QCVN 06:2021/BXD: Emergency Exits Regulations

Emergency exits in factories play a crucial role in safeguarding lives and property of workers during incidents, particularly fires and explosions. Regulations for emergency exits encompass design and installation, as well as emphasize feasibility, ease of use, and maintaining them in good working condition. Join KTG Industrial to exploremore regulations on factory emergency exits in this article.

What is the emergency exit in the factory?

The emergency exit in a factory is an integral part of the fire prevention and fighting (FPF) safety system, playing a crucial role in protecting the health and safety of workers during emergencies such as fires, explosions, or other hazardous situations.

The design and construction of emergency exits must strictly adhere to standards and regulations. This ensures quick and safe evacuation, prevents congestion and facilitates timely access for rescue teams.

Emergency exits help employees feel secure at workplace

Regulations on emergency exits

The regulations for emergency exits in factories must comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations, including criteria on basics, placement areas, quantity, and size of emergency exits:

Basics of emergency exits

• 1st floor: Emergency exits lead outside or through areas such as hallways, staircases, waiting rooms, and doors directly outside.
• Other floors:
  • Emergency exits leading from other floors to staircases or waiting rooms with direct exits to staircases.
  • If passing through other corridors, this corridor must be separated by partitions to limit the spread of smoke and fire.
• Class A/B rooms: Emergency exits lead to technical rooms and there are no regular workers.

Area for emergency exits and distance

• Emergency exits should be located in a visible, accessible and, and safe location, especially in case an exit is blocked.
• Distance:
  • The minimum distance between two emergency exits must be half the length of the largest diagonal of the factory floor.
  • In a one-story factory with fire resistance level I of production class C, emergency exits must be arranged around the perimeter of the building with a maximum distance of 75m.
  • For rooms with exits leading to dead-end corridors, the distance from the room door to the direct exit, stairs, or lobby must not exceed 25m.

Number of emergency exits

• Each room, floor, or work area must have at least two emergency exits, and it will depend on:
  • The number of workers.
  • The scale and density of workers in the factory.
• The distance between two emergency exits must not exceed 75 meters.

The size of the emergency exit.

• The clear height is from 1.9m.
• The clear width:
  • 1.2m: For rooms with more than 15 people to evacuate or classified as fire hazards.
  • 0.8m: For all other cases.
  • The dimensions must be sufficient to transport stretchers in case of rescue operations.

Emergency exit door specifications

• Material: The door is made from fire-resistant steel, electroplated to enhance durability and heat resistance.
• Equipment:
  • Panic bar lock or push bar lock for easy opening from the inside.
  • Fire-resistant hinges with good load-bearing capacity.
  • Smoke seals to prevent smoke and toxic gases from spreading.
  • Automatic closing and opening system, ensuring the door remains closed when not in use.
• Door opening angle: The door must be able to open at a 90-degree angle and not affect other usable areas.

Regulations on emergency exits

The regulations on emergency exit doors include criteria for material, size, installation location, and the locking/opening mechanism, in accordance with QCVN 06:2021/BXD and Circular 02/2021/TT-BXD [1].

• • Material of emergency exit doors:
    • Ordinary door: Used for exits, does not require fire resistance, has high durability, and is lightweight.
    • Fire-resistant door: Used to prevent fire, smoke, and toxic gases, with a required fire resistance time of at least 30 minutes. It consists of a steel frame, thick door leaf, and fire-resistant materials such as honeycomb paper and MGo mixture.

• Structure of emergency exit doors:

The structure of emergency exit doors often varies depending on the type and manufacturer, but they share basic characteristics such as:

• Frame: Electrically galvanized steel, approximately 1.2 – 1.4 mm thick.
• Door leaf: Approximately 50 – 60 cm thick, coated with electrostatic paint.
• The interior material is a high-grade fireproof composite material, such as honeycomb paper or MGo composite.
• Other accessories include panic push bars, hydraulic closers, hinges, locks, and rubber seals.
• Emergency exit door dimensions:
  • Width: 700-1150mm
  • Height: 2000-2700mm
  • Additionally, the dimensions depend on the scale of the factory and the design drawings
• Exit door installation location:
  •  It must be easily accessible, with signs and a well-lit pathway 24/7.
  • The distance from the exit door to the work area should not exceed 75 meters.
  • Depending on the perimeter of the factory if it is a single-story factory.
• Emergency exit door lock and unlocking:
  • The door must be easily opened from the inside without the need for a key.
  • The lock must have the ability to automatically open when triggered by the fire alarm system and should be installed at a height not exceeding 1.8 meters from the floor.
  • The door must open outward and must not be locked for emergency exits from common spaces, floor corridors, waiting rooms, lobbies, or stairwells.
  • Emergency exit doors leading to escape routes and stairwell rooms should have an automatic locking mechanism that seals the door gap.
  • It should be installed in a clearly visible location, not higher than 1.8 meters from the floor.

