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IS 5888 : 1970Code of practice for design and construction of fire service drill-tower

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NFPA 1402 · BS 8642 · DIN 14092-3
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Fighting
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 5888:1970 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design and construction of fire service drill-tower. This standard outlines the code of practice for the design and construction of drill-towers intended for training fire service personnel. It covers essential functional requirements, materials, structural design, and specific features like staircases, platforms, and installations for practical drills.

Code of practice for design and construction of fire service drill-tower

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Fire Safety — Fire Fighting
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
NFPA 1402:2023 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USABS 8642:2022 · British Standards Institution (BSI), UKDIN 14092-3:2012-04 · Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany
Typically used with
IS 456IS 800IS 875
Also on InfraLens for IS 5888
5Key values4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! This standard is obsolete and has been formally superseded by IS 16641:2017 'Fire Service Drill Tower — Code of Practice'. All new designs should refer to the latest standard.
! Design should prioritize durability, especially for concrete and steel elements, due to exposure to repeated wetting during hose drills.
! Foundation design is critical due to the slender profile of the tower, making it susceptible to significant wind and seismic forces.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3.1HeightCl. 3.2Plan DimensionsCl. 3.4StaircaseCl. 3.7Dry RiserCl. 5Structural Design
Pulled from IS 5888:1970. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
reinforced concretestructural steelmasonry

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
NFPA 1402:2023National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard on Facilities for Fire Training and Associated Props
Covers drill towers within a much broader standard for all fire training facilities, including live-fire and technical rescue.
BS 8642:2022British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
HighCurrent
Design of training facilities for fire and rescue services — Code of practice
Provides modern guidance and recommendations for designing a wide range of fire training facilities, including drill towers.
DIN 14092-3:2012-04Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany
HighCurrent
Fire brigade training facilities - Part 3: Training tower (Feuerwehr-Übungsanlagen - Teil 3: Übungsturm)
A dedicated standard focusing specifically on the requirements for fire service training towers, similar to the IS code's focused scope.
Key Differences
≠IS 5888 is highly prescriptive, dictating exact dimensions like a 15m height and a 4.5m x 4.5m plan. Modern international standards like NFPA 1402 and BS 8642 are performance-based, focusing on functional requirements to meet training objectives, allowing for design flexibility.
≠The scope of IS 5888 is limited to a single, non-live-fire drill tower. NFPA 1402 and BS 8642 are far broader, covering entire training complexes, live-fire burn buildings, technical rescue props (confined space, trench), and driver training areas.
≠International standards place a heavy emphasis on provisions for modern technical rescue training, specifying requirements for engineered anchor points for ropes, varied window sizes for bailout drills, and props for confined space scenarios, which are absent in the 1970 Indian standard.
≠IS 5888 does not address live-fire training. NFPA 1402 provides extensive and critical requirements for structures intended for live burns, including specifications for thermal linings, temperature monitoring systems, ventilation, and structural integrity under thermal stress.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental purpose of providing a multi-story structure to simulate a building environment for firefighter training, including ladder work, hose advancement, and search/rescue drills.
≈All codes mandate that the tower's structural design must comply with national building codes for anticipated loads, including dead, live, equipment, and wind loads, ensuring structural safety.
≈Each standard requires the inclusion of a water supply system for training. IS 5888 specifies a dry riser, while international standards require standpipe systems (wet or dry) for hose drills.
≈The basic features of a multi-level structure with multiple floors, internal or external stairways, and wall openings (windows) to mimic realistic conditions are common across all the standards.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Minimum HeightAt least 15 mNo specific minimum; must be sufficient to meet the training objectives of the authority (typically 3-5 stories).NFPA 1402
Floor Live Load500 kg/m² (approx. 4.9 kN/m²)Not less than required by local building code; often specified as 100 psf (approx. 4.8 kN/m² or 488 kg/m²).NFPA 1402
Plan Dimensions4.5 m x 4.5 mNot specified; based on functional requirements to allow for specific training evolutions.BS 8642:2022
Water Riser100 mm diameter dry riserA standpipe system (wet or dry) compliant with NFPA 14, with outlets on various floors.NFPA 1402
Rope Rescue AnchorsNot specifiedEngineered anchor points designed to a minimum load of 22.2 kN (5,000 lbf) are required for rope training.NFPA 1402
Live-Fire CapabilityNot addressed (designed for 'drills')Requires specific thermal lining systems (e.g., refractory panels), temperature monitoring, and purpose-built ventilation if used for live-fire training.NFPA 1402
Floor-to-Floor Height3 mNo prescribed value; must allow for realistic training scenarios and safe movement.BS 8642:2022
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Minimum height of tower15 m
Minimum plan dimensions of tower6.0 m x 4.5 m
Minimum width of staircase1.0 m
Minimum internal diameter of dry riser main100 mm
Minimum size of wall openings for ladder practice1.1 m x 1.75 m high

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3.1 - Height
Clause 3.2 - Plan Dimensions
Clause 3.4 - Staircase
Clause 3.7 - Dry Riser
Clause 5 - Structural Design

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 800:2007General Construction in Steel - Code of Pract...
→
IS 875:1987Design Loads (Other than Earthquake) for Buil...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

Is this standard still valid for new construction?+
No, it has been superseded by IS 16641:2017 and should not be used for new projects.
What is the minimum height specified for a drill tower?+
A minimum height of 15 m from ground level to the top-most floor is specified (Clause 3.1.1).
Does the code specify requirements for a dry riser?+
Yes, Clause 3.7 specifies a dry riser with a minimum internal diameter of 100 mm, along with landing valves at each floor and an inlet at ground level.
What structural design codes are referenced?+
The code refers to relevant Indian Standards for loads (IS 875), plain and reinforced concrete (IS 456), and steel design (IS 800).

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