Fire

3.0 Fire Protection System 3.1 Literature Review

Fire is a chemical reaction in which energy in the form of heat is produced. Flame, heat and light are released during fire while it happens and may react with many materials that makes the fire burn heavier and faster. Fire is created with with three factors, oxygen, fuel and heat. Therefore there are many ways in extinguishing the fire through taking off any of the factors. Fire safety foundation has to be considered in a building due to the risk assessments in it. Fire safety foundation has the duty to do all that is reasonably practicable to safeguard relevant persons who may be employees and visitors that may be exposed to risk in the event of fire.

Based on Malaysia UBBL 1984 law, fire precautions legislation is generally to include matters that exist on safety legislation which includes the means of detection and giving warning in case of fire, provision of means of escape, means of fighting fire, provision on structural stability and the means to resist the spread of fire within and between buildings. Buildings have to comply the legislation by the use of both passive and active fire protection system. In the case of fire safety in a construction, one of the most important issues is the method in managing fire factors at different spaces.

Passive fire protection is one of the components of fire protection in construction industry which mostly focus on reducing the speed of combustion while providing good circulation for escape routes. In order to inhibit the spread of fire within the building, the internal linings shall adequately resist the spread of flame over their surfaces and decrease the rate of fire growth. Internal linings refer to the materials used in lining any partition, wall, ceiling or other internal structure.

Active methods for fire protection involves powered devices to exhaust, pressurize and in particular situations, oppose the smoke with forced air to prevent smoke and gas movement. The active methods give warning or the provision on fighting fire in a building such as the use of fire alarm, extinguisher, sprinkler, none water base system and more. The active protection system consists of several individual components at in the building to rescue residents in fire accidents.

There might be conflict between occupants during fire emergency evacuation. One of the main concern by the engineers is to delay the spreading of fire based on the fire safety construction requirements whereas architects concern on fire safety at different spaces within a building. Safety management is the key aspect to strive for continuous improvement of performance. This is to ensure that both passive and active fire protection systems can perform well through regular inspection and maintenance so that standards and effectiveness of the systems are kept.

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3.2 Introduction First Subang Mall is a commercial building which has 20 stories, fire protection system has to be planned well since users’ life is the most important issue and rescue action will be hard to executed when there's fire in the building. In order to strengthen the fire protection, First Subang Mall has both active and passive fire protection system, which is valid according to the Malaysia UBBL 1994 Law. Overall, common components like fire control room, fire pump room, dry riser, fire alarm, fire alarm and fire smoke detector are applied to this building. Fire emergency exit and ventilation in lift shaft also take into consideration for safety purpose.

Diagram 3.2.1 Circulation of a Sprinkle System

Diagram 3.2.2 Circulation of a CO2 Suppression System

The diagrams above shows the flow of two particular active systems, sprinkle system and CO2 suppression system. In sprinkler system, water is stored in water tank, and pumped through the pump room system then spray in the particular space where fire has been detected. Details of each component will be explain further in Chapter 3.3.

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3.3 Case Study 3.3 Passive Fire Protection Systems Passive fire protection system apply on materials that are always present and do not rely on the operation of any form of mechanical device. Passive fire protection systems can be seen in the form of fire rated doors, barrier, ceilings and structural fire protection. The overall aim of passive systems is to contain the fire by the use of fire rated partitions and doors to prevent the fire and smoke from moving from one compartment to another. The selection of materials helps to delay the collapse of the building structure and the growth of fire.

Figure 3.3 Components of Passive Fire Protection System

The figure above shows the components which help in delaying the spreading of fire.

Few components will be explain in details in chapter 3.3 later.

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3.3.1 Buffer Floor

Diagram 3.3.1 Buffer Floor

The buffer floor is made of fire resisting construction materials. There are few areas that need to construct with buffer floor to resist the fire. These areas include boiler rooms and associated fuel storage areas, laundries, repair shops involving hazardous processes and materials, storage areas of materials in quantities deemed hazardous, liquified petroleum gas storage areas, linen rooms, transformers rooms and substations, and flammable liquids stores.

