CIRCULAR

AMENDMENT 1:2023 OF QCVN 06:2022/BXD ON NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS

Pursuant to the Law on Technical Regulations and Standards dated June 29, 2006;

Pursuant to No. 127/2007/ND-CP dated August 01, 2007 of the Government elaborating the implementation of the Law on Technical Regulations and Standards and Decree No. 78/2018/ND-CP dated May 16, 2018 of the Government on amendment to the Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP;

Pursuant to Decree No. 52/2022/ND-CP dated August 8, 2022 of the Government on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structures of Ministry of Construction;

At request of Director of the Science - Technology and Environment Department;

The Minister of Construction promulgates Circular on Amendment 1:2023 of QCVN 06:2022/BXD on National Technical Regulation on fire safety of buildings and constructions.

Article 1. The Amendment 1:2023 QCVN 06:2022/BXD on National Technical Regulation on fire safety of buildings and constructions is attached hereto.

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Article 3. Transition clauses

1. Construction design dossiers whose fire prevention and firefighting design has been approved by competent state authorities before the effective date hereof shall remain valid for compliance.

2. Construction design dossiers where competent state authorities have responded in writing regarding fire prevention and firefighting design during fundamental design phase but whose fire prevention and firefighting design has not been approved before the effective date hereof shall be submitted for approval in accordance with the written response from competent state authorities.

3. Construction design dossiers where competent state authorities have not responded in writing regarding fire prevention and firefighting design and have not approved the fire prevention and firefighting design concerned from the effective date hereof shall conform to the QCVN 06:2022/BXD and the Amendment 1:2023 QCVN 06:2022/BXD.

Article 4. Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities, and relevant organizations, individuals are responsible for the implementation of this Circular./.

PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Nguyen Tuong Van

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON

FIRE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTIONS

Foreword

Amendment 1:2023 QCVN 06:2022/BXD only covers amendments and additions to the QCVN 06:2022/BXD. Details that are not amended hereunder shall conform to QCVN 06:2022/BXD attached to Circular No. 06/2022/TT-BXD dated November 30, 2022 of the Minister of Construction.

Amendment 1:2023 QCVN 06.2022/BXD is helmed by the Institute of Building Science and Technology (Ministry of Construction), jointly compiled by Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department (Ministry of Public Security), Fire and Rescue Police Authority (Police Authority of Hanoi City), Fire and Rescue Police Authority (Police Authority of Ho Chi Minh City), submitted by Department of Science Technology and Environment (Ministry of Construction), appraised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and promulgated by Ministry of Construction under Circular No. 09/2023/TT-BXD dated October 10, 2023 of the Minister of Construction.

1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Amend Point 1.1.2:

- Amend the first paragraph, section a) and NOTE of section a):

“1.1.2 This Regulation applies to the following buildings:

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1) Apartment buildings and tenements whose fire height does not exceed 150 m with no more than 3 basements;

2) Detached houses, detached houses combining other occupancies, and detached houses repurposed which:

- have at least 7 storeys (or at least 25 m in fire height); or

- have at least 5 000 m³ in volume; or

- have more than 1 basement up to 3 basements.

NOTE: Detached houses, detached houses combining other occupancies, repurposed detached houses whose properties are different from those mentioned under 2) of Point 1.1.2 can conform to fire safety under standards on detached houses, other standard documents regarding fire safety design, and relevant law provisions.”.

- Add the following paragraph to the end of 1.1.2:

“This Regulation shall also be considered for application to buildings that are not regulated by this document if requirements under this document are appropriate for these buildings.

With respect to stand-alone buildings (other than F5 buildings and buildings mentioned under NOTE of section 2) of Point 1.1.2 with less than 7 storeys and less than 25 m in fire height and less than 5 000 m³ in volume), if regulations of this document cannot be complied with, standard documents and relevant law provisions can be applied for the purpose of fire safety design depending on building occupancy.”.

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“1.1.4 This Regulation applies to new construction of buildings regulated by this regulation; or only applies to building sections and areas directly renovated, repaired in the following cases:

a) Renovation and/or repair that alters occupancy of storey, fire compartment, or building in a way that raises fire safety requirements applicable to storey, fire compartment, and building;

b) Renovation and/or repair that alters exit solutions of storey, fire compartment, or building in a way that reduces number of means of egress or exit staircases;

c) Renovation and/or repair that increases fire and explosion risk class of storey, fire compartment, or building;

d) Renovation and/or repair that increases building scale thereby increasing fire safety requirements applicable to storey, fire compartment, and building.

If requirements under this document cannot be applied to renovated or repaired building, fire compartment, or storey, 1.1.10 shall prevail.”.

Amend Point 1.1.5:

- Replace the phrase “Các phần 2, 3, 4, 5 và 6” (Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) with the phrase “Quy chuẩn này” (of this document).

- Add the phrase “công trình hầm giao thông; tháp đèn biển;” (traffic tunnels; lighthouses;) following the phrase “không lưu;” (air traffic control tower).

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“1.1.7 It is permissible to apply foreign standards in construction operations in Vietnam on the basis of complying with principles in 1.5 of this document and Vietnamese regulations on fire prevention, firefighting and regulations on application of foreign standards.”.

Amend Point 1.1.10:

“1.1.10 In specific circumstances, it is permissible to amend or replace several requirements of this document with respect to specific structures with other appropriate fire safety requirements according to standard documents or accompanied by suitable technical explanation.”.

Add Point 1.1.11:

“1.1.11 Local governments shall be allowed to promulgate local technical regulations to amend, replace, or add to regulations under parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and appendices of this document to suit specific local conditions on the basis of complying with regulations on technical standards, technical regulations, and laws pertaining to fire prevention and firefighting.”.

Annul Point 1.3.

Amend several definitions under Point 1.4:

- Add the phrase "; hoặc các bộ phận khác có chức năng ngăn cháy” (; or other devices serving as fire protection) following the phrase “sàn ngăn cháy” (fire-resistance-rated floors) under 1.4.5.

- Add to the end of 1.4.9:

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- Amend Point 1.4.11:

“1.4.11

smoke outlet (flaps, shutters)

Refers to an automatically and remotely controlled device (that opens in case of fire) or a normally open device that seals external protectives of buildings (or rooms) protected by natural smoke extraction system.”.

- Add Point 1.4.21a:

 “1.4.21a

assembly room

Refers to a room serving as event venue (for example: meetings, seminars, exhibitions, sports, and similar), simultaneously occupied by a group of people in a defined period of time. The group of people is characterized by their unfamiliarity to the gathering venue (the group does not attend on a regular or periodic basis). Offices, production rooms, and other rooms primarily used by building occupants shall not be considered assembly room (for example: building meeting rooms, building cafeterias, building common rooms, and similar).”.

- Replace the terminology “Gian phòng có người làm việc thường xuyên” (Regularly occupied room) under 1.4.22 with the terminology “Gian phòng có người làm việc thường xuyên (hoặc thường xuyên có người)” [Regularly occupied room (or regularly attended room)].

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“1.4.23

single-loaded corridor

Refers to a corridor whose one side receives natural ventilation via exterior openings in case of fire and whose clearance height from the top of side wall to the ceiling is not lower than 1,2 m.

NOTE: Dimensions of openings on exterior walls of single-loaded corridor shall satisfy any of the requirements below:

- If the corridor is separated from adjacent rooms by fire protection assemblies according to this Regulation, total area of opening shall not be lower than 15% of floor area of the corridor and distance from any point in the corridor to the nearest edge of any opening shall not exceed 9 m when measured horizontally.

- If the corridor is not separated from adjacent rooms by fire protection assemblies according to this Regulation, total area of opening shall not be lower than 50% of floor area of the corridor and distance from any point in the corridor to the nearest edge of any opening shall not exceed 9 m.”.

- Amend Point 1.4.26:

“1.4.26

smoke extraction system

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- Add Points 1.4.32a, 1.4.33a, and 1.4.49a:

“1.4.32a

podium block

Refers to the bottom section of a building (may include bottom storeys of a building) which is usually designed to protrude from load-bearing elements of tower block above and is usually used for commercial, service purposes.”.

“1.4.33a

exit discharge

Means an exit or passages that travels through safe zones in a building (on the same storey as an exit discharge) and leads outside (out of exterior wall of the building) to a clear area where people can evacuate safely.

