Chapter 2 Literature Study

2. General:
The objective of this chapter is to take a glance at the work already done & the information
available and the sources.
Keywords: Fire prevention, Life safety, Fire risk assessment & evaluation systems.

2.1. Fire Prevention in buildings:

2.1.1. Codes & Standards:

National Building Code of India (part-IV)

It covers the minimum requirements for fire prevention of buildings. The code lays
the minimum requirements for construction of different occupancies (Nine are
specified in the code) and different types of construction (which are classified into
four types).
The general requirements given for all occupancies and construction types given are:
Maximum Height.
Occupation of buildings.
Floor Area ratio.
Open spaces.
Mixed Occupancy.
Opening in separating walls and floors.
Fire stop or enclosure of opening.
Heating and Electrical installations.
Air Conditioning & Ventilation.
Smoke Venting.

Uniform Fire Code:

The uniform fire code gives general provisions for fire safety. The code in laying
down the provisions talks about issues like:

Fire and life safety education of fire brigades, employees, responsible parties,
and the general public.

Design, alterations, modifications, construction, maintenance and testing of

fire protection systems and equipment.

Access requirements for fire department operations and regulation and control
of special events including, but not limited to, assemblage of people, exhibits,
trade shows, amusements parks, haunted houses, outdoor events, and other
similar special temporary and permanent occupancies.
Storage, use, processing, handling and on-site transportation of flammable and
combustible gases, liquids, and solids.

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Storage, use, processing, handling, and on-site transportation of flammable

and combustible gases, liquids and solids.

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Chapter 2 Literature Study

Interior finish, decorations, furnishings, and other combustibles that contribute

to fire spread, fire load, and smoke production.

2.1.2. Seminars :

Planning & Design guidelines for fire safety measures in buildings

Author: Mr. Touseef Rashid Makroo, Seminar Report 2008, MBEM, SPA New
Delhi
It is aimed at consolidation of planning and design recommendation of fire safety in
buildings from various codes, standards and established norms and proposes
guidelines for fire safety planning and design issues in a proper structure aligned with
general building design and construction process.
It helps in understanding various codes and the understanding of fire and its
characteristics, growth and spread within and outside a building.

Fire safety Beyond prescriptive recommendations, to develop a performance

based design for building.
Author: M.J.Dinaka, Seminar Report 2005, MBEM, SPA New Delhi
The aim is to develop an understanding of the various aspects of fire, the different fire
safety techniques that help to determine the components to fire safety and evolve the
methodology for fire safety which fall out of the scope of the codes, there by
developing a performance based design for buildings.

2.1.3. Thesis:

Fire Preventive Measures in buildings:

Author: Meena.A.Jan, Thesis Report 2003, MBEM, SPA New Delhi
This thesis helps to identify the aspects of fire prevention in buildings, develop an
approach for fire prevention in buildings through design evaluation & develop a rating
system for fire preventive design.
This seminar is useful to prepare a checklist for fire prevention in buildings.

2.2. Life Safety in buildings:

2.2.1 Codes & Standards:

National Building Code of India (part-IV):

It covers the minimum requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire,
and fire protection of buildings. The code specifies planning and construction features

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Chapter 2 Literature Study

and fire protection features for all occupancies that are necessary to minimize danger
to life and property.

NFPA (Life safety code Handbook)

The code addresses those construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary
to minimize danger to life from fire, including smoke, fumes, or panic. The code
establishes minimum criteria for the designs of egress facilities so as to allow prompt
escape of occupants from buildings or, where desirable into safe areas within
buildings.
The code addresses other considerations that are essential to life safety in recognition
of the fact that life safety is more than a matter of egress. The code also addresses
protective features and systems, buildings services, operating features, maintenance
activities, and other provisions in recognition of the fact that achieving an acceptable
degree of life safety depends on additional safeguards to provide adequate egress time
or protection for people exposed to fire.

Uniform Fire Code:

The uniform fire code gives general provisions for fire safety. The code in laying
down the provisions talks about issues like,
Review of design and construction plans, drawings, and specifications for life
safety systems, access, water supplies, processes, and hazardous materials and
other fire and life safety issues.
Inspection of permanent and temporary buildings, processes, equipment,
systems, and other fire and related life safety situations.

2.2.2 Seminars:

Critical Review of concepts and Norms for Travel Distance for Life Safety in
Building Fires.
Author: Sanskriti tiwary, Seminar Report 2013, MBEM, SPA New Delhi
This seminar talks about the norms for travel distances which is essential criteria for
life safety in buildings in case of fire. This seminar also shows a comparative analysis
of travel distance norms for different codes prevailing in different countries.

2.3. Fire risk assessment & evaluation systems:

2.3.1. Codes , book and Standards:

NFPA 551 : Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments, 2007 Edition
This guide is intended to assist with the evaluation of FRA methods used primarily in
a performance-based regulatory environment. While the primary audience is

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Chapter 2 Literature Study

anticipated to be authorities having jurisdiction, it is expected that the guide will be a
useful resource for anyone conducting an FRA.
This guide applies to the assessment of performance-based solutions, studies, code
equivalencies, or regulatory compliance evaluations developed using FRA methods.

Principles of Fire Risk Assessment in Buildings

This book provides different assessment techniques for predicting probability of different fire
scenarios take under consideration for assessing risk in a building.
This book provides references from different international codes and their compliance with
the fire risk assessment of buildings.

IS: 15550 2005 - Failure mode effects analysis

This standard describes potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and provides
generic guidelines in the application of the technique.

2.4. Summary:
This chapter discusses the literature that will be used to develop a model which will assist in
fire risk assessment of a building. The literature is divided according to keywords which are
very relevant to the topic.
This chapter fulfils the objective of studying codes and different literature to develop a basic
understanding of planning and design of fire safety in buildings. Also from the literature the
different risk factors are also identified and different quantitative techniques are studied.

Varun Mattoo,

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