Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
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The Right to Information, The Right to Live Step Out From the Old to the New
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IS 1644 : 1988
(Reaffirmed 2002)
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS ( GENERAL ):
EXIT REQUIREMENTS AND
PERSONAL HAZARD
(First Revision)
Second Reprint SEPTEMBER 2007
Copyright 1988
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS ( GENERAL ):
EXIT REQUIREMENTS AND
PERSONAL HAZARD
( First Revision)
o. FO R E W 0 R D
0.1 This Indian Standard (First Revision) was outbreak of fire would cause considerable con-
adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards on fusion, possibly panic; therefore. the closet
16 May 1988, after the draft finalized by the Fire attention to design and maintenance of escape
Safety Sectional Committee had been approved routes including any staircases, cannot be over-
by the Civil Engineering Division Council. emphasized. Likewise special consideration is
essential to arrangement of display of any highly
0.2 Indian Standards relating to fire safety of flammable articles or materials for sale in such
buildings have been formulated covering general risks because of the danger normal escape routes
principles and fire grading, details of construction, being made unsafe or altogether useless.
exposure hazard and exit requirements. This
standard covering the last aspect was formulated 0.5 It would be neither possible nor advisable to
in 1960. In the past 25 years, useful data has rely on electrical or mechanical devices, such as
been made available by the research institutes lifts for moving the population of various floors
of this country as well as from other advanced to a place of safety because of the probability of
countries like USA, UK, Canada, etc. The pro- fire rendering these devices inoperative. There-
vision in this revision has, therefore, been made fore, staircases with associated escape routes
based on the data adopted by the se countries, become all important and staircases considered
and therefore, have been completed modified. in this code are the means of communication in
an up and down direction of a building and serve
0.3 The exit requirements and personal hazard not only as escape routes for occupants but also
dealt with in this standard is considered as at afford a direct means of access to the source of
least of equal importance to all other aspects; fire by the fire fighting staff. In fact, staircase
in fact in most cases, it is paramount because of landings of buildings which present a serious
the density of population associated with parti- hazard are required to have fire fighting equip-
cular occupancy; an example is that of a cinema ment mounted thereon comprising hydrant stand,
Of similar densely occupied building when con- pipes and accessories.
trasted with a godown of similar occupancy.
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a parti-
0.4 Density of population varies from one cular requirement of this standard is complied
building to another and also in the same building with, the final value, observed or calculated,
from time to time; one example is that of a expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be
large general or mixed bazar, emporium or stores rounded off in accordance with IS: 2-1960*.
where a great variety of goods are displayed for The number of significant places retained in the
sale; and at certain periods may be offered at rounded off value should be the same as that of
special attractive bargain prices, with the result the specified value in this standard.
that normal population will be rapidly exceeded,
moreso during peak shopping hours when an .Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised).
1
IS : 1644 .. 1988
2
IS : 1644 .. 1988
assemby and institutional occupancies In which 2.7.3 One or Two Family Private Dwellings or
case it should not exceed 6 m. Residential Building ( A-2 )
2.6.3 Whenever more than one exit is required 2.7.3.1 For more than two rooms, every
for any room, space or floor of a building, exits occupied room excluding areas used solely for
should be placed as remote from each other as storage, should have at least two means of exit,
possible and should be arranged to provide direct at least one of which should be a door or a
access in separate directions from any point in stairway providing a means of unobstructed
the area served. travel to the outside of the building or street or
grade level and not more than one of which may
TABLE 3 TRAVEL DISTANCE FOR OCCUPANCY be a window. No room or space should be
AND TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION occupied which is accessible only be a ladder,
( Clauses 2.6.1 and 2.6.2) folding stairs or through a trap door.