NOTE: Cases where a passage is considered to travel through safe zones in a building and lead outside are mentioned below:

a) The passage travels through an area with no fire load or with low fire risks (for example, this area may include receptionist’s desks, wood, metal tables and chairs, fans, or similar items in limited number), this area is separated from corridors and adjacent rooms (if any) by type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions fitted with self-closing doors whose clearance is tightly sealed, or separated by other equivalent measures (example: solutions under b) of 4.35 or fire curtains);

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c) The passage travels through other areas that are deem safe for humans.”.

“1.4.49a

atrium

Refers to a space connecting at least two storeys in a civil structures and covered at the top (this space is usually large, reserved for architectural purposes or used to facilitate commercial, service, business, exhibits, and similar purposes. Openings on floors in atriums that only facilitate stairs, escalators, elevator shafts, or technical ducts, shafts shall not be considered atriums). This space may lead to building sections on each connected storey (corridors, rooms, and similar sections).”.

- Add the following to the end of NOTE of 1.4.50: “In case of buildings of F1 through F4, mezzanines shall not be counted towards the number of storeys in a building if they are used as mechanical areas where total floor area does not exceed 10% of floor area of the floor below and does not exceed 300 m² (only one mezzanine per building is exempt from being counted towards total number of storeys of the building).”.

- Amend 1.4.53: Add the phrase “và hướng dẫn kỹ thuật (guidelines, handbook)” (and guidelines, handbooks) following the phrase “quy chuẩn kỹ thuật (technical regulation)” (technical regulation)”.

- Add Point 1.4.68a:

“1.4.68a

finish, decoration

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NOTE: Finishes, decorations can be layers of plaster, mortar, gypsum and similar materials; finish boards or sound-proofing boards made of bricks, wood, plastic, foam, and similar materials that are held in place on the surface of walls and ceilings. Items suspended from walls and ceilings purely as furnishing articles (such as photos, pictures, ornaments, and similar items) are not considered finishes and decorations.”.

Amend Point 1.5.4:

“1.5.4 If technical presentation is required (according to 1.1.10), this document shall be considered a component of fire prevention and firefighting design dossiers. The presentation shall include technical solutions for replacing, revising fire safety requirements under this document and the basis for these technical solutions on the following principles: satisfy regulations under 1.5, conform to purpose of fire safety requirements that are to be replaced and revised, and conform to standards on fire safety design. The basis of alternative technical solutions can be: fire calculations and simulations based on fire engineering; standards on fire safety design; or other suitable technical solutions.

If technical presentations utilize fire engineering, it is necessary to consider fire scenarios (situations where fire may occur) based on correlation between development and spread of dangerous fire elements, people evacuation and organization of firefighting efforts.

Access to the fire and implementation of firefighting techniques, rescue operations of fire brigade and firefighting apparatus shall conform to approved firefighting plans depending on fire prevention and firefighting design of the building.

For the purpose of fire simulation, fire shall be considered to freely develop until it is restricted by other elements (for example: the moment where fire brigade arrives and initiates firefighting operations; fire spread potentials; fire protection assemblies, smoke barriers; indoor firefighting system; smoke protection; and other similar factors). In this case, if structure/facility owners do not require property protection or minimizing property damage, the design shall then satisfy the following conditions: 1) building occupants can safely evacuate before facing life-threatening situations and before having their health affected by dangerous elements of the fire; 2) the building still retains its integrity (not collapsing) in a period of time corresponding to fire-resistance rating of load-bearing elements depending on fire resistance category of the building (see NOTE 7 of Schedule 4); and 3) the fire is prevented from spreading to adjacent structures.”.

Add Point 1.5.5:

“1.5.5 It is permissible to utilize different fire prevention and firefighting solutions and plans (including those not mentioned under this document) in order to meet fire safety requirements of this document as long as the purpose of said fire safety requirements are met.

Construction tolerance is allowed when implementing regulations on dimensions and distances according to corresponding construction and commissioning standards. Widths and heights of egress, openings, corridors, stairs, elevators, means of egress, and similar items can have tolerance of ± 5 %.”.

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“1.5.6 Fire safety requirements shall be determined and complied with depending on actual occupancy of rooms, building sections, and buildings. If a building (or building section) serves at least two occupancies, solutions for preventing fire from spreading between these occupancies shall be required (see Part 4) in order to identify corresponding fire safety requirements.”.

2 FIRE-RELATED TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Amend the NOTE section of 2.3.2.2:

- Replace the phrase “ISO 10294” with the phrase “ISO 21925”.

Amend NOTE 2, NOTE 6 and add NOTE 7, NOTE 8 to Schedule 4 as follows:

“NOTE 2: Roof tiles (including thermal insulation tiles) if they are made from non-combustible materials or mildly flammable materials (Ch1) with limited spread (LT2) (other than F5 building of class A, class B) shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements.

Purlins supporting roof tiles (other than purlins of F3.1 and F3.2 buildings, fire compartments, rooms; F5.1 and F5.2 buildings of class A, class B, and other buildings, rooms, fire compartments of class A, class B) shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements if conditions below are met:”

- The underside of purlins is at least 10 m away from the floor below in case of class C buildings and 6,1 m for other buildings;

- Purlins are made from non-combustible materials in case of class C buildings or at least mildly flammable (Ch1) materials for other buildings.

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“NOTE 6: Fire-resistance rating of non-load bearing exterior walls under Schedule 4 only applies to walls used as vertical or horizontal fire-resistance barriers under 4.32 and 4.33.”.

“NOTE 7: If fire simulation is applied on the basis of specific conditions regarding fire load in rooms, building sections or buildings, it is permissible to determine fire-resistance rating of elements and structures under Schedule 4 based on temperature from the fire simulation. Parameters of fire load (weight, distribution, low calorific value, fire spread speed, fire spread model, and similar parameters) shall be determined based on design dossiers and standards.”.

“NOTE 8: Stringers and landings shall not be subject to fire-resistance-rating requirements if they are located in stairwells protected by walls whose fire-resistance rating satisfies requirements under Schedule 4 corresponding to fire resistance category of the buildings. In this case, stringers and landings, including stairwell interior finishes (if any) shall be made of non-combustible materials or Ch1, BC1 materials.”.

Amend Point 2.5.3.3:

- Add the following sentences after the phrase “sự ổn định không gian cho nhà khi có cháy.” (spatial stability of buildings in case of fire.): “Trường hợp kết cấu giàn, dầm, xà gồ của kết cấu mái của nhà không có tầng áp mái không tham gia vào sự bảo đảm độ bền tổng thể và sự ổn định không gian cho nhà khi có cháy thì giới hạn chịu lửa yêu cầu của các kết cấu này được xác định theo cột 6 của Bảng 4.” (If struts, girders, purlins of roof structures of a building that does not contain attic do not contribute towards general structure and spatial stability of the building in case of fire, the required fire-resistance rating of these elements shall be determined in accordance with column 6 of Schedule 4.”.

3 HUMAN SAFETY ASSURANCE

Amend Point 3.1.7:

“3.1.7 Smoking rooms, supermarkets, shopping malls, food vendors, drink vendors, and other public spaces can be located below the first basement in buildings with 2 to 3 basements if the design conforms to applied standards or technical presentation under 1.1.10 is provided.

Medical examination occupancy that does not involve in-patient treatment (in which case 3.1.6 is not applied to hospitals), office occupancy, and other auxiliary occupancies can be placed in semi-basements or the first basement (if there are no semi-basements) or higher in hospitals and full-time education institutions.

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Add the following to the end of section a) Point 3.2.2:

“With respect to F1.2, F1.3, F2, F3, F4 buildings whose fire height is below 28 m, if exit discharges cannot be placed separately but instead must pass common lobbies, entrance to common stairwells from basements shall pass vestibules with enclosing structures similar to those of type 1 fire protection vestibules and are separated from remaining sections of the stairwells by type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions;”.

Amend Point 3.2.3:

“3.2.3 Exits shall not be considered emergency exits if the exits contain roller shutters or revolving doors.

Sliding doors and accordion doors are allowed on emergency exits (unless these doors are subject to fire-resistance rating requirements or are required to be self-closing or are installed in F1.3 buildings, preschool education institutions, primary schools, and similar), in which case regulations on door swing direction under 3.2.10 are not required and signs indicating the type of door and swing direction are required.”.

Amend section b) of Point 3.2.5:

“b) Rooms in basements and semi-basements simultaneously occupied by more than 15 people.”.

