Fire Protection
What SANS 10400: Part T – Fire Protection Says
What the Act Says
Essentially the legislation is concerned quite simply with the need for all buildings to be designed, constructed and equipped so that in the event of fire:
- the occupants or people using the building will be protected – including persons with disabilities;
- the spread and intensity of any fire within buildings, and the spread of fire to any other buildings, will be minimized;
- sufficient stability will be retained to ensure that such building will not endanger any other building: provided that in the case of any multi-storey building, no major failure of the structural system shall occur;
- the generation and spread of smoke will be minimized or controlled to the greatest extent reasonably practicable; and
- adequate means of access, and equipment for detecting, fighting, controlling and extinguishing such fire, is provided.
The requirements of the Act will be deemed to have been satisfied if the design, construction and equipment of buildings complies with SANS 10400 Part T and satisfies the local authority.
The Act also specifies several offences that owners of buildings need to avoid, including the need for fire extinguishers that comply with SANS 10105. Also, if people do anything to obstruct escape routes in buildings, they will be guilty of an offense.
What the Standard Says
The regulations for Fire Protection are contained in a 91 page document published by the SABS, SANS 10400: Part T Fire Protection. Much of the information is the same as that published in the 1990 version of the Standard that you can download from this site.
SANS 10400 Part T is broken down into several parts:
Requirements
The bulk of the Standard is made up of a vast number of different “requirements” that relate not only to dwelling houses, but to every other possible type of building, from hospitals to parking garages.
The requirements for effective fire protection include:
- general requirements,
- regulations relating to safety distances,
- fire performance,
- fire resistance of occupancy-separating and division-separating elements,
- fire stability of structural elements or components,
- tenancy-separating elements,
- partition walls and partitions,
- protection of openings (Note that the drawings in SANS 10400 – 1990 that illustrate this have not changed),
- raised access and suspended floors of combustible material,
- roof assemblies and coverings (the drawings remain unchanged in the new version of the Standard) including thatch,
- ceilings,
- floor coverings,
- internal finishes,
- provision of escape routes,
- exit doors,
- feeder routes,
- emergency routes,
- dimensions of components of escape routes,
- width of escape routes,
- basements,
- stairways and other changes of level along escape routes (the drawing that shows the position of doors in relation to a change in level has not changed),
- ventilation of stairways in an emergency route,
- pressurization of emergency routes and components,
- openings in floors,
- external stairways and passages,
- lobbies, foyers and vestibules,
- marking and signposting,
- provision of emergency lighting,
- fire detection and alarm systems,
- provision and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment, installations and fire protection systems,
- water reticulation for fire-fighting purposes,
- hose reels,
- hydrants,
- automatic sprinkler and other fixed extinguishing systems,
- portable fire extinguishers,
- mobile fire extinguishers,
- fire-stopping of inaccessible concealed spaces,
- protection in service shafts,
- services in structural or separating elements,
- smoke control,
- air-conditioning systems and artificial ventilation systems,
- lift shafts,
- lifts,
- firemen’s lift,
- stretcher lift,
- stage and backstage areas,
- eating arrangements in auditoriums or halls and on grandstands,
- parking garages,
- operating theatres and intensive, high or critical care units,
- installation of liquid fuel dispensing pumps and tanks,
- installation of other tanks,
- warehousing of dangerous goods,
- dangerous goods signage,
- access for fire-fighting and rescue purposes,
- resumed fire resistance of building materials and components,
- building materials,
- guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation (this is completely new),
- health care facilities (this is also completely new).
Safety Distances
Although there are other provisions, including the classification of the type of external wall, the table below may be used to establish safety distances where walls do not contain windows or other openings. For ordinary “dwelling houses” where the area of elevation facing any boundary is not more than 7,5 m2, such safety distance may be reduced to 0,5 m.
Fire Resistance
There are several tables (five in all) that indicate requirements for compliance with “Presumed fire resistance of building materials and components”.
This table shows what is required for “structural walls”.
This table shows what is required for “non-structural walls and partitions”.
Rational Designs
The design requirements include the need for a competent person to ensure that the level of fire safety is adequate. This is particularly important in large and public buildings.
This drawing shows the basic fire safety engineering process.
