NOTE General recommendations applying to all building types are given in

Section 4 to Section 9. This annex gives additional recommendations that are specific to shopping complexes. Such buildings need to meet both the general recommendations in Section 4 to Section 9, and the specific recommendations given in this annex.

COMMENTARY ON ANNEX E

a) Unique Fire Safety Issues:

Shopping complexes have distinct fire safety challenges compared to single shops.

b) Annex Purpose:

Describes these challenges and provides recommendations for mitigating fire hazards.

c) Applicability:

Recommendations are generally suitable for most new shopping complexes.

d) Exceptions:

May not be practical or necessary for small developments, uncovered shopping complexes, or existing premises incorporated into shopping complexes.

E.1 Planning in relation to fire

E.1.1 Site planning

a) Town Centre Redevelopment:

Shopping complexes in town centre redevelopments face fire safety challenges due to existing surrounding developments.

b) Fire Safety Considerations:

Access for fire-fighters, servicing, parking, and the interface with surrounding buildings must be carefully designed.

c) Incorporating Existing Buildings:

Ensure fire safety standards of existing buildings incorporated into the new complex do not compromise the overall fire safety, and provide necessary fire separation.

d) Out-of-Town Complexes:

Typically face fewer restrictions and offer opportunities for large-scale leisure facilities; fire safety strategies should consider the impact of these additional activities.

E.1.2 Common public areas

COMMENTARY ON E.1.2

a) Malls as Key Public Areas:

Malls are the main public spaces in shopping complexes.

b) Uncovered Malls:

Fire safety concerns are similar to conventional shopping areas; ensure sufficient width for escape and minimize fire spread between units.

c) Covered Malls:

Pose additional fire safety challenges that need to be addressed.

The following issues relating to common public areas should be taken into account in the building design.

a) Covered Shopping Complex Goals:

Aim to create a comfortable environment, regardless of weather, leading to potentially higher occupancy, including at-risk individuals.

b) Escape Challenges:

Unlike open-air high streets, people must escape through the mall, which acts as a substitute for the public highway, requiring safe and unobstructed routes.

c) Motivation to Escape:

People in large internal spaces may not recognize fire threats immediately and tend to underestimate fire spread speed, leading to delayed evacuation.

d) Solution:

Implement a comprehensive fire safety package, including staff training, evacuation management, and appropriate escape criteria to ensure safety based on the risk profile.

NOTE These aspects are dealt with in E.4 and E.5.

E.1.3 Atria and multi- level malls

The recommendations in Annex B should be followed for buildings containing atria.

a) Multi-Level Mall Fire Safety:

Similar to atria, there is a risk of fire on lower levels compromising the safety of those on upper levels.

b) Smoke Control:

Essential to implement smoke control measures to mitigate this risk. (see E.5.5).

E.1.4 Servicing and car parking

a) Servicing Arrangements:

· Critical as complex size increases.

· Ground-level servicing from open areas is safest but rare in urban developments.

· Urban complexes may require basement, rooftop, or intermediate level servicing.

· Ensure strict segregation of vehicular and pedestrian areas and adequate fire separation between shopping areas and servicing zones.

b) Car Parking Considerations:

· Site-specific needs dictate car park design and placement.

· In emergencies, people, especially those with mobility impairments, may try to leave via the car park, potentially causing contraflow with normal escape routes.

· Design should avoid conflicts between escape routes and car park exits.

c) Fire and Rescue Access:

· Plan vehicular exits and fire service access points carefully to avoid conflicts.

· Larger complexes may require multiple fire service access points, with car park exits positioned to avoid interference.Top of Form

E.2 Compartmentation

E.2.1 General

a) Fire Spread Prevention:

Shopping complexes require measures to prevent fire from spreading between units.

b) Structural Fire Barriers:

Install barriers between individual shop units and between large units and the central mall.

c) Separation of Different Uses:

Fully separate areas within the complex that serve different main purposes.

E.2.2 Compartment size

As in all other building types, compartment size is related to the risk profile (see Clause 6).

For shopping complexes, the area limits in Table E.1 should be applied to the largest single shop unit plus the mall area combined.