SL GROt)P OF MAXIMUM TRAVEL
No. OCCUPANCY OISTAN(;E CONSTRUCTION 2.7.3.2 All locking devices which would
( see IS : 1641-1988* ) ( see IS : 1642-1988 t) impede or prohibit exit, such as chain type bolts,
r - - - - - - - A - -----~ limited opening sliding type locks and burglar
Type 1 and 2 Type 3 and 4 locks which are not disengaged easily by quick-
( 1) (2 ) (3) (4 ) releasing catches, should be prohibited. All closet
m m door latches should be such that even children
1. Residential (A) 225 22'5 may open the doors from inside. All bathroom
2, Educational ( B) 22'S 22'S door locks or fasteners should be designed to per-
3, Institutional ( C ) 22'5 22'S mit the opening of the locked or closed door
4. Assembly (0 ) 30'0 30'0 from the outside in an emergency without the use
S. Business ( E) 30'0 300 of a special key. Every below-street-Ievel sleeping
6. Mercantile (F) 30'0 30'0 room should have direct access to the outside of
7. Industrial (G) 45'0 30'0 the building.
8. Storage (H) 30'0 30'0
9. Hazardous (J) 22'5 22'S
2.7.4 Dormitories (A-3) - All dormitories,
except those mentioned in 2.7.6 should have exits
"'Code of practice for fire safety of builders
( general): General pri nciples of fire grading and classifi- so arranged that from any Sleeping room or open
cation (first revision ). dormitory sleeping area, there should be access to
tCode of practice for fire safety of buildings two separate and distinct exits in different
( general): Details of construction (first revision). directions with no common path of travel unless
the room or space is subject to occupancy by not
2.7 Number of Exists more than 10 persons and has a .door opening
2.7.1 General Requirement - All buildings which directly to the outside of the building at street or
are more than 15 m in height and all buildings grade level, or to an outside stairway in which
used as educational (B), assembly ( D), insti- case one means of exit may be accepted.
tutional ( F ), industrial ( G ), Storage ( H ), and 2.7.5 Apartment House ( A-4 )
hazardous ( J ) occupancies and mixed occupancies
with any of the aforesaid occupancies, having 2.7.5.1 Every i.ndividual living unit should
area more than 500 m2 on each floor should have comply with the requirements for occupancy sub..
a minimum two staircases. They should be of division A-2 'in respect of exit ( see 2.7.3 ) ,
3
IS : 1644 - 1988
2.7.5.2 Every living unit should have access should there be less than two independent base-
to at least two separate exits which are remote ment exits.
from each other and are reached by !i-avel in
different directions except that a common path of 2.7.7.3 Basements or sub-basements not open
travel may be permitted for the first 6 m (that is, to the public and used only for heating equip-
a dead-end corridor up to 6 m long may be per- ment, storage ahd service operations (other than
mitted) provided that single exit may be kitchens which are considered part of the hotel
permitted under any of the conditions given occupancy) should have exits appropriate to the
in 2.7.5.3. actual occupancy, in accordance with applicable
provisions or in case of mixed occupancy where
2.7.5.3 Any building not more than two there may be doubt as to which other section is
storeys in height with no basement, or in case applicable, such basements should have exits
there is a basement and with street floor level not determined on the basis of lesser exit capacity.
more than 2' 5 m above ground at any point next
to the building, excluding driveways, not more 2.7.8 Educational ( B )
than 10 percent of the perimeter should be sub-
ject to the condition that the access to the base- 2.7.8.1 At least two separate exits are availa-
ment is only from the exterior of the building if ble in every floor area. Exits should be as
the basement contains a heating plant, group remote from each other as practicable and so
storage, incinerator room or paint shop or other arranged that there are no pockets or dead ends
hazardous occupancy. of appreciable size in which occupants may be
trapped.
2.7.5.4 At least half of required exits should
discharge direct to the outside of the buildings; 2.7.8.2 Every room with a capacity of over
any other exit should be the same as required for 1.00 persons in area should have at least two door-
the hotels ( see 2.7.6 )_ ways as remote from each other as practicable.
