DelhiBuildingByeLawRelatedFire
11.1Nobuildingshallbeerectedsoastodepriveanyotherbuildingofthemeansofaccess.
11.2Everypersonwhoerectsabuildingshallnotatanytimeerectorcauseorpermittoerector
re-erect anybuilding,which in anyway encroachesuponor diminishes the area set apart as
meansofaccess.
11.3ForbuildingsidentifiedinBye-lawNo.6.2.4.1,thefollowingprovisionsofmeansofaccess
shallbeensured
1. Thewidthofthemainstreetonwhichthebuildingabutsshallnotbelessthan9meters,
2. Abuildingshallabutonastreetorstreetsoruponspacesdirectlyconnected fromthe
streetbyahardsurfaceapproachroad,widthofwhichisnotlessthan9meters,
3. Ifthereareanybendsorcurvesontheapproachroad,asufficientwidthshallbeprovided
atthecurvetoenablethefireappliancestoturn,theturningcirclebeingatleastof9.0m
radius,
4. Theapproachroadtothebuildingandopenspacesonitsallsides(SeeBye-lawNo.12.4)
unto6mwidthandthelayoutforthesameshallbedoneinconsultationwithChiefFire
Officer, Delhi Fire Service and the same shall be of hard surface capable of taking the
weightofFireengine,weighingunto1(18tones.Thesaidopenspaceshallbekeptfreeof
obstructionsandshallbemotorable,
5. Mainentrancestothepremisesshallbeofadequatewidthtoalloweasyaccesstothefire
engineandinnocaseitshallmeasurelessthan5meters.Theentrancegateshallfoldback
againstthecompoundwallofthepremises,thusleavingtheexterioraccesswaywithin
theplotfreeformovementoffireservicevehicles.Ifarchwayisprovidedoverthemain
entrancetheheightofthearchwayshallnotbeataheightlessthan4m,and
6. Formulti-storeyedgrouphousingschemesononeplot,theapproachroadshallbe9min
widthandbetweenindividualbuildings;thereshallbeaspaceof6maround.
12.4 (B) Forbuildings identified in8ye-lawNo. 6.2.4.1 theprovisionsof exterioropen spaces
aroundthebuildingsshallbeasgivenbelow:
S.No.
Ht.ofthe
buildingupto
ExteriorOpenspacestobeleftouronallsides*(front,rearandsidesineachplot)
1. 10m 3m
2. 15m 5m
S.No.
Ht.ofthe
buildingupto
ExteriorOpenspacestobeleftouronallsides*(front,rearandsidesineachplot)
3 18m 6m
4 21m 7m
5 24m 8m
6 27m 9m
7 30m 10m
8 35m 11m
9 40m 12m
10 45m 13m
11 50m 15m
1255mandabove
16m
12.7
1. Themaximumheightofbuildingshallnotexceed1.5timesthewidthofroadabuttingplus
thefrontopenspaces.
2. Ifabuildingabutsontwoormorestreetsofdifferentwidths,thebuildingshallbedeemed
tofaceuponthestreetthathasthegreaterwidthandtheheightofthebuildingshallbe
regulatedbythewidthofthestreetandmaybecontinuedtothisheighttoadepthof24
malongthenarrowerstreetsubjecttoconformityofBye-lawNo.12.4
14.12Basement
14.12.1TheconstructionofthebasementshallbeallowedbytheAuthorityinaccordancewith
thelanduseandotherprovisionsspecifiedundertheMasterPlan.*
14.12.1.1Wheretheuse,setbacksandcoverageisnotprovidedintheMasterPlanprovisions,
thesameshallbeallowedtobeconstructedintheplotleavingmandatorysetbacksandcanbe
puttoanyofthefollowinguses:
1. Storageofhouseholdorothergoodsofnon-flammablematerials;
2. Darkroom;
3. Strongrooms,bankcellarsetc.;
4. Air-conditioningequipmentandothermachinesusedforservicesandbuilding;
5. Parkingplacesandgarages;.
6. stackroomsoflibraries;and
7. Officeorcommercialpurposeprovideditisair-conditioned..
Note:Usesofbasementfrom14.12.1.1(i)to(vi)shallnotbereckonedforthepurposesofFAR
whereasforusesin14.12.1.1(vii),thebasementcoverageshallbereckonedforthepurposeof
F.A.R.**
14.12.1.2Thebasementshallnotbeusedforresidentialpurposes.
14.12.2Thebasementshallhavethefollowingrequirements:
1. Every basement shall be in every part at least 2.4 m in height from the floor to the
undersideoftheroofslaborceiling.
2. Adequateventilationshallbeprovidedforthebasement.Thestandardofventilationshall
bethesameasrequiredbytheparticularoccupancyaccordingtoBye-laws.Anydeficiency
maybemetbyprovidingadequatemechanical!Ventilationintheformofblowers,exhaust
fans(oneexhaustfanfor50sq.m.ofbasementarea),air-conditioningsystemetc.
3. Theminimumheightoftheceilingofanybasementshallbe0.9mandmaximumof1;2m
abovetheaveragesurroundinggroundlevel.
4. Adequate arrangement shall be made such that surface drainage does not enter the
basement.
5. Thewallsandfloorsofthebasementshallbewater-tightandbesodesignedthattheeffect
ofthesurroundingsoilandmoisture,ifany,aretakenintoaccountindesignandadequate
dampproofingtreatmentisgiven.
6. The access to the basement shall be separate from themain and alternate stair-case
providingaccessandexitfromhigherfloors.Wherethestaircaseiscontinuousthesame
shallbeenclosed typeservingasa fire separation fromthebasement floorandhigher
floors. Open ramps shall be permitted if they are constructedwithin the building line
subjecttotheprovisionof(iv).
