Partial Revisions To The Code For Fire Protection Design Of Buildings (GB50016-2014) (2018 Edition)

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development recently released a partial revision of the national standard "Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings" GB50016-2014 (2018 edition) (hereinafter referred to as the "Code"). The revised Code will be implemented on October 1, 2018.

　　Professor Zhou Yanmin of the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, as a member of the Technical Committee on Standardization of Architectural Design of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, has participated in several seminars organized by the civil affairs, fire protection, and housing and urban-rural development departments over the past year. After the revised provisions were issued, Zhou Yanmin's studio studied the content of the "Standard" and, based on previous research results, provided a graphic interpretation of the main revised provisions.

　　1. Scope of application of the revised provisions in facilities for the elderly

What types of "elderly care facilities" need to be designed according to the new "Standards"?

　　Scope of Application of the Revised Provisions of the Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings

　　Public buildings that provide centralized care services for the elderly and have a total number of beds (total capacity for elderly people) of 20 or more include full-day care facilities and day care facilities for the elderly. Other facilities or places specifically for the elderly that are not subject to centralized care, such as universities for the elderly and activity centers for the elderly, are not considered elderly care facilities.

　　2. Points to note when constructing elderly care facilities independently or jointly.

　　2.1 In the new "Standard", high-rise elderly care facilities are classified as Class I high-rise civil buildings.

　　Article 5.1.1 of the new "Standard" states that independently constructed elderly care facilities with a building height greater than 24m are classified as Class I high-rise civil buildings.

　　The original "Standard" classified elderly care buildings with a height greater than 50m as Class I high-rise civil buildings. The new "Standard" has raised the standard, classifying independent (including adjacent) elderly care facilities with a height of 24m or more as Class I high-rise civil buildings.

　　2.2 Location selection for elderly care facilities

　　Article 5.4.4A of the new "Standard" states: Elderly care facilities should preferably be set up independently. When elderly care facilities are combined with other buildings on the upper or lower levels, the elderly care facilities should preferably be located in the lower part of the building and should comply with the following provisions:

　　1. The number of floors, building height, or floor level of elderly care facilities shall comply with the provisions of Article 5.3.1A of this code;

　　2. Elderly care facilities should be fire-separated from other areas, and the fire separation should comply with the provisions of Article 6.2.2 of this code.

　　The new "Code" sets forth clear requirements for the location of elderly care facilities (independent, preferably at the bottom), and specifies their height (not exceeding 32m, and should not exceed 54m) and fire separation (floor slab fire resistance rating 1.0h, partition wall fire resistance rating 2.0h). The explanatory notes state that for partially renovated buildings, where limitations exist due to upper and lower functional areas and floor plan layout, independent entrances should be provided whenever possible.

　　2.3 Exterior wall materials of elderly care facilities

　　The new standard, section 6.7.4A, stipulates that, except as provided in section 6.7.3, the following elderly care facilities shall use thermal insulation materials with a fire performance rating of Class A for their interior and exterior walls and roofs:

　　1. Independently constructed elderly care facilities;

　　2. Elderly care facilities that are constructed in combination with other buildings and whose total building area for the elderly care facility portion is greater than 500 square meters.

　　The new "Standard" sets forth clear fire prevention requirements for the materials used in the exterior walls and roofs of elderly care facilities. Special attention should be paid to the fact that when the area of elderly care facilities exceeds 500m2 in relation to other buildings, the exterior walls and roofs must use Class A fire-resistant insulation materials.

　　3. Regarding the height of elderly care facilities

　　3.1 54m - Height Restriction

　　5.3.1A The building height of independently constructed Class I and II fire-resistant elderly care facilities should not exceed 32m and should not exceed 54m; independently constructed Class III fire-resistant elderly care facilities should not exceed 2 stories.

　　The original "Standard" did not impose any restrictions on the building height of elderly care facilities. The new "Standard" explicitly states that it should not exceed 54m. Furthermore, the explanatory notes clearly state that "for elderly care facilities located within other buildings or constructed in combination with other buildings, their height and number of floors should also comply with this standard."

　　In addition, the explanatory notes to the "Standard" state that when the building height of elderly care facilities exceeds 54m, it needs to be determined through a special demonstration in accordance with relevant national regulations.

