(Vanbanphapluat - Co) 01-2020-tt-bxd

MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
------- Independence – Freedom – Happiness

---------------
No. 01/2020/TT-BXD Hanoi, April 6, 2020
CIRCULAR
ON ISSUANCE OF NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ON FIRE SAFETY FOR BUILDINGS
AND CONSTRUCTION
Pursuant to Decree No. 81/2017/ND-CP dated July 17, 2017 of Government on functions, tasks,
powers and organizational structure of Ministry of Construction;
Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP dated August 1, 2007 of Government on elaborating to Law
on Technical Standards and Regulations;
Pursuant to Decree No. 78/2018/ND-CP dated May 16, 2018 of Government on amendments to
Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP dated August 1, 2007 of Government on elaborating to Law on
Technical Standards and Regulations;
At request of Director General of Department of Science, Technology and Environment,
Minister of Construction promulgates Circular on issuance of National Technical Regulations on fire
safety for buildings and constructions, No. QCVN 06:2020/BXD.
Article 1. National Technical Regulations on fire safety of buildings and constructions No. QCVN
06:2020/BXD are attached to this Circular.
Article 2. This Circular comes into force from July 1, 2020 and replaces Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BXD
dated July 28, 2010 of Ministry of Construction on issuance of National Technical Regulations on fire
safety for buildings and construction No. QCVN 06:2010/BXD
Article 3. Ministers, heads of ministerial agencies, governmental agencies, Chairpersons of People’s
Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities, relevant organizations and individuals are
responsible for implementation of this Circular./.
PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER
Le Quang Hung
QCVN 06:2020/BXD
NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
2. FIRE-RELATED TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATION
3. HUMAN SAFETY ASSURANCE
4. FIRE SPREAD PREVENTION
5. WATER SUPPLY FOR FIREFIGHTING
6. FIREFIGHTING AND RESCUE
7. REGULATIONS ON MANAGEMENT
8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS
9. IMPLEMENTATION
Annex A Additional regulations on fire safety for specific types of buildings
Annex B Classification of building materials according to fire-related properties
Annex C Classification of buildings and rooms according to fire and explosion hazards
Annex D Regulations on smoke protection for buildings and construction
Annex E Requirements for fire separation distance between buildings and construction
Annex F Fire-resistance rating of some structures and components
Annex G Regulations on distances to evacuation exits and width of evacuation exits
Annex H Regulations on permissible number of storeys (permissible height) and fire compartment
area of buildings
Annex I (reference) Illustrations of regulations
Preface
QCVN 06:2020/BXD is prepared by Institute For Building Science And Technology, approved by
Department of Science, Technology and Environment, appraised by Ministry of Science and
Technology and issued by Ministry of Construction as attachment to Circular No. 01/2020/TT-BXD
dated April 6, 2020 of Minister of Construction.
QCVN 06:2020/BXD replaces QCVN 06:2010/BXD attached to Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BXD dated
July 28, 2010 of Minister of Construction.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Scope
1.1.1 These Regulations prescribe general requirements for fire safety of rooms, buildings and
constructions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “buildings”) which must be applied in all stages of
construction, innovation, repair or change of purposes and provide fire-related technical classification
for buildings, parts, sections, rooms, structural components and construction materials thereof.
1.1.2 Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of these Regulations do not apply to buildings for special purposes
(buildings for manufacturing or preserving explosive substances and/or materials; buildings for storing
oil, oil products, natural gas, flammable gas and/or substances liable to spontaneous combustion;
buildings for manufacturing or storing toxic chemicals; buildings for national defense purposes;
underground sections of subway structures; mining buildings; etc.).
1.1.3 Apart from regulations in 1.1.2, regulations in Section 5 of these Regulations do not apply to:
facilities and buildings for preserving and processing cereal; gas stations; power stations (buildings
and constructions for generating thermal power, hydropower, steam generating facilities for producing
heat, power plants for heat, wind, diesel energy and power grids).
1.1.4 Apart from regulations in 1.1.2, regulations in Section 5 of these Regulations do not apply to: fire
suppression system for suppressing fire caused by metal or strong chemically-active substances and
materials which when contacts with water will result in explosions, create extreme burning and heat,
e.g. compounds of aluminum-organic matters, alkali metals, compounds of lithium-organic matters,
azure lead, hydrides of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, sulfuric acid, titanium chloride and thermite.
1.1.5 Standards and requirements for fire safety of documents prescribing standards in construction
sectors must be developed based on these Regulations.
In addition to these Regulations, other requirements for fire safety must be complied with, particularly
requirements in other documents prescribing standards applied to specific buildings and constructions.
In case documents prescribing specific standards developed based on these Regulations are not
available, specific regulations in applicable standards shall be permitted for use until said standards
are reexamined, foreign applicable standards that fulfill these Regulations, regulations and law of
Vietnam on fire safety and application of foreign standards in construction in Vietnam shall be
permitted for use.
In case of any discrepancy between applicable documents prescribing standards for fire safety of
buildings and constructions and these Regulations, these Regulations shall prevail.
1.1.6 Design dossiers and technical documents of buildings, parts, structural components and
construction materials must specify all fire-related technical properties thereof according to these
Regulations.
1.1.7 When designing and constructing buildings and constructions, in addition to these Regulations,
other compulsory regulations and technical requirements must be complied with according to
applicable regulations and law, namely: planning, structure, water supply and drainage system,
electrical system, electric equipment, lightning arresters, fuel supply system, energy efficiency,
ventilation systems, air conditioning, mechanical affairs, glass safety, falling and collision prevention.
1.1.8 Buildings or constructions for manufacturing products and goods under heading F5.1 and F5.2
as specified in 2.6.4 that have no more than 1 basement (also known as “industrial buildings”) must
comply with regulations on fire safety in A.1 under Annex A in addition to provisions under these
Regulations.
1.1.9 Buildings under fire hazard categories F1.2 and F4.3 and multi-purpose buildings whose height
ranges from 50 m to 150 m (with no more than 3 basements 1) must comply with regulations on fire
safety in A.2 under Annex A in addition to provisions under these Regulations. Buildings under fire
hazard category F1.3 whose height ranges from 75 m to 150 m must comply with 04:2019/BXD in
addition to these Regulations.
NOTE: 1 Hospitals, preschools, secondary schools and post-secondary schools shall be limited to 1
basement.
1.1.10 Buildings that do not have fire safety standards and buildings under fire hazard categories F1.2,
F1.3 and F4.3, multi-purpose buildings whose height exceeds 150 m or having 4 basements or more
and particularly complicated and unusual buildings must develop technical requirements and solutions
regarding organization and technical structure conforming to specific fire safety characteristics of said
buildings based on applicable documents prescribing standards in addition to these Regulations.
Requirements and solutions above must be approved by Police Departments of Fire Prevention and
Fighting and Rescue.
1.1.11 In rare cases, Ministry of Construction may only allow specific constructions to replace certain
provisions of these Regulations if written presentation is submitted to Ministry of Construction
specifying additional and substitutional solutions or basis of calculations for ensuring fire safety for
said specific construction. The written presentation must be appraised by the Police Departments of
Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue prior to submission to Ministry of Construction,
1.1.12 Upon changing purposes or methods of planning distribution – spaces and structure of existing
buildings or rooms of said buildings, apply these Regulations and documents prescribing standards for
said changes.
1.1.13 Individual residential buildings for households whose height reaches 6 storeys or lower or
having no more than 1 basement are not required to comply with these Regulations but following
separate guidelines suitable for each building and neighborhood.
In case buildings that require appraisal of fire safety design are converted for other purposes, comply
with these Regulations and be approved by the Police Departments of Fire Prevention and Fighting
and Rescue.
1.2 Regulated entities
These Regulations apply to organizations and individuals related to investment for construction,
management and use of residential buildings and industrial buildings in Vietnam territory.
1.3 Reference documents
Following reference documents are vital for application of these Regulations. In case following
reference documents are amended or replaced, the new version shall prevail.
TCVN 3890:2009 Fire prevention and suppression equipment for buildings and constructions.
Equipment, placement and maintenance.
TCVN 9310-4:2012 Fire prevention and suppression – Terminology – Part 4: Firefighting equipment.
TCVN 9310-8:2012 Fire prevention and suppression – Terminology – Part 8: Terminology for fire
suppression, rescue and handling of dangerous materials.
TCVN 9311-1:2012 Fire resistance test – Structural components of buildings – Part 1: General
requirements.
TCVN 9311-3:2012 Fire resistance test of structural components of buildings – Part 3: Guidelines on
testing methods and application of test figures.
TCVN 9311-4:2012 Fire resistance test of structural components of buildings – Part 4: Separate
requirements of separate bearings to take vertical load.
requirements of separate bearings to take horizontal load.
requirements for beams.
requirements for pillars.
requirements for vertical separate non-bearing structures.
TCVN 9383:2012 Fire resistance test – Doors and fire rated doors.
1.4 Interpretations
In these Regulations, terms below are construed as follows:
1.4.1
Fire safety for buildings and constructions (work items)
Fulfill requirements regarding material properties and construction structures, construction and
planning solutions, appropriate technical and technology solutions suitable to usage of the
constructions to prevent fire (fire prevention), limit the spread and extinguish the fire (fire suppression),
prevent factors that are dangerous to humans, minimize damage to assets in case of fire.
1.4.2
Parking lots for fire engines
Roads with finished surface capable of bearing heavy weight that are distributed along the
circumference or part of the circumference of the buildings which allow firefighting vehicles to deploy
firefighting activities.
NOTE: Compared to driveway for fire engines, parking lots for fire engines are designed to bear a
greater load with wider dimension to enable deployment of firefighting vehicles.
1.4.3
Fire protection
A combination of organization solution and technical measures to prevent fire from affecting human
and limiting material damage to assets and properties due to the fire.
1.4.4 Fire resistance categories
Ability to withstand fire of buildings is classified into levels from I to V and is determined by fire
resistance ratings of primary structure components (Article 1.5.1 and 2.6.2).
1.4.5
Smoke control devices
Devices for diverting, trapping and/or preventing spread of smoke (gaseous product of fire).
NOTE: Smoke protection devices may also be referred to as: smoke curtains, smoke blinds and
smoke screens.
1.4.6
Fire hazard levels of structural components
A characteristic of structural components which is determined based on different levels of experiment
results of combusting materials of structural components according to regulations and standards.
NOTE: (consult 2.3 and Annex B)
1.4.7
Structural fire hazard levels of buildings
Structural fire hazard levels of a building are determined based on fire hazard levels of the building’s
structural components.
1.4.8
Height
In these Regulations, height refers to height for firefighting, evacuation and rescue and is defined as
follows: Except for special cases which shall be specified, a building’s height shall equal the where the
topmost storey is situated, excluding the topmost mechanical floor. The height where a storey is
situated shall equal the distance from the lowest driveways for fire engines to the lowest point of an
open window on the outer wall of said storey. In case of no windows, the height where a storey is
situated shall equal half of total altitude of the floor and ceiling of that storey.
1.4.9
Solid stream height
Equals 0.8 times the height of a stream introduced vertically.
1.4.10
Accessible floor area
Refers to floor area of all covered spaces in a building or part of a building, including area of service
ducts, elevator shafts, toilets, staircases areas occupied by fixed/movable furniture/equipment/facilities
and any open-to-sky habitable areas above or below the first storey of the building.
1.4.11
Driveways for fire engines
Refers to driveways within a facility/building/construction premises to enable fire engines to arrive and
move to perform firefighting, evacuation and rescue activities.
1.4.12
Fire resistance ratings
Refers to period (in hours or minutes) from the moment in which fire resistance tests are conducted
with standard heat until any of the limit states of structure and components appear (Article 2.3.2).
1.4.13
Area of refuge
Refers to an area located in refuge floors for temporary evacuation in case of fire.
1.4.14
Technical rooms
Refer to rooms for storing technical equipment and devices of the buildings or storeys. Technical
rooms can be situated on the whole or part of mechanical floors.
1.4.15
Open corridors
Refer to corridors receiving uninterrupted ventilation from the environment along the length of the
corridors, with clearance height from the highest point of the walls along the corridors going upwards
not less than 1.2 m.
1.4.16
Fire protection systems
Fire protection systems include: Smoke protection systems, indoor fire hydrant systems, outdoor
hydrant booster systems, automatic fire suppression systems, fire alarm and public audio systems,
emergency lighting and instruction systems, fire service elevators, evacuation and rescue equipment,
evacuation exit solutions, smoke control measures and fire spread prevention measures.
1.4.17
Fire hydrants
A combination of pre-installed specialized equipment including valves and nozzles ready to deliver
water to extinguish fire.
1.4.18
Fire compartment
Refers to a section of a building separated from other sections of the building with class 1 fire-rated
walls.
1.4.19
Vestibule
Refers to a transitional space between two doors to prevent smoke and other gases from entering the
buildings, staircases or other rooms of the buildings.
1.4.20
Fire-rated vestibule
Refers to vestibules constructed from materials having fire-resistance ratings satisfactory to
regulations and law (consult 2.4.3).
1.4.21
Smoke
Refers to gas generated by partially burnt materials which are in liquid form and/or solid form.
1.4.22
Protective concrete coatings, Thickness of protective concrete coatings
- Refers to the concrete coatings from the edge of the structure to the nearest surface of reinforce
bars.
- Thickness of the protective concrete coatings shall be calculated from the edge of the structure to the
nearest surface of the reinforce bars.
1.4.23
Flame
Refers to burning air within the visible spectrum.
1.4.24
Building
Refers to a construction whose primary functions is to protect and shelter human or interior contents;
usually covered partially or totally and constructed fixed in place. Including civil buildings (houses,
apartment buildings, public buildings and multi-purposes buildings) and industrial buildings.
1.4.25
Apartment building
Refers to a building with 2 storeys or higher, with multiple flats, shared corridors and staircases,
private sections, shared sections and infrastructure systems mutually shared by all households,
individuals and organizations, including apartment buildings constructed for residential purposes,
mixed purposes and business purposes.
1.4.26
Multi-purposes building
Refers to a building for multiple purposes (e.g. a building designed for office, commercial service,
residential and public activity purposes).
NOTE: A building under function fire hazard category depending on its defined purpose, with total area
for another purpose (other than residential purpose) which is to assist the primary purpose is no larger
than 10 % of total floor area for the assisted purpose shall not be considered as a multi-purpose
building.
1.4.27
Functional fire hazard category
Characteristics of the buildings (or their components) based on use purposes and factors potentially
threatening human safety in case of fire, taking into accounting of age, physiques and chances of
persons sleeping, etc. of group of individuals using the primary purposes.
1.4.28
Fire hazards of construction materials
Characteristics of construction materials, based on different levels of experiment results of combusting
materials according to standards.
1.4.29
Fire prevention
A combination of organizational and technical measures to ensure safety for human, prevents fire
incidents, limits fire spread and facilitates effective fire extinguishing.
1.4.30
Compartment volume
Refers to volume of space within a building or a fire compartment. This volume does not include walls
of protected elevators, emergency staircases and other spaces (e.g. sanitation areas and storage
units) covered by walls with fire resistance ratings less than 1 hour and corridors passing through walls
protected by class 2 fire rated doors installed with automatic door closing mechanisms. Compartment
volume shall be calculated based on following dimensions:
a) Clearance area is based on distance between inner finished area of surrounding walls, or in case of
all surfaces without surrounding walls, calculated from a vertical surface to the topmost outer edge of
the floor.
b) Height is based on distance from the highest point of the lower floor to the lowest point of the upper
floor; and
c) In case of a building or fire compartment that extends to the ceiling, calculate up to the lowest point
of the ceiling or lower surface of ceiling of the highest level in a fire compartment, including spaces
occupied by unprotected walls, vertical shafts, service ducts, or structure within the calculated space.
1.4.31
Smoke control lobby
Refers to a lobby situated outside of entrance to an emergency staircases. Design of the lobby must
be able to prevent or minimize infiltration of smoke into staircases.
1.4.32
Elevator hall
The empty space in front of elevator entrance.
1.4.33
Storey
Refers to number of levels of a building including all storeys above ground (including mechanical floors
and roof deck), basements and semi-basements, not including garret.
NOTE: A roof deck shall not be taken into account for total number of storey of a building if its primary
function is to cover staircases/elevator shafts and technical equipment of the building (if any) with
ceiling not exceeding 30 % of rooftop area.
1.4.34
Fire incident
Uncontrolled fire leading to losses in terms of human and/or assets.
1.4.35
Burning
Refers to a rapid oxidation that generating heat of a material accompanied by any of the 3 factors:
flame; light and smoke.
1.4.36
Documents prescribing standards
Refer to documents prescribing principles, guidelines or properties for certain activities or their results.
NOTE 1: The term “documents prescribing standards” is a general terminology including documents
namely technical standards and regulations, practice regulations and technical regulations.
NOTE 2: “documents” shall be interpreted as containers of information.
NOTE 3: Terms for different form of documents prescribing standards shall be identified by considering
the documents and contents thereof as a whole entity.