Amend section a) and section d) of Point 3.2.6.2:

“a) From each storey (or from a section of the storey separated from other sections on the storey by fire protection assemblies) with fire risk categories of F1.2, F2, F3, F4.2, F4.3, and F4.4 if all conditions below are met:

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- Area of each storey in question does not exceed 300 m²;

- Occupant load of each storey does not exceed 20 people;

- Motorized vehicles, class A, class B, class C warehouses shall not be located on the storey that contains exit discharge unless these areas are separated in accordance with this document;

- With respect to buildings having more than 3 storeys or more than 9 m in fire height: exit accesses of rooms and storey shall conform to this document;

- With respect to buildings having 3 storeys or lower or 9 m in fire height or lower: type 2 staircases are allowed for exit if building occupants can exit via emergency exit accesses (to open balconies, loggias, windows, or similar emergency exit accesses) or to rooftop in case of fire and type 2 staircases must be separated from basements (if any) by type 2 fire-resistance-rated partitions;

NOTE: Open balcony or open rooftop means the balcony or rooftop is not enclosed and enclosing structures (if any) must facilitate evacuation and rescue for the fire brigade.

2) With respect to building having exceeding 15 m to 21 m in fire height:

- Area of each storey in question does not exceed 200 m²;

- Occupant load of each storey does not exceed 20 people;

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- Areas with occupancy in question are protected by automatic firefighting system. If automatic firefighting system cannot be installed, automatic fire alarms are allowed as alternatives for the entire buildings (prioritize smoke detectors);

- Building occupants can exit outside via emergency exit accesses (to open balconies, loggias, via windows or similar emergency exits) with assisting equipment (for example P1, P2 ladders, external ladders, rope ladders, chutes, and other assisting equipment); or to open rooftop in case of fire;

- Exit accesses of rooms and storeys shall conform to this document.

3) With respect to building having exceeding 21 m to 25 m in fire height:

- Area of each storey in question does not exceed 150 m²;

- Occupant load of each storey does not exceed 15 people;

- Motorized vehicles, class A, class B, class C warehouses shall not be located on the storey that contains exit access unless these areas are separated in accordance with this document;

- The buildings are protected by automatic fire alarm and firefighting system;

- Building occupants can exit outside via emergency exit accesses (to open balconies, loggias, via windows or similar emergency exits) with assisting equipment (for example P1, P2 ladders, external ladders, rope ladders, chutes, and other assisting equipment); or to open rooftop in case of fire;

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“d) From storeys (or a section of storeys separated from other sections on the same storey by fire protection assemblies) of fire risk category of F4.1, if all conditions under a) of 3.2.6.2 are met or all conditions below are met:

- With respect to primary schools and similar institutions: Buildings have up to 9 m in fire height and up to 300 m² of area of the storey in question; With respect to other F4.1 buildings: Buildings have up to 15 m of fire height and up to 500 m² of area of the storey in question;

- Motorized vehicles, class A, class B, class C warehouses shall not be located on the storey that contains exit access unless these areas are separated in accordance with this document.”.

Amend Point 3.2.8:

- Amend the last sentence of the second paragraph: “Distance between two exit accesses shall be measured along the straight line connecting their furthest sides and greater than or equal to 7 m. If this distance is lower than 7 m, the distance between two exit accesses shall then be measured along the straight line connecting their nearest sides (see Figure I.4 a), b), and c)).”.

- In the third paragraph, add the phrase “, phần nhà hoặc tầng nhà” (, building section or storey) after the phrase “gian phòng” (room).

- In the fourth paragraph, add the phrase “hoặc hành lang bên” (single-loaded corridor) after the phrase “bằng một hành lang trong” (via a corridor). Amend the second sentence of the fourth paragraph of Point 3.2.9:

“Double doors that are subject to fire-resistance rating requirements shall be fitted with self-closing mechanism that closes each leaf in sequence.”.

Amend the last section of Point 3.2.9:

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Annul the second sentence in the first paragraph of Point 3.2.11.

Amend Point 3.3.1:

- Replace the phrase “TCVN 3890” with the phrase “tài liệu chuẩn” (standards).

Amend the first paragraph of Point 3.3.2:

“Maximum travel distance (Appendix G) of each storey shall be measured along the center line of means of egress, starting from the center of doors of rooms or from the furthest occupied location in the room (depending on whether fire protection is installed between rooms and means of egress) to the center of the nearest exit accesses of each storey (for example: exit discharge doors, doors leading to stairwells or type 3 staircases, the first step of type 2 staircases on the storey if type 2 staircases act as exit staircases, doors leading to adjacent fire compartments or to other exit accesses). This distance shall be limited depending on:”.

Amend Point 3.3.5:

- Annul the third sentence of the second paragraph.

- Add the following after the second paragraph:

“With respect to buildings with fire and explosion risk classes D and E, it is permissible to enclose corridors using glass walls or enclosing structures made from non-combustible materials. Walls and openings between rooms and single-loaded corridors (other than F5 rooms of class A, class B, class C or kitchens) shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements.

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- Add the following phrase after the phrase “vách ngăn cháy loại 2” (type 2 fire-resistance-rated partitions) of the third paragraph: “(hoặc bằng các vách ngăn khói, màn ngăn khói, có mép dưới cách sàn hành lang tối đa 2,5 m)” [(or by smoke partitions whose lower edge is at most 2,5 m away from the corridor floor)].

Amend Point 3.4.1:

- Amend the sentence following the first dash: “- 1,2 m - for F1.1 buildings where total number of people escaping through this stair exceeds 15 people per storey; 1 m - for F1.1 buildings where total number of people escaping through this stair does not exceed 15 people per storey;”.

- Amend the sentence following the third dash: 0,7 m - for buildings having 15 m or less of fire height and 15 people or less escaping through this stair per storey (in this case, width of stringers can be lower than that of staircase exit doors);”.

- Add the following paragraph to the end of 3.4.1: “If dimensions above cannot be met, it is permissible to rely on standards to calculate human evacuation and identify necessary dimensions of stringers, means of egress, and exit accesses depending on specific structure conditions.”.

Amend Point 3.4.4:

- Add the following passage before the first paragraph: “Được sử dụng thang cong toàn phần hoặc một phần, thang với các bậc thang chéo khi đáp ứng một trong hai điều kiện sau: 1) mỗi bậc thang có một phần mặt bậc thỏa mãn các điều kiện nêu tại 3.4.1 và 3.4.2; hoặc 2) thỏa mãn các điều kiện nêu dưới đây đối với nhóm nhà cụ thể. Đối với nhà nhóm F1. 4, không áp dụng quy định tại 3. 3. 7.” (It is permissible to use partially or entirely curved stairs, stairs with winder treads if any of the following conditions are met: 1) a section of each tread satisfies conditions under 3.4.1 and 3.4.2; or 2) conditions below are met in case of specific buildings. For F1.4 buildings, regulations under 3.3.7 do no apply.”.

- Replace the phrase “F4” in the first paragraph with the phrase “F1.2, F1.3, F2, F3, F4, F5”.

- Add the following paragraph to the end of Point 3.4.4: “Trong các nhà nhóm F1.2, F1.3, F2, F3, F4, F5 với chiều cao PCCC không quá 15 m và số người tối đa trên mỗi tầng không quá 15 người, tại mỗi chiếu nghỉ hoặc góc xoay bản thang không quá 90° cho phép bố trí tối đa 3 bậc thang chéo (rẻ quạt).” (In F1.2, F1.3, F2, F3, F4, and F5 buildings having up to 15 m of fire height and maximum occupant load per storey of 15, a maximum of 3 winder treads are allowed per intermediate landing or 90^o rotation of the stringer).

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- Add the phrase “, trừ các phòng vệ sinh và phòng kỹ thuật nước” (, other than sanitary rooms and water mechanical room) to the end of 3.4.5 before the phrase “phòng công năng nào” (any occupancy).

Amend section a) and section b) of Point 3.4.8:

- Add the phrase “và phần cầu thang tại tầng hầm, tầng bán hầm” (and stairs in basements, semi-basements) after section a) of 3.4.8, after the first “L2”.

