Means of Escape

Question 1

What is the function of means of escape?

Answer 1

To allow occupants to escape from a building during a fire without being overcome by heat or smoke

The escape time must be shorter than the time taken for heat and smoke to spread.

Question 2

Define means of escape.

Answer 2

A continuous and unobstructed fire resisting passage in a building for occupants to reach a place of safety during an emergency

A place of safety is typically an unenclosed space at ground level, far enough from the building.

Question 3

What must be ensured regarding means of escape?

Answer 3

They must be immediately available for use at all times

Exits should be readily accessible, doors must always be openable, and unobstructed during occupancy.

Question 4

Do all buildings require means of escape?

Answer 4

Yes, means of escape must be provided for all buildings

The provision varies based on factors such as the nature and size of the building, its use, and the behavior of occupants.

Question 5

What is one example of how means of escape provisions differ?

Answer 5

A hotel will need more stringent means of escape compared to an office building

This is due to the different occupancy types and potential risks involved.

Question 6

What are the three stages of escape in buildings under Purpose Groups III to VIII?

Answer 6

1. Portion within Functional Space to Exit Staircase
2. Exit staircase
3. Exit discharge

Each stage addresses different aspects of safe evacuation.

Question 7

What is critical in Stage 1 of the escape process?

Answer 7

Occupants must be able to get out within a prescribed distance to the nearest exit staircase door

This distance is specified in Table 2.2A.

Question 8

What protection do occupants have in Stage 2?

Answer 8

They are protected from exposure to fire risk throughout their descent down the staircase

This stage ensures safety until they reach the final exit at ground level.

Question 9

What must occupants be able to do in Stage 3?

Answer 9

Discharge into the open external space at ground level

At this point, they should no longer be in danger from fire or smoke.

Question 10

What is the general requirement for exits in a building?

Answer 10

Every floor must have two exits

This is to ensure safety and accessibility in emergencies.

Question 11

What principle applies to the positioning of exits?

Answer 11

The ‘remoteness of exits’ principle

This principle ensures exits are as far apart as possible to maintain safety.

Question 12

When can two exits be considered ‘independent’?

Answer 12

When they comply with the ‘remoteness of exits’ principle

This requires a separation distance greater than half the diagonal dimension of the room.

Question 13

What is the separation distance requirement for exits?

Answer 13

More than half of the diagonal dimension of the room

This ensures that if one exit is blocked, the other remains accessible.

Question 14

What must be considered when determining exit requirements?

Answer 14

Flow of people through the exits and travel distances

This includes the occupant load and exit capacity.

Question 15

How is occupant load determined?

Answer 15

From the room area and the occupant load factor

This calculation ensures the safety and capacity of exits.

Question 16

What determines the exit capacity of a staircase?

Answer 16

Its physical width and number of persons per exit width

This is outlined in Table 2.2A.

Question 17

What is the role of exit staircases?

Answer 17

They serve simultaneously all levels above ground level

This ensures that the staircase is adequately sized for the highest occupant load.

Question 18

What is the generally accepted rate of occupant flow through exits?

Answer 18

40 persons per unit width per minute

This figure is based on past experiences, particularly during fires.

Question 19

What is one unit width equivalent to in the Fire Code?

Answer 19

0.5 m or 500 mm

This measurement corresponds to the shoulder width of an average person.

Question 20

If the capacity of an exit door is 80 persons per unit width, what does this mean?

Answer 20

80 persons can pass through a unit exit width in one minute

This is based on a unit width of 500 mm.

Question 21

True or False: Time is explicitly specified in the Fire Code regarding the flow of persons through exits.

Answer 21

False

The Fire Code does not specify time for the flow of persons.

Question 22

Occupant Load/Number of persons allowed in room =

Answer 22

[area of space ( m2)]/
[occupant load factor (m2
/person)]

Question 23

Direct Distance (DD)

Answer 23

Shortest distance from most remote point within the room to nearest room exit, ignoring partitions & fittings such as furniture.

Question 24

What is travel distance?

Answer 24

The actual distance required to be travelled from the most remote point in a room to the room exit.

Question 25

What should the direct distance be in relation to travel distance?

Answer 25

About 2/3 times travel distance.

Question 26

What is maximum travel distance?

Answer 26

The maximum distance required to be travelled from the most remote point in a room to the room exit when the room is fully occupied.

Question 27

What does 'two-way travel' refer to?

Answer 27

A situation where occupants within a space have the choice of more than one route from a splitting point (A) to reach multiple exits.

Question 28

What is a one-way travel distance?

