4.0 MEANS OF EGRESS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015, NFPA 101 – 2018 and NFPA 5000 – 2018 contain a wide variety of egress related ‘fire safety design features’ to facilitate the evacuation of building occupants to an ultimate place of safety.

These features and the evacuation philosophy of QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015, NFPA 101 – 2018 and NFPA 5000 – 2018 need be incorporated into the proposed design, so as to accommodate any occurrence of a complete building evacuation in lieu of a ‘partial’ or ‘staged’ evacuation scenario.

The following Sections detail the applicable QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015, NFPA 101 – 2018, NFPA 5000 – 2018 requirements for design compliance to be achieved, in relation to –

(a) Number of exits
(b) Capacity of exits
(c) Remoteness of exits
(d) Dead-end distances and Common path limitations
(e) Travel distance to exits
(f) Impediments to egress
(g) Construction of Means of Egress
(h) Changes in Level in Means of Egress
(i) Stairs
(j) Ramps
(k) Fire lift and firefighting lobby
(l) Exit Discharge
(m) Emergency Command Centre

4.2 NUMBER OF EXITS

The proposed development shall be assessed to know the extent of compliance with regards to minimum exit requirements on every story and areas where two or more exits are required based on the occupant load. Following are the code requirements that forms the basis of assessment for minimum exit requirements within the proposed development -

(a) A minimum of two exits shall be provided from each story, separated a minimum of one third of the diagonal distance of the floor;
(b) A minimum of two exits must be provided from within an individual room where room occupant load exceeds 50 persons. Exits must be separated a minimum of one third of the diagonal distance of the room;
(c) Where occupant load exceeds 500 persons on a floor or within a room, a minimum of three exits must be provided;
(d) For areas with an occupant load of more than 1000 - not less than 4 exits shall be provided.

Assessment

Basement Level 4

The basement level 4 is used predominantly for car parking and MEP areas. This level has an occupant load of 52 persons thus requiring a two exits as the occupant load is less than 500 and more than 50 persons.

The proposed basement 4 level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Basement Level 3

The basement level 3 is used predominantly for car parking and MEP areas. This level has an occupant load of 48 persons thus requiring one exit as the occupant load is less than 50 persons.

The proposed basement 3 level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Basement Level 2

The basement level 2 is used predominantly for car parking and MEP areas. This level has an occupant load of 53 persons thus requiring a two exits as the occupant load is less than 500 and more than 50 persons.

The proposed basement 2 level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Basement Level 1

The basement level 1 is used predominantly for car parking and MEP areas. This level has an occupant load of 49 persons thus requiring one exit as the occupant load is less than 50 persons.

The proposed basement 1 level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

The fire pump room of the proposed development is provided at this level with a dedicated access (stairway) from the fire vehicle access level which is in compliance with the prescriptive code requirements.

Remotely located second means of egress is required in generator room as the area exceed 18.6 Sq.m. The proposed design provided only one exit which is not in compliance with the prescriptive code requirements.

Ground Floor:

Ground floor is used predominately for accessing the Apartment units. It shall also be used to access the Retails Shops and Kids Play Zone.

The proposed ground floor is directly accessible from the fire department access road. It has 6 exit doors leading to outside the building which satisfy the minimum requirement of number of exits based on the calculated occupant load.

Mezzanine Floor:

The Mezzanine floor level is used predominantly for Multi-purpose Halls and Retail Shops. This level has an occupant load of 466 persons thus requiring a two exits as the occupant load is less than 500 and more than 50 persons.

The proposed Mezzanine floor level is provided with four exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

At Mezzanine Floor, the Multi-purpose Hall and the Gathering Hall have an occupant load of 210 and 197 persons respectively thus requiring both areas with two exits as the occupant load is less than 500 and more than 50 persons.

The proposed Retails Shop and Showroom at Mezzanine floor level is provided each with an exit door in addition to the stair which satisfy the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

First to Tenth Floor

The typical First to Tenth floor level is used predominantly for Apartment Units. This level has an occupant load of 49 persons on each floor thus requiring a two exits as the occupant load is almost 50 persons.