1.4.37
Fire loading
Refers to total heat generated by burning of combustible materials within a building space.
1.4.38
Garret
Refers to the level contained within the pitched roof whose entire or part of vertical surface is created
by pitched roof or gable roof; in which surrounding walls (if any) must not be more than 1.5 m from the
floor.
1.4.39
Basement
Refers to a floor with more than half of its height situated below ground according to approved
construction planning.
NOTE: When considering fire safety requirements for buildings surrounded with different ground
storeys, storeys below ground storey according to approved plan shall not be considered as
basements if evacuation exits from that storey are not constructed upwards.
1.4.40
Refuge floor
Refers to a floor for temporary evacuation situated in buildings higher than 100 m. A refuge floor may
have one or many areas of refuge.
1.4.41
Semi-basement
Refers to a storey with half of its height at ground storey or above ground storey on which the building
is constructed according to approved planning.
1.4.42
Mechanical floor
Refers to a storey or part of a storey where technical rooms and technical equipment of the building
are stored. Mechanical floors can be basements, semi-basements, garrets, topmost storey or any
storey in-between the building.
1.4.43
Above-ground storey
Refers to a storey whose floor is at or higher that ground storey on which the building is constructed
according to approved planning.
1.4.44
Fire service elevator
Refers to an elevator primarily installed to carry passengers, equipped with protection control and
communication systems and marked with signs dictating that the elevator shall be used under direct
operation of fire brigade to provide access to storeys of a building in case of fire.
1.4.45
Smoke-free area
Refers to an area in a building that is limited or surrounded with smoke control devices or structural
components to prevent the spread of smoke in case of fire.
NOTE: Consult Annex D, Section D.7.
1.4.46
Structural fire protection
Refers to impregnation, coating or covering of protective coatings on structural components to
enhance fire resistance and/or reduce fire risks of said structural components.
1.5 General provisions
1.5.1 While designing a building, develop structure, clearance - space distribution and technical
solutions to fulfill following requirements in case of fire:
- The building must be able to maintain overall structural integrity and endurance in a specific period
determined by fire resistance category of the building.
- Every individual in the building (regardless of age and health conditions) may evacuate to outside
safe areas (hereinafter referred to as “outside”) before emergence of life and health threatening
situations due to dangerous factors of the fire.
- Must be able to protect humans.
- Fire brigade and vehicles can access the fire and adopt measures to extinguish the fire, rescue
people and assets.
- The fire must be prevented from spreading to neighboring buildings, including the case in which the
burning building collapses.
- Direct and indirect losses regarding assets, including the building and interior properties must be
minimized, taking into account financial relationship between the damage and expenditure on fire
safety measures and equipment.
1.5.2 During construction process, satisfy following requirements:
- Adoption of fire safety measures approved as per the law conforming to applicable regulations and
standards.
- Adoption of fire prevention measures for buildings under construction and auxiliary constructions and
regulations on fire prevention in construction according to applicable regulations and law on fire
prevention.
- Availability and readiness of firefighting equipment according to regulations and law.
- Capability to ensure safe evacuation, human rescue and asset protection in case of fire on
construction sites and buildings under construction.
1.5.3 During utilization and operation process, satisfy following requirements
- Ability to retain structure and interior of the building and working capacity of firefighting equipment
according to design documents and technical documents thereof.
- Implementation of applicable regulations and law on fire prevention.
- Restriction from changing structure or clearance - space distribution and structure technical solutions
without having approved design as per the law.
- Upon repair, restriction from using components and materials unsatisfactory to applicable regulations
and standards.
In case of buildings licensed with limited fire loading or number of people in buildings, place notice on
such limitations in visible spots, managers of the buildings must develop separate solutions for fire
prevention and evacuation in case of fire.
1.5.4 While analyzing fire hazards of buildings, may take into account situations calculated based on
correlation between: development and spread of dangerous factors in a fire, human evacuation and
firefighting organization.
2. FIRE-RELATED TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATION
2.1.1 Buildings, sections, parts, rooms, materials and structural components shall be classified based
on following properties:
- Fire risk: ability to start and develop elements bearing fire risks.
- Fire resistance: ability to resist effect of the fire and prevent the spread of dangerous elements of the
fire.
2.1.2 Fire-related technical classification is to establish necessary requirements for fire protection for
structure, rooms, buildings, sections and parts of buildings based on fire resistance and/or fire risk
thereof.
2.2 Construction materials
2.2.1 With respect to fire safety, construction materials shall be characterized with only flammability.
Fire risk of construction materials shall be determined based on: flammability, combustibility, ability to
spread the fire on surfaces, produce smoke and toxic substances.
2.2.2 With respect to flammability, construction materials shall be classified as non-flammable
construction materials and flammable construction materials. Flammable materials shall be divided
into 4 categories:
- Ch1 (mildly flammable).
- Ch2 (moderately flammable).
- Ch3 (flammable).
- Ch4 (Highly flammable).
Flammability and groups of construction materials classified according to flammability shall conform to
Annex B, Section B.2.
With respect to non-flammable construction materials, fire risk and other properties are not required to
be determined.
2.2.3 With respect to combustibility, flammable construction materials shall be classified into 3
categories:
- BC1 (hardly combustible).
- BC2 (moderately combustible).
- BC3 (combustible).
Groups of construction materials classified according to combustibility shall conform to Annex B,
Section B.3.
2.2.4 With respect to surface fire spread, flammable construction materials shall be classified into 4
categories:
- LT1 (no spread).
- LT2 (weak spread).
- LT3 (moderate spread).
- LT4 (fast spread).
Groups of construction materials classified according to ability to spread fire on surfaces are applied to
surface materials of roofs, floors and flooring materials according to Annex B, Section B.4.
With respect to other construction materials, classifying in terms of ability to spread fire on surfaces is
not required.
2.2.5 With respect to ability to produce smoke, flammable construction materials shall be classified
into 3 categories:
- SK1 (low smoke production).
- SK2 (moderate smoke production).
- SK3 (high smoke production).
Groups of construction materials classified according to ability to produce smoke shall conform to
Annex B, Section B.5.
2.2.6 With respect to toxicity of combustion products, flammable construction materials shall be
classified into 4 categories:
- DT1 (low toxicity).
- DT2 (moderate toxicity).
- DT3 (high toxicity).
- DT4 (particularly high toxicity).
groups of construction materials classified according to toxicity of combustion products shall conform
to Annex B, Section B.6.
2.3 Construction components
2.3.1 Construction components shall be characterized by fire resistance and fire risk.
Fire resistance of a component is represented by the fire-resistance rating of that component. Fire risk
of a component is represented by fire hazard level of the component.
2.3.2 Fire-resistance ratings of construction components are determined by a period of time (in
minutes) from the point in which fire resistance tests with standard heat begin until one or many
following signs of limit states prescribed for the components as per the law appear:
- Loss of load-bearing capacity (load-bearing capacity is assigned with the letter “R”).
- Loss of integrity (integrity is assigned with the letter “E”).
- Loss of thermal insulation (thermal insulation is assigned with the letter “I”).
NOTE 1: Fire-resistance ratings of construction materials shall be determined by fire resistance test
according to standards from TCVN 9311-1:2012 to TCVN 9311-8:2012 or equivalent standards. Fire-
resistance rating of construction materials can be identified by calculation according to applicable fire-
resistance design standards.
Fire-resistance ratings of air ducts shall conform to ISO 6944 or equivalent standards.
Fire resistance rating of fire suppression valves of ventilation systems shall conform to ISO 10294.
Fire-resistance rating of doors, windows and door bars shall conform to TCVN 9383:2012.
NOTE 2: Required fire-resistance ratings of specific construction components are mentioned in these
Regulations and technical regulations applied to each type of construction. Fire-resistance ratings of
construction components are represented with REI, EI, RE or R accompanied by number dictating
duration of burning in minute. E.g. A component with fire-resistance rating of REI 120 means the
component must be able to retain all 3 capacities: load-bearing, integrity and thermal insulation under
impact of fire for 120 minutes; a component with fire-resistance rating of R 60 means the component
must be able to retain load-bearing capacity for 60 minutes regardless of integrity and thermal
insulation.
NOTE 3: Some construction components are considered as satisfactory to fire resistance (fire-
resistance ratings) if any of following conditions is satisfied:
a) The components share technical properties with samples of fire resistance test and samples display
fire-resistance ratings no lower than the required fire-resistance ratings of those components.
b) The components share technical properties with components specified in Annex F and
corresponding fire-resistance rating under Annex F is no lower than required fire-resistance ratings of
said components.
c) Fire-resistance rating of components determined by calculation according to standard fire resistance
design must be no lower than required fire-resistance ratings of said components.
2.3.3 With respect to fire risks, construction components shall be classified into 4 categories:
- K0 (no fire risk).
- K1 (mild fire risk).
- K2 (moderate fire risk).
- K3 (fire risk).
NOTE 1: Fire risks of components are developed based on testing in accordance with applicable
Vietnamese standards or equivalent standards.
NOTE 2: May determine fire hazard levels of components without testing as follows:
- Components shall be classified as K0 if they are made solely from non-flammable materials.
- Components shall be classified as K1 if outer surfaces of the components are made from materials
with fire-related technical requirements no higher than Ch1, BC1 and SK1.
with fire-related technical requirements no higher than Ch2, BC2 and SK2.
with any of the fire-related technical requirements is Ch3, BC3 and SK3.
2.4 Fire prevention devices
2.4.1 Fire prevention devices are for preventing fire and other combustion products from spreading
from one fire compartment or a room with fire to another room.
Fire prevention devices include fire-rated walls, fire-rated partitions and fire-rated floor.
2.4.2 Fire prevention devices shall be characterized by fire resistance and fire risk.
Fire resistance of a fire prevention device shall be determined by fire resistance of its component,
including:
- Separating sections (partitions, walls, floors, etc.).
- Stabilizing sections (frames, rebar, etc.).
- Supporting section (supporting beams, supporting sides, supporting walls, etc.).
- Connecting components in-between.
Fire-resistance ratings based on load-bearing (R) capacity of stabilizing sections and connecting
components must not be lower than required fire-resistance ratings of the separating sections.
Fire risks of fire prevention devices shall be determined by fire risks of separating sections, stabilizing
sections and connection components thereof.
2.4.3 Fire prevention devices shall be classified based on fire-resistance ratings of separating sections
as shown in Schedule 1. If separating sections are installed with doors, gates, trapdoors, air valves,
windows and blinds (hereinafter collectively referred to as “fire rated doors and valves”) or vestibules
(fire-rated vestibules), fire-rated doors, fire-rated valves and fire-rated vestibules must have the ability
to prevent fire spread corresponding to type of fire prevention devices under Schedule 1.
Schedule 1 – Classification of fire prevention devices
Type of fire Type of fire-rated doors Type of fire-rated
Fire prevention Fire-resistance
prevention and valves, no lower vestibules, no
devices ratings, no lower than
devices than lower than
Fire-rated walls 1 RЕI 150 1 1
2 RЕI 45 2 2
Fire-rated 1 ЕI 45 2 1
partitions
2 ЕI 15 3 2
Fire-rated floors 1 RЕI 150 1 1
2 RЕI 60 2 1
3 RЕI 45 2 1
4 RЕI 15 3 2
Fire-resistance ratings of fire-rated doors and valves in fire prevention devices are specified in
Schedule 2.
Fire-resistance ratings of components of fire-rated vestibules (fire-rated partitions, floors, doors and
valves) in fire-rated doors and valve of fire prevention devices must conform to Schedule 3.
Type 1 fire prevention devices must have K0 fire hazard level. In special cases, may utilize K1 fire
hazard level in type 2 to type 4 fire prevention devices.
Schedule 2 - Fire-resistance ratings of fire-rated doors and valves in fire prevention devices
Type of fire-rated doors and
Fire-rated doors and valves in fire Fire-resistance ratings, no
valves in fire prevention
prevention devices lower than
devices
(1) (2) (3)
Doors, trapdoors, valves 1) 1 ЕI 60
2 ЕI 30 2)
3 ЕI 15
Windows 1 Е 60
2 Е 30
3 Е 15
Partitions 1 ЕI 60
NOTE 1: Fire-resistance ratings of fire prevention valves shall be solely based on integrity (E) if such
valves are installed in service ducts, shafts and pipes in a manner that meets required fire resistance,
applicable to both integrity (E) and thermal insulation (I).
NOTE 2: Fire-resistance ratings of elevator shafts must not be lower than E 30.
Schedule 3 – Fire-resistance ratings of components of vestibules of fire-rated doors and valves
in fire prevention devices
Fire-resistance ratings of components of vestibules, no lower than
Type of fire-rated
vestibules Fire-rated doors and
Partitions of vestibules Floors of vestibules
valves of vestibules
1 EI 45 REI 45 EI 30
2 EI 15 REI 15 EI 15
2.5 Stairs and stairwells
2.5.1 Stairs and stairwells for evacuation exit shall be classified into following categories:
NOTE: Under Annex I are illustrations of stairs and stairwells.
a) Types of stairs:
- Type 1 – indoor stairs, positioned inside stairwells.
- Type 2 – indoor stairs, exposed.
- Type 3 – outdoor stairs, exposed.
NOTE: “Exposed” means not positioned inside a stairwell.
b) Common types of stairwells:
- L1 – a stairwell with doors granting access to each level (with or without glasses installed).
- L2 – a stairwell receiving natural lighting via skylight (with or without glasses installed).
c) All types of smoke proof enclosure:
- N1 – a stairwell granting access to each storey through a smoke proof vestibule implemented by
appropriate natural ventilation solutions. Cases of appropriate N1 stairwell designs are specified in
3.4.10.
May replace N1 stairwells with stairwells granting access to each storey through a vestibule. Both
vestibules and stairwells must receive positive pressure ventilation in case of fire. Air supply for
vestibules and stairwells must be separate from each other.
- N2 – a stairwell receiving positive pressure ventilation (air pressure inside the stairwell must be
higher than air pressure outside the stairwell) in case of fire.
- N3 – a stairwell granting access to each storey through a vestibule receiving positive pressure
ventilation (the positive pressure ventilation received by the vestibule shall be on a regular basis or in
case of fire).
2.5.2 Transport methods serving fire fighting and rescue shall be classified into 2 following types:
- P1 – fire service elevators.
- P2 – stairs with steepness no higher than 6:1 (no more than 80 o).
2.6 Buildings, fire compartments and rooms
2.6.1 Buildings or parts thereof separated by class 1 fire-rated walls (called fire compartments) shall
be classified based on fire-resistance categories, structural fire hazard levels and fire hazard
categories. May separate fire compartments in buildings with fire resistance categories of level IV and
level V by class 2 fire-rated walls.
- Fire resistance categories of buildings and fire compartments shall be determined by fire-resistance
ratings of construction materials thereof.
- Structural fire hazard levels of buildings and fire compartments shall be determined by participation
of structural components in developing the fire and forming dangerous elements of the fire.
- Fire hazard categories of buildings and sections thereof shall be determined based on use purposes
and characteristics of technological procedures situated within.
2.6.2 Buildings and fire compartments shall be classified based on fire resistance categories as shown
in Schedule 4.
Load-bearing components of buildings include walls and load-bearing pillars, beams, connectors, hard
partitions and sections of floors participating in ensuring overall integrity and ability to resist
deformation of the buildings in case of fire.
Load-bearing components that do not participate in ensuring overall integrity of the buildings must be
specified by design departments in technical documents of the buildings.
No regulations on fire-resistance ratings for devices sealing openings (doors, gates, windows,
trapdoors, skylights and including openings on top and sections allowing light to pass through the
roofing), except fire rated doors and valves in fire prevention devices and special cases to be
specified.
If minimum required fire-resistance ratings of components are R 15 (RE 15, REI 15), may use steel
structure without using protective coatings and relying on actual fire-resistance rating, except for cases
in which fire-resistance ratings of load-bearing structures of the buildings are lower than R 8 according
to experiment results.
In N1 smoke proof enclosures, may use treads and landings with R 15 fire-resistance rating and K0
fire hazard level.
2.6.3 According to structural fire hazards, buildings and fire compartments shall be classified into 4
levels of S0, S1, S2 and S3 as shown in Schedule 5 – structural fire hazard levels.
No regulations on fire hazards for doors, gates, windows and trapdoors in sheltering structures of
buildings are prescribed, except for special cases.
Schedule 4 – Fire resistance categories of buildings
Fire-resistance ratings of building structures, no lower than
Floors in- Roof sections without
Fire Staircase structures
Outer between levels garrets
resistance Load-
non-load (including
category bearing bearing floors of Roofing (including Frames,
structures Inner Treads and
walls garrets and thermal insulated beams, walls landings
basements) roofing) pillars
I R 120 Е 30 RЕI 60 RЕ 30 R 30 RЕI 120 R 60

II R 90 Е 15 RЕI 45 RЕ 15 R 15 RЕI 90 R 60
III R 45 Е 15 RЕI 45 RЕ 15 R 15 RЕI 60 R 45
IV R 15 E 15 RЕI 15 RЕ 15 R 15 RЕI 45 R 15
V No requirements
NOTE 1: In buildings with fire resistance categories I, II and III, floors and ceilings of basements and
semi-basements must be made of non-flammable materials and have fire-resistance ratings of at least
REI 90. Floors of 1st storey and the topmost storey must be made from materials with flammability no
lower than Ch1.
