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IS 9109 : 2000Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings - Paint and Varnish Factories - Code of Practice

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NFPA 30 · FM Global Data Sheet 7-14 · NFPA 34
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 9109:2000 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire safety of industrial buildings - paint and varnish factories - code of practice. This standard provides fire safety guidelines for industrial buildings manufacturing paints and varnishes. It covers aspects from site selection and building construction to specific hazard controls, fire protection systems, and safe electrical installations to mitigate risks associated with highly flammable materials.

Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings - Paint and Varnish Factories - Code of Practice

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Fire Safety — Fire Safety
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
NFPA 30:2024 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USAFM Global Data Sheet 7-14:2020 · FM Global, USANFPA 34:2022 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USAHSG176 (3rd Edition) · Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK
Typically used with
IS 1646IS 2190IS 3034
Also on InfraLens for IS 9109
6Key values2Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Strict adherence to hazardous area classification (zoning) is crucial for selecting appropriate electrical equipment (flameproof, intrinsically safe) to prevent ignition.
! Controlling static electricity through proper earthing and bonding of all equipment, containers, and personnel is a primary safety measure during solvent transfer and mixing operations.
! Effective ventilation is non-negotiable to prevent the build-up of flammable vapours to explosive concentrations.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Site Selection, Layout and AccessCl. 5Building ConstructionCl. 6Hazards and their ControlCl. 7Fire ProtectionCl. 8Electrical Installations
Pulled from IS 9109:2000. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
flammable liquidssolventsresinspigmentscombustible dust

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
NFPA 30:2024National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
Provides fundamental requirements for storing, handling, and using flammable liquids, and incorporates the former NFPA 35 (Manufacture of Organic Coatings).
FM Global Data Sheet 7-14:2020FM Global, USA
HighCurrent
Fire and Explosion Protection for Flammable Liquid, Flammable Gas, and Liquefied Flammable Gas Processing Equipment and Supporting Structures
Focuses specifically on fire/explosion protection for process equipment central to paint and varnish manufacturing.
NFPA 34:2022National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
MediumCurrent
Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids
Covers the application processes (dipping, coating) which are often part of or adjacent to a paint manufacturing facility.
HSG176 (3rd Edition)Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK
MediumCurrent
The storage of flammable liquids in containers: Guidance for controlling fire and explosion risks
Provides risk-based guidance on storing flammable liquids, overlapping with the storage aspects of IS 9109.
Key Differences
≠IS 9109 is highly prescriptive, providing fixed distances and values. Modern international standards like NFPA 30 are increasingly performance-based, allowing for engineered solutions and requiring detailed risk assessments to justify designs.
≠International standards (NFPA/IEC) provide a more detailed and systematic methodology for classifying hazardous areas (e.g., Zone 0, 1, 2 or Class I, Div 1, 2) based on the frequency and duration of the presence of flammable atmospheres, whereas IS 9109 is more general.
≠NFPA 30 and FM Global Data Sheets specify quantitative requirements for spill containment, often requiring capacity for the largest tank plus firewater demand for a specific duration (e.g., 20 minutes). IS 9109 recommends sloping floors to a sump but is less quantitative.
≠International standards like NFPA and FM Global heavily rely on third-party certified/listed equipment (e.g., UL Listed, FM Approved) for fire protection and electrical systems, ensuring a tested level of performance. IS 9109 references other Indian Standards for conformity.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the fundamental principle of segregating high-hazard manufacturing and storage areas from low-hazard areas like offices and canteens through separation distances or fire-rated construction.
≈Both IS 9109 and its international counterparts require the use of special explosion-proof/flameproof electrical equipment (conforming to relevant national standards like IS 2148 or NFPA 70/NEC) in areas where flammable vapors may be present.
≈A multi-layered approach to fire protection is common, requiring a combination of portable fire extinguishers, fire hydrant systems, and automatic fixed fire protection systems (like sprinklers or foam systems) in high-risk areas.
≈All relevant standards emphasize strict administrative controls, including prohibiting smoking and open flames, and implementing a formal 'hot work' permit system for any maintenance involving ignition sources in hazardous areas.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Separation distance from process building to property line30 m minimum recommended23 m (75 ft) for a sprinklered building storing Class IB liquidsNFPA 30
Travel distance to nearest exit in process area22.5 m maximum23 m (75 ft) maximum for high-hazard industrial occupancyNFPA 101 (referenced by NFPA 30)
Ventilation requirement in process areasMinimum 20 air changes per hour OR sufficient to keep vapors below 25% of LELSufficient to keep vapors below 25% of the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) under normal operations (performance-based)NFPA 30
Maximum stack height of packed containers (indoor storage)3 m1.5 m (5 ft) for 1-gal metal cans of Class IB liquid with standard warehouse sprinklers (highly variable)NFPA 30
Fire resistance rating of separating walls (Process/Storage)4 hours2 to 4 hours, depending on the hazard being separatedNFPA 30
Static electricity controlProper earthing of all metallic objects and equipment shall be ensured.Bonding and grounding systems shall have a resistance to ground not exceeding 10 ohms.FM Global 7-14
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum separation between process buildings30 m
Minimum separation between process building and boundary line30 m
Required fire resistance for columns and beams4 hours
Required fire resistance for external non-load bearing walls2 hours
Minimum ventilation rate for process rooms30 air changes per hour
Maximum travel distance to exit in hazardous areas22.5 m

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Minimum Separation Distances Between Buildings/Plants/Storages for Paint/Varnish Factories
Table 2 - Fire Resistance Rating of Structural Elements in Hours
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Site Selection, Layout and Access
Clause 5 - Building Construction
Clause 6 - Hazards and their Control
Clause 7 - Fire Protection
Clause 8 - Electrical Installations

Related Resources on InfraLens

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

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the required fire resistance for a load-bearing wall in a paint factory?+
4 hours, as per Table 2 of the code.
What is the minimum distance required between a solvent storage tank and the factory's boundary wall?+
30 meters, according to Table 1.
What kind of electrical installations are needed in a mixing area?+
All electrical equipment must be of flameproof construction suitable for the specific hazardous atmosphere, as specified in Clause 8.
What is the maximum travel distance to a fire exit?+
The travel distance to an exit shall not exceed 22.5 m for high hazard areas (Clause 5.4.3).

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