HVAC Psychrometric Chart Practice Questions CIDA Fire Safety Regulations: Compartmentation, Escape Routes & Systems

CIDA Fire Safety Regulations

Focus on Compartmentation, Escape Routes, Fire Alarms & Suppression Systems

Engineering Guidelines

2023 Edition

This document focuses specifically on CIDA's fire safety requirements for compartmentation, escape routes, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression systems.

1Fire Compartmentation Requirements

Compartment Size Limitations

CIDA regulations specify maximum compartment sizes based on occupancy and fire risk:

Occupancy Type Max Compartment Area (m²) Without Sprinklers With Sprinklers CIDA Reference
Residential 2000 1000 2000 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.2
Commercial 2000 1000 2000 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.3
Industrial 4000 2000 4000 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.4
Storage 7000 4000 7000 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.5
Fire Resistance Requirements

Minimum fire resistance periods for compartment elements:

Building Height Compartment Walls (minutes) Compartment Floors (minutes) Fire Doors (minutes) CIDA Reference
Up to 15m 90 90 30 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.6
15m to 30m 120 120 60 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.7
Above 30m 180 180 90 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.8
Service Penetration Seals

Requirements for sealing services passing through compartment walls/floors:

Service Type Sealing Requirement Testing Standard CIDA Reference
Electrical Conduits Intumescent seal to match fire resistance BS 476: Part 20 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.12
Plumbing Pipes Intumescent collar or wrap BS 476: Part 20 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.13
HVAC Ducts Fire dampers with fusible links BS 9999: 2017 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.14
Cable Trays Intumescent blocks or fire-rated mortar BS 476: Part 20 CIDA Fire Code Section 4.15

2Escape Route Design Requirements

Escape Route Specifications

CIDA requirements for means of escape:

Parameter Requirement High-Risk Areas CIDA Reference
Travel Distance 18m to 45m (based on occupancy) 12m to 18m CIDA Fire Code Section 5.2
Exit Width Minimum 1000mm Minimum 1200mm CIDA Fire Code Section 5.3
Staircase Width Minimum 1200mm Minimum 1500mm CIDA Fire Code Section 5.4
Exit Doors Open in direction of escape Panic hardware required CIDA Fire Code Section 5.5
Protected Routes Fire-rated construction 120-minute resistance CIDA Fire Code Section 5.6
Staircase Requirements

Specific requirements for emergency staircases:

Requirement Specification Application CIDA Reference
Enclosure 2-hour fire rating minimum All buildings above 2 stories CIDA Fire Code Section 5.7
Ventilation Natural or mechanical smoke control Buildings above 15m height CIDA Fire Code Section 5.8
Firefighting Shaft Separate pressurized staircase Buildings above 30m height CIDA Fire Code Section 5.9
Signage Photoluminescent signs at each level All protected staircases CIDA Fire Code Section 5.10
Emergency Lighting Mandatory with backup power All escape routes CIDA Fire Code Section 5.11

3Fire Alarm System Requirements

Fire Detection and Alarm Specifications

CIDA requirements for fire alarm systems:

System Component Requirement Testing Frequency CIDA Reference
Manual Call Points Maximum travel distance 30m Weekly functional test CIDA Fire Code Section 6.2
Smoke Detectors All escape routes and high-risk areas Monthly functional test CIDA Fire Code Section 6.3
Heat Detectors Kitchens, boiler rooms, garages Monthly functional test CIDA Fire Code Section 6.4
Alarm Sounders Minimum 65dB throughout, 5dB above ambient Weekly test CIDA Fire Code Section 6.5
Control Panel Zoned indication, fault monitoring Daily visual inspection CIDA Fire Code Section 6.6
Emergency Voice Communication

Requirements for emergency voice communication systems:

System Type Requirement Application CIDA Reference
Voice Alarm Clear intelligible speech throughout Buildings > 2000m² floor area CIDA Fire Code Section 6.7
Fire Telephones Dedicated wired system Buildings > 30m height CIDA Fire Code Section 6.8
Firefighter intercom Two-way communication All protected staircases CIDA Fire Code Section 6.9
Emergency microphones At fire control room Buildings with voice alarm CIDA Fire Code Section 6.10

