What is the minimum stairway width required for a school?

1.5 meters for school buildings up to 24 m in height (Clause 5.3.1).

What is the maximum distance a person should have to travel to reach an exit?

The travel distance to an exit shall not be more than 22.5 meters (Clause 4.5).

Are fire alarms mandatory in schools?

Yes, all educational buildings exceeding two storeys shall be equipped with a manually operated electrical fire alarm system (Clause 9.1).

What is the minimum width for a corridor in a school?

The minimum width of a corridor or passageway shall be 2.0 meters (Clause 7.1).

IS 13716

: 1993

Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Educational Buildings

CurrentEssentialCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety

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This code of practice outlines the fire safety requirements for educational buildings like schools and colleges. It provides guidelines for planning, design, and construction to ensure life safety, covering exit requirements, fire resistance of materials, and provisions for fire detection and firefighting systems.

Covers fire safety requirements for the design, construction, and operation of educational buildings, including schools and colleges.

Quick Reference Values

Minimum stairway width for educational buildings up to 24m height1.5 m

Minimum corridor/passageway width2.0 m

Maximum travel distance to an exit (non-sprinklered)22.5 m

Maximum slope for a ramp used as an exit1 in 10

Minimum fire resistance for structural elements (buildings >15m)2 hours

Maximum number of risers per flight of stairs15

Minimum height of handrail for stairways1000 mm (1.0 m)

Practical Notes

This code is now largely supplemented by the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, Part 4. It's crucial to consult the latest NBC for comprehensive requirements.

The primary focus is on quick and orderly evacuation of students. Therefore, generous widths for corridors and stairs, and clear, unobstructed exit routes are paramount.

Regular maintenance of fire safety installations and conducting fire drills are mandatory for compliance and effective safety management.