RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

3.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
3.1

Plans for submission to the Committee shall be drawn up in

accordance with the following requirements:
3.1.1 Plans shall be clear, contain all requirement details including
scale and point of Compass and shall be dated.
3.1.2 Plans of new installation shall show the entire compound; all
buildings therein, their door and window openings, and the
boundary walls. Buildings under construction and future
extension envisaged, shall be indicated by the dotted lines.
Plans of extensions to approved existing installations need
not show the rest of the compound but sufficient details shall
be given of the existing installations in correlation to the
extension, to enable the Committees Inspection staff to
check the plans and offer comments. In case of storeyed
buildings, drawings submitted shall include plans of each
storey together with sectional elevations.
3.1.3 MATERIAL
Plans shall be on White paper or ammonia paper or Ferro
Prussiate paper.
3.1.4 Plans shall generally be prepared in accordance with IS: 696,
shall not exceed 850x1200mm in size and shall be drawn to
a scale of 1:500 or 1: 1000. In case of very large compounds
having more than one risk, it is advisable to submit separate
plans for each risk with a key plan showing the relative
situations of the various risks in the compound.

3.2 SIGNS:
3.2.1 Pucca walls to be shown by double lines, doors and windows
being clearly marked.
3.2.2 Perfect party walls to be indicated by the sign T at each
end of the wall, or have the letters P.P.W along side of
across them at regular intervals and marked in distinctive
colour.
3.2.3 Fire proof doors and/or shutters to be marked as follows:
Single Fire Proof Door and/or Shutter S.F.D
Double Fire Proof Door and/or shutter D.F.D

3.3.2 Sky lights to be marked Sky Lights or S.L

3.3 INSTALLATION LAYOUT DRAWINGS:
3.3.1 GENERAL
The scale shall be not less than 1:100. Layout drawing
(dated) shall include the following information:
a) north point indication;
b) Constructional details of floors, ceiling, roofs, partition
walls
and exterior walls.
c) Sectional elevations of each floor of each building
showing the distance of detectors from ceiling, structural
features, humidification ducts, exhaust ducts etc., which
affect the detector layout.
d) the location and size of false ceiling/false floors, voids,
offices and other enclosures situated at a level lower
than the roof or ceiling proper;
e) Indication of trunking, platforms, machinery, fluorescent
light fittings, heaters, etc. which may adversely affect
layout of detectors;
f) a key to the symbols used.
g) type of detectors used.
3.3.2 Various components associated with the system protection
such as detectors, alarm panels, cables etc., shall be of a
type and make, acceptable to the Tariff Advisory Committee
and the drawings submitted shall be accompanied by full
technical specifications for the same.
3.4

No discounts will be considered for an alarm system unless the

proposal for the same has been approved in advance by
Committee and the system is fully inspected and tested by the
Committees engineers and found in order.

3.5

The prior submission of proposal to the Committee before the work

is commenced, is essential, to ensure that the installation
conforms to the Committees requirements. It does not however
dispense with the procedure laid down hereafter re-application for
the sanction of discounts.

3.6

Application for discounts shall be submitted upon completion of

the system, alongwith as erected drawings of the installation.

3.7

No application for discount can be entertained until the relative

appliances are complete, in position, ready for use and fully
operative. An appropriate discount or allowance shall be
sanctioned by the Committee from the date of receipt of the
completed application, subject to the appliances being found in
order on inspection by the Committees Inspectorate. In the event
of the installation being found incomplete or defective, the
discount will be withheld until the defects have been rectified to
the satisfaction of the Committee.

3.8

No allowance shall be granted for Fire Alarm System until notified

by the Committee either by letter or circular. It can be granted with
effect only from the date specified in such notification.

3.9

Insured are advised not to change block numbers as this affects

the Committees records and causes confusion. If block numbers
are changed, the Committee shall be notified at once.

3.10 COMMITTEES INSPECTION STAFF:

3.10.1 The Committee undertakes, as far as possible a periodical
inspection of all premises in which fire alarm appliances,
entitling the risk to discounts for such appliances, are
installed.
3.10.2 For this purpose, the Committees inspecting engineers
shall have the right of access to the premises of the Insured
at any time with or without any prior notice.
3.10.3 The primary duty of the engineers is to report to the
Committee on the condition and efficiency of the appliances
installed as well as to ensure that the regulations are being
observed. They will, however, give help and advice in the
maintenance of the appliances and on matters pertaining to
fire protection and prevention.
3.10.4 The attention of the engineers shall be drawn during their
visits, to any change effected since earlier inspection or to
any contemplated extension and alteration to the existing
services. This procedure does not, however, dispense with
the necessity of advising the Insurance Company of any
changes, which affect the plan of the risk or the details of the
appliances recorded with the Committee.
________________________________ RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
5.