7. Inthecaseofbasementsforofficeandcommercialoccupanciessufficientnumberofexit
waysandaccesswaysshallbeprovidedwithatraveldistancenotmorethan15m.
8. Thebasementshallnotbepartitioned.Incasethepartitionsinthebasementsareallowed
by the Authority, no compartment shall tie less than 500 sq. ft. in area and each
compartment shallhaveventilationstandardsas laiddown in sub-clause (ii) separately
and independently. The basement partitions shall however conform to the norms laid
downbytheChiefFireOfficerDelhi.
9. Kitchen,bathroomand toilet shall notbepermitted in thebasementunless the sewer
levelspermitthesameandthereisnochanceofbackflowandfloodingofsewerage.If
permitted,thisshallbeplacedagainstanexternalwallofthebasement(whichshallalso
beexternalwallofthebuilding)andshallbeadequatelylightedandventilated.Thearea
ofkitchen,bathroomandtoiletsopermittedinthebasementshallbecountedtowards
FARcalculations.
10. Akitchenwhenpermittedinthebasementshallbeequippedwithelectricovens,stoves,
gasorsimilarequipments.
*TheMasterPlan2001provisionsrelatingtobasementeregiveninAppendixJ.Alsosee
undercomments.
**Under theMPD2001asamendedon15.5.1995,basement is tobe included inFAR
calculations.
16.ExitRequirements
16.1General-Thefollowinggeneralrequirementsshallapplytoexits.
1. Everybuildingmeantforhumanoccupancyshallbeprovidedwithexitssufficienttopermit
safeescapeofoccupantsincaseoffireorotheremergency;
2. Ineverybuildingexits shall complywith theminimumrequirementof thispart,except
thosenotaccessibleforgeneralpublicuse;
3. Allexitsshallbefreeofobstructions;
4. Nobuildingsshallbealteredsoastoreducethenumber,widthorprotectionofexitsto
lessthanthatrequired;
5. Exitsshallbeclearlyvisibleandtheroutestoreachtheexitshallbeclearlymarkedand
signpostedtoguidethepopulationoffloorconcerned;
6. Allexitwaysshallbeproperlyilluminated;
7. Firefightingequipmentwhereprovidedalongexitsshallbesuitablylocatedclearlymarked
butmustnotobstructtheexitwayandyetthereshouldbeckindicationaboutitslocation
fromeithersideoftheexitway;
8. Alarmdevicesshallbeinstalledtoensurepromptevacuationofthepopulationconcerned
throughtheexits;
9. Allexitsshallprovidecontinuousmeansofegresstotheexteriorofabuildingor toan
exterioropenspaceleadingtoastreet;
10. Exits shall be so arranged that theymay be reachedwithout passing through another
occupiedunit,exceptinthecaseofresidentialbuildings.
16.2TypesofExits
1. Exitsshallbeeitherofhorizontalorverticaltype.Anexitmaybedoorway,corridor,and
passagewaystoaninternalstaircaseorexternalstaircase,rampsortoaverandahand/or
terraces,whichhaveaccesstothestreetortoroofofabuilding.Anexitmayalsoinclude
horizontalexitleadingtoanadjoiningbuildingatthesamelevel.
2. Liftsandescalatorsshallnotbeconsideredasexits.
16.3NumberandSizeofExits-Therequisitenumberandsizeofvariousexistsshallbeprovided,
basedonthepopulationineachroom,areaandfloorbasedontheoccupantload,capacityof
exits,traveldistanceandheightofbuildingsasperprovisionsofBye-LawsNos.16.3.1to16.3.3.
16.3.1ArrangementofExits-Exitsshallbesolocatedsothatthetraveldistanceonthefloorshall
notexceed22.Smforresidential,educational,institutionalandhazardousoccupanciesand30m
forassembly,business,mercantile,industrialandstorageoccupancies.Whenevermorethanone
exitisrequiredforafloorofbuilding,exitsshallbeplacedasremotefromeachotheraspossible.
Alltheexitsshallbeaccessiblefromtheentirefloorareaatallfloorlevels.
16.3.2OccupantLoad-Thepopulationinrooms,areasoffloorsshallbecalculatedbasedonthe
occupantloadgiveninthetablegivenbelow.
OccupantLoad:TABLE5*
S.No.
GroupofOccupancy
OccupantLoadGrossArea*insqm/person
1. Residential 12.5
2. Educational 4
3. Institutional 15**
4.
Assembly:(a)withfixedor
looseseatsanddancefloors
(b)withoutseatingfacilitiesincludingdinningrooms
0.6***l.5***
5.
Mercantile:(a)Streetfloorandsales
basement(b)Uppersalefloors
36
6.Businessand
Industrial10
7. Storage 30
8. Hazardous 10
*Thegrossareashallmeanplinthareaorcoveredarea.
**Occupantloadindormitoryportionsofhomesfortheaged,orphanages,insaneasylumsetc.
where sleeping accommodation is provided, shall be calculated y not less than 75-sqm gross
area/person.
***Thegrossareashallinclude,inadditiontothemainassemblyroomorspace,anyoccupied
connectionopenorspaceinthesamestoreyorinthestoreyaboveorbelow,whereentranceis
common to such rooms and spaced and they are available for use by the occupants of the
assemblyplace.Nodeductionsshallbemadeinthegrossareaforcorridors,closetsorothersub-
divisions;oneareashallincludeallspaceservingtheparticularassemblyoccupancy.
16.3.3 Capacityof Exits -The capacityof exits (doors and stairways) indicating thenumberof
personsthatcouldbesafelyevacuatedthroughaunitexitwidthof50cmshallbeasgivenbelow.