Answer 28

A distance (AB) where occupants can only travel in one direction to reach the exit.

Question 29

What is critical for occupants at the most remote point of a level during a fire?

Answer 29

To escape from a fire before being overcome by heat and smoke.

Question 30

Why is it difficult to calculate precise escape times during a fire?

Answer 30

Because people, buildings, and fires vary.

Question 31

How do Fire Codes specify regarding travel distances?

Answer 31

Distances based on past fire experiences.

Question 32

What should exits and access facilities be like?

Answer 32

Clearly visible or indicated, readily accessible, and unobstructed.

Question 33

What is required for every occupant or tenant regarding exits?

Answer 33

Direct access to required exit(s) without passing through other occupied spaces.

Question 34

What is essential for tenants on a level occupied by more than one tenant?

Answer 34

Direct accessibility to alternate exit staircases without entering other tenancies.

Question 35

How can direct accessibility to exits be facilitated for tenants?

Answer 35

Via common corridors or lobbies accessible to all tenants on that level.

Question 36

What is the minimum clear width of an exit door opening?

Answer 36

Not less than 850mm.

Question 37

Free card

Answer 37

slay queen

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The minimum clear width of an exit door opening should not be less than _______.

Answer 38

850mm.

Question 39

Exit and access doors

Answer 39

- Exit doors: Manually openable, no key/tool needed. - Fire-rated and must open in exit direction. - Halls & auditoriums: Doors stay unlocked, use panic bolts. - Staircase doors: Must not block egress. - Fire doors: Have vision panels, self-closing devices. - No revolving doors for exits.

Question 41

Fastenings on doors

Answer 41

- Generally cannot be locked. - Exceptions: Allowed for security but must open in emergencies. - Unlocking methods: Panic bolt, thumb-turn, or fire alarm-linked release.

Question 42

Provision of Electronic Locking Devices

Answer 42

- Allowed if linked to fire alarm & sprinkler system for emergency release. - Smart card, magnetic bar, and electro-mechanical locks must follow safety regulations. - Fire alarm/sprinkler activation must automatically unlock doors until reset. - Manual green release device required for emergency override. - Fail-safe mechanism: Unlocks on power loss or system fault

Question 44

What words should be displayed above the push-bar on doors fitted with panic bolt or panic latch?

Answer 44

Push bar to open

Question 45

What notice should be displayed on fire doors?

Answer 45

Fire door – Keep shut

Question 46

What should fire doors that close automatically on operation of fire detectors display?

Answer 46

Automatic fire door – Keep Clear

Question 47

What is the purpose of exit lighting facilities?

Answer 47

To show occupants the location of exits and lead them out of the building

Question 48

Which buildings must have artificial lighting facilities for exits?

Answer 48

All buildings except Purpose Group I

Question 49

Emergency lighting must be provided in all corridors and lobbies of which buildings?

Answer 49

All buildings except Purpose Group I

Question 50

What is the maximum delay allowed between the failure of normal lighting and the energisation of exit lighting?

Answer 50

1 second

Question 51

What is the purpose of emergency lighting in the event of a fire?

Answer 51

To illuminate escape routes on failure of the mains electrical supply

Question 52

For which occupied areas must emergency lighting be provided?

Answer 52

Along paths leading to corridors, lobbies and exits where the distance exceeds 13 m or over the whole area if no explicit paths

Question 53

In which locations must emergency lighting also be provided?

Answer 53

* Lift cars * Fire command centres * Generator rooms * Basement car parks * Fire pump rooms * Areas of refuge within same building

Question 54

What is the maximum delay for emergency illumination during switchover from normal supply to secondary source?

Answer 54

15 seconds

Question 55

What must be clearly indicated at every exit on every floor in buildings except Purpose Group I and II?

Answer 55

An exit sign placed over the exit door

Question 56

What should be provided if the location of exits is not visible in long corridors or open floor areas?

Answer 56

Directional signs

Question 57

What type of signs must be provided in hotel accommodation floors including boarding houses?

Answer 57

Low level or floor mounted exit and exit directional signs

Question 58

What should be placed at strategic locations inside staircases serving upper storeys and basements?

Answer 58

Appropriate signs, including pictorials, to direct occupants out of the building

Question 59

What is the requirement for self-illuminating exit and directional signs?

Answer 59

Engraved with letters in green and powered by radioactive material

Question 60

What is the luminance requirement for self-illuminating fire safety signs?

Answer 60

2 to 25 candela per square metre

Question 61

What is the purpose of low-level or floor-mounted signs?

Answer 61

To aid building occupants to get to the exit in a smoke-filled environment