Section 17: Access to buildings for firefighting personnel

Introduction

17.1 Facilities for fire and rescue, such as firefighting lifts, firefighting stairs and firefighting lobbies, are combined in protected firefighting shafts (Diagram 17.1). Section 8 gives guidance on the design and construction of protected shafts.

Provision of firefighting shafts

17.2 A building with a storey more than 18m above the fire and rescue service vehicle access level should have one or more firefighting shafts containing a firefighting lift. The number and location of firefighting shafts should comply with paragraphs 17.4 to 17.7. Firefighting shafts are not required to serve a basement that is not large or deep enough to need one (see paragraph 17.3 and Diagram 17.2).

17.3 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.

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

17.5 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.

17.6 At least two firefighting shafts, which do not need to include firefighting lifts, should be provided if buildings meet all of the following.

a. They are in the ‘shop and commercial’, ‘assembly and recreation’ or ‘industrial’ purpose group (purpose group 4, 5 or 6).

b. They have a storey area of 900m2 or more.

c. They have a storey height of 7.5m or more above fire and rescue service vehicle access level.

Location of firefighting shafts

17.7 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 17.8. 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.

17.8 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 17.3).

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 shaft (although this does not imply that the protected shaft needs to be designed as a firefighting shaft (see Diagram 17.3).

Design and construction of firefighting shafts

17.9 Every firefighting stair and firefighting lift should be approached from the accommodation through a firefighting lobby. 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 shaft, should pass through or be contained within the firefighting shaft.

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

17.11 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

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