General Directorate of Civil Defense in KSA / Ministry of Interior

Transition distance to different areas in the buildings

Transition direction
Type region
One way Two directions or more
Opened region 15m 40m
Divided region 10m 30m
An region divided by a passage 10m 30m
Fire sectors less than 50m2 Not specified Not specified
Fire sectors less than 150m2 with less than 50 people Not allowed 30m
Fire sectors less than 150m2 with more than 50 people Not allowed 30m
Protected passage 10m 30m

Measuring the transition distance:

Figure 3-2

3-3/1/8 Closed ends in the ways to escape (emergency exit)

It is measured in the same way of the transition distance is calculated, from the farthest point to the exit,
3-3/1/8/1 or from the farthest point to the entrance in to two different directions, under a condition that the
distance should not exceed 7.5m.
Direct distance: is the shortest imaginary line inside the building, which connects between the farthest
3-3/1/9
point and the exit.
In case it was difficult to calculate the transition distance during the design because of the lack of
information about the nature of the use, assume the presence of the imaginary line called the direct
3-3/1/9/1 distance and which is the shortest line in the building that connects between the farthest point and the
exit, regardless the obstacles that encounter. And this line is estimated on the basis that the transition
distance = 1.5 the direct distance.
3-3/2 The absorptive capacity to the ways to escape (emergency exit).
The capacity is estimated according to the maximum number of people that might be present in the
3-3/2/1 building or in any part of it at any time, under a condition that the number should not be less than the
number listed in the following table 3-2.

The minimum width of the ways to escape (emergency exits):

The net width of the ways to escape in meters

Parts of ways to escape
Number of people
100 150 200 250 300
Doors and passages 0.80 0.85 1.00 1.00 1.5
Stairs 0.75 1.00 1.30 1.30 3.00
 Table 3-2

The width of the passage to escape in the previous chart is estimated according to the number of people
3-3/2/2 using it in emergency cases, and it is preferred that the width of the exits and escaping passages not to
be less than 100cm.
Updating method can be used to calculate the values confined between 100 and 300 people of the
3-3/2/3
building's occupants, to find the minimum limit of the net width in meters for the escaping passages.
In case there was more than 300 person of the occupants of the building, the net width must be
3-3/2/4 increased by (0.05m) for each increase that ranges with (10) people to in case of the use the passages,
and (8) person in the usage the stairs.
In recurrent deck, the highest number of people is taken in one floor only to estimate the capacity of the
3-3/2/5 exits, in which it shouldnt be less than the capacity of the (emergency exit), the main escaping ways that
lead to the final exits.
If the number of people is more than 1000 person, an additional exit must be provided with a width of
152cm for each 500 additional person. And the width of the stairs and staircase equivalent in all stages up
3-3/2/6
till the final exit. But in the cases that are not mentioned in the chart, the civil defense specify the
appropriate measurements according to the conditions of the design.
Rise of the (emergency exits) ways to escape: the ways to escape are designed in a way that the net
3-3/3
height of any of its parts less than 2.2m.
3-3/4 The breadth of the ways to escape (emergency exits):
The width of the ways to escape (emergency exits) according to the table number 3-2, in order for the
width of the escaping ways (emergency exits) enough to handle the people that are present in the
3-3/4/1
building. And the width of the net vacuum is calculated at the narrowest point in any part of the
constitutes of the escaping ways.
When the escaping ways confluence (emergency exits) from the upper floors to the lower floor
3-3/4/2 (basement). In the lower floor the capacity from the meeting point till the exit must not be less than the
total capacity of all of them.
The widening of the exits is linked to the time of evacuation of the place, and the number of the users of
the building. The evacuation period differs from one building to another according to the difference in the
3-3/4/3
safety procedures available in the building. Table 3-3 shows the estimation of the evacuation periods in
the buildings.

Sequence Area in meter square for each Number of people for each meter
Description of the building
order person (m2/person) square (person/m2)
1 Family house - -
2 Residential building - -
3 Hotel buildings
Hotels rooms 15.00 0.07
restaurants 4.00 0.25
conference rooms 1.00 0.15
Commercial stores
4 0.75 1.33
(supermarkets)
Central shops 2.00 0.50
Small commercial shops - -
5 School buildings 3.00 0.30
6 Building communities
showrooms 1.50 0.67
 showrooms 7.00 0.15
Health care center
Hospital wards 15.00 0.07
Elderly care homes 15.00 0.07
Day care hospitals 0.50 0.50
Parking 15.00 0.07
Industrial buildings 10.00 0.10
Warehouse buildings - -
Important note: Important note: the number of occupants of the building is determined on the basis of their actual
number in the case of the presence of fixed seating.

Mathematical formula to calculate the number of units required:

The number of the people in the building

Expanding the number of units
Flow average x evacuation time in minutes
3-3/7 The number of the exits of the escaping ways (openings of the emergency exits).
The number of the exits of the escaping ways (openings of the emergency exits):is the minimum number
3-3/7/1 of the exit openings required to be provided to let the people get out according to a specified average of
flow, and it is estimated by (40 person per minute) in a specified time.
Example 1: how many is the number of the exits of ways to escape (openings of the emergency exits)
that are required to be provided to exit 480 person from the building in three minutes?
Solution: (the number of units 4)+2= 1+(44)=1
3-3/7/2
Example 2: how many is the number of the exits of ways to escape (openings of the emergency exits)
that are required to be provided in a building that is required for it 8 units?
Solution: (the number of units 4)+3= 1+(48)=1

Mathematical formula to calculate the number of (emergency exits holes) required exits to
escape:

