VP’S INDAPUR COLLEGE OF

ARCHITECTURE

SUB-PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE-II
PROF.- AR. PRASHANT GADRE SIR
CLASS- FOURTH YEAR B.ARCH
TOPIC- COMPARISON IN BETWEEN NBC 2005 AND 2016
SUB TOPIC- FIRE AND SAFETY

SUBMITTED BY-
PRATIK M JADHAV
TANMAY M JADHAV
 This document has been prepared for the purposes of the simplified overview of some changes in National Building Code of India (NBC) 2016 and its
comparison to NBC 2005. It is a sample document FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY and SHOULD NOT BE used as a "model". Please refer NBC 2016 for
complete understanding and reference.

Scope Revised NBC 2005 said –

1 SCOPE
This Part covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and fire
protection of buildings. The Code specifies construction, occupancy and protection features that
are necessary to minimize danger to life and property from fire.

NBC 2016 says –

1 SCOPE
1.1 This Code (Part 4) covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and
fire protection of buildings. This Code (Part 4) specifies occupancy-wise classification,
constructional aspects, egress requirements and protection features that are necessary to
minimize danger to life and property from fire.

Revision 1.2 NBC 2016 says -

1.2 The provisions of this part are applicable to,

(a) all high rise buildings; and

(b) special buildings, those are,

(1) Hotel, educational, institutional, business, mercantile, industrial, storage, hazardous and mixed
occupancies, where any of these buildings have floor area more than 500 m2 on any one or more
floors;
(2) educational buildings having height 9 m and above;
(3) institutional buildings having height 9m and above;
(4) all assembly buildings;
(5) buildings, having area more than 300 m2 of incidental assembly occupancy on any floor; and
(6) buildings with two basements or more, or with one basement of area more than 500 m2;
unless otherwise mentioned specifically in the provisions.

NOTE - The owner of the building and parties to agreement, may however decide to apply the
provisions of this part to buildings other than those given above.
2.0 – Terminology NBC 2016 says –

2.3 Authorities Concerned — An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the
requirements of a code or standard, or for approving or accepting equipment, materials, an
installation, or a procedure.

2.20 Fire Barrier (or Fire Resisting Barrier) — A fire barrier is a vertically or horizontally aligned
member such as a wall or a fire curtain or a floor. These may be with discontinuities created by
openings with a specified fire resistance rating, where such members are designed and
constructed with a specified fire resistance rating to limit the spread of fire that also restricts the
movement of smoke.

2.21 Fire Compartment — A space within a building that is enclosed by fire barriers or fire
resistant walls on all sides including the top and bottom.
2.28 – NBC 2005 said –
Fire Resistance
2.18 Fire Resistance — Fire resistance is a property of an element of building construction and is
the measure of its ability to satisfy for a stated period some or all of the following criteria:
a) resistance to collapse,
b) resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases, and
c) resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face up to a maximum of 180°C and/or
average temperature of 150°C.
NBC 2016 says –

2.28 Fire Resistance — Fire resistance is a property of an element of building construction and is
the measure of its ability to satisfy for a stated period, some or all of the following criteria:
a) Load bearing capacity (Stability) (R) – The ability of a load bearing element to withstand fire
exposure without any loss of structural stability.
b) Integrity (E) – resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases.
c) Insulation (I) – resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face up to a maximum of 180°C
and/or average temperature of 140°C.

Fire Resistance Rating NBC 2005 said –

2.17 Fire Resistance Rating — The time that a material or construction will withstand the standard
fire exposure as determined by fire test done in accordance with the standard methods of fire
tests of materials/structures.

NBC 2016 says -

2.29 Fire Resistance Rating — The time that a material or construction will withstand the standard
fire exposure as determined by fire test done in accordance with the standard methods of fire
tests of materials/structures as per the accepted standard.

[4(2)] - NOTES - (1.) The requirement of rating of various building elements as given in this part
shall be applicable in accordance with the provisions given in the accepted standard [4(2)].

(2.) The fire resistance rating shall be specified in minutes. (3.) Fire resistance rating for non-
structural material / assembly shall bear a label of compliance to such ratings as per the approval
of competent authority based on testing and evaluation. The label shall be permanently affixed to
the material / assembly and may carry other relevant details such as name and type of the
product, and manufacturer's details.

Fire Resistance Wall NBC 2005 said –

2.23 Fire Resisting Wall — A fire resistance rated wall, having protected openings, which restricts
the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to at least 1 m above the roof.

