:Surface
burningcharacteristics
ofbuildingmaterials
BS2782
PART1
Methodsoftestingplastics.Thermalproperties.
Plasticyield
ASTMD610809StandardTest
MethodforCompressive
PropertiesofPlasticLumberand
Shapes
ASTMF72503(2008)e1
StandardPracticeforDrafting
ImpactTestRequirementsIn
ThermoplasticPipeAndFittings
Standards
Materials
SANS4898Rigid
cellularplastics
Thermalinsulation
productsforbuildings
Specifications
SANS1017710Fire
testingofmaterials,
componentsand
elementsusedin
buildingsPart10:
Surfaceburning
characteristicsof
buildingmaterialsusing
theinvertedchannel
tunneltest
SANS9852
ASTMD285295(2008)
BSEN1329
Plasticspipingsystemsforsoilandwaste
Unplasticizedpoly(vinyl
StandardSpecificationfor
PART1:200 discharge(lowandhightemperature)withinthe
chloride)(PVCU)pipes
StyreneRubber(SR)Plastic
buildingstructure.Unplasticizedpoly(vinyl
Dichloromethane
DrainPipeandFittings
chloride)(PVCU).Specificationsforpipes,fittings
resistanceatspecified
ASTMF2648/F2648M11
andthesystem
temperature(DCMT)
StandardSpecificationfor2to
Testmethod
60inch[50to1500mm]Annular
SANS967Unplasticized
CorrugatedProfileWall
poly(vinylchloride)
Polyethylene(PE)Pipeand
(PVCU)soil,wasteand
FittingsforLandDrainage
Applications
ventpipesandpipe
fitting
BS476
PART3
Classificationandmethodoftestforexternalfire
MethodsforFireTestsofRoof
:2004
exposuretoroofs
Coverings
BS476
PART6+
A1:2009
Methodoftestforfirepropagationforproducts
127

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GHANABUILDINGCODE

that building or compartment shall be taken into account in determining which

(ii) persons because of age, mental or

Mercantile occupancies for displaying,

Factory occupancies in which persons

(b) altering, repairing ornamenting,

(c) the adapting for sale of any article,

Assembly occupancies used for the

General Storage buildings or part of a

(i) the storage or sheltering of

HighHazard Storage Buildings or part

Includes the following types of

6. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks density

a) inner leaf of bricks or blocks of clay

11. Cavity wall with outer leaf of cellular clay

(a) Metal lathing with cementsand or gypsum plaster of

(b) Metal lathing with vermiculite gypsum or perlite

(c) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness

(h) 19mm plasterboard (or two layers of 9.5mm) with

(j) Cement pulp asbestos insulating board not less than

(k) Cement pulp asbestos insulating board not less than

(l) 25mm wood wool slabs with gypsum plaster of

Compressed straw slabs in timber frames finished on both

Plasterboard 12.5mm bonded with neat gypsum plaster to

Compressed straw slabs, with 75mm by 12.5mm wood cover

Steel frame with external cladding of noncombustible sheets

(b) 12.5mm cementsand or gypsum plaster on metal

(e) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with gypsum plaster of

(f) 12.5mm plastered board finished with 5mm gypsum

(h) 50mm compressed straw slabs finished with 5mm

(c) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with 12.5mm gypsum

Timber frame with external cladding of weather boarding or

(c) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with 12.5mm gypsum

(d) 12.5mm plasterboard finished with 5mm gypsum

(d) With 2.5mm hard drawn steel

(e) With limestone or lightweight

Vermiculite concrete slabs (permanent

vermiculitegypsum plaster 12.5mm thick or

8. Vermiculitecement slabs of 4:1 mix

(b) Concrete assumed to be load

2. Sprayed cement pulp asbestos of

(a) With cementlime plaster of

(b) With gypsum plaster of thickness

3. Plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding

(a) 9.5mm plasterboard nailed to

wooden cradles finished with

6. Vermiculitecement slabs of 4:1 mix

7. Gypsum sand plaster 12.5mm thick

1. Sprayed cement pulp asbestos of

3. Gypsum Plasterboard 19mm thick with

4. Cement pulp asbestos insulating board

(v) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness

(viii) two layers of plasterboard each of minimum

(ix) one layer of fibre insulating board of minimum

(B) Tongued and grooved boarding of not less than

16mm (finished) thickness* on timber joists not

(vi) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness

(viii) one layer of fibre insulating board of minimum

(v) one layer of plasterboard of minimum thickness

Surface of ceiling exposed

Surface of ceiling exposed

(a) Awallseparating buildingswhichare notdividedintocompartmentsandarewithin

(a) (i) inthecaseofacompartmentwallseparatingaflatormaisonettefromanyspacein