3.3.2 Beams & Columns

Figure 3.3.2 Beam and Column

Beams and columns forming part of any structure and carrying is required to be constructed of non-combustible materials.

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3.3.3 Compartment Wall

Figure 3.3.3 Compartment Wall in Red

As stated in UBBL, there is a limitation of the spreading speed of fire for the compartment. The compartment wall restricts the movement of smoke so that the smoke will not spread easily throughout the whole building within a short time. It optimizes evacuation routes during fire and also accommodates different activities to enable each compartment have their own fire protection systems.

There is also a limit of dimensions on volume of the compartment which is 7000 cubic meters based on 5th Schedule of UBBL 1984. However, automatic sprinklers can double up the limit to 14000 cubic meters. Besides that, buildings which exceed 30 meters in height, all floors which are more than 9 meters above ground level shall be constructed with compartment floor, except mezzanine floor. Walls shall also be solid masonry or concrete with thickness of 200mm.

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3.3.4 Fire Emergency Exit

Figure 3.3.4 Fire Emergency Exit Door

Storey exit is a fire rated door to a protected staircase or a corridor protected with a fire resisting structure in accordance with the 9th schedule to these By-laws. In the case of ground floor accommodation, storey exit means a door leading direct to a place safety outside the building. Fire doors may be held open provided the hold open device incorporates a heat actuated device to release the door. Heat actuated devices shall not be permitted on fire doors protecting openings to protected corridors or protected staircases.

Travel distance to an exit shall be measured on the floor or other walking surface along the center line of the natural path of travel, starting 0.3 meters from the most remote point of occupancy, curving around any corners or obstructions with 0.3 meters clearance there from and ending at the storey exit. Individual rooms which are subject to occupancy of not more than 6 person, the travel distance shall be measured form the doors of such rooms, provided that the travel distance from any point in the room to the room door does not exceed 15 meters. Based on the 7th schedule of UBBL 1984, maximum travel distance for dead end limit is 15 meters, for unsprinklered is 30 meters and for sprinklered is 45 meters. More than 2 storey exits shall be provided and in no case closer than 5 meters measured between the nearest edges of the openings and must within limits of travel distance.

Emergency exit signs must be readily visible. Lettering shall be in read against a black background. Illuminated signs shall be provided. Besides that, exit doors shall be closed automatically when released and all door devices including magnetic door holders, shall release the doors upon power failure of the fire alarm. Each exit shall give direct access to final exit, protected staircase leading to a final exit and an external route leading to a final exit. In every case, one of the protected staircases shall be assumed to be inaccessible and the remaining protected staircase shall be sufficient width and number to accommodate the relevant occupancy. Exits should never decrease in width along their length of travel. Common exit should be larger than the sum of the width of the exits converging it.

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Diagram 3.3.4 Ground Floor Plan

The location of the fire escape room is located with a distance away from the open public area. This is because the fire escape room is designed to provide the accessibility of the users who are unable to escape from the main entrance in time.

As it’s an emergency escape, so it’s located at such space where people would not access normally.

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3.3.5 Ventilation in Lift Shafts

Figure 3.3.5 Lift Shaft

Openings in a lift shaft are not connected to protected lobbies, such lift shaft shall be provided with vents of not less than 0.09 square meters per lift located at the top of the shaft. The vent shall be vented to the exterior through a duct of the required FRP as for the lift shafts. Each clear panel opening shall reject a sphere 150 mm in diameter.

The basic idea is that an elevator shaft pressurization has recently received renewed attention as a means of smoke control in tall buildings. The basic idea is that a fan system floods the shaft with ambient air during a fire, thereby preventing smoke from entering the elevator shaft by creating positive pressure differences across all elevator doors. In the absence of fan pressurization, the driving forces of smoke movement, including the buoyancy of hot smoke and stack effect, can cause smoke flow through an elevator shaft to threaten life at locations remote from the fire.

