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IS 13848:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire safety of industrial buildings. This standard outlines the code of practice for ensuring fire safety in industrial buildings. It covers the classification of industries based on hazard levels, guidelines for building siting and construction with appropriate fire resistance, requirements for means of escape, and provisions for fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems.
Provides guidelines for fire safety design, construction, and protection measures specific to industrial buildings and processes.
Quick Reference — Top IS 13848:1993 Values
Key values for fire resistance, hazard classification, means of egress, compartmentation, and separation distances for industrial buildings.
✓ Verified 2026-04-27
Reference
Value
Clause
Hazard Class - Light— Fire load density
≤ 550 MJ/m²
Cl. 3.2.1
Hazard Class - Ordinary (M)— Fire load density
550 - 1100 MJ/m²
Cl. 3.2.2
Hazard Class - High (H)— Fire load density
> 1100 MJ/m²
Cl. 3.2.3
Fire Resistance - Type 1 Const.— For main structural elements
4 h
Cl. 4.2 (Table 1)
Fire Resistance - Type 2 Const.— For main structural elements
3 h
Cl. 4.3 (Table 1)
Fire Resistance - Type 3 Const.— For main structural elements
2 h
Cl. 4.4 (Table 1)
Fire Resistance - Type 4 Const.— For main structural elements
1 h
Cl. 4.5 (Table 1)
Max Travel Distance - High Hazard
22.5 m
Cl. 5.1.4
Max Travel Distance - Light/Ord. Hazard
30 m
Cl. 5.1.4
Max Travel Distance (Sprinklered)— For all hazard classes
45 m
Cl. 5.1.4
Min Exit Doorway Width
1000 mm
Cl. 5.1.5.1
Min Corridor Width
1200 mm
Cl. 5.1.5.2
Min Staircase Width
1200 mm
Cl. 5.1.6.1
Staircase - Max Riser Height
190 mm
Cl. 5.1.6.1
Staircase - Min Tread Width
250 mm
Cl. 5.1.6.1
Max Compartment Area - High Hazard— Unsprinklered. Area can be doubled if sprinklered.
1000 m²
Cl. 6.1 (Table 3)
Max Compartment Area - Ord. Hazard— Unsprinklered. Area can be doubled if sprinklered.
2000 m²
Cl. 6.1 (Table 3)
Max Compartment Area - Light Hazard— Unsprinklered. Area can be doubled if sprinklered.
3000 m²
Cl. 6.1 (Table 3)
Separation Dist. - High to High Hazard— For Type 1/2 construction with blank walls
15 m
Cl. 7.1 (Table 4)
Separation Dist. - Ord. to Ord. Hazard— For Type 1/2 construction with blank walls
9 m
Cl. 7.1 (Table 4)
Max Yard Hydrant Spacing
45 m
Cl. 8.2.2
Sprinkler Trigger Area - High Hazard— Area above which sprinklers are mandatory
> 500 m²
Cl. 8.3.1
⚠ Verify against the latest BIS/IRC publication and project specifications. Amendment Slips may modify values.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The hazard classification of the industry as per Table 1 (Low, Moderate, or High) is the first and most critical step as it dictates most subsequent requirements.
! This code should be used in conjunction with the National Building Code of India (SP 7), particularly Part 4 'Fire and Life Safety'.
! Pay special attention to clauses related to segregation of hazardous areas and provisions for explosion venting where applicable.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
IBC 2021ICC (US)
HighCurrent
International Building Code
Comprehensive model code for new building construction, including fire safety for industrial occupancies.
NFPA 101-2021NFPA (US)
HighCurrent
Life Safety Code
Focuses on life safety and means of egress from fire and other emergencies in new and existing buildings.
BS 9999:2017BSI (UK)
HighCurrent
Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings
Provides a risk-based framework for fire safety engineering across all building types, including industrial.
NFPA 1-2021NFPA (US)
MediumCurrent
Fire Code
Covers fire prevention and safety in existing buildings, including operations, inspections, and maintenance.
Key Differences
≠IS 13848:1993 is a prescriptive standard from 1993 and has not been revised. International codes like the IBC and NFPA standards are updated every three years, incorporating modern research, technologies, and a pathway for performance-based designs.
≠Modern international codes (e.g., IBC, NFPA 101) have far more stringent and widespread requirements for automatic sprinkler systems, often making them mandatory based on fire area size, occupancy type, and height, whereas IS 13848's requirements are more limited.
≠International standards like the IBC and NFPA 101 include detailed and mandatory requirements for accessible means of egress for persons with disabilities, such as areas of refuge and evacuation elevators. These provisions are largely absent in the 1993 Indian standard.
≠The IBC and NFPA 5000 provide detailed material specifications and fire test standards (e.g., ASTM E119, UL 263) that are directly referenced and integral to the code. IS 13848 references Indian testing standards but is less integrated with modern material science and testing advancements.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 13848 and its international equivalents are founded on the core principles of fire safety: compartmentation to limit fire spread, protection of escape routes, and ensuring structural stability for a specified duration during a fire.
≈All standards utilize a system of occupancy classification (e.g., low, moderate, high hazard industrial) as a fundamental step to determine the specific fire protection and life safety requirements for a building.
≈The concept of assigning fire-resistance ratings (measured in hours or minutes) to critical building elements like walls, floors, and columns is a central and common strategy in both the IS code and international standards to contain fires and protect occupants.
≈All codes specify maximum travel distances to an exit and minimum width requirements for escape routes (corridors, doors, stairs) based on the building's occupancy and occupant load, though the specific values may differ.
How are industrial buildings classified for fire risk?+
They are classified as Low, Moderate, and High Hazard based on the combustibility and quantity of materials processed or stored, as detailed in Table 1.
What is the maximum travel distance to an exit in a high-hazard industrial building?+
30 meters, as specified in Table 3.
What fire resistance rating is required for columns in a high-hazard industrial building?+
A fire resistance rating of 4 hours is required, according to Table 2.
What is the minimum width for an escape staircase in an industrial building?+