Table E.1 Compartment size limits for shopping complexes

B2 Shop Units:

Units larger than 4,000 m² must be separated from the mall by a fire-resisting barrier, regardless of mall designation.

B3 Shop Units:

Units larger than 2,000 m² must be separated from the mall by a fire-resisting barrier, regardless of mall designation.

Shop Unit Walls:

Must be fire compartment walls.

Multi-Storey Centres:

Floors between separate shop units must be fire compartment floors

Single Shop Unit on Multiple Storeys:

Internal floors within the same unit need not be fire compartment floors unless specified.

Shop Front Fire Barrier:

In multi-storey units, the shop front facing the mall at all but one level must be a fire compartment barrier, except within specified limits.

NOTE This is to limit smoke volumes entering the mall at multiple levels from exceeding any mall smoke control system capacity.

The following walls and floors should also be constructed as compartment walls and compartment floors:

a) walls between units and service corridors;

b) floors covering (or partially covering) roads; and

c) walls separating covered fire service access roads and covered servicing areas from the remainder of the complex.

E.2.3 Mall width

Mall Width Requirement:

To reduce early fire spread between facing shop units, the central mall should be at least 6 meters wide (5 meters for uncovered malls).

Width Reduction:

Width may be reduced if calculations show that an appropriate separation distance is maintained, based on the extent of unprotected area and a notional boundary along the mall’s centreline.

E.3 Facilities for the fire and rescue service

E.3.1 Access and water supplies

COMMENTARY ON E.3.1

a) Low-Rise Complexes:

Large plan footprints may limit fire and rescue service access within standard hose distances.

b) Access Challenge:

Usual perimeter access might be insufficient for reaching all areas.

c) Solution:

Allow extension of protected entry using a horizontal fire main, as per BS 9990, to improve access to deeper plan areas.

E.3.1.1 Vehicle access routes

Roadways used for fire and rescue service access should meet the general recommendations for vehicle access in Clause 21.

NOTE 1 In addition, it might be acceptable within the boundaries of a large complex to use service roadways for vehicles delivering goods. If they are covered or are at low level then special provisions might be needed to make it possible to use them for fire and rescue service access. If they are above ground level, access into a building from the roadway may be both upward and downward.

a) Floors Over Access Roadways:

Should be designed to minimize collapse risks onto fire appliances during a fire.

b) Ramps to Upper Levels:

Must have suitable gradient, load-bearing capacity, and width to support fire appliance use.

NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to the approving authority’s construction requirements for access roadways.

· Hard-Standings: Preferably level or with a gradient not exceeding 1 in 12.

Enclosed Access Roads:

- Fire Resistance: Minimum of 120 minutes.
- Requirements:

a) Ventilation for exhaust fumes from operating fire appliances.

b) Emergency communication systems.

c) Primary lighting.

d) 3-hour emergency escape lighting (BS 5266-1).

e) Adequate water supplies.

E.3.1.2 Shopping complexes with the topmost floor level less than 7.5m above fire and rescue service access level

a) Topmost Floor Level ≤ 7.5 m Above Access: No fire-fighting shaft or protected entry route needed.

b) Fire Appliance Location:

· Within 18 m of and in sight of an entry point to the building.

· Access Distance:

· Without Sprinklers: No more than 45 m from appliance to any part of the floor plan.

· With Sprinklers: No more than 60 m from appliance to any part of the floor plan.

c) Horizontal Fire Main: Consider using a dry or wet fire main (BS 9990) for deep floor plans.

· Dry Fire Main:

· Breeching inlet valve ≤ 18 m from appliance.

· Breeching inlet to outlet valve ≤ 27 m in a single storey complex.

· Wet Fire Main:

· Breeching outlet valve ≤ 45 m from appliance in a single storey complex.

d) Outlet Valve Location:

· Without Sprinklers: ≤ 45 m to all parts of the floor plan.

· With Sprinklers: ≤ 60 m to all parts of the floor plan.

e) Multi-Storey Complexes:

Fire mains for upper levels must be within a fire-fighting shaft, following relevant recommendations.

f) Design Measurement:

If internal layout is unknown, use a direct line measurement of two-thirds of the access distance to all parts from the outlet valve for planning, ensuring compliance when occupied.