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3.4 Active Fire Protection System The fundamental purpose of active fire protection system includes automatic fire detection and fire suppression to prevent the passage and spread of smoke and fire from one area of the building to another. The overall aim of active system is to extinguish the fire by detecting the fire early and evacuate the building, alerting emergency services at an early stage of the fire, control the movement of smoke and fire suppress the fire of oxygen and fuel.

Depend on the operation of a mechanical device, active systems in the form of suppression, extinguishers, sprinkler, alarm and extract ventilation. The overall aim of active system is to extinguish the fire by: 

Detecting the fire early and evacuate the building.

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Alerting emergency services at an early stage of the fire.

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Control the movement of smoke and fire.

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Suppress and/or starve the fire of oxygen and fuel.

Below are the progress of active fire protection system in First Subang.

Figure 3.4.1 Diagram of the Active System

The carbon dioxide fire suppression system in First Subang is installed in most of the mechanical and also the electrical room because it consist of all the electrical equipment that can be dangerous and highly flammable which may danger the occupants in the building. Carbon dioxide is used instead of water because the gas can help to extinguish the effect by displacing the oxygen gas in the air. The CO2 fire suppression system is used because it will not cause any damage to the electrical equipment in the room. The further details will be explained in 3.4.7 later.

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3.4.1 Fire Control Room Due to private and confidential issue, we were not allowed to access to the FCR nor knowing it’s exact location. Therefore a simple diagram from other source has been used for illustration purpose. It should look simple and the size of the room is assumed to be quite small due to the size of the commercial building.

Figure 3.4.1 Control Room Contents

A Fire Control Room (FCR) is a special area within a building from where major emergency situations can be controlled and monitored and where supporting equipment is provided to assist in that function.

A Fire Control Room shall be provided if required by the relevant authority or if the building : (a) Has an effective height of more than 50m. (b) Shall be separated from the rest of the building by two hour fire rated elements of structure.

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General requirements : (1) Minimum floor area of 10m2, can be larger depending on the equipment required.

(2) Be sited near the main entrance to the building's main lobby in a designated room.

(3) Preferably be adjacent to a fire lift lobby or any other location as designated by the relevant authority.

(4) Be accessible via 2 paths of travel. One from the front entrance and the other from a public place or fire-isolated passageway which leads to a public place and has a two hour fire rated floor.

Facilities : (a) Automatic fire alarm and sprinkler indicator boards with facilities for sounding and switching off alarms and visual status indication. (b) A telephone connected directly to the external exchange. (c) The control console of the Emergency Warning and intercommunication System(EWIS). (d) A blackboard or whiteboard not less than 1200mm wide and 1000mm high. (e) A pin board not less than 1200mm wide and 1000mm high. (f) Remote switching controls for gas or electrical supplies. (g) Building security. (h) Emergency lighting.

Though we could not accessed to the fire control room, but it is expected to fulfill the above requirements after interviewing the engineer who guided us.

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Diagram 3.4.1 Ground Floor Plan

Security Fire Control Room is located at ground level where most circulation will be, yet we were not able to get permission to enter for their security purpose. Although it’s very obvious in the floor plan for its exact location, but as we have been to the site, we could not see the room still cause it was behind a reception and with a very narrow path.

Due to the size of the fire control room, which suits First Subang, they located the fire control room at there so they can have the immediate respond if there’s fire occur, they are able to lock down the middle spot by controlling fire roller shutter, and also immediate access to the fire pump room.

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3.4.2 Water Tank

Figure 3.4.2 Water Tank

The need for a water tank is to provide storage of water and distribute water to the building. The water tanks are located at the rooftop of the building that supply water for shops and domestic by the use of pipes that draw water from the top of the tank, leaving a reserve amount for fire-suppression at the bottom. Pumps refill the tank when its water level drops too low. Water is drawn from the tank when needed for fire sprinklers or standpipes, with gravity pressurizing the water.