Such doorways should provide access to separate
2.7.6 Hotels ( A-5 ) exits but may open upon a common corridor
2.7.6.1 Not less than two exits, as remote leading to separate exits in opposite directions.
from each other as practicable, should be acces- 2.7.8.3 Exterior doors should be operated by
sible from every floor, including basements bars or some other panic hardware device except
occupied for hotel purposes, except as a single that doors leading from classroom directly to the
exit as permitted in 2.7.6.2 below. Exits and ways outside may be equipped with the same type of
of access thereto should be so arranged that they lock as is used on classroom doors leading to
are accessible in at least two different directions corridor with no provision whatsoever for lock-
from every point in any open area, or from any ing against egress from the classroom.
room door.
2.7.6.2 Any room or section with an outside 2.7.9 Institutional ( C )
door at street or grade level may have such out- 2.7.9.1 In buildings or sections occupied by
side door as a single exit provided no part of the bedridden patients where the fllor area is over 280
room or area is more than 15 m from the door m 2 , facilities should be provided to move patients
measured along the natural path of travel. in hospital beds to the other side of a smoke
2.7.6.3 Where stairways or other exits serve barrier from any part of such building or section
twc or more upper floors, the same stairway or not directly served by approved horizontal exits
other exit required to serve anyone upper floor
or exits from the first floor (Floor 2) of a
building to the outside.
may also serve other upper floors except that no
inside open stair-way or ramp may serve as a 2.7.9.2 Not less than two exits of one or more
required egress facility from more than one of the following types should be provided for
floof. every floor, including basement, of every building
NOTE - Under this provision, if the second and third or section:
floors were each required to have three stairways, the
second floor may use the stairways serving the third a) Doors leading directly outside the building,
floor so that the total number of stairways required b) Stairways,
is three. and not six.
c) Ramps, and
2.7.7 Basemen! Exits for Residential Buildings d) 'Horizontal exits.
(A )
2.7.9.3 All required exits which serve as
2.7.7.1 Basements occupied for hotel pur-
poses should have exits arranged in accordance egress from hospital or infirmary sections should
be not less than 150 cm in clear width, includi!ng
with 2.7.6 patient bedroom doors, to permit transportat on
2.7.7.2 Basement exits should be sufficient to of patients on beds, litters Of mattresses. The
provide for the capacity of the basement as deter- minimum widths of corridors serving patients
mined in accordance with 2.3 and in no case bedrooms in building should be 240 cm.
IS : 1644 1988
2.7.9.4 Revolving doors should not be exits remote from each other as practicable and
counted as required exits and should not be ins- if of capacity over 600, at three exits should be
talled, except in situations, such as revolving doors provided with each exit not less than of 2 unit
at a main entrance where they are not subject to widths.
emergency exit use by patients.
2.7.10.4 Every place of assembly of sub-
2.7.9.5 Elevators constitute a desirable supp- divisions D-3, D-4 and D-5 should have at least
lementary facility but are not counted as required two means of exit, consisting of separate exits
exits. or doors leading to corridor or other spaces
giving access to two separate and independent
2.7.9.6 Each storey in which 35 or more exits in different directions, except that for places
pat ients are housed should be divided into at of assembly having a capacity of less than 100
least two compartments by smoke barriers and the persons, one 2-unit doorway may be permitted in
Authority may require storeys housing a lesser rooms where no part of the room is more than
number of patients to be divided into compart- 15 m from the doorway, measured along the line
ments when, in its judgement, such division is of travel, and the doorway leads directly outside
essential for the protection of the patients. the building at grade level or leads to a corridor
2.7.9.7 Doors in smoke barriers should be so or other space giving access to two separate and
installed that these may normally be kept in open independent exits.