NBC 2016 says -

2.30 - Fire Resistant Wall — Fire resistant rated wall, having opening(s) with specified fire resistant
rating, which restricts the spread of fire from one part of a building to another part of the same
building.

Fire Stop NBC 2005 said –

 2.21 Fire Stop — A fire resistant material, or construction, having a fire resistance rating of not less
than the fire separating elements, installed in concealed spaces or between structural elements of
a building to prevent the spread/propagation of fire and smoke through walls, ceilings and like as
per the laid down criteria.

NBC 2016 says –

2.32 Fire Stop — A fire resistant material, or construction, having a fire resistance rating of not less
than the fire separating elements, installed in concealed spaces or between structural elements of
a building to prevent the spread/ propagation of fire and smoke through walls, ceilings and like as
per the laid down criteria.
NOTES - (1) Fire stop assembly for through penetrations is a combination of firestop compatible
for use with the penetrant, penetration items such as cables, cable trays, conduits, ducts, pipes
etc., and their means of support through the wall or opening that together restores the fire
resistance rating of the fire separating elements in terms of its integrity and/or insulation
properties.
(2) Fire stop assembly for joints is the one where fire stop with movement capability is used to seal
the linear joints between adjacent fire separating elements, which should be installed within its
tested design limits with regard to size of joint, type of assembly, and anticipated compression and
extension of the joint.

Fire Wall or Fire NBC 2005 said –

Separating Wall -
2.20 Fire Separating Wall — The wall provides complete separation of one building from another
or part of a building from another or part of a building from another part of the same building to
prevent any communication of fire or heat transmission to wall itself which may cause or assist in
the combustion of materials on the side opposite to that portion which may be on fire.

NBC 2016 says -

2.34 Fire Wall or Fire Separating Wall — A fire resistance rated wall having fire protected
openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to the
roof (and through the roof at least 1m above the roof in case of combustible roof), with sufficient
structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on one side or either side
without collapse of the wall.

High Rise Building NBC 2005 said –

2.25 High Rise Building — For the purpose of this Part, all buildings 15 m or above in height shall
be considered as high rise buildings.

NBC 2016 says –

2.38 High Rise Building — A buildings 15 m or above in height (irrespective of its occupancy).

Smoke Barrier NBC 2016 says –

2.56 Smoke Barrier — A continuous membrane, or a membrane with discontinuities created by

protected openings, where such membrane is designed and constructed to restrict the movement
of smoke.

Smoke Compartment NBC 2016 says –

 2.57 Smoke Compartment — A space within a building enclosed by smoke barriers on all sides.

Restriction on Existing NBC 2005 said -

Building
3.2.7 Restrictions on Existing Buildings -

The existing buildings in any fire zone shall not be required to comply with the requirement of the
Code unless these are altered, or in the opinion of the Authority, such building constitutes a
hazard to the safety of the adjacent property or the occupants of the building itself or is an unsafe
building. In the event of alteration, it shall be necessary to obtain permission of the Authority for
such alteration consistent with fire hazard (see Part 2 ‘Administration’).

Alterations/modifications/renovations shall be accomplished so as to ensure conformity with all

the safety requirements of the new buildings. Such alterations shall not in any way bring down
level of fire and life safety below that which existed earlier. Any addition or alterations or
construction of cubicles or partitioning for floor area exceeding 500 m2 for all high rise buildings
shall be with approval of local fire authority.

NBC 2016 says -

3.2.7 Restrictions on Existing Buildings –

The existing buildings in any fire zone shall not be required to comply with the requirement of the
Code unless these are altered, or in the opinion of the Authority, such building constitutes a
hazard to the safety of the adjacent property or the occupants of the building itself or is an unsafe
building. In the event of alteration, it shall be necessary to obtain permission of the Authority for
such alteration consistent with fire hazard (see Part 2 ‘Administration’ of the code).
Alterations/modifications/renovations shall be accomplished so as to ensure conformity with all
the safety requirements of the new buildings. Such alterations shall not in any way bring down
level of fire and life safety below that which existed earlier. Any addition or alterations or
construction of cubicles or partitioning, for floor area exceeding 500 m2 for all high rise buildings
shall be with approval of local fire authority.

