Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIRE
WALL
FIRE
WALL
stairs
FIRE
WALL
stairs
space in these areas must be large
enough to accommodate all occupants
Figure 9.32
Concept of 'refuge'
FIRE RESISTING CONSTRUCTION
DELINEATED
AREA
COMMUNICATION
UNIT
ESCAPE
FLOW
FIRE DOORS
Figure 9.33
A refuge in a stairway
all recognise the importance of the concept of a refuge
(see below).
At its simplest, it means that the disabled, infi rm
or those of limited mobility will only have to move a
short distance within the building to another fi re resist-
ing compartment or protected zone to await further
evacuation.
In the case of disabled persons in shops and offi ces,
the concept is limited to the provision of fi re-protected
'refuge areas' on each fl oor level adjoining lifts and stairs
which serve the building.
In other premises, buildings are subdivided into
subcompartments, which afford fi re containment and
reception areas for those evacuating as illustrated above.
In addition to the provision of a fi re resistant lobby
area (or similar) with a safe route from the storey exit, a
satisfactory refuge may also be an area in the open air
such as:
➤
Flat roof
➤
Balcony
➤
Podium.
Each of which must be protected or remote from the fi re;
they must also both have a satisfactory means of escape.
Stage 3 Travel - out of the fl oor of origin
If the occupants of a building are on a level other than
the ground fl oor, the next stage is vertical escape travel
to ground level. Even if the evacuation plan involves the
use of refuge and fi re resisting compartments on the
