Firefighting in Multistorey Buildings ⋆ Archi-Monarch

Systems, Planning and Design Guidelines

1. Introduction

Firefighting in multistorey buildings requires the coordinated design of fire protection systems, protected escape routes, smoke control, emergency power, water supply and access for fire and rescue services. As buildings become taller and more complex, fire safety cannot depend on portable extinguishers or emergency response alone. It must be incorporated into architectural planning, structural design, building services and facility management from the earliest design stage.

A residential tower, commercial office, hotel, hospital and mixed-use building may have different fire risks, occupant characteristics and operational requirements. Consequently, the appropriate fire protection strategy must consider the building’s height, occupancy classification, floor area, compartmentation, evacuation arrangements and applicable regulations.

In India, the National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC 2016), particularly Part 4, Fire and Life Safety, provides an important technical reference. Applicable state and local building regulations, fire service requirements and approval conditions must also be checked for each project.

This guide explains the principal firefighting systems, their architectural implications and the coordination checks required when preparing building plans, sections and MEP drawings.

2. What Is Firefighting in a Multistorey Building?

Firefighting in a multistorey building is the coordinated provision of equipment, building elements, water supplies, controls and emergency procedures intended to detect a fire, warn occupants, control its spread, support evacuation and enable firefighting operations.

The strategy generally combines three complementary approaches:

Fire prevention: Reducing the likelihood of ignition through electrical safety, appropriate material selection, housekeeping and control of ignition sources.
Life safety: Providing protected escape routes, alarms, emergency lighting, appropriate compartmentation and evacuation arrangements.
Fire protection: Providing systems such as automatic sprinklers, hydrants, risers, fire pumps and portable extinguishers, as required by the approved design.

These approaches are interdependent. A sprinkler system cannot compensate for an obstructed staircase, while a well-designed staircase does not replace the need for appropriate fire detection, compartmentation and firefighting equipment.

3. Why Do Multistorey Buildings Need Special Fire Protection?

Fire incidents in multistorey buildings create challenges that differ from those in low-rise structures.

3.1 Vertical movement of smoke and heat

Smoke and hot gases can rise through stairwells, lift shafts, service shafts, unsealed penetrations and other vertical openings. This movement can expose occupants on floors distant from the original fire.

Fire compartmentation, protected shafts, appropriate fire stopping and engineered smoke-control systems help limit these pathways.

3.2 Longer evacuation routes

Occupants on upper floors may need to travel a considerable distance to reach a protected exit. The design must account for exit capacity, travel distances, door operation, stair geometry, occupant load and the characteristics of people using the building.

Hospitals, healthcare facilities and buildings accommodating people who cannot independently use stairs require particular attention to assisted evacuation and designated emergency procedures.

3.3 Fire service access

Firefighters need suitable access to the site, a means of reaching the affected floors, dependable firefighting water supplies and reliable information about the building layout.

Poor site planning, inaccessible entrances, inadequate clearances or poorly located firefighting installations can complicate emergency operations.

3.4 Dependence on building services

Fire pumps, alarm systems, smoke-control equipment and designated lifts may depend on electrical supplies, controls, communications and mechanical components.

Their reliability depends on appropriate system design, protected routing where required, emergency power provisions, testing and maintenance.

4. Main Firefighting and Fire Protection Systems

The following systems perform different functions and should be selected according to the approved fire strategy.

System	Primary function	Architectural coordination
Fire detection and alarm	Detects fire conditions, alerts occupants and initiates configured control actions	Detector locations, alarm devices, control panels and cable routes
Automatic sprinkler system	Controls or suppresses fire through automatic discharge of water	Ceiling coordination, pipe routes, water supply and obstructions
Internal hydrant and riser system	Provides firefighting water outlets within the building	Protected service routes, landing valves, shafts and hose access
External hydrant system	Provides firefighting water outlets around the site	Fire appliance access, circulation routes and water distribution
Fire pumps and water storage	Supplies water at the flow and pressure required by the designed system	Pump room, tank capacity, access, drainage and maintenance
Portable extinguishers	Provides first-aid firefighting equipment for suitable fire classes	Accessible mounting locations and identification signage
Smoke control and stair pressurization	Limits smoke movement and helps protect designated spaces	Shafts, fans, ducts, dampers, air intakes and control interfaces
Firefighting shaft and designated fire lift	Supports firefighting operations and access between floors	Protected lobby, staircase, lift, riser and fire-resisting enclosure
Passive fire protection	Limits fire and smoke spread through building elements	Fire-rated walls, doors, floors, structural protection and fire stopping

No single installation provides complete fire safety. The overall system must be designed as an integrated whole.

5. Active and Passive Fire Protection

5.1 Active fire protection

Active fire protection involves systems that detect a fire, issue warnings, discharge extinguishing agents or perform other protective actions.

Examples include:

Automatic fire detection and alarm systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems.
Internal and external hydrants.
Fire pumps and associated water supplies.
Portable fire extinguishers.
Smoke-control and pressurization systems.
Designated emergency communication systems.

Some systems operate automatically, while others require manual activation or intervention by trained personnel.

5.2 Passive fire protection

Passive fire protection uses the building’s construction and compartmentation to limit the spread of fire and smoke.

Examples include:

Fire-resisting walls, floors and doors.
Protected staircases and firefighting shafts.
Fire-resistant protection to structural elements where required.
Fire stopping around service penetrations.
Fire-rated enclosures around ducts, cables and shafts where specified.
Appropriate separation of hazardous or higher-risk spaces.

Passive protection is particularly important because it can continue to provide protection without relying on the immediate activation of mechanical equipment.

5.3 How the two approaches work together

Consider a fire originating in an electrical room. Detection and alarm systems notify occupants and initiate configured responses. An automatic sprinkler system may control the fire where it is provided and appropriate for the hazard. Fire-resisting construction limits fire spread, while protected escape routes help occupants reach safety.

The firefighting water supply, fire service access and designated firefighting facilities support emergency response.

The exact sequence of operations must be established by the project’s fire strategy and control-system design.

6. Fire Hydrant and Riser Systems

Hydrant and riser systems provide firefighting water at locations within or around a building. They are especially important where firefighters cannot practically rely on hoses supplied entirely from ground-level appliances.

6.1 Wet riser

A wet riser is a vertical firefighting main maintained with water under the designed supply conditions. Landing valves are provided at designated locations so that firefighters can connect suitable hoses.

The system’s design must establish the required water flow, residual pressure, pipe sizing, pump arrangement, storage, zoning and connection details.

6.2 Dry riser

A dry riser is normally empty of water and is charged by fire service appliances through designated inlets during an emergency.

Whether a dry riser is permitted or required depends on the building’s characteristics and the applicable rules. It should not be treated as an interchangeable substitute for a wet riser.

6.3 Down-comer

A down-comer is a water distribution arrangement supplied from an elevated storage or pumping arrangement, as defined by the relevant technical provisions. Its configuration and suitability must be checked against the applicable fire protection requirements.

6.4 External hydrants

External hydrants provide firefighting water around the site. Their locations should be coordinated with fire appliance access, building entrances, landscape design, boundary conditions and other site utilities.

Hydrants must remain accessible and should not be obstructed by parked vehicles, planting, gates or permanent site furniture.

6.5 Architectural and MEP coordination

When reviewing hydrant and riser drawings, check that:

Risers and landing valves are located in accordance with the approved fire strategy.
Pipes do not compromise structural members or required headroom.
Valves and equipment remain accessible for operation and maintenance.
Pipe penetrations through fire-resisting walls and floors receive appropriate tested fire-stopping systems.
Pump, tank and riser arrangements are coordinated across all relevant floor plans and sections.
The water supply and pressure arrangement is verified by the responsible fire protection engineer.

The final pipe diameters, valve locations and pressure requirements must be established by engineering calculations and applicable regulations rather than assumed from a generic example.

7. Automatic Sprinkler Systems

An automatic sprinkler system consists of a water supply, distribution pipework and sprinkler heads designed to respond to specified fire conditions.

When a sprinkler head reaches its operating condition, it discharges water over the protected area. In conventional individual thermal-element sprinkler arrangements, nearby heads generally operate in response to their own local conditions; it is incorrect to assume that every sprinkler head in a building must discharge simultaneously.

7.1 Architectural considerations

Sprinkler layouts must be coordinated with:

Ceiling heights and ceiling construction.
Beams, deep soffits and other obstructions.
Light fixtures, diffusers and other ceiling-mounted equipment.
Partitions and changes in room use.
Storage arrangements and the protected hazard.
Access for inspection, testing and maintenance.

A coordinated reflected ceiling plan is valuable because it identifies conflicts before construction.

7.2 Design and installation

Sprinkler selection and layout depend on the hazard classification, occupancy, geometry, ceiling conditions, storage characteristics, water supply and applicable design standards.

The responsible specialist must verify hydraulic calculations, pipe sizing, coverage, system zoning, alarm interfaces and testing requirements.

Sprinklers should not be shown as a decorative ceiling symbol without a coordinated, engineered design.

8. Fire Pumps and Water Storage

Fire pumps and dedicated water storage form a critical part of many building firefighting systems.

8.1 Fire water storage

The required storage capacity depends on the applicable regulations and the designed demand, including the relevant systems and required duration of supply.

An architect should coordinate:

Underground and overhead tank locations, where applicable.
Structural loading and support conditions.
Tank access and inspection openings.
Suction and discharge pipe routes.
Separation from other services where required.
Drainage, waterproofing and maintenance access.
Any required segregation of firefighting water from domestic use.

Do not apply one fixed tank capacity to every multistorey building. The design must be calculated and checked against the governing requirements.

8.2 Fire pump room

The pump room should provide sufficient space for the specified pumps, drivers, control panels, valves, headers and associated equipment.

Its planning should also consider equipment removal, safe maintenance access, ventilation, drainage, lighting, noise, flood protection and the applicable fire-resistance provisions.

The room must be coordinated with the structure and other building services before the construction drawings are finalized.

8.3 Pump arrangement

Depending on the design, the installation may include a main fire pump, a standby pump and a jockey pump. Their functions, drivers, capacity and redundancy must be confirmed by the fire protection engineer.

A jockey pump typically maintains system pressure within its intended operating range. It is not a substitute for the main firefighting pump.

8.4 Vertical zoning

In tall buildings, elevation creates a significant hydraulic design challenge. Excessive pressure can damage components or exceed their ratings, while insufficient pressure can prevent outlets from delivering the required performance.

The design may therefore require pressure zoning, pressure-reducing arrangements, intermediate storage or other engineered solutions.

Pump selection and system zoning must be supported by hydraulic calculations.

9. Firefighting Shafts and Fire Lifts

A firefighting shaft is a protected vertical arrangement intended to facilitate firefighting operations. Depending on the governing requirements and approved strategy, it may incorporate a protected staircase, a firefighting lift, a protected lobby and firefighting water outlets.

9.1 Firefighting shaft planning

The architectural design should coordinate:

The location of the shaft relative to the building’s circulation.
Protected access from the relevant floor areas.
Required fire-resisting construction and doors.
Landing valve locations and clear working space.
Firefighting lift access, where required.
Smoke-control or pressurization provisions, where applicable.
The relationship to the discharge level and fire appliance access.

The precise arrangement and fire-resistance ratings must be taken from the applicable code and approved fire strategy.

9.2 Fire lift

A designated fire lift supports fire and rescue operations under specified emergency conditions. It is not simply an ordinary passenger lift relabelled for emergency use.

Its design requires appropriate lift equipment, protected access, emergency power and controls in accordance with the governing provisions.

Ordinary passenger lifts must not be assumed suitable for evacuation or firefighting. Any use of lifts for evacuation requires a specifically designed and approved strategy.

9.3 Coordination with the structure

Firefighting shafts should be coordinated with structural grids, beams, slabs and service penetrations. Changes to shaft dimensions late in the design process can affect lift installation, stair geometry, landing valves, wall construction and the continuity of fire-resisting enclosures.

Resolve these issues before structural and MEP drawings are issued for construction.

10. Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Fire detection and alarm systems help identify fire conditions and communicate warnings to occupants and building management.

Depending on the building and approved design, installations may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, audible alarms, visual alarm devices, a fire alarm control panel and interfaces with other systems.

10.1 Detector placement

Detector selection and placement depend on the room’s use, environmental conditions, ceiling geometry, airflow and the applicable standard.

Designers should coordinate detectors with HVAC diffusers, beams, false ceilings, lighting and other equipment. A detector must not be placed arbitrarily without checking the design criteria.

10.2 Alarm and control interfaces

The fire alarm system may interface with sprinkler flow switches, smoke-control equipment, designated lifts, access-controlled doors and other systems where required.

The cause-and-effect matrix should clearly identify the conditions that initiate each action. The final design must specify the expected operation, fault monitoring, emergency power and testing arrangements.

11. Smoke Control and Staircase Pressurization

Smoke is a major threat during building fires because it can reduce visibility, cause incapacitation and contaminate escape routes.

Smoke-control strategies seek to limit or manage smoke movement so that designated escape routes and firefighting areas remain usable for the required period.

11.1 Staircase pressurization

A pressurization system supplies air to a protected staircase or other designated space to establish a pressure difference that helps resist smoke infiltration.

The design must consider door opening forces, leakage paths, airflow distribution, fan performance, power supply, controls and interaction with the building’s ventilation systems.

Excessive pressure can make doors difficult to open, while insufficient pressure may fail to protect the enclosure. The system therefore requires engineering calculations and commissioning.

11.2 Smoke shafts and exhaust systems

Depending on the building and its fire strategy, smoke management may use natural or mechanical exhaust, dedicated shafts, dampers, fans and other control arrangements.

These components must be coordinated with architectural openings, structural framing and mechanical services.

A conventional comfort-ventilation system should not be assumed to provide the required smoke-control function unless it has been specifically designed and approved for that purpose.

11.3 Service penetrations

Unprotected gaps around pipes, cables and ducts can compromise fire-resisting construction and create routes for smoke movement.

The architectural and MEP teams should identify every relevant penetration and specify appropriate tested fire-stopping or fire-resisting assemblies. Site inspections should confirm that the installed systems match the approved details.

12. Architectural Planning Considerations

Fire safety should influence the site plan, building layout, circulation, structure, material selection and service distribution.

12.1 Site planning and fire appliance access

The site plan should identify fire service access routes, appliance standing or operating areas, external hydrants, fire service entry points and relevant building entrances.

Check turning movements, clear widths, vertical clearances, gradients, loading constraints, gates and obstructions against the applicable authority requirements and the intended appliances.

Landscaping, parking and security arrangements must not compromise the approved access strategy.

12.2 Escape routes and staircases

The design should provide compliant exits, protected routes and discharge arrangements according to occupant load, occupancy classification and applicable regulations.

Staircases should be coordinated with fire doors, handrails, landings, emergency lighting, signs, pressurization and the building’s evacuation strategy.

Exit widths, travel distances, number of exits and enclosure ratings must be calculated or verified for the specific project.

12.3 Fire compartmentation

Fire compartments divide a building into areas intended to limit the spread of fire and smoke.

Compartment boundaries may include fire-resisting walls, floors, doors and protected service enclosures. Their continuity must be maintained at junctions, shafts, suspended ceilings and service penetrations.

Architectural finishes, joinery and later fit-out works must not undermine the approved fire strategy.

12.4 Materials and structural protection

Material selection should consider reaction to fire, smoke production where relevant, and the required fire resistance of building elements.

Structural fire resistance is a performance requirement and should not be confused with a material simply being non-combustible. The required performance depends on the structural system, occupancy, building characteristics and governing provisions.

Specifications should identify appropriate tested or assessed assemblies and installation details.

12.5 Emergency power and electrical coordination

Designated fire pumps, alarms, emergency lighting, smoke-control equipment and fire lifts may require emergency or standby power in accordance with the approved design.

Coordinate electrical distribution, cable routing, equipment locations, protected circuits and changeover arrangements with the fire protection engineer and electrical consultant.

13. Firefighting Design Coordination: Architect, Structure and MEP

A common project risk is that fire protection is developed as a separate service package rather than coordinated with the building’s architectural and structural design.

A coordinated review should cover the following.

Drawing or package	Essential coordination checks
Site plan	Fire appliance access, hydrants, entrances, setbacks and operating areas
Floor plans	Exits, protected lobbies, landing valves, extinguishers and sprinkler layouts
Sections	Tank levels, pump arrangements, risers, shafts, headroom and vertical zoning
Structural drawings	Beam and slab conflicts, equipment loads, openings and approved penetrations
HVAC drawings	Smoke-control fans, ducts, dampers, pressurization and air intakes
Plumbing and firefighting drawings	Water storage, pumps, headers, risers, valves and drain points
Electrical drawings	Emergency power, fire alarm circuits, designated lift supplies and controls
Reflected ceiling plans	Sprinklers, detectors, lights, diffusers and ceiling obstructions
Fire-stopping details	Protection of service penetrations through fire-resisting construction
Fire strategy and schedules	System performance, fire ratings, equipment specifications and cause-and-effect logic

Practical coordination checklist

Before issuing coordinated Good for Construction (GFC) drawings, confirm that:

The current fire strategy and applicable approval conditions have been incorporated.
Architectural plans, sections and fire protection drawings use consistent locations and levels.
Firefighting shafts, pump rooms, tanks and service risers have been coordinated with the structural design.
Required slab and wall openings are identified and approved by the structural engineer.
Pipe routes avoid unapproved interference with structural members.
Fire-rated enclosures and penetration details are specified consistently.
Equipment has sufficient access for operation, inspection and replacement.
Required emergency power and system interfaces are coordinated.
The relevant fire authority’s comments have been resolved.
Installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance requirements are documented.

Do not core-drill, cut or relocate structural members to accommodate late service changes without the necessary structural review and approval.

14. Firefighting Requirements in Indian Buildings

The National Building Code of India 2016, Part 4, Fire and Life Safety, is a principal technical reference for building fire safety. It addresses building occupancy, fire prevention, life safety, fire protection, high-rise buildings and maintenance of firefighting installations.

Important compliance principles

First, identify the governing jurisdiction. Requirements in one state or city should not automatically be applied to another.

Second, classify the building correctly. Residential, assembly, institutional, industrial, healthcare and mixed-use buildings can have different provisions.

Third, verify the current applicable edition and amendments. A secondary website or an older drawing should not replace the official document.

Fourth, distinguish a model code from an enforceable requirement. The applicable local adoption, amendments and approval conditions determine the requirements for a specific project.

Fifth, obtain the required approvals. Fire protection design should be prepared, reviewed and approved by the appropriately qualified professionals and competent authorities.

This article is an educational design guide, not a substitute for the governing code, detailed engineering calculations or statutory approval.

15. Installation, Testing and Commissioning

Fire protection is effective only when systems are installed correctly, tested and maintained.

Before occupancy, the project team should verify the approved inspection and commissioning requirements for the installed systems.

Typical activities include:

Inspection of pipework, valves and equipment installation.
Required pressure and leakage tests.
Verification of fire pump performance against the approved design.
Testing of hydrant and riser outlets.
Sprinkler system inspection and required functional tests.
Fire alarm testing, including specified interfaces.
Verification of emergency power and designated lift functions.
Functional testing of smoke-control and pressurization systems.
Inspection of fire doors, compartment boundaries and service fire stopping.
Documentation of defects, corrective work and final test results.

The precise test methods, acceptance criteria and records must follow the applicable standards, manufacturer’s instructions and approved commissioning plan.

16. Operation and Maintenance

Fire safety does not end when the building receives its occupancy approval.

Building owners and facility managers should implement a documented maintenance programme covering the installed fire protection systems and passive protection measures.

The programme should address:

Routine inspection and testing at the prescribed intervals.
Fire pump and water supply readiness.
Hydrant, sprinkler and alarm system condition.
Clear access to exits, fire equipment and designated fire service areas.
Fire doors that close and latch as intended.
Integrity of fire-stopping systems after alterations.
Emergency lighting, signage and emergency power.
Occupant training and evacuation procedures.
Maintenance records, defect reporting and corrective action.

Inspection frequencies and maintenance responsibilities must be established in accordance with the applicable rules and equipment requirements.

17. Common Firefighting Design Mistakes

17.1 Treating all high-rise buildings alike

A residential tower and a hospital do not necessarily have the same occupancy risks or evacuation needs.

Better approach: Establish the building classification, occupant characteristics and governing requirements at the beginning of design.

17.2 Fixing tank capacity without calculations

A generic storage capacity may be insufficient for one design and inappropriate for another.

Better approach: Calculate the required storage and supply arrangement from the applicable criteria and system demand.

17.3 Coordinating services after structural drawings are complete

Late pipe routes and shaft changes can create beam conflicts, unapproved openings and inaccessible equipment.

Better approach: Coordinate the fire protection strategy, structure and MEP systems before issuing GFC drawings.

17.4 Ignoring passive fire protection

A building can have sprinklers and alarms yet remain vulnerable if compartment boundaries or protected shafts are compromised.

Better approach: Include fire-resisting construction and tested penetration details in the architectural and MEP packages.

17.5 Assuming a normal lift is a fire lift

Ordinary passenger lifts should not be assumed suitable for emergency firefighting or evacuation.

Better approach: Design and identify the designated lift function according to the approved strategy and governing provisions.

17.6 Treating smoke control as ordinary ventilation

Comfort ventilation and engineered smoke control have different design objectives.

Better approach: Define the required emergency mode, airflow, pressure relationships, controls and commissioning criteria.

17.7 Neglecting maintenance access

Valves, pumps and control panels can become difficult to operate when enclosed by later construction or used for storage.

Better approach: Show working clearances and maintenance access in coordinated drawings and inspect them on site.

17.8 Using outdated regulatory figures

Older educational articles may contain dimensions or ratings that are no longer applicable to a project.

Better approach: Verify each numerical requirement against the current applicable official provisions before placing it on drawings or in specifications.

18. Advantages of an Integrated Firefighting Design

An integrated approach offers several benefits:

Improves coordination between architecture, structure and building services.
Helps identify conflicts before construction.
Supports reliable access to firefighting equipment.
Reduces the risk of gaps in compartmentation and smoke protection.
Makes inspection, commissioning and maintenance easier to plan.
Improves the clarity of fire safety documentation.
Supports compliance reviews and more informed project decisions.

These benefits depend on sound design, proper installation, competent operation and continued maintenance. No individual system guarantees that a building will be safe under every fire scenario.

19. Conclusion

Firefighting in multistorey buildings is an integrated building design responsibility. Fire detection, sprinklers, hydrants, risers, pumps, water storage, protected shafts, fire lifts, compartmentation and smoke control must operate as parts of a coordinated fire and life safety strategy.

For architects, the key task is to translate that strategy into coordinated site plans, floor plans, sections, reflected ceiling plans and construction details. Structural and MEP coordination must be resolved early, while installation, commissioning and maintenance requirements should remain visible throughout the project.

In India, NBC 2016 Part 4 and the applicable local regulations provide the starting point for verification. Final designs must be checked against the current requirements and approved by the competent professionals and authorities.

A well-coordinated design helps protect occupants, supports firefighting operations and makes the building’s fire safety provisions more practical to inspect, maintain and use.