OccupantsPerUnitExitWidth:TABLE6
NUMBEROFOCCUPANTS
Sl.No
GroupofOccupancy Stairways Doorways/HorizontalExit
1 Residential 25 75
2 Educational 25 75
3 Institutional 25 75
4 Assembly 60 90
5 Business 50 75
6 Mercantile 50 75
7 Industrial 50 75
8 Storage 50 75
9 Hazardous 25 40
Notes:
1. SprinklerAllowances-
Whenabuilding isprotectedwithautomaticsprinklersystemandsuchasystemisnot
requiredspecificallybytheCode,thecapacityperstoreyperunitwidthofexitofstairways
inTable6maybeincreasedby5O%.
2. HorizontalExitAllowance-
Whenhorizontalexitisprovidedinbuildingofmercantile,storage,industrial,businessand
assemblyoccupancies,thecapacityperstoreyperunitwidthofexitofstairwaysinTable
6maybeincreasedby50%andinbuildingsofinstitutionaloccupancyby100%.
3. CombineTotalAllowance-
Whenbothautomaticsprinklersandhorizontalexistsareprovided,thecapacityperunit
widthofexitofstairwaysmaybedoublethevaluesspecifiedinTable6.
16.3.4ForbuildingidentifiedinBye-lawNo.6.2.4.1,thereshallbeaminimumoftwostaircase
andonefothemshallbeanenclosedstairwayandtheothershallbeontheexternalwallsof
buildings and shall opendirectly to the exterior, interior open spaceor to anyopenplaceof
safety.
16.3.5NotwithstandingthedetailedprovisionforexitsasperBye-lawNos.16.3.1to16.3.3,the
followingminimumwidthprovisionsshallbemadeforeachstairways:
1. (i) Residential building upto 3-1/2 storey ht. 0.9m
(ii)Otherresidentialbuildinge.g.hotels,flats,grouphousingetc.1.25m
2. Assemblybuildingslikeauditorium,theatresandcinemas1.5m
3. Allotherbuildings1.25m
4. Institutionalbuildingslikehospitals2.0m
5. Educationalbuildingslikeschools,colleges1.5m
16.3.6Notwithstandingthedetailedprovisionsasperbye-lawNos.16.3to16.3.3,thefollowing
minimumwidthprovisionsshallbemadeforeachpassageway:
1. (i) residential buildings, dwelling unit type 0.9m
(ii)residentialbuildingse.g.hostels,hotelsetc.1.25m
2. assemblybuildingslikeauditorium,theatresandcinemas1.5m
3. allotherbuildings1.25m
16.4.1Doorways
1. Everydoorwaysshallopenintoanenclosedstairway,ahorizontalexit,onacorridoror
passagewayprovidingcontinuousandprotectedmeansofegress.
2. Noexitdoorwayshallbelessthan100cminwidth.Doorwaysshallbenotlessthan200cm
doorway shall be less than 100cm inwidth.Doorways shall be not less than 200cm in
height.Doorwaysforbathrooms,watercloset,storesetc.shallbenotlessthan75cmwide.
3. Exitdoorwaysshallopenoutwards,thatis,awayfromtheroombutshallnotobstructthe
travelalonganyexit.Nodoor,whenopened,shallreducetherequiredwidthofstairway
orlandingtolessthan90cm,overheadorslidingdoorsshallnotbeinstalled.
4. Exitdoorshallnotopenimmediatelyuponaflightorstairs;alandingequaltoatleastthe
widthofthedoorshallbeprovidedinthestairwayateachdoorway,leveloflandingshall
bethesameasthatofthefloorwhichitserves.
5. Exitdoorwaysshallbeopenablefromthesidewhichtheyservewithouttheuseofakey.
16.4.2RevolvingDoors
1. Revolving doors shall not be used as required exits except in residential, business and
mercantileoccupancies,butshallnotconstitutemorethanhalf thetotalrequireddoor
width.
2. Whenrevolvingdoorsareconsideredasrequiredexistwaythefollowingassumptionsshall
bemade-
1. eachrevolvingdoorshallbecountedonehalfaunitexitwidth.
2. Revolvingdoorsshallnotbelocatedatthefootofastairway.Anystairwayserved
byarevolvingdoorshalldischargethroughlobbyorfoyer.
16.4.3Stairways
1. Interiorstairsshallbeconstructedofnon-combustiblematerialsthroughout.
2. Interior staircase shall be constructed as a self contained unit with at least one side
adjacent toanexternalwallandshallbecompletelyenclosed.Forbuildingsmorethan
15mheight,allstaircasesshallbeenclosed.
3. Astaircaseshallnotbearrangedroundaliftshaftunlessthelatterisentirelyenclosedby
amaterialoffire-resistanceratingasthatfortypeofconstructionitself.Forbuildingsmore
than15minheight,thestaircaselocationshallbetothesatisfactionofChieffireOfficer,
DelhiFireService.
4. Hollowcombustibleconstructionshallnotbepermitted.
5. Theminimumwidthofinternalstaircaseshallbe1.00mandasgiveninBye-lawNo.16.3.5
6. Theminimumwidthoftreadswithoutnosingshallbe25cmforaninternalstaircasefor
residentialbuildings.Inthecaseofotherbuildingstheminimumtreadshallbe30cm.The
treadsshallbeconstructedandmaintainedinamannertopreventslipping.Windersshall
beallowedinresidentialbuildingsprovidedtheyarenotattheheadofadownwardflight.
7. Themaximumheightofrisershallbe19cminthecaseofresidentialbuildingsand15cm
inthecaseofotherbuildings.Theyshallbelimitedto12perflight.
8. Handrailsshallbeprovidedwithaminimumheightof90cmfromthecenterofthetread.
9. The minimum headroom in a passage under the lading of a staircase and under the
staircaseshallbe2.2m.
10. Forbuildingsmore than24mhigher, access tomain staircase shall begained through
atleasthalfanhourfireresistingautomaticclosingdoorsplacedintheenclosingwallsof
thestaircases.Itshallbeaswingtypedooropeninginthedirectionoftheescape.