Figure E.1 Access to floor areas in complexes with top floor level less than 7.5m above fire and rescue service access level (without fire main)

E.3.1.3 Shopping complexes with the topmost floor level greater than 7.5m above fire and rescue service access level

a) Shopping Complex > 7.5 m Floor Level:

· Must provide access to all floors via a fire-fighting shaft. (see 20.1.1, Table 17 and Figure E.3).

The number, location, approach and access provisions, protection and layout of the fire-fighting shafts should be in accordance with 20.2.

NOTE No allowance is made for extending any horizontal distance for deep floor plan complexes unless a firefighter’s lift is included within the fire-fighting shaft designed in accordance with 20.4.1 (see Figure E.3). Where such a lift is included, the fire-fighting lobby may be extended so that the distance from the stair door to reach a breeching outlet valve does not exceed 18 m [Figure E.2a)].

E.3.1.4 Shopping complexes with the topmost floor level greater than 18m above fire and rescue service access level

a) Shopping Complex > 18 m Floor Level:

· Must have a fire-fighting shaft providing access to all floors.

· The shaft must include a firefighter's lift.

· Fire-fighting shaft provisions (number, location, access, protection, layout) must comply with specified standards.

b) Note: No extension of horizontal distance is allowed for deep floor plan complexes

Figure E.2 Access to floor areas in complexes with top floor level not greater than 7.5 m above fire and rescue service access level (with fire main)

E.3.2 Communications for fire and rescue service use

Communications systems should be provided within the complex in accordance with Clause 23.

E.3.3 Fire control centre

a) Fire Control Centre: Required within the complex for immediate incident control by the fire and rescue service upon arrival.

b) Compliance: Must meet the recommendations specified in Clause 24.

E.3.4 Occupancies (other than units) associated with shopping complexes

a) Independent Access: Accommodation for other uses (e.g., offices, entertainment) above or within a shopping complex requires separate fire and rescue service access from the shopping complex.

b) Fire-Fighting Shafts: Should be independent of the shopping complex.

c) Perimeter Roadways: Must be available for emergency use at all times if used to access other occupancies.

Figure E.3 Access to floor areas in complexes with top floor level greater than 7.5m above fire and rescue service access level

E.4 Planning of escape

E.4.1 Escape routes serving units and other occupancies

COMMENTARY ON E.4.1

a) Smoke Risk: A fire in a shop within a covered shopping complex can produce smoke that endangers people in other units facing the same mall.

b) Alternative Escape Routes: Provide alternative means of escape from these units, either at a different level or to a different final exit.

c) Service Corridor:

For most units, the alternative exit may pass through a service corridor, except for large units.

E.4.1.1 Number of escape routes from units

a) Escape Design: Means of escape from units must follow Section 5 guidelines.

b) Small Units and Kiosks:

c) Provide alternative means of escape if the unit exceeds 25 m² in area and 5 m in depth (distance from mall frontage to the back, including non-retail space).

NOTE Escape routes from units are illustrated in Figure E.4.

Alternative Means of Escape:

For any unit (excluding small units or kiosks), provide at least one alternative means of escape:
- Different Level: Discharge at a different level from the unit entrance.
- Same Level: Discharge to a different final exit.

Occupant Capacity > 300:

Exits from such units should not lead into a service corridor.

Figure E.4 Alternative escape routes from units

E.4.1.2 Distance of travel and number of escape routes in malls

NOTE Travel distance within units is determined by the relevant guidance on that type of occupancy. This annex covers the escape route(s) from unit exits to the final exit(s) to a place of ultimate safety. The mall is likely to be a major element of this escape route.

a) Distance to Nearest Mall Exit: Limit the distance to the nearest mall exit, which can be into a protected corridor leading to a final exit.

b) Escape Routes:

· Malls and walkways should have sufficient escape routes so travel distance from any point does not exceed limits in Table 11 (minimum fire protection) or Table 15 (additional fire protection).

· Routes should allow safe escape through alternative exits in different directions if confronted by fire.

c) Units as Escape Routes: Units should not be used as escape routes from malls or walkways due to trading hours and staff supervision issues.