TYPES OF FIRE DETETORS, THEIR CHOICE AND MANUAL CALL

POINTS:

5.1 GENERAL INFORMATION:

5.1.1 Fire detectors are designed to detect one or more of three
characteristics of a fire i.e. smoke, heat or radiation (flame).
No one type of detector is the most suitable for all
applications and final choice is dependent on the individual
circumstances. It is often useful to employ a combination of
different types of detectors.
5.1.2 Most fire detectors, are affected not only by the level of the
detected phenomena but also by the behaviour of the
phenomena with time. In some cases it is the rate of change
of phenomena; in others it is the effect, e.g. delays in smoke
entry or thermal lags.
5.1.3 All fire detectors respond to some extent to phenomena
other than fire leading to false alarm situations, which is
discussed elsewhere in these rules.
5.2 TYPES OF DETECTORS:
5.2.1 HEAT DETECTORS:
There are two types of heat sensitive detectors. One is
the
`point type of detector responding to the
temperature of the gases in the immediate vicinity of a
single point. The other is the `line type detector, which
responds to the temperature of the gases in the vicinity
of a line (not necessarily straight line). Line type
detectors can be integrating or non-integrating.
In the integrating type the response to the temperature
at one point on the line is modified by the temperature of
the remainder of the line while in the non-integrating
type the response to temperature at one point is
independent of the temperatures at other points on the
line.
In both types (point and line), there are two main
subdivisions as stated below:
a) Fixed temperature (static) elements: These are designed
to Operate when they reach a pre-selected threshold
temperature.
b) Rate of rise temperature elements: These are designed to
operate when their temperature rises abnormally quickly.
The heat detectors must comply with IS: 2175. A combination
of these two types of detectors is most ideal.

5.2.2 SMOKE DETECTORS:

There are two commonly used detectors for detecting
smoke:
a) IONIZATION CHAMBER SMOKE DETECTORS: These are
based on the principle that the electric current flowing
between electrodes in an ionization chamber is reduced
when smoke particles enter the chamber.
b) OPTICAL TYPE SMOKE DETECTORS: These operate by
detecting the scattering or absorption of light by smoke
particles.
There are point type smoke detectors, which detect
smoke at one position. These may be used on optical or
ionization principles.
There are `aspirating smoke detectors I which
air is taken from a number of positions to a
central detector and there are `Beam type
smoke detectors working on the principle of
optical obscuration principle. Beam detectors
are effectively line detectors since they can
detect presence of smoke in only a small part of
the beam.
There are some optical beam smoke detectors, which can
sense thermal turbulence from a fire by detecting the
refraction of the beam at the turbulent interfaces between
hot and cold air.
The smoke detectors must comply with IS:
11360. It is ideal to use a combinations of
smoke detectors with diddc3ferent operating
principles for efficient detection and elimination
of false alarms.
5.2.3 FLAM DETECTORS:
Flame detectors detect ultra-violet and/or infrared
radiation. Both types use radiation sensitive cells that
`see the fire either directly or through built-in lenses or
reflectors.
Infra red detectors are intended to respond to the
flickering radiation emitted by the diffusion type of flame
normally found in fires. Because of the presence of other
infra red sources, such as the sun, if red flame detectors

usually have some method of discriminating between fire

and non-fire radiation; flicker sensing or the use of one or
more infra red emission bands.
Ultra violet flame detectors detect the ultra violet
radiation emitted by the flames and normally operate in
a range of way lengths from 200nm to 260nm. Solar
radiation in this range is absorbed by the high attitude
ozone layer, and hence ultra violet detectors do not
normally respond to sunlight.
Combination of infrared and ultra violet detectors
operating on single or dual wavelengths are used for
special applications.
Ember detectors operating in the infrared region are
used to detect moving fires.
Spark detectors operating in infra red region are useful in
ducts and similar concealed area applications.
5.2.4 LINEAR HEAT SENSING CABLES:
Linear heat sensing can be broadly divided into two
categories: Digital or Analogue, depending upon the
principle by which the sensing cable registers a change
in temperature.
Digital sensor consists of a two-core cable in which the
conductors are separated by a heat sensitive insolent.
When a specified temperature is reached, the cable
insulation breaks down and an alarm is indicated. In the
case of analogue sensor, cores are separated by a
negative temperature co-efficient polymer whose
resistance will reduce in proportion to the temperature
increase.
These cable are used for detecting fire and overheating
in certain specific occupancies-(a) Cable tunnels, trays
and vaults, (b) Material conveyors, (c) Bulk storage multiracked areas, (d) Rim seals of floating roof tanks storing
hazardous chemicals
and (e) a few other special
occupancies.
5.3 CHOICE OF FIRE DETECTORS:
5.3.1 GENERAL