NOTE 2: In buildings with fire resistance categories IV and V, floors of basements or semi-basements
must be made from materials with flammability no lower than Ch1 and fire-resistance rating no lower
than REI 45.
NOTE 3: In buildings with 2 or 3 basements (buildings under category F1.3 and multi-purpose
buildings), load-bearing structures and components in basements must have a minimum fire-
resistance rating of R 120.
NOTE 4: In rooms for manufacturing or preserving flammable liquid, the floors must be made of non-
flammable materials.
Schedule 5 – Structural fire hazard levels of buildings
Fire hazard levels of construction components, no lower than
Structural fire Walls,

Load-bearing
hazard levels of structures in form Outside of partitions, Walls of stairwells Treads and
buildings floors and and fire prevention landings in
of bars (pillars, outer walls
roofs without devices stairwells
beams, etc.)
garrets
S0 K0 K0 K0 K0 K0
S1 K1 K2 K1 K0 K0
S2 K3 K3 K2 K1 K1
SЗ No requirements K1 K3
2.6.4 Upon constructing structures or series of structures without being able to identify fire-resistance
ratings or fire hazard levels based on standard fire resistance tests or calculation, conduct fire
resistance tests for samples similar to actual components of said structures according to applicable
regulations and law on fire resistance tests.
2.6.5 Buildings and sections thereof (rooms with functions related to one another) shall be classified
into fire hazard category depending on their use purpose and threat to human safety in case of fire
taking into account: age, physical attributes, possibility of sleeping people, groups of people utilizing
primary functions and number of said groups. Fire hazard categories are specified under Schedule 6.
Buildings and rooms for manufacturing or storing shall be classified (A, B, C (C1, C2, C3, C4), D, E)
based on fire risks and explosion risks according to quantity and explosion risks of substances and
materials within, taking into account properties of manufacturing technology. Classification shall be
specified under Annex C.
Rooms for manufacturing and storing, including laboratories and warehouses with more than 50 m 2 in
area, rooms for preparing food with more than 10 KW with cooking equipment in buildings under
categories F1, F2, F3 and F4 shall be placed under category F5.
2.6.6 With respect to buildings with defined fire hazard categories, in general cases, may allocate
rooms having other fire hazard categories while complying with regulations under design standards for
specific buildings and technical equipment in addition to these Regulations.
Schedule 6 – Classification of buildings depending on fire hazard categories
Category Use purpose Use features
(1) (2) (3)
F1 Buildings for temporary or permanent residential Rooms in said buildings are
purposes (including 24/7 residence). regularly used 24/7. People
inhabiting the buildings may
F1.1 Kindergartens, childcare and buildings for old people and vary in ages and physical
people with disabilities (other than flats), hospitals, bedroom attributes. One of the features
blocks of boarding schools, facilities for children and of said buildings are presence
buildings with similar use features. of bedrooms.
F1.2 Hotels, dorms, bedroom blocks of nursery facilities and
common rental flats, camping sites, motels, nursing homes
and buildings with similar use features.
F1.3 Apartments and buildings with similar use features
F1.4 Single-flat residential buildings or buildings with multiple
adjacent flats, each with individual exit and buildings with
similar use features
F2 Mass cultural and sports facilities. Rooms in
F2.1 Theaters, movie cinemas, music concerts, clubs, circuses, such buildings are
sports structures with bleachers, libraries, other structures characterized by large amount
installed with seats for customers in closed rooms and of customers inhabiting in
buildings with similar use features. certain period of time.
F2.2 Museums, exhibits, dancing rooms, singing rooms, similar
facilities in closed rooms and buildings with similar use
features
F2.3 Facilities mentioned in F2.1, exposed.
F2.4 Facilities mentioned in F2.2, exposed.
F3 Commercial, business and civil service facilities Rooms of such facilities are
characterized by quantity of
F3.1 Product sale facilities, rooms for exhibiting products and customers exceeding quantity
buildings with similar use features. of servers.
F3.2 Public eating and drinking facilities, restaurants and
buildings with similar use feathers.
F3.3 Stations.
F3.4 Outpatient general medical examination facilities and
buildings with similar use features.
F3.5 Rooms for customers of public service facilities with
customer seats free of charge (post offices, ticket booths,
law consulting offices, notary offices, laundry shops,
hairdressers, religious establishments and similar facilities).
F3.6 Compound facilities for physical training and sports training
facilities without bleachers; service rooms; bathrooms and
buildings with similar use features.
F4 Education facilities, working offices, science and Rooms in such buildings are
design organizations and management agencies used for specific period of time
in a day, regularly occupied by
F4.1 Formal education institutions, non-formal education training identified groups of people who
facilities, professional education institutions, vocational are used to current conditions
schools and buildings with similar features. with specific age and physical
F4.2 Higher education facilities, junior colleges, professional attributes.
enhancement schools and buildings with similar use
features.
F4.3 Facilities of management bodies, design organizations,
information organizations, publishers, scientific research
organizations, banks, agencies, offices and buildings with
similar use features.
F4.4 Fire fighting and rescue, evacuation stations (departments).
F5 Buildings, structures and rooms for manufacturing or Such rooms are characterized
storing. by presence of groups people
working regularly, including 24/7
F5.1 Buildings, structures and rooms for manufacturing,
conducting experiments, warehouses and buildings with
similar use features.
F5.2 Buildings and structures for storing; automobile, motorcycle
and bicycle parking lots without technical and repair
services; book storage, archives and buildings with similar
use features.
F5.3 Buildings serving agriculture.
3. ENSURING HUMAN SAFETY
3.1.1 Requirements of this section are to prescribe:
- Timely and unobstructed evacuation for humans.
- Rescue of people under influence of dangerous elements of the fire.
- Protection of people during evacuation away from dangerous elements of the fire.
3.1.2 Evacuation refers to organized movement of humans from rooms where dangerous elements of
the fire may affect them to outside. Evacuation also refers to involuntary movement of people having
limited movement capabilities with assistance of servers. Evacuation is done via evacuation exits.
3.1.3 Rescue refers to forced movement of people towards the outside who are under influence of
dangerous elements of the fire or in case of direct presence of said influences. Rescue shall be
performed voluntarily with assistance of fire brigade or professionally trained employees, including use
of rescue equipment via evacuation exits and emergency exits.
3.1.4 Protection of humans on evacuation route must be guaranteed by clearance – space
organization solutions, conveniences, structures and technical properties of buildings and
organizations.
Evacuation routes within the rooms must guarantee safe movement towards evacuation exits from
said rooms without taking into account smoke protection and fire suppression in the rooms.
Outside of the rooms, must protect evacuation routes taking into account of fire hazard categories of
rooms above the evacuation routes, number of people evacuating; fire-resistance categories and
structural fire hazard levels of buildings, number of evacuation exits on one storey and from the entire
buildings.
Construction material fire hazard levels of rooms and evacuation routes outside of rooms must be
limited on surface levels (finishing layers and cladding) depending on fire hazard categories of the
rooms and buildings, taking into account other solutions regarding protecting evacuation routes.
3.1.5 When designing evacuation from rooms and buildings, do not take into account of rescue
measures and devices and exits that fail to satisfy exit requirements under 3.2.1.
3.1.6 Do not situate rooms under category F5 class A or class B below rooms simultaneously occupied
by 50 people; do not situate F5 rooms in basements and semi-basements.
Do not situate F1.1, F1.2 and F1.3 rooms in basements and semi-basements.
3.1.7 In buildings with 2 to 3 basement storeys, may situate smoking rooms, supermarkets,
commercial centers, diners, drinks store and other public spaces below the first basement storeys only
if additional fire safety measures are developed and approved by competent Police Departments of
Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue.
At least 1 entry leading to exit stairwells via smoke control lobbies separated with surrounding spaces
with class 2 fire-rated walls must be installed on each basement storey. Doors must be installed with
auto-close mechanism.
3.1.8 To ensure safe exit, must detect and report fire promptly. Buildings and sections thereof must be
equipped with fire alarm systems according to applicable regulations and law.
NOTE: Basic requirements regarding fire alarm systems are specified in TCVN 3890.
3.1.9 To protect building inhabitants during evacuation, prevent smoke from infiltrating evacuation
routes of buildings and sections thereof.
NOTE: Basic requirements regarding smoke protection of buildings are specified under Annex D.
3.1.10 Effectiveness of methods ensuring safety for humans in case of fire can be assessed by
calculation.
3.2 Exits and emergency exits
3.2.1 An exit is considered to be an evacuation exit if:
a) it leads rooms on the 1st storey towards outside in any of following manners:
- Directly.
- Via corridors.
- Via lobbies (or waiting rooms).
- Via stairwells.
- Via corridors and lobbies (or waiting rooms).
- Via corridors and stairwells.
b) it leads from rooms on any storeys other than the 1st storey to:
- Stairwells or type 3 staircases directly.
- Corridors heading directly to stairwells or type 3 staircases.
- Commonly shared rooms (or waiting rooms) with direct exits leading to stairwells or type 3
staircases.
- Side corridors of buildings under 28 m heading directly to type 2 staircases.
c) it leads to adjacent rooms (other than rooms under category F5 class A or B) on the same storey
with exits specified in Points a) and b). Exits leading to class A or B rooms shall be considered
evacuation exits if they lead from technical rooms without frequent operators and are used to serve
class A or B rooms above.
3.2.2 Exits from basements and semi-basements are evacuation exits if they lead directly outside
separately from common stairwells of the buildings (illustration in Figure I.1, Annex I).
May allocate:
- Evacuation exits from basement through common stairwells with separate exits leading outside
isolated from remaining parts of stairwells by class 1 solid fire-rated partitions (illustration in Figure I.2,
Annex I).
- Exits from basements and semi-basements where class C, D and E rooms are situated that lead to
class C4, D and E rooms and to lobbies on the 1st storey of category F5 buildings if requirements
under 4.25 are satisfied.
- Evacuation exits from waiting rooms, storage rooms, smoking rooms and bathrooms in basements
and semi-basements of category F2, F3 and F4 buildings to lobbies of 1 st storey via separate type 2
staircases.
- Vestibules, including double vestibules on direct exits from buildings, basements and semi-
basements.
3.2.3 An exit shall not be considered as an evacuation exit if sliding, folding, rolling or revolving doors
are situated on the exit.
Exits with hinged doors situated within doors or gates above shall be considered as evacuation exits if
designed conforming to requirements.
3.2.4 Quantity and width of evacuation exits from rooms, storeys and buildings are defined based on
the largest amount of people possible travelling through and permissible maximum distance from
places potentially occupied by humans to the nearest evacuation exits.
NOTE 1: The largest amount of people to evacuate from different spaces of buildings or sections is
determined according to Annex G, Section G.3.
NOTE 2: Apart from general requirements specified under these Regulations, specific requirements
regarding quantity and width of evacuation exits are specified in technical regulations on each type of
construction. Annex G prescribes specific requirements for commonly seen types of buildings.
When rooms simultaneously occupied by more than 50 people and having fire risk categories different
from those of buildings, ensure separate evacuation routes for said rooms (leading directly outside or
into stairwells).
3.2.5 Following rooms must have at least 2 evacuation exits:
- F1.1 rooms simultaneously occupied by more than 15 people.
- Rooms in basements and semi-basements simultaneously occupied by more than 15 people; and
rooms in basements and semi-basements simultaneously occupied by 6 to 15 people may have 1 of 2
exits conforming to 3.2.13d).
- Rooms simultaneously occupied by more than 50 people.
- Rooms under category F5 class A or B with more than 5 people working in a shift, class C with more
than 25 people working in a shift or larger than 1 000 m 2.
- Exposed working floors or floors for people operating and maintaining equipment in category F5
rooms larger than 100 m2 – with respect to rooms under class A or B or larger than 400 m 2 – for rooms
under other classes.
- With respect to category F1.3 rooms (flats) situated on both storeys (commonly referred to as bi-level
flats), if height of upper storey is more than 18 m, install evacuation exits on each storey.
3.2.6 Storeys of following building categories must have no less than 2 evacuation exits:
- F1.1; F1.2; F2.1; F2.2; F3; F4.
- F1.3 when total area of flats on a storey exceeds 500 m2 (for detached houses, calculate area of that
storey). In case total area is not larger than 500 m 2 and only 1 evacuation exit from each storey, each
flat situated a height taller than 15 m must have an emergency exit according to 3.2.13 in addition to
emergency exits.
- F5, class A or B if at most more than 5 people simultaneously working in a shift, class C if at most
more than 25 people simultaneously working in a shift.
Basements and semi-basements must have no less than 2 evacuation exits if they are larger than 300
m2 or simultaneously occupied by 15 people.
May install 1 evacuation exit on each storey (or from parts of storeys separated from other sections of
the buildings by fire prevention devices) with fire hazard category of F1.2, F1.4, F2, F3, F4.2, F4.3 and
F4.4 with no more than 20 people on each storey, according to Schedule G.9 (Annex G) and when
evacuation exits leading to smoke proof enclosures with class 2 fire-rated doors (according to
Schedule 2) while satisfying any of following conditions:
- With respect to buildings no taller than 15 m, area of each storey must not exceed 300 m 2.
- With respect to buildings whose height ranging from 15 m to 21 m, area of each storey must not
exceed 200 m2 and the entire buildings must be protected by automatic fire suppression systems.
3.2.7 Number of evacuation exits from any storey must not be less than 2 if such storey is where
room(s) that requires 2 or more evacuation exits situates.
Number of evacuation exits from a buildings must not be less than then number of evacuation exits on
any given storey of said buildings.
3.2.8 In case of at least 2 evacuation exits, situate said exits separately and take into account chances
of the fire preventing people from using any of the exits when calculating evacuation possibilities.
Remaining exits must be able to ensure safe evacuation for all people in the rooms, on the storeys or
in the buildings (illustration in Figure I.3).
If a room, section or storey of a building requires at least 2 evacuation exits, at least 2 of said exits
must be separated from another and the distance between any 2 exits must equal or larger than half of
the longest diagonal line across the room, section or storey of the building. Distance between 2
evacuation exits shall be measured by the straight lines connecting their 2 nearest sides (illustration in
Figure I.4 a), b) and c)).
If buildings are totally protected by sprinkler fire suppression systems, the distance may be reduced to
1/3 of the longest diagonal line of spaces mentioned above (illustration in Figure I.4 d)).
If 2 evacuation stairwells are connected by a corridor, the distance between 2 evacuation exits (2
doors leading to the evacuation stairwells) shall be measured along the corridor (Figure I.5). The
corridor must be protected according to 3.3.5.
3.2.9 Clearance height of emergency exits must not be less than 1.9 m, clearance width must not be
less than:
+ 1.2 m – from rooms under category F1.1 when number of people evacuating exceeds 15 people,
from rooms and buildings with other fire hazard categories with more than 50 people evacuating,
except for category F1.3.
+ 0.8 m – in all remaining cases.
Width of doors leading outside from stairwells and from stairwells to lobbies must not be less than
calculated value or width of stair treads under 3.4.1.
In all cases, when determining width of an evacuation exit, must take into account geometric shapes of
emergency exits via doorways or doors in order to not obstruct transportation of medical stretches
carrying injured persons.
3.2.10 Doors of evacuation exits and other doors along evacuation route must be opened outwards.
No regulations on open direction for doors of:
- Rooms under categories F1.3 and F1.4.
- Rooms simultaneously occupied by no more than 15 people, other than class A or B rooms.
- Storage no larger than 200 m2 and not regularly occupied by workers.
- Bathrooms.
- Exits leading to landings of type 3 staircases.
3.2.11 Doors of evacuation exits from corridors on storeys, commonly shared spaces, waiting rooms,
lobbies and stairwells must not have locks so as to be opened from inside without keys. With respect
to buildings taller than 15 m, doors mentioned above must be solid doors or doors with tempered
glass.
Doors of evacuation exits from rooms or lobbies that are forced smoke proofed must be solid doors
equipped with auto closing mechanism and jambs must be tightly wedged. If said doors need to be
opened during use, they must be equipped with mechanism that automatically closes the doors in
case of fire.
With respect to stairwells, doors must be equipped with auto closing mechanism and jambs must be
tightly wedged. Doors stairwells that are opened directly outside may not be equipped with auto
closing mechanism and jambs may not be tightly wedged. Except for cases otherwise specified, doors
of stairwells must be class 1 fire-rated doors in category I or II fire-resistance buildings; class 2 in
category III or IV buildings; and class 3 in category V buildings.