E.4.1.3 Width of mall exits

COMMENTARY ON E.4.1.3

a) Mall Features:

Malls function like public thoroughfares with fire safety features: compartmentation, sprinklers, smoke control, and multiple exits.

b) Evacuation Requirements:

Mall and exit widths must allow prompt evacuation.
Smoke control systems maintain escape routes but cannot delay evacuation indefinitely.

c) Exit Width Calculation:

Minimum width of escape routes and exit doors: W=F×PW = F \times PW=F×P
- WWW = total required width (mm)
- FFF = minimum door width per person (mm)
- PPP = greater of mall or shop unit population.
Minimum single exit width: 1.8 m.

d) Large Units:

Large units facing each other or on upper levels can exceed mall capacity.
Large units have additional exits and initial buffer zones.
Detailed fire alarm and evacuation planning needed.

e) Obstructions:

Consider obstructions (e.g., escalators, kiosks) when calculating effective mall width.

NOTE 1 Wider mall are often provided to reduce crowding, and it is unreasonable to assume that very wide malls will be occupied to a high density throughout.

Therefore, it is reasonable to modify the floor space factor in malls greater than 8 m in width, as it is not expected that malls exceeding this dimension will be occupied to the same density as narrower malls.

To calculate the mall population (PPP):

This formula helps estimate the population based on the size and width of the mall.

where:

P is the calculated mall population;

A1 is the area of the mall up to 8 m in width;

A2 is the area of the mall in excess of 8 m in width.

NOTE 2 An area of the mall with fixed tables and chairs may be assessed as having a population equivalent to the seating capacity of that area or 1.0 m2 per person where this is not known.

E.4.1.4 Escape routes using service corridors

COMMENTARY ON E.4.1.4

a) Alternative Means of Escape:

Required for most units (except those with occupant capacity exceeding 300).

b) Service Corridors:

Can be used as an escape route if:

Restrictions: Specific limitations are imposed on their use.

c) Illustrations:

Escape routes using service corridors and goods lifts are shown in Figures E.5 and E.4.

Figure E.5 Service corridors and goods lifts

a) Smoke Spread Control:

Implement measures to minimize smoke spread in service corridors.

b) Corridor Size:

- Width: 2 m to 3 m.
- Accommodations: Must allow 500 mm clear width for goods.

c) Service Corridor Usage:

- Exits: Each unit should have no more than one exit onto the corridor.
- Length: If exceeding 45 m, provide exits at both ends.
- Direct Access: Should lead to a storey exit.

d) Inspection and Monitoring: Corridors should be regularly inspected and monitored by video cameras.

e) Separation:

- Protected Lobby: Required between corridor and ancillary spaces or goods lifts.
- Lobby Depth: Should not exceed 12 m unless alternative means of escape are provided.

f) Smoke Control:

- Protected Lobby: Use for separating units from the corridor.
- Fire Doors: Subdivide the corridor if linking multiple exits.
- Smoke Control System: Must be acceptable to the fire authority.

g) Stair Protection: Stairs from service corridors should be protected.

h) Large Units: Units with occupancy greater than 300 should not exit onto service corridors.

NOTE It is not necessary for doors to subdivide the corridor if access to the units is via protected lobbies or the service corridor is provided with smoke control.

E.4.1.5 Escape routes using unloading areas, service roads, vehicular roadways and car parks

a) Escape Route Use:

· Unloading areas, service roads, and vehicular roadways should not be used as escape routes unless necessary.

· If used, provide designated pedestrian routes, segregated and unobstructed.

b) Requirements for Escape Routes:

· Definition: Clearly defined and protected with barriers as per BS 6180.

· Width: Minimum of 2 m.

c) Car Parks for Escape:

· Should be:

· Separated from the complex by fire-resisting construction.

· In the open air.

· A separate building/block with open-air bridges.

d) Mall Exit Restrictions:

· Exits should not lead directly into car parks, service roads, or basement areas.

NOTE Escape routes across service areas are illustrated in Figure E.6.

Figure E.6 Escape routes across service areas

E.4.1.6 Escape from occupancies other than units

a) Complexes with various occupancies (office blocks, hotels, residential areas, entertainment venues) require distinct internal escape arrangements for each type.

b) Alternative exits should not lead directly into a mall, even if they have mall access.

c) Escape routes from different occupancies must be separate from protected stairways serving malls or units.