Every fire alarm system is a compromise. It is possible to

increase the sensitivity of detectors but that would
probably increase the frequency of false alarms.
It is possible to reduce the losses by reducing the
spacing between the detectors or using several types of
detectors in the same area but these would increase the
cost of the system
It is possible to increase the frequency of testing but this
might lead to increased disturbances on the premises.
Since each type of detector has its own advantages and
disadvantages, and no one type of detector is most
suitable for all applications, the choice of a detector to
be used for a particular application is always a
compromise.
In any automatic detection system a detector has to
discriminate between a fire and the normal environment
existing within the building.
The system chosen shall have detectors that are suited
to the conditions and that provide the earliest reliable
warning.
Each type of detector responds at a different rate to
different kinds of fire. With a slowly smoldering fire such
as the initial stages of a fire involving cardboard, a
smoke detector would probably operate first. A fire that
evolves heat rapidly and with very little smoke could
operate a heat detector before a smoke detector could
operate first.
In general, smoke detectors would give appreciably
faster responses than heat detectors but may be liable o
give false alarms.
A combination of various detectors is necessary. The
likely fire behaviour of the contents of each part of the
buildings, the processes taking place or planned and the
design of the building shall be considered. The
susceptibility of the contents to heat, smoke and water
damage shall also be considered.
Heat and smoke detectors rely on transport or the
products of combustion from the fire to detector by
process of convection. These detectors therefore require
presence of a structure like ceiling to get the combustion
products directed on to them. In vie of this, heat and

smoke detectors are most suitable for indoor

applications. These detectors are unsuitable for outdoor
applications.
Flame detectors are suited for outdoor application. They
are especially suited to risks in which smoldering is
unlikely e.f. liquid fuels.
Flames detectors within buildings/building are used to
supplement heat and smoke detectors, particularly in
high ceiling structures provided an unobstructed view is
available for the detectors from the height.
The choice of the detectors may also be affected by the
environmental conditions within the premises. In general,
heat detectors have a greater resistance to adverse
environmental conditions than other types.
Again the location of detectors e.g. those nearer to
blowers, air conditioning ducts etc. make them
insensitive for sometime resulting in belated or no
detection.
5.3.2 HEAT DETECTORS:
Heat detectors, in general, are less sensitive than smoke
detectors. They are unlikely to respond to smouldering
fires. They are not suitable for the protection of places
where small fires can cause high losses e.g. computer
rooms.
These are suitable for use in situations where sufficient
heat is likely to be generated and damage caused by
heat generated by fire contributed main hazards.
Heat detectors with rate of rise elements are more
suitable where ambient temperatures are low or vary
only slowly, while fixed temperature detectors are more
suitable where the ambient temperature is likely to
fluctuate rapidly over short periods.
5.3.3 SMOKE DETECTORS:
Ionization type detectors are particularly sensitive to
smoke containing small particles such as that produced
in rapidly burning flaming fires, but may be less sensitive
to the larger particles found in optically dense smoke
which may be produced by smoldering materials.

Certain materials like PVC when over heated produce

mainly larger particles to which ionization type detectors
are less sensitive.
Optical detectors are sensitive to larger, optically active
particles, found in optically dense smoke but are less
sensitive to the small particles found in clean burning
fires.
Smoke detectors cannot detect the products of
combustion from clean burning liquids (such as alcohol),
which do not produce smoke particles.
Optical detectors incorporating thermal turbulence
detection are suitable for clean burning liquids.
5.3.4 FLAME DETECTORS:
These are not suitable for detecting smouldering fires.
These detectors, being dependent on the straight-line
transmission of flame radiation, are the fastest detectors
in comparison with conventional detectors. These are
most suited to surveillance of open large areas,
warehouses, yards, flammable liquid processing areas
etc. These detectors require a clear and uninterrupted
line of sight.
5.4 MANUAL CALL POINTS:
Manual call points must be clearly identifiable and simple to use
without the need for instructions as to their method of operation.
The method of operation of all the call points shall be identical
unless there is a special need for differentiation.
If necessary a strike shall be provided adjacent to the call point to
facilitate breaking of the frangible cover.
The delay between operation of a call point and the giving of general
alarm shall not exceed 3 seconds.
The manual call points shall comply with IS: 2189, in all respects.
5.5 OTHER TYPE OF DETECTORS:
Detection systems not covered specifically under these rules may be
used subject to submission of all details with full particulars in
advance to the Committee and their approval thereafter.
++++++++++

RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

4.