The proposed typical First to Tenth floor level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs on each floor that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Service Floor

The Service floor level is used predominantly for MEP services. This level has an occupant load of 26 persons thus requiring a one exit as the occupant load is less than 50 persons.

The proposed Service floor level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Roof Deck Floor

The Roof Deck floor level is used Swimming Pool, Pool Deck, Fitness Gym and Sauna with ancillary rooms. This level has an occupant load of 106 persons thus requiring a two exits as the occupant load is less than 500 and more than 50 persons.

The proposed roof deck floor level is provided with two enclosed exit stairs that satisfies the minimum required number of exits based on the occupant load.

Roof

The Roof is not accessible for occupants. However, the proposed Roof is provided with ladder rungs to service the equipments on this level.

 

4.3 CAPACITY OF EXITS

Sufficient egress capacity must be provided to allow all occupants to egress in timely manner. NFPA 101 recommends 7.6mm/person for each person expected to use an exit staircase as a means of egress and 5mm/person for each person using the horizontal exits on the ground floor.

The clear width of any exit access corridor or exit passageway, serving an occupant load of 50 or more shall be not less than 1200mm.

For stair & exit identification, refer to FLS Plans.

Assessment

Table below show the minimum required egress widths for the proposed development.

Schedule of Egress Capacity

AREA	EXIT NO.	EGRESS WIDTH	EXIT CAPACITY
Basement Level 4	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		316
	Occupant Load Available		52
	Complies
Typical Basement Levels 1-3	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		316
	Occupant Load Available		49 (ave.)
	Complies
Ground Floor	Door-01	1200	240
	Door-02	1650	330
	Door-03	1650	330
	Door-04	915	183
	Door-05	915	183
	Door-06	1650	330
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		1596
	Occupant Load Available		255
	Complies
Mezzanine Floor	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Stair 03	1200	158
	Stair 04	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		632
	Occupant Load Available		466
	Complies
Typical 1st to 10th Floor	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		316
	Occupant Load Available		49
	Complies
Service Floor	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		316
	Occupant Load Available		26
	Complies
Roof Deck Floor	Stair 01	1200	158
	Stair 02	1200	158
	Total Egress Capacity Provided		316
	Occupant Load Available		106
	Complies

 

4.4 REMOTENESS OF EXITS

Exit remoteness within the proposed development is assessed to ensure the extent of compliance with regards to QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015.

Exit accesses, or exit discharges are located from each other and the minimum separation distance between two exits, exit accesses, or exit discharges is verified not less than one-third the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served.

Assessment

Table below show the diagonal distance, minimum required exit separation and exit separation provided for each level of the proposed development.

Schedule of Exit Remoteness

AREA	DIAGONAL DISTANCE (M)	REQUIRED EXIT SEPARATION (M)	EXIT SEPARATION PROVIDED (M)	STATUS
Basement 04 to Basement 01	69	23	31	Complies
Mezzanine Floor	60	20	26	Complies
1st to 10th Floor	58	19.33	26	Complies
Service Floor	58	19.33	26	Complies
Roof/Pool Deck	58	19.33	26	Complies

 

As indicated in the above table, the exit separation provided for each level of the proposed development is in compliance with the prescriptive code requirements.The design team shall ensure the minimum required exit separation is provided.

4.5 DEAD END DISTANCE AND COMMON PATH LIMITATIONS

The means of egress within the proposed development are assessed for prescriptive code requirements as detailed within Table below. The assessment has been done to ensure extent of compliance at every story and within individual areas requiring compliance with the prescriptive code requirements.