E.4.2 Escape routes serving other facilities available to the public (other than car parks and public transport facilities)

a) Public facilities should be addressed as a single unit for fire safety provisions.

b) Shopper convenience facilities (e.g., child-minding) should be located near main exits of the complex.

E.4.3 Escape routes serving non-public common areas and ancillary accommodation

COMMENTARY ON E.4.3

a) Ancillary accommodations in shopping complexes should be located in non-public areas to isolate potential hazards from public spaces.

b) These include rooms for engineering services, stores, servicing areas, and management offices.

c) Management suites may be treated as units, but remote management areas are considered ancillary accommodations.

d) Non-public areas and ancillary accommodations must have escape routes with travel distances within specified limits (Table 11 or Table 15 based on fire protection measures).

e) Alternative escape routes from delivery and servicing areas should not involve entry into retail units.

f) Glazed areas separating escape routes from ancillary spaces must comply with fire safety standards.

g) Ancillary accommodations should be separated from protected stairways by a protected lobby or corridor and from public corridors by a protected lobby.

h) Corridors accessing ancillary spaces should be fire-protected, with fire-resisting, self-closing doors, and divided by smoke control doors where necessary.

i) Connecting and dead-end corridors should be separated to restrict smoke movement.

j) Ancillary spaces must be separated from other building parts as per specific fire safety requirements.

NOTE Recommendations for corridors are given in 16.3.11.

E.4.4 Stairs and final exits

E.4.4.1 External escape stairs

a) Public escape routes in shopping complexes should generally avoid using external stairs.

b) If external escape stairs are unavoidable, they must be treated as protected stairways.

c) These external stairs should comply with specific fire safety recommendations (E.4.4.2 to E.4.4.6).

E.4.4.2 Number of protected stairways

a) Accommodation stairs and escalators in multi-level shopping complexes should not be considered as part of the planned means of escape.

b) They may be used during evacuation if they remain free from smoke and heat.

c) Covered shopping complexes should have smoke control systems to keep all mall sections usable for escape.

d) Protected stairways serving the malls should remain usable until evacuation is complete.

NOTE The safety of stairs serving other parts of the complex, e.g. car parks, cannot be ensured for an unlimited period of time. In these cases, all but the one nearest the fire can be expected to remain usable until any necessary evacuation is complete.

There should be not less than two protected stairways available from each storey and each car parking level.

E.4.4.3 Sitting of protected stairways

Access to protected stairways should, so far as is reasonably practicable, be sited away from open connections between mall levels.

E.4.4.4 Basement stairs

COMMENTARY ON E.4.4.4

a) Preferably, stairs to basements should be accessed at ground level from the open air, ensuring smoke from basement fires doesn’t obstruct exits for ground and upper levels.

b) If stairs are protected from smoke (e.g., by pressure differentials or ventilated lobbies), they can extend from upper levels to basement levels.

c) In shopping complexes on sloping sites, lower mall levels may be treated as basements, but if they have compatible smoke control systems, protected stairs can extend down without extra precautions.

d) Protected stairways connecting basement and upper levels should have a protected lobby unless:

They have a smoke control system per BS EN 12101-6:2005, or
The basement is a lower mall level with adequate smoke ventilation.

E.4.4.5 Access lobbies and corridors to protected stairways

COMMENTARY ON E.4.4.5

a) Direct access from malls to protected stairways is acceptable without lobby protection due to mall smoke control.

b) Service corridors behind units, lacking smoke control, need to be protected corridors.

c) Enhanced protection is required for corridors connecting mall exits with storey exits and for firefighting stairs.

d) Protected stairways should be approached via a protected lobby or corridor in these cases:

· When connecting ground/upper storeys with basements or serving only basements (ventilated protected lobbies/corridors are required unless smoke control systems are in place).

· When providing access to an enclosed car park (ventilated protected lobbies/corridors needed at each access level).

· When serving both a mall/walkway and a service corridor (service corridor must be separated by a protected lobby).

e) Corridors connecting mall exits to protected stairways or final exits should be protected, with no openings to adjacent areas.

