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IS 14689 : 1999Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings (Printing and Publishing Industry)

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NFPA 101, 2021 · International Building Code (IBC), 2021 · BS 9999
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 14689:1999 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire safety in industrial buildings (printing and publishing industry). This code of practice outlines fire safety requirements for buildings in the printing and publishing industry. It addresses hazard classification, fire-resistant construction, means of escape, and specific provisions for handling flammable materials like inks and solvents. The standard aims to minimize fire risk and ensure life safety for occupants in these specialized industrial environments.

Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings (Printing and Publishing Industry)

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Fire Safety — Fire Safety
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
NFPA 101, 2021 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USAInternational Building Code (IBC), 2021 · International Code Council (ICC), USABS 9999:2017 · British Standards Institution (BSI), UKNFPA 232, 2022 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
Typically used with
IS 1646IS 2189IS 2190IS 3034
Also on InfraLens for IS 14689
5Key values2Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Pay special attention to the storage and handling of flammable inks and solvents, which are the primary fire hazards. Segregation, ventilation, and proper electrical bonding/grounding are key.
! The high fire load from paper storage requires robust automatic sprinkler systems, especially in warehouses and reel stores.
! Regular maintenance of printing machinery is crucial to prevent fires from overheating, static discharge, or electrical faults. Ensure good housekeeping is maintained to control combustible dust.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Classification of HazardCl. 5Building and Plant LayoutCl. 6Means of EscapeCl. 7Fire Detection and Extinguishing SystemCl. 8Hazards from Processes and Materials
Pulled from IS 14689:1999. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
paperinkssolventsfire retardant materials

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
NFPA 101, 2021National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
MediumCurrent
Life Safety Code
Covers life safety and egress requirements for all occupancies, including industrial buildings like printing plants.
International Building Code (IBC), 2021International Code Council (ICC), USA
HighCurrent
International Building Code
Provides comprehensive requirements for 'Group F-1' (Factory Industrial, Moderate-Hazard) occupancies, which includes printing plants.
BS 9999:2017British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
MediumCurrent
Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings — Code of practice
A general code of practice for fire safety design that includes provisions for industrial premises, based on a risk-profile approach.
NFPA 232, 2022National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard for the Protection of Records
Specifically addresses the high fire load hazard of stored paper records, directly relevant to paper/book storage in publishing.
Key Differences
≠IS 14689 is highly prescriptive and industry-specific, providing rules for printing processes. International codes like the IBC or BS 9999 are general frameworks that classify printing plants as a type of industrial occupancy, applying broader rules rather than process-specific ones.
≠The Indian standard mandates very high fire resistance ratings (e.g., 4 hours for separating walls), which are often more stringent than the 1- or 2-hour ratings typically required by the IBC or NFPA for similar separations, especially in sprinklered buildings.
≠International standards like NFPA 101 and the IBC often provide for 'performance-based' design alternatives, allowing for engineered solutions. IS 14689 is almost entirely prescriptive, offering less flexibility.
≠Travel distance limits in IS 14689 are significantly shorter (e.g., 30m) compared to the allowances in NFPA 101 for sprinklered industrial buildings (up to 122m), reflecting a different philosophical approach to egress design.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the principal hazards of the printing industry: high fire load from stored paper and the presence of flammable/combustible inks and solvents.
≈The fundamental principle of compartmentation—using fire-rated walls, floors, and doors to separate storage, production, and office areas—is a core strategy in both the IS code and its international counterparts.
≈Automatic sprinkler protection is universally recommended or mandated by all standards for large printing facilities and areas with high-piled storage of paper products, viewing it as the most effective single protection measure.
≈All codes mandate basic fire safety systems, including the provision of portable fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, and clearly marked, unobstructed means of egress.
≈Rules for safe handling and storage of flammable liquids (e.g., in approved safety cans or dedicated fire-rated rooms/cabinets) are consistent across all standards.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Travel Distance to ExitGenerally shall not exceed 30 m.Up to 61 m (200 ft) in non-sprinklered buildings; up to 122 m (400 ft) in sprinklered buildings.NFPA 101
Fire Resistance for Wall Separating High Hazard Area4 hours.2 hours for separating different occupancies (e.g., F-1 from S-1) in a non-sprinklered building; 1 hour if sprinklered.IBC 2021
Trigger for Requiring Automatic Sprinklers (by area)Recommended for areas exceeding 750 sq. m.Required for F-1 fire areas exceeding 1,115 sq. m (12,000 sq. ft).IBC 2021
Minimum Exit Doorway Clear Width1000 mm (as per reference to National Building Code).813 mm (32 inches).NFPA 101
Paper Stack Height (General Limit)Not more than 4 m high.Storage over 3.7 m (12 ft) is defined as 'High-Piled Storage' and triggers specific, more robust sprinkler design requirements, rather than a strict prohibition.NFPA 13
Separation of Flammable Liquid Storage (>250 L)Should be in a separate, properly ventilated building or a room with 4-hour fire resistance.Requires a dedicated 'Inside Liquid Storage Area' with a 2-hour fire resistance rating, separated from other occupancies.NFPA 30
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Maximum travel distance to an exit30 m
Minimum width of escape routes and exits150 cm
Maximum height of paper roll stacks4.5 m
Maximum storage quantity of Class A flammable liquids in workroom500 litres
Minimum separation distance between process buildings and storage15 m

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Fire Resistance Rating of Structural Elements
Table 2 - Minimum Requirements for First-Aid Fire-Fighting Appliances
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification of Hazard
Clause 5 - Building and Plant Layout
Clause 6 - Means of Escape
Clause 7 - Fire Detection and Extinguishing System
Clause 8 - Hazards from Processes and Materials

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1646:1997Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Buildings...
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IS 2189:1999Code of Practice for Selection, Installation ...
→
IS 2190:2010Selection, Installation and maintenance of fi...
→
IS 3034:1993Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings: Electric...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main fire hazard in a printing press?+
The primary hazards are large quantities of combustible materials like paper and cardboard, and flammable liquids like inks, solvents, and cleaning agents (Clause 8).
Are automatic sprinklers mandatory?+
Automatic sprinkler systems are strongly recommended for all process and storage areas, and are considered essential for buildings exceeding certain height or area thresholds (Clause 7.3).
What type of fire extinguisher is needed for solvent fires?+
For fires involving flammable liquids (Class B fires) like solvents, Dry Chemical Powder (DCP), Foam, or Carbon Dioxide (CO2) type extinguishers are required (Clause 7.2).
What are the rules for storing flammable liquids?+
Quantities in work areas should be minimized. Bulk storage must be in a separate, detached, well-ventilated building or a dedicated fire-resistant room (Clause 8.3).

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