Apart from specific regulations, doors of evacuation exits from lobbies leading to stairwells in a
building with at least 4 storeys (except for buildings for incarceration or rehabilitation) must ensure:
- All electric locks installed on doors must be automatically unlocked as soon as fire alarm systems are
activated. Said electric locks must also be automatically unlocked in case of power loss.
- People using stairwells can go back into the buildings via the doors that they leave or other doors
allowing returning to the buildings.
- Allocate points of re-entry following the principles that doors may only prevent re-entry if all
requirements below are satisfied:
+ No more than 2 storey may leave a stairwell to get to another evacuation exit.
+ No more than 4 storeys situated in-between storeys that grant access to another evacuation route
via stairwells.
+ Building re-entry may be done at the top storey or the storey immediately below the top storey
granted access to by the same stairwells if said storeys allow access to another evacuation exit.
+ Doors allowing re-entry must be marked on the inside with “Cửa có thể đi vào trong nhà” (Doors
allowing entry) with each letter is at least 50 mm tall and placed at a height of no lower than 1.2 m and
no higher than 1.8 m.
+ Doors that do not allow re-entry must have notice posted on the inside in order to distinguish
locations of doors allowing re-entry or the nearest exits for each direction of movement.
NOTE: With respect to doors that do not allow re-entry, place warning signs on the corridors inside the
buildings (outside of the stairwells) dictating that people cannot re-enter the buildings once they go
through the door.
3.2.12 Exits that do not satisfy requirements for evacuation exits may be considered as emergency
exits to raise safety storey for people in case of fire. Emergency exits must not be accounted for while
calculating fire evacuation.
3.2.13 Apart from cases specified in 3.2.12, emergency exits also include:
a) Exits leading to balconies or loggias with solid walls no narrower than 1.2 m from edges of
balconies (or loggias) to windows (or doors with glass) or no narrower than 1.6 m between glass
windows opening towards the balconies (or loggias).
b) Exits leading to exposed continuous passages (overpasses) and to adjacent blocks of buildings
under category F1.3 or to adjacent fire compartments. These passages must not be narrower than
0.6m.
c) Exits leading to balconies or loggias where external ladders connecting balconies and loggias on
each storey.
d) Direct exits from rooms having finished floor elevation no lower than negative 4.5 m and no higher
than 5.0 m through windows having dimensions no less than 0.75 m x 1.5 m or via trapdoors no
smaller than 0.6 m x 0.8 m; such exits must be equipped with ladders; no regulations on steepness of
the ladders.
e) Exits leading to roofs of buildings under fire-resistance category I, II and III under classes S0 and
S1 through windows, doorways or trapdoors with dimensions and ladders specified in d).
3.2.14 May position evacuation exits with a height no less than 1.8 m in mechanical floors.
In mechanical floors for placement of technical networks (ducts, lines, etc.), may situate emergency
exits through doorways no smaller than 0.75 m x 1.5 m or via trapdoors no smaller than 0.6 m x 0.8 m
without situating evacuation exits.
In case of mechanical floors reaching up to 300 m2 allowing 1 evacuation exit, every following area
equivalent or smaller than 2 000 m2, situate no less than 1 additional evacuation exit.
In underground mechanical floors, these exits must be separated from other exits of the buildings and
leading directly outside.
3.3 Evacuation route
3.3.1 Evacuation routes are continuous and unobstructed passages starting from any point in buildings
or construction to outside. Evacuation routes must be lit and presented with directions conforming to
TCVN 3890.
3.3.2 Maximum permissible distance from the furthest position of the rooms or from the furthest
workplaces to the nearest exit routes measured along the exit routes must be limited depending on:
- Fire hazard categories and fire risk classes (consult Annex C) of rooms and buildings.
- Number of people evacuating.
- Geometric calculations of rooms and evacuation routes.
- Fire hazard categories and fire resistance categories of buildings.
Length of evacuation routes along type 2 staircases shall equal 3 times the height of said stairs.
NOTE: Specific requirements regarding maximum permissible distance from the furthest point to the
nearest evacuation exits are specified on a case-by-case basis. Annex G specifies specific regulations
applied to commonly seen building types.
3.3.3 When allocating and designing evacuation routes, must rely on requirements under 3.2.1.
Evacuation routes must not include elevators, escalators and passages below:
- Passages through inner corridors with exits from elevator shafts, through elevator lobbies and
vestibules in front of elevators if structures covering elevator shafts, including elevator doors fail to
meet requirements applied to fire prevention devices.
- Passages going through stairwells when paths cutting across landings of stairwells are parts of inner
corridors or cutting across rooms where type 2 staircases are situated and said stairs are not for
evacuation.
- Passages going along roofs, except for roofs under utilization or parts of roofs furnished only for
evacuation.
- Passages going along type 2 staircases, connecting at least 3 storeys, or starting from
basements/semi-basements, except for cases specified in 3.2.2.
3.3.4 Along evacuation routes in buildings of all fire resistance categories and fire hazard categories,
except for buildings under fire resistance category V and buildings under class S3, do not use
materials more flammable than groups below:
- Ch1, BC1, SK2, DT2 – for finished layers of walls, ceilings and ceiling materials in lobbies, stairwells
and elevator lobbies.
- Ch2, BC2, SK3, DT3 or Ch2, BC3, SK2, DT2 – for finished layers of walls, ceilings and ceiling
materials in commonly shared lobbies, commonly shared rooms and waiting rooms.
- Ch2, LT2, SK2, DT2 – for floor coatings in lobbies, stairwells and elevator lobbies.
- BC2, LT2, SK3, DT2 – for floor coatings in commonly shared lobbies, commonly shared spaces and
waiting rooms.
In rooms of category F5 class A, B and C1 where flammable liquid are manufactured, stored or used,
floors must be made from non-flammable materials or materials with flammability Ch1.
Hanging ceiling frames in rooms and on evacuation routes must be made from non-flammable
materials.
3.3.5 In corridors along evacuation exits mentioned in 3.2.1, except for cases otherwise specified in
these Regulations, do not place: equipment/devices protruding from flat wall surfaces at a height no
less than 2 m; ducts carrying flammable gas and liquid, wall cabinets, except for communication
panels and cabinets containing fire hydrants.
Corridors mentioned in 3.2.1 must be coated with fire prevention devices conforming to regulations
applied to each type of work item. Fire prevention devices covering middle corridors of category I fire
resistant buildings must be made from materials with fire-resistance ratings no lower than EI 30 and of
category II, III and IV fire resistant buildings must be made from non-flammable materials or materials
with Ch1 flammability with fire-resistance ratings no lower than EI 15. With respect to buildings with
fire resistance category II of fire hazard class D or E (consult Annex C), may cover corridors by glass
walls. Doors leading to the corridors must be fire-rated doors with fire-resistance ratings no lower than
fire-resistance ratings of fire prevention devices.
Corridors that are longer than 60 m must be divided by class 2 fire-rated partitions into sections with
length defined in Annex D according to smoke protection requirements but no more than 60 m. Doors
in the fire-rated partitions must conform to 3.2.11.
When doors of rooms are opened outward to corridors, width of evacuation routes along the corridors
shall equal clearance width of the corridors subtract:
- Half the width of protruding sections of the doors (calculate whichever doors protruding the most) –
when doors are placed on one side of the corridors.
- The entire protruding width of the doors (calculate whichever doors protruding the most) – when
doors are placed on both sides of the corridors.
- These requirements do not apply to lobbies of storeys (commonly shared lobbies) situated between
doors of flats and doors leading to stairwells in blocks of category F1.3 buildings.
3.3.6 Clearance height of horizontal sections of evacuation routes must not be less than 2 m,
clearance width of horizontal sections of evacuation routes and slope sections must not be less than:
a) 1.2 m – for commonly used lobbies for evacuation for more than 15 people from category F1 rooms,
more than 50 people – from rooms under other fire hazard categories.
b) 0.7 m – for passages leading to individual working spaces.
c) 1.0 m – for all remaining cases.
In any case, evacuation routes must be wide enough, taking into account of geometry shapes thereof
in order to not obstruct transportation of medical stretches carrying injured persons.
3.3.7 On floors of evacuation routes must not have raised flooring with difference in height less than
45 cm or raised edges, except for doorsteps. At raised flooring sections, install steps with no less than
3 steps or slopes with steepness no more than 1 : 6 (height difference must not exceed 10 cm over
length of 60 cm or angle created by slopes with flat surfaces must not be more than 9.5 o).
When constructing steps for places with more than 45 cm of differences in height, install guardrails.
Except for specific cases under 3.4.4, must not install spiral staircases, totally or partially curved stairs
in terms of overall area and in any stair tread and a stairwell must not have steps with different height
and tread width along evacuation routes. Do not install mirror along evacuation routes in order to avoid
any confusion regarding evacuation routes.
3.4 Staircases and stairwells on evacuation routes
3.4.1 Width of treads of stairs for evacuation, including stairs situated in stairwells, must not be smaller
than calculated value or width of any evacuation exit (door) within the stairwells and must not smaller
than:
a) 1.35 m – for buildings under category F1.1.
b) 1.2 m – for buildings with any storey, other than the 1st storey, simultaneously occupied by more
than 200 people.
c) 0.7 m – for staircases leading to individual working spaces.
d) 0.9 m – for all remaining cases.
3.4.2 Slope (angle) of stairs along evacuation routes must not be more than 1 : 1 (45 o); depth of tread
must not be less than 25 cm and riser of tread must not be more than 22 cm.
Slope (angle) of exposed staircases leading to individual workplaces may be increased up to 2 : 1
(63.5o).
May reduce tread depth of starting curved stairs (usually situated in lobbies of storey 1) in the inner
curve down to 22 cm; may reduce tread depth down to 12 cm for stairs used for rooms simultaneously
occupied by no more than 15 people (other than category F5 class A or B rooms).
Type 3 staircases must be made of non-flammable materials and situated next to solid sections
(without windows or skylights) of walls having fire hazard category no lower than K1 and fire-
resistance ratings no lower than REI 30. These staircases must have landings situated at the same
elevation as evacuation exits with guardrails situated at a height of 1.2 m and no less than 1.0 m away
from the nearest windows.
Type 2 staircases must satisfy requirements applied to treads and landings in stairwells.
3.4.3 Width of staircase landings must not be less than the width of stair tread. Width of landings in
front of entrance to elevators (landings acting as elevator lobbies) of elevators having hinged doors
opening outwards must not be less than total width of tread, half the width of elevator door and not be
less than 1.6 m.
Length of intermediate landings in straight staircases must be no less than 1.0 m.
Doors that are opened to staircases must not reduce calculated width of landings and treads when
they are opened.
3.4.4 Buildings under fire hazard category F4 may be installed with curved staircases on evacuation
routes when all following conditions are met:
- Stair height must not exceed 9.0 m.
- Width of flights of stairs shall conform to requirements under these Regulations.
- Smallest curve radius must not be less than twice the width of stair flights.
- Riser height must range from 150 mm to 190 mm.
- Width of inner treads (270 mm away from the small ends of the treads) must not be less than 220
mm.
- Width at the middle of the treads must not be less than 250 mm.
- Width of outer treads (270 mm away from the big ends of the treads) must not be more than 45 mm.
- Sum of 2 times the riser and width of inner treads must not be less than 480 mm and in case of width
of outer treads, no greater than 800 mm.
3.4.5 In stairwells and vestibules (if any), do not place:
- Ducts carrying flammable gas and liquid.
- Wall cabinets, other than communication panels and cabinets containing fire hydrants.
- Exposed cables and power lines (except for power lines for low voltage electric devices) including for
lighting corridors and stairwells.
- Exits from cargo elevators and cargo lifting devices.
- Exits leading to storage or mechanical rooms.
- Equipment protruding from wall surfaces at a height less than 2.2 m from surfaces of treads and
landings.
In spaces of stairwells, do no situate any function rooms.
3.4.6 In spaces of stairwells, other than smoke proof enclosures, may situate no more than 2
passenger elevators capable of descending to the 1st storey with structures sheltering elevator shafts
made from non-flammable materials.
With respect to elevator shafts situated outdoors, use structural components made from non-
flammable materials as sheltering structures.
3.4.7 Stairwells in the 1st storey must have exits leading directly outside to the plot adjacent to the
buildings or through lobbies separated from connecting corridors by class 1 fire-rated partitions with
doorways. When situating evacuation exits from 2 stairwells through common lobbies, one of the
evacuation exits must lead directly outside apart from leading to the lobbies.
May allocate evacuation exits from 2 stairwells through common lobbies with respect to buildings
under 28 m, area of each storey does not exceed 300 m2, number of occupants on each storey does
not exceed 50 according to Schedule G.9 (Annex G) and the whole buildings must be protected by
automatic fire suppression systems satisfactory to applicable regulations.
N1 type staircases must have exits that lead directly outside.
3.4.8 Stairwells must be well lit. Except for L2 stairwells, lighting can be performed by skylights with
less than 1.2 m2 in area on outer walls of each storey.
May situate no more than 50% of stairwells without skylights for evacuation purposes in following
cases:
- Category F2, F3 and F4 buildings: for N2 or N3 stairwells with positive pressure ventilation in case of
fire.
- F5 class C buildings with 28 m in height and regardless of height in case of class D and E buildings:
for N3 stairwells with positive pressure ventilation in case of fire.
L2 stairwells must have skylights on the roofs with less than 4 m2 in area and gaps between stair
flights not less than 0.7 m or skylights along the height of stairwells with cross-section area no less
than 2 m2.
3.4.9 Implementation of smoke proof of N2 and N3 stairwells shall conform to Annex D. If necessary,
N2 stairwells shall be divided into compartments at different height with class 1 fire-rated solid
partitions with respect to passages between compartments situated outside of the stairwells.
Windows in N2 stairwells must not be opened.
Vestibules of N3 stairwells must not be less than 3.0 m 2 and no less than 6.0 m2 if said vestibules also
act as lobbies of fire service elevators.
3.4.10 Smoke proof of smoke proofed vestibules leading to N1 smoke proof enclosures must receive
natural ventilation with appropriate structural and surface planning solutions. Cases considered to be
appropriate are:
NOTE: Annex I (I.3.2) illustrates methods of situating smoke proof vestibules to allow access to N1
stairwells.
a) Smoke proof vestibules must be open and connected to the outside and not usually situated in inner
corners of buildings while must satisfy following requirements (Figure I.7):
- When parts of outer walls of the buildings are connected with other walls with an angle of less than
135o, the horizontal distance from the nearest doorways in one vestibule to the vertex of adjoining
angle must not be less than 4m; this distance may reduce to equal the protruding value of outer walls;
the requirement does not apply to passages situated in adjoining corners exceeding 135 o and to
protruding sections of outer walls that are less than 1.2 m.
- Width of walls between doorways of smoke proof vestibules and the nearest doorways of the rooms
must not be less than 2 m.
- Passages must not be narrower than 1.2 m with guardrails at a height of 1.2 m, width of wall sections
between doorways in smoke proof vestibules must not be less than 1.2 m.
NOTE: Cases similar to this model are illustrated in Annex I, Figures I.8 a), b) and c).
b) Smoke proof vestibules alongside corridors (Figure I.8 h), i) and k)) shall receiving natural lighting
and ventilation by openings leading to and connecting to following spaces:
- Outside space.
- Streets, public streets or other public spaces above.
- Vertical skylights no narrower than 6 m and clearance area no less than 93 m 2.
c) Smoke proof vestibules crossing smoke proof corridors that are no smaller than 6 m 2 with the
smallest area of each dimension no less than 2 m are separated from adjacent areas of the buildings
with class 2 fire-rated walls. Doors must be equipped with auto closing mechanism and jambs must be
tightly wedged. Design of smoke proof vestibules must not obstruct movement of people who are
evacuating. Smoke proof capacity of smoke proof vestibules must be guaranteed by:
- Air vents no smaller than 15 % of floor area of smoke proof vestibules and situated no more than 9 m
from any sections of the lobbies. These air vents must be connected to vertical skylights or concave
ventilation compartments along the vertical sections of the buildings. Dimension of vertical skylights
concave compartments must not be narrower than 6 m and clearance area must not be less than 93
m2. Walls surrounding the vertical skylights must be able to resist fire for at least 1 hour and no other
ventilation openings are situated in the skylights other than ventilation openings of smoke proof
vestibules, evacuation stairwells and sanitation areas (Figure I.8 d), e) and f)); or
- Corridors receiving horizontal ventilation with fixed ventilation openings situated on 2 outer walls.
Ventilation openings on each outer walls must not have less 50 % of clearance area of the opposite
outer walls. Distance from all points of corridor floors to any ventilation opening must not exceed 13 m
(Figure I.8g)).
3.4.11 L1 stairwells and type 3 staircases may be situated in buildings of all fire hazard categories
reaching as tall as 28 m; in that case, in category F5 and class A or B buildings, exits leading to
corridors in class A or B rooms must travel across vestibules receiving positive air pressure ventilation.
