Steel factories and warehouses pose a high risk of fire and explosion due to the storage of many flammable materials and chemicals. Join Hai Long Construction to learn about mandatory fire prevention regulations in construction to ensure the safety of your project!
1. Fire resistance in steel factory and warehouse construction
Fire resistance in buildings such as steel factories and warehouses is the ability of the building to prevent the development and spread of fire in the event of a fire or explosion. This ability is assessed based on the following factors:
- Fire resistance limit of building structure: This is the period of time that the structure can maintain its load-bearing capacity before weakening or collapsing under the influence of fire. This limit is classified from level I (highest) to level IV (lowest), reflecting the level of protection of the structure against fire. The limit time is calculated from when the structure begins to be subjected to heat according to the standard test regime until one of the limit states appears: loss of integrity, loss of insulation, or loss of load-bearing capacity.
- Ability to prevent the spread of fire: This ability helps prevent flames from moving from one area to another within a building. Factors such as building materials, structure, and fire protection measures such as fire walls and fire doors all directly affect this ability.
- Escape Ability: This is a factor that ensures the safety of people and property in case of fire or explosion. Escape ability is assessed based on the number and location of exits, the size and slope of the passages, along with the warning system and escape instructions.
2. The importance of fire protection regulations in the construction of steel factories and warehouses
1. Protect human life and health
Fires in factories and warehouses can cause serious damage to people, including injuries and long-term health problems. Fire regulations help reduce the risk of fire, protecting the lives and health of workers and other people involved.
2. Limit property damage
Factories and warehouses often contain valuable materials and expensive machinery. Fire can destroy all assets, causing great economic losses for businesses. Compliance with fire safety regulations helps to minimize the risk of fire and explosion, thereby protecting assets and minimizing losses.
3. Ensure production and business activities
Fires can cause serious damage to production facilities, leading to long-term shutdowns. This not only affects production progress but also causes damage to business revenue and reputation. Applying fire safety regulations helps maintain stability in production and business operations.
4. Compliance with legal regulations
The construction of factories and warehouses must comply with legal regulations on fire prevention and fighting. Compliance with these regulations not only ensures the safety of the construction but also helps businesses meet legal requirements and avoid unnecessary legal risks.
5. Raise awareness of fire safety
Implementing fire safety regulations helps raise awareness of fire safety for staff. As a result, businesses can minimize safety violations and prevent risks that lead to fires.
6. Create a safe working environment
A safe work environment not only improves productivity but also improves employee morale. Compliance with fire safety regulations is an important part of creating a safe work environment, ensuring the health and peace of mind of employees.
7. Minimize the risk of fire and explosion in areas where flammable materials are concentrated
Factories and warehouses often store a variety of flammable materials such as chemicals and industrial products. Fire safety regulations help control these hazards and prevent the risk of large fires causing serious damage.
8. Increase the durability and fire resistance of the structure
Proper application of fire prevention regulations can extend the fire resistance time of steel structures, creating opportunities for rescue work and minimizing damage to the structure.
9. Reduce insurance costs
Businesses that comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations will help reduce the risk of fire and explosion, thereby reducing property and factory insurance premiums, bringing long-term financial benefits.
10. Meet international standards
Many countries and international organizations have their own fire safety standards. Compliance with fire safety regulations will help businesses easily cooperate with international partners and expand their markets abroad.
11. Support professional fire prevention and fighting work
Factories and warehouses designed and built in compliance with fire prevention regulations will make it easier for fire prevention and fighting forces to extinguish fires and rescue in case of incidents.
12. Protect the environment
Fires and explosions in chemical factories can cause environmental pollution, affecting water, air and land resources. Fire safety regulations not only protect the building but also help protect the natural environment and surrounding residential areas.
13. Enhance corporate reputation and social responsibility
Compliance with fire prevention regulations is a clear manifestation of social responsibility that businesses need to carry out, contributing to building a prestigious and professional image in the eyes of partners, customers and the community.
3. Fire resistance levels in warehouse and factory construction
Fire resistance levels are divided into 5 grades, from I to V, with fire resistance decreasing with each grade:
1. Level I
- Fire resistance limit: Minimum 240 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
- Apply for: Buildings requiring high fire safety, such as warehouses for flammable materials, gas storage facilities, and chemical plants.
2. Level II
- Fire resistance limit: From 180 to 239 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
- Apply for: Projects of great economic, cultural and social importance, such as shopping malls, cinemas, hospitals and schools.
3. Level III
- Fire resistance limit: From 120 to 179 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
- Apply for: Common buildings, including houses, offices, factories and warehouses.