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Diagram 3.4.2 Water Tank

From the diagram above, it can be seen that the water tank is located above, at the roof top of the building, acting as an emergency water storage. It’s set to be set with such height to pressurized the water supply so the flow rate of water can be boost up during emergency, due to gravity probably.

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3.4.3 Fire Pump Room

Figure 3.4.3 Fire Pump Room

A fire pump is a part of a sprinkle system's water supply and can be powered by electric, diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public underground water supply piping, or a static water source (e.g., tank, reservoir, lake).

The pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system riser and hose standpipes.

Fire pumps may be powered either by an electric motor or a diesel engine, or, occasionally a steam turbine. If the local building code requires power independent of the local electric power grid, a pump using an electric motor may utilize, when connected via a listed transfer switch, the installation of an emergency generator.

The fire pump starts when the pressure in the fire sprinkler system drops below a threshold. The sprinkler system pressure drops significantly when one or more fire sprinkles are exposed to heat above their design temperature, and opens, releasing water. Alternately, other fire hoses reels or other firefighting connections are opened, causing a pressure drop in the fire fighting main.

Fire pumps are needed when the local municipal water system cannot provide sufficient pressure to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the fire sprinkler system. This usually occurs if the building is very tall, such as in high-rise buildings, or in systems that require a relatively high terminal pressure at the fire sprinkler in order to provide a large volume of water, such as in storage warehouses. Fire pumps are also needed if fire protection water supply is provided from a ground level water storage tank.

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There are 3 types of pumps used for the fire service, which are jockey pump, duty pump, and standby pump. Each also has horizontal split case, vertical split case, vertical inline, vertical turbine, and end suction.

3.4.3.1 Jockey Pump

Figure 3.4.3.1 Jockey Pump (Source: Grahanindo Mecanitron 2014)

A small pump connected to a fire sprinkle system and is intended to maintain pressure in a fire protection piping system to an artificially high level so that the operation of a single fire sprinkler will cause a pressure drop which will be sensed by the fire pump automatic controller, causing the fire pump to start. The jockey pump is essentially a portion of the fire pump's control system.

3.4.3.2 Booster

Figure 3.4.3.2 Fire Pump Booster

The plunger pump does not run at constant speed but is continuously accelerating after each dead center and decelerating before each dead center. The water flow being drawn in moves accordingly and follows the acceleration / deceleration of the plunger. Therefore at any instantaneous speed of the plunger during its stroke will correspond a proportional increase or decrease of the instantaneous flow rate.

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3.4.3.3 Duty Pump

Figure 3.4.3.3 Duty Pump (Source: Kurawah Fire System 2014)

All models feature factory-set pressure limits to protect pumps from damage—pumping stops when high limit is reached, resumes when pressure decreases to low setting. Multi-chambered pump offers efficient transfer of mild acids, bases, and light oils. Thermal overload protected, permanent-magnet motor. Pump includes 6-ft power cord with three-prong plug. Order replacement diaphragms or valve kits under accessories.

3.4.3.4 Standby Operation Pump

Figure 3.4.3.4 Structural of the Standby Pump (Source: Hitachi 2014)

It will only function when duty pump can't function well in operation. As this pump can start regardless of the water level in the suction sump, can stand by at full speed when flooding and can continuously operate until no danger of flooding.The standby pump can stand by at full speed under no water in the suction sump prior to inflow of water. It has no frequent starting and stopping as it’s always in a standby mode.

There’s an automatic flow rate adjustment function which allows the standby pump to operate under the low water levels.

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Diagram 3.4.3.1 Ground Floor Plan

Fire Pump Room is located at the left side, close to the fire control room, as well as below the water tank location, so pressurized water can be pumped quickly enough during fire emergency. It’s also located nearby the fire hydrant which is location right beside the entrance at the left.