Str. & Non Stru Fire NBC 2005 said –

Resistance Rating
3.3.2 It is required that an element/component shall have the requisite fire resistance rating when
tested in accordance with the accepted standard [4(1)]. Tables 2 to 18 provide available data
regarding fire resistance ratings of various building components such as walls, columns, beams
and floors. Fire damage assessment, post fire structural safety assessment of various structural
elements of the building and adequacy of the structural repairs can be done by the fire resistance
ratings mentioned in Tables 2 to 18.

NBC 2016 says -

3.3.2 It is required that a structural and/or non-structural element/component shall have the
requisite fire resistance rating as per Table 1. The fire resistance rating for the structural and non-
structural elements shall be based on guidelines as per approved and acceptable standards. The
fire rating shall be validated and certified with a view to meeting the requirements of Table 1. In
the absence of any validated/certified rating, guidance may be obtained from the information
available in Annex C.
Steel 3.3.3 Steel Construction
Structure/Loadbearing
Wall protection NBC 2005 said -

Load bearing steel beams and columns of buildings having total covered area of 500 m2 and above
shall be protected against failure/collapse of structure in case of fire. This could be achieved by
use of appropriate methodology using suitable fire resistance rated materials along with
suppression system {see Table 14, Table 15 and also accepted standard [4(5)]}.
NBC 2016 says -

3.3.3 Load bearing steel beams and columns of buildings having total covered area of 500 m2 and
above shall be protected against failure/collapse of structure in case of fire. This could be achieved
by use of appropriate methodology using suitable fire resistance rated materials along with
suppression system (see Annex C, Table 25, Table 26).

False Ceiling NBC 2016 says -

3.3.4 The false ceiling, including all fixtures used for its suspension, shall be of non-combustible
material and shall provide adequate fire resistance to the ceiling in order to prevent spread of fire
across ceiling.

Wording Change 3.4.8 Openings in Separating Walls and Floors

NBC 2005 said:

At the time of designing openings in separating walls and floors, particular attention shall be paid
to all such factors as will limit fire spread through these openings and maintain fire rating of the
structural member.

3.4.8.1 For Types 1 to 3 construction, a doorway or opening in a separating wall on any floor shall
be limited to 5.6 m2 in area with a maximum height/width of 2.75 m. Every wall opening shall be
protected with fire-resisting doors having the fire rating of not less than 2 h in accordance with
accepted standard [4(7)]. All openings in the floors shall be protected by vertical enclosures
extending above and below such openings, the walls of such enclosures having a fire resistance of
not less than 2 h and all openings therein being protected with a fire-resisting assembly as
specified in 3.4.9.

3.4.8.2 For Type 4 construction, openings in the separating walls or floors shall be fitted with 2 h
fire resisting assemblies.

NBC 2016 says:

3.4.5 Openings in Fire Resistant Walls and Floors

3.4.5.1 At the time of designing openings in fire resistant walls and floors, particular attention shall
be paid to all such factors as will limit fire spread through these openings and maintain fire rating
of the structural member.

3.4.5.2 For Types 1 to 3 constructions, a doorway or opening in a fire resistant wall on any floor
shall be limited to 5.6 m2 in area with a maximum height/width of 2.75 m. Every wall opening shall
be protected with fire-resisting doors, having the fire rating of not less than 120 min. The openings
in the floors shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings,
 having a fire resistance of not less than 120 min and all openings therein being protected with a
fire-resisting assembly as specified in 3.4.5.6.

3.4.5.3 For Type 4 Construction, openings in the fire separating walls or floors shall be fitted with
120 min fire-resistance rated assemblies.

Service Ducts & Shafts NBC 2005 said -

3.4.8.3 Openings in walls or floors which are necessary to be provided to allow passages of all
building services like cables, electrical wirings, telephone cables, plumbing pipes, etc., shall be
protected by enclosure in the form of ducts/shafts
having a fire resistance not less than 2 h. The inspection door for electrical shafts/ducts shall be
not less than 2 h and for other services shafts/ducts, the same shall have fire resistance not less
than 1 h. Medium and low voltage wiring running in shafts/ducts, shall either be armoured type or
run through metal conduits. Further, the space between the conduits pipes and the walls/slabs
shall be filled in by a filler material having fire
resistance rating of not less than 1 h.
NOTE — In the case of buildings where it is necessary to lower or lift heavy machinery or goods
from one floor to the other, it may be necessary to provide larger openings in the floor. Such
openings shall be provided with removable covers which shall
have the same strength and fire resistance as the floor.