ZONING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS:

4.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
4.1.1 In most of the buildings an alarm of fire may initiate a
number of different activities, e.g. provision of assistance,
commencement of fire fighting operations and emergency
evacuation procedures, summoning of fire brigade etc., It is
essential that these activities are well co-ordinate. In the preplanning of emergency procedures for a building it is
therefore important, for ease of communication and
synchronization of effort, to fix a convenient number of easily
identifiable sectors/zones, which the building can be divided.
The detectors and manual call points within sectors/zones
shall be wired to the Control and indicating equipment.
The entire electrical installation pertaining to the entire fire
alarm system as described above shall be independent of
other systems.
4.1.2 When a signal of fire is given it is necessary that there should
be no Confusion about the zone from which it is received.
To facilitate response by persons providing assistance, the
zone should be small enough for a fire located quickly.
It is advisable to provide adequate fire separation between
the zones.
4.1.3 In larger premises, the fire alarm system shall be so
designed and arranged that it is fully compatible with the
emergency procedures and provides at some central or
convenient point, or points, an indication of the zone from
which an alarm has originated.
In the case of two stage alarms, clear and unambiguous
signals should indicate the emergency procedure to be
adopted throughout each zone.
4.1.4 If the requirement of detectors or call points is less than 20
in any
area, division of the
area into zones is not necessary. Similarly, sectorization is
not necessary if the number of zones is not very large.
4.1.5 For larger systems covering more than one building it may
be necessary to create sectors in addition to zones in order

to restrict the number of zones from which alarms originate

simultaneously or in succession.
4.1.6 It is not always possible to provide definite guidelines
regarding the requirements for the division of sectors etc., as
stated above due to the fact that the configurations are not
same for all risks. The division into zones and/or sectors
should be decided based o careful consideration on the type
of risk and accessibility
of zones in respect of main
circulation routes and the main control and indicating
equipment.
4.1.7 In general, the signals used in different zones in the same
premises should be the same unless the background noise in
one or more zones is such as to require different sounders.
4.1.8 The zoning arrangement for systems in multiple occupations
shall take into account the fact that the premises may not all
be occupied at the same time. No zone shall include areas in
more than one occupancy.
4.2 SIZE AND NUMBER
DETECTORS)

OF

ZONES

(PROTECTED

WITH

4.2.1 The floor area of a single zone shall not exceed 2000 m 2.
4.2.2 The search distance i.e. the distance that has to be travelled
by a searcher inside the zone to determine visually the
position of the fire, shall not exceed 30M.
Remote indicator lamps outside doors of rooms, cabins etc.,
within a zone may be useful, if doors are likely to be locked.
Making an area easier to search, the use of remote indicator
lamps reduce the need for a large number of smaller zones.
4.2.3 If the total floor area of a building is 300 m 2 or less, it may be
considered
as a single zone even though there may be
more than one storey.
4.2.4 Where the total floor area of a building is greater than 300
m2, all zones shall be restricted to a single storey.
Note 1 If the total floor area of a fire compartment is 300 m 2
or less, and if any communication with other fire
compartments is only at the lowest level of the
building, such fire compartment may be considered
as a single 00.zone even though there may be more
than one stories within it;