11. Nolivingspace,storeorotherfireriskshallopendirectlyintothestaircaseorstaircases.
12. Externalexitdoorofstaircaseenclosureatgroundlevelshallopendirectlytotheopen
spacesorcanbereachedwithoutpassingthroughanydoorotherthanadoorprovidedto
formadraughtlobby.
13. Theexitsignwitharrowindicatingthewaytotheescaperouteshallbeprovidedataheight
of0.5mfromthefloorlevelonthewallandshallbeilluminatedbyelectriclightconnected
to corridor circuits.All existwaymarking signs shouldbe flushedwith thewall and so
designedthatnomechanicaldamageshalloccurtothemduetomovingoffurnitureor
otherheavyequipments.Furtherall landingsof floor shallhave floor indicationboards
indicatingthenumberoffloorasperBye-lawNo.2.35.Thefloorindicationboardshallbe
placedonthewallimmediatelyfacingtheflightofstairsandnearesttothelanding.Itshall
beofsizenotlessthan0.5x0.5m
14. Individualfloorshallbeprominentlyonthewallfacingthestaircase.
15. Incaseofsinglestaircaseitshallterminateatthegroundfloorlevelandtheaccesstothe
basement shall be by a separate staircase.However, the second staircasemay lead to
basement levels provided the same is separated at ground level by either a ventilated
lobbywithdischargepointsattwodifferentendsorthroughenclosures[SeeBye-lawNo.
14.22(vii)]
16.4.2FireEscapesorExternalStairs
1. Fireescapesshallnotbetakenintoaccountincalculatingtheevacuationtimeofabuilding.
2. Allfireescapesshallbedirectlyconnectedtotheground.
3. Entrancetofireescapeshallbeseparateandremotefromtheinternalstaircase.
4. Theroutetofireescapeshallbefreeofobstructionsatalltimes,exceptadoorwayleading
tothefireescapewhichshallhavetherequiredfireresistance.
5. Fireescapeshallbeconstructedofnon-combustiblematerials.
6. Fireescapesstairsshallhavestraightflightnotlessthan75cmwidewith25cmtreadsand
risersnotmorethan19cm.Thenumberofrisersshallbelimitedto16perflight.
7. Handrailsshallbeofaheightnotlessthan90cm.
16.4.5SpiralStairs(fireescape)-Theuseofspiralstaircaseshallbelimitedtolowoccupantload
andtoabuildingofheight9munlesstheyareconnectedtoplatforms,suchasbalconiesand
terracestoallowescapestopause.
A spiral fire escape shall be not less than 150cm in diameter and shall be designed to give
adequateheadroom.
16.4.6Ramps
1. Rampswithaslopeofnotmorethan1in10maybesubstitutedforandshallcomplywith
alltheapplicablerequirementsofrequiredstairwayastoenclosure,capacityandlimiting
dimensions.,Largeslopesshallbeprovidedforspecialusesbutinnocasegreaterthan1
in8.Forallslopesexceeding1 in10andwheretheuse issuchasto involvedangerof
slipping,therampshallbesurfacedwithapprovednon-slippingmaterial.
2. Theminimumwidthoftherampsinhospitalsshallbe2.25m.
3. Handrailsshallbeprovidedopnbothsidesoftheramp.
4. Rampsshallleaddirectlytooutsideopenspaceatgroundlevelorcourtyardsorsafeplace.
5. Forbuildingabove24minheight,accesstorampsfromanyfloorofthebuildingshallbe
throughsmokestopdoor.
16.4.7Corridors
1. Theminimumwidthofacorridorinaresidentialbuildingshallbe1.0mandinallother
buildingsshallbe1.5m
2. Incaseofmorethanonemainstaircaseofthebuildinginter-connectedbyacorridoror
otherenclosedspace,thereshallbeatleastonesmokestopdooracrossthecorridoror
enclosedspacebetweenthedoorsintheenclosingwallsofanytwostaircases.
16.4.8RefugeArea-Forallbuildingsexceeding15minheight,refugeareashallbeprovidedas
follows:
1. for floorsabove15mandupto24m-onerefugeareaonthe floor immediatelyabove
18m.
2. forfloorsabove24mandupto36m-onerefugeareaonthefloorimmediatelyabove24m.
3. forfloorsabove36m-onerefugeareapereveryfivefloorsabove36m
16.4.8.1Refugeareashallbeprovidedontheexternalwallsascantileverprojectionsorinany
othermanner(whichwillnotbecoveredinFAR)withaminimumareaof15sqmtr.Andtobe
calculatedbasedonthepopulationoneachfloorattherateof1sq.m.perperson.
16.4.9Lifts
1. Allthefloorsshallbeaccessiblefor24hoursbythelifts.Theliftsprovidedinthebuildings
shallnotbeconsideredasameansofescapeincaseofemergency.
2. Groundingswitchatgroundfloorleveltoenablethefireservicetogroundtheliftincase
ofanemergencyshallalsobeprovided.
3. Theliftmachineroomshallbeseparateandnoothermachineryshallbeinstalledtherein.
17FireProtectionRequirements
17.1Buildingsshallbeplanned,designedandconstructedtoensurefiresafetyandthisshallbe
done in accordance with para IV Fire Protection of national Building code of India, unless
otherwisespecifiedinthesebye-laws.Inthecaseofbuildings(identifiedinBye-lawsNo.6.2.4.1),
thebuildingschemesshallalsobeclearedbytheChiefFireOfficer,DelhiFireService.