Arrangement of Means of Egress

DESCRIPTION	ENCLOSED CAR PARKING STORAGE	APARTMENT OCCUPANCY	STORAGE OCCUPANCY	ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCY
Maximum Permitted Dead End	15m	15m	15m	6.1m
Maximum Permitted Common path of travel	15m	30m	30m	23 for < 50 persons 6.1m for > 50 persons

 

In addition to the prescriptive code requirements noted above, compliance shall also be achieved with the requirements noted below –
(a) Exits shall be located and exit access shall be arranged so that exits are readily accessible at all times.
(b) Where exits are not immediately accessible from an open floor area, continuous passageways, aisles, or corridors leading directly to every exit shall be maintained and shall be arranged to provide access for each occupant to not less than two exits by separate ways of travel.
(c) Exit Access Corridors shall provide access to not less than two approved exits.
(d) Exit access shall be arranged so that it is not necessary to pass through any area identified under hazardous area protection.

Assessment

Each floor level and type of occupancy within the development has been assessed individually to check compliance with the prescriptive code requirements noted above.

The proposed design is in compliance with the prescriptive code requirements at all levels.

 

4.6 TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

Travel distances shall accord with the QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015

Travel Distance Requirements

OCCUPANCY/USE	TRAVEL DISTANCE LIMIT
Assembly	76m
Business	76m
Enclosed car park	60m
Residential (Within unit)	38m
Residential (From unit to exit)	61m
Storage (Ordinary)	76m

 

Assessment

Each floor within the proposed development is assessed to ensure compliance with the maximum permitted travel distances by QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015.

4.7 IMPEDIMENTS TO EGRESS

Arrangement of means of egress shall accord with the special requirements narrated below –

(a) Access to an exit shall not pass through kitchens; store rooms, restrooms; closets; bedrooms or similar spaces; or other rooms or spaces subject to locking;
(b) Exit access and exit doors shall be designed and arranged to be clearly recognizable;
(c) During door leaf swing, any door leaf in a means of egress shall leave not less than one – half of the required width of an aisle, a corridor, a passage way or a landing unobstructed;
(d) The clear width of any corridor or passageway serving an occupant load of 50 or more shall not be less than 1200mm; and
(e) Where the total occupant load is fewer than 50 the minimum width clear of all obstructions shall be at least 915mm.

Assessment

Each level of the building shall be assessed to ensure that exit access shall not be via areas subject to locking such as store rooms, bedrooms or closets.

The proposed design generally achieves compliance with the above mentioned prescriptive code requirements

 

4.8 CONSTRUCTION OF MEANS OF EGRESS

4.8.1 Door widths

Doors in the means of egress shall be sized and arranged in accordance with the following -

(a) Doors providing access to and are in the path of travel to an exit from rooms that have an area not exceeding 6.5m2 and are not required to be occupied by disabled persons shall be provided with a door leaf dimension of at least 610mm;
(b) The clear and unobstructed width of doorways in the means of egress shall be no less than 915mm in clear width;
(c) Where a pair of doors are provided one of the doors shall have a clear width opening of no less than 810mm;
(d) No door in the means of egress, when fully opened, shall project more than 180mm into the required width of an aisle, corridor, passageway or landing;
(e) The single door discharge openings from each of the stairway shall be no less than 2/3rd of the required width of stairway;
(f) The capacity factor in determining the width of doorways for stairways exceeding 1120mm in width shall be based on the provision of 5mm per person;

The clear width of the all the doors shall be measured as per nfpa 101 as shown below –

Exhibit 4.8.1.1 (Clear door width)

Assessment

The design team need to ensure that all the doors within the means of egress have a clear width as mentioned in the prescriptive code requirements.

4.8.2 Swing of Doors & Force

Swing and force of the door ways in the means of egress shall accord with nfpa 101 as noted below –

(a) Any door assembly in a means of egress shall be of the side-hinged or pivoted-swinging type, and shall be installed to be capable of swinging from any position to the full required width of the opening in which it is installed;
(b) Doors utilised as exits and in exit enclosures need swing in the direction of egress;
(c) Doors that serve rooms with high hazard contents need swing in the direction of egress;
(d) During their swing, the doors leaves must have not less than one-half of the required width unobstructed and must not project more than 180mm into the required width;
(e) Door leaves required to be of side hinged or pivoted – swinging type and swing in the direction of egress travel where the occupant load is more than 50;
(f) All doors at the foot of stairs from upper floors or at the head of stairs leading to floors below the street floor shall swing in the direction of egress travel;
(g) The forces required to fully open any door manually in a means of egress shall not exceed 67N to release the latch, 133N to set the door in motion, and 67N to open the door to the minimum required width.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure that the forces required to open the doors do not exceed the prescriptive requirements stated above.