3.4.12 L2 stairwells may be situated in buildings with fire resistance category I, II or III with structural
fire hazard level S0, S1 and fire hazard category F1, F2, F3 and F4 with a height no more than 9m.
May increase height of the buildings up to 12 m if the top skylights automatically open in case of fire
and in F1.3 buildings having automatic fire alarm systems or independent fire alarm devices.
When situating L2 stairwells, must satisfy following requirements:
- In F2, F3 and F4 buildings, number of L2 stairwells must not exceed 50 % of total number of
stairwells, remaining stairwells must have skylights installed on outer wall at each level (L1 type).
- For F1.3 buildings constructed in blocks, each flat situated at a height above 4 m must have an
emergency exit according 3.2.13.
3.4.13 In buildings taller than 28 m, and F5 class A or B buildings, situate smoke proof enclosures and
N1 stairwells.
NOTE: N1 stairwells may be replaced as specified in 2.5.1c) as long as the systems providing outside
air to vestibules and stairwells must be powered by 3 prioritized sources (1 power grid systems and 2
backup power generators or 2 prioritized power sources and 1 backup power generators) to ensure
continuous power supply for steady operation in case of fire.
Permit:
- Situate more than 50 % of N2 stairwells in F1.3 buildings in form of corridors.
- Situate no more than 50 % of N2 or N3 stairwells receiving positive air pressure ventilation in case of
fire in F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3 and F4 buildings.
- Situate N2 and N3 stairwells receiving natural lighting and positive air pressure ventilation in F5 class
A or B buildings.
- Situate N2 or N3 stairwells receiving positive air pressure ventilation in F5 class B buildings.
- Situate N2 or N3 stairwells receiving positive air pressure ventilation in F5 class C or D buildings.
When situating L1 stairwells, the stairwells must be separated into compartments by solid fire rated
partitions every 20 m in height and passages leading from one compartment to the next compartment
of the stairwells must be situated outside of the stairwell spaces.
- For apartment buildings (F1.3) taller than 28 m without exceeding 75 m and total area of all flats in
each storey not exceeding 500 m2, may situate 1 evacuation stairwell if evacuation exit of the storey
conforms to 3.2.6, flats are equipped with fire alarm devices, each storey is equipped with automatic
fire suppression systems and following requirements must be satisfied:
+ Indoor N1 stairwells are utilized in form of corridors;
+ N2 or N3 stairwells are utilized, integrate 1 elevator as fire service elevator in building blocks.
3.4.14 In buildings with smoke proof enclosures, guarantee smoke protection for commonly shared
corridors, lobbies, spaces and waiting rooms.
3.4.15 In buildings with fire resistance category I and II and structural fire hazard level S0, may situate
type 2 staircases leading from lobbies to the 2nd storey taking into account of 4.26.
3.4.16 In buildings not taller than 28 m with fire hazard category F1.2, F2, F3, F4, fire resistance
category I, II and structural fire hazard level S0, may use type 2 stair cases to connect 2 storeys or
more when as long as evacuation stairwells conform to documents prescribing standards and 4.27.
3.4.17 Escalators must be situated satisfactory to requirements applied to type 2 staircases.
4. FIRE SPREAD PREVENTION
4.1 Fire spread shall be prevented by adopting measures to limit fire area, fire intensity and duration.
To be specific:
- Utilize structure and spatial – clearance planning solutions to prevent further spread of dangerous
elements of the fire in a rooms, between rooms, between groups of rooms with different fire hazard
categories, between storeys, between blocks, between fire compartments and between buildings.
- Limit fire and explosion risks related to technology in rooms and buildings.
- Limit fire hazard of construction materials used on surface levels of building structures, including:
roofing, finishing layers of outer walls, rooms and evacuation routes.
- Install initial fire extinguishing devices, including automatic and manual devices.
- Install fire detection and alarm devices.
NOTE: Regulations on fire safety distance between buildings, public constructions and manufacturing
facilities are specified in Annex E. Distance from storage containing flammable liquid, exposed storage
situated above ground containing flammable liquid, tanks containing LPG (Liquified Petrolium Gas)
and flammable gas to other structures must conform to specialized standards.
4.2 Buildings, dorms, public structures, manufacturing facilities and warehouses must satisfy fire
safety requirements under these Regulations and provisions under design regulations applied to each
type of construction. Number of storeys (permissible height of buildings), area of fire compartments
and maximum height for placement of conference rooms, lecture halls, meeting rooms, sports training
spaces, etc. shall conform to regulations under Annex H.
4.3 Building sections (rooms, areas of refuge, mechanical floors, basements, semi-basements and
other sections) where fire suppression is difficult to be implemented must be equipped with additional
measures to limit fire area, intensity and duration.
4.4 Effectiveness of measures adopted to prevent fire spread shall be assessed by economic –
technical calculation based on requirements of 1.5.1 regarding limiting direct and indirect
consequences of the fire.
4.5 Building sections and rooms with different fire hazard categories must be separated from each
other by partitioning structures with appropriate fire resistance ratings and structural fire hazard level
or by fire prevention devices.
In such case, requirements for partitioning structures and fire prevention structures shall be
considered taking into account structural fire hazard categories of rooms, fire loading value, fire
resistance categories and structural fire hazard levels.
4.6 With respect to a building whose sections with different fire hazard levels have been separated by
fire prevention devices, each section must satisfy requirements regarding fire safety applied to
buildings with similar fire hazard levels.
Fire protection systems must be selected on the basis of: when sections of buildings have different fire
hazard levels, fire hazard levels of the whole buildings may be greater than fire hazard levels of any
sections thereof.
4.7 With respect to F5 buildings, if the technology allows, situate class A and B rooms near the outer
walls; with respect to multi-storey buildings, situate these rooms at upper storeys.
4.8 Do not situate rooms that utilize or store flammable gas and liquid and flammable materials in
basements and semi-basements, except for cases specifically considered.
4.9 Construction components must not facilitate hidden fire.
4.10 Fire resistance of connecting details of construction components must not be lower than required
fire resistance applied to those components.
4.11 Structures creating slopes in auditorium must satisfy fire resistance and fire hazard level
requirements according to Schedule 4 and Schedule 5 similar to floors in-between storeys.
4.12 When situating service ducts and cables across walls, floors and partitions, the adjoining section
must be sealed or properly processed in order to not reduce fire-related technical standards applied to
the components respectively.
4.13 Fireproof coating and impregnation layers applied on exposed surfaces of components must
satisfy requirements prescribed for finishing of said components.
Technical documents for fireproof coatings and impregnation layers must specify frequency of
replacement or restoration depending on use conditions.
In order to enhance fire resistance or reduce fire hazard level of components, do not use fireproof
coatings and impregnation layers in places that cannot be restored or replaced regularly.
4.14 Effectiveness of fireproof substances (materials) for reducing fire risks of materials must be
assessed by tests for fire hazard category of construction materials in Section 2 (Fire-related technical
classification).
Effectiveness of fireproof substances (materials) for enhancing fire resistance of materials must be
assessed by tests for fire resistance of construction materials in Section 2 (Fire-related technical
classification).
Effectiveness of fireproof substances (materials) not taken into account when determining load-
bearing capacity of metal components (pillars or beams) shall be assessed by tests comparing
minimized model of pillars with height of exposed fire must not be less than 1.7 m or beam models
with length of exposed fire no less than 2.8 m without continuous load.
4.15 With respect to rooms having hanging ceilings and fire-rated partition, hanging ceilings must
satisfy fire hazard requirements (as specified in 3.3.4) and fire-rated partitions must also separate the
space above the hanging ceilings.
Do no situate channels and ducts to carry flammable substances in gas, dust - gas or liquid form and
flammable materials. Hanging ceilings cannot be situated in class A or B rooms.
4.16 At intersection between fire prevention devices with sheltering structures of the buildings
including points where building sections are altered, adopt measures to prevent fire from spreading
through said places.
4.17 Fire-rated walls for separating buildings into fire compartments must be situated along the height
of the buildings and must prevent fire from spreading into adjacent fire compartments when building
structures that are on fire collapse.
4.18 Openings in fire prevention devices must be sealed in case of fire.
Windows in fire prevention devices cannot be opened, doors, gates, trapdoors and valves must be
equipped with auto closing mechanism and jambs must be tightly wedged. Doors, gates, trapdoors
and valves that need to be left open during utilization must be equipped with mechanisms that
automatically close said components in case of fire.
4.19 Total area of doorways in fire prevention devices, other than sheltering structures of elevator
shafts, must not exceed 25 % of area of said fire prevention devices. Fire-rated doors and valves in
fire prevention devices must satisfy requirements under 2.4.3 and requirements under this section.
Install vestibules receiving positive air pressure ventilation as specified in Annex D in doors of fire
prevention devices for separating class A or B rooms from other spaces namely: rooms of classes
other than A or B, corridors, staircases and elevator lobbies. Do not situate a vestibule for more than 2
class A or B rooms.
4.20 If unable to situate fire-rated vestibules in fire prevention devices for separating class A or B
rooms from other rooms or unable to situate doors, gates, trapdoors and valves in fire prevention
devices for separating class C rooms from other rooms, establish measures to prevent fire spread and
infiltration of combustible gas, air, fume of liquid, dust and ashes which are capable of creating
explosion with appropriate contents into adjacent rooms and storeys. Effectiveness of measures
mentioned above must be proved.
In doorways of fire prevention devices between class C, D and E rooms, if unable to close by fire-rated
doors or gates, may situate exposed vestibules equipped with automatic fire suppression devices.
Sheltering structures of the vestibules must be appropriate fire prevention structures.
4.21 Fire-rated doors and valves in fire prevention devices must be made from non-flammable
materials.
May use materials with flammability no less than Ch3 and protected by non-flammable materials no
thinner than 4 mm as fire-rated doors, gates, trapdoors and valves.
Doors of fire-rated compartments, doors, gates and trapdoors in all fire prevention devices of rooms
that do not store or use flammable gas, air and materials and do not include technological processes
that involve burning dusts may be made from materials with Ch3 flammability with thickness no less
than 40 mm and not hollow.
4.22 Do not situate channels, shafts and ducts carrying flammable gas, mixture of flammable dust,
flammable liquid, flammable substances and materials across class 1 fire-rated walls and floors.
For channels, shafts and ducts for carrying other substances and materials with types mentioned
above, at intersection with the fire prevention devices, install devices that automatically prevent spread
of burning products along the channels, shafts and ducts.
NOTE 1: May situate ventilation ducts and chimneys in fire-rated walls of buildings, public
constructions and auxiliary buildings if minimum thickness of fire-rated walls (excluding the ducts) is
not under 25 cm and thickness of separation layers between chimneys and ventilation ducts is at least
12 cm.
NOTE 2: Openings for placement of water pipes in fire prevention devices must be processed
according to 4.12.
4.23 Sheltering structures of elevator shafts (except for shafts mentioned in 3.4.6) and elevator
mechanical rooms (other than rooms situated on the roofs), channels, shafts and mechanical panels
must satisfy requirements applied to class 1 fire-rated partitions and class 3 fire-rated floors. No
regulations on fire-resistance ratings of sheltering structures between elevator shafts and mechanical
rooms.
If unable to install fire-rated doors in sheltering structures of elevator shafts mentioned above, situate
vestibules or lobbies with class 1 fire-rated partitions and class 3 fire-rated floors or curtains that
automatically close doorways leading to elevator shafts in case of fire. The curtains must be made
from non-flammable materials and have fire-resistance ratings no less than E 30.
In buildings with smoke proof enclosures, equip automatic smoke protection for elevator shafts whose
exits are not installed with fire-rated vestibules with positive air pressure ventilation in case of fire.
4.24 Garbage rooms, garbage chutes and doors to garbage chute systems must be designed and
installed satisfactory to technical standards and requirements applied specifically to said components
and following specific requirements:
- Garbage chutes and garbage rooms must be separated from other sections of the buildings by fire
prevention devices; doors to garbage chute systems must have fire-rated doors equipped with auto-
closing mechanisms.
- Garbage chutes must be made from non-flammable materials.
- Do not place garbage chutes and garbage rooms in stairwells, waiting lounges or vestibules coated
with fireproof layers for evacuation purposes.
- Rooms containing garbage chutes or garbage must guarantee direct entrance from spacious areas
outside of the buildings or via a fire-rated vestibules receiving regular ventilation.
- Doors to garbage rooms must not be situated adjacent to evacuation exits or doors leading outside
the buildings or near windows of houses.
4.25 Depending on technological advances, may situate staircases separately to allow access
between basements/semi-basements with the 1st storey.
The staircases must be covered by class 1 fire-rated partitions and fire-rated vestibules receiving
positive air pressure ventilation in case of fire.
May not situate fire-rated vestibules as mentioned above for staircases in F5 buildings if the staircases
lead from basements/semi-basements where class C4, D and E are located to rooms of the same
class on the 1st storey.
The staircases must not be taken into account when calculating evacuation, except for cases specified
in 3.2.1.
4.26 When situating type 2 staircases leading from lobbies on 1st storey to the 2nd storey, the lobbies
must be separated from adjacent corridors and rooms by class 1 fire-rated partitions.
4.27 Rooms where type 2 staircases according to 3.4.16 are situated must be separated from
adjoining corridors and other rooms by class 1 fire-rated partitions. May not separate rooms where
type 2 staircases are situated by fire-rated partitions if:
- The whole buildings are equipped with automatic fire suppression devices; or
- Buildings no taller than 9 m with area of any storey does not exceed 300 m 2.
4.28 In buildings/semi-basements, install class 1 fire-rated vestibules receiving positive air pressure
ventilation in case of ire in front of entrances to elevators.
4.29 Choosing dimensions of buildings, fire compartments and distance between buildings must rely
on fire-resistance categories, structural fire hazard levels and fire loading values, taking into account
effectiveness of used fire protection devices, presence, location and level of equipment of fire brigade,
potential economic and ecological consequences due to the fire.
4.30 During operation process, functionality of all technical equipment for fire protection must be
guaranteed according to predetermined requirements.
4.31 Installation of automatic fire alarm and suppression must conform to TCVN 3890.
5. WATER SUPPLY FOR FIREFIGHTING
5.1 Outdoor hydrant boosters
5.1.1 Fire safety requirements for outdoors hydrant boosters
5.1.1.1 Installation of outdoors hydrant must conform to TCVN 3890 and other revised documents
prescribing standards.
5.1.1.2 Water quality of supply sources must conform to operation conditions of firefighting equipment
and methods.
5.1.1.3 Water pipes for firefighting are usually maintained at low pressure and only at high pressure
when satisfactory to statements. For high pressure pipelines, fire fighting pumps must be equipped
with mechanisms guaranteeing operation no later than 5 minutes after fire alarms go off.
5.1.1.4 Minimum discharge rate in low-pressure water pipes for firefighting (situated above ground)
during fire fighting must not be less than 10 m. Minimum discharge rate in high-pressure water pipe
systems for firefighting must ensure height of solid stream no less than 20 m in case of maximum fire
fighting load and fire nozzles situated at the highest point of the buildings. Discharge rate in mixed
pipelines must not be lower than 10 m and not higher than 60 m.
5.1.2 Fire safety requirements for water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting.
5.1.2.1 Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting (for 1 fire) and number of simultaneous fire in a
residential area calculated for primary pipe network shall conform to Schedule 7.
5.1.2.2 Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting (for 1 fire) for buildings of fire hazard categories F1, F2,
F3 and F4 calculated for mixed pipelines, distribution pipelines of pipe networks and small scale pipe
networks (1 hamlet, 1 block, etc.) shall use the highest value in Schedule 8.
5.1.2.3 Water flow rate for outdoor for buildings of fire hazard level F5, for 1 fire, shall conform to
buildings requiring the highest value in Schedule 9 and Schedule 10.
NOTE 1: When calculating water flow rate for extinguishing 2 fires, use value of 2 buildings requiring
the highest value.
NOTE 2: Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in independently situated auxiliary buildings shall
conform to Schedule 8 similar to buildings with fire hazard level F2, F3 and F4, and in case of
manufacturing faculties, calculate according to general volume of manufacturing facilities and
Schedule 9.
NOTE 3: Water flow rate for outdoor firefighting of buildings of agricultural facilities with fire-resistance
categories I and II with volume not exceeding 5 000 m3, fire and explosion hazard class D and E shall
equal 5 l/s.
NOTE 4: Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in radio stations and television stations does not
depend of volume of the stations and number of people living in the vicinity of the stations but rather
no less than 15 l/s even when Schedule 9 and Schedule 10 specify a lower value.
NOTE 5: Water flow rate for outdoor fire for buildings with volume exceeding values under Schedule 9
and Schedule 10 must comply with special requirements.
NOTE 6: In case of buildings with fire-resistance category II and made from wooden structures, water
flow rate for outdoor fire fighting shall equal values under Schedule 9 and Schedule 10 plus 5 l/s.
NOTE 7: Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting for buildings and areas of refrigerated food
warehouses shall use values of buildings with C level of fire hazard.