position but will close automatically or may be
released manually to selfclosing action. Corridor 2.7.10.5 Clear aisles not less than 1'2 m in
door openings in smoke barriers should not be width should be formed at right angles to the
less than 150 cm in width. Provision should also line of seating in such number and manner that
be made for double swing single/double leaf type no seat should be more than seven seats away
door. from an aisle. Rows of seats opening on to an
aisle at one end only should have not more than
2.7.9.8 Exits and other features for penal and seven seats. Under the conditions where all these
mental institutions, and custodial institutions aisles do not directly meet the exit doors, cross
should be the same as specified for hospitals, in aisles should be provided parallel to the line of
so far as applicable. Reliable means should be seating so as to provide direct access to the exit,
provided to permit the prompt release of inmates provided that not more than one cross-aisle for
from any locked se~tion in case of fire or other every 10 rows should be required. The width
emergency. of cross aisles should be a minimum of 1 m. Steps
should not be placed in aisles to overcome
2.7.9.9 Wherever any inmates are confined in differences in levels unless the gradient exceeds
any locked rooms or spaces, adequate guards or 1 in 10.
other personnel should be continuously on duty
or immediately available to provide for release 2.7.10.6 The fascia of boxes, balconies and
of inmates Of fOf such other action as may be galleries should have substantial railings not less
indicated in case of fire or other emergency. than 65 cm high above the floor. The railings
at the end aisles extending to the fascial should
2.7.9.10 No building constructed in whole be not less than 75 cm high for the width of the
or in part of combustible materials should be aisle or 90 cm high at tl).e foot of steps.
used to combine inmates in cells or sleeping
quarters unless automatic sprinkler protection is 2.7.10.7 Cross-aisles except where the backs
provided. of seats on the front of the aisle project 60 cm or
more above the floor of the aisle, should be pro-
2.7.9.11 All buildings or sections of build vided with railings not less than 90 cm high.
ings penal and merital institutions used for manu-
facturing, storage or office purposes should have 2.7.10.8 No turnstiles or other devices to
exits in accordance with the provisions of occu- restrict the movement of persons should be
pancies. installed in any place of assembly in such a
manner as to interfere in any way with the
2.7.10 Assembly Buildings ( D ) required exit facilities.
2.7.10.1 Every place of assembly, every tier 2.7.10.9 In theatres and similar places of
or balcony, and every individual room used as a public assembly where persons are admitted
place of assembly should have exits sufficient to to the building at ,a time when seats are not
provide for the total capacity thereof as deter- available for them and are allowed to wait in a
mined in accordance with 2.7.7. lobby or similar space until seats are available,
2.7.10.2 Every place of assembly of sub- such use of lobby or similar space should not en-
division D-l should: have at least four separate croach upon the required clear width of exits.
exits as remote from each other as practicable. Such waiting should be restricted to areas sepa-
rated from the required exitways by substantial
2.7.10.3 Every place of assembly of sub- permanent partitions or fixed rigid railing not
division 0-2 should have at least two separate less than 105 cm high. Exits should be provided
5
IS .: 1644 .. 1988
for such waiting spaces on the basis of one person than that required if all vertical openings were
for each 0'3 m ll of waiting space area. Such enclosed.
exits should be in addition to the exits specified
for the main auditorium area and should conform 2.7.12.2 At least two separate exits should
in construction and arrangement to the general be accessibl e from every part of every floor)
rules of exits given above. including basements; such exits should be as
remote from each other as practicable and so
2.7.10.10 No display or exhibit should be arranged as to be reached by different paths of
so installed or operated as to interfere in any travel in different directions except that a
way with access to any required exit, or with any common path of travel may be permitted for the
required exit sign. All displays or exhibits of first 15 m from any point.
combustible material or construction and all
booths and temporary construction in connection 2.7.13 Industrial ( G )
with it should be so limited in combustibility or 2.7.13.1 Not less than two exits should be
protected as to avoid any undue hazard of fire provided for every floor or section, including
which might endanger occupants before they have basements used for industrial purposes or uses
opportunity to use the available exits. incidental thereto.