　　3.2 Connecting corridors shall be constructed for sections exceeding 32m in height.

　　Article 5.5.13A of the new "Standard" states: For elderly care facilities with a building height greater than 32m, it is advisable to add connecting corridors that can connect the elderly's living quarters and public activity areas in the part above 32m. The connecting corridors on each floor should be directly connected to evacuation staircases, safety exits or outdoor refuge areas.

　　Elderly care facilities exceeding 32 meters in height shall be equipped with connecting corridors linking the elderly residents' living quarters and public activity areas. These corridors shall provide an alternative evacuation route for the elderly in the event of a fire. When the connecting corridors need to be closed, they shall be equipped with automatically opening windows that are linked to fire alarms.

　　3.3 24m - Smoke-proof stairwell

　　Article 5.5.13A of the new "Standard" stipulates that for elderly care facilities with a building height greater than 24m, the indoor evacuation staircases should be smoke-proof stairwells.

　　The original code stipulated that smoke-proof stairwells should be used when the building height was greater than 32m. The new code raises the standard, requiring that smoke-proof stairwells be provided when the floor height of elderly care facilities exceeds 24m, regardless of whether they are jointly built or independently constructed; and when the floor height does not exceed 24m, enclosed stairwells should be provided except for stairwells directly connected to open corridors.

　　4. Regarding the number of floors and functions of elderly care facilities

　　4.1 Basements and semi-basements – permitted for the establishment of public activity, rehabilitation, and medical rooms.

　　Article 5.4.4B of the new "Standard" states: When public activity rooms, rehabilitation and medical rooms for the elderly in elderly care facilities are located underground or semi-underground, they should be located on the first basement floor, and the area of each room should not exceed 200m2 and the number of users should not exceed 30.

　　The original regulations prohibited rooms for the elderly from being located in underground or semi-underground spaces. The new regulations have adjusted this standard, allowing three types of rooms (public activity rooms, rehabilitation rooms, and medical rooms) to be located on the first basement level. Larger rooms for the elderly, such as multi-functional halls and large dining halls, which accommodate a large number of people, will no longer be permitted to be located underground or semi-underground.

　　4.2 Three-story building, exceeding 3000m2 - includes a refuge room.

　　5.5.24A For elderly care facilities with three or more floors and a total building area exceeding 3000 m² (including those located on the third or higher floors within other buildings), one refuge room should be provided adjacent to each evacuation stairwell in the elderly care facility section on each floor above the second floor. Refuge rooms are not required when the elderly care facility has an open external corridor directly connected to an evacuation stairwell or safety exit, or an outdoor platform directly connected to an evacuation corridor and meeting the requirements for refuge. The net area available for refuge within the refuge room should not be less than 12 m². The refuge room may utilize the anteroom of the evacuation stairwell or the anteroom of the fire elevator. Other requirements should comply with the provisions of Article 5.5.24 of this code.

　　The original "Code" did not include provisions for setting up refuge rooms in buildings for the elderly. The new "Code" introduces new requirements for setting up refuge rooms. Attention should be paid to the conditions for setting up refuge rooms (3 floors or more and a total area of more than 3000m2) and the design requirements (2 floors or more, 12m2 next to each evacuation staircase).

　　4.3 4th Floor – Restrictions on Setting Up Public Activity Rooms

　　When public activity rooms and rehabilitation and medical rooms for the elderly in elderly care facilities are located on the fourth floor or above, the building area of each room should not exceed 200m2 and the number of users should not exceed 30.

　　The original regulations stipulated that when using buildings with fire resistance ratings of Class I or II, activity areas for the elderly should not exceed three stories. The new regulations have made clear provisions regarding the size of activity areas for the elderly. Except for public activity rooms located on the 1st to 3rd floors, which have no size requirements, the size of public activity rooms on other above-ground floors and the basement level should not exceed 200 square meters, and the number of users should not exceed 30 people.

　　4.4 Five-story buildings, exceeding 3000m2 - equipped with fire elevator.

　　Article 7.3.1 of the new "Standard" stipulates that elderly care facilities with 5 or more floors and a total building area of more than 3,000 m2 (including those located on the fifth or more floors in other buildings) should be equipped with fire elevators.

　　Article 7.3.5 of the new "Standard" stipulates that the shorter side of the fire elevator lobby should not be less than 2.4m.