- Amend section b) of 3.4.8: Annul the phrase “là buồng thang bộ không nhiễm khói và” (be smokeproof stairwells); add the following phrase to the end of section b) of 3.4.8: “Nếu là buồng thang bộ thông thường thì phải bố trí các lỗ thoát khói trên tum thang với tổng diện tích tối thiểu bằng 10 % diện tích phủ bì (tính cả tường bao che) của sàn buồng thang (không yêu cầu bố trí lỗ thoát khói nếu nhà có tối thiểu hai cầu thang thoát nạn hoặc một cầu thang thoát nạn nhưng có các lối thoát nạn khẩn cấp khác như quy định tại 3.2.6.2).” [In case of regular stairwells, smoke outlets shall be required on roof bulkheads and occupy a minimum of 10% of gross floor area (including surrounding walls) of stairwell floor (smoke outlets are not required if the buildings have at least two exit staircases or one exit staircase accompanied by other emergency exit accesses according to 3.2.6.2).].

Add to the end of 3.4.11:

“It is permissible to use type 3 stairwells as exit stairwells in buildings having exceeding 28 m to 50 m in fire height as long as fall protection systems are fitted to exposed sections of type 3 stairwells from a height of 28 m and higher.”.

Amend Point 3.4.13:

- Annul the second paragraph of 3.4.13.

- Replace the phrase “tại 2.5.1 c)” [under 2.5.1 c)] in the NOTE with the phrase “tại 2.4.3.3” (under 2.4.3.3).

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Amend Point 3.4.14:

- Add the phrase “theo yêu cầu của Phụ lục D” (according to Appendix D).

Amend Point 3.5.10:

“3.5.10 Fire safety requirements for finishes - decorations, tiles, flooring materials, and testing criteria corresponding to standard documents are allowed as substitution for requirements under 3.5.1 through 3.5.9 and Appendix B.

If common rooms are fitted with automatic firefighting equipment (other than rooms larger than 20 m² for in-patient treatment, retirement homes, care facilities for persons with disabilities), materials shall not be subject to fire risk class requirements. For other cases, if automatic firefighting equipment is provided, it is permissible to reduce class requirements under Appendix B by one.

Fire risk class requirements shall not be compulsory for finishes, decorations, tiles, flooring materials that are on the outermost surface of walls, ceilings, floors if these materials are not thicker than 1 mm and layered on non-combustible materials or if competent fire and rescue police departments deem that the risk of fire spread and smoke production is either low or non-existent.

Fire risk class requirements shall not me compulsory for finishes, decorations, and tiles on the outermost surface of walls or ceilings if:

a) total area of these materials does not account for more than 20% of wall or ceiling area where they are installed (or no more than 10% for rubber, plastic, and similar materials); and

b) these materials are relatively scattered.

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a) are fitted with automatic fire alarm; and

b) their enclosing structures shall be fire protection assemblies whose minimum fire-resistance rating is:

- EI (or EIW) 45 for buildings with fire risk categories I, II, III and or having a minimum of 28 m in fire height;

- EI (or EIW) 30 for buildings with fire risk categories I, II, III and having below 28 m in fire height;

- EI (or EIW) 15 for buildings with fire risk category IV.”.

4 FIRE SPREAD PREVENTION

Amend the first paragraph of 4.5:

- Replace the phrase “vách ngăn cháy loại 1 và (hoặc) sàn ngăn cháy loại 3” (type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions and/or type 3 fire-resistance-rated floors) with the phrase “bộ phận ngăn cháy có giới hạn chịu lửa tối thiểu El 45 đối với nhà có bậc chịu lửa I đến III; tối thiểu El 15 đối với nhà có bậc chịu lửa IV; hoặc giải pháp ngăn cháy tương đương khác” (fire protection assemblies with minimum fire-resistance rating of EI 45 for buildings with fire resistance categories I through III; EI 15 for buildings with fire resistance category IV; or other similar fire prevention measures).

Add paragraphs before the NOTE of 4.5:

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With respect to a storey (or a building section separated from other sections in accordance with this regulation) that contains at least 2 different occupancies, if separation by occupancy according to this regulation is not implemented, fire safety requirements applicable to storeys (or building sections) shall equal the highest requirements among occupancies. Areas having fire risk class A, class B, class C shall be separated from areas with any occupancy or public occupancy.”.

Amend Point 4.23:

- Add to the end of the first paragraph:

“Hoistway doors that open to single-loaded corridors shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements.”.

- Add the phrase “(hoặc màn ngăn cháy với giới hạn chịu lửa tương đương, hoặc màn nước drencher như quy định tại H.2.12.7)” [(or fire curtains with equivalent fire-resistance rating or drenchers according to H.2.12.7)] after the phrase “vách ngăn cháy loại 1” (type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions) in the second paragraph.

Amend Point 4.27:

“4.27 Areas that contain type 2 staircases according to 3.4.16 shall be separated from connecting corridors or other rooms using type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions or other equivalent solutions.

Partitions of areas containing type 2 staircases or corridors connecting to type 2 staircases shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements (applicable to 4.26) if the buildings (or fire compartments containing type 2 staircases) have up to 9 m in fire height and up to 300 m2 of area of each storey or if the buildings are fitted with automatic fire fighting equipment (in such case, areas with high fire risk (for example parking spaces, service areas of flammable commodities and similar) shall be separated from type 2 staircases by type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions or other equivalent solutions).”.

Amend Point 4.31:

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Amend Point 4.32.2:

“4.32.2 Regulations under 4.32.1 shall not be compulsory if the buildings are equipped with automatic firefighting.”.

Amend Point 4.33.3:

- Add the phrase “như quy định tại đoạn c) điểm 4.33.1” (according to section c) of 4.33.1” to the end of 4.33.3.

Amend Point 4.33.4:

“4.33.4 Regulations under 4.33 shall not be compulsory for buildings of 3 storeys or lower or having less than 15 m in fire height and having open above-ground parking garages or fitted with automatic fire fighting equipment.”.

Amend Point 4.34:

- Replace the word “và” (and) after the phrase “(quy định tại điểm E.1 và điểm E.2 trong Phụ lục E)” [(according to E.1 and E.2 under Appendix E)] with the word “hoặc” (or).

Amend section d) of Point 4.35:

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5 WATER SUPPLY FOR FIREFIGHTING

Amend Point 5.1.1.1:

“5.1.1.1 Water supply for outdoor firefighting shall be implemented during construction investment of technical infrastructure of residential areas, urban areas, industrial parks, export-processing zones, hi-tech areas, industrial complexes, and areas with similar characteristics.

Buildings located in service radius of water supply sources for outdoor firefighting (tanks, reservoirs, hydrants, natural and artificial lakes, and other similar water sources) shall not be required to be fitted with water supply for outdoor firefighting.

NOTE: It is permissible to consult the TCVN 3890:2023 for provision of water supply for outdoor firefighting.”.

Amend Point 5.1.1.3:

- Annul the phrase “được trang bị phương tiện” (be equipped in order to).

Amend Point 5.1.1.4:

- Replace the phrase “(nằm trên mặt đất)” [(located above ground)] with the phrase “(đo ở vị trí cao độ bằng với mặt đất)” [(measured at ground elevation)].

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- Replace the phrase “60 m” with the phrase “60 m cột nước” (60 m of water column).

Annul NOTE 3 of Schedule 7.

Amend Schedule 10:

Schedule 10 - Water flow rate for outdoor firefighting of F5 buildings without roof openings and wider than 60 m

Fire resistance category

Fire risk level of structures

Fire and explosion risk class

Water flow rate for outdoor firefighting of buildings without roof openings and 60 m wide or more, for 1 fire incident, L/s, depending on volume of the building, 1 000 m³

≤ 50

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> 100 and ≤ 200

> 200 and ≤ 300

> 300 and ≤ 400

> 400 and ≤ 500

> 500 and ≤ 600

> 600 and ≤ 700

> 700

I and II

S0, S1

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20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

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S0

D, E

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

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50

III

S0, S1

A, B, C

40

50

60

60

70

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90

100

110

III

S0, S1

D, E

20

35

40

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45

45

50

50

60

IV

S0, S1

A, B, C

50

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...

65

70

80

90

-

-

-

IV

S0, S1

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35

45

55

60

65

70

75

80

90

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S2, S3

E

40

50

60

-

-

-

-

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-

NOTE: Roof openings refer to vents or light-transmitting openings located on the roof of buildings (ridge vents (skylights); normally open openings; openings that open in case of fire; light-transmitting panels, or similar openings) that account at least 2,5 % of construction area of the buildings.