Note 2 If detectors and call points are fitted in stairwells,

light wells, lift wells and other flue like structures
extending beyond a floor but within one fire
compartment, the volume of the well or shall may be
considered as one separate zone.
Note 3 The total floor area is the combined total of the floor
areas of all the storeys, not just the plan area of
building.
4.2.5 Where a special risk is present within a large protected area,
e.g. a spray painting both in engineering workshop, and it is
considered important to obtain rapid identification of fire in
that risk, such special risk shall be deemed as a separate
zone.
4.2.6 Where a zone extends beyond a single compartment, the
zone boundaries shall be the boundaries of the fire
compartments.
Note 1
It is permissible to have two complete fire
compartments in one zone, or two complete zones in
one fire compartment.
Note 2
It is not permissible to have a zone, which
extends into parts of two compartments, or a
compartment, which extends into parts of two zones.
4.2.7 If the arrangement of an area is complex and time is likely to
be wested in search for the fire, not withstanding any limits
shown above, the area shall be further sub-divided into
zones that are easier to search.
4.3 SIZE AND NUMBER OF ZONES (PROTECTED WITH MANUAL
CALL POINTS)
4.3.1 In systems containing only manual call points, location of a
fire is usually known to the person operating the call point.
As it is often difficult to get information in time to the safety
personnel, the restriction on the size and number of zones
(rules under section 4.2 above) shall also apply to the
systems protected with manual call points only.
Note: In case of outdoor plants, open storages and tank
farms, size of zones shall be decided in consultation
with the Committee.
4.3.2 To prevent misleading indication of the position of the fire, it
is advisable that manual call points be indicated in the
control equipment separately from the detectors in zones,

which are protected, by both detectors and manual call

points. Circuits for the detectors and the call points should be
different.
4.4 SOUND LEVEL:
Sounders for the alarm panels shall be suitably distributed
throughout the protected risk to ensure that the alarm is heard
anywhere in the protected installation. A minimum sound level of
either 65 dB (A) or 5dB(A) above any other noise likely to persist
(even for a short time) shall be required for the sounders.
++++ +++++ ++
RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

6.

SPACING
POINTS:

AND

SITING

OF

DETECTORS

AND

MANUAL

CALL

6.1 GENERAL
A well laid out detection system can perhaps do nothing to reduce
the incidence of fire but can certainly help to lessen the resultant
loss by reducing the delay between ignition and the start of
effective fire fighting.
Heat and smoke sensitive detectors depend on the convective
movement of the combustion products from the fire to the
detector.
The spacing and siting requirements for these detectors are based
on the needs to restrict the time taken for movement of
combustion products to ensure that these combustion products
reach the detectors fitted in the ceiling in adequate concentration
within a reasonable time lag.
6.2 SPACING OF DETECTORS:
6.2.1 For the open areas under flat horizontal ceilings, the
horizontal distance from any point in the area to the detector
(point type) shall not exceed 5.3M for heat detectors or 7.5
m for smoke detectors.
Incase of line type detectors, spacing of not more than 18 M
between two projected beams and not more than half that
spacing from an external wall parallel to the beam may be
used.

Beam length shall not exceed maximum permitted by

approving authority.
Incase of air sampling detectors, distance between detector
and farthest fan shall not exceed 10Mtrs.
6.2.2 The maximum allowable height of the compartment is 7M for
the Purpose of rule 6.2.1 above.
In case the height of the compartment exceeds 7M, the
following restrictions shall apply.
6.2.2.1SMOKE DETECTORS:
a) UPTO 7 M HEIGHT - either ionization or optical
detector or a combination of both depending on
occupancy.
b) ABOVE 7M BUT LESS THAN 10M HEIGHTcombination of ionization and optical detectors in
a ratio of 1:1 with spacing reduced to 5M.
c) ABOVE 10M UPTO 25M HEIGHT- optical beam
detectors or air sampling detectors.
6.2.2.2HEAT DETECTORS:
a) UPTO 5M HEIGHT: Fixed temperature (static)
element type detectors or combination detector
having fixed and ROR elements, Grade 2or 3;
preferably in the ratio 1:1
b) ABOVE 5M UPTO 9M HEIGHT: Rate of rise cum
fixed temperature (static) element type detectors
with spacing reduced to 3.5M (Grade 1 only):
c) MORE THAN 9M HEIGHT: Heat detectors at
these heights are not acceptable.
Note: Grade 1,2 & 3 mentioned above are as perIS:
2189-1996.
6.2.3 Where high air movement prevails in the protected blocks,
the following additional provisions shall apply (excluding
those for protection of false ceiling, false floor plenums and
shafts) over the restrictions stated in rules 6.2.1 and 6.2.2
above.
Multiplying factor for modified

Air changes Per

hour inside block

Spacing

(area
coverage)

less than 7.5

8.5
10.0
12.0
15.0
20.0
30.0
60.0

1.00
0.95
0.91
0.83
0.74
0.64
0.50
0.38

(1.00)
(0.91)
(0.83)
(0.70)
(0.55)
(0.40)
(0.25)
(0.15)

Note: Air changes per hour is defined as:

60X volume per minute of air supply to the protected space/
(Volume of protected space)
6.2.3.1 Detectors shall not be located in the vicinity of
supply air diffusers. Minimum distance between the
detector and the air inlets/diffusers shall be at least
1.5 m.
6.2.3.2 Detectors shall be so mounted as to favour the air
flow towards return air openings.
6.2.3.3 The above provisions shall not disturb the normal
population (count) of detectors, which is provided
assuming that air-handling systems are off.
After designing the detector spacing, it shall be
crosschecked to ensure that there is at least one
smoke detector for every 100 m2 or one heat detector
for every 50m2 of the compartment area.
6.2.4 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
6.2.4.1Ceilings and Roofs:
Protection of ceiling and roofs shall conform to BS:
5839, Part-1.
6.2.4.2Corridors:
If the corridors are less than 5M wide, the distance
between the detectors (see rule 6.2.3) may be
increased by half the difference between the actual
width and 5M. If the corridor is more than 5M in
width, the same shall be treated as a normal
compartment.

6.2.4.3Walls and Partitions:

a) Detectors shall not be mounted within 500 mm of
any walls or partitions.
b) If a compartment is divided into sections by walls,
partitions or storage racks, their height shall be
such that the distance between the top of the
latter ad the ceiling shall be greater than 450
mm.
If the height difference is less than 300 mm, each
section shall be deemed as separate room for
provision of detectors.
6.2.4.4Obstructions:
a) Any ceiling obstruction (such as beam, duct
etc.,), the depth of which is more than 150mm
the distance between the detectors (see rule
6.2.3) in the vicinity of such obstruction shall be
decreased by twice the depth of obstruction.
However if the depth of obstruction is more than
10% of the ceiling height, such obstruction shall
be treated as a wall and provision of detectors
shall be governed by rule 6.2.4.3 above.
b) Detectors shall not be mounted within 500mm of
obstructions. However, in case of minor
obstructions like light fittings etc., the distance
may be reduced to 250mm.
6.2.4.5Voids and False-Floors:
All voids and false-floors having height of more than
800mm shall be provided with detectors and such
detectors shall be installed within 150mm of the
ceiling of such voids or false floors.
6.2.4.6 Enclosed Staircases,
Penetrations:

Vertical

Shafts and Ceiling

Where stairways, enclosed chutes or shafts or lifts,

hoists
or
escalators
penetrate
ceiling/floors,
detectors shall be sited at each level within 1.5M of
the penetrations. In case of stairways not penetrating
through the ceiling, detectors shall be provided at
each of the landings.

6.2.4.7 The Committee reserves its rights to insist on

additional detectors wherever considered necessary
depending upon the site of the detector installation
to take care of adverse effects of stratification,
surrounding environment, construction features etc.
6.2.4.8 Where there are more enclosures or cabins per
floors, false floors, false Ceilings, plenums and shafts,
response indicators should be provided at permanent
places.
6.2.5 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
a)

b)

Where the atmosphere inside a block is subject to

sudden or rapid changes in temperatures e.g. kitchen,
boiler house etc., ROR type of heat detectors should be
avoided to minimise false alarms.
Where ambient temperatures are likely to be high, the
operating temperatures of the heat detector should be at
least 30 degrees C above the maximum anticipated
ambient temperature.

c)

Toilets, WC blocks Bathrooms etc. need not be provided

with detectors even when they from a part of the
protected areas unless they are of more 2 M2 in area.

d)

A detector shall be placed within 1.5Mfrom any door,

window or other openings in the wall partitions between
protected and non-protected premises.

e)

Every enclosure like a cabin, however small it is, within

the
protected compartment shall be provided with
detector(s).

f)

Reference shall be made to the Committee in advance

with full Particulars in following cases:
i) Installation of smoke detectors within ventilation
ducts;
ii) Siting of optical beam type smoke detectors having
transmitter and receiver components;
iii) Layout of detectors in compartments where heating
arrangements are provided (stratification of smoke).
iv) For
areas
which
are
subject
to
adverse
environmental Conditions like vibration, pollution,
shock etc.