2.7.10.11 No mirrors should be placed in or
2.7.13.2 In buildings used for aircraft
adjacent to any exit way in such a manner as to assembly or other occupancy requiring undivided
confuse the direction of the exit. floor areas so large that the distance from points
2.7.10.12 Places of assembly in buildings of within the area to the nearest outside walls
other occupancy may use exits common to the where exit doors could be provided are in excess
place of assembly and other occupancy. Provided of 45 m, requirements for distance to exits may
the assembly area and other occupancy are consi- be satisfied by providing stairs leading to exit
dered separately, each has exits sufficient to meet tunnels or to overhead passageways. In cases
the requirements. where such arrangements are not practica bIe,
permit other exit arrangements for one storey
2.7.10.13 Exits should be sufficient for simul- buildings with distance in excess of the maximum
taneous occupancy of both the places of assembly distances specified in 2.6', If completely auto-
and other parts of the building, unless the con matic sprinkler protection is provided and jf the
ditions are such that simultaneous occupancy heights of ceiling curtain boards and roof venti-
will not occur. lation are such as to minimize the possibility
2.7.10.14 For any place of assembly under that employees will be overtaken by the spread
subdivision 0-1, at least half the required means of fire or smoke within 180 cm of the floor level
of exits should lead directly outdoors or through before they have time to reach exits, provided,
exitways completely separated from exits serving however, that in no case may the distance of
other parts of the building. travel to reach the nearest exit exceed 120 m
where smoke venting is required as a condition
2.7.11 Business ( E) for permitting distances of travel to exits in excess
2.7.11.1 In the case of mezzanines or balco- of the maximum otherwise allowed.
nies open to the floor below, or other unprotected 2.7.13.3 Basements used only for storage,
vertical openings between floors, the popUlation heating and other service equipment, and not
of the mazzanine or other subsidiary floor level subject to industrial occupancy should have exits
should be added to that of the main floor for the in accordance with the requirements of Group H
purpose of determining the required exits, pro- occupancies.
vided, however, that in no case should the total
number of exits, units be less than that required 2.7.13.4 The following exceptions should
if all the vertical openings were enclosed. apply to special purpose industrial occupancies:
2.7.11.2 Not less than two exits should be a) Exits need be provided only for the
provided for every floor, including basements persons actually employed; spaces not
occupied for office purposes or uses incidental subject to human occupancy because of
thereto. the presence of machinery or equipment
2.7.12 Mercantile ( F) may be excluded from consid~ration.
2.7.12.1 In the case of mezzanines or bal- b) Where unprotected vertical openings are
conies open to the floor below, or other un- necessary to manufacturing operations,
protected vertical openings between floors, the these may be permitted beyond the limits
population or area of the mezzanine or other specified for industrial occupancy pro-
subsidiary floor level should be added to that of vided every floor level has direct access to
the main floor for the purpose of determining one or more enclosed stairways or other
the required exits, provided, however, that in no exits protected against obstruction by any
case should the total number of exits units be less fire in the open areas connected by the
6
IS : 1644 1988
unprotected vertical openings or smoke the two means of exit should be in different
therefrom. directions, except that a common path of
travel may be permitted for the first 15 tn
2.7.13.5 The following exceptions should from any point.
apply to high hazard industrial occupancies:
c) On the street floor, at least two separate
a) Exits should be so located that it will not exit doors should be provided except that
be necessary to travel more than 22' 5 m any opening for the passage of automobiles
from any point to reach the nearest exit. may serve as a means of exit provided no
b) From every point in every floor area, door or shutter is installed thereon. Street
there should at least be two exits acces- floor exits in closed garages should be so
sible in different directions; where floor arranged that no point in the area is more
areas are divided into rooms, there should than 30 m from the nearest exit, or 45 m
be at least two ways of escape from every in the case of garages protected by auto-
room, however small, except toilet rooms, matic sprinklers, distance being measured
so located that the points of access thereto along the natural path of travel.