Add a fifth dash to Point 5.1.3.3:

- With respect to buildings requiring up to 15 L/s in flow rate for outdoor firefighting (for F1, F2, F3, and F4 buildings) and up to 20 L/s in flow rate for outdoor firefighting (for F5 buildings), firefighting duration shall be 1 hour.

Amend Point 5.1.3.4:

“5.1.3.4 The maximum amount of time for restoring water reserve for firefighting must not be greater than:

24 hours - for residential areas with above 5 000 people or industrial facilities where buildings of fire risk classes A, B, and C are located;

36 hours - for industrial facilities where buildings of fire risk classes D and E are located;

72 hours - for residential areas with up to 5 000 people or agricultural facilities.

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48 hours - for buildings of fire risk class D and E;

36 hours - for buildings of fire risk class C.

NOTE 2: If water reserve for firefighting cannot be restored in a timely manner, an additional amount of water for firefighting ΔW shall be required, determined by the formula:

Where:”

ΔW refers to additional water reserve, in cubic meter (m³);

W refers to water reserve for firefighting, in cubic meter (m³);

K refers to the ratio between the amount of time necessary to restore water for firefighting in practice and the amount of time necessary to restore water for firefighting required under 5.1.3.4.”.

Amend Point 5.1.4.2:

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Amend Point 5.1.4.7:

- Replace the phrase “200 m” with the phrase “more than 400 m”.

Amend Point 5.1.5.4:

- Replace the phrase “bãi đỗ xe kích thước không nhỏ hơn 12 m x 12 m” (parking lots no smaller than 12 m x 12 m) with the phrase “bãi lấy nước” (water drafting area).

Amend Point 5.1.5.6:

- Replace the phrase “riêng lẻ” (detached) in the first paragraph with the phrase “độc lập” (independent).

Amend the second dash of Point 5.1.5.7:

- Remove the phrase “ngoài khu dân cư” (from residential areas).

Amend Point 5.1.5.9:

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- 400 m with the presence of pumps of fire engines;

- Up to 300 m with the presence of portable pumps depending on technical service radius of the pumps;

- In order to increase service radius, branch pipes up to 200 m in length are allowed to connect from tanks, reservoirs, and artificial lakes to intermediate tanks (water collectors) in accordance with 5.1.5.8.”.

Amend Point 5.1.5.10:

- Replace the phrase “từ 3 m³ đến 5 m³” (from 3 m³ to 5 m³) with the phrase “không nhỏ hơn 3 m³” (from 3 m³).

Amend Point 5.2.1:

- Add the phrase “Căn cứ vào công năng của đối tượng bảo vệ có thể lựa chọn các phương án trang bị hệ thống họng nước chữa cháy theo quy định tại 5.2.18.” (Depending on occupancy of protected objects, it is possible to choose standpipe outlet installation plans according to 5.2.18) to the fourth paragraph before the phrase “Trường hợp sử dụng các họng nước lưu lượng thấp” (If low fire flow outlets are used).

Amend Schedule 11:

- Replace the phrase “nhà dưỡng” (nursing homes) on the last dash of ²⁾ with the phrase “nhà dưỡng lão” (retirement homes).

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- Replace the phrase “0,90 MPa” in the second paragraph with the phrase “0,6 MPa” and the phrase “0,4 MPa” in the fourth paragraph with the phrase “0,45 MPa”.

Add NOTE 3 to Point 5.2.11:

“NOTE 3: It is permissible to increase service radius of standpipe outlets by connecting fire hoses up to 40 m in length. In this case, hoses shall be folded, placed on racks, and preemptively connected to outlets and nozzles.”.

Amend Point 5.3.1:

- In the first paragraph: Replace the phrase “công suất tương đương với” (capacity similar to) with the phrase “có thông số về lưu lượng, áp lực cấp nước không nhỏ hơn” (having parameters pertaining to water supply flow rate and pressure not lower than).

6 FIREFIGHTING AND RESCUE

Add to the end of 6.2.2.1:

- Add the phrase “, hoặc có phương án chữa cháy phù hợp từ ngoài nhà” (, or having appropriate firefighting plans from the outside).

Add to the end of 6.2.2.3:

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“NOTE: If floor penetrations are protected from fire spread, accessible floor area shall equal the largest floor area among the penetrated floors plus area of all penetrations in protected radius.”.

- Add the sentence “(chỉ yêu cầu có đường cho xe chữa cháy tiếp cận như 6.2.2.1 hoặc có phương án chữa cháy phù hợp khác đối với nhà F5 hạng A, B có tổng diện tích sàn đến 300 m2, nhà F5 hạng C, D, E có diện tích và chiều cao không vượt quá giới hạn cho phép lấy theo nhà có bậc chịu lửa V theo Phụ lục H).” [(only fire lanes according to 6.2.2.1 or other appropriate firefighting plans shall be required for F5 buildings of class A, class B having up to 300 m² of total floor area, F5 buildings of class C, class D, class E having area and height within the permissible limit applicable to buildings of fire resistance category V under Appendix H)] after the phrase “phương tiện chữa cháy” (firefighting apparatus) in section c).

- Add the sentence “Không quy định khoảng cách này khi không có yêu cầu cứu nạn từ trên cao và lực lượng chữa cháy có phương án khác để tiếp cận chữa cháy.” (This distance is not required in situations where rescue at heights is performed and the fire brigade utilizes other measures to approach the fire.) after the phrase “trên 28 m.” (exceeding 28 m).

- Annul NOTE 2.

Add NOTE to the end of Point 6.3.5:

“NOTE: Arrangement of elevated entry shall not be regulated if other measures are available allowing fire brigade to access.”.

Amend Point 6.4:

“6.4 Design of turnarounds shall be appropriate to local firefighting facilities.”.

Amend Point 6.12:

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- Add to the end of Point 6.12: "Trường hợp không thể bảo đảm yêu cầu này thì tại mỗi tầng cần bố trí ít nhất một họng khô để cấp nước chữa cháy cho tầng đó. Không yêu cầu khe hở vế thang đối với cầu thang loại 3.” (If this requirement cannot be met, a dry pipe system outlet shall be required on each storey. Stair gap requirements shall not apply to type 3 staircases.).

Amend the third dash of Point 6.13:

“- Fire service elevator quantity shall be sufficient to ensure that the distance from an elevator door to the furthest location on a storey that it serves (service radius) does not exceed 60 m;”

Amend Point 6.14:

- Add the phrase “, nếu được thiết kế để lực lượng chữa cháy tiếp cận qua mái thì” (, if the design allows fire brigade to access through the roof) after the phrase “lớn hơn 7 m” (exceeds 7 m).

Annul the phrase “theo A.4” (according to A.4) under Point 6.17.1.

Amend the second dash of Point 6.17.2:

“- Have at least 1 exit access connecting to main corridor for evacuation or exit discharge or connecting directly to exit staircases;”.

7 ORGANIZING IMPLEMENTATION

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APPENDIX A

(regulation)

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC BUILDING TYPES

Amend Point A.1.2.1:

“A.1.2.1 For the purpose of determining the total number of storeys of the building, the floor of each working platform, equipment support platform and mezzanine that is located at any elevation and larger than 40% of a storey’s area shall count as one storey.

Area of a storey in a fire compartment shall be determined by inner circumference of surrounding walls of that storey, excluding stairwell area. If the area contains working platforms, equipment support platforms, and mezzanines, area of these floors and platforms shall be included in case of single-storey buildings; area of these floors and platforms shall be included in fire compartment area of each storey in case of multi-storey buildings (or multi-storey building sections). Area of exterior loading platforms (docks) dedicated to road and railway vehicles shall not be counted towards floor area in fire compartment area. Area of rooms whose height extends at least 2 storeys shall be counted towards total area of the building as one storey if floor penetrations are not protected from fire in a multi-storey building (where rooms extend at least 2 storeys).

Building area shall be determined by outer circumference of buildings at height of the wall skirt, including any projection, underpass, and building section that lacks exterior enclosing structures.”.

Annul the second paragraph of A.1.3.2.

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- Replace the phrase “hạng” (grade) with the phrase “cấp” (level).

Amend Point A.1.3.10:

“A.1.3.10 Storage of goods having fire and explosion risk class C on multi-level racks shall be located in single-storey buildings having fire resistance category from I through IV and having structural fire level S0. If the storage is located in multi-storey buildings, these multi-level racks shall be protected by automatic fire fighting system according to respective standards and building occupants can safely evacuate in case of fire.”.