Schedule 7 – Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in residential areas
Population, x 1 000 Number of Water flow rate for extinguishing 1 fire, l/s
people simultaneous
Buildings no taller than 2 storeys, Buildings of 3 storeys or higher,
fire
regardless of fire resistance regardless of fire resistance
categories categories
(1) (2) (3) (4)
≤1 1 5 10
From 1 to 5 1 10 10
Exceeding 5 to 10 1 10 15
Exceeding 100 to
3 - 40
200
Exceeding 200 to
3 - 55
300
Exceeding 300 to
3 - 70
400
Exceeding 400 to
3 - 80
500
Exceeding 500 to
3 - 85
600
Exceeding 600 to
3 - 90
700
Exceeding 700 to
3 - 95
800
Exceeding 800 to 1
3 - 100
000
Exceeding 1 000 5 - 110
NOTE 8: Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in residential area must not be lower than the values
in Schedule 8.
NOTE 9: When supplying water regionally, water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting and number of
simultaneous fire of each region shall depend on population in the region.
NOTE 10: Number of simultaneous fire and water flow rate for 1 fire in a region with more than 1
million in population shall conform to special technical requirements.
NOTE 11: For systems of pipe clusters, number of simultaneous fire shall depend on total population
living in the areas connecting to the pipe systems.
Water flow rate for restoring water supply for firefighting by pipe clusters determined by total maximum
water amount supplied for residential areas (equivalent to number of simultaneous fire) for firefighting
shall conform to 5.1.3.3 and 5.1.3.4.
NOTE 12: Number of simultaneous fire in residential areas to be calculated must include fire occurring
in manufacturing facilities and warehouses situated within the residential areas. In that case,
calculated water flow rate must also include value for extinguishing fire in said buildings and not be
lower than values in Schedule 7.
NOTE 13: For residential areas with more than 100 000 people and buildings not exceeding 2 storeys,
water flow rate for extinguishing 1 fire outdoors must equal the values applied to residential areas with
buildings of 3 storeys and taller.
Schedule 8 – Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in buildings with F1, F2, F3 and F4 fire
hazard levels
Type of buildings Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting regardless of fire-resistance
category, calculating for 1 fire, l/s, for building volume, 1 000 m 3
≤1 Exceeding 1 to 5 Exceeding 5 to Exceeding 25 to Exceeding
25 50 50
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Category F1.3, F1.4
buildings with one or more
blocks and:
≤ 2 storeys 10(*) 10 15 15 20
Exceeding 2 to 12 storeys 10 15 15 20 20
Exceeding 12 to 16 storeys - 20 20 25 25
Exceeding 16 storeys - 20 25 25 30
Category F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3
and F4 buildings with:
≤ 2 storeys 10(*) 10 15 20 25
Exceeding 2 to 12 storeys 10 15 20 25 30
Exceeding 12 to 16 storeys - 20 25 30 35
Exceeding 16 storeys - 25 30 30 35
LEGEND: (*) for residential areas in villages, communes (rural areas), water flow rate for 1 fire shall be
5 l/s.
NOTE 14: If capacity of outdoor pipe networks is not enough to deliver calculated water amount for
firefighting or when connecting the pipes to end sections, consider installation of tubs and/or tanks with
adequate volume to store water sufficient for outdoor fire fighting for 3 hours.
NOTE 15. In residential areas without water pipes for fire fighting, install tubs and/or tanks to
guarantee fire fighting for 3 hours.
5.1.2.4 Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting separated with fire-rated walls shall depend on sections
of the buildings that require the most amount.
5.1.2.5 Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting separated by fire-rated walls shall be determined by
overall volume of the buildings and the highest value of fire and explosion hazard level.
5.1.2.6 Water flow rate for firefighting must be guaranteed even when other water demand is most
needed, specifically:
- Domestic water.
- Individual business households.
- Industrial and agricultural manufacturing facilities where drinking water quality or economic purposes
are inadequate for installation of separate pipelines.
- Water treatment stations, pipe and duct networks, etc.
- In case technological advances allow, may use part of water for manufacturing for fire fighting,
connect hydrants of manufacturing pipe networks with hydrants of fire fighting pipe networks to
guarantee adequate amount of water for fire fighting.
Schedule 9 – Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in category F5 buildings
Building Structural Fire and Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting no wider than 60 m, for 1
fire- fire explosion fire, l/s, in building volume, 1 000 m3
resistance hazard hazard
≤3 > 3 to ≤ 5 > 5 to ≤ > 20 to ≤ > 50 to ≤ > 200 to > 400 to
categories levels levels
20 50 200 ≤ 400 ≤ 600
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)
I and II S0, S1 D, E 10 10 10 10 15 20 25
I and II S0, S1 A, B, C 10 10 15 20 30 35 40
III S0, S1 D, E 10 10 15 25 35 - -
III S0, S1 A, B, C 10 15 20 30 45 - -
IV S0, S1 D, E 10 15 20 30 40 - -
IV S0, S1 A, B, C 15 20 25 40 60 - -
IV S2, S3 D, E 10 15 20 30 45 - -
IV S2, S3 C 15 20 25 40 65 - -
V - D, E 10 15 20 30 55 - -
V - C 15 20 25 40 70 - -
5.1.2.7 Water supply systems for firefighting (water pipes, pumping stations, tanks and tubs containing
water for firefighting) must not stop supplying water for more than 10 minutes and reduce flow rate
more than 30 % of calculated values for 3 days.
5.1.2.8 In case buildings are situated in areas not installed with adequate outdoor water supply
infrastructure for firefighting according to Schedules 8, 9 and 10, comply with instructions of competent
Police Departments of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue.
5.1.3 Calculated number of simultaneous fire
5.1.3.1 Number of simultaneous fire of an agricultural facility must be calculated based on area of the
facility, to be specific:
- Consider as 1 fire if the facility is as large as 150 ha.
- Consider as 2 fires if the facilities is larger than 150 ha.
NOTE: Number of simultaneous fire calculated for an exposed storage area containing wooden
materials shall be as follows: consider as 1 fire if the facility is as large as 50 ha; consider as 2 fires if
the facility is larger than 50 ha.
Schedule 10 – Water flow rate for outdoor fire fighting in F5 buildings
Fire- Structural Fire and Water flow rate for outdoor firefighting in buildings wider than 60
resistance fire explosion m, calculated for 1 fire, l/s, in building volume, 1 000 m 3
category hazard fire
of level of hazard ≤ 50 > 50 to > 100 > 200 > 300 > 400 > 500 > 600 > 700 to
≤ 100 to ≤ to ≤ to ≤ to ≤ to ≤ to ≤ ≤ 800
buildings buildings level of
200 300 400 500 600 700
buildings
I and II S0 A, B, C 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
I and II S0 D, E 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
5.1.3.2 When merging pipelines of a residential area and an industrial facility situated outside of the
residential area, number of simultaneous fire shall be calculated as follows:
- When the industrial area is as large as 150 ha and population of the residential area is 10 thousand
people, consider as 1 fire (apply the higher value of water flow rate); and with population ranging from
10 to 25 thousand people, consider as 2 fires (1 fire for the industrial facility and 1 fire for the
residential area).
- When the industrial area is larger than 150 ha and the population is 25 thousand people, consider as
2 fires (2 fires for the industrial area or 2 fires for the residential area, whichever side requires more
water).
- When the population exceeds 25 thousand people, water flow rate shall equal total flow rate of the
higher demand (of industrial facility or residential area) and 50 % of the lower demand (of industrial
facility or residential area).
5.1.3.3 Fire fighting duration must be 3 hours, except for special cases specified below:
- With respect to buildings of fire resistance category I, II with structures and thermal insulation layers
made from non-flammable materials and areas of fire hazard level D and E, the fire fighting duration
shall be 2 hours.
- With respect to exposed storage containing wooden materials, the fire fighting duration must not be
less than 5 hours.
5.1.3.4 The maximum amount time to restore amount of water for firefighting must not be more than:
- 24 hours for residential areas and industrial areas with areas under fire hazard level A, B and C.
- 36 hours for industrial facilities with areas under fire hazard level D and E.
- 72 hours for residential areas and agricultural facilities.
NOTE 1: With respect to industrial facilities that require up to 20 l/s for outdoor fire fighting, may
increase maximum amount of time to restore water for firefighting as follows:
- Up to 48 hours for areas under fire hazard level D and E.
- Up to 36 hours for areas under fire hazard level C.
NOTE 2: If unable to ensure restoration of water for firefighting within the specified time period,
provide additional nth time of water for fire fighting. Value of n (n = 1.5; 2.0; 2.5; 3.0, etc) depends on
actual restoration period, ttt, and shall be calculated by using following formula:
In which: ttt – actual period of restoring water for fire fighting.

ttd – period of restoring water for firefighting (according to 5.1.3.4).
5.1.4 Fire safety requirements for pipe networks and constructions performed thereon
5.1.4.1 When installing 2 supply pipes or more, must install valves to switch between the pipes so in
case 1 supply pipe is entirely or partially closed, fire fighting is still 100 % guaranteed.
5.1.4.2 Pipeline network carrying water for firefighting must be circular network. May install dead end
pipes in case of: supplying water for firefighting or daily routines and fire fighting if the length of the
pipelines does not exceed 200 m regardless of required water flow rate for fire fighting.
Do not install circular network of outdoor pipe networks with indoor pipe networks.
NOTE: In residential areas with population of up to 5 000 people and requiring up to 10 l/s water flow
rate for firefighting or having up to 12 indoor hydrants, may use dead end networks longer than 200 m
if tanks, tubs, pressure towers or circulating baths are constructed for dead end networks which
contain the whole amount of water for fire fighting.
5.1.4.3 Valves on pipelines regardless of diameters that are remotely or automatically controlled must
be electrically controlled.
May use compressed air, hydraulics or electromagnetic valves.
In case of not being remotely or automatically controlled, valves with up to 400 mm in diameter can be
manually locked, valves with more than 400 mm in diameter can be locked electrically or by
hydraulics; in special cases, may install manual valves with more than 400 mm in diameter.
In all cases, must allow manual operation.
5.1.4.4 Diameter of supply pipelines and the network after the supply pipelines must be calculated
based on:
- Technical and economic factors.
- Working conditions in case accidents interrupt different sections.
Diameter of outdoor fire fighting pipelines in residential areas and manufacturing facilities must not be
less than 100 mm, in rural areas – not smaller than 75 mm.
5.1.5 Requirements for tubs and tanks storing water for outdoor fire fighting
5.1.5.1 Functions of tubs and tanks providing water must include circulating, fire fighting, occurring of
incidents and containing of feed water.
5.1.5.2 If collection of water for firefighting directly from water sources does not conform to economic
and technical conditions, tanks and tubs must contain adequate calculated amount of water for fire
fighting.
5.1.5.3 Volume of water in tanks and tubs must be calculated so as to ensure:
- Provision of water for firefighting from outdoor hydrant boosters and other fire suppression systems.
- Provision of water for specialized fire suppression devices (sprinklers, drenchers, etc.) that do not
have separate tanks.
- Maximum water amount for daily routines and manufacturing during fire fighting process.
5.1.5.4 Reservoir providing water for fire engines must have access and parking lots with dimensions
of no smaller than 12 m x 12 m and surfaces capable of withstanding load of fire engines.
NOTE: When determining volume of water for fire fighting in tubs and tanks, may take into account
refilling the tubs and tanks during fire fighting process in case of water supply systems satisfactory to
5.1.2.7.
5.1.5.5 When supplying water via 1 pipeline, prepare back up water for fire fighting, the amount of
water shall conform to 5.1.5.3.
NOTE: May not take into account the backup water if the length of a supply pipeline does not exceed
500 m in a residential area with less than 5 000 people and entities requiring no more than 40 l/s of
water for outdoor fire fighting.
5.1.5.6 Total number of tanks and tubs for fire fighting in a pipe network must not be less than 2.
The minimum and maximum level of water for fire fighting among all tubs and tanks in the same
network must be the same.
Upon shutting a tank or tub, the amount of water for firefighting stored in other tubs and tanks must not
be less than 50 % of the amount of water required for fire fighting.
5.1.5.7 Storing water in tubs and tanks or exposed tanks are permitted in case of:
- A residential area with up to 5 000 people.
- Buildings, regardless of purposes, situated separately outside of residential areas having no pipe
networks for supplying water for daily routines or manufacturing and for supplying necessary water
amount for outdoor hydrant boosters.
- Multi-purpose buildings requiring no more than 10 l/s of water for outdoor fire fighting.
- Buildings with 1 to 2 storeys, regardless of functions, having construction area no larger than area of
fire compartments applied to the building types.
5.1.5.8 Amount of water for firefighting of tubs, tanks and man-made reservoirs shall be determined
based on calculation of amount of consumed water and duration of fire fighting according to 5.1.2.2 to
5.1.2.6 and 5.1.3.3.
NOTE 1: Calculation volume of water for firefighting of man-made reservoirs must take into account
possibilities of evaporation and freezing of water. Minimum water level must not be less than 0.5 m.
NOTE 2: Must ensure access for fire engines.
5.1.5.9 Tanks, tubs, outdoor hydrant boosters, natural and man-made reservoirs for firefighting must
be situated within following radius:
- 200 m in case of pump trucks.
- 100 m to 150 m within technical operation range of mobile pumps in case of mobile pumps.
- To increase operation radius, may install dead end pipes no longer than 200 m from the tanks, tubs
and man-made reservoirs satisfactory to 5.1.5.8.
- Distance from points of collecting water in tanks, tubs or man-made reservoirs to buildings with fire-
resistance category of III, IV and V or to exposed warehouses containing flammable materials must
not be less than 30 m, to buildings with fire resistance category of I and II must not be less than 10 m.
5.1.5.10 If unable to suck water for firefighting directly from tanks, tubs or reservoirs by pump trucks or
mobile pumps, provide basins with volume ranging from 3 m3 to 5 m3. Diameter of pipes connecting
tubs, tanks or reservoirs with the basins shall be calculated based on factors of calculating water flow
rate for outdoor fire fighting but no less than 200 mm. Valve boxes must be installed on pipelines to
lock water circulation, closing and opening of valves must be performed from the outside of the boxes.
The pipe ends in the man-made reservoirs must be installed with sieves.
5.1.5.11 Pressure tanks and tubs for firefighting must be equipped with water level meters, devices
reporting water level to pump stations or water distribution stations.
Pressure tanks and tubs of high-pressure pipelines for firefighting must be equipped with devices that
automatically stop water from being carried to tubs, tanks and water towers when fire fighting pumps
are operating.
5.1.5.12 Pressure tanks and tubs that use pressurized compressed air must have back up
pressurizing machines in addition to active pressuring machines.
5.2 Indoor fire hydrant systems
5.2.1 Buildings, public buildings and administrative – auxiliary buildings of industrial constructions must
be equipped with indoor fire hydrant systems, minimum water flow rate for firefighting is determined
according to Schedule 11, in case of manufacturing facilities and warehouses, consult Schedule 12.
When determining necessary water flow rate, rely on height of solid stream and diameter of nozzles
specified in Schedule 13. In that case, calculate simultaneous operation of the nozzles and other fire
suppression systems.
NOTE: In case fire hydrants use equipment with specification not mentioned under Schedule 13,
guarantee minimum water flow rate for firefighting of a stream and height of solid stream as per the
law.
5.2.2 For calculation of pump capacity and reserved water for fire fighting, number of streams and
water flow rate for fire fighting in sections of public buildings that are situated at a height above 50 m
must be 4 streams and 2.5 l/s per stream. With respect to F5 buildings with A, B or C fire hazard
category with volume exceeding 50 000 m3, must be 4 streams and 5 l/s per stream.
Schedule 11 – Minimum number of streams and water flow rate for indoor fire hydrant systems
Buildings and public structures Number streams Minimum flow rate for
per storey indoor fire fighting, l/s, of 1
stream
(1) (2) (3)
1- Residential buildings, apartment buildings
- From 5 to 16 storeys 1 2.5
- From 5 to 16 storeys, when main corridors 2 2.5
exceeding 10 m in length
- From exceeding 16 to 25 storeys 2 2.5
- From exceeding 16 to 25 storeys, when main 3 2.5
corridors exceeding 10 m in length
2- Administrative buildings
- From 6 to 10 storeys and up to 25 000 m3 of 1 2.5
volume
- From 6 to 10 storeys and more than 25 000 m3 of 2 2.5
volume
- Exceeding 10 storeys and up to 25 000 m3 of 2 2.5
volume
- Exceeding 10 storeys and more than 25 000 m3 of 3 2.5
volume
3- Club rooms containing stages, theatres,
cinemas, and rooms equipped with audiovisual
devices (conference rooms, seminar rooms,
etc.)