　　The original regulations stipulated that fire elevators were only required for public buildings exceeding 32 meters in height. The new regulations have raised the bar, requiring fire elevators to be installed in buildings with a total floor area greater than 3000 square meters and located on five or more floors. The regulations also stipulate that the shorter side of the vestibule must be at least 2.4 meters long. Renovation projects should pay close attention to this clause and meet the new requirements for fire elevator installation.

　　5. Facilities, equipment and fire-fighting equipment

　　5.1 Smoke prevention in elevator lobbies

　　The new standard stipulates in section 5.5.14 that passenger and freight elevators in public buildings should preferably have elevator lobbies and should not be directly located in business halls, exhibition halls, multi-functional halls, or similar areas. Non-fire-fighting elevators in elderly care facilities should have smoke prevention measures. When they are needed to assist in personnel evacuation in the event of a fire, the elevator and its installation should comply with the relevant requirements of this standard for fire-fighting elevators and their installation.

　　During a fire, elevator shafts can accelerate the spread of smoke. The new regulations emphasize smoke control measures in elevator lobbies to minimize the impact of smoke overflowing from the shafts on each floor. Furthermore, considering the health conditions of the elderly, the regulations also state that elevators can be used for evacuation during a fire, but these elevators must meet the requirements for fire-fighting elevators.

　　5.2 Fire hose reel

　　Fire hose reels that are directly connected to the indoor water supply system should be installed in elderly care facilities, and the spacing between fire hose reels should not exceed 30.0m.

　　This is a new addition. Fire hose reels are lighter and more convenient than regular fire hoses, making them easier for staff (mostly women) in elderly care facilities to use.

　　5.3 Automatic sprinkler system

　　Article 8.3.4 of the new "Standard" states: Elderly care facilities should be equipped with automatic fire extinguishing systems, and automatic sprinkler systems are preferred.

　　Explanation of the clause: When it is difficult to install a general automatic sprinkler system due to limitations, elderly care facilities that meet the conditions of "civil buildings with a maximum indoor clear height of no more than 8m, a total protected area of no more than 1000m2 and a fire hazard level of no more than medium hazard level I" may use a local application of an automatic sprinkler system.

　　The original code stipulated that automatic fire suppression systems should be installed in buildings for the elderly with an area greater than 500m2. The new code requires all elderly care facilities to be equipped with automatic fire suppression systems. However, for projects with a height of less than 8m, an area not exceeding 1000m2, and a hazard level not exceeding medium hazard level I, the requirements have been relaxed, allowing the use of localized automatic sprinkler systems. This system can utilize the water source from indoor fire hydrants. If the water demand is insufficient, it can be supplemented from the municipal water supply network or natural water sources. It shares pressure stabilizing facilities, pumps, and pipelines with indoor fire hydrants. This system is suitable for projects that inherently lack water tanks or pump rooms and cannot be modified.

　　5.4 Automatic Fire Alarm System

　　Article 8.4.1 of the new "Standard" stipulates that fire detectors and audible alarm devices or fire broadcasts should be installed in the rooms for the elderly and their public corridors in elderly care facilities.

　　Explanation of the clause: When the total building area of a single elderly care facility is less than 500m2, an independent smoke detector may also be used.

　　The new "Standard" clarifies the installation location of the alarm system and proposes that elderly care facilities smaller than 500m2 can be equipped with independent smoke detectors, which are directly powered by batteries or domestic electricity, are easy to install, and can achieve independent detection and independent alarm.

　　5.5 Gas Mask

　　Article 5.5.24A of the new "Standard" stipulates that elderly care facilities for elderly people with dementia and with more than two floors should be equipped with simple gas masks according to the approved number of users.

　　This is a new clause. Elderly people with dementia have weak cognitive abilities, so providing them with personal protective measures can reduce the harm of smoke from fires to them.

　　6 Conclusion

　　The partial revisions to the GB50016-2014 (2018 edition) standard have just been released, and much of the content still requires further digestion and study. This article selects and analyzes the main provisions, and the content represents only Zhou Yanmin Studio's understanding and compilation of the revised provisions. It is hoped that this will stimulate discussion and exchange among everyone.

　　Fire Protection Design Code for Buildings GB50016-2014 (2018 Edition) Revised Version: http://www.shhorse.com/Article/jzsjfhdgfgb_1.html

　　(This article is compiled from "Standardization of Engineering Construction")