17.2TheadditionalProvisionsrelatedtofireprotectionofbuildingsmorethan15misheightand
buildingsidentifiedinBye-lawNo.6.2.4.1,shallbeasgiveninAppendix-K
APPENDIX K
(Bye-LawNo.17.1)
AdditionalFireProtectionRequirementsforBuildingsmorethan15m.inHeight&Buildingsas
CoveredbyBye-lawNo.6.2.4.1
K-1General
K-1.1.InadditiontotheprovisionsofpartIVFireProtectionofNationalBuildingCodeofIndia,
theChiefFireOfficer,DelhiFireServicemayinsistonsuitableprovisionsinthebuildingsfromfire
safetyandfirefightingpointofviewdependingontheoccupancyandheightofbuildings.
K-2StaircaseEnclosures
K-2.1TheinternalenclosingwallsofstaircaseshallbeofbrickorR.C.C.constructionhavingfire
resistanceofnotlessthantwohours.Allenclosedstaircasesshallhaveaccessthroughself-closing
doors of at least half-hour fire resistance- These shall be single swing doors opening in the
directionoftheescape.Thedoorshallbefittedwithcheckactiondoorclosers.
K-2.2Thestaircaseenclosureonexternalwallofthebuildingshallbeventilatedtoatmosphere
ateachlanding.
K-2.3Permanentventatthetopequalto5%ofthecrosssectionalareaoftheenclosureand
openablesashes'ateach floor levelwithareaequal to15%of thecrosssectionalareaof the
enclosureofexternalwallshallbeprovided.Theroofoftheshaftshallbeatleastlmabovethe
surrounding roof. There shall be no glazing or glass bricks in any internal enclosingwall of a
staircase.1fthestaircaseisinthecoreofthebuildingandcannotbeventilatedateachlanding,
apositivepressureof5-mm.w.g.byanelectricallyoperatedblower/blowersshallbemaintained.
K-2.4Themechanismforpressurizingthestaircaseshaftshallbesoinstalledthatthesameshall
operateautomaticallyandalsowithmanualoperationfacilities,whentheautomaticfirealarm
(SeeBye-lawNo.K.11)operates.
K-3LiftEnclosures
K-3.1Thewallsenclosingliftshaftsshallhaveafireresistanceofnotlessthantwohours.Shafts
shallhavepermanentventsatthetopnotlessthan1800sq.mm.incleararea.Liftmotorrooms
preferablybesitedatthetopoftheshaftandshallbeseparatedfromliftshaftsbytheenclosing
walloftheshaftorbythefloorofthemotorrooms.
K-3.2Landingdoorsinliftenclosuresshallopenintheventilatedorpressurizedcorridor/lobby
andshallhavefireresistanceofnotlessthanonehour.
K-3.3Thenumberofliftsinoneliftbankshallnotexceedfour.Shaftforfireliftinaliftbankshall
beseparatedfromeachotherbyabrickmasonryorRCCwalloffireresistanceofnotlessthan
twohours.
K-3.4Iftheliftshaftandliftlobbyareinthecoreofthebuildingapositivepressureofnotless
than2.5mmandnotmorethan3mm.w.g.byanelectricallyoperatedblowershallbemaintained
intheliftlobbyandpositivepressureofnotlessthan5mmw.g.shallbemaintainedinthelift
shaft.Themechanismforpressurisingtheliftshaftandliftlobbyshallbesoinstalledthatthey
shalloperateautomaticallywhentheautomaticfirealarmoperates.Themechanismshallhave
facilitiestooperatemanually.
K-3.5 Exit fromthe lift lobbyshallbe througha self-closing smokestopdoorofhalf-hour fire
resistance.
K-3.6Theliftmachineroomshallbeseparateandnoothermachineryshallbeinstalledtherein.
K-3.7Liftsshallnotnormallycommunicate,withthebasement.However,oneoftheliftsmaybe
permitted to reach the basement levels provided the lift lobby at each basement level is
pressurizedandseparatedfromtherestofthebasementareas,bysmokeactuatedfireresisting
dooroftwohoursfireresistance.
K-4Basements
K-4.1Eachbasementshallbeseparatelyventilated.Ventswithcrosssectionalarea(aggregate)
notlessthan2.5%ofthefloorareaspreadevenlyroundtheperimeterofthebasementshallbe
providedintheformofgrillsorbreakablestall-boardslightorpaymentlightorbywayofshafts.
K-4.2Thestaircaseofbasementsshallbeofenclosedtypehavingfireresistanceofnotlessthan
twohoursandshallbesituatedattheperipheryofthebasementandshallcommunicatewith
basement through a lobby provided with fire resisting self-closing doors of half-hour fire
resistance.Ifthetraveldistanceexceeds18.50madditionalstaircasesatproperplacesshallbe
provided.
K-5ServiceDucts
K-5.1 Service ducts for electrical conduits, cables etc.shall be enclosed bywalls having a fire
resistance of not less than two hours. Doors for inspection or access shall also have a fire
resistanceofnotlessthantwohours.
K-5.2 If the.Cross-sectionalareaexceeds1sq.m. itshallbesealedwhere itpassesafloorby
carryingthefloorthroughtheduct.Thefloorwithintheductshallbepiercedforanyservicepipe
orventilationtrunkandshallfitascloselyaspossiblearoundanysuchpipeortrunk.
K-6.RefuseChutesandRefuseChambers
K-6.1Hopperstorefusechutesshallbesituatedinwellventilatedpositionsandthechutesshall
be continued upwards with an outlet above roof level and with an enclosure wall of non-
combustiblematerialwithfireresistanceofnotlessthantwohours.Thehoppersshallnotbe
locatedwithinthestaircaseenclosure.
K-6.2 Inspectionpanel andhopper (charging station) opening shall be fittedwith tight fitting
metaldoors,covers,havingafireresistanceofnotlessthanonehour.
K-6.3Refusechutes shallnotbeprovided in staircasewalls,air-conditioningshafts,etc.K-6.4
Refuse chambers shall have walls and floors of roofs constructed of non-combustible and
imperviousmaterialandshallhavea fire resistanceofnot less than twohours.Theyshallbe
locatedatasafedistancefromexitroutes.