4.8.3 Locks, Latches & Alarm Devices

(a) Doors shall be readily operable from the side facing persons seeking egress whenever the building is occupied;
(b) Locks, where provided shall not require the use of a key, tool or special knowledge or effort for operation from the egress side;
(c) Fire exit or panic hardware shall be provided in the doors in the assembly occupancy or any occupancy with an occupant load more than 100, the actuating portion of which extends across not less than one–half of the width of the door leaf and must be mounted between 865mm – 1220mm from the floor;
(d) Doors providing roof access shall be readily operable from both sides by fire department personnel.
(e) Every door in a stair enclosure shall meet one of the following:
(i) Re- entry from stair enclosure to the interior of the building shall be provided.
(ii) An automatic release that is actuated with the initiation of the building fire alarm system shall be provided to unlock all stair enclosure doors to allow re- entry.
(iii) There shall be not more than four stories intervening between stories where it is possible to leave the stair enclosure to access to another exit.
(iv) Re- entry shall be possible on the top story or next to top story served by the stair enclosure and such story shall allow access to another exit.
(v) Doors allowing re- entry shall be identified as such on the stair side of the door.
(vi) Doors not allowing re-entry shall be provided with a sign on the stair side indicating the location of the nearest door, in each direction of travel that allows re-entry or exit; (vii) Where the stair enclosure allows access to the roof of the building, the door to the roof either shall be kept locked or shall allow re-entry from the roof;
(viii) A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be provided with a releasing device that has an obvious method of operation and that is readily operated under all lighting conditions;
(ix) The releasing mechanism for any latch shall be located no less than 865mm and not more than 1220mm above the finished floor. The releasing mechanism shall open the door with not more than one releasing operation;
(x) Where a pair of doors is provided in the means of egress, each leaf of the pair shall be provided with a releasing device that does not depend on the release of one door before the other.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure the compliance with the prescriptive code requirements mentioned above.

4.8.4 Door leaf Encroachment

Section 7.2.1.4.3. CHAPTER 7 of the NFPA 101 – 2018 requires compliance with the following –

During its swing, any door leaf in a means of egress shall leave not less than one half of the required width of an aisle, a corridor, a passageway, or a landing unobstructed and shall project not more than 180mm into the required width of an aisle, a corridor, a passageway, or a landing, when fully open.

Section 7.2.1.4.3.2 CHAPTER 7 of the NFPA 101 – 2018 requires compliance with the following –

When fully open, any door leaf in a means of egress shall not project more than 180 mm into the required width of an aisle, a corridor, a passageway, or a landing, unless the door leaf is equipped with an approved self-closing device

To comply with nfpa 101 the following need be achieved –

“No door into a means of egress, when fully opened, shall project more than 180mm into the required width of an aisle, corridor, passageway, or landing”

As per Section 7.2.1.4.3.1 door leaves of door assemblies serving as an entrance into an enclosed stair must not unduly block the stair landing or the stairs. Ideally, the door leaf should not reduce the required width either during its swing or while at rest.

The design team shall ensure the compliance with the prescriptive code requirements mentioned above.

4.9 CHANGES IN LEVEL IN MEANS OF EGRESS

4.9.1 Headroom

The means of egress throughout the development shall provide a headroom height that is not less than 2285mm, with projections from the ceiling not less than 2030mm above the finished floor.

The minimum ceiling height of 2285mm must be maintained for at least 2/3 of the ceiling area of any room or space, with the remaining area being no less than 2030mm high.

The minimum headroom height within stairways shall be no less than 2030mm.