Number of units
The number of emergency exits +1
4
Number of people Number of exits Minimum net of the width of the exit
Maximum 200 person 2 90cm
Maximum 300 person 2 122cm
Maximum 500 person 2 152cm
Maximum 750 person 3 152cm
Maximum 1000 person 4 152cm
LIFTS

4-6 Elevators:
The elevators are installed, used, and maintained in accordance with the standards of the Gulf region
4-6/1 "elevators for persons and goods" in all parts, and with the special conditions required by the Civil
Defense.
4-6/2 It is totally prevented to overload the elevator more contributions.
4-6/3 All the elevators must return to the ground floor and opens their doors in the event of a fire.
4-6/4 Fire elevator:
When the building height is more than (28 meters) an elevator or more is devoted to serve the civil
4-6/4/1
defense men.
A special key for the fire elevator is set to control the fire in case of accidents, and it is stored in a locked
4-6/4/2
box with a glass cover and a special sign, fixed on the wall and set in a special place on the ground floor.
It is more appropriate to provide the elevator fire with electrical power of a different source of supply
4-6/4/3 from the construction, in order for the elevator to keep on serving to serve until the elevator with the fire
power during the incidents.

4-6/5 Elevator case

The elevator case, equipment room, and the transmitters are Built out of materials with at least two
4-6/5/1
hours of resisting.
4-6/5/2 The elevator case must be protected from the vertical spread of fire or smoke to other floors.
The elevator case must overlooks in the floors to an isolating space separated from the building with
4-6/5/3
walls and preventive walls to fire that are automatically closed.
The elevator case is allowed to be found in the staircase as long as the prevention requirements for fire
4-6/5/4
protection are provided.
4-6/5/5 The elevator case should not be a part of the ventilation system in the building.
Adequate ventilation must be provided for the disposal of smoke in the event of fire occurred in the
4-6/5/6
elevator case.
4-6/5/7 It is not allowed to use the elevator case for any purpose other than its equipment.
4-6/5/8 It is prevented to have any openings on the elevator case other than the doors.
4-6/5/9 It is forbidden to paint the inside walls of the elevator case with incombustible substances.
4-6/5/10 A copy of the key of the outside door of the elevator must be handed over to the Civil Defense.
4-6/6 The engine room of the elevator:
An engine room must be established from non-combustible materials in accordance with the standards
4-6/6/1
the Gulf region "elevators for individuals and goods"
Prevent any openings between the engine room and elevator case, except for openings for ropes and
4-6/6/2
other necessity extensions.
4-6/6/3 Must provide adequate ventilation and lighting of the engine room.
If the stairs of the building does not reach the level of the engine room, a fixed stairs must be provided
4-6/6/4
made from incombustible materials.
Barriers should be installed to prevent from falling on the surfaces or through the openings in the engine
4-6/6/5
room.
A closet should be set with an armed glass cover in the engine room to store hand tools for keeping tools
4-6/6/6
and hand equipment such as:
4-6/6/6/1 An instrument to operate the wheel (if it was separated from the wheel).
4-6/6/6/2 A key to release the wheels brakes.
4-6/6/6/3 Binding to anchor ropes on the pulley.
4-6/6/6/4 The key of the outside door of the elevator case.
4-6/6/6/5 Any tools or equipment special for operation and light maintenance of the elevator.
4-6/7 Vehicle lift (cabin):
4-6/7/1 The structure of the cabin and its paintings and interior covers must be of incombustible substances.
An interior door must be installed inside the cabin in which the elevator could not work if this door was
4-6/7/2 opened,
to prevent the jam of the clothes between the vehicle and the walls of the elevator.
It must be provided with an opening at the top that allows the entrance or exit of one person, according
4-6/7/3
to the standard specifications of the Gulf countries "elevators for individuals and goods."
4-6/7/4 Vehicle must be equipped with a ventilation fan adequate for the size and capacity of the elevator.
4-6/7/5 The elevator cabin must be equipped with guiding plates that include:
4-6/7/5/1 Panel shows that children under the fourteenth are not allowed to use the elevator without an adult.
4-6/7/5/2 Panel shows that smoking is not allowed inside the elevator.
4-6/7/5/3 Panel that show the capacity of the loads and number of people that are prohibited to use the elevator.
4-6/7/5/4 Setting the special signs of the buttons that show the using of each one.
Painting shows the agent's name, telephone number, and who is responsible for maintenance and their
4-6/7/5/5
telephone numbers in case of emergency.

The number of exits concerning the public rooms in the cinema and theater

Type of the seats Number of the people Number of the exits The width of the exit
3000 4
600-1000 3
Normal According to the number of people
300-600 2
50-300 2
Armchair For each five rows of chairs 2 180 cm
 Calculating of the transition and direct distance to the commercial buildings

Maximum
Distance in
location number of floor Condition and notes
meters
people
Ground Independent and not related to
15 30
floor the basement or mezzanine.
An independent store which is
15 10 Basement connected to the escape ways of
the building.
The direct distance inside the The store is connected to the
commercial shop or office 10 10 Basement
ground floor.
Independent but connected to
15 30 mezzanine
the building.
10 15 mezzanine Connected to the ground floor.
15 30 All floors In the office case.
In the case of the stairs
The direct distance from the farthest
12 - All floors In the case of the commercial
point in the floor to the stairs door.
buildings (offices).
When the exits are available in
20 - Basement
Transition distance from the shop more than one direction.
or office door to the protected When the exits are available in
30 - All floors
staircase or the exit more than one direction.
7.5 - All floors In the case of closed ending.