NBC 2016 says -

3.4.5.4 Service ducts and shafts

Openings in walls or floors which are necessary to be provided to allow passages of all building
services like cables, electrical wirings, telephone cables, plumbing pipes, etc., shall be protected by
enclosure in the form of ducts/shafts having a fire resistance not less than 120 min. The inspection
door for electrical shafts/ducts shall be not less than 120 min. Further, medium and low voltage
wiring running in shafts, shall either be armored type or run through metal conduits. Further, the
space between the cables/conduits and the walls/slabs shall be filled in by a fire stop material
having fire resistance rating of not less than 120 min. This shall exclude requirement of fire stop
sealing for low voltage services shafts.
For plumbing shafts in the core of the building, with shaft door opening inside the building, the
shafts shall have inspection doors having fire resistance rating not less than 30 min. For plumbing
shafts doors which open in wet areas or in naturally ventilated areas or on external wall of the
building, the shafts may not require doors having any specified fire rating.

NOTE – In the case of buildings where it is necessary to lower or lift heavy machinery or goods
from one floor to the other, it may be necessary to provide larger openings in the floor. Such
openings shall be provided with removable covers which shall have the same strength and fire
resistance as the floor.

Electrical Installations NBC 2005 said –

3.4.10 Electrical Installations

For requirements regarding electrical installations from the point of view of fire safety, reference
may be made to good practice *4(9)+ (see also Part 8 ‘Building Services, Section 2 Electrical and
Allied Installations’).
 C-1.12(a) The electric distribution cables/wiring shall be laid in a separate duct. The duct shall be
sealed at every floor with non-combustible materials having the same fire resistance as that of the
duct. Low and medium voltage wiring running in shaft and in false ceiling shall run in separate
conduits;

NBC 2016 says -

3.4.7 Electrical Installation

For requirements regarding electrical installations from the point of view of fire safety, reference
may be made to good practice [4(8)+. (see also Part 8 ‘Building Services, Section 2 Electrical and
Allied Installations’ of the Code).

The electric distribution cables/wiring shall be laid in a separate shaft. The shaft shall be
sealed at every floor with fire stop materials having the same fire resistance as
that of the floor. High, medium and low voltage wiring running in shaft and in false ceiling shall run
in separate shafts/conduits.

Air Handling Unit NBC 2016 says -

3.4.8.2 Air handling unit

3.4.8.2.2 Shafts or ducts, if penetrating multiple floors, shall be of masonry construction with fire
damper in connecting duct work or shall have fire rated ductwork with fire dampers at floor
crossing. Alternatively, the duct and equipment may be installed in room having walls, doors and
fire damper in duct exiting/entering the room of 120 min fire resistance rating. Such shafts and
ducts shall have all passive control meeting 120 min fire resistance rating requirement to meet the
objective of isolation of the floor from spread of fire to upper and lower floors through shaft / duct
work.

Duct Work NBC 2016 says -

3.4.8.3 Duct work

3.4.8.3.3 Wherever the ducts pass through fire walls or floors, the opening around the ducts shall
be sealed with materials having fire resistance rating of the compartment. …….

3.4.8.3.5 The material used for insulating the duct system (inside or outside) shall be of non-
combustible type. Any such insulating material shall not be wrapped or secured by any material of
combustible nature.

Glazing NBC 2016 says -

3.4.10 Glazing

3.4.10.1 The glazing shall be in accordance with Part 6 'Structural Design, Section 8 Glass and
Glazing' of the Code. The entire glazing assembly shall be rated to that type of construction as
given in Table 1. This shall be applicable along with other provisions of this part related to
respective users as specified therein. The use of glass shall not be permitted for enclosures of exits
and exit passageway.

Glass Façade NBC 2005 said -

Requirements
 3.4.19 Glass of facade for high rise buildings, etc. shall be of minimum 1 h fire resistance rating.

NBC 2016 says -

3.4.10.2 Glass facade shall be in accordance with the following: -

a) For fully sprinklered buildings having fire separation of 9 m or more, tempered glass in a non-
combustible assembly, with ability to hold the glass in place, shall be provided. It shall be ensured
that sprinklers are located within 600 mm of the facade glass providing full coverage to the glass.
NOTE – In case of all other buildings, fire resistance rating of glass facade shall be in accordance
with Table 1.
b) All gaps between floor-slabs and facade assembly shall be sealed at all levels by approved fire
resistant sealant material of equal fire rating as that of floor slab to prevent fire and smoke
propagation from one floor to another.
c) Openable panels .... ,

Fire Command Center NBC 2016 says -

3.4.12 Fire Command Center (FCC)

(d) The fire staff in charge of fire command center shall be responsible for the maintenance of the
various services and firefighting installations in coordination with security, electrical and civil staff
of the building.

