• Hose reels, wet risers, automatic fire detection and alarm systems should be provided as per National Building Code.

• For large assembly halls (1000 seating capacity) and for those in high rise buildings, automatic sprinkler system is recommended. Yard hydrant is required for the public places in high rise buildings.

• Dedicated water storage up to a min. of 50,000 I is to be provided for fire fighting. In high rise building, it should be 1,00,000 I.

• One water type extinguisher is required for every 600 sq.m floor area with a minimum of two per floor located within a travel distance of 25 m and the location market conspicuously.

• All staff should receive training in using the extinguishers.

Exit Facilities

• Sufficient number of exits should be provided to facilitate total evacuation within 1 to 2¹/₂ minutes based on the type of construction. There should be at least 4 separate exists, 2 m wide, half of them leading directly outdoors.

• Travel distance should not exceed 30 m.

• Exit doors should open outward into the passageway.

• All escape routes should be marked using the signs and symbols as per IS 12349-1988, positioned a little above the eye level and illuminated adequately (at least 10 lux) by independent source.

Other Precautions

• Smoking should be prohibited in assembly areas. This should be enforced through placards, caution notices and supervision.

• Aisles & escape routes should not be blocked with extra chairs/ exhibits.

• During the period of assembly, the exits should be kept unlocked. Vehicles should not block the exits from the building.

• Caution notices not to use lifts in fire situation should be posted close to the lifts.

• If seats are 300, fasten them securely to the floor.

• To ensure unhindered access to fire tenders and ambulances, parking of vehicles should be confined to parking zones.

• Fire escape plan with clear instructions on the action envisaged to visitors should be displayed prominently or even issued to the visitors through hand bills.