Diagram 3.4.3.2 Section

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3.4.4 Wet Riser

Figure 3.4.4 Wet Riser Room

Wet rising mains are fitted in tall buildings due to the excessive pressures required to pump water to high levels. A wet riser is a supply system intended to distribute water to multiple levels or compartments of a building, as a component of its fire fighting systems. Wet rising mains consist of vertical pipes similar to the dry rising main system with landing valves at each floor except the ground floor. The pipe system is connected to a permanent water supply normally a tank fed from the town mains.

Duplicate automatic pumps, one duty and one standby supply this water to the pipe system.

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3.4.5 Dry Riser

Figure 3.4.5 Section of a Dry Riser Installation

A dry riser distribute the water to whole building or structure by using main vertical pipe as the component of fire suppression systems. The pipe itself normally will be maintained empty of water. It has an inlet breeching connector in the installation and with Landing Valves at specific points on each floor. It's actually considered as an extension of the fire fighter's hose and normally used in unheated buildings between 18 to 6m in height, where prompt attendance from the fire authority is quarantined .It can't be used above 60 m since it has a limitation for the fire tender pumps and the immediately need of water at hydrant valves.

The dry riser installation has a 100 mm nominal bore galvanized steel pipe for one hydrant per floor and a 150 mm pipe if two outlets are fitted. At ground level the inlet is provided behind a red painted wired glass box, fitted flush with the outside wall and clearly labeled ‘dry riser inlet’.

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3.4.6 Fire Alarm

Figure 3.4.6.1 Fire Alarms in front of Fire Pump Room

A fire alarm system is a set of electronic equipment that alert people through visual and audio appliances when there is smoke or fire. Smoke detectors, heat detectors, water flow sensors will be automatically activated or from a manual fire alarm pull station.

Fire alarm circuits may be of the open or closed type , previously described for intruder alarms. The exception is that the contacts are usually in wall-mounted, break glass switch units. Most installations will include an indicator board to locate the source of alarm, and the circuitry principle with a battery power source or transformed main supply of 24-60 V DC. Alarm location should be in common access positions and no person should have to travel more than 30m to raise an alarm. Landings, lobbies and corridors are the best location, with clearly defined, red-painted call buttons 1.5m above floor level .

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Figure 3.4.6.2 Fire Alarm

In First Subang, there is fire alarm for each individual room, but there is a list of fire alarms along the wall of fire pump room at ground level. So if any fire alarm has been activated in other room, the fire alarm here will be activate as well to alert the people at ground level in case if the sound of fire alarm could not reach the people nearby.

The components of fire alarm is shown at diagram 3.4.6 below.

Diagram 3.4.6 Components of Fire Alarm

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3.4.7 Fire/Smoke Detector Automatic fire detectors are necessary to indicate location of the outbreak of a fire, to operate alarm bells and to communicate with the local fire authority. They are varied in opening characteristic : This is the simplest and contains a strip which responds to temperature increases. It deforms to bend across two electrical contacts to complete a circuit.

Figure 3.4.7.1 Ionisation Chamber (Tick)

This more sophisticated device ionises air by radiation, to encourage a small electric current across two electrodes. When smoke enters the chamber it reduces the current, and this irregularity is sufficient to effect an alarm relay.

Figure 3.4.7.1 Laser Beam

These are an economic solution to provision of fire detection in large areas, as the concentrated beam can be effective over distance up to 100m. Light beams can be visible or infra-red, and target on an opposing photoelectric cell. Smoke obscuration or air turbulence caused by heat, deflects the beam to de-energize the receiving cell which activates an alarm relay.

