FIRE LOAD CALCULATION

IS : 1641- 1988
FIRE LOAD:
Fire load is the amount of heat in kilocalories which is liberated per square
metre of floor area of a compartment by the combustion of the contents of
the building and any combustible parts of the building itself. This amount
of heat is used as the basis for classification of occupancies.
..\..\CODES\IS-1641 FS for Building.pdf
Classification of building occupancies according to hazard are—low,
moderate, and high fire loads.

• Occupancies of Low Fire Load: The fire load of an occupancy is described as low if
it does not exceed an average of 2,75,000 kcal/sq.mtr.

• Occupancies of Moderate Fire Load: The fire load of an occupancy is described as

moderate if it exceeds an average of 2,75,000 kcal/sq.mtr. of net floor area of any
compartment but does not exceed an average of 5,50,000 kcal/sq.mtr

• Occupancies of High Fire Load: The fire load of an occupancy is described as high
if it exceeds an average of 5,50,000 kcal/sq.mtr of net floor area but does not
exceed an average of 11,00,000 kcal/sq.mtr of net floor area
 FIRE LOAD CALCULATION-IS : 1641- 1988
HOW TO CALCULATE FIRE LOAD:
With a few pieces of information and a relatively simple math equation,
you are able to correctly determine the fire load of a compartment.
The fire load is determined by multiplying the weight of all combustible
materials by their calorific values and dividing the figure by the floor area
under consideration.
1. Determine the weight of combustible materials in the compartment
for which you wish to calculate fire load. This value is represented by "W"
and is measured in kilograms.
2. Determine the value of these materials in calories. This value is
represented by "C" and is measured in kilocalories/kilogram.
3. Determine the area of the compartment. This value is represented by
"A" and is measured in square meters.
4. Multiply W by C and divide the total by A to determine the fire load.
The equation looks like this: Fire Load = (W x C) / A
 FIRE LOAD CALCULATION - IS : 1641- 1988 …………………….contd

Different materials having the same weight and same

calorific value may present different hazards on account
of their other properties, such as ease of ignition, speed
of burning, and liberation of heat and fumes. Thus, some
materials are more readily ignited than others again,
some burn more rapidly than others, some materials
when heated on fire liberate dangerous fumes, and some
may readily cause ignition of other materials.
..\..\FIRE LOAD\fire load materials.doc
..\..\FIRE LOAD\fire load DCM Shriram kota -26.09.2014 -
with ext.xls
..\..\FIRE LOAD\FIRE LOAD 1.docx
..\..\CODES\EXTINGUISHER REQUIREMENT.docx
• Calculate the fire load of this training room and
propose the number of extinguisher system that
is to be installed in this room to protect it from
the mis-happen.
Data:
Size of the Room: L-25 mt. W-15mt.
Calorific Value:
1. Chair, Table (All types)-4203 kcal/kg
2. Electrical cable, Digital Accessories:-4991 kcal/kg
3. Paper, Cloth(All types)-3345kcal/kg