SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Building Regulations: Technical Standards

Introduction

1. The intention of this Part is to provide all users of a building with adequate means of escape from fire. It also requires the provision of certain fixed fire-fighting equipment, means of access for fire-fighting, and means of warning of fire in a dwelling.

2. The intention of the requirements for means of escape is that everyone within a building may reach either a place of safety or, in certain circumstances, a protected zone within a reasonable travel distance. The requirements for the number and width of exits assume a unit width of 530mm per person and a rate of discharge of 40 persons per minute. The number of escape routes is determined by -

a. the purpose group of the building;

b. the occupancy capacity served;

c. the height of a storey above ground or its depth below ground; and

d. the travel distance involved.

3. A building must be planned so that -

a. every escape route leads to a place of safety.

b. every stair or ramp which forms part of an escape route, except an escape stair from a gallery, is protected from fire, from smoke and hot gases which might obscure or obstruct the escape route and, in higher buildings, from the effects of weather. In certain cases provision is made within a protected zone for a refuge for disabled people.

c. within those parts of a building where people are at greatest risk the layout of the building is such as to limit that risk to the utmost practical extent; and

d. in certain residential buildings which have only one escape route, provision is also made for rescue by way of a suitable window.

4. Suitable provision must be made for access to the outside of a building for fire-fighting and rescue vehicles from a public road. A water supply installation must be available and, in the case of high buildings, suitable provision must be made for fire-fighting within the building.

5. The requirements to provide early means of warning of fire in a dwelling should increase significantly the level of safety of the occupants.

Regulation 13

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