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3.4.8 Sprinklers System

Figure 3.4.8 Sprinkler

Water sprinkle system is to control fire spreading by using water distribution. It consists water supply system and piping system, which can effectively contribute sufficient amount of water to particular space. It normally will be distributed to the whole building and arranged according to the range of coverage. Fire sprinkle system is formed by a series of components : fire sprinkle head, alarm test valve, motorized alarm bell, stop valve and alarm valve. Water will be divided into two parts in fire sprinkle system : water supply and installation. According to our observation, wet system is the one which has been applied on our building. This is the most common sprinkle system in Malaysia since it needs to be permanently charged with water and suitable for interior's temperature of buildings between 0°C – 70°C. Sprinkles has been observed around the buildings and there's two types of fire sprinkle head since they are designed according to different circumstance of the building areas. Upright fire sprinkle head is installed on the top side of the sprinkle piping and pendent fire sprinkle head is installed on the bottom side of the sprinkle piping.

Diagram 3.4.8 Flow of Sprinkle System

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3.4.9 Carbon Dioxide (CO²) Fire Suppression System

Figure 3.4.9 Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression System

It can be found in all the electrical room. Carbon dioxide is a combination of carbon and oxygen gas that is colorless, odorless, electrically non-conductive gas and highly efficient as a fire suppression agent. The carbon dioxide fire suppression system is the system that is effective, reliable and fast acting control panels to can sense a fire quick so it can prevent any damage to the building. Carbon dioxide gas extinguishes fire primarily by lowering the amount of oxygen gas that supports the combustion of a fire in a room. Moreover, the carbon dioxide gas is also acting as a heat sink that absorbs combustion energy. Carbon dioxide is stored in the cylinders as a liquid under great pressure.

Figure 3.4.9 CO2 Fire Suppression Systems ( Source: http://www.ersaray.com.tr/CO2-Sondurme-Sistemleri.html )

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3.4.10 Fire Extinguisher

Figure 3.4.10 Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device, which used to control or put out the fire. Although it's not the main component to deal with the fire when there's fire in a building but it is useful and can immediately being used when you are trapped in a fire. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), otherwise it requires the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

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Fire extinguishers are divided into five categories. Each categories are based on different type of fire, therefore it is important to identify type of fire extinguisher it is and for which types of fires it is appropriate and safe to use on. There are two types of fire extinguisher used in First Subang.

3.4.10.1 Dry powder Fire Extinguisher

Figure 3.4.10.1 Dry Powder Fire Extinguish

This is a powder based agent that extinguishes by separating the four parts of the fire tetrahedron. It prevents the chemical reactions involving heat, fuel, and oxygen and halts the production of fire sustaining "free-radicals", thus extinguishing the fire.

3.4.10.2 Foam Fire Extinguisher

Figure 3.4.10.2 Foam Fire Extinguish

Applied to fuel fires as either an aspirated (mixed & expanded with air in a branch pipe) or non-aspirated form to form a frothy blanket or seal over the fuel, preventing oxygen reaching it. Unlike powder, foam can be used to progressively extinguish fires without flashback.

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3.4.10.3 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher

Figure 3.4.10.3 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are filled with non-flammable carbon dioxide gas under extreme pressure. Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also remove the heat with a very cold discharge. However, once discharged, the CO2 will dissipate quickly and allow access for oxygen again, which can re-ignite the fire. Carbon Dioxide extinguishers will frequently be found in laboratories, mechanical rooms, kitchens, and flammable liquid storage areas

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3.4.11 Fire Roller Shutter

Figure 3.4.11.1 Fire Roller Shutter

Fire roller shutter is designed and tested to be an effective fire resistance barrier. The shutter will automatically close down in the event of a fire. By this, the risk of fire spreading from one area to another can be reduced. Fire rated roller shutter is installed in openings up to 12m wide and 10m high for fire resistance period of 1 to 4 hours. This barrier maximizes fire protection of the building and there is no possibility of failure even on fire after 250 minutes. It helps to withstand dangerous environment to ensure security of life.