are out of or suitably shielded from areas d) On floors above the street, at least two
of high hazard. means of exit should be provided, one of
c) In addition to types of exits for upper which should be an enclosed stairway.
floors specified for Group G occupancies, The other means of egress may be a
slide escapes may be used as required second exit of any of the types, or in a
exits for both new and existing buildings. ramp type garage with open ramps not
subject to closure, the ramp may serve as
2.7.14 Storage ( H) the second means of exit.
2.7.14.1 Every building or structure used for e) Upper floor exits in closed garages should
storage, and every section thereof considered be so arranged that no point in the area
separately, should have access to at least one should be more than 30 m from the
exit so arranged and located as to provide a nearest exit other than a ramp on the same
suitable means of escape for any person employed floor level, or 45 m in the case of garages
therein and in any room or space exceeding 1 400 protected by automatic sprinklers.
m la gross area, or where more than 10 persons may ) On floors below the street (either base-
be normally present, at least two separate means ment or outside underground garages).
of exit shall. be available, as remote from each at least two exits should be provided, not
other as practicable. counting any automobile ramps except
that for garages extending only one floor
2.7.14.2 Every storage area should have level below the street, a ramp leading
access to at least one means of exit which can be direct to the outside may constitute one
readily opened. This should not be subject to required means of exit. In garages
locking so long as any persons are inside and below street level, exits should be so
should not depend on power operation. arranged that no part of the area should
2.7.14.3 The following special provisions be more than 30 m from the nearest stair
should apply to parking garages of closed or exit.
open type, above or below ground but not g) If any gasoline pumps are located within
to mechanical parking facilities where auto- any closed parking garage, exits should be
mobiles move into and out of storage mechani- so located that travel away from the gaso-
cally which are not normally occupied by persons line pump in any direction should lead to an
and thus require no exit facilities. Where repair exit, with no dead-end in which the occu-
operations are conducted, the exits should pants might be trapped by fire or explosion
comply with the requirements of Group G at any gasoline pump. Such exit should lead
occupancies in addition to compliance with the to the outside of the building on the same
following: level, or downstairs; no upward travel
a) Where both parking and repair operations should be permitted unless direct outside
are conducted in the same building, the exits are available from the floor and any
entire building should comply with the floor below ( as in the case of a basement
requirements for Group G occupancies garage where the grade is one storey or
unless the parking and repair sections are more lower at the rear than at the street ).
effectively separated by separation walls.
2.7.14.4 Exits from aircraft hangars ( storage
h) Every floor of every closed parking garage or servicing areas) should be provided at inter-
should have access to at least two separate vals of not more than 45 m on all exterior walls
means of exit so arranged that from any of aircrafts hangars. There should be a minimum
point in the garage, the paths of travel to of two exits serving each aircraft storage or
7
IS : 1644 .. 1988
servlcmg area, Horizontal exits through inte- NOTE - In the case of buildings where there is a
rior fire walls should be provided at intervals of central corri dor. the doors of rooms should open
inwards to permit. smooth flow of traffic in the
not more than 30 m, 'Dwarf' or 'smash' doors corridor.
in doors accommodating aircraft may be used to
comply with these requirements. All doors 2.8.4 Exit door'should Ilot open immediately
designated as exits should be kept unlocked in upon a flight of stairs, a landing equal to at least
the direction of exit travel while the area is the width of the door should be provided in the
occupied, stairway at each doorway; tHe level of landing
should be the same as that of the floor which
2.7.14.5 Exits from mezzanine floors in air it serveS.
craft storage or servicing area should be so arran
ged that the maximum travel to reach the nearest 2.8.5 Exit doorways should be open able from
exit from any point on the mezzanine should not the side which they serve without the use of a
exceed 22'S m, Such exits should lead directly key.