K-7.LiftsandFireLifts
K-7.1Publicaddresssystemintheliftcarwithspeaker/telephoneassemblyshallbeprovided.
K-7.2Provisionsforafireliftshallbemadeasperthefollowingdetails:
1. ToenableFireServicespersonneltoreachtotheupperfloorswiththeminimumdelay,
oneoftheliftsshallbesodesignedsoastobeavailablefortheexclusiveuseoftheFiremen
inanemergencyandbedirectlyaccessibletoeverydwellinglettablefloorspaceoneach
floor.
2. Theliftshallhaveafloorareaofnotlessthanl.5sq.m.Itshallhaveloadingcapacityofnot
lessthan500kg.(8personslift)withautomaticclosingdoors.
3. Theelectricsupplyshallbeonaseparateservicefromelectricsupplymainsinabuilding
andcables run in routesafe from fire, that is,within the lift shaft. Incaseof failureof
normalelectricsupplyitshallautomaticallytripovertoalternatesupply.
4. Theoperationofafireliftisasimpletoggleortwobuttonswitchsituatedinaglassfronted
boxadjacenttotheliftattheentrancelevel.Whentheswitchison,landingcall-pointswill
becomeinoperativeandtheliftwillbeoncarcontrolonly.Whentheswitchisoff,thelift
willreturntonormalworking.Thisliftcanbeusedbytheoccupantsinnormaltimes.
5. Thewords "FIRE LIFT" shall be conspicuously displayed in fluorescent paint on the lift
landingdoorsateachfloorlevel.
6. Forbuildingsabove15m inheightcollapsiblegatesshallnotbepermittedfor liftsand
shallhavesoliddoorswithfireresistanceof2hours.
K-8.BuildingServices
K-8.1ElectricalServices
1. Theelectricdistributioncables/wiringshallbelaidinseparateduct(SeeBye-lawNo.K-5-
1).Theductshallbesealedateveryalterativefloorwithnon-combustiblematerialshaving
thesamefireresistanceasthatoftheduct.
2. Watermains,telephonelines,intercomlines,gaspipesoranyotherservicelineshallnot
belaidintheductforelectriccables.
3. Separate circuits forwaterpumps lifts, staircasesandcorridor lightingandblowers for
pressurizingsystemshallbeprovideddirectlyfromthemainswitchgearpanel.
K-8.2StaircaseandCorridorLighting
1. Thestaircaseandcorridorlightingshallbeonseparateserviceandshallbeindependently
connectedsoasitcouldbeoperatedbyoneswitchinstallationonthegroundfloor,easily
accessibletofirefightingstaffatanytimeirrespectiveofthepositionoftheindividuate
controlofthelightpoints,ifany.
2. Staircaseandcorridor lightingshallalsobeconnectedtoalternatesupply fromparallel
high-tensionsupplyortothesupplyfromthestand-bygenerator.
3. Emergencylightsshallbeprovidedinstaircasecorridor.
K-8.3AlternateSourceofElectricSupply-Astand-byelectricgeneratorshallbeinstalledtosupply
powertostaircaseandcorridorlightingcircuits,firelifts,thestand-byfirepump,pressurization
fans and blowers, smoke extraction and damper system in case of failure of normal electric
supply.Thegeneratorshallbecapableoftakingstartingcurrentofallthemachinesandcircuits
stated above simultaneously. If the stand-by pump is driven by diesel engine, the generator
supplyneednotbeconnectedtothestand-bypump.WhereparallelHV/LVsupplyisprovided
with appropriate transformer for emergency, the provision o1 generator may be waived in
consultationwithChiefFireOfficer,DelhiFireService.
K-8.4Transformers
1. Iftransformersarehousedinthebuildingbelowthegroundlevelitshallbenecessarilyin
the first basement in separate fire resistance room of 4 hours rating. The room shall
necessarily be at the periphery of the basement. The entrance to the room shall be
provided with a steel door of 2 hours fire rating. A curb of a suitable height shall be
providedattheentranceinordertopreventtheflowofoilfromruptured,transformer
into other parts of the basement. The direct access to that transformer room shall be
providedpreferably fromoutside. The switchgears shall behoused in a separate room
separatedfromthetransformerbaysbyafire-resistingwallwithfireresistancenotless
thanfourhours.
2. Thetransformershallbeprotectedbyanautomatichigh-pressurewatersprayorafoam
sprinklersystem.Whenhousedatgroundfloorlevelit/theyshallbecut-offfromtheother
portionofpremisesbyFireResistingWallsof4hours fire resistance.Theyshallnotbe
housedonupperfloors.
3. AtankofRCCconstructionofadequatecapacityshallbeprovidedatlowerba9ementlevel,
tocollecttheoilfromthecatchpitincaseofemergency.Thepipeconnectingthecatch-
pittothetankshallbeofnon-combustibleconstructionandshallbeprovidedwithaflame-
arrester.
K-8.5Air-conditioning
1. Properarrangementsbywayofautomaticfiredampersworkingonsmoke/heatdetectors
forisolatingallductingateveryfloorfromthemainrisershallbemade.
2. When the automatic fire alarm operates, the respective air handling units of the air
conditioningsystemshallautomaticallybeswitchedoff.
3. Automaticfiredampersshallbesoarrangedsoastoclosebygravityinthedirectionofthe
airmovementandtoremaintightlycloseduponoperationofasmoke/heatdetector-cum-
firealarm.
4. Airductssavingmainfloorareascorridors,ete.shallnotpassthroughthestairwall.
5. Wherevertheductspassthroughfirewallsorfloorstheopeningaroundtheductsshallbe
seatedwithfireresistingmaterialssuchasropeasbestos,mineralwool,etc.Theairfilters
oftheair-handlingunitsshallbeofnon-combustiblematerials.