- Up to 300 seats 2 2.5
- More than 300 seats 2 5.0
4- Dorms and public buildings (except Section
2)
- Up to 10 storeys and volume ranging from 5 000 1 2.5
m3 to 25 000 m3
- Up to 10 storeys and up to 25 000 m3 of volume 2 2.5
3
- Exceeding 10 storeys and up to 25 000 m of 2 2.5
volume
- Exceeding 10 storeys and more than 25 000 m3 of 3 2.5
volume
5- Administrative – auxiliary buildings of
industrial structures with volume:
- Ranging from 5 000 m3 to 25 000 m3 1 2.5
- Exceeding 25 000 m3 2 2.5
5.2.3 With respect to manufacturing facilities and warehouses constructed from materials that are
prone to damage of fire, minimum water flow rate for determining pump capacity and amount of water
reserved for firefighting specified in Schedule 12 must be increased in following cases:
- In case of steel structures that do not receive fire protections in buildings of fire-resistance category
III, IV (level S2, S3), as well structures made from natural wood or pressed wood (which is wood that
have been processed for fire protection), increase by 5 l/s.
- In case of flammable substances surrounding structures of buildings with fire-resistance category IV
(level S2, S3), increase by 5 l/s for buildings with up to 10 000 m 3 in volume. In case of buildings with
more than 10 000 m3 in volume, increase flow rate by 5 l/s for every extra 100 000 m 3 or for extra
volume beyond the increased 100 000 m3.
Schedule 12 – Number of streams and minimum water flow rate for indoor fire fighting in
manufacturing facilities and warehouses
Fire-resistance Fire and Minimum number of streams and water flow rate, l/s, for 1 stream,
categories of explosion for indoor fire fighting in manufacturing facilities and warehouses
buildings hazard level up to 50 m in height and by volume, 1 000 m3
of buildings
From 0.5 to 5 Exceeding 5 Exceeding Exceeding Exceeding 400 to
to 50 50 to 200 200 to 400 800
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
I, II A, B, C 2 x 2.5 2x5 2x5 3x5 4x5
III C 2 x 2.5 2x5 2x5 * *
III D, E ** 2 x 2.5 2 x 2.5 * *
IV, V C 2 x 2.5 2x5 * * *
IV, V D, E ** 2 x 2.5 * * *
NOTE 1: “*” water flow rate and number of streams must be developed based on special technical
documents.
NOTE 2: With respect to buildings whose fire-resistance ratings and fire hazard levels are not
specified in Schedule 12, water flow rate shall conform to special technical documents.
NOTE 3: “**” no streams required.
5.2.4 Number of fire fighting streams for each fire shall be 2 streams for buildings that require more
than 2 streams.
5.2.5 With respect to building sections with different purposes, water flow rate for firefighting must be
separately calculated for each section according to 5.2.1 and 5.2.2. In that case, water flow rate for
indoor fire fighting shall be calculated as follows:
- With respect to buildings that are not separated by fire-rated walls, calculate based on general
volume.
- With respect to buildings separated by class 1 or 2 fire-rated walls, calculate based on volume of
building sections that require the highest water flow rate.
When connecting buildings of fire-resistance category I and II by passages made from non-flammable
materials and equipped with fire-rated doors, volume of buildings serving determination of water flow
rate for firefighting shall be volume of individual buildings; in case of no fire-rated doors, calculate
based on overall volume and the higher fire hazard levels.
5.2.6 Hydrostatic pressure in domestic – firefighting water systems measured in sanitation – technical
equipment situated at the lowest elevation must not exceed 0.45 MPa.
Hydrostatic pressure of separate fire suppression systems measured in fire hydrants situated at the
lowest elevation must not exceed 0.90 MPa.
During calculation, if pressure in fire suppression systems exceeds 0.45 MPa, install separate fire
suppression systems.
NOTE: When pressure between valves and connecting ends of fire hydrants exceeds 0.4 MPa, install
separation layers and devices that adjust pressure to lower excess pressure.
Schedule 13 - Flow rate of water for firefighting depending on height of solid streams and
diameter of nozzles
Height Flow Pressure, MPa, of Flow Pressure, MPa, of Flow Pressure, MPa, of
of solid rate of fire hydrants with rate of fire hydrants with rate of fire hydrants with
stream, nozzles, length of roller, m nozzles, length of roller, m nozzles, length of roller, m
m l/s l/s l/s
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13)
10 15 20 10 15 20 10 15 20
Diameter of nozzle, mm
13 16 19
DN 50 fire hydrant (*)
6 - - - - 2.6 0.092 0.096 0.100 3.4 0.088 0.096 0.104
8 - - - - 2.9 0.120 0.125 0.130 4.1 0.129 0.138 0.148
10 - - - - 3.3 0.151 0.157 0.164 4.6 0.160 0.173 0.185
12 2.6 0.202 0.206 0.210 3.7 0.192 0.196 0.210 5.2 0.206 0.223 0.240
14 2.8 0.236 0.241 0.245 4.2 0.248 0.255 0.263 - - - -
16 3.2 0.316 0.322 0.328 4.6 0.293 0.300 0.318 - - - -
18 3.6 0.390 0.398 0.406 5.1 0.360 0.380 0.400 - - - -
DN 65 fire hydrant (*)
6 - - - - 2.6 0.088 0.089 0.090 3.4 0.078 0.080 0.083
8 - - - - 2.9 0.110 0.112 0.114 4.1 0.114 0.117 0.121
10 - - - - 3.3 0.140 0.143 0.146 4.6 0.143 0.147 0.151
12 2.6 0.198 0.199 0.201 3.7 0.180 0.183 0.186 5.2 0.182 0.190 0.199
14 2.8 0.23 0.231 0.233 4.2 0.230 0.233 0.235 5.7 0.218 0.224 0.230
16 3.2 0.31 0.313 0.315 4.6 0.276 0.280 0.284 6.3 0.266 0.273 0.280
18 3.6 0.38 0.383 0.385 5.1 0.338 0.342 0.346 7.0 0.329 0.338 0.348
20 4.0 0.464 0.467 0.470 5.6 0.412 0.424 0.418 7.5 0.372 0.385 0.397
NOTE: (*) DN – Stands for Diameter Nominal, in mm
5.2.7 Discharge rate of fire hydrants must guarantee height of solid streams necessary for firefighting
at any given time of the day even in the tallest and furthest areas.
Minimum height and operation radius of solid streams for firefighting must equal height of the area
calculated from floor to the highest point of beams (ceiling) but no less than following values:
- With respect to residential buildings, public buildings, manufacturing facilities and auxiliary buildings
of industrial structures, up to 50 m in height and no less than 6 m in radius.
- With respect to residential buildings, taller than 50 m and not smaller than 8m in radius.
- With respect to public buildings, manufacturing facilities and auxiliary buildings of industrial
structures, taller than 50 m and no less than 16 m in radius.
NOTE 1: Pressure of fire hydrants must take into account losses due to fire hose rollers with 10 m, 15
m and 20 m in length.
NOTE 2: To receive solid streams with up to 4 l/s of flow rate, use DN 50 fire hydrants and DN 65
hydrants for higher flow rate. In case economic – technical documents permit, may use DN 50
hydrants for flow rate exceeding 4 l/s.
5.2.8 Pressure tanks in buildings must be designed to ensure generation of solid stream taller than 4m
at the highest storey or at the storey situated immediately below the storey where the tanks are placed
and must not be less than 6 m for remaining storeys; in that case, ensure 2 streams with flow rate of
2.5 l/s in 10 minutes if number of calculated streams is 2 or more and 1 stream in other cases.
When installing fire hydrants as sensors for automatic operation of fire fighting pumps, consideration to
pressure tanks is not required.
5.2.9 In case of installing fire hydrant systems separately from automatic fire suppression systems,
volume of reservoir tanks containing water must provide enough water to be used in 1 hour for fire
fighting and other purposes.
When installing fire hydrant systems on automatic fire suppression systems, working duration of the
hydrant shall equal the working duration of the fire suppression systems.
5.2.10 When domestic water systems and fire fighting water systems in buildings with at least 6
storeys are connected, upper vertical pipes must be connected in circular model. In that case, in order
to guarantee household water change, vertical pipes must be connected to one or many vertical
exhaust pipes with valves in circular model.
Dry pipes of fire suppression systems installed in buildings that are not heated, valves must be
installed in places where the valves cannot be frozen.
5.2.11 Determination of location and number of indoor vertical pipes and fire hydrants must satisfy
following requirements:
- May install double hydrant on vertical pipes in manufacturing facilities and public buildings when
number of calculated streams is not less than 3 and in residential buildings when number of calculated
streams is not less than 2.
- In residential buildings with corridors reaching up to 10 m in length and 2 streams per fire, may
generate 2 streams from the same vertical pipes.
- In residential buildings with corridors reaching up to 10 m as well as manufacturing facilities and
public buildings with 2 calculated streams or more per fire, ensure 2 streams from 2 adjacent cabinets
(2 different fire hydrants).
NOTE 1: Must install fire hydrants in mechanical floor, garrets and technical floors located in
basements if objects and structures made from flammable materials are stored in such places.
NOTE 2: Number of streams generated from each cabinet must not exceed 2.
5.2.12 Fire hydrants must be installed in a fashion that hydrant openings are situated at an elevation of
1.20 m ± 0.15 m compared to the floor and in cabinets with ventilation outlets and applied with seal.
With respect to double hydrant, may install the hydrants vertically, in that case, the lower hydrant must
be at least 1 m from the floors.
5.2.13 With respect to buildings with 17 storeys or taller, landing valves must be installed in indoor fire
hydrant systems of each section with proper dimension of outlets to connect with mobile fire-fighting
facilities. The landing valves must be installed with check valves and open seal.
5.2.14 Indoor hydrants must be placed at inner corridors (where water cannot be frozen) of stairwells
(except smoke proof enclosures), in lobbies, corridors, passages and other easily accessible locations.
Installation of indoor hydrants mentioned above must not obstruct evacuation operations.
5.2.15 In areas protected by automatic fire suppression systems, may install indoor fire hydrants on
DN 65 pipes or larger, after control valve clusters of water sprinkler systems.
5.2.16 In closed areas where water can be frozen, pipes of indoor hydrant systems after the pump
stations may be dry pipes.
5.2.17 Valves to cut water from dead end branching pipes and major cut valves from enclosed steel
pipelines must be situated in a manner that each section shall only cut water from a maximum of 5
hydrants located on the same storey.
5.2.18 If more than 12 hydrants or automatic fire suppression systems are installed in buildings,
independently or integrated designed indoor water supply systems for firefighting must have at least 2
water supply pipes and must be connected in a circular model.
6. FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE
6.1 Buildings and constructions must guarantee fire fighting and rescue by adopting solutions
regarding: structures, premise - spatial distribution, technical - construction and organization.
The solutions include:
- Prepare driveways for fire engines; parking lots for fire fighting and access for fire brigade and fire-
fighting facilities which are integrated with road and passages depending on building functions or
situated separately.
- Situate fire fighting transports methods outside of buildings and prepare other necessary facilities to
provide fire brigade and fire fighting technical equipment with access to storeys and garrets of
buildings, which includes elevators that are installed with “fire brigade transportation” (hereinafter
referred to as “fire service elevators”).
- Situate water supply pipes for firefighting integrated with water pipes providing water for daily
routines or placed separately and if necessary, situate landing valves and water supply pipes that lead
indoors to enable fire brigade, water towers, water tanks for firefighting or other sources of water
supply for fire fighting.
- Ensure smoke protection for passages enabling fire brigade to move around the buildings.
- Furnish the buildings with medical emergency equipment for personal use and group use where
necessary.
- Distribute and develop constructions, fire brigade and stations suitable for number of employees and
necessary fire fighting technical equipment, satisfactory to fire fighting conditions in buildings or areas
of operation of the brigade and stations as per the law.
The solutions mentioned above shall be selected based on fire-resistance categories, structural fire
hazard levels and fire hazard categories of buildings.
6.2 Driveways and parking lots for fire engines must satisfy following requirements:
6.2.1 General requirements
a) Clearance width of driveways for fire engines must not be less than 3.5 m.
b) Clearance width of parking lots for fire engines must ensure accessibility for deployment of fire-
fighting facilities satisfactory to height and fire hazard of buildings mentioned in Schedule 14.
c) Only allow overhead obstacles to be placed on driveways and parking lots for fire engines if all
following requirements are satisfied:
- Clearance height to enable fire-fighting facilities to travel through must not be lower than 4.5 m; and
- Dimensions of overhead obstacles (measured along length of driveways and parking lots for fire
engines) must not exceed 10 m; and
- In case of 2 or more overhead obstacles stretching across driveways or parking lots for fire engines,
clearance space between the obstacles must not be lower than 20 m; and
- Length of ends of driveways or parking lots for fire engines unobstructed by overhead obstacles must
not be lower than 20 m; and
- Length of parking lots for fire engines must not take into account sections with overhead obstacles.
d) Along outer walls of buildings, install entrances to the buildings via the outer walls from elevated
positions (elevated entrances) satisfactory to 6.3 to deploy fire fighting and rescue activity.
6.2.2 Driveways and parking lots for fire engines must be situated in a manner that satisfies following
requirements:
6.2.2.1 F1, F2, F3 and F4 buildings that are not taller than 15 m are not required to have parking lots
for fire engines but are required to have driveways no larger than 60 m to grant fire engines with
access to any point on plan projections of the buildings
6.2.2.2 F1.3 buildings taller than 15 m must fulfill all following requirements:
- Driveways for fire engines no further than 18 m away from all entrances to leading to vestibules of
fire service elevators or evacuation stairwells equipped with D65 fire hydrants for professional fire
brigade (of dry systems).
- Parking lots for fire engines granting access to at least 1 whole outer side of each building block.
Parking lots for fire engines must be positioned no closer than 2 m and no further than 10 m from outer
walls of the buildings
- Design of parking lots and driveways for fire engines must satisfy regulations under Article 14.
Schedule 14 - Regulations on dimensions of parking lots for fire fighting
Fire hazard levels/Dimension criteria Dimensions of parking lots for fire engines based on
of parking lots height of buildings, m
≤ 15 > 15 and ≤ 28 (1) > 28
F1.3 buildings
- Width of parking lots for fire engines Not required ≥6m ≥6m
- Length of parking lots for fire engines
Not required ≥ 15 m ≥ 15 m
Other building levels
- Width of parking lots for fire engines Not required ≥6m ≥6m
- Length of parking lots for fire engines Consult Schedule 15 and Schedule 16
NOTE: (1) Parking lots for fire engines are not required for buildings with no more than 50 people on
each storey, according to Schedule G.9 (Annex G), and distance from driveways for fire engines to the
hydrant boosters no more than 18 m.
6.2.2.3 F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3 and F4 buildings or sections thereof taller than 15 m must have a parking lot
for fire engines at each area where an elevated entrance is situated to provide fire engines with
access to doorways of the elevated entrance. Length of parking lots for fire engines must conform to
Schedule 15 based on accessible floor area of the storey with the highest accessible floor area. In
case of buildings with multi-level floors, the value shall be calculated as follows:
a) With respect to buildings with multi-level floors, including basements merged with above-ground
storeys, accessible floor area shall equal sum of area of all accessible floors of all storeys.
b) With respect to buildings with at least 2 groups of multi-level storeys, accessible floor area shall
equal sum of area of accessible floors with the highest values.
6.2.2.4 F5 buildings must have parking lots for fire-fighting facilities. Length of parking lots for fire
engines must conform to Schedule 16 based on total compartment volume of the buildings (excluding
basements).
If manufacturing conditions do not require entrances, may situate 3.5 m wide driveways for fire
engines, driveway surface must be reinforced with materials guaranteeing load-bearing capacity and
drainage of surface water.
Distance from edge of driveways for fire engines to walls of buildings must not exceed 5 m for
buildings shorter than 12 m, not exceed 8 m for buildings taller than 12 m and shorter than 28 m and
not exceed 10 m for buildings taller than 28 m.
If necessary, distance from the nearest edge of driveways to the buildings to outer walls of the
buildings and construction shall be increased up to 60 m provided the buildings and constructions are
led to by dead ends and installed with parking lots for fire engines and fire hydrants. In that case,
distance from buildings and constructions to parking lots for fire engines must not be less than 5 m
and no larger than 15 m and distance between dead ends must not exceed 100 m.
NOTE 1: Width of buildings and constructions shall be determined based on distances between
reference axes.
NOTE 2: Reservoirs used for firefighting must have passages and yards with yards whose dimensions
must not be lower than 12 m.