4.9.2 Thresholds

(a) Thresholds at doorways must not exceed 13mm; and
(b) Where a threshold is between 6.3mm and 13mm it shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

4.9.3 Walking Surfaces

(a) Abrupt changes in elevation of walking surface shall not exceed 6.3mm;
(b) Changes in elevation between 6.3mm and 13mm shall be beveled 1 to 2; and
(c) Changes in elevation not in excess of 535mm shall be achieved by either a ramp or complying stair with a tread depth not less than 330 mm.

4.9.4 Changes in Level

(a) Changes in level in means of egress shall be achieved by an approved means of egress where the elevation difference exceeds 535mm;
(b) Changes in level in means of egress not in excess of 535mm shall be achieved either by a ramp or stair complying the requirements of this report;
(c) Where a ramp is used, the presence and location of ramped portions of walkways shall be readily apparent;
(d) Where a stair is used, the tread depth of such stair shall be not less than 330mm; and
(e) Guards shall be provided at the open sides of means of egress that exceed 760mm above the floor or the finished ground level below.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure the compliance with the prescriptive code requirements mentioned above.

4.10 STAIRS

4.10.1 Treads and risers

The design of stairways shall be in accordance with NFPA 101 – 2018 as summarised below –

(a) The height of risers shall be not less than 100mm and not exceed 180mm;
(b) The minimum tread depth shall be at least 280mm;
(c) The minimum headroom height shall be at least 2030mm; and
(d) The maximum height between landings shall not exceed 3660mm.

 

4.10.2 Stair Width

In accordance with NFPA 101, the minimum unobstructed width for the stairways shall be not less than 1200mm.

Assessment

Proposed exit stairways 1 and 2 are shown to have at least 1200mm clear width, which complies with prescriptive requirement.

 

4.10.3 Handrails and Guardrails

All the exit stairs shall require handrails / guardrails to be installed in accordance with the following -

(a) Stairs and ramps shall have handrails on both sides;
(b) Handrails shall be provided within 760mm of all portions of the required egress width;
(c) Single steps or ramps that form part of a curb that separate a side walk from a vehicular way are not required to be provided with handrails;
(d) Handrails shall be continuous for the full length of each flight and at turns inside handrails must be continuous between flights at landings;
(e) Handrails shall be located at a height of between 865 mm – 965 mm above the nosing of stair treads and be provided with a clearance of not less than 57mm between the handrail and the wall;
(f) The handrail height measured above the nosing’s of stair treads may be increased from 965mm but should not exceed 1065mm when it forms part of a guardrail;
(g) Additional handrails that are lower or higher than the main handrail shall be permitted;
(h) Handrails must be continuously graspable along their entire length;
(i) New handrail ends must be returned to the wall or floor or shall terminate at newel posts;
(j) New handrails that are not continuous between flights must extend horizontally at the required height, not less than 305mm beyond the top riser and continue to slope for a depth of one tread beyond the bottom riser;
(k) Handrails must include one of the following design characteristics

 Be a circular cross section with an outside diameter of between 32mm and 51mm; or
 A shape other than circular with a perimeter dimension of between 100mm and 160mm with the largest cross sectional dimension not exceeding 57mm.

(l) The height of guardrails must be measured vertically to the top of the guard from the adjacent surface and guards must be at least 1070mm high;
(m) Open guards must have intermediate rails or an ornamental patters such that a sphere of 102mm in diameter is not able to pass through any opening up to a height of 865mm;
(n) The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom element of a guardrail at the open side of a stair must not exceed 150mm in diameter; and
(o) Guards must be provided at the open sides of all means of egress that exceed 760mm above the floor below.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure that compliance with the prescriptive code requirements is achieved.

