Did you know that whether you are building a single-family home, a row house, or a duplex, if the structure is 4 stories or higher, or a 3-story building with a rooftop area exceeding 16 square meters, the Building Control Act of 1979, Ministry Regulation No. 55, mandates the installation of a “fire escape”? Additionally, there must be no obstructions on the path to the stairs, and the slope of the stairs should not exceed 60 degrees, except for row houses that are no more than 4 stories tall, which must have a landing on each floor.

In Bangkok, spiral staircases are prohibited as fire escapes. For buildings with spiral fire escapes, the landing must be at least as wide as the staircase, with a minimum width of 90 cm. The fire escape stairs inside the building must have ventilation openings that allow for at least 1.4 square meters of natural light.

Furthermore, fire escape doors must be highly fire-resistant, with a width of no less than 85 cm and no more than 150 cm. The tread of the stairs must be at least 22 cm wide, and the riser must not exceed 20 cm. The handrail should be 90 cm high and should only open outward. The stairs must be at least as wide as the staircase, and the landing between the door and the stairs must be at least 1.5 m wide, and no less than 1.2 times the width of the stairs.

For safety in each building, a fire protection system should be established, and each fire escape should have the following features:

1. The door must be fire-resistant for at least 2 hours.

2. The door must be a push-type.

3. The handrail must meet established standards.

4. There must be communication equipment for firefighters.

5. There should be signs indicating the floor on every level.

6. There should be a pressurized air system if the fire escape is located inside the building.

7. At least 2 hours of backup fire extinguishing water tanks must be installed, and the sprinkler heads must meet standards.

8. There must be a fire alarm system and smoke control system.

All these measures are in place to ensure the safety of residents' lives and property. The Building Control Act also stipulates that the following six types of buildings must have liability insurance for life and property:

1. High-rise buildings or buildings of special size.

2. Assembly buildings.

3. Theaters.

4. Hotels.

5. Service establishments.

6. Signs or structures built for displaying or placing signs.

All six types of locations must display a copy of the insurance policy in a clearly visible area.

These regulations regarding “fire escapes” are designed to enhance safety, as life is unpredictable. Being prepared for unexpected events can minimize risks and ensure safety.

Thank you for the information from www.pinterest.pt

Article by: TerraBKK Knowledge Base

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