What is the maximum permissible travel distance to an exit in a hotel?

22.5 meters. This can be increased to 30 meters if the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system (Clause 3.4.3).

What is the minimum number of exits required for any floor in a hotel?

A minimum of two separate exits are required for every floor (Clause 3.4.1).

When are automatic sprinklers mandatory in hotels?

Sprinklers are mandatory for all basements and for hotel buildings exceeding 15 meters in height (Clause 5.4.1 & 6.2.3).

What is the minimum fire resistance rating for a door opening into a staircase?

The door should have a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours (Clause 3.5.3.3).

IS 10074

: 1982

Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Hotels

CurrentFrequently UsedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety

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This code of practice outlines the essential requirements for fire prevention, life safety, and fire protection in hotel buildings. It details standards for means of escape, fire detection and alarm systems, fire fighting equipment, and includes special, more stringent provisions for high-rise hotels.

Provides fire safety guidelines for the design, construction, and management of hotels and similar guest accommodations.

Quick Reference Values

Maximum travel distance to an exit (unsprinklered)22.5 m

Maximum travel distance to an exit (sprinklered)30 m

Minimum number of exits per floor2

Maximum height of a stair riser190 mm

Minimum width of a stair tread250 mm

Minimum width of corridors for hotels >15m high1.5 m

Fire resistance of doors to exit stairways2 hours

Practical Notes

This code is considered dated. Designers must primarily refer to the latest National Building Code of India (NBC), Part 4, which provides more current and comprehensive requirements for fire safety in all building types, including hotels.

The calculation of occupant load (Table 1) and ensuring adequate exit capacity and width (Table 2 & 3) is a fundamental first step in hotel fire safety design.

Requirements become significantly stricter for high-rise hotels (defined as buildings >15m in height), mandating features like automatic sprinklers, pressurized staircases, and dedicated fire lifts.