Annul Point A.1.3.12.

Add the phrase “(hoặc phân khoang cháy)” (or fire subcompartment) after the phrase “khoang cháy” (fire compartment) in Point A.2.3.

Add the following sentences to the end of Point A.2.4:

“It is permissible to situate crowded rooms at a fire height above the aforementioned height if human evacuation is calculated in accordance with standards (example [5]) so as to ensure that people can safely evacuate outside before being affected by dangerous elements of the fire.”.

Amend Point A.2.11:

“A.2.11 Elevator lobbies shall be separated from lobbies and adjacent rooms by fire-resistance-rated partitions or other fire protection solutions with fire-resistance rating compliant with A.2.24 if these elevators serve basements or hoistway doors do not satisfy requirements under A.2.24.”.

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“A.2.12 Fire service elevators are required in separate elevator shafts with independent elevator lobbies. If elevator shafts and elevator lobbies are situated together, protection of elevator shafts and common elevator lobbies shall comply with requirements under A.2.24 in the same manner as fire service elevators.

Exit discharge from at least one of the fire service elevators shall not cross common lobbies of the buildings.

The number of fire service elevators in each fire compartment must be calculated to ensure that travel distance from these elevators to any location on storeys that they serve (service radius) must not exceed 45 m.”.

Amend Point A.2.14:

“A.2.14 Corridors shall be separated into compartments by type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions and by type 2 fire-resistance-rated doors fitted with self-closing mechanisms or by smoke partitions made from non-combustible materials whose lower edge is at most 2,5 m away from the corridor floor. The length of each corridor compartment shall:

- Not exceed 30 m in case of residential blocks.

- Not exceed 60 m in case of non-residential blocks.”.

Amend Point A.2.20:

“A.2.20 Buildings having more than 100 m in fire height (or more than 120 if the buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm and firefighting system) shall contain temporary refuge areas according to A.3.2.”.

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“A.2.25.5 If requirements under A.2.25.1 through A.2.25.4 cannot be complied with, compliance with requirements under 3.5.10 is allowed.”.

Amend Point A.3.1.8:

- Annul the phrase “với khoảng cách hở thông thủy giữa các bản thang không nhỏ hơn 100 mm” (clear width between stringers must not be lower than 100 mm).

Amend Point A.3.1.13:

- Add the phrase “, trường hợp không thể đáp ứng thì tuân thủ 3.5.10” (, or must be complaint with 3.5.10 if previous requirements cannot be met) after the phrase “vật liệu không cháy” (non-combustible materials).

Annul section e) of Point A.3.1.16.

Amend the first paragraph and section a) of Point A.3.2.1:

“A.3.2.1 Buildings having from exceeding 100 m (or from exceeding 120 m if the buildings are fitted with automatic fire alarms and automatic firefighting equipment) to 150 m in fire height shall, in addition to complying with regulations under A.3.1, shall contain temporary refuge areas in accordance with A.3.2.1 or A.3.2.2 or a combination of both. Design solutions shall ensure timely and coherent evacuation for people entering or leaving temporary refuge areas (including safe zones located on storeys and/or fire emergency holding areas in refuge floors) appropriate to evacuation plans in case of fire.

If refuge areas are refuge floors and/or fire emergency holding areas, requirements below shall be met:

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NOTE. NOTE: A part or the entire mechanical floor can serve as refuge areas if requirements under Points b), c), d), e), f).”.

Add Point A.3.2.2:

“A.3.2.2 If refuge areas are safe zones, regulations below shall be met:

a) Safe zones shall be classified into 4 types:

Type 1 safe zone: means a room separated from other areas by enclosing structures whose fire-resistance rating equals that of inner walls of stairwells corresponding to fire resistance category of the building (ignoring criterion R if these enclosing structures are not load-bearing structures) and opening protectives having fire-resistance rating of EI 60, smokeproof, protected by automatic firefighting system, provided with positive pressure ventilation in case of fire in rooms, or fire protection vestibules in the entrance to these rooms, or an entrance to rooms that travels through smokeproof vestibules along open passages (similar to entrance to N1 stairwells).

Exit accesses from type 1 safe zones shall lead to exit stairwells (directly or via protected safe areas such as means of egress of buildings, or via smokeproof vestibules, or a combination of all solutions above).

Type 2 safe zone: means a zone on occupied roofs where passages leading to the roof travel through type 1 fire protection vestibules.

Type 3 safe zones: means a fire compartment or fire subcompartment with independent means of egress protected by type 1 fire-resistance-rated partitions and type 3 fire-resistance-rated floors.

Type 4 safe zone: means a stairwell.

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c) Safe zones shall be located on all storeys of a building (except storeys that contain exit discharges) or every 5 storeys at most, accompanied by egress instructions on each storey, and provide accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with other mobility impairment who use wheelchairs. The entrance to safe zones shall contain signs that read “KHU VỰC LÁNH NẠN TẠM THỜI/FIRE EMERGENCY HOLDING AREA” in the similar fashion as specified under section g) of A.3.2.1.

d) Area of safe zone in a storey shall be calculated depending on the number of people requiring temporary refuge (number of people with limited mobility) based on occupancy of the building section and floor area per person norm, taking into account mobility aids (for example wheelchairs, walking sticks, stretchers, similar equipment, if any); number of people requiring temporary refuge is determined by design tasks, floor area per person norm based on floor projection of each person and displacement capability in confined spaces. If number of people requiring temporary refuge or floor area per person norm cannot be calculated, it is possible to determine area of safe zones in accordance with section b) of A.3.2.1.

NOTE: If number of people with limited mobility cannot be identified under design tasks, this value can be identified based on total number of storey occupants, standards (example [5, 7]), area of floor projection of people can conform to [5] or H.2.10.1.

e) If safe zone is a separate room, it is permissible to develop other occupancies in safe zones in a similar manner as refuge area under section b) of A.3.2.1 as long as sufficient empty area is guaranteed.

f) Each safe zone shall be fitted with emergency lighting, sound system for egress instruction and similar, two-way communication system with fire command center or guard posts attended round-the-clock by building personnel.”.

Annul A.4 in Appendix A.

APPENDIX C

(regulation)

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Amend Point C.3.1:

“C.3.1 Methods for identifying indicators for placing buildings, structures, and rooms of manufacturing and storage occupancies in fire and explosion risk classes are specified in standards; it is permissible to apply [8] and relevant guiding documents for the purpose of identifying indicators.

Parameters of combustible substances in buildings and rooms can be viewed in standards [3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9] or other standards.”.

Amend the first paragraph of Point C.3.2:

“C.3.2 If no specific calculation for determining fire and explosion risk classes is available, is permissible to consult fire and explosion risk classes of buildings and rooms of factories, warehouses, and manufacturing departments:”.

Add to the second dash to C.3.2.2:

- Add the phrase "có tạo ra các bụi cháy được và có khả năng tạo thành các hỗn hợp nguy hiểm nổ (theo Bảng C.1) khi có sự cố" (creating combustible dust and potentially creating explosive mixtures (according to Schedule C.1) in case of emergencies) after the phrase “chất rắn” (solid matters).

APPENDIX D

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SMOKE PROTECTION

Add to the end of D.1.1:

“If specific regulations pertaining to amount of time it takes fire brigade to access the structures and amount of time it takes fire brigade to deploy firefighting efforts are not regulated and requirements pertaining to property protection in case of fire are not specified, smoke protection design of the buildings shall ensure the minimum objectives of safety for evacuating occupants.”

Amend Point D.1.2:

- Add the phrase “(hoặc lấy theo giá trị quy định trong tài liệu chuẩn áp dụng)” [(or values specified under applied standards)] after the phrase “không thấp hơn 2 m” (not be lower than 2 m).

Amend the first paragraph of Point D.1.3:

“D.1.3 Equipment of smoke extraction system and air supply system for smoke control, irrespective of their operating scheme (natural or mechanical), shall always operate as designed in case of fire.”.

Amend the first paragraph of Point D.1.5:

- Add the phrase “hoạt động” (operate) before the phrase “độc lập” (independently).

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“D.1.7 It is permissible to change requirements under Appendix D on the basis of smoke protection design conforming to applied standards and satisfactory to requirements under D.1.1”.

Amend NOTE of Point D.1.8:

- Replace the phrase “ISO 14644” with the phrase “TCVN 8664 (ISO 14644)”.