6.3 SITING OF MANUAL CALL POINTS:

6.3.1 Manual call points shall be so located that, to give an alarm,
no person in the premises has to travel distance of more
than 30 m to reach them.
Where necessary, the travel distance may require to be
reduced to less than 30M e.g. where there is difficulty in free
access within the risk or in potentially dangerous risks.
6.3.2 Call points shall be fixed at a height of 1.4M above the
surrounding Floor level, at easily accessible, well-illuminated
and conspicuous positions, which are free of obstructions.
6.3.3 Where the call points are not visible from the front as in the
case of a Long corridor, they shall be surface mounted or
semi-recessed in order to present a side profile area of not
less than 750 mm.
Manual call points shall be housed in dust proof and moisture
proof enclosure properly sealed with rubber lining.
The glass surface should be minimum 30 cm 2 in area and
glass thickness should not exceed 12mm.
6.3.4 Approval of the Committee must be obtained before
commencing the Installation for their specific requirements if
any.
6.3.4 Manual call point shall be located preferably near entry to
staircases at various levels.
6.5 SITING OF FLAME DETECTORS:
6.4.1 GENERAL
a) The location and spacing of the detectors shall be based
on sound engineering evaluations taking into account the
following:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)

size of the fire requiring detection,

fuel involved,
sensitivity of detectors,
distance between the fire and detector,
radiant energy absorption of the atmosphere,
presence of other sources of emission and
purpose of detection system.

b) Certain
flame detectors respond to the instantaneous
level of radiation received while others depend upon the
level received over a period.
In either case the response will depend on the distance
between the flame detector and the fire, since the
radiation level received is inversely proportional to the
square of this distance. Increased distance from the fire
will, therefore, lead to an increase in the size of the fire at
detection.
c) A clear line of sight to the area being protected is of great
importance but at the same time care must be exercised
to avoid a direct line of sight to likely sources of non-fire
radiation to prevent false alarms.
6.4.2 SPACING GUIDE-LINE:
a)

Sufficient no. of detectors shall be used and they shall

be
Positioned such that no point requiring detection in the
hazard area is obstructed or outside the field of view of
at least one detector.

b)

In applications where, the fire to be detected could

occur in
an area not on the optical axis of the
detector, the distance
shall be reduced or
alternatively more detectors added to
compensate for
the anguladis placement of the fire.

c)

The spacing of the detectors shall vary from fuel to

fuel. It
is therefore necessary to fix the
distances as per the recommendations of the
manufacturers.

d)

The location of the detectors shall also be such that

structural members or any other opaque objects or
materials do not impede their line of sight.

e)

When installed outdoors, detectors shall be shielded

to prevent diminishing sensitivity due to rain, snow, ice
etc., and allow a clear vision of the hazard area.

f)

Approval of the Committee must be obtained

before commencing the installation for their specific
requirements.

6.5 SITING OF MISCELLANEOUS DETECTORS:

6.5.1 SPECIAL SPRINKLERS:

For the spacing of sprinklers particularly those of types like

thermo electric, pre-action etc. reference shall be made to
the Committees rules for Sprinkler Installation
6.5.2 CABLE GALLERIES:
6.5.2.1 Each cable tray shall be protected by LSHS cable
unless the vertical distance between the trays is
uniformly less than 500 mm in which case alternate
trays (in addition to the top and bottom trays) shall
be protected.
6.5.2.2 The LSHS cable shall be laid on the cables at the
centre Line of the cable-runs either straight along the
cables or zigzag and back and forth across the ladder
and trays.
6.5.2.3 It is also possible to suspend the LSHS cables below
the trays so as to be within 200 mm of the cable-runs
at a pitch of 1.2 M like a catenary.
6.5.2.4 Where the width of the tray exceeds 1M, two LSHS
cables shall be laid on the trays as above.
Alternatively, cables maybe laid in an zigzag fashion
in which case pitch of the zigzag profile shall not
exceed 1.2 mtrs.
6.5.2.5 It is always necessary to install two LSHS cables
below
the lower most tray because
accumulation of filth, rubbish
and waste
in such areas is a distinct possibility rendering
them fire-prone.
6.5.2.6 Approval of the Committee must be obtained before
commencing the installation for their specific
requirements.
6.5.3 BELT CONVEYORS:
a)

The following fire situations are considered for the

protection of the conveyors with LSHS cables.
a) Stationery conveyor, b) Moving conveyor, c) Belt
Roller friction, d) Belt friction with adjoining portions
of the structures, e) Spill of fuel, lubricants and the
like on the return belt).

The LSHS cables can be considered for detection of

any one combination of two or more of the situations
described above.
b)

The method of mounting the LSHS cables under

the above circumstances depends upon convenience of
mounting as well as the vulnerability of the LSHS cables.
The LSHS cables shall be mounted as close to the Risks
mentioned above as possible i.e. on both sides of the belt
rollers, or above the material carrying belt on separate
supports or combination of both depending on the
circumstances.

c)

Approval of the Committee shall be obtained

before commencing the installation for their specific
requirements if any.