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Fire roller shutter are manufactured in a similar way to conventional shutters, and be fitted for elecrically operated for controlled descent. It will automatically close down after fire signal. A fire proofing room of isolation is thus formed. (either using fusible crystal device or 24V relay). Manual chain can be operated in case of power failure.

Figure 3.4.11.2 Fire Roller Shutter Operating

Diagram 3.4.11.1 Section of Fire Roller Shutter System

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Diagram 3.4.11.2 Ground Floor Plan

The fire roller shutter is only being used surrounding the escalator, to prevent the users from accessing the escalator during fire emergency situation. The fire shutters are at the edge of atria, voids like the escalator void areas, and between the floors and door way, to prevent fire to be worsen, like preventing it to glow towards the second floor.

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3.4.12 Fire Hydrant

Figure 3.4.12 Fire Hydrant

A fire hydrant is an active fire protection measure, and a source of water provided in the building with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water supply to assist in extinguishing a fire. When a hydrant valve is opened, the system experiences a drop in water pressure.

The drop in water pressure is detected by a pressure switch which in turn starts the booster pump, drawing water from the water supply to increase the water pressure of the system. Water from the hydrant is then directed through the flatways fire hose to a nozzle which is then directed to the seat of a fire. During a fire, the fire brigade may provide additional water and boost the water pressure to satisfy the demands of the fire hydrant system. This is carried out by connecting a fire appliance (truck) between an alternate water supply and the booster connection. Fire fighters either attach a hose to the fire hydrant, or attached through hose to a fire engine, which can use a powerful pump to boost the water pressure and possibly split it into multiple streams.

Diagram 3.4.12 Sectional Drawing

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3.5 UBBL According to UBBL 1984 

Section 172 (1) Story exits and access to such exits shall be marked by readily visible signs and shall not obscure by any decoration, furnishings or other equipment.

(2) A sign reading “KELUAR” with an arrow indicating the direction shall be placed in every location where the direction of the travel to reach the nearest exit is not immediately apparent.

(3) Every exit sign shall have the world “KELUAR” in plainly legible letters not less than 150 meter high with the principal strokes of the letters not less than 18mm wide. The lettering shall be in red against a black background.

(4) All exit signs shall be illuminated continuously during periods of occupancy.

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3.6 Analysis & Conclusion

During the site visit, we found out that there were louvers fencing installed at the roof top of First Subang Mall where the louvers were placed next to the water tank. The louvers fencing is installed for both aesthetic and safety purposes. However, the louvers were not properly maintained and part of the structures have already destroyed due to high ventilation of the wind as the materials used were low quality of aluminum because of the budget limitation. Hence, this is not an ideal installation as the breakage of the louvers may fall and damage the water tank next to it. This will then cause error in water supply to the fire pump which ends up in an unsafe situation when there is a fire in the mall.

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Figure 3.6.1 Emergency Exit

Based on the UBBL requirement, First Subang does not comply the requirements stated as the fire escape door is blocked by advertisements that are placed by the tenants in the building. This may be due to the lack of awareness by the management.

Furthermore, it may cause severe danger to the occupants or tenants in the building when there is an emergency fire because the doors are blocked by the advertisement boards which may cause the process of emergency evacuation to be slow down.

Therefore the management department should have taken extra precaution in making sure all emergency exits are not blocked by any obstruction.

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Figure 3.6.2 Emergency Exit

During our site visit to First Subang, we realized the emergency exit sign above the exit rooms are not illuminated continuously even though is during working days as required by the UBBL requirements. This may cause accidents during fire break out as the exit sign is not lited therefore the occupants may not be able to identify the location of the emergency exit stairs due to the smoke by the fire.

In conclusion, First Subang has fulfilled certain part of the UBBL's requirement but not all. Although it comply other requirements, it failed to comply the most basic Uniform Building By Law’s requirements, which are fire escape door and emergency exit signboard. Local authority shouldn't neglect these facilities although they are not often used. Regular checking and maintenance should be applied on this building to ensure the occupant's safety.

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