Section 15: Access to buildings for firefighting personnel – flats

Provision of firefighting shafts

15.1 In low rise buildings without deep basements, access for firefighting personnel is typically achieved by providing measures for fire service vehicle access in Section 13 and means of escape.

15.2 A building with a storey more than 18m above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level should have one or more firefighting shafts, each containing a firefighting lift (Diagram 15.1). The number and location of firefighting shafts should comply with paragraphs 15.4 to 15.7. Firefighting shafts are not required to serve a basement that is not large or deep enough to need one (see paragraph 15.3 and Diagram 15.2).

Diagram 15.1 Components of a firefighting shaft

Diagram 15.2 Provision of firefighting shafts

Diagram 15.3 Location of firefighting shafts; hose laying distances

15.3 A building with basement storeys should have firefighting shafts in accordance with the following.

a. There is a basement more than 10m below the fire and rescue service vehicle access level. The firefighting shafts should contain firefighting lifts.

b. There are two or more basement storeys, each with a minimum area of 900m2. The firefighting shafts do not need to include firefighting lifts.

The building’s height and size determine whether firefighting shafts also serve upper storeys.

15.4 Firefighting shafts should serve all storeys through which they pass.

15.5 A minimum of two firefighting shafts should be provided to buildings with a storey that has both of the following.

a. A floor area of 900m2 or more.

b. A floor level 18m or more above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level.

15.6 Firefighting shafts and protected stairways should be positioned such that every part of each storey more than 18m above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level complies with the maximum distances given in paragraph 15.7. Distances should be measured from the fire main outlet on a route suitable for laying a hose.

NOTE: If the internal layout is not known, the distance should be measured at two-thirds of the direct distance.

15.7 In any building, the hose laying distance should meet all of the following conditions.

a. A maximum of 60m from the fire main outlet in a firefighting shaft (see Diagram 15.3).

b. Additionally, where sprinklers have not been provided in accordance with Appendix E, the hose laying distance should be a maximum of 45m from a fire main outlet in a protected stairway (although this does not imply that the protected stairway needs to be designed as a firefighting shaft (see Diagram 15.3)).

Design and construction of firefighting shafts

15.8 Firefighting stairs and firefighting lifts should be approached from either of the following.

a. A firefighting lobby.

b. A protected corridor or protected lobby that complies with the following guidance.

i. Means of escape (Section 3).

ii. Compartmentation (Section 7).

Both the stair and lobby of the firefighting shaft should be provided with a means of venting smoke and heat (see clause 27.1 of BS 9999).

Only services associated with the firefighting shaft, such as ventilation systems and lighting for the firefighting shafts, should pass through or be contained within the firefighting shaft.

Doors of a firefighting lift landing should be a maximum of 7.5m from the door to the firefighting stair (Diagram 15.1).

15.9 Firefighting shafts should achieve a minimum fire resistance of REI 120. A minimum of REI 60 is acceptable for either of the following (see Diagram 15.1).

a. Constructions separating the firefighting shaft from the rest of the building.

b. Constructions separating the firefighting stair, firefighting lift shaft and firefighting lobby.

15.10 All firefighting shafts should have fire mains with outlet connections and valves at every storey.

15.11 A firefighting lift installation includes all of the following.

a. Lift car.

b. Lift well.

c. Lift machinery space.

d. Lift control system.

e. Lift communications system.

The lift shaft should be constructed in accordance with Section 6 of BS 9999. Firefighting lift installations should conform to BS EN 81-72 and BS EN 81-20.

Rolling shutters in compartment walls

15.12 The fire and rescue service should be able to manually open and close rolling shutters without the use of a ladder.