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Refuse Disposal
Hi, Penny
when designing a fire water system, including hose reels, hydrants and sprinkler systems, is sign-off by a Pr Eng acceptable, or is there additional sign-off required form other authorities (eg FPASA accreditation)? Thanks and regards
Matt I’m sorry but I have no knowledge of this at all. If you would like to write an article on the subject, I’d be happy to post it – and then you would be more likely to get comment from other architects. I will email you my direct email address.
Hi Penny/Janek,
Are you aware of any amendments currently being processed with Part T SANS 10400.
We’ve previously been in discussion some time ago with the NRCS with regards to some problems with Part T, and at the time they informed us that they were aware of some issues, and were looking into it. I have just emailed Rudolf Opperman from the NRCS to follow up on this, however thought I’d also inquire with you, to get another perspective.
Some issues faced with our current building application relate to some major design changes, resulting from the current Part T regs referring to fire escapes, distances from windows, distances from alternate fire escapes etc. It appears that simple, practical designs of multi-storey apartment blocks are no longer possible.
I’d love to hear any comments from other architects facing similar issues? Thanks…
All fire doors must comply with SANS 1253, Fire-doors and fire-shutters.
What are the related standards for requirements of Fire doors in buildings ??
Casper there is no definition in the National Building Regulations; there might be something in the local bylaws. But this section refers to a number of different applications – “In any industrial park, permanent amusement park or exhibition ground, shopping centre or group housing, cluster housing, or townhouse complex there shall be installed ground or raised hydrants so placed that no point in such amusement park or exhibition ground or shopping centre or in any building in such housing complex shall be at a distance greater than 90 m from any hydrant.” – Clearly they want fire hydrants wherever there are groups of buildings. So it doesn’t matter whether there are a small number of shops, or hundreds, the clause will apply. The question will then be how many hydrants are needed.
4.35 Hydrants
4.35.4 states that ‘shopping centers’ shall have hydrants installed – is there a definition or area limitation applicable to ‘shopping centers’?
Hi John, It’s not for us here to judge who is right or wrong. There are National Regulations and the regional by-laws that can vary from area to area. They will know their own local regulations. Having said that your existing prefab might have been ok if you wanted to use it for storing non-flammable materials, but you are wanting to change the “Class of occupancy” for people to occupy the building and this has a whole different set of by-laws. The fire engineer is also right as any building has to have “safety distances” depending on windows, doors and type of material the walls are made from. The best is to ask them both for clarity.
Confused about fire regulations concerning prefab buildings. We wanted to use a second hand existing prefab as a church Sunday School classroom, but the fire inspector refused to give clearence, saying that the panels needed to have a 30 minute fire resistance whereas the existing structure panels only has 15 minutes. When I spoke to a fire engineer, he stated it was not a problem as long there was sufficient clearance to prevent fire from going to another building – he suggested 3m. I’m confused since the fire inspector and the fire engineer don’t seem to be on the same page. Who is right?
Hi Gerrit, this is what I can find:
SANS 10400 Part T
4.52.1 No liquid fuel dispensing pump or storage tank shall be situated less than 3,5 m from any
lateral boundary or street boundary of any site except where there is a boundary wall and such wall a) has a fire resistance of 120 min,
b) is not less than 1,8 m in height, and
c) extends not less than 2 m on either side of such pump.
Hope this helps.
Hi, Jacques as an attorney I am sure you are more qualified to answer the question yourself, but I will give a reply from my perspective. Firstly you do not mention the class of occupancy of the building as this is a factor when it comes to fire regulations. We focus mainly on the SANS 10400 on this website, and Part-T Fire Protection has to be read with a number of other SANS pieces of legislation and can get complicated. Then there is The Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993 which you are familiar with. When it comes to public safety I do not think any council will be lenient and would say that any new legislation would be retrospective when it applies to older buildings and fire safety. It is in the legislation that all premises be assessed on a “case by case” basis.
Hi. I would like to know if it is compulsory for a building erected in the 1950’s to have fire equipment installed. If so, please clarify in terms of which legislation/regulations. I hope you can help.
I need advice. My property is at back of Fuel-station. My property has Servitude Right of Way up to Main street along one side. This Servitude is the only way up to Main street, is also Emergency route, Escape route, Fire lane.
