Building Code and

Building Requirement
What is Building Code?

o It is a standard rules for safety in the const

ruction of buildings. Building codes vary in
their fire-resistance requirement in accord
ance with the occupancy classification. (R
A 6541)
Building Code Requirements:

1. Intended Occupancy and Use

2. Life Safety
3. Fixed Fire Protection System
4. Spacing of Structures
5. Height Requirements
6. Fire Retarding Features
Intended Occupancy and Use
A building is based upon the occupancy of the individu
al structure, also considering the combustibility of the
contents and human factors.
Buildings wherein large occupants are assembled suc
h as dormitories, schools, hospitals where crowd may
generate panic calls for a higher and greater degree o
f fire safety protection.
Buildings that contain high combustible materials call f
or a greater degree of fire resistance in the structure.
Life Safety
The provision of adequate exits is the most i
mportant feature in designing a building for li
ne safety. The life safety factor is affected by
many building designs and feature-designs th
at prevent, reduce or retard the spread of the
fire such as:
Fire stops
Fire walls and;
Fire doors
Fixed Fire Protection System

Fixed fire protection system installed w

ill be in accordance with sound econo
mical and engineering practices. Thes
e system insure the maximum life safe
ty or maximum degree of property prot
ection where the size, type of construc
tion, occupancy or other conditions cre
ate severe monetary fire-loss potential
.
Spacing of Structure
Planning and construction of
an adequate separation of bui
ldings and structures is very i
mportant to prevent the sprea
d of fire from an adjacent buil
ding or from area to area.
Height Requirements
The height of buildings of masonry or concrete wall an
d wood construction is generally limited to a height as
sumed to be the maximum at which the fire departmen
ts can operate and fight fire effectively working from th
e street level.
The operational limit is usually three (3) or four (4) stor
ies.
Wood frame construction is generally given lower heig
ht limits.
Fire resistive buildings are commonly permitted withou
t any height limit, on the theory that the structural integ
rity of the buildings will be maintained.
Fire Retarding
Features
What is Fire Stop?

Firestops are physical barriers designed to preve

nt the spread of flames, deadly gases and toxic s
moke through openings created during building u
pgrades and the installation of electrical, commun
ications, plumbing, and ventilation systems, as w
ell as grease ducts. Barriers also can fill breaches
in fire-resistant walls and floor assemblies.
Why is Firestop important?

Life safety
Building Code Requirement
Liability
Limit losses
What is Fire Partitions?
Fire partitions are freestanding walls or structures within
a building that have the specific purpose of retarding the
progress of a fire. While not the same as a fire barrier, a
properly constructed fire partition can provide valuable ti
me that increases the chances of evacuating the space
before anyone is injured. In many jurisdictions, local buil
ding codes include specific criteria that a fire partition m
ust meet in order to be included in a building design.
 It is important to note that a fire partition is us
ually not expected to completely stop a fire fr
om spreading. The idea is to slow down the p
rogress of the fire so that anyone in the burni
ng structure has a small amount of additional
time to escape. The presence of the partition
also means that the overall damage to the bu
ilding is minimized, assuming that the fire is b
rought under control before the protective co
nstruction is breached.
What is Fire Wall?

Fire walls are installed for the purpose of prevent

ing the passage of fire from one building to anot
her.
Fire walls must have a parapet with a minimum
height of three (3) feet above the roof for all type
s of roof construction.
Fire resistance of two (2) hours
What is a Fire door?

A fire door is a door with a fire-resistance rating

(sometimes referred to as a fire protection rating
for closures) used as part of a passive fire protec
tion system to reduce the spread of fire and smo
ke between separate compartments of a structur
e and to enable safe egress from a building or st
ructure or ship
Miscellaneous
Hazards
 Sparks
Mechanical Devices
Acids and other chemicals
Coal-Tar Derivatives
Effects of the Sun