Code of practice for fire safety in educational institutions

Scope of IS 14435: Fire Safety Measures for Buildings

IS 14435 specifies fire safety requirements for buildings, focusing on water-based fire-fighting installations and emergency lighting.

Key Specifications & Tables (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

Emergency & Escape Lighting (Clause 15)

• Independent power source, operational within 5 seconds of power failure.
• Continuous operation for minimum

IS 14435 - Normative References & Fire Safety Key Specs

Normative References (Clause 2)

• Annex A lists Indian Standards referenced in IS 14435.
• These referenced standards are integral to IS 14435 provisions.
• Users should apply the latest editions of these standards for compliance.

Key Fire Safety Measures (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

Water Storage & Pump Capacities

IS 14435: Classification of Educational Buildings

Key Points from Clause 3 (Classification)

• Classification basis: Buildings are classified by use/occupancy per IS 1641.
• Group B (Educational Buildings) Subdivisions:

• Note: Residential accommodation within schools/institutions falls under Subdivision A-3 (residential buildings).

Summary Table

Additional Notes

• Classification aligns with IS 1641 for occupancy groups.
• Proper classification affects design parameters like load, fire safety, and construction type.

flowchart TD
    A[Building] --> B{Group}
    B -->|Educational| C[Group B]
    C --> C1[B-1: Schools ≤ Higher Secondary, ≥20 students]
    C --> C2[B-2: Other Training Institutions, ≥100 students]
    B -->|Residential| D[Group A-3: Residential Accommodation]

This classification guides structural design, safety, and compliance for educational buildings.

IS 14435: Construction Requirements - Key Formulas, Tables & Specifications

1. Types of Construction (Clause 4.1 & 4.2)

• Permanent buildings: Type I construction (IS 1642)
  • External shell & load-bearing elements: 4 hours fire resistance
  • Internal/non-load bearing walls: 2 hours fire resistance
  • Floors: Same as external shell
  • Basements: Not for classrooms/labs/assembly halls
• Non-permanent buildings: Type II or III (IS 1642)
  • Max floors: Ground + 1 upper floor
  • Max floor area: 1000 m² per floor
  • No tents or thatched structures allowed

2. Fire Safety Installations (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

3. Water Storage & Pumps

Fire Pump Capacity:

• Near underground tank:
  • Electric & diesel pump: 1620 l/min
  • Electric pump: 180 l/min
• Terrace pump:
  • 450 l/min (hose reel), **900 l

Occupant Load as per IS 14435 and IS 1644

• Reference: IS 14435 Clause 5.1 refers occupant load to IS 1644.
• Occupant Load Definition: Number of persons expected to occupy a space, used for designing exits, staircases, and safety provisions.

Key Points from IS 1644 (Fire Safety for Educational Buildings)

Important Formulas and Specifications:

• Occupant Load = Floor Area (m²) / Area per person (m²/person)
• For staircase design (Clause 9.2.9 IS 14435):
  Number of people between floor landings ≥ population on each floor.
• Mixed occupancy: Follow SP 7:1983 for exit requirements.

Summary:

• Calculate occupant load based on floor area and occupancy density from IS 1644.
• Use occupant load to size exits and staircases.
• For mixed-use spaces, refer to SP 7:1983.

flowchart TD
    A[Floor Area] --> B[Occupant Load Calculation]
    B --> C{Occupancy Density}
    C -->|Classroom| D[1 person / 1.2 m²]
    C -->|Auditorium| E[1 person / 0.65 m²]
    C -->|Lab| F[1 person / 1.5 m²]
    B --> G[Occupant Load = Area / Density]
    G --> H[Design Staircases & Exits]

This ensures safe egress and compliance with IS codes.

IS 14435: Arrangement of Exits - Key Points & Formulas

1. Number & Location of Exits (Clause 6.2)

• Minimum two separate exits per floor area.
• Exits must be remote from each other to prevent occupant entrapment.
• Avoid dead ends or pockets where occupants can be trapped.

2. Maximum Travel Distance to Exit (Clause 6.1)

• For Type I, II, III constructions, max distance from any point on floor to nearest exit = 22.5 m.
• Type IV construction is not permitted for educational buildings.

3. Fire Escapes (Clause 6.5)

• Fire escapes count as required exits but excluded from evacuation time calculations.
• Must be kept in sound operating condition.

Additional Notes (per IS 1644 for Occupant Load)

• Occupant load determines exit width & number.
• Typically, exit width per occupant = 5 mm per person for stairs.

Summary Table: Exit Requirements

flowchart LR
    A[Floor Area] --> B{Number of Exits}
    B -->|At least 2| C[Exit 1]
    B -->|At least 2| D[Exit 2]
    C --> E[Max 22.5 m travel distance]
    D --> E
    E --> F[No dead ends or pockets]
    F --> G[Safe evacuation]

This ensures safe, efficient evacuation complying with IS 14435.

IS 14435: Key Specifications for Corridors and Passageways

• Minimum Width (Clause 7.1):
  Corridor width ≥ Sum of widths of exit doorways leading from it in the direction of travel.

• Minimum Height (Clause 7.2):
  Height of corridors/passageways ≥ 2.4 m when stairways discharge through them.

• Fire Escapes (Clause 6.5):

  • Fire escapes are only means of exit, not counted in evacuation time calculations.
  • Must be maintained in sound operating condition.

• Doors in Corridors (Clause 8.4):

  • No overhead or sliding doors allowed.
  • Doors in central corridors should open inward to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Summary Table

flowchart LR
    ExitDoorways -->|Sum widths| CorridorWidth[Corridor Width]
    Stairways -->|Discharge| CorridorHeight[Corridor Height ≥ 2.4 m]
    FireEscapes[Fire Escapes] -->|Means of Exit| Exit
    DoorsInCorridor -->|No overhead/sliding| CorridorTrafficFlow[Inward opening doors for smooth flow]

This ensures safe, unobstructed egress consistent with IS 14435.

IS 14435: Exit Door Specifications Summary

Key Specifications:

• Minimum Exit Door Width:

  • General: ≥ 1 m
  • Assembly Halls: ≥ 2 m (Clause 8.1)

• Occupant Load:

  • As per IS 1644 (Clause 5.1)

• Exit Arrangement:

  • Minimum two separate exits per floor (Clause 6.2)
  • Exits should be remote and avoid dead ends (Clause 6.2)

• Exit Corridors/Passageways:

  • Width ≥ sum of exit door widths leading from them (Clause 7.1)

Practical Formula for Exit Width:

[ \text{Total Exit Width} = \text{Occupant Load} \times \text{Width per Person} ]

• Width per person is typically 0.5 m for stairs and 0.6 m for doorways (refer IS 1644).

Table: Minimum Exit Door Widths

Note: Assembly halls require ≥ 2 m irrespective of occupant load.

flowchart LR
    A[Floor Area] --> B{At least 2 Exits?}
    B -- No --> C[Add more exits]
    B -- Yes --> D[Exits remote & no dead ends?]
    D -- No --> E[Rearrange exits]
    D -- Yes --> F[Exit Door Width ≥ 1m (2m for assembly)]
    F --> G[Exit Corridor Width ≥ Sum of Door Widths]

Summary: Ensure at least two well-separated exits with door widths ≥1 m (≥2 m for assembly halls), corridors wide enough for occupant flow, and no dead ends to ensure safe evacuation.

IS 14435: Internal & External Staircases Key Points

Internal Staircases (Clause 9.2 & 9.2.2)

• Must be self-contained units.
• One side must have an external wall.
• Should be completely enclosed for safety and fire protection.

External Staircases (Clause 9.3 & 9.3.7)

• Flight width: ≥ 1 m.
• Tread depth: 200 mm.
• Riser height: ≤ 190 mm.
• Max risers per flight: 15.

Typical Stair Geometry Formulas:

• Riser height (R) + Tread depth (T) ≈ 400 to 450 mm (comfort range).
• For external stairs per IS 14435:
  • R ≤ 190 mm
  • T = 200 mm
• Max risers per flight = 15 → max flight height = 15 × 190 = 2850 mm

Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Internal Staircase] --> B[Self-contained unit]
    B --> C[One external wall]
    B --> D[Fully enclosed]

    E[External Staircase] --> F[Straight flight ≥ 1 m wide]
    F --> G[Tread = 200 mm]
    F --> H[Riser ≤ 190 mm]
    F --> I[Max 15 risers per flight]

This ensures safe, comfortable, and code-compliant stair design per IS 14435.

IS 14435 - Air Conditioning: Key Specifications & Fire Safety

Air Conditioning Measures:

• Room AC: No extra precautions beyond standard building requirements.
• Central AC (Auditoriums, Labs): Follow IS 1642 for fire safety and ventilation.

Fire Safety Installations (Clause 14.1 & 14.2):

Water Storage & Pump Capacities:

Emergency & Escape Lighting (Clause 15):

• Independent power source, activates within 1-5 seconds of power failure.
• Continuous operation for minimum 1.5 hours.
• Non-flammable fittings.
• Locations for escape lighting include corridor intersections, exits, stairs, fire alarm points, firefighting equipment, etc. (within 2 m proximity).

flowchart TD
    A[Educational Building] --> B{AC Type}
    B -->|Room AC| C[Standard Precautions]
    B -->|Central AC| D[Follow IS 164

Key Specifications for Chimneys and Flues (IS 14435 & referenced IS 1642, IS 1649)

• Chimneys: Design and construction must comply with IS 1642 (Code of Practice for Construction of Chimneys) and IS 1649 (Code of Practice for Brick Chimneys).
• These codes cover:
  • Materials: Brick, reinforced concrete, or steel as per structural and thermal requirements.
  • Height & dimensions: To ensure proper draft and dispersion of smoke.
  • Clearances: Minimum distances from combustible materials.
  • Flue sizing: Based on fuel type, combustion rate, and velocity to avoid smoke backflow.
  • Reinforcement and stability: Wind and seismic loads considered.

Fire Safety Related to Chimneys and Shafts (from IS 14435)

• Vertical shafts (electrical, drainage, chimneys) must be enclosed in 2-hour fire resistance rated enclosures.
• Inspection doors in shafts should have minimum 1-hour fire resistance.
• Shafts must be sealed at every floor to prevent fire/smoke spread.

Fire Safety Installations (Summary Table from Clause 14.1)

Water Storage & Pumping (Clause 14.1)

Additional Notes on

IS 14435: Restriction of Spread of Fire and Smoke – Key Points

1. Vertical Shafts/Ducts (Clause 12.1)

• Must be sealed at all floor levels.
• Enclosed by 2-hour fire resistance enclosures.
• Inspection doors (if any) must have minimum 1-hour fire resistance.

2. Fire Safety Installations (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

3. Water Storage & Pumps (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

4. Fire Detection & Alarm (Clause 14.2)

• Automatic systems must comply with IS 2189.
• Detectors conforming to IS 2175 and IS 11360.
• First aid fire appliances per IS 2190.

5. Emergency & Escape Lighting (Clause 15)

• Independent power source.
• Operate within 5 seconds of power failure.
• Minimum

IS 14435: Electrical Equipment and Safety Rules - Key Points

1. Electrical Equipment Safety (Clause 13)

• Follow IS 2309 for lightning protection systems.
• Ensure proper insulation, grounding, and maintenance of electrical equipment.
• Emergency lighting must be independent of normal lighting supply.

2. Fire Safety Measures (Clause 14)

3. Water Storage & Fire Pumps (Clause 14.1 & 14.2)

4. Emergency & Escape Lighting (Clause 15)

• Emergency lighting must activate within 1-5 seconds of power failure.
• Must operate for minimum 1.5 hours.
• Luminaries must be non-flammable.
• Escape lighting locations:
  • Corridor intersections, exits, staircases, fire alarm points, firefighting equipment.
• Wiring must ensure high reliability and be regularly tested.

Summary Diagram: Fire Safety Installations by Building Height

graph TD
    A[Building Height < 15m] --> B[Hose

IS 14435: Fire Safety Measures - Key Specifications

1. Fire Installations by Building Height

2. Water Storage & Pumps

3. Fire Detection & Alarm

• Automatic systems must conform to IS 2189.
• Detectors must conform to IS 2175 and IS 11360.
• Manual fire alarm system required for buildings ≥ 15 m.

4. Emergency & Escape Lighting

• Independent power source.
• Must activate within 5 seconds (preferably 1 second) of normal lighting failure.
• Continuous operation for minimum 1.5 hours.
• Non-flammable fittings.
• Coverage at corridors, exits, staircases, fire alarm points, firefighting equipment, and exit signs.

References for Further Details

• IS 2190: First aid firefighting appliances.
• IS 2309: Lightning protection system.

IS 14435: Emergency and Escape Lighting Key Points

1. Power Supply (Clause 15.1)

• Emergency lighting must be powered independently from normal lighting.
• Should activate within 5 seconds, preferably within 1 second of normal light failure (Clause 15.2).

2. Escape Lighting Requirements (Clause 15.7)

• Clearly indicate escape routes unambiguously.
• Provide adequate illumination for safe movement along escape routes.
• Ensure fire alarm call points and firefighting equipment are easily locatable.

3. Duration (Clause 15.5)

• Must operate continuously for at least 1 hour 30 minutes, even in smallest premises.

4. Illumination Levels

• As per general practice (not explicitly in IS 14435), minimum 1 lux at floor level along escape routes.

5. Additional Specs

• For buildings with basement area ≥ 200 m², emergency lighting is mandatory.
• Fire pumps near underground static tanks:
  • Electric pump: 1620 l/min
  • Diesel pump: 1620 l/min
  • Additional electric pump: 180 l/min

Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Normal Lighting Failure] -->|≤ 5 sec| B[Emergency Lighting ON]
    B --> C[Illumination of Escape Routes]
    C --> D[Safe Evacuation]
    C --> E[Locate Fire Alarm & Equipment]

This ensures safety and compliance during emergencies.