23000 Liter Fuel Puts in front of house 14,77 meter from house.
Fuel puts 7,30 meter and Fuel pumps 11,33 meter from Flats, that’s inline with Servitude past fuel puts and fuel pumps.
Fuel puts 2,41 meter and Fuel pumps 6,95 meter from from Servitude.
Must there be a Firewall in between Fuel-station and house?
What is the safety distances that must be followed regarding SANS?
Must there be a Firewall that protect Servitude that’s also Emergency route,Escape route and Fire lane?
What is the safety distances that must be followed regarding SANS?
No Fuel-tanks (underground) allowed on Emergency routes,Escape route or Fire lane?
What is the safety distances for vehicle parking lots / car port’s, away from Fuel pumps and from Fuel puts?
What is the safety distances for vehicle parking space away from Fuel pumps and from Fuel puts?
I like your comments on all questions, look forward for these ones. Thanks
Thank you!
Hi Daniel, SANS 10400 PartT – Fire Protection has quite specific and extensive regulations when it comes to stairways and fire escapes. From the way doors open to ventilation and windows and the changes of levels along the escape route. These have to be read in conjunction with SANS 10400 Part M – Stairways. Consult your local building inspector if you need assistance, I have always found them quite helpful.
Is there any specific requirements or specifications when it comes to installing a fire escape staircase? Thank you!
James I am not entirely sure. Here are some references from Part T:
“no suspended floor shall be permitted to be of combustible material unless such floor has ground directly below it or is not more than 50 mm above a non-combustible slab.” I presume shutter ply would need to be treated to make it fire resistant, but again I am not certain. The SABS would be able to tell you.
“The use of a combustible material as a ceiling, a fitted floor covering or a wall finish could make a considerable contribution to the fire load in the building. Since it is neither reasonable nor practical to preclude the use of such materials, it should be taken into account both that they are combustible and that, in burning, they might help to spread a fire and might make a significant contribution to the quantity of heat, smoke and noxious fumes generated.” There is a table with various classifications.
Part J: Floors of SANS 10400 cross references SANS 929 Plywood and composite board which I presume specifies the standard. It also covers how suspended floors must be fixed into walls.
It is probably worth mentioning that the section on “Suspended timber floors” gives specifications on the timber that must be used – “Composite and plywood board Boards shall comply with the requirements of SANS 929.” Metal is not mentioned.
* H3 = domestic residence; H4 = dwelling house
Hi Tracy, This is a Fire Regulations question and is not Building Regulations related. My thumb-suck answer would be, so long as the key and the box are easily accessable in an emergency then it does not matter which side it is on. Check with your local fire department for further advice.
I have a suspended floor manufactured from light steel with a 21mm shutterply on top as floor with no underfloor ceiling/suspended ceiling in a normal residential duplex unit. Is this allowed in terms of SANS 10400 : Part T : Fire Protection or do I have to cover the shutterply on top and bottom to comply? Is it possible to refer me to any Regulations, codes etc?
It seems to me Toni that the lease states it is the tenant’s responsibility.
Maria it depends how the plans were configured, and how the property is zoned. Your local authority should be able to answer the question.
Hi, I would like to know if a 110 mm thick clay brock partition wall between two flats is fire compliant. the flats are not separate ownership (there is no sectional title but the whole building is one propertry) , they are just rooms.
A warehouse is leased out to a tenant and on the lease it says
“The Tenant shall ensure that there is sufficient Fire Hydrants and / or Fire Hose Reels on the Premises, and shall provide the Landlord upon request of its service history. The Tenant shall ensure that these Fire Hydrants and / or Fire Hose Reels are at all times in a good working order and access to these is not hindered at any time, where and if applicable”
In a case like this, who is responsible if landlord made tenant responsible for fire hose will the landlord still be responsible or is it the responsibility of the tenant?
I wonder if you can help me I need to know what are the laws to placing a a locked key fire cabnet box in next to the fire hydrant. Is it neccessary to place it on the right or left is there a laws that enforces it to be placed on the left hand side?
Elmarie, treated for what? The only information I have on thatch roofs relates to lightning protection, and waterproofing systems. There may though be additional requirements that the body corporate can enforce. Building regulations issues are enforced by the local authority; complex issues are enforceable by the body corporate.