E.4.4.6 Discharge from stairs and final exits

a) The safest arrangement for stairs or final exits is direct discharge to the street at ground level.

b) In large complexes where this isn't possible, alternative routes to final exits should avoid the mall, such as via service yards, car parks, or basements, ensuring safe egress.

c) External escape routes between final exits and street level (e.g., across concourses or service yards) should be clearly defined and guarded with protective barriers per BS 6180.

d) Transformer chambers, boiler rooms, and refuse areas should not have openings that compromise escape routes.

e) Upward escape routes (e.g., to service decks) may be acceptable in some cases, but should be assessed for smoke accumulation risks.

f) Final exits should be immediately apparent to those using stairs that serve storeys above and below the exit point.

E.5 Fire protection facilities

E.5.1 Fire detection and fire alarm system

a) Each unit in the complex must have a fire detection and alarm system conforming to BS 5839-1:2013, capable of stand-alone operation and interfacing with the central system.

b) The unit's system must transmit signals for alarms and faults to the central control room and receive signals for alarm activation within the unit.

c) The central fire detection and alarm system, covering common areas, should also conform to BS 5839-1:2013 and integrate with unit systems for coordinated monitoring and operation.

d) Interfaces between the central system and unit systems must prevent faults from affecting the central system, with relays and equipment housed separately, maintained by the complex owner, and wired by the central system installer.

e) Manual call points are required throughout the complex (excluding malls), with automatic detectors in non-public common areas and other necessary locations.

f) The complex should be divided into fire detection zones to identify fire origins, with each unit designated as one or more zones, and larger units potentially comprising several zones.

g) The central control room should house the central fire detection and alarm indicating equipment, with repeater panels at fire service access points if the control room is remote.

h) Fire detection zones should align with smoke control zones where applicable, and the complex should be divided into fire alarm zones for simultaneous audible/visual warnings.

i) Sectors may include multiple detection zones needing simultaneous evacuation, and warnings may be needed across multiple alarm zones based on the fire location.

j) The central control room should be able to initiate evacuation signals across all fire detection zones or the entire complex.

k) Installation, servicing, testing, and maintenance of all systems must comply with BS 5839-1:2013.

l) The central fire detection and alarm control equipment, including power supplies and monitoring, should be managed by the shopping complex management.

NOTE 1 It is acceptable for signals related to the operation of, or faults within, fire extinguishing equipment in units (e.g. sprinklers, gaseous systems) to be transmitted via the same interface as is used for fire alarm signals from that unit.

NOTE 2 Fire detection and fire alarm systems in covered non-public common areas which are totally fire- and smoke-separated (including fire shutters operated only by automatic smoke detection) may be zoned independently from units and public common areas.

E.5.2 Fire detection system

a) All covered non-public common areas and stockrooms in shopping complexes should have an automatic fire detection system in addition to any fire control measures.

b) Automatic fire control systems triggered by detectors should be combined and tested together.

c) Public areas/malls with smoke control systems should have automatic smoke-sensitive detectors on each level (e.g., under balconies).

d) Units with fronts extending to balcony/walkway edges should have automatic smoke detectors.

e) Units with independent smoke control systems should have a type L3 fire detection system per BS 5839-1:2013.

f) Fire detection systems should be zoned in line with smoke control and other fire protection devices.

g) Systems should prevent accidental detector activation from affecting other fire protection devices outside the fire zone.

h) Activation signals from multiple zones (e.g., units or malls) should be compatible and complementary.

i) All fire detection equipment for life safety or property protection must meet BS 5839-1:2013 standards.

j) Installation, servicing, testing, and maintenance should follow BS 5839-1:2013 recommendations.

NOTE Covered non-public common areas which are totally fire- and smoke-separated (including fire shutters only operated by smoke detectors) may be zoned independently from units and public common areas.

E.5.3 Control of evacuation in a fire- Communications with public common areas

a) A public address/voice alarm system per BS 5839-8:2013 is required in all covered malls of a shopping complex.

b) Emergency announcements should start with a distinctive, accessible alarm unique to all emergency situations.

c) The central control room should have the ability to make separate announcements in each covered mall or address preselected areas simultaneously.

NOTE Recommendations for public address/voice alarm systems are given in 15.3.

E.5.4 Sprinkler systems

a) Sprinkler protection is generally required throughout covered shopping complexes, with exceptions:

· In areas with a suitable alternative fixed fire suppression system.