Exit Requirements NBC 2016 says -

4.2 General Exit Requirements

4.2.17 Penetrations into and openings through an exit are prohibited except those necessary like
for the fire protection piping, ducts for pressurization and similar life safety services. Such
openings as well as vertical passage of shaft through floors shall be protected by passive systems.

Protected Escape NBC 2005 said-

Routes
4.10 Pressurization of Staircases (Protected Escape Routes):
4.10.1 Though in normal building design, compartmentation plays a vital part in limiting
the spread of fire, smoke will readily spread to adjacent spaces through the various
leakage openings in the compartment enclosure, such as cracks, openings around pipes
ducts, airflow grills and doors, as perfect sealing of all these openings is not possible. It is
smoke and toxic gases, rather than flame, that will initially obstruct the free movement of
occupants of the building through the means of escape (escape routes). Hence the
exclusion of smoke and toxic gases from the protected routes is of great importance.

NBC 2016 says -

4.4.2.5 Smoke control of exits

(a) In building design, compartmentation plays a vital part in limiting the spread of fire
and smoke. The design should ensure avoidance of spread of smoke to adjacent spaces
through the various leakage openings in the compartment enclosure, such as cracks,
openings around pipes ducts, airflow grills and doors. In absence of proper sealing, smoke
 and toxic gases will obstruct the free movement of occupants of the building through
theexits. Pressurization of staircases is of great importance for the excusion of smoke and
toxic gases from the protected exit.

Compartmentation NBC 2005 said -

Area
C-1.8 All floors shall be compartmented with area not exceeding 750 m2 by a separation
wall with 2 h fire rating, for floors with sprinklers the area may be increased by 50
percent. In long building, the fire separation walls shall be at distances not exceeding
40 m. For departmental stores, shopping centers and basements, the area may be
reduced to 500 m2 for compartmentation. Where this is not possible, the spacing of the
sprinklers shall be suitably reduced. When reducing the spacing of sprinklers, care should
be taken to prevent spray from one sprinkler impeding the performance of an adjacent
sprinkler head.

NBC 2016 says -

4.5.2 All floors shall be compartmented/zoned with area of each compartment being not
more than 750 m2. The maximum size of the compartment shall be as follows, in case of
sprinklered basement/ building:

In addition, there shall be requirement of a minimum of two compartments if the floor

plate size is equal or less than the areas mentioned above. However, such requirement of
minimum two compartments shall not be required, if the floor plate is less than 750 m2.

Compartmentation shall be achieved by means of fire barrier having fire resistance rating
of 120 min.

Additional NBC 2016 says –

requirements for
high rise buildings Annex E - Additional requirements for high rise buildings

For high rise buildings, seismic bracings shall be considered for fire-fighting installations
depending on seismic vulnerability of the region and type of occupancy.
E-7 Fire and Life NBC 2016 says -
Safety Audit
Annexure E: Clause E-7

a) Fire and life safety audit shall be carried out for all buildings having a height of
more than 15 m.
b) Such audits shall preferably be conducted by a third party auditor having
requisite experience in life safety inspections.
c) Frequency of such audits shall be once in two years

Annex J - Fire and NBC 2016 says –

life safety
requirements for J-6 Fire separation and compartmentation -
metro stations
J-6.1 Fire compartments shall be provided in transit stations in accordance with the
provisions of this section. Fire ratings of various occupancies within open stations and
enclosed stations shall be as indicated in Table 27.

J-6.2 Further transit station shall be divided into fire compartments by means of
compartment walls and compartment floors by a fire separation of at least 120 min
between following occupancies: a) Public area and non-public area, (b) transit and non-
transit area, and (C) Ancillary areas located beneath and within 3m of the train way in
open stations.

J-6.3 No fire separation shall be required for occupancies like ticketing offices, toilets,
other offices and the like.

J-6.4 Incidental kiosks inside stations for other purposes like commercial use, etc. shall be
fire separated (120 min rating) from the station building, if areas occupied by such
occupancies exceed 6 m2.