Regulations on emergency exit signs

Regulations on emergency exit signs in factories include the following requirements:

• Installation Location:
  • The sign must be placed in a location that is easy to recognize, visible, and not obstructed, usually at the end of the factory corridor.
• Escape Route Diagram:
  • The sign includes text and geometric symbols such as arrows to indicate the escape direction.
  • The content of the sign must be easy to understand, readable, and clear.
• Purpose:
  • Escape routes must be equipped with signs so that workers can easily notice and quickly identify the escape direction.

Check and maintain emergency exits and exit doors

Emergency exits must be regularly checked to ensure the safety of users. The testing procedure is as follows:

• Overall Inspection:
  • Check the emergency exit door, including hinges, locks, door handles, and door quality.
  • Check the signs, lighting system, direction indicators, and emergency exit markings.
  • Check the alarm system, alarm bell, and automatic locks.
• Detailed Inspection:
  • Check the welds and joints on the door, the sturdiness of the door frame, and the door seal to ensure smoke resistance and door stability.
  • Ensure that the lighting systems, signs, and direction indicators are visible in all situations.

Maintenance of escape routes is also an item that needs to be added to the list of tasks to be performed regularly to ensure that the escape routes are always in the best condition.

• Cleaning and sanitation:
  • Clean the emergency exit and components such as hinges, door handles, and pathways. Remove dirt and obstacles, then lubricate mechanical parts.
• Repairs:
  • Repair and replace damaged components or those that no longer meet quality standards.
• Fire alarm system maintenance:
  • Carry out maintenance according to fire protection regulations or the system manufacturer’s instructions.

Regular inspection and maintenance are necessary to ensure that the escape routes always function properly, are free from issues, and are effective when an emergency occurs.

Emergency exits need to comply with strict safety regulations

How to use factory emergency exits

When using factory emergency exits, special attention should be paid to:

• Stay calm and activate the fire alarm system immediately when signs of fire are detected.
• Observe and find the nearest exit, following the signs.
• Use a gas mask (or damp cloth) to protect against toxic smoke.
• Check the temperature of the door before opening it. If the door is too hot, find another exit.
• Move to the designated safe assembly point after exiting to check the number of people and report to the rescue team.

Here are the steps to use factory emergency exits safely:

1. Move people to the emergency exit: Move quickly from the farthest position to the emergency exit door, ensuring to stay away from fire and explosion risks.
2. Move through the emergency exit door: If the room door and the emergency exit door are not in the same location, continue moving to the safe exit.
3. Use respiratory protection: If there is smoke and toxic gas, use a gas mask or a damp cloth to cover the nose and mouth.
4. Check the door before opening: If the door is hot, do not open it and look for an alternative exit.
5. Move to a safe area: After escaping outside, go to the designated safe assembly point to check the number of people and report the situation to the rescue team.

During the escape process, you may encounter smoke and toxic gas inhalation, which should be divided into 3 cases:

• Awake person: Take them to a well-ventilated area and give them water.
• Unconscious person but breathing: Place them on their side and provide oxygen.
• Stopped breathing: Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required, and contact medical services immediately for timely treatment.

To ensure a safe evacuation process, the evacuee must remain calm, activate the fire alarm, use a wet cloth to cover their nose and mouth to reduce smoke inhalation and close the door after exiting.

Absolutely do not use the elevator in case of an emergency. Do not return to retrieve belongings. Avoid pushing, shoving, or jumping from high floors, as these situations can be life-threatening.

Emergency exits must be regularly inspected and periodically maintained

Some common types of factory emergency exits

There are two common types of factory escape doors:

1. Fire-resistant doors: These are the types of doors commonly used in emergency exits, fire escape stairