FIRE PROTECTION REGULATIONS IN FACTORY CONSTRUCTION

1. Definition of fire resistance in factory construction

Fire resistance in factory construction is the ability of a building to resist the development and spread of fire in the event of a fire or explosion incident. This ability is evaluated based on the following factors:

• Fire resistance limit of a building structure: is the time that the structure can withstand the impact of fire before collapsing or losing its load-bearing capacity. Fire resistance limits are divided into levels: level I (highest), level II, level III and level IV (lowest).
• Fire spread prevention ability: is the ability to prevent the spread of fire from one area to another in a building. The ability to prevent fire spread is assessed based on factors such as: construction materials, construction structures, fire spread prevention measures (fire walls, fire doors, etc.).
• Escape ability: is the ability to ensure safety for people and property in the building when a fire or explosion occurs. The ability to escape is assessed based on factors such as: number and location of emergency exits, size and slope of the exit, fire alarm system and escape instructions.

>>> See more: Electrical system installation process in industrial factory construction

(Illustration of Hong Thuy system - source: Internet)

2. The importance of fire protection regulations in factory construction

2.1 Protect human life and health

      Fires at factories can cause enormous loss of life, including injuries and long-term health effects. Fire regulations help reduce the risk of fires, thereby protecting the lives and health of workers and those involved.

2.2 Limit property damage        

 Factories often contain many valuable materials and expensive machinery and equipment. Fire can destroy all assets, causing huge economic losses for businesses. Fire regulations help reduce the risk of fire, thereby protecting business assets.

2.3 Ensuring production and business activities      

  A fire can cause serious damage to the factory, forcing production to stop for a long time. This affects production progress, leading to loss of revenue and reputation of the business. Fire protection regulations help minimize the risk of fire, thereby ensuring that production and business activities run smoothly.

2.4 In accordance with the provisions of law
      Factory construction must comply with legal regulations on fire prevention and fighting. Fire regulations are an essential part of ensuring a building meets legal requirements.

       Below are some regulations on factory fire prevention that businesses need to pay attention to: 

• QCVN 06: 2010/BXD: National technical regulations on fire safety for houses and buildings.
• QCVN 08: 2009/BXD: National technical regulations for urban underground works.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 2622 – 1995: Standards on fire prevention and protection for houses and buildings - design requirements.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 3890 – 2009:  Regulations on equipment and basic requirements for the arrangement, inspection and maintenance of fire protection equipment for houses and buildings.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 5738 – 2001: Fire alarm system in factories – Technical requirements for detailed drawings.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 5760 – 2001: Factory fire fighting system – General requirements for detailed design, installation and use of fire protection systems.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 4513 – 88: Water supply inside fire protection systems – Design standards.
• Vietnamese Standard TCVN 3526 – 89: Fire safety – General requirements of fire protection systems.

2.5 Raise awareness about fire safety
          Implementing fire prevention regulations contributes to raising awareness of fire safety for employees, thereby limiting safety violations that can lead to fires.

2.6 Create a safe working environment
           A safe working environment helps improve employee productivity and morale. Fire prevention regulations contribute to creating a safe working environment, ensuring the health and spirit of workers.

          In addition to the above reasons, implementing fire prevention regulations also contributes to protecting the environment and urban landscape, while also demonstrating the responsibility of businesses to the community.

3. Fire resistance levels in factory construction
      Fire resistance levels are divided into 5 levels, from I to V, corresponding to decreasing fire resistance:

3.1 Tier I:

• Has the highest fire resistance limit, minimum 240 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
• Applicable to projects with special requirements for high fire and explosion safety such as flammable material warehouses, gas warehouses, chemical factories, etc.

3.2 Level II:

• There are fire resistance limits from 180 minutes to 239 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
• Applicable to projects of great economic, cultural and social importance such as shopping centers, cinemas, hospitals, schools, etc.

3.3 Level III:

• There are fire resistance limits from 120 minutes to 179 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
• Applicable to common projects such as houses, offices, factories, warehouses, etc.

3.4 Level IV:

• There are fire resistance limits from 60 minutes to 119 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
• Applicable to projects with low fire resistance requirements such as level 4 houses, temporary houses, simple factories, etc.

3.5 Tier V:

• There is a fire resistance limit of less than 60 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
• Applicable to projects with low fire resistance requirements such as shacks, temporary factories, etc.

(Illustration)

4. Fireproof regulations in factory construction
4.1 According to type of factory

• Factory producing flammable and explosive materials:

- It is necessary to have an automatic fire alarm and extinguishing system, capable of quickly detecting and extinguishing fires.

- An effective ventilation system is required to remove toxic gases and smoke from the factory.

- There should be a separate warehouse to store flammable and explosive materials, with strict safety measures.

• Chemical factory:

- There should be a fire alarm and fire extinguishing system suitable for the chemicals used.

- An acid/base neutralization system is required to handle chemical spills.

- There should be a separate area for storing chemicals, with strict safety measures.

• Factory containing goods:

- There should be a fire alarm and fire extinguishing system appropriate to the type of goods stored.

- A ventilation system is required to ensure air circulation and prevent accumulation of toxic gases.

- There should be spacious emergency exits to ensure workers can quickly escape the factory in case of fire.

4.2 Steel structure:

• Fireproofing steel structures: Use fireproof paint, fireproof coatings or lightweight concrete to protect steel structures from the effects of high temperatures, preventing collapse in the event of a fire.
• Area division: Divide the factory into separate areas with fireproof partitions and fireproof doors to limit the spread of fire.
  
  
• Load-bearing design: Ensures the steel structure is able to withstand heavy loads in the event of a fire, avoiding collapse due to overload.

4.3 Roof:

• Roofing: Use fireproof roofing materials such as galvanized iron, cellulose fiber cement roofing sheets, polycarbonate roofing sheets, etc.
• Ventilation system: Install a roof ventilation system to release hot smoke and toxic gases, reducing the temperature in the factory when a fire occurs.
• Skylights: Design skylights to create natural ventilation, aid in smoke release and reduce temperature.

4.4 Door system:

• Fireproof doors: Install fireproof doors at emergency exits, doors to high-danger areas, and area dividing doors to prevent the spread of fire.

• Emergency exit doors: Ensure sufficient number, size and location of emergency exit doors in accordance with regulations, convenient for movement in case of fire.

• Signage: Attach clear, easy-to-see exit instructions signs at exit doors.

4.5 Fire protection system (fire protection)

• Fire alarm system: Install an automatic or semi-automatic fire alarm system to detect fires early.
• Fire suppression system: Install a fire suppression system appropriate to the type of factory, fire risk and materials used. Can use fire sprinkler systems, foam fire suppression systems, gas fire suppression systems, etc.
• Fire extinguishers: Fully equipped with portable fire extinguishers suitable for the types of flammable materials present in the factory.(Illustration)

4.6 Fire Prevention Management

• Fire protection planning: Create a detailed fire protection plan, including fire prevention measures, firefighting plans and evacuation when a fire occurs.

• Fire prevention training: Organize periodic fire prevention training for staff to improve fire prevention awareness and skills.

• Periodic inspection: Regularly check the fire protection system, emergency exits and fire protection equipment to ensure safety.

5. Fireproof materials in factory construction
5.1 Fire-resistant steel

• Fireproof steel is a type of steel coated with a special layer of paint or coating with high fire resistance, helping to protect steel structures from deformation and collapse due to the impact of high temperatures in the event of a fire.

• Fireproof steel is used for main structures when building factories such as columns, beams, trusses, etc.

5.2 Lightweight concrete

• Lightweight concrete is a type of concrete produced from materials with low density such as cement, lightweight aggregates (perlite, fly ash, coal slag, etc.), and additives.
• Lightweight concrete has high fire resistance, good thermal insulation and is lighter in weight than regular concrete, helping to reduce the load on factory structures.
• Lightweight concrete is used for partitions, floors, roofs, etc. in the factory.

5.3 Fireproof plasterboard

• Fireproof gypsum board is a type of gypsum board made from gypsum core and glass fiber reinforcement, has high fire resistance, good sound insulation and is easy to construct.
• They are often used for partitions, ceilings, etc. in factories.

5.4 Fireproof galvanized steel sheets
      Fireproof galvanized steel is a type of galvanized steel coated with a special paint or coating that is highly fire resistant, helping to protect the roof from spreading fire. They are often used for roofs, partitions, etc. in factory construction.

5.5 Fire-resistant glass
       Fire-resistant glass is a type of glass produced from many thin layers of glass glued together with a special glue, capable of withstanding high temperatures and preventing the spread of fire. They are often used for windows, partitions, etc. when building factories.

5.6 Fire-resistant coating
       Fireproof coating is a layer of material applied to the surface of structures and construction materials to protect against the effects of high temperatures in the event of a fire.

      They can be made from many different materials such as fireproof paint, fireproof mortar, fireproof glue, etc. to help increase the fire resistance of structures and construction materials, limit the spread of fire and protect people and property.

(illustration of fire fighting system - source: Internet)

6. Fire prevention construction techniques in factory construction
6.1 Construction of fireproof steel structures

• Use fireproof steel or fireproof paint for steel structures.

• Fireproof treatment of joints and gaps between steel structures by methods such as welding, applying fireproof mortar, using fireproof tape, etc.

• Cover the steel structure with a layer of lightweight concrete or fireproof mortar to increase the structure's fire resistance.

6.2 Construction of fireproof partitions

• Use fireproof bricks or plasterboard to build partitions.

• Install fireproof doors at partition doors.

• Fire doors need to meet fire resistance standards as prescribed by authorities.

6.3 Construction of fireproof roof

• Use fireproof galvanized iron or fireproof roofing sheets for the roof.

• Install a roof ventilation system to vent hot smoke and toxic gases in case of fire.

6.4 Construction of fire alarm system

• Install fire alarm devices such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, fire alarms, etc. in high-danger locations in the factory.

• Connect the fire alarm system to the fire suppression system and ventilation system to activate automatically when an incident occurs.

• Fire alarm systems need to be installed and maintained according to regulations.

(Illustration of fire extinguisher - source: Internet)

        Building a safe factory requires strict compliance with fire prevention regulations. The above article has provided you with detailed information about mandatory fire protection regulations, contributing to helping you build safe, effective projects and protect the safety of people and property.

         If customers are looking for a factory or industrial workshop construction unit, quickly contact Hung Nghiep Phu Construction Investment Co., Ltd. through the information below for advice today!

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