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IS 16290:2014 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for passive fire protection for buildings - general requirements. This standard provides the general principles and requirements for passive fire protection (PFP) in buildings. It covers key strategies like fire resistance, compartmentation, protection of structural elements, and sealing of openings to contain fire and smoke, thereby ensuring life safety and structural integrity during a fire.
Provides general requirements for passive fire protection measures in buildings, including fire compartmentalization, fire stopping, and fire-resistant construction.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! This code must be read in conjunction with the National Building Code of India (Part 4), which specifies the required fire resistance ratings (in hours) for various building elements based on occupancy and height.
! The effectiveness of passive fire protection is highly dependent on correct installation. Always ensure that PFP systems are installed by trained personnel and as per the manufacturer's tested assembly.
! Pay special attention to service penetrations (pipes, cables, ducts) through fire-rated walls and floors; they must be sealed with appropriate, certified fire-stopping systems.
fire retardant materialsintumescent coatingsfire stoppingfire resistant glazingfire dampersfire resistant boards
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
BS 476-20/21/22BSI (UK)
HighCurrent
Fire tests on building materials and structures (Parts 20, 21, 22 covering fire resistance of elements, loadbearing elements, and non-loadbearing elements)
Provides the foundational test methods for fire resistance that are historically linked to the referenced Indian test standards.
BS EN 1363-1:2020CEN (European Union) / BSI (UK)
HighCurrent
Fire resistance tests - Part 1: General Requirements
Defines the general principles for determining the fire resistance of various building elements, serving a similar role to IS 16290's framework.
ASTM E119-20ASTM International (US)
HighCurrent
Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
The primary North American standard for fire resistance testing of assemblies, sharing the same fundamental performance criteria.
AS 1530.4-2014Standards Australia (Australia)
HighCurrent
Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures - Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction
The Australian equivalent for fire resistance testing, based on the same core principles of Integrity, Insulation, and Stability.
Key Differences
≠IS 16290 acts as a 'general requirements' or 'code of practice' document that refers out to specific testing standards (e.g., IS 3614 for steel). In contrast, standards like BS EN 1363-1 are the testing standards themselves, detailing the apparatus and procedure directly.
≠Modern European standards (EN 1363 series) and US standards (ASTM E119) explicitly mandate a positive pressure regime in the test furnace to better simulate real fire conditions. Test methods referenced by IS 16290 may still be based on older BS standards which allowed for a neutral pressure axis, a less severe test condition.
≠European standards have a highly detailed classification for smoke leakage ('S' rating, e.g., Sₐ or S₂₀₀). While IS 16290 acknowledges the importance of smoke control, it does not incorporate this specific, standardized classification system for products like fire doors or dampers.
≠The European framework includes formal and extensive rules for the 'Extended Application of Test Results' (EXAP standards, EN 152xx series), which govern how test results can be extrapolated to different sizes and configurations. The Indian system is generally less prescriptive on this, relying more on the judgment of the test laboratory.
Key Similarities
≈All standards, including IS 16290 and its international equivalents, are fundamentally based on the same standard cellulosic time-temperature curve (derived from ISO 834) for testing the fire resistance of building elements.
≈The core performance criteria for assessing fire resistance are identical: 'Integrity' (preventing passage of flames/hot gases), 'Insulation' (limiting temperature rise on the unexposed face), and 'Stability' or 'Loadbearing Capacity' for structural elements.
≈IS 16290 emphasizes a 'system-based' approach, meaning the entire assembly (e.g., a fire-rated wall with all its components) must be tested and proven, not just individual materials. This is a fundamental principle in all modern international fire testing standards.
≈The Indian code strongly advocates for testing at accredited laboratories and obtaining third-party certification for passive fire protection products. This mirrors the international practice of using independent bodies like UL (US) or Certifire (UK) for product verification and approval.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Time-Temperature at 60 minutes
Approx. 945°C
Approx. 945°C / 1700°F
EN 1363-1 / ASTM E119
Insulation: Average Temp Rise Limit
140°C above ambient
140°C (EN) or 139°C / 250°F (ASTM) above ambient
EN 1363-1 / ASTM E119
Insulation: Max Single Point Temp Rise
180°C above ambient
180°C (EN) or 181°C / 325°F (ASTM) above ambient
EN 1363-1 / ASTM E119
Integrity Failure: Gap Gauge
Failure if a 6 mm gap gauge can penetrate the opening, or a 25 mm gauge can penetrate and be moved along the opening.
Similar principle with 6 mm and 25 mm gap gauges used to check for openings.
BS 476-20 / EN 1363-1
Integrity Failure: Cotton Pad Ignition
Ignition of cotton pad within 30 seconds when held near an opening.
Ignition of cotton pad within 10-30 seconds (varies by specific test).
EN 1363-1
Furnace Pressure Condition
Follows referenced standards which may allow neutral pressure.
Positive pressure is mandatory (e.g., 20 Pa at a specified height).
EN 1363-1
Standard for Fire Doors Test
Refers to IS 3614 (Part 2)
BS EN 1634-1 (Europe) or UL 10C (US)
BS EN 1634-1 / UL 10C
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 5 - Fire Resistance
Clause 6 - Fire Compartmentation
Clause 7 - Protection of Openings and Penetrations
To provide a framework for passive fire protection measures in buildings to limit fire and smoke spread, and to maintain structural stability for a specified duration (Clause 1).
What is fire compartmentation?+
It is the division of a building into self-contained, fire-resistant sections using fire-rated walls and floors to prevent the spread of fire from one section to another (Clause 6).
Does this code specify the fire rating required for a column?+
No. This code explains the principles of protecting the column. The specific fire resistance rating (e.g., 2 hours, 3 hours) is given in the National Building Code of India (NBC).
What does this code say about openings in firewalls?+
All openings for doors, windows, ducts, and other services must be protected with systems (e.g., fire doors, dampers) having a fire resistance rating appropriate for the wall or floor they are in (Clause 7).