· In separate occupancies where sprinklers are inappropriate, provided an alternative fire protection system is installed.

· In totally fire-separated occupancies that don't share escape routes and follow their own standards.

b) Sprinkler system design, installation, maintenance, and user responsibilities should comply with BS EN 12845 (for new systems) or BS 5306-2 (for existing systems).

c) Sprinkler systems must be connected to duplicate water supplies as per BS EN 12845 or BS 5306-2.

E.5.5 Smoke control provisions

COMMENTARY ON E.5.5

a) In a covered shopping complex, smoke from a fire in one unit can quickly spread via the mall, threatening the entire complex.

b) Evacuation can take longer than the time for smoke to fill the mall, making effective smoke control crucial.

c) Most fire fatalities result from smoke exposure, so adequate automatic smoke control is essential for safe evacuation.

d) Smoke control systems also aid firefighting by reducing hazards in smoke-filled environments.

e) Smoke control provisions cover public common areas, individual units, other occupancies, and non-public common areas.

f) Smoke control methods include smoke ventilation (natural and powered) and pressurization.

E.5.5.1 General

a) Variations from smoke control recommendations must be approved by enforcing authorities.

b) Smoke control should be an integral part of shopping centre design.

c) Design should follow BS 7346-4, BR 368, and BR 186.

d) Smoke control installations must comply with BS 7346-8.

e) Smoke barriers should meet BS EN 12101-1 standards.

f) Natural ventilators should comply with BS EN 12101-2.

g) Powered ventilators should meet BS EN 12101-3.

h) Electrical installations must adhere to BS 8519.

E.5.5.2 Control of automatic smoke ventilation

a) Smoke control measures should activate immediately upon smoke detection, prioritizing automatic systems over manual controls.

b) A fire and rescue service override must be provided at a location agreed with the fire authority.

c) Automatic systems should include:

d) Shutting down mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning, including air curtains and refrigerated display systems.

e) Opening smoke ventilators, releasing smoke curtains, and activating powered smoke ventilation.

f) Replacement air arrangements should be planned in consultation with the fire authority based on smoke detection location.

g) Smoke detection should be automatic and include:

h) Detection at mall ceilings.

i) Additional detection below upper-level balconies/canopies if applicable.

j) Smoke control systems should be permanently fixed or automatic, and fail-safe where possible.

k) Electrical connections for smoke control should operate immediately upon fire detection.

l) Smoke detection equipment must comply with BS 5839-1:2013.

m) For smoke control within units, a type L1 smoke detection system as per BS 5839-1:2013 is required.

E.5.5.3 Smoke control arrangements in common area (other than in malls)

COMMENTARY ON E.5.5.3

a) Non-public areas with servicing facilities, including basements and roof areas, often involve stair traffic that requires upward movement, necessitating enclosed and protected stairways with ventilated lobbies.

b) To ensure safe public stair use during evacuations, stairs must be kept free from smoke and heat for adequate evacuation time.

c) Fire-resisting enclosures and self-closing doors typically provide this protection, but additional precautions are needed for stairs serving basements or high-risk areas.

d) Smoke control for fire-fighting shafts is addressed in section 27.1.

E.5.5.3.1 Smoke control in enclosed car parks

Enclosed car parks must have smoke ventilation via:

a) Permanent vents with an area of at least 2.5% of the floor area, with at least half of this area evenly distributed across two opposing walls.

b) Or a powered smoke ventilation system conforming to BS 7346-4 or BS 7346-7.

E.5.5.3.2 Smoke shafts

a) Smoke shafts discharging to open air should be:

· Unobstructed or covered with non-combustible grilles/louvres.

· Or equipped with smoke outlet terminals per BS EN 12101-2 or BS EN 12101-3.

b) Smoke shafts should:

· Be separate from different basement levels and high-risk areas (e.g., boiler rooms, oil-filled switchgear, storage spaces, car parks).

· For natural systems, have a cross-sectional area at least as large as the smoke outlets or be supported by hydraulic calculations.

· Be enclosed with solid non-combustible material with a fire resistance rating equal to or greater than the storey they serve or pass through.

Annex E (normative) Recommendations for shopping complexes