6. Automaticfiredampersshall.beprovidedattheinletofthefreshairductandthereturn
airductofeachcompartment/stoponeveryfloor.
Note:Theuseof typeofdetectors shallbe to the satisfactionofChief FireOfficer,Delhi Fire
Service.
K-8.6BoilerRoom-ProvisionsofBoilerandBoilerRoomsshallconformtoIndianBoilerAct.
Further, the following additional aspects may be taken into account in the location of
Boiler/BoilerRoom:
1. Theboilershallnotbeallowedinsub-basementbutbeallowedinthebasementsaway
fromtheescaperoutes.
2. Theboilersshallbeinstalledinafireresistingroomof4hoursfireresistancerating,and
thisroomshallbesituatedontheperipheryofthebasement.Catchpitshallbeprovided
atthelowlevel.
3. Theboilerroomshallbeprovidedwithfreshairinletsandsmokeexhaustsdirectlytothe
atmosphere.
4. Foaminletsshallbeprovidedontheexternalwallsofthebuildingatthegroundfloorlevel
toenablethefireservicestousefoamincaseoffire.
K-9ProvisionofFirstAidFireFightingAppliances
K-9.1The firstaid fire fightingequipmentsshallbeprovidedonall floor includingbasements,
occupiedterrace,liftroomsinaccordancewithIS:2217-1982Recommendationsforproviding
FirstAidFireFightingArrangementsinPublicBuildingsinconsultationwiththeChiefFireOfficer.
K-9.2ThefirefightingappliancesshallbedistributedoverthebuildinginaccordancewithIS2190
CodeofPracticeforselection,installationandmaintenanceofportablefirstaidfireappliances.
K-10.FixedFireFightingInstallations
K-10.1Buildingsabove15minheightdependingupontheoccupancyuseshallbeprotectedby
wetriserorsprinklerinstallationsystemwiththefireserviceconnectionsatthebaseorsprinkler
installa6onasperdetailsgivenbelow:
Detailsgivenbelow
TypeoftheBuildingOccupancy Requirements
(a)Apartmentbuildingbelow15m.inheightirrespectiveoffloorarea Nil
(b)Apartmentbuildingsexceeding15m.inheight WetRisersand(or)DownComers
(c)Non-apartmentsbuildings15m.andaboveinheightirrespectiveof
floorareaWetRisersand(or)DownComers
(d)Allbasements,sub-basementshavingspecialriskslikestorageofhazardous
Sprinkler"Systemandexplosivematerialinabuilding15m.andabove
HighPressureWaterSprayorfoam
(e)Anyoftheabovecategoriesmayincorporateanautomaticsprinkler*/drenchersystemifthe
protectivemethods.
*Those buildings provided with smoke/heat detection system backed by 24 hour caretaker
(trainedinfirefighting)staff,theinstallationofsprinklersneednotbeinsisted.
Thehydrantsshallbeprovidedwithinthecourtyard,the locationofwhichshallbedecidedin
consultationwiththeChiefFireOfficer.
Note:TheDryRiserinstallationsmaybepermittedbytheChiefFireOfficer,DelhiFireService,for
buildingsunder (b) and (c) forheights above15m. andbelow24m. if he is satisfiedwith the
arrangementsforwatersupply
K-10.2TheWetRiserinstallationsshallconformtolS:3844-1966CodeofPracticeforInstallation
ofinternalfirehydrantsinmulti-storeybuildings.
Inaddition,WetRisersshallbedesignedforZonaldistributionensuringthatundulyhighpressure
arenotdevelopedinrisersandhaveripes.
Inadditiontowetrisers,firstaidhosereelsshallbeinstalledonallthefloorsofthebuildingsand
shall conform to IS: 884-1969 specification for first aid hose reel for fire fighting (fixed
installations).Thefirstaidhosereelshallbeconnectedtooneofthefemalecouplingsoftwin
couplingsoflandingvalvesofthewetriserinstallationsbymeansofadopter.
K-10.2.1Therisershallbefedthroughtheboosterpumpfromeitherofthetwowatersources
roundtheclock:
1. Townmainsofsuitablesizewhichcansupplyrequisitequantityofwater.
2. Statictanks.Thecapacityofthestatictankshallbegivenasbelow:
1. Apartment building 15m. and above in height 50,000 liters but below 24m. in
height.
2. Non-apartmentbuilding15m.andabovebutbelowl,00000liters24m.inheight
usedformixedoccupancieslikeoffices,shops,departmentstores
3. Apartmentbuildings24m.andaboveinheightl,00000liters
4. Non-apartmentbuildings24m.andaboveinheight2,00,000liters
Note1.Incaseofgrouphousingofapartmentbuildings15mandaboveinheightbutbelow24m.
acentrallylocatedtankhavingacapacityof2,00,000litersmaybeprovided.
Note2.Theabovequantitiesofwatershallbeexclusivelyforfirefightingandshallnotbeutilized
fordomesticorotheruse.
K-10.2.2StaticWaterStorageTank-Asatisfactorysupplyofwaterforthepurposeoffirefighting
shallalwaysbeavailableintheformofundergroundstaticstoragetankwithcapacityspecified
foreachbuildingbythelocalFireAuthoritywitharrangementsofreplenishmentbytown'smain
or alternative source of supply @ 1,0001itres per minute. The static storage water supply
requiredfortheabovementionedpurposeshouldentirelybeaccessibletothefireenginesofthe
local Fire Service. Provision of suitable number of manholes shall be made available for
inspection,repairs,andinsertionofsuctionhoseetc.Thecoveringslabshallbeabletowithstand
thevehicularloadof18tons.