Amend Point D.2:

- In the first paragraph: replace the phrase “hút xả khói” (smoke extraction) with the phrase “thoát khói” (smoke extraction).

- Add to the end of section c):

“NOTE: Smoke extraction design is not required for corridors longer than 15 m without natural ventilation in case of fire located on storeys of F4 buildings of at most 6 storeys if these storeys are equipped with automatic fire alarm and smoke detectors or automatic firefighting capabilities.”.

- Amend section f): Annul the phrase “D, E”.

- Amend section g): Add the phrase “với diện tích lớn hơn 50 m²” (for area larger than 50 m²) after the phrase “hàng hóa” (display sections).

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“NOTE 4: In order to ensure natural ventilation in case of fire in rooms or corridors, it is permissible to situate (and relatively evenly distribute) openings on exterior enclosing structures of the rooms and corridors at a minimum height of 2,2 m from the floor to the lowest point of the openings; effective area of these openings shall not be lower than 2,5% of floor area of the rooms and corridors.”.

Amend the first and second paragraph of Point D.8:

 “D.8 For the purpose of directly extracting smoke from rooms and corridors of a single-storey building, it is permissible to use natural smoke extraction system (natural smoke extraction) or mechanical smoke extraction system. Mechanical smoke extraction system and natural smoke extraction mechanism is allowed in multi-storey buildings if smoke extraction calculation permits as long as requirements under D.1.1 are met. Natural smoke extraction is allowed for the topmost storey of multi-storey buildings via smoke dampers, smoke outlets, open skylights, open shutters that do not take in air.”.

Amend section b) of Point D.9:

“b) Pipes and ducts, that are subject to fire-resistance rating requirements, shall be manufactured from non-flammable materials (including insulation and fire-resistant pipe coating) with minimum fire-resistance rating of:”.

Add NOTE 3 and NOTE 4 after NOTE 2 of section b) of D.9:

“NOTE 3: Criterion I is not required for smoke pipes and ducts and air supply pipes of a fire compartment if all requirements below are met: 1) smoke and air transport in these pipes does not cause leak to other technical system or cause fire in areas where the pipes and ducts travel through; 2) ambient temperature in means of egress is not increased past 65 ^oC.”.

This note applies to other regulations under this document pertaining to fire-resistance rating requirements of other pipes and ducts (if any).

NOTE 4: Smoke pipes and ducts and air supply pipes shall not be subject to fire-resistance rating requirements if all requirements below are met: 1) the pipes are made from galvanized steel with minimum thickness of 1,2 mm; 2) the entire pipe length is protected by sprinkler system designed in accordance with applied standards where sprinklers are positioned on top of and underneath of the pipes (irrespective of pipe dimensions); 3) pipes and suspending, supporting elements are designed and built in accordance with pipe regulations under applied standards.

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Amend Point D.14.5:

- Amend the first paragraph: “D.14.5 In order to make up for the smoke volume extracted from protected areas by smoke extraction, natural or mechanical air supply shall be required.”.

- Amend section a):

“a) Natural air supply: via the use of openings, windows, or other gaps that can receive outside air (open in case of fire). Openings, windows, and gaps shall be located in the lower section of protected areas. Total clear area of openings (doors, windows, gaps located below the lowest point of smoke layers) shall be determined in accordance with D.4 and ensure that velocity of air passing through these openings does not exceed 6 m/s (this velocity requirement does not apply to openings providing make-up air which people do not use to evacuate);”

- Amend section b): replace the phrase “chống khói” (smoke control) with the word “vào” (air inlet).

APPENDIX E

(regulation)

FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE

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“NOTE 6: Fire separation distance between houses and public structures is not required if total construction area (including land area that is not built on between them) does not exceed the largest permissible floor area in a fire compartment (see Appendix H). Storage and cafeterias shall not be situated in-between F1.1, F4.1 buildings.

Land area between buildings that is not built on refers to area of projection limited by opposing exterior walls of both buildings and line connecting two opposing corners of both buildings.

This note does not apply to trading establishments of combustible gas, combustible liquid, ignitable liquid, substances and materials that explode or ignite upon coming into contact with water or oxygen or each other.”.

Amend Point E.2:

- Place the phrase “trong một cơ sở công nghiệp” (in an industrial facility) with the phrase “sản xuất, nhà kho” (of manufacturing and storage occupancy).

Amend the title of E.3:

“E.3 Fire separation distance by boundaries”.

Amend Point E.3.1:

- Replace the phrase “để xác định” (serves to determine) with the phrase “được xác định tương ứng với” (shall be determined corresponding to).

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- Replace the phrase “đo theo phương ngang vuông góc 90° từ tường ngoài nhà” (is measured horizontally and perpendicularly from exterior wall of the building) with the phrase “đo vuông góc theo phương ngang từ mặt ngoài tường ngoài nhà (hoặc từ mép ngoài của bộ phận cháy được gần nhất trong nhà, bao gồm cả nội thất)” [is measured horizontally and perpendicularly from exterior wall of the building (or from outer edge of the closest combustible elements in the building, including interiors)].

Add to the end of the second sentence of Point E.3.3:

“If outer wall is subject to fire-resistance rating requirements under Schedule E.3, total area of openings not protected by fire protection measures shall not exceed permissible values under Schedule E.4a or Schedule E.4b. If exterior wall is not subject to fire-resistance rating requirements under Schedule E.3, area of openings is not required to conform to Schedule E.4a or Schedule E.4b.

Permissible area of openings not protected by fire protection measures can be doubled if the buildings in question are fitted with automatic firefighting. Other fire spread prevention solutions according to section b) of 4.35 are allowed for openings of E 60 or less.”.

APPENDIX G

(regulation)

DISTANCE TO EXIT ACCESSES AND WIDTH OF EXIT ACCESSES

Annul NOTE of G.1.2.1.

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- Annul the word “well” in Point 1 of Schedule G.2a.

Amend Point G.3:

- Add the phrase ", hoặc xác định theo tài liệu chuẩn khác (ví dụ [5])” [, or be determined in accordance with other standards (example [5])] after the word “G.9” in the first paragraph of G.3.

APPENDIX H

(regulation)

FIRE RESISTANCE CATEGORY AND FIRE SAFETY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTIONS, AND FIRE COMPARTMENTS

Amend the first paragraph of Point H.2.1:

- Replace the phrase “và khách sạn kiểu căn hộ như nhà ở” (hotels that resemble houses) with the phrase “dạng căn hộ” (apartment types).

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“H.2.4.4 Rooms for older students, music rooms, physical education rooms, leisure rooms, and service rooms are allowed on the third storey of preschools, kindergartens. In this case, rooms larger than 50 m² shall have one of their exit accesses leading directly into exit staircases or exit corridors and into exit staircases.”.

Amend NOTE of Schedule H.6:

“NOTE: The number of storeys shall equal the number of above-ground storeys excluding the topmost mechanical floor. With respect to lower secondary schools and upper secondary schools or similar institutions, maximum permissible fire height of these institutions shall be 25 m (7 storeys) if the institutions are equipped with at least two exit staircases satisfactory to this document.”.

Amend Point H.2.9.1:

“H.2.9.1 Hospitals (F1.1) shall be located in independent buildings or separate fire compartments with maximum fire height of 28 m (9 storeys).

If primary occupancies of hospitals (F1.1) are located at a height exceeding the fire height of 28 m (or 9 storeys, but only up to 50 m), all additional requirements below must also be met:

- The buildings have fire resistance category I;

- The building entirety is equipped with automatic fire alarm and firefighting;

- Maximum permissible fire height of buildings shall ensure rescue and firefighting capabilities via elevated entrance;

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- Finishes on means of egress have maximum fire risk level of CV1;

- Clear width of exit accesses on each storey and means of egress (if any) is lower than 1,2 m where maximum number of people evacuating through these exit accesses is 72 people, occupant load of each storey conforms to the design; if the hospitals permit caregiver of patients, each patient shall be counted with at least 1 caregiver;

- A minimum of 2 fire service elevators (or 1 fire service elevator and 1 evacuation elevator) capable of evacuating patients bound to hospital beds where clear dimensions of elevator cars are sufficient to contain hospital beds is installed;

- Each storey is equipped with standpipe outlets with quantity, location, dimension, and installation satisfactory to applied standards;

- Each storey containing occupancies of F1.1 and having more than 28 m of fire height has safe zones satisfactory to A.3.2.2 and capable of ensuring 2,8 m²/patient. A storey can be separated into 2 fire compartments one of which can act as refuge areas if fire breaks out in another compartment. Each fire compartment is directly accessed via elevated entrance and led to stairwells without crossing other fire compartments.