to a properly encloseq; stairwell discharging
directly to the exterior or to a suitably cut-off 2.8.6 Revolving Doors
area or to outside fire escape stairs,
2.8.6.1 Revolving doors should not be used
2.7.14.6 The following provisions should as required exits except in residential, business
apply to grain e1evators: and mercantile occupancies but should not cons-
titute more than half the total required door
a) There should at least be one stair tower width. In mercantile buildings where there is
from basement to first floor and from first possibility of congregation of a large number of
floor to top floor of the workhouse people ( more than 200 ), revolving doors should
enclosed in a dust-tight non-combustible not be permitted.
shaft;
2.8.6.2 Where the revolving door provided
b) Non-combustible doors of self-closing are completely made of glass ( plate glass), a red
type should be provided at each floor circle or emblem or logo at 1'5 m level above sill
landing; should be painted on the glass. The thickness
c) An exterior fire escape of the stair or of the glass should not be not less than 12 mm.
basket ladder type should be provided
from the roof of the workhouse to the 2.9 Corridors and Passageways
ground level or to the roof of an adjoining
annexe with access from all floors above 2.9.1 Exit corridors and passageways should
the first; and be of width not less than the aggregate required
width of exit doorways leading from them in the
d) An exterior fire escape of either the stair direction of travel to the exterior.
or basket ladder type should be provided
from the roof of each storage annexe to 2.9.2 vYhere stairways discharge through corri-
the ground level. dors and passageways, the height of corridors
and passageways should be not less than 2'4 m.
2.7.14.7 Every area used for storage of
hazardous commodities should have an exit 2.10 Internal Staircases
within 22'S m of any point in the area where
persons may be present or 30 m where automatic 2.10.1 Interior stairs should be constructed of
sprinkler protection is provided. non-combustible materials throughout.
8
IS :1644 ~ 1988
other buildings and the number should be limited ways should be extended to them to provide
to 15.per flight. necessary exit facilities required for such an
occupancy.
2.10.9 Hand rails should be provided at a
minimum height 6f 100 cm and not exceeding 120 NOTE - This does not apply to A-2 and A-4 occu-
2.11.3 Entrance to the fire escape should be 2.13.4 Where there is a difference in level
separate and remote from the internal staircase. between connected areas for horizontal exits,
ramps, not more than lin lOin slope should be
2.11.4 Care should be taken to ensure that the provided; steps should not be used.
wall opening or window opens on to or close to a
fire escape. 2.13.5 Doors in horizontal exits should he
openable at all times from both sides.
2.11.5 The route to the fire escape should be
free of obstructions at all times. 2.14 Fire Tower - Fire towers are the preferreo
type of escape route for storeyed buildil":gs and
2.11.6 The fire escape should be constructed their application should be considered as the
of non-combustible materials, and any doorway safest route for escape. Their number, location
leading to the fire escape should have the required and size should depend on the building concerned,
fire resistance. and its associated escape routes.
IS: '1644 .. 1988
2.14.1 In every mercantile, industrial, business, applicable requiremen1s for stairways regarding
assembly buildings other than theatres, insti enclosure, capacity and limiting dimensions
tutional and residential buildings, over 6 storeys except where specified for special uses and
or 2S m in height, at least one required means of occupancies.
egress should be a fire tower.
2.14.2 The enclosure of fire towers should be 2.1 S.2 The slope of a ramp should not exceed
constructed of walls with a 4 h fire-resistance 1 in 10. In certain cases, steeper slopes may be
rating without openings other than the exit door- permitted but in no case greater than 1 in 8.
ways with ptatform, landings and balconies of
not less than 3 h fire-resistance rating. 2.15.3 For all slopes exceeding 1 in 10 and
2.15 RilDlpS wherever the use is such as to involve danger of
slipping, the ramp should be surfaced with
2.15.1 Ramps should comply with all the approved non-slipping material.
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