4Fire Suppression System Requirements

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

CIDA requirements for automatic sprinkler systems:

Parameter Requirement Hazard Classification CIDA Reference
Design Density 5.0 mm/min (Ordinary Hazard) OH1, OH2, OH3, OH4 CIDA Fire Code Section 7.2
Area of Operation 72m² to 288m² Based on hazard classification CIDA Fire Code Section 7.3
Water Supply 30-120 minutes duration Based on hazard classification CIDA Fire Code Section 7.4
Pipework Galvanized steel or approved alternative All systems CIDA Fire Code Section 7.5
Pump Capacity Designed for most demanding area All systems CIDA Fire Code Section 7.6
Special Suppression Systems

Requirements for special fire suppression systems:

System Type Application Standard Reference CIDA Reference
Clean Agent Server rooms, archives, control rooms ISO 14520 CIDA Fire Code Section 7.7
CO₂ Systems Flammable liquid storage, industrial hazards ISO 6183 CIDA Fire Code Section 7.8
Foam Systems Fuel storage, aircraft hangars, industrial EN 13565 CIDA Fire Code Section 7.9
Water Mist Heritage buildings, marine applications NFPA 750 CIDA Fire Code Section 7.10
Hydrant and Hose Reel Systems

Requirements for hydrant and hose reel systems:

System Type Requirement Application CIDA Reference
Dry Risers Buildings 18m to 60m height All compartments CIDA Fire Code Section 7.11
Wet Risers Buildings above 60m height All compartments CIDA Fire Code Section 7.12
Fire Hydrants 90m spacing around building perimeter All buildings CIDA Fire Code Section 7.13
Hose Reels 36m coverage, 30m hose length All buildings > 1000m² CIDA Fire Code Section 7.14

5Installation and Maintenance Requirements

Installation Standards

CIDA requirements for installation of fire safety systems:

System Installation Standard Certification Requirement CIDA Reference
Fire Alarm BS 5839 Certified fire alarm engineer CIDA Fire Code Section 8.2
Sprinkler Systems BS EN 12845 Certified sprinkler installer CIDA Fire Code Section 8.3
Emergency Lighting BS 5266 Certified electrical engineer CIDA Fire Code Section 8.4
Fire-resistant Construction BS 476 series Certified fire protection specialist CIDA Fire Code Section 8.5
Maintenance and Testing

CIDA requirements for maintenance and testing of fire safety systems:

System Testing Frequency Maintenance Requirement CIDA Reference
Fire Alarm Weekly functional test, annual comprehensive test Quarterly by certified technician CIDA Fire Code Section 8.6
Sprinkler Systems Weekly pump test, annual flow test Quarterly inspection, annual service CIDA Fire Code Section 8.7
Emergency Lighting Monthly functional test, annual duration test Annual full service CIDA Fire Code Section 8.8
Fire Doors Monthly visual inspection, annual operational test Annual maintenance by specialist CIDA Fire Code Section 8.9
Documentation and Records

CIDA requirements for fire safety documentation:

Document Content Requirements Retention Period CIDA Reference
Fire Safety Certificate System details, installation date, installer information Life of building CIDA Fire Code Section 8.10
Maintenance Records Test dates, results, actions taken, technician details 5 years CIDA Fire Code Section 8.11
As-built Drawings System layout, component locations, wiring diagrams Life of building CIDA Fire Code Section 8.12
Emergency Procedures Evacuation plans, firefighter information, contact details Updated annually CIDA Fire Code Section 8.13
Engineering Summary

Key engineering principles from CIDA Fire Safety Regulations:

CIDA establishes comprehensive fire safety regulations focusing on compartmentation, escape routes, alarm systems, and suppression systems to ensure life safety and property protection.
  • Proper compartmentation is essential for containing fires and protecting escape routes
  • Escape routes must be designed for safe, efficient evacuation under emergency conditions
  • Fire alarm systems must provide early warning and clear instructions
  • Suppression systems must be appropriate for the specific fire risks present
  • Professional installation and regular maintenance are crucial for system reliability
  • Comprehensive documentation is required for compliance and emergency response