Standards and regulations on fire prevention and fighting in high-rise buildings in general

According to Article 6 of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP, residential areas must ensure the following fire safety conditions:

• There are regulations on fire prevention and fighting, on the use of electricity, fire and flammable and explosive substances according to statutes of the Ministry of Public Security.
• Have a transportation system, water sources for firefighting, solutions to prevent the spread of fire, and fire prevention and fighting equipment to ensure quantity and quality in accordance with technical regulations and standards on fire prevention and fighting according to regulations of the Ministry of Public Security.
• Have a firefighting plan approved by competent authorities.
• There is a civil defense force trained in fire prevention and fighting skills and ready when required to fight fires on the spot.

The investor is responsible for ensuring that the entire project area meets fire prevention standards. Specifically, according to Article 14 of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP, the responsibilities of investors in investment and construction are regulated as follows:

• Prepare project design in accordance with regulations and approved planning. Construction will only proceed when the fire prevention and fighting design is approved by the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police. 
• Organize, inspect and supervise construction in accordance with the approved fire prevention and fighting design. During the construction process, if there are changes or adjustments to the design, additional designs must be drawn up to ensure compliance with fire prevention and fighting regulations and the changes must be approved before construction.
• Organize acceptance of fire prevention and fighting for projects and be responsible for acceptance results. The investor presents documents for fire prevention and fighting design approval and acceptance when requested by a competent authority.

Fire prevention and fighting standards in high-rise buildings

Criteria to be followed in the design and construction of high-rise buildings

Design to ensure fire prevention and fighting

According to the provisions of Clause 12 of Fire Protection Standards for high-rise buildings (TCVN 6160:1996), there must be a fire alarm system in each building. Depending on the building's use, the Investor designs the fire alarm system accordingly. When designed, a fire alarm system must be made certain of the following basic requirements:

• Detect fire rapidly
• Transmit signal clearly
• Guaranteed reliability
• In case the fire alarm system is linked to the fire suppression system, in addition to the fire alarm function, the fire suppression system must also be controlled to operate immediately to extinguish the fire promptly.
• Technical requirements for fire alarm system design and installation must comply with TCVN 5738:2021 Standard.
• After being put into operation, the automatic fire alarm system must be checked at least twice a year. Periodic maintenance of the automatic fire alarm system is carried out depending on the environmental conditions and according to the manufacturer's regulations, but at least every two years, maintenance of the entire system must be organized (clause 6 Standard TCVN 3890:2009).

Fully equipped with fire extinguishers

In Clause 5, TCVN 3890:2009 Standard stipulates that all areas and items in houses and buildings that are at risk of fire, including places equipped with fire extinguishing systems, must be equipped with portable fire extinguishers or fire extinguishers with wheels.

Automatic fire extinguishers are equipped for areas with fire hazard areas that are not frequently occupied or inaccessible to people. Arrange automatic fire extinguishers in accordance with the protected area and the hanging or placing height of each type of extinguisher.

The arrangement of fire extinguishers must ensure 50 - 150m2/ extinguisher. All potentially explosive areas must be equipped with fire extinguishers. Places equipped with automatic fire extinguishing systems also need to have portable fire extinguishers to ensure maximum safety when a fire or explosion occurs.

Fire extinguishers must be arranged logically, not concentrating too many fire extinguishers in one area, specifical:

• Area with low fire danger level: 150m2/tank
• Area with average danger level: 75m2/tank
• Area with high danger level: 50m2/tank

Build standard emergency exits

In a high-rise building, there must be at least 02 emergency exits to ensure that people can escape safely in the accident, contemporaneously create favorable conditions for the fire fighting force.

In case the area of each floor is greater than 300m2, the common corridor or walkway must have at least two exits to two escape stairs. In case the area of each floor is less than 300m2, the investor can design an escape staircase on one side, and on the other side, there must be a balcony connected to the outside emergency exits (clause 8 of TCVN 6160 Standard: 1996).

Note: The balcony connected to the outside emergency exits must implicate the number of people in the rooms on that floor.

In addition, the doors of emergency exits from floor corridors, common spaces, waiting rooms, lobbies and stairwells must not have locks so that the doors can be opened easily from the inside without a key. In buildings with fire prevention and fighting height greater than 15m, the above doors, except for apartment doors, must be solid doors or doors with tempered glass.

Doors of emergency exits from rooms or corridors are protected against forced smoke must be solid doors equipped with self-closing mechanisms and door slots must be sealed. If these doors need to be opened they must be equipped with an automatic closing mechanism in case of fire (Clause 3.2.11 Regulation QCVN 06:2021/BXD).

Other requirements for fire prevention and fighting

According to the provisions of Clause 7 of Fire Prevention and Control Standards for high-rise buildings TCVN 6160:1996, the investor must arrange an empty area in front of the exit on the I floor (ground floor). The goal is that when an unexpected situation occurs, all employees can escape safely.

Furthermore, the investor must design the interior and safe space in the building according to TCVN 2622:1995 Standard.

In addition, the investor needs to arrange 1 - 2 fire hydrants at points in the building with a water flow of 2.5 liters/ second, hydrants at a height of 1.25m above the floor surface. Fire hydrants must be placed right on the walkway, in the lobby, hallway, and in easy-to-use locations.

Each fire hydrant must be equipped with a stop valve, sprinkler nozzle and flexible hose reel with the designed length to meet Standard TCVN 2622:1995.

Investors need to carefully evaluate the construction and design of the fire prevention and fighting system to ensure full compliance with legal regulations and project characteristics. During the design, construction or installation process, a professional consulting unit will help the investor anticipate problems and minimize arising risks.

Effective fire protection measures for apartment buildings

For Investors and Management Board

• Post fire prevention and fighting rules, no-fire and no-smoking signs, and fire fighting orders in places where fires and explosions are likely to occur.
• Limit the introduction of flammable and explosive materials such as gasoline and other dangerous substances into the building; If really necessary, there should be safe fire prevention and fighting measures.
• Prepare fire-fighting and ambulance equipment and facilities appropriate to each scale and property of the fire and explosion at the project.
• Organize periodic fire prevention drills at the project and get professional training for the management team. Besides, develop programs and activities to increase awareness of the resident/tenant community about fire prevention.

For residents

• Regularly check electrical equipment; be sure to turn off unused equipment before leaving the apartment, even for a short time.
• In case of being away from home for many days, residents need to contact the Management Board to turn off electricity/water to ensure safety and avoid losses and leaks.
• Do not store large quantities of dangerous substances that cause fire or explosion such as mini gas tanks, gasoline, etc.
• Do not burn votive papers or other materials within the apartment and other areas. Burning is only carried out in areas specified by the Management Board.
• Participate in drills and activities of the Management Board to increase awareness of fire prevention and fighting.
• Comply with other fire prevention regulations according to the law.

To be able to ensure the best fire safety conditions at the high-rise building, the investor should be consulted and supported by a professional and experienced team in the management and operations of all types of real estate forms.

Taisei VN's management and operation services will help the investor meet the requirements of the law on fire prevention and fighting and simultaneously have effective solutions to ensure the safety at the project in the long term.

—-----------------------

Contact information

Taisei VN

Address: R. 1901, Saigon Trade Center, 37 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.

Hotline: 093 3797 355

Email: Cs@caresolutions.com.vn 

LinkedIn: https://taisei.com.vn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taisei.com.vn