4.10.4 Stairway Identification

Each of the enclosed stairways shall be provided with floor markings as noted below -

(a) The stairs shall be provided with special signage within the enclosure at each floor landing;
(b) The signage shall indicate the floor level;
(c) The signage shall indicate the terminus of the top and bottom of the stair enclosure;
(d) The signage shall indicate the identification of the stair enclosure;
(e) The signage shall indicate the floor level of, and the direction to, exit discharge;
(f) The signage shall be located inside the enclosure approximately 1525mm above the floor landing in a position that is visible when the door is in open or closed position;
(g) The floor level designation shall also be tactical in accordance with ICC/ANSI A 117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities;
(h) The signage shall be painted or stencilled on the wall or on a separate sign securely attached to the wall;
(i) The stairway identification letter shall be located at the top of the sign in minimum 25mm high lettering;
(j) Signage that reads NO ROOF ACCESS and is located under the stairway identification letter shall designate stairways that do not provide roof access. Lettering shall be a minimum of 25mm high;
(k) The floor level number shall be located in the middle of the sign in minimum 125mm high numbers. Exhibit 4.10.4.1 Stairway Identification
(l) Identification of the lower and upper terminus of the stairway shall be located at the bottom of the sign in minimum 25mm high letters or numbers

Assessment

The design team shall ensure that compliance with the prescriptive code requirements is achieved.

4.10.5 Balconies and Railings

As per NFPA 101, the following requirements shall apply to the building –

(a) Guards are required for any space, walking or standing which is elevated 760mmabove the finished grade level;
(b) From the finished floor level, Height of the balcony, terrace railings, elevated space railings, shall not be less than 1200mm;
(c) Balusters openings, the separation distance between vertical posts or members, of balcony, guardrail or handrail shall not be more than 100mm;
(d) Any opening formed by either vertical posts, curved frames or design features in the balcony or railings shall not be more than 100mm;
(e) Horizontal elements, bars, climbable features shall not be installed upto 760mm ;
(f) If the design demands any gap between finished floor surface and the bottom most horizontal component of the railing, such gap shall not be more than 100mm;

Assessment

The design team shall ensure that compliance with the prescriptive code requirements is achieved.

4.11 RAMPS

Ramps in the means of egress shall comply with the following -

(a) Minimum width clear of all obstructions, except projections not more than 114mm at or below handrail height on each side shall be 1120mm;
(b) Maximum permitted slope is 1 in 12;
(c) Maximum permitted cross slope is 1 in 48;
(d) Maximum rise for a single ramp is 760mm;
(e) All ramps serving as required means of egress shall be of permanent fixed construction;
(f) Construction of ramp shall be any combination of non-combustible or limited combustible material or fire retardant treated wood;
(g) Ramps constructed with fire retardant treated wood shall be not more than 760mm high, shall have an area of not more than 277m2, and shall not occupy more than 50 precent of the room area;
(h) The ramp floor and landings shall be solid without perforations;
(i) Ramps shall have landings located at the top, at the bottom, and at the door leaves opening onto the ramp;
(j) The slope of the landing shall be not steeper than 1 in 48;
(k) Every landing shall have a width not less than the width of the ramp;
(l) Handrails and guardrails shall be provided on both sides of the ramps.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure that compliance with the prescriptive code requirements is achieved.

4.12 FIRE LIFT AND FIRE FIGHTING LOBBY

4.12.1 Fire Lift

The current project being a ― high rise building shall be provided with no less than one fire lift and shall be provided in accordance of the following:

(a) The fire lift shall be contained within a separate protected shaft or a common protected shaft containing other lifts subject to such other lifts being served at each storey by a firefighting lobby.
(b) A minimum dimension of a fire lift shall be 1950mm either in length or breadth.
(c) A fire lift shall have access to every habitable floor or below the designated floor and shall be adjacent and accessible to an exit staircase and be approached by a firefighting lobby at each storey.
(d) A Fire lift shall be provided with lift pressurization system in accordance with QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015.

Assessment

The proposed development is being provided with a fire lift at all levels. The proposed minimum dimension of the fire lift is no less than 1950mm. The fire lift shall be provided with the pressurization system.

4.12.2 Firefighting Lobby

Fire Lift Lobbies shall be provided to the designated fire lifts with mechanical supply ventilation during a fire condition to maintain the space clear of smoke.