6.5.4 For other types of risks to be detected by the installation

Of LSHS cables, Committee shall be approached in advance
with full particulars.
6.6

Every fire detector should be allotted an identification number

Preceded by alphabetical initials showing the type of
detector from the time of inspection prior to commissioning.
++++ ++ +++
RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

7. CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENT;

7.1 GENERAL:
Control and indicating equipment comprise components for the
reception, indication, control and relay signals originating from
detectors or calls points connected to it., for the activation of alarm
sounders and alarm sign alling devices.
The equipment shall be available for zones, sectors and the main
control area as the case may be.
7.2 LOCATION:
The control equipment has two important functions. It is the point
from which the systems are controlled and the point at which the
system indications are given. Various considerations are therefore
associated in respect of location of the equipment as below:
7.2.1 ACCESSIBILITY TO THE STAFF:

The members of staff on duty will be the first to require

information given by equipment, indicating the zone affected.
Location of the equipment shall therefore be such that many
people are likely to be around at any given time.
7.2.2 AVAILABILITY TO THE FIRE FIGHTING STAFF:
The equipment shall preferably be located in ground floor
or near the entrance points which are used by fire fighting
staff or fire brigade.
If multiple entries are likely to be used repeater panels are
necessary near such entrances.
7.2.3 LIGHTING LEVEL:
The ambient light level in the vicinity of the equipment shall be
such that the indications from the panels are clearly visible.
Wherever necessary additional lighting should be provided, the
supply for which must be taken from the alarm circuits.
7.2.4 SOUND LEVEL:
The sound level in the vicinity shall be such that the audible
indications from the panel are distinctly heard.
A minimum sound level of either 65 DB (A) or 5 DB (A) above
any other noise likely to persist (even for a short time) shall be
required for the sounders.
7.2.5 FIRE PRONE AREAS:
The equipment shall be so situated that they are unlikely to be
involved in a fire before adequate warning is given. If the
system uses automatic detectors then the area in which C&I
equipment is cited should also be covered by detection
system.
7.2.6 MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY RISKS:
The location of the equipment shall be in a mutually agreed
common area so that all the occupants have access to the
indicating equipment.
7.2.7 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Where the equipment is situated outdoors or in severe
environments (within or outside a building) care shall be taken
to protect the equipment from the adverse surroundings.

7.3 INDICATION OF ORIGIN OF ALARMS:

7.3.1 PURPOSE:
Except in buildings where a fire can be located without delay,
the fire alarm system shall indicate the origin of alarm. The
indications shall be such that they can be easily, quickly and
unambiguously related to the position in the building from
which the alarm has originated. The indications shall be clear
both to staff who may have to assist in evacuation or fire
fighting and to the external fire brigade.
7.3.2 INDICATIONS
The primary indication of the origin of alarm shall be an
indication of the zone of origin.
In very large installations, a graded series of displays maybe required,
with a central indicator panel specifying the sector of origin, and a further
panel within the sector to show the zone origin.
Except in small premises, the display giving only the identification of
individual detectors may be difficult to interpret; and could lead to
difficulties in assessing the spread of fire or the occurrence of secondary
fires. Such a display, if provided, shall be subsidiary to the main zonal
display.
7.3.3 METHOD OF INDICATION
Many variations are possible in the method of indication
depending upon different situations and the size of the
installation. Rapid location of the fire within the premises must
be possible.
Where one compartment split into several zones, the indication should
preferably show the absence of fire separation between the zones.
The indications in the panel can be through display of letter and/or
numbers or permanent mimic diagram and/or Video Display Units or a
combination of the above.
7.3.4 POWER SUPPLY:
The power required for the display shall be derived from the fire alarm
panel itself and power requirements for all sector and zonal panels shall be
derived from the main control panel.
All these loads shall be considered at the time of design with a
view to arrive at the power requirement for the alarm system
at the initial stages.

7.4 SECTOR AND ZONAL PANELS AND C & I EQUIPMENT:

The requirements for the sector/zonal panels and also the control
and indicating equipment shall be governed by relevant provisions
under IS-2189.
The provisions shall include requirements of audio-visual alarm
signals, fault signals, DC voltmeter, alarm sounders, MCPs etc.
The main panel as well as sector/zonal panels shall have certification
of specified authorities as per the testing Clauses of IS-2189.
+++++++++