Building Services

1. MULTI-STOREYED BUILDINGS
LECTURE - 11
IX Semester
Ar. Kanika Bansal
Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture

2. FIRE FIGHTING IN MULTI-STOREYED
DEVELOPMENTS
IX Semester
MULTI-STOREYED BUILDINGS

3. INTRODUCTION
 Fire is one of the most common risks to
buildings, property and life safety.
 As each high rise building is unique the fire
and life safety systems installed within each
building varies.
 It is important that Fire Safety Directors fully
understand how the fire and life safety
systems within their building operate.

4. FIRE ALARMS & SYSTEMS
 Initiating Device(s) - Initiates fire alarm signal.
Examples: smoke detectors, heat detectors,
sprinkler flow switch, manual pull station.
 Monitoring Device - Fire alarm panel, located
in the building emergency control center.
Normally located on the first floor of the high
rise near the main entrance.
 Signaling Device - Alerts building occupants
to the alarm. Audible and visual alarms may
signal on all floors (general alarm system) or
only on floors in the immediate vicinity of fire
(zoned alarm system).

5. FIRE ALARMS & SYSTEMS
 Zoned Alarm System - Fire alarm systems
programmed to signal alarm on a controlled
number of floors. Zoned alarm systems provide
for controlled evacuation of building occupants.
 General Alarm System - Fire alarm sounds on all
floors of the building. All occupants to evacuate
to the designated outside meeting place. This
system is found in older high rise buildings.
 Voice Alarm - System used for emergency
announcements during alarm conditions.
Messages can be either programmed as an
automatic function of the fire alarm system or
can be read by the Fire Safety Director during
emergency situations.

6. FIRE ALARMS & SYSTEMS
 Central Elevator Recall - Upon activation of the
fire alarm system, elevators are recalled to the
building lobby. Elevators are not to be used
during a fire evacuation because elevators may
fail and trap occupants or the elevator shafts may
act as chimneys, allowing smoke to travel up the
shaft and injure occupants.
 Exits - All high rises have at least two exit
stairwells, entered into through self-closing fire-
rated doors. At least one of these stairwells will
exit to the outside of the building.

7. FIRE ALARMS & SYSTEMS
 Automatic Door Unlocks - All stairwell doors
must be unlocked when the building enters an
alarm phase. This is accomplished by always
leaving doors unlocked or having automatic “fail
safe” doors that unlock immediately upon alarm
activation, thus eliminating the chance of
someone becoming trapped within a stairwell.
 Automatic Closing Doors - Doors leading into
stairwells are required to be self-closing, self-
latching, and fire-rated. This reduces the
probability of smoke and flame entering the
evacuation route(s).

8. SMOKE CONTROL
 HVAC System - Normal operations are shut down
during alarm situations to limit spread of smoke
throughout the building.
 Shaft Pressurization - Component of the HVAC
system that, upon alarm, pumps air into stairwell
and elevator shafts to create a high-pressure
atmosphere. Pressurization inhibits smoke
spread; thus helping keep evacuation routes free
of smoke.

9. SMOKE CONTROL
 Tempered Glass - Windows designated by a white
dot in the lower third of the window are installed
for Fire Department use to vent smoke and heat
from the floor. When broken, the glass breaks
into many small pieces, instead of into large
dangerous shards.
 Emergency Generator - On-site diesel engine
generator is required in case of power loss.
Generator will run for a minimum of two-hours to
power the fire and life safety systems.
 Standpipes - Water pipe in high rise stairwells
that supply water for firefighting operations,
sprinklers and tenant hoselines.

10. SMOKE CONTROL
 Sprinkler Systems - Sprinkler systems are
designed to extinguish fires while relatively
small. Each sprinkler head discharges separately
once the heat in the room has melted the shunt,
thus allowing water to flow.

11. SMOKE CONTROL
 Sprinkler Systems - Sprinkler systems are
designed to extinguish fires while relatively
small. Each sprinkler head discharges separately
once the heat in the room has melted the shunt,
thus allowing water to flow.

12. Fire Safety Planning
A Fire Safety Plan is designed by the
building owner in co-operation with
the Fire Department to identify the
actions that should be taken by the
occupants and building management
in the event of a fire or similar
emergency situation.
In addition, items are identified that
must be implemented and
documented, where required in order
to maintain fire protection systems
and assist in the prevention of a fire on
the premise.

13. Objectives
Fire Prevention/Mitigation:
 To prevent and/or mitigate the occurrence of fire
through the control of fire hazards and the proper
maintenance of the built-in fire and life safety systems
and facilities.
Occupant Safety:
 To establish a systematic method for safe and orderly
evacuation of the building in the case of fire or other
emergency.
Fire Control:
 To establish procedures that will maximize the
probability of controlling and extinguishing a fire in the
safest and most efficient manner.

14. Fire Protection Measures
Fire Alarm Systems
The purpose of a fire alarm system is to alert all the occupants
of the building that an emergency of fire exists, so that such
occupants may put into practice the measures required by the
Fire Safety Plan.
All fire alarm systems shall be maintained in full operation
conditions at all times.

15. Fire Protection Measures
There are two main types of fire alarm systems namely, single
stage systems and two stage systems.
 A single stage system sounds a general alarm throughout
the facility that may require total evacuation of the building.
Operation of the fire alarm is activated by a manual pull
station, heat detector, smoke detector or a sprinkler head.
 A two stage fire alarm system is designed to allow staff to
investigate and take appropriate action and may require
evacuation of the fire affected area(s). The general alarm or
second signal is reserved as a clear indication for complete
evacuation of the building where this proves necessary.

16. Fire Protection Measures
Exits
An exit is that part of a means of egress that leads from the
floor area it serves to a public thoroughfare or to an approved
open space. Walls, floors, doors or other means provide a
protected path necessary for occupants to proceed with
reasonable safety to a place of refuge.
Vertical shafts accessed from above or below grade are
protected from the remainder of the building provided the
doors leading to the shaft are kept closed.

17. Fire Protection Measures
Fire Department Access
Fire Department access allows fire fighters and their
equipment to gain access to the building. Vehicles
parked in a fire route, excessive vegetation, snow and
other forms of obstructions to access routes, fire
hydrants and Fire Department connections are not
permitted
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers are intended as a first aid
measure to cope with fires of limited size. The basic types
of fire extinguishers are Class A, B and C.
Portable fire extinguishers are rated for the
corresponding classes of fire.

18. Fire Protection Measures
Standpipe and Hose Systems
A standpipe system is an arrangement of piping, valves and
hose outlets installed in a building or structure in such a
manner that water can be discharged through a hose and
nozzle for the extinguishments of a fire. The system is
connected to a water supply that permits an adequate
supply of water to the hose outlets.
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
An automatic sprinkler system is a series of underground
and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire
protection engineering standards. The system is
connected to a water supply such as a storage tank or
municipal water supply. The system includes a controlling
valve, a series of sprinkler heads and a device for actuating
an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is
usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water
over the fire area.

19. Fire Protection Measures
Water Supply
The total water supplies required for fire fighting purposes may
be supplied from various sources such as a municipal water
supply, storage tanks (elevated or underground), lakes, rivers,
wells, swimming pools or a combination of sources; and
should be obtained within practical distances. Water supplies
must be accessible to fire fighting equipment.
Fire Pumps
Fire pumps are used to ensure that the water required for fire
fighting and automatic sprinkler and standpipe and hose
systems is available.
Emergency Power
Emergency power is required to ensure the continued
operation of fire and life safety equipment and systems in case
of loss of normal hydro-electric power.

20. FACT SHEET ON FIRE SAFETY
 A Fact sheet on Highrise Fire Safety
 Recent fatal fires in highrise structures have
prompted Americans to rethink fire safety. A
key to fire safety for those who live and work
in these special structures is to practice
specific highrise fire safety and prevention
behaviors.
 There are simple fire safety steps you can
take to prevent the loss of life and property in
highrise fires.
BE PREPARED FOR A HIGHRISE FIRE
EMERGENCY
 Never lock fire exits or doorways, halls or
stairways.

21.  Fire doors provide a way out during the fire
and slow the spread of fire and smoke.
 Learn your building evacuation plan.
 Make sure everyone knows what to do if the
fire alarm sounds.
 Plan and practice your escape plan together.
 Be sure your building manager posts
evacuation plans in high traffic areas, such as
lobbies.
 Learn the sound of your building’s fire alarm
and post emergency numbers near all
telephones.
 Know who is responsible for maintaining the
fire safety systems.
FIRE SAFETY

22.  Make sure nothing blocks these devices and
promptly report any sign of damage or
malfunction to the building management.
DO NOT PANIC IN N THE EVENT OF A HIGHRISE
FIRE EMERGENCY
 Do not assume anyone else has already
called the fire department.
 Immediately call your local emergency
number.
 Early notification of the fire department is
important.
 The dispatcher will ask questions regarding
the emergency.
 Stay calm and give the dispatcher the
information they request.
FIRE SAFETY

23. CHECK IF THE DOOR is WARM TO THE TOUCH
 Before you try to leave your apartment or
office, feel the door with the back of your
hand.
 If the door feels warm to the touch, do not
attempt to open it.
 Stay in your apartment or office.
 Stuff the cracks around the door with towels,
rags, bedding or tape and cover vents to keep
smoke out.
 If there is a phone in the room where you are
trapped, call the fire department again to tell
them exactly where you are located.
 Do this even if you can see fire apparatus on
the street below.
FIRE SAFETY

24.  Wait at a window and signal for help with a
flashlight or by waving a sheet.
 If possible, open the window at the top and
bottom, but do not break it, you may need to
close the window if smoke rushes in.
 Be patient. Rescuing all the occupants of a
highrise building can take several hours.
NOW IF THE DOOR is NOT WARM TO THE
TOUCH
 If you do attempt to open the door, brace your
body against the door while staying low to the
floor and slowly open it.
 What you are doing is checking for the
presence of smoke or fire in the hallway.
FIRE SAFETY

25.  If there is no smoke in the hallway or
stairwells, follow your building’s evacuation
plan.
 If you don’t hear the building’s fire alarm, pull
the nearest fire alarm “pull station” while
exiting the floor.
 If you encounter smoke or flames on your way
out, immediately return to your apartment or
office.
AFTER A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY
 Once you are out of the building, STAY OUT!
Do not go back inside for any reason.
 Tell the fire department if you know of anyone
trapped in the building.
FIRE SAFETY

26.  Only enter when the fire department tells you
it is safe to do so.
MAINTAIN AND INSTALL WORKING SMOKE
ALARMS
 No matter where you live, always install
smoke alarms on every level
 Test them monthly and change the batteries at
least once a year.
 Remember, fire safety is your personal
responsibility... Fire Stops With You!
FIRE SAFETY

27. Thank You………….