Schedule 15 – Regulations on length of parking lots for fire engines in F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3 and F4
buildings or sections thereof
Accessible floor area, Required length of parking lots for fire engines, according to building
m2 circumference, m
Buildings not protected by Buildings protected by sprinkler
sprinkler systems systems
≤ 2 000 1/6 building circumference and no 1/6 building circumference and no
smaller than 15 m smaller than 15 m
> 2 000 and ≤ 4 000 1/4 building circumference 1/6 building circumference and no
smaller than 15 m
> 4 000 and ≤ 8 000 1/2 building circumference 1/4 building circumference
> 16 000 and ≤ 32 000 The whole building circumference 3/4 building circumference
> 32 000 The whole building circumference The whole building circumference
Schedule 16 – Regulations on length of parking lots for fire engines in F5 buildings or sections
thereof
Compartment volume, Required length of parking lots for fire engines, according to building
m3 circumference, m
Buildings not protected by Buildings protected by sprinkler
sprinkler systems systems
(1) (2) (3)
≤ 28 400 1/6 building circumference and no 1/6 building circumference and no
smaller than 15 m smaller than 15 m
> 28 400 and ≤ 56 800 1/4 building circumference 1/6 building circumference and no
smaller than 15 m
> 227 200 The whole building circumference The whole building circumference
6.2.2.5 Situate driveways and parking lots for fire engines in multi-purpose buildings must satisfy
following requirements:
a) If non-residential storeys (not included in F1.3) are only situated at the lower sections of buildings,
building height for determination of requirements for driveways or parking lots for fire engines must be
based on non-residential sections of the buildings.
b) In case of multi-purpose buildings that do not have any sections under category F1.3, the required
lengths applied to driveways or parking lots for fire engines must be the larger value of the two which
are determined based on:
- Total compartment volume of F5 sections of buildings; or
- Schedule 15.
c) With respect to multi-purpose buildings with F1.3 sections, length of parking lots for fire engines
must be calculated based on 6.2.2.3 while satisfying requirements in 6.2.2.
6.2.2.6 In case of basements, install driveways for fire engines no further than 18 m away from all
above-ground entrances leading to vestibules of fire service elevators or evacuation stairwells
equipped with D65 fire hydrants for professional fire brigade (of dry systems).
6.2.3 Parking lots for fire engines must guarantee that the horizontal distance from edges of the
parking lots that are nearest to the buildings to the middle point of elevated entrances is no closer than
2 m and no further than 10 m.
6.2.4 Surfaces of parking lots for firefighting must be even. If situated on a tilted surface, slope must
not exceed 1:15. Slope of driveways for fire engines must not exceed 1:8.3.
6.2.5 If length of dead end driveways or parking lots for fire engines is larger than 46 m, situate u-turn
lots designed according to 6.4 at the end of the dead end sections.
6.2.6 Public roads can be used as parking lots for fire engines, if positioning of said roads conforming
to regulations on distances to elevated entrances under 6.2.3.
6.2.7 Drive ways and parking lots for fire engines must be clear at all time. Spaces between parking
lots for fire engines and elevated entrances must not be obstructed by trees or other immovable
objects.
6.2.8 Mark all corners of parking lots and driveways for fire engines other than public roads utilized as
parking lots or driveways for fire engines. Marking must be implemented by reflective paints to ensure
visibility at night and positioned at both sides of driveways or parking lots for fire engines no further
than 5 m.
At the beginning and end sections of driveways or parking lots for fire engines, install warning signs
with white background, red letters and height of each letter not less than 50 mm. Height from ground
level to the lowest points of the signs must range from 1.0 m to 1.5 m. Signs must be visible at night
and must not be more than 3 m away from driveways or parking lots for fire engines. All parts of
driveways or parking lots for fire engines must not be more than 15 m away from the nearest signs.
6.2.9 Surfaces of driveways and parking lots for fire engines must be able to withstand vehicular
weight of the fire engines according to design requirements and satisfactory to vehicle types of Police
Departments of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue where the constructions are built.
6.3 Elevated entrances for fire fighting and rescue must satisfy following requirements:
6.3.1 Elevated entrances must be clear and unobstructed at any given time when the buildings are
being occupied. Elevated entrances can be openings on outer walls, windows, balcony doors, glass
walls and doors that can be opened from inside and outside. Do not situate any objects or obstacles
on the floors inside the buildings within 1 m from the elevated entrances.
6.3.2 Elevated entrances must be positioned opposite from usable spaces. Evaluated entrances must
not be situated in warehouses, mechanical rooms, evacuation stairwells, smoke proof enclosures,
lobbies of fire service elevators or spaces that lead to dead ends.
6.3.3 Outer surface of doors of elevated entrances must be marked with red or yellow equilateral
triangles whose sides are not smaller than 150 mm and vertexes can be directed upwards or
downwards. On the inside, place the following phrase “LỐI VÀO TỪ TRÊN CAO – KHÔNG DƯỢC
GÂY CẢN TRỞ” (Elevated entrances – Do not obstruct) with letter height no less than 25 mm.
6.3.4 Elevated entrances must not be narrower than 850 mm, not shorter than 1 000 mm, lower edges
of the entrances must not be more than 1 100 mm away from floor surfaces and upper edges of the
entrances must not be less than 1 800 mm away from the floor surfaces.
6.3.5 Number and position of elevated entrances for each fire compartment of buildings or building
sections not included in category F1.3 must satisfy following requirements:
6.3.5.1 In case of F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3, F4 and F5 buildings, number of elevated entrances must be
calculated based on length of parking lots for fire engines. Situate 1 elevated entrance for every
section of parking lots for fire engines of or less than 20 m in length.
6.3.5.2 Elevated entrances must be positioned distant remote from each other along the sides of
buildings. The furthest distance along outer walls between 2 consecutive elevated entrances served
by 1 parking lot for fire engines must not exceed 20 m. At least 1 elevated entrance must be
guaranteed for every 20 m in length of parking lot for fire engines, except for sections of single storey
buildings not included in category F5.
6.3.5.3 With respect to F1.1, F1.2, F2, F3 and F4 buildings with height ranging from 10 m to 50 m,
situate elevated entrances on all storeys other than the 1st storey and opposite from parking lots for fire
engines.
6.3.5.4 With respect to F5 buildings, situate elevated entrances above parking lots for fire engines with
height of up to 50 m.
6.3.5.5 Requirements for elevated entrances do not apply to F1.3 buildings, including auxiliary areas
(e.g. gyms, clubs, etc. areas serving the buildings’ inhabitants) in F1.3 buildings.
6.4 U-turn spaces must be designed as:
- Equilateral triangles whose sides are not less than 7 m, one vertex is situated at the dead end road
and 2 other vertexes are situated symmetrically on both sides of the roads; or
- Squares whose sides are not less than 12 m; or
- Circles whose diameter is no less than 10 m; or
- Rectangles perpendicular to the dead end roads, symmetrical on both sides of the roads and no
smaller than 5 m x 20 m.
NOTE: Requirements mentioned above are minimum values, fire prevention and fighting and rescue
managing agencies may issue specific regulations based on technical requirements of local fire-
fighting facilities.
6.5 With respect to narrow roads only sufficient for 1 lane, design expanded sections that are at least 7
m in width and 8 m in length every 100 m to enable fire engines and other vehicles to avoid each other
with ease.
6.6 With respect to buildings that are 10 m in height or taller calculated up to valances or upper points
of outer walls, install exits leading to the roofs directly from stairwells, through garrets, through type 3
stairwells or along external fire fighting transport methods.
Number of exits leading to the roofs and positioning thereof must be based on fire hazard categories
and dimensions of the buildings but no less than 1 exit for:
- Every section that equals or is less than 100 m in length of buildings with garrets.
- Every area that equals or is less than 1 000 m 2 of roofs of F1, F2, F3 and F4 buildings having no
garrets.
- Every 200 m of circumference of F5 buildings along fire fighting transport methods. May not situate:
- Fire fighting transport methods on the main sides of buildings if the buildings are not wider than 150
m and installed with supply water pipes for firefighting at the front.
- Exits leading to the roofs of single-storey buildings with roof area no larger than 100 m 2.
6.7 In garrets of buildings other than F1.4 buildings, exits leading to the roofs via fixed staircases and
doors, trapdoors or windows no smaller than 0.6 m x 0.8 m must be installed.
Exits leading to the roofs or garrets from stairwells must be allocated along treads with landings in
front of the exits, through type 2 fire-rated doors no smaller than 0.75 m x 1.5 m. The treads and
landings mentioned above may be made from steel but must have slope no higher than 2 : 1 (63.5 o)
and no narrower than 0.7 m.
In F1, F2, F3 and F4 buildings that are up to 15 m in height, may situate exits leading to garrets or to
the roofs from stairwells via type 2 fire-rated trapdoors with dimensions of 0.6 m x 0.8 m following fixed
steel ladders.
6.8 In mechanical floors including mechanical floors in basements and garrets, clearance width of
passages must not be less than 1.8 m; in mechanical floors in garrets along the entire buildings, no
less than 1.6 m. Width of said passages must not be less than 1.2 m. In separate sections no more
than 2 m in length, may reduce height of the passages down to 1.2 m and width to a minimum of 0.9
m.
6.9 Buildings with garrets must have trapdoors in structures sheltering corners of the garrets.
6.10 At areas where height differences of the roofs exceed 1.0 m (which includes elevated areas for
skylights – ventilation openings), firefighting transport methods must be installed.
At areas where height differences of the roofs exceed 10 m, if each roof section larger than 100 m 2
has separate exits leading to the roofs satisfactory to 6.6, or height of the lower sections of the roofs
identified according to 6.6 does not exceed 10 m, may not install fire fighting transport methods.
6.11 Must use P1 fire fighting transport methods to reach areas at a height of 20 m and areas of the
roofs where height differences range from 1.0 m to 20 m. P2 fire service elevators must be used to
reach height above 20 m and areas with height difference of more than 20 m.
Fire fighting transport methods must be made of non-flammable materials, positioned in a visible
locations and at least 1.0 m away from any window, 0.7 m wide. With respect to P1 fire fighting
transport methods situated at a height of 10 m or higher, install circular guardrails with radius of 0.35
m, center of the circular guardrails must be 0.45 m away from the transport methods. Circular
guardrails must be 0.7 m away from one another and landings with 0.6 m high guardrails must be
positioned at places leading to the roofs. With respect to P2 fire fighting transport methods, install
handrails and intermediate landings no more than 8 m from one another.
6.12 Ensure a space between treads and handrails of treads with clearance width no less than 100 m
when projected on a flat surface.
6.13 At least 1 fire service elevator must be installed in each fire compartment of buildings taller than
28 m (50 m for F1.3 buildings) or buildings with the lowest basements situated at a depth greater than
9 m (calculate down to elevation of evacuation exits leading outside).
NOTE: Other technical requirements namely power supply, control, signal transmission,
communication and equipment serving fire protection systems, etc. must conform to technical
standards applied solely to fire service elevators.
Location and installation of fire service elevators must satisfy following basic requirements:
- Do not use elevators for cargo transportation as fire service elevators.
- In normal conditions, fire service elevators can be used for passenger transportation. Fire service
elevators may be situated with separate elevator lobbies or in lobbies shared with passenger elevators
and integrated by a single automatic group control system.
- Fire service elevators must be installed in adequate number to ensure that distance from a fire
service elevator to any point on the storey accessible by that elevator does not exceed 60 m.
- In case of a building with a single fire service elevator, that fire service elevator must be able to
access all storeys adjacent to the storey that is on fire.
- In case of multiple fire service elevators situated in the same elevator shafts, the elevators may grant
access to different building sections provided that sections accessible by a fire service elevator are
displayed on that elevator.
- In any case, working schemes of fire service elevators must be consistent and ubiquitous, e.g.
elevators granting access to odd numbered storeys, even numbered storeys or every storey.
- In case of refuge floors, each refuge floor must be granted access to by at least 1 fire service
elevator.
- In normal operation conditions, doors of fire service elevators shall not be opened in order to grant
access to refuge floors and doors leading to elevator shafts from the refuge floors must be locked and
shall only be unlocked when fire service mode is turned on.
- In case of fire, fire service elevators must be able to enable fire brigade:
+ to be the only individuals capable of controlling and operating while carrying their equipment to
access the fire easily, safely, quickly and in a familiar fashion.
+ to be protected while using the elevators from impact of fire and smoke via appropriate measures,
particularly when the fire brigade exits from the elevators.
+ to have clear and safe passages to access the fire service elevators and storeys accessible from
said elevators.
+ not to travel more than 2 storeys to access any storey that is on fire within the buildings.
- Fire service elevators shall be protected in separate elevator shafts (separate from other types of
elevators) and no more than 3 fire service elevators shall be installed in a single elevator shaft.
Structures covering elevator shafts must have fire-resistance ratings no lower than REI 120.
- Lobbies of fire service elevators which are vestibules must satisfy all following requirements:
+ no smaller than 4 m2.
+ no smaller than 6 m2 when integrated with lobbies of smoke proof enclosures.
+ protected by class 1 fire-rated partitions.
+ installed with D65 landing valves for professional fire brigade.
- Installation of fire service elevators must take into account movement direction of professional fire
brigade and ensure that the fire brigade can access any rooms on any storey of the buildings.
- Load capacity of fire service elevators must not be less than 630 kg in case of F1.3 apartment
buildings and no less than 1 000 kg in case of manufacturing facilities and other public buildings.
- Travel speed of fire service elevator must not be less than H/60 (m/s). In which H refers to lifted
height (m).
- Structures covering fire service elevator cars must be made from non-flammable or mildly flammable
materials.
6.14 In case of buildings with pitched roofs having the slope of up to 12 %, height up to valances or
upper edges of outer walls exceeding 10 m and buildings with pitched roofs having the slope of more
than 12 % and height up to valances exceeding 7 m, guardrails and handrails must be installed on the
roofs satisfactory to applicable regulations and law. The guardrails and handrails must be installed in
case of flat roofs, balconies, loggias, outdoor corridors, exposed staircases, stair treads and landings
independent of height of buildings.
6.15 Water supply system for firefighting must be sufficient to enable fire brigade and fire-fighting
facilities to access and use at any time.
6.16 Supply of water for fire fighting, equipment and allocation of other firefighting equipment and tools
in buildings and constructions must conform to basic provisions under Section 5 of these Regulations
and relevant technical regulations.
6.17 Fire control posts
a) Public residential buildings and constructions taller than 10 storeys; buildings with 2 or 3
basements; crowded public constructions (e.g. theaters, cinemas, bars and buildings with similar
purposes with each storey occupied by more than 50 people according to Schedule G.9 under Annex
G); garages for automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles, manufacturing facilities and warehouses larger
than 18 000 m2 must have fire control posts which must be regularly occupied by specialized
employee.
b) Fire control posts must:
- Be large enough to install and equip devices according to fire protection requirements of the
buildings but no larger than 6 m2.
- Have 2 entrances/exits: one leads to empty spaces outside of the buildings and another leads to
primary corridors for evacuation.
- Be separated with other building sections by class 1 fire prevention devices.
- Be installed with communication and contact devices of fire alarm systems which connect to every
building section.
- Be installed with panels for monitoring and controlling fire suppression devices, smoke control
devices and site plans dictating position of firefighting equipment of the buildings.
6.18 All basements in buildings with 2 to 3 basements must be equipped with two-way emergency
communication devices between the fire control posts to:
- Equipment rooms related to fire suppression systems, particularly rooms where pumps of sprinkler
systems are situated, rooms where pumps supplying vertical pipe systems are situated, circuit switch
rooms, generator rooms and elevator machine rooms.
- All rooms installed with devices that control smoke control systems.
- All fire service elevators.
- All areas of refuge.
- Ventilation system control rooms.
7. REGULATIONS ON MANAGEMENT
7.1 These Regulations prescribe technical requirements and management requirements that must be
complied in constructing new, renovating, repairing or changing building functions and serve as
assistance for regulatory agencies specialized in fire fighting and construction investment.
7.2 Transitional conditions
- With respect to dossiers on construction design approved in terms of fire fighting by regulatory
agencies before the effective date hereof, continue to comply with the approved dossiers on
construction design.
- With respect to dossiers on construction design approved after the effective date hereof, comply with
these Regulations;
8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS
8.1 All organizations and individuals that participate in affairs related to new construction, renovation,
repair or change of building and construction functions including by not limited to preparing,
appraising, approving, organizing implementation, managing and developing national standards and
local standards related to apartment buildings must comply with these Regulations.
8.2 Central and local regulatory agencies specialized in fire fighting and constructions are responsible
for inspecting compliance with these Regulations in preparing, appraising, approving and managing
constructions of buildings and structures within their management as per the law.
8.3 Local regulatory agencies specialized in fire fighting and constructions are responsible for
cooperating in developing regulations related to specifications to design and implement driveways and
parking lots for fire engines satisfactory to properties of local fire-fighting facilities.
8.4 Difficulties that arise during the implementation of these Regulations should be submitted to
Department of Science Technology and Environment (Ministry of Construction).
9. IMPLEMENTATION
9.1 Ministry of Construction is responsible for publicizing and guiding application of these Regulations
for relevant entities.
9.2 If legislative documents, reference documents or guidelines mentioned under these Regulations
are amended, supplemented or replaced, the new legislative documents, reference documents and
guidelines will prevail./.

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MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

------- Independence – Freedom – Happiness

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS

I R 120 Е 30 RЕI 60 RЕ 30 R 30 RЕI 120 R 60

Structural fire Walls,

In which: ttt – actual period of restoring water for fire fighting.

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