4. Level IV
- Fire resistance limit: From 60 to 119 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
- Apply for: Buildings with low fire resistance requirements, such as level 4 houses, temporary houses, and simple factories.
5. Level V
- Fire resistance limit: Under 60 minutes for walls, columns and floors.
- Apply for: Structures with low requirements for fire resistance, such as sheds and temporary warehouses.
4. Fire Prevention and Fighting Standards
1. By type of factory, warehouse
1.1 Factory producing flammable and explosive materials:
- Fire alarm and fire fighting system: Must be equipped with an automatic system capable of detecting and extinguishing fires quickly.
- Ventilation system: An effective ventilation system is required to remove toxic gases and fumes from the factory.
- Material storage: A separate area is required for storing flammable materials, with strict safety measures.
1.2 Chemical manufacturing plant:
- Fire alarm and fire fighting system: Must be compatible with the chemicals being used in the factory.
- Neutralization system: Chemical spill handling systems, such as acid/base neutralization, are required.
- Chemical storage area: A separate area is required for storing chemicals, with strict safety measures.
1.3 Warehouse for storing goods:
- Fire alarm and fire fighting system: Must be suitable for the type of goods stored in the warehouse.
- Ventilation system: Ventilation systems are required to ensure air circulation and prevent the accumulation of toxic gases.
- Exit: There should be ample escape routes to ensure workers can escape quickly in the event of a fire.
2. Steel structure:
- Fire protection for steel structures: Use fireproof paint, fireproof coating or lightweight concrete to protect steel structures from the effects of high temperatures, preventing collapse in the event of a fire.
- Regional division: Divide the factory into separate areas with fireproof partitions and fireproof doors to limit the spread of fire.
- Heavy duty design: Ensure that the steel structure is able to withstand heavy loads in the event of a fire, to avoid collapse due to overload.
3. Roof:
- Roofing materials: Use fireproof materials such as galvanized iron, cellulose fiber cement roofing sheets, or polycarbonate roofing sheets.
- Ventilation system: Install a roof ventilation system to release hot smoke and toxic gases outside, helping to reduce the temperature in the factory in case of fire.
- Skylight: Install skylights to create natural ventilation, support smoke evacuation and reduce temperature in the factory.
4.4 Door system:
- Fire doors: Install fire doors at emergency exits, doors to high-risk areas, and partition doors to prevent the spread of fire.
- Exit door: Ensure sufficient quantity, size and location of fire exits in accordance with regulations, convenient for movement in case of fire.
- Signage: Mount clear, easy-to-see exit signs at exits.
4.5 Fire protection system (PCCC)
- Fire alarm system: Install automatic or semi-automatic fire alarm systems to detect fires early.
- Fire fighting system: Install a fire protection system suitable for the type of factory, the risk of fire and explosion and the materials used. It is possible to use a water sprinkler system, a foam fire protection system, a gas fire protection system, etc.
- Bình chữa cháy: Fully equipped with portable fire extinguishers suitable for flammable materials in the factory.
4.6 Fire Prevention and Fighting Management
- Fire prevention plan: Develop a detailed fire prevention plan, including fire prevention measures, fire fighting and evacuation plans in case of fire.
- Fire Prevention Training: Organize periodic fire prevention and fighting training for staff to improve fire prevention and fighting awareness and skills.
- Checking daily: Regularly check fire protection systems, emergency exits and fire protection equipment to ensure safety.
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE HAI LONG CONSTRUCTION AS THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR FACTORY AND WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION
With more than 25 years of experience in the field of factory and warehouse construction, Hai Long Construction is proud to be Leading reputable unit, providing customers with complete construction solutions, meeting all needs and requirements.
- Team experienced engineers, architects and experts, knowledgeable about the design and construction of warehouse factories according to international standards.
- Diverse construction capacity, meeting all project sizes and requirements, from simple to complex factories.
- Possessing a system of modern machinery and equipment, three steel structure factories with a productivity of nearly 50.000 tons/year, ensuring quick, accurate and safe construction.
- Professional construction process, is strictly managed.
You are looking for one Prestigious and professional factory and warehouse construction unit? Please contact Hai Long Construction for free consultation and quote:
- HAI LONG CONSTRUCTION JOINT STOCK COMPANY – MEMBER OF TAIYO GROUP
- Address: Taiyo Building, 97 Bach Dang, Ha Ly Ward, Hong Bang District, Hai Phong City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 084 6625 888
- Email: info@hailongjsc.vn