Amend Point H.2.10.1:

“H.2.10.1 Fire height of general out-patient medical examination establishments (F3.4) is at most 28 m (or 9 storeys). Buildings of at least 2 storeys shall have minimum fire resistance category II and minimum fire risk level S0.

If general out-patient treatment occupancies (F3.4) are located at a height above fire height of 28 m (or 9 storeys), additional requirements below must also be complied with:

- The buildings have fire resistance category I;

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- Maximum permissible fire height of buildings shall ensure rescue and firefighting capabilities via elevated entrance;

- Stringer width of exit staircases conforms to 3.4.1 and is not lower than 1 m;

- Finishes on means of egress have maximum fire risk level of CV1;

- A minimum of 2 fire service elevators (or 1 fire service elevator and 1 evacuation elevator) capable of evacuating patients bound to hospital beds where clear dimensions of elevator cars are sufficient to contain hospital beds is installed;

- Each storey facilitating general out-patient treatment occupancies of F3.4 located at a fire height above 28 m has safe zones satisfactory to A.3.2.2 and ensures 2,65 m²/patient transported by wheelchairs with assistant, 0,75 m²/patient moving by themselves with aids, 0,5 m²/patient moving by themselves without aids (number of patients above conforms to design dossiers or [5] corresponding to form of medical examination); a storey can be separated into at least 2 fire compartments one of which can act as refuge areas if fire breaks out in another compartment. Each fire compartment is directly accessed via elevated entrance and led to stairwells without crossing other fire compartments.

Annul Point H.2.10.3.

Amend Point H.2.11.1:

- Add the phrase “ (hoặc 9 tầng). Trường hợp cao quá 28 m (hoặc quá 9 tầng) phải tuân thủ các yêu cầu bổ sung như quy định tại H.2.9.1” [(or 9 storeys). If these sleeping accommodations are located at a height above 28 m (or 9 storeys), additional requirements under H.2.9.1 shall be complied with] after the phrase “28 m”.

Add to the end of H.2.12.4:

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Add Point H.2.12.10:

“H.2.12.10 Maximum permissible fire height of buildings under Schedule H.5, H.6, and H.7 can be determined in, other than the metric system, the number of above-ground storeys not including the topmost mechanical floor (the values contained in brackets in column 4 of schedules, if any) if the buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm or automatic firefighting system and fire height of the buildings does not exceed 28 m.”.

Add to the end of NOTE 2 of Schedule H.8:

“If the buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm or automatic firefighting or if the buildings have at least 2 exit staircases satisfactory to this document, height at which rooms above are located shall conform to Schedule H.8.”

Amend Point D.4.1:

- Replace the phrase “theo A.2.1” (according to A.2.1) in the second paragraph with the phrase “theo A.1.2” (according to A.1.2).

Amend Schedule H.9:

- Amend field located in column 5, class C, category III, level S0, S1 to:

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- Amend the symbol “-” in column 7, class C, category IV, level S0, S1 to “1 400 ⁵⁾”; in column 7, class C, category IV, level S2, S3 to ”1 100 ⁵⁾”.

- Amend ⁴⁾:

“4) For class C buildings of category V, sawmills with up to 4 building frames, preliminary wood processing facilities and wood crushing plants.”.

- Add ⁵⁾:

“⁵⁾ Up to 3 storeys (permissible building height of 22 m) and fitted with automatic firefighting.”.

- Amend the NOTE:

“NOTE: Fields containing a “-“ can conform to the NFPA 5000 [1] or other equivalent standards in order to determine maximum permissible height and area of a storey in a fire compartment corresponding to fire-resistance rating of structures, elements, and other conditions.”.

Amend Schedule H.10:

- Amend the symbol “-” in column 7, class C, category IV, level S0, S1 to “1 400 ²⁾”; in column 7, class C, category IV, level S2, S3 to ”1 100 ²⁾”.

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“²⁾ Up to 3 storeys (permissible building height of 22 m) and fitted with automatic firefighting.”.

- Amend NOTE 1 and NOTE 2:

“NOTE 1: Fields containing a “-“ can conform to the NFPA 5000 [1] or other equivalent standards in order to determine maximum permissible height and area of a storey in a fire compartment corresponding to fire-resistance rating of structures, elements, and other conditions.

NOTE 2: Class D buildings of category V shall have similar parameters as class E buildings of category V.”.

Amend Schedule H.11:

- Amend symbol in column 6, class C, category IV, level S0, S1 to “1 600”; column 7, class C, category IV, level S0, S1 to “1 600 ³⁾”.

- Amend value “`12” in column 2, class E, category IV, level S0, S1 to “không quy định” (not regulated).

- Amend symbol in column 7, class E, category IV, level S0, S1 to “2200 ⁴⁾”.

- Add ³⁾ and ⁴⁾ after ²⁾:

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⁴⁾ Up to 4 storeys (up to 22 m in permissible building height).”.

- Amend NOTE 1:

“NOTE 1: Fields containing a “-“ can conform to the NFPA 5000 [1] or other equivalent standards in order to determine maximum permissible height and area of a storey in a fire compartment corresponding to fire-resistance rating of structures, elements, and other conditions.”.

- Add NOTE 3:

“NOTE 3: With respect to parking garages of category IV and of at least 2 storeys, if facility owners do not wish to limit damage to vehicles in the garages, floors of all storey are not required to be protected by fire protection measures as long as exit staircases from upper storeys are located along the edges of the buildings.”.

Amend Point H.5.2:

- Replace the phrase “khung giá đỡ, tầng lửng” (supporting frames, mezzanines) with the phrase “sàn đỡ thiết bị và sàn lửng” (equipment support frames and mezzanines).

- Replace the phrase “Bảng H.10” (Schedule H.10) with the phrase “Bảng H.11” (Schedule H.11).

Amend the last dash of the second paragraph of H.6.2:

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Add Point H.7:

“H.7 Additional fire safety requirements for other cases

H.7.1 If a building section having defined occupancies (and auxiliary occupancies supporting the primary occupancies) is physically separated into a separate fire compartment, requirements under Appendix H shall apply to that building section (fire compartment). Other independent occupancies are allowed to be located in building sections above this fire compartment if requirements under Appendix H applicable to those occupancies are met.

H.7.2 If a building whose number of storeys (height) and area is not specifically regulated or is limited according to Appendix H, it is permissible to apply the NFPA 5000 [1] or other standards in order to determine the maximum permissible height and area of a storey within a fire compartment corresponding to fire-resistance rating of building structures and elements and other conditions (which include conditions relating to human evacuation); or according to technical presentation.”.

Add REFERENCE to Appendix I:

“REFERENCE

 [1] NFPA 101 Life safety code, 15^th edition. National fire protection association, 2021;

[2] NFPA 5000 Building construction and safety code. National fire protection association, 2021;

[3] NFPA Fire protection handbook, 21^st edition. National fire protection association;

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[10] TCVN 3890:2023, Fire protection - Fire protection equipments for building and construction - Equipment, Installation;

[11] TCVN 8664 (ISO 14644), Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments;

[12] TCVN 9311-1:2012, Fire - resistance test- Elements of building construction - Part 1: General requirements;

[13] TCVN 9311-8:2012, Fire - resistance test- Elemennts of building construction - Part 8: Specific requirements for non - loadbearing vertical separating elements;

[14] TCVN 9383:2012, Fire resistance test - Fire door and Shutter Assemblies;

[15] TCVN 12695:2020 (ISO 1182), Reaction to fire tests for construction products - Non-combustibility test;

[16] ISO 834-10:2014, Fire resistance tests - Elements of building construction - Part 10: Specific requirements to determine the contribution of applied fire protection materials to structural steel elements;

[17] ISO 5657, Reaction to fire tests - Ignltabillty of building products using a radiant heat source;

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[19] ISO 5660-2, Reaction-to-fire tests - Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate - Part 2: Smoke production rate (dynamic measurement);

[20] ISO 6944, Fire containment - Elements of building construction;

[21] ISO 9239, Reaction to fire tests for floorings;

[22] ISO 13344:2015, Estimation of the lethal toxic potency of fire effluents;

[23] ISO 21925, Fire resistance tests - Fire dampers for air distribution systems.