K-10.2.3Topreventstagnationofwaterinthestaticwaterstoragetankthesuctiontankofthe
domesticwatersupplyshallbefedonlythroughanoverflowarrangementtomaintainthelevel
thereinattheminimumspecifiedcapacity.
K-10.2.4Thestaticwaterstoragetankshallbeprovidedwithafirebrigadecollectingbreaching
with4Nos.-65mmdia.instantaneousmaleinletsarrangedinavalveboxatasuitablepointat
streetlevelandconnectedtothestatictankbyasuitablefixedpipenotlessthan15cm.dia.to
dischargewaterintothetankwhenrequiredatarateof1,000litersperminute.
K-10.3AutomaticSprinklers-Automatichighpressurewatersprayorfoamsprinklerssystemshall
beinstalled.
1. Inbasements,sub-basementswhichareusedascarparks,storageofcombustiblearticle,
laundryetc.
2. Onfloorsusedasdepartmentalstores,shopsandtradersinvolvingfirerisks.
3. Onallfloorsofthebuildingsotherthanapartmentbuildings,iftheheightofthebuilding
exceeds45m.
Note:SeeFootnoteunderTableK-1D.1acrossSl.Nos.(d)&(e).
K-10.4Carbon-Di-OxideFireExtinguishingSystem.FixedCO2fireextinguishinginstallationshall
beprovidedasper IS:6382-1971CodeofPracticefordesignandinstallationoffixedCO2fire
extinguishingsystemonpremiseswherewaterorfoamcannotbeusedforfireextinguishments
becauseofthespecialnatureofthecontentsofthebuildings/areastobeprotected.
K-11FireAlarmSystem
K-11.1Allbuildingsabove15m.inheightshallbeequippedwithfirealarmsystemasgiveninbye-
lawsNo.K-11.1.1&K-11.1.2.
K-11.1.1ResidentialBuilding(DwellingHouses,Boardinghouses&Hotels)
1. Allresidentialbuildingslikedwellinghouses(includingflats),boardinghousesandhostels
shallbeequippedwithmanuallyoperatedelectricalfirealarmsystemwithoneormore
callboxeslocatedateachfloor.Thelocationofthecallboxesshallbedecidedaftertaking
intoconsiderationthefloorplanwithaviewtoensurethatoneortheothercallboxshall
be readily accessible to all occupants of the floor without having to travelmore than
22.5m.
2. Thecallboxesshallbeofthe'break-glass'typewithoutanymovingparts,wherethecall
istransmittedautomaticallytothecontrolroomwithoutanyotheractiononthepartof
thepersonoperatingthecallbox.
3. Allcallboxesshallbewiredinaclosecircuittoacontrolpanelinthecontrolroom,located
asperBye-lawNo.K-12sothatthefloorNo.fromwherethecallboxisactuatedisclearly
indicatedonthecontrolpanel.Thecircuitshallalsoincludeoneormorebatterieswitha
capacity of 48 hrs. normal working at full load. The battery shall be arranged to be a
continuouslytricklechargedfromtheelectricmains.
4. Thecallboxesshallbearrangedtosoundoneormoresounderssoastoensurethatall
occupantsofthebuildingshallbewarnedwheneveranycallboxisactuated.
5. Thecallboxesshallbesoinstalledthattheydonotobstructtheexitwaysandyettheir
locationcaneasilybenoticedfromeitherdirection.Thebaseofthecallboxshallbeata
heightof1mfromthefloorlevel.
K-11.1.2AllotherBuildings-AllbuildingsotherthanasindicatedunderBye-lawNo.K-11.1.1shall,
inadditiontothemanuallyoperatedelectricalfirealarmsystem,beequippedwithanautomatic
firea1armsystem.The lattershallbe inadditiontothealarm,whichmaybesoundedbythe
actuationofanyautomatic fireextinguishingsystem,whichmaybe installed inanyparticular
occupancyinaccordancewiththesebyelaws.UnlessotherwisedecidedbytheChiefFireOfficer,
DelhiFireService,thedetectorsfortheautomaticfirealarmsystemshallconformto1S:217S-
1962HeatSensitiveFireDetectorsandthesystemshallbeinstalledinaccordancewithIS:2189-
1962CodeofPracticeforAutomaticFireAlarmsystem,oranyotherrelevantIndianStandards
preparedfromtimetotime.
Note:Severaltypesoffiredetectorsareavailableinthemarket,buttheapplicationofeachtype
is limitedandhas tobe carefully considered in relation to the typeof risk and the structural
featuresofthebuildingwheretheyaretobeinstalled.
K.12ControlRoom
K.12.1Thereshallbeacontrolroomontheentrancefloorofthebuildingwithcommunication
system(suitablepublicaddresssystem)toallfloorsandfacilitiesforreceivingthemessagefrom
differentfloors.Detailsofal1floorplansalongwiththedetailsof firefightingequipmentand
installationsshallbemaintainedintheControlRoom.Thecontrolroomshallalsohavefacilities
to detect the fire on any floor through Indicator Boards connecting fire detecting and alarm
systemonallfloors.Thestaffinchargeofcontrolroomshallberesponsibleforthemaintenance
ofthevariousservicesandfirefightingequipmentandinstallations.
K-13HouseKeeping
K-13.1Toeliminatefirehazardsagoodhousekeepinginsidethebuildingandoutsidethebuilding
shallbestrictlymaintainedbytheoccupant'sand/ortheownerofthebuilding.
K-14FireDrillsandFireOrders
K-14.1Firenotices/ordersshallbepreparedtofulfilltherequirementsofthefirefightingand
evacuationfromthebuildingintheeventoffireandotherincidents.Theoccupantsshallbemade
thoroughlyconversantwiththeiractionintheeventoftheemergency,bydisplayingfirenotices
atvantagepoints.Suchnoticesshouldbedisplayedprominentlyinbroadlettering.