(a) The ventilation system shall be of a supply mode of not less than 10 air changes per hour;
(b) Supply air shall be drawn directly from the external with intake point not less than 5m from any exhaust discharge or openings for natural ventilation;
(c) Any part of the supply duct running outside the fire lift lobby which it serves shall either be enclosed or constructed to give a fire resistance rating of at least 1hr;
(d) The mechanical ventilation system shall be automatically activated by the building fire alarm system. In addition, a remote manual start stop switch shall be made available to fire men at the emergency command center.

Assessment

The design team shall ensure the prescriptive requirements provided above are implemented.

4.13 EXIT DISCHARGE

As per nfpa 101, exit discharge or discharge from exit is defined as providing building occupants with a safe path of travel from an exit to a public way. This path of travel might be inside or outside a building and can be achieved through an exit passageway

Exit discharge shall meet the minimum requirements of QCD Fire Safety Guidelines Rev2015.

Assessment

The basement level of the proposed building is mainly provided with two exit stairways namely Stair 01,02 Hence the design achieves compliance.

Further the stair that provides the access to the fire pump room located at 1st basement discharges directly outside the building.

The Mezzanine Floor,1st to 10th Floor, Service Floor and Roof Deck Floor of the proposed building is provided two exit stairs (Stair 01, Stair 02). Out of these all stairs except stair 02 discharges the occupants directly outside the building and Stair 02 discharges the occupants inside the building. Hence the Design achieves compliance.

 

4.13.1 Arrangement of Exit Discharge

As per nfpa 101, the stairs that continue more than one half stories beyond the level of discharge shall be provided with an approved means to prevent or dissuade occupants from travelling past the level discharge during emergency building evacuation.

In this regard a physical barrier shall be provided to separate ascending and descending parts of the stairway at the discharge level (ground floor).

Assessment

In the proposed design, exit stairway 1 and 2 serves both the basement floor and the upper floor. Interruption Gates have been provided for these stairs to separate the ascending and descending part of stair at the ground floor.

4.14 EMERGENCY (FIRE) COMMAND CENTRE

Pursuant to qcd guidleis and nfpa 101 the buildings classified as ― high rise are required to be provided with an Emergency Command Centre.

The emergency command center shall be fire separated from the remainder of the building with construction achieving a fire rating of no less than 2 hours and be protected with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13.

The clear space to be provided shall be no less than 9m2 in area with no internal dimension less than 2500mm.

Further, pursuant to NFPA 101 the emergency command center shall contain the following controls –

(a) Fire Lifts;
(b) Emergency voice communication;
(c) Engineered smoke control system;
(d) All terminals and supervisory / control equipment of the buildings fire protection / detection system;
(e) Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation required for the emergency command center shall be provided with secondary power and include independent ductwork serving other parts of the building;
(f) Building plans indicating the typical floor plans and detail the location of building exit stairways, means of egress, exit routes, protected corridors, fire protection systems, fire compartments, firefighting equipment and fire department access;
(g) Emergency voice / alarm communication system unit;
(h) Fire detection and alarm system unit;
(i) Annunciator visually indicating the location of elevator and their operation;
(j) Status indicator and control of air handling system;
(k) Controls for unlocking electromagnetic or access control stairway doors;
(l) Sprinkler valve and water flow detector display panels;
(m) Emergency and standby power status indicators;
(n) Fire pump status indicators;
(o) Generator supervision devices and manual start and transfer features;
(p) Public address system; and
(q) Controls for smoke management systems.

The emergency command center shall also be –

(a) Provided with emergency lighting; and
(b) Two way, emergency communication system between the emergency command center and the following areas –
(i) Every firefighting lift lobby including the ground floor;
(ii) All rooms housing smoke control equipment;
(iii) All lift machine rooms;
(iv) Fire lifts;
(v) Firefighting stairways; and
(vi) Air handling control rooms.

Assessment

The Fire command centre Room is located at Ground floor with an area of 9.12m2.

The Emergency Command Centre is provided with direct access from residential lobby of the building.