FT 20 FIRE PHASE

MEANS OF ESCAPE (Part IV)

OBJECTIVE 1. To explain the techniques of escapes from a building and their characteristics for a building to have a means of escapes. REFERENCE 2. Manual of Fireman ship Book 9.

CONTENTS 3. Introduction. A high building can be considered to be any building which has upper floors which are beyond the reach of normal mobile fire-fighting equipment available in the area. 4. Where this is so, facilities must be built into the building to enable the fire brigade to reach these upper floors and carry out fire-fighting. 5 When fire prevention officers are discussing plans of proposed building with architects and building planners it, is important to appreciate that fire prevention arrangements and the operational requirements must be considered together. In to the means of escape for the occupants being satisfactory, it must also be possible for the fire brigade to fight a fire at any point in the building. 6. The building will be constructed according to the requirements of the building Regulations and this will generally ensure that elements of structure are of a satisfactory standard and the size of compartments is limited to a reasonable size. However in the interests of fire safety, fire prevention officers may want to suggest higher than those required by the Building Regulations. 7. The principles governing the means of escape from high buildings are no different to those which relate to other buildings, but because the possibility of external rescue f rom upper floors is remote, then the internal arrangement must be absolutely reliable. 8. It is not the intention to discuss means of escape under this serial, but the purpose of the instruction is to discuss the general problems associated with high buildings. 9. Fire Brigade Facilities. In high buildings it is essential that certain facilities are available to enable the fire brigade to deal with a fire on any floor of the building as quickly as possible. This entails the installation of fire lifts, rising mains etc, within the building and the provision of suitable access for fire brigade appliance to the outside of the building. a. Access to the building. As all high building will be provided with internal fire-fighting facility it is general, considered that provided pumping appliances can get within about 60 ft *18.3) in within sight of the inlet to the rising main this would be sufficient. b. Fire-fighting Access Staircases. It is generally considered that all buildings with floors over 60 ft (18.3m) above ground level should have a least one fire-fighting access staircase which can be used as a bridgehead from to fight a fire at any point 130

in the building. The number required and their positions in the building is something which will have to be agreed between the fire authority and the building planners. The staircase need not to be exclusive to this particular use but may contribute to the number required for Means of Escape. Fire prevention officers will be involved discussing this with architect etc. c. Enclosure of Staircase. The staircase should be enclosed throughout its height fire resisting construction and the standard of fire resistance required will normally that which is required by the Building Regulations for the type of occupancy involved. However, where the staircase passes through high risk areas, particularly those below ground level, it might be necessary to additional fire resistance. d. It should be appreciated that the staircase will provide the only safe access for fire-fighting and this need will be greatest during the later sieges of development of fire, is essential at these heights that there should be efficient means whereby heart and smoke is prevention from entering the staircase protection lobby. There is still, however, the possibility of percolation of small amounts of smoke into the staircase enclosure. e. For this reason most codes require operable windows at each landing level and permanent ventilation at the top of the enclosure equal to at least 5% of the enclosure. 10. Staircase Protection. There should be a protected and ventilated lobby interposed between the accommodation and the staircase enclosure in all storeys. This lobby serves the dual purpose of providing a bridgehead for fire-fighting as well as providing extras protection for the staircase. It should have a minimum floor area of 60 ft2 (5.5m) and be so planned to allow easy manipulation of hose by firemen. 11. Most codes require that ventilation should be provided by means of open able windows of not less than 15 ft (1.4m) giving direct access to open air. In addition to this, a permanent free opening of 72 in (0.05m) should provide for pressure release. 12. The internal hydrants and rising mains should preferably be sited within this lobby.

13. Methods of Ventilating Staircase and Lobby. The staircase and lobby should, where possible, be sited adjacent to an external, in this case the ventilation required can easily be obtained direct to open air. 14. Where the staircase is not situated on, or adjacent to, on external wall be necessary to employ other methods to ensure that smoke and not gases do not make the staircase untenable for firemen. It may possible to achieve this by: a. b. Ventilation by open able windows directs to on open well. Ventilation by open able windows direct to a vertical shaft.

c. As it is anticipated that these windows will normally be opened by firemen. It is not reasonable to accept that in building which are airs conditioned or require these windows to be secured. That they may be locked, but can be opened by firemen using keys or special tools. d. Pressurization of staircase and/or lobby. This system relies upon the air pressure in the staircase and/or lobby being automatically maintained at a slightly higher pressure than the surrounding accommodation. e. This ensures a flow or air from the staircase and/or lobby to the surrounding accommodation and this prevents smoke from flowing onto the staircase.

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15. Ventilation Below Ground Level. Fire-fighting access staircases which serve floors below ground level should be provided with smoke extract ducts which are independent of any other extract ducts. They should have a minimum cross sectional area of 10 ft (1m) and should discharge direct to open air ground level. Care must be taken to ensure that these outlets are sited so sited so that smoke issuing from them could not affect exits from the building, or could re-enter the building via other openings. 16. In some cases these outlets may be covered by starboard or pavement lights and it important that the position of them is suitably indicated. e.g. = = Smoke Outlet From Basement Lobby Smoke Outlet From Sub Basement Lobby

17. Fire Lifts. A normal passenger lift, or lifts should be installed so as to be available for the exclusive use of firemen in an emergency. This can be achieved by providing a switch in a glass fronted box marked FIRE SWITCH, when operated, this switch allows firemen to obtain the use of the lift which will be returned to the access point without interference from the landing call points. The fire switch will normally be sited at ground floor level in a position adjacent to the access to the lift but in some cases, particularly in major town centre developments, access for the fire brigade is more convenient at other levels, in which case the fire switch will be at the access level. To prevent interference, the switch can be sited behind a locked metal flap which would be unlocked by firemen using a special key, or sited at high level, out of reach of members of the public. 19. A fire lift should be in a staircase enclosure of be approached via a ventilated lobby at each floor, the number of lifts required in a building will usually be the same as the number of rising mains and they should be sited be sited adjacent to those mains. 20. A high speed lift may require considerable over run at the shaft and in order to save space it may not be necessary for the lift to serve the top floor of a building provided there are hydrant outlets at that level and no high fire risk are involved. 21. A fire lift will normally have a minimum platform area of 151/2 sq ft (1.4m) and be capable of carrying a load of 1200 lb (550 kg). Its speed should be such that it can reach the top floor from ground level in one minute. 22. The electricity supply to any fire lift should be provided by a sub main circuit exclusive to the lift. Where the lift is one of a battery of not more than six, all the lift in the battery may be served by the same sub main circuit providing that a failure in one of the ordinary lifts does not affect the fire lift. The cables supplying the lift with current should be installed in an approved system of wiring and they should pass through areas of negligible fire risk or be suitable protected. 23. Communications. During firefighting operations as efficient communications system is essential, it is particularly important when fighting fires in high buildings, when instructions may have to be passed from the scene of operations, high up in the building to the control unit or the officer in Charge at ground level, Methods adopted will depend upon brigade policy and the facilities available at the building, the following methods can be used depending on circumstance: a. By the use of a fireman, using the fire to get quickly to ground level. This is probably only suitable on low risk building of medium height. b. Utilizing an existing internal telephone system where extensions are suitably situated and the wiring or equipment is unlikely to be affected by fire.

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c. The installation of a special plug in type of telephone system with points at each floor level, preferable sited near the riser outlet and the wiring suitably protected. The system can be energized by the use of fixed equipment or the fire brigade may carry field telephone type of equipment. d. Walkie-Talkie pack sets can be used providing the metallic elements in the construction of the building do not produce a screening effect which makes communication. e. Personal radios which allow communication between the radio on the mobile fire appliance and personal at the scene of the fire. This type of communication has been developed to a high standard of reliability and is used by many brigades for normal day use when carrying out inspections of buildings. Personnel are therefore very conversant with its are and testing and maintenance is assured. 24. External Hydrants. Fire Hydrants should be provided within the confines of the site where necessary but it is considered the private hydrants are not necessary if there is an adequate public source with 3000 ft (92)m of the building. 25. External Hydrants and Rising Mains: a. General: (1) It is generally considered that buildings less that 60 ft (18.8m) high will not require internal water mains. (2) Building secrecy over 60 ft (18.3) above the external ground level on the side accessible with at least one rising main. (3) In buildings with a topmost storey not more than 200 ft (61m) from ground level the water main way be dry but in higher buildings they should be wet. (4) Instantaneous female outlets should be provided of the rising main on each storey above the first. However, where a building contains marionettes it may only be necessary to provides outlets at the floor levels upon which the entrance doors to the marionettes are situated. (5) Where possible the outlets should be situated in a ventilated lobby, where this is not possible they should be sited in positions approved by the fire authority, which is generally in a staircase enclosure or an near to the staircase enclosure of the fire lift as practicable. To improved the appearance of the outlets, they may be enclosed with a glazed box, clearly marked, FIRE BRIGADE WET HYDRANT DRY HYDRANT, whichever in applicable. 26. Dry Rising Mains: a. Dry rising mains should have a diameter of 4 in (0.1116m) and should be provided with two instantaneous male inlets for fire brigade connections. b. The inlets should be sited at a convenient position on the outside wall of the building about 2 ft 6 ins (760mm) above ground level and not more than 10 ft (12.2m) distance from the vertical run of the rising mains. c. Positions for the inlets should be selected so that there is easy access from adjacent external hydrants. Inlets should be electrically earthed and contained in a glass fronted box. 27. Wet Rising Mains: a. The pressure at each outlet, with a branch pipe in operation, should not less than 60 psi (0.41 N.mm sq). If outlets at lower levels would be subjected to a pressure of more than 75 psi (0.52N/mm sq). Form the automatic pumping plant then 133

the outlet valves should be designed to reduce the pressure to approximately this figure when water is being discharged. b. Providing should also be made to reduce the static pressure at the outlet to approximately 100 psi (0.69 N/mm sq) to safe guard the hour when a hand controlled branch in shut off. c. Each riser should have two separate sources of water supply feeding the automatic pumps (use below) which should take the form either: (1) A town main discharging not less than 350 gal/min (1600 liters/min) through float valves into a break tank of not less than 2,500 galls (11,400 liters) capacity from which the automatic pumps draw. (2) A storage tanks of at least 10,000 galls (15,500 liters) capacity into which a town mains discharges at a rate of not less than 100 gal/min (455 liters/min). d. Each water storage tank or break tank within 2000 ft (61m) of ground level should be provided with a 6 in (152.4mm) diameter inlet pipe fitted with 2 in (63.5mm) instantaneous male inlets to allow the fire brigade appliances to pump into the tank. These inlets should be located similarly to dry risers inlets in a box fitted to external wall. If is advisable to consult the water supply authority in this connection to ensure that any local requirements in relation to prevention of pollution etc are met. 28. Pumps and Motive Power: a. Most codes recommended that each wet rising main should be fed by two automatic pumps, one of which should act as a stand-by. Each pump should be capable of delivering 200 to 300 gall/min (910 to 1,365 liter/min) at a pressure which would ensure that the pressure at the outlets is as mentions special risks are present. b. Pumps should permanently primed by the water level the storage tanks, and in very high building it will be necessary to have pumps and tanks at intermediate levels to enable the necessary quantities and pressure to be achieved on the upper floor. c. If suitable alternative electricity supplies are not available the prime movers for the pumps can be electric motors. d. Where two independent supplies are not available e.g. where there in only one electricity main, then one of the prime movers should be a diesel engine designed specially for fire pumps use. e. All pumps should be designed for automatic starting (on a fall in pressure or by flow of water) and for manual starting. f. An audible and visual warning should be provided to indicate that the equipment has operated. Suitable arrangements for the drainage of the rising main should incorporate. g. It is important that where rising mains are going to be installed in building over 100 ft (30.1m) in height that they should be installed and progressively extended ad building work proceeds on order to facilities fire-fighting during the various stage of construction. 29. Plans for Fire Brigade Use: a. In large buildings, particularly these having recommendation below ground level, a plan, or plans, for the sure of the fire brigade is most desirable. This plan should indicate the positions of the following equipment. (1) Gas and oil main controls. 134

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Electrical main and sub main controls. Ventilation plant and control switches. Sprinkler valves and other Fixed Fire-Fighting Installations. Hose reels. Hydrants outlets. Automatically operated roller shutters and doors.

b. It is recommended that the plan should indicate in green the positions of exits, stairways and corridors available for attack on the fire. A YOU ARE HERE indicator should be included and drawings should be scale, with a linear dimensional scale, names of surrounding streets and a north point. c. The plan should be mounted on a rigid material and displayed in the office to the staff entrance and at ground level at the entrance to the staircase that leads below ground accommodation. d. It is recommended that copies of the plan be obtained by the fire brigade in order that pre-planning for an emergency can take place. 30. Engineering Service: a. The various services provided in a building such an Gas, Electricity ventilations etc must be regarded as potential soured of fire and it is important that they are installed and maintained in accordance with the relevant codes of practice, where they exist. b. The fire prevention aspects of the major services have been dealt with in detail under other subject headings e.g. Oil Fired Heating, Ventilation etc and only the aspects that are particularly relevant to high buildings will be mentioned below. c. Pipe work, Electrical Installations, Ventilations Ductwork etc are often concealed behind wall panels and suspended ceilings, this practices can cause voids through which fire and smoke can spread both horizontally and vertically. This has been a feature of some fires in high buildings and has led to serious fire spread up these vertical flues, resulting in loss of life. These concealed sponges are either crested during the initial construction or during subsequent alterations to the structure, and fire prevention officers should not confine their inspections to the readily visible surface during the construction period. d. Effective fire stopping around pipe work etc where they pass through floor and walls will reduce this hazard. 31. Refuse Chambers and Chutes: a. The use of vertical chutes which allow refuse to be conveyed to a refuse chamber at ground or basement level is a common feature of high buildings. The refuse is either collected from the chamber in the normal manner or may be incinerated at the building. Access to the chute is necessary at all floor levels and this is usually achieved by the provision of access hoppers fitted to the chute. These hoppers should be located in well ventilated areas and it is preferably that a fire resisting self closing door, thus providing a lobby between the circulation area and the hopper. b. Ventilation should be provided at the top of the chute to release pressure in the event of fire occurring in , or spreading to, the chute and the hopper should be so designed that it cannot remain partially or fully open. Both the chute and the refuse chamber should be installed.

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