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IS 6329:2000 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire safety of industrial buildings - saw mills and wood works. This standard outlines the code of practice for fire safety specifically for industrial buildings used as sawmills and for woodworking. It covers requirements for building construction, storage of timber and waste, process hazards, electrical installations, and fire protection and fighting systems to minimize fire risk.
Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings - Saw Mills and Wood Works
! Meticulous housekeeping is critical. The regular and systematic removal of sawdust and wood shavings from floors, machinery, and structural members is the single most important factor in preventing large-scale fires.
! Ensure all electrical equipment, including motors and lighting fixtures, is of a dust-tight enclosure type to prevent ignition of airborne wood dust.
! Strictly enforce the separation distances for timber stacks and from buildings to create effective fire breaks and prevent fire from spreading across the site.
NFPA 664:2020National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
Directly addresses fire and explosion hazards in woodworking facilities, covering dust control, construction, and protection systems.
IBC 2021International Code Council (ICC), USA
MediumCurrent
International Building Code
Provides general building and fire safety requirements for industrial occupancies (Group F-1), including woodworking shops.
FPA RC59:2012Fire Protection Association (FPA), UK
MediumCurrent
Recommendations for fire safety in the storage and processing of wood based panels
Focuses specifically on wood panel storage and processing, a key subset of the scope of IS 6329.
DSEAR 2002Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK
LowCurrent
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
A legal framework requiring risk assessment for combustible dusts, rather than a prescriptive code for facility design.
Key Differences
≠IS 6329 is highly prescriptive, while international standards like NFPA 664 often provide performance-based alternatives alongside prescriptive rules, allowing for more design flexibility.
≠NFPA 664 mandates a formal, documented Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) to identify and mitigate combustible dust risks. IS 6329 recommends dust control but does not require a formal DHA process.
≠The Indian standard was published in 2000, while newer international counterparts (e.g., NFPA 664:2020) explicitly incorporate modern technologies like spark detection and suppression systems for dust transport systems.
≠The IBC uses a more detailed and integrated building construction classification system (Type I to V) linked to occupancy hazard (Group F-1) than the general guidelines in IS 6329.
Key Similarities
≈All standards strongly emphasize dust control as a primary fire and explosion prevention measure, mandating dust collection systems, enclosed machinery, and rigorous housekeeping.
≈There is a common emphasis on site layout and maintaining significant separation distances between buildings, process areas, and outdoor timber storage piles to prevent fire spread.
≈All codes specify the need for a robust fire protection infrastructure, including hydrants, portable fire extinguishers, and either recommend or mandate automatic sprinkler systems based on facility size and risk.
≈A universal requirement is that all electrical installations and equipment must be of a type suitable for hazardous, dusty locations to prevent ignition, referencing their respective national electrical codes.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Sprinkler system threshold
Recommended for buildings with a floor area exceeding 250 m².
Required for all new facilities exceeding 5,000 sq ft (approx. 465 m²).
NFPA 664
Fire resistance of boiler house walls
4 hours fire resistance rating.
Typically a 2-hour fire-rated separation from other occupied areas.
IBC 2021
Outdoor timber stack height
Shall not exceed 6 m.
Piles shall not exceed 20 ft (approx. 6.1 m) in height.
NFPA 664
Clearance between outdoor timber stacks
Minimum 6 m between stacks, with 15 m main clearways.
A minimum of 25 ft (approx. 7.6 m) of clear space shall be maintained between piles.
NFPA 664
Travel distance to fire extinguisher
Maximum travel distance of 15 m.
Maximum travel distance of 75 ft (approx. 23 m) for Class A hazards.
NFPA 10 (referenced by NFPA 664)
Dust Collector Location
Should be located outside the main building. If inside, in a separate room of 4h fire resistance.
Collectors located indoors must be in a fire-resistive room with explosion venting to the outside.
NFPA 664
Minimum separation from boundary line
At least 15 m for main buildings from any property line.
Varies by construction type; for unsprinklered Type VB (combustible), 30 ft (9.1 m) is required for Group F-1.
IBC 2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Maximum height of timber stack in open4.5 m
Minimum separation between timber stacks6 m
Minimum distance of timber stack from any building15 m
Number of 9-litre water/foam extinguishers per 500 sqm floor area2
Minimum clearance around electrical motors1 m
Separation distance for sawdust storage building6 m
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Fire Resistance Rating of Structural Elements
Table 2 - Recommended Scale of First-Aid Fire Fighting Appliances
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Site, Location and Building Construction
What is the maximum allowed height for a timber stack in an open yard?+
4.5 metres. A minimum separation of 6 metres must be maintained between stacks. (Clause 4.3.1.2)
How should sawdust and wood waste be handled?+
They should be collected frequently and stored in a detached building at least 6m away, or in enclosed metal bins with close-fitting lids before disposal. (Clause 6.2)
What kind of fire extinguishers are required?+
At least two 9-litre water or foam type extinguishers are required for every 500 sq.m of floor area. Additional CO2 or dry powder extinguishers should be provided near electrical equipment. (Table 2)
Are automatic sprinklers mandatory for a sawmill?+
Automatic sprinkler or drencher systems are recommended, particularly for high-hazard areas, multi-storey buildings, and large timber yards. (Clause 5.3)