Information Paper

Highlights

of

The Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRANCH

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
June 2012

Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD Page 1 of 12 File Code: FS Code.doc

Information Paper CoP for FS in Buildings 2011 MKL/SCF/CHM
Issue No./Revision No. : 1/- First Issue Date : June 2012
 1. Introduction

1.1 Regulations 41(1), 41A, 41B, 41C and 41D in the Building (Planning)
Regulations and Regulation 90 of the Building (Construction) Regulations.
specify requirements for buildings to be designed in such a way that they exhibit
an acceptable level of performance in the event of fire. Over the years,
Buildings Department and Fire Services Department have issued the following
codes on the performance requirements complying the statutory requirements:

a) the Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape 1996 (the MOE
Code);
b) the Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Construction 1996 (the FRC
Code);
c) the Code of Practice for Means of Access for Firefighting and Rescue 2004
(the MOA Code);
d) the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire Service Installations and
Equipment; and
e) the Code of Practice for Inspection and Testing and Maintenance of
Installations and Equipment.

1.2 In September 2011, Buildings Department issued the Code of Practice for Fire
Safety in Buildings 2011 (the FS Code), which consolidates and replaces the
requirements of the MOE Code (now Part B of the FS Code), the FRC Code
(now Part C of the FS Code) and the MOA Code (now Part D of the FS Code).

1.3 The Statutory Compliance Checking Unit (the SCCU) of ArchSD has
uploaded a soft copy of the FS Code with highlights of the changes onto
ArchSD Intranet at the following URL:

http://asdiis/cmbiis/cmbiis_a/circulars/SCCU_Corner/Code_of_Practice_f
or_Fire_Safety/Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Fire%20Safety%20in
%20Buildings%202011%20(amendments%20highlighted%20in%20color
).pdf

The SCCU has further provided detailed comparison the FS Code with the
MOE, FRC and MOA together with summary of key points in powerpoint form
and recorded videos of the briefing sessions arranged by Buildings Department
in the following URL:

http://asdiis/cmbiis/cmbiis_a/circulars/SCCU_Corner/Code_of_Practice_f
or_Fire_Safety/Code_of_Practice_for_Fire_Safety.htm

1.4 Section 2 of this paper will highlight:

a) the major changes in the FS Code that is most relevant to structural

engineers;
b) the fire resistance rating of hollow-block floors; and
c) a summary of the percentage of reinforcement to be provided for reinforced
concrete wall according to the fire resistance rating in the FS Code.

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Information Paper CoP for FS in Buildings 2011 MKL/SCF/CHM
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 2. Major Changes in the FS Code

2.1 Fire Resistance Period

2.1.1 In the FS Code Part A, the term fire resistance period (FRP) in the FRC Code
has been replaced by fire resistance rating (FRR), which means the period of
time that a building element is capable of resisting the action of fire. Moreover,
FRRs are now designated by three terms, to represent the makeup of the
element of construction, i.e. X/Y/Z, where X is stability fire resistance rating
(minutes), Y is integrity fire resistance rating (minutes), and Z is insulation fire
resistance rating (minutes).

2.1.2 The FS Code Table C1 has revised the FRRs and fire compartment limitations
in the FRC Code Table 2, and the FRR criteria for some elements of
construction in the FRC Code Table 3.

2.2 Roof Structure

2.2.1 The definition of element of construction in the FS Code Part A remains

unchanged, and a member forming the roof or part of the roof is not an element
of construction. However, in Clause 12.2 of the FS Code (same as Clause 1.31
of the FRC Code) still states that all roofs, together with the members forming
the roof structure, should be constructed of non-combustible materials, despite
in drafting of the FS Code, ArchSD raised our reservation on this clause.

2.2.2 The requirement of non-combustible materials for roof structure imposes an

undue burden to those old or heritage buildings with timber pitched roof.
ArchSD is currently handling a few such heritage buildings, many of them
being with timber truss/purlins/battens supporting roof tiles. The timber
truss/purlins/battens cannot meet such non-combustible requirement.
However, it can be argued that, as long as the requirements of Clause C5
(Prevention of Fire Spread between Buildings) of the FS Code are satisfied,
there is a control of the spread of fire and the protection of adjoining buildings
is ensured already. Hence, the requirement of non-combustible materials is
not necessary. The corresponding clause at the Approved Document B - Fire
Safety issued under the UK Building Regulations 2000 does not have such non-
combustibility requirement on the roof structure but rather control the use near a
relevant boundary of roof coverings to give adequate protection against the
spread of fire over them. This is a more practical approach especially for those
heritage buildings and yet fulfills the objectives of fire safety.

2.2.3 The view of Buildings Department was that for such heritage buildings, fire
engineering approach will be appropriate, if it is decided not following the non-
combustibility requirement. However, as member forming the roof or part of
the roof is not an element of construction, there is no concern on stability,
integrity or insulation, whilst the purpose of a fire engineering study, if
performed, is to assess the performance of the roof in fire scenario against these
criteria and therefore not needed. Further information can be obtained from
SEB Guidelines SEBGL-OTH1 Guidelines on the Fire Resisting Construction
for Roof Structures (URL: http://asdiis/sebiis/2k/resource_centre/).

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 2.3 FRR of Construction and Building Materials

2.3.1 The FS Code Tables E3-E7 (extract as follows) set out minimum dimensions of
different building components for different construction and building materials
for different FRR, which are the same as the FRC Code Tables A-F. There are
no changes on the minimum thickness (including cover for rc construction) for
structural elements (slabs, beams, walls, stairs, columns, etc).

2.3.2 Hollow-block Floors

2.3.2.1 Same as that in FRC Code, the minimum dimensions or cover to

reinforcement for hollow-block floors (or hollow tile floors) are not
mentioned in the FS Code. However, hollow-block floors were commonly
used from the 1950s to 1970s in Hong Kong. They were constructed by
placing precast clay or cement sand blocks (Figure 1) on formwork, and
concrete is then cast to form ribs spanning in one direction (Figure 2). Its
advantages are its lightweight, the excellent sound insulation and thermal
insulation. The clay or cement sand blocks were not usually included in the
design, and hence the topping can be very thin (may be of 50mm). Similarly,
the width of the ribs can be as small as 50mm. Such floor construction is
seldom used nowadays. However, in renovation projects, project officer has
difficulties in assessing the adequacy of its FRR, as there is no provision in the
FS Code on this specific type of floor construction. Applying the minimum
thickness for solid floor construction in the FS Code Table E4, the topping can
hardly achieve a FRR of 60 mins (minimum 100mm), and applying the
minimum width for beam in the FS Code Table E6, the width of the ribs can
again hardly achieve a FRR of 60 mins (minimum 200mm).

Figure 1 Precast Clay or Cement Sand Block

Figure 2 Section of Hollow-block Floor

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 2.3.2.2 It seems that ignoring the contribution of the clay blocks in fire resistance is
not a correct assumption, as one of the advantages of hollow-block floors is its
good thermal insulation of the hollow blocks. As a matter of fact, the then
Building (Construction) Regulations 1985 states that the minimum thickness
of the topping (excluding non-combustible finish) for hollow-block floor for
FRR of 30 mins, 60 mins, 120 mins and 240 mins to be respectively 65mm,
75mm, 90mm and 125mm. CP 110:Part 1:1972 also specifies the overall
depth (excluding non-combustible finish) for such floor for FRR of 30 mins,
60 mins, 120 mins and 240 mins to be respectively 100mm, 110mm, 160mm
and 190mm. It further specifies the minimum width of the ribs for FRR of 30
mins, 60 mins, 120 mins and 240 mins to be respectively 50mm, 70mm,
90mm and 125mm.

2.3.2.3 The current provision of minimum dimension for hollow-block floors can be
referred to BS 8110-2:1985, which recommends that such type of floor
construction can be treated as solid construction in calculating its fire
resistance by including the contribution of the cement sand or clay blocks
using the effective thickness te given by the following equation:
te h tf
where h is the overall actual thickness of slab;
is the proportion of solid material per unit width of slab;
and tf is the thickness of non-combustible finish.

In some cases, without carrying out detailed measurement of the hollow

blocks to calculate , the topping plus the non-combustible finish may already
be able to achieve the required FRR. Koon (2010) further considered that in
addition to non-combustible plaster, tiles and floor screed may also be
included as the cover to the reinforcement. Koon (2010) also recommended
the same approach can be used to resolve the requirements of cover for
structural elements in other structural forms (e.g. beam-and-slab construction).

The following example illustrates the calculation of the effective thickness te:

Consider a hollow-block floor with a topping of 75mm, and ribs of width

80mm and depth of 350mm at 500mm c/c as shown in Figure 3. The
thickness of the clay blocks is 20mm. There is also cement sand floor screed
of 25mm.

Figure 3 Typical Hollow-block Floor

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 = the proportion of solid material per unit width of slab
360 235
= 1 = 0.517
500 350
tf = the thickness of non-combustible finish = 25mm
h = the overall actual thickness of slab = 350mm

Hence, the effective thickness te h t f

350 0.517 25 =277mm

For a FRR of 60 mins, the minimum thickness as specified in the FS Code

Table E4 is 100mm, and hence the effective thickness of the hollow-block
floor slab far exceeds the minimum requirements. Indeed, even ignoring the
contribution of the floor screed, the effective thickness of the hollow-block
slab is 241mm, which already exceeds the specified 100mm. Alternatively,
ignoring the contribution of the clay blocks, the effective thickness of the
hollow-block slab including the floor screed is 100mm, which also meets the
specified 100mm.

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 2.4 Minimum Percentage of Reinforcement in Reinforced Concrete Walls

2.4.1 Table 1 and Table 2 show respectively the recommended thickness and cover of
reinforced concrete wall with different FRRs and different percentages of
reinforcement as stipulated in the FS Code and BS 8110-2: 1985, and they tally
with each other.

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 Table 1: Minimum thickness and cover of rc wall in the FS Code

Minimum thickness in mm (excluding

Reinforced Concrete Wall plaster) for FRR of
240 mins 120 mins 60 mins
(a) Containing not less than 1% of
180 100 75
vertical reinforcement
Concrete cover to main
25 25 15
reinforcement
(b) Containing less than 1% of
240 160 120
vertical reinforcement
Concrete cover to main
25 25 25
reinforcement
* where finished with 13mm gypsum plaster on each side, the thickness may be reduced to
100mm
(Sources: The FS Code Table E.2)

Table 2: Minimum thickness and cover of r.c. wall in BS 8110

Minimum dimensions (in mm) excluding any

Reinforced Concrete
combustible finish for a fire resistance of:
Wall
240 mins 120 mins 60 mins
Containing over 1.0% Thickness 180 100 75
reinforcement Cover 25 25 15
Containing with 0.4% to Thickness 240 160 120
1.0% reinforcement Cover 25 25 25
(Sources: BS8110 Table 4.6)

2.4.2 SEB has incorporated the above minimum requirements (Table 3) in the SEB
Standard Drawings no. SD/008 and /009 (URL:
http://asdiis/sebiis/2k/MAIN%20DOC/std_draw/index.htm), and Explanatory
Notes on the Code of Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2004 (URL:
http://asdiis/sebiis/2k/MAIN%20DOC/info_paper/upload/cop2004_ep.pdf)
further contains the corresponding discussion on the minimum requirements.
Project officer should note that the above minimum provisions are conservative,
as Eurocode 2 now specifies a smaller minimum thickness (Table 4)
irrespective of the cover and percentage of reinforcement for non-load bearing
partition walls.

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 Table 3(a): Minimum reinforcement for non-load bearing partition wall

Table 3(b): Minimum reinforcement for load bearing wall

Table 4: Minimum thickness of wall in Eurocode 2

Minimum thickness (in mm) for a fire resistance of:
240 mins 120 mins 60 mins
175 120 80
(Sources: Eurocode 2 Table 5.3)

2.5 Fire Engineering Approach

The FS Code Part G now replaces APP-87: Guide to Fire Engineering

Approach and dedicates a full section providing guidance and methods on using
the fire engineering approach. Fire engineering approach (or termed as
Alternative Solution in the FS Code) is a performance based method, which is
to ensure that an equivalent level of safety of the building environment is not
eroded without following the Prescriptive Requirements in the FS Code. For
the structural aspects, SEB is now preparing guidelines on the behaviour of fire
and the structural behaviour of structural steel, reinforced concrete, composite
structure and timber at elevated temperature. Part I of this set of guidelines has
been promulgated and is available in SEB Resource Centre (URL:
http://asdiis/sebiis/2k/resource_centre/).

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 References

Approved document B - Fire safety (2007) (London: NBS/RIBA Publishing)

(available:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/part
b/; accessed: 2 March 2012)

BSI (1972), CP 110:Part 1:1972 - Structural Use of Concrete: Code of Practice

for Design and Construction (London: BSI).

BSI (1985), BS 8110-2: 1985 - Structural Use of Concrete: Code of Practice for
Special Circumstances (London: BSI).

Koon, C M (2010), Structural Appraisal of Reinforced Concrete Buildings

with Historic Values, Presented at Seminar on Concrete Damage Assessment,
Concrete Repair and Concrete Mix Technology, Hong Kong, China, 2 February
2010.

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Information Paper CoP for FS in Buildings 2011 MKL/SCF/CHM
Issue No./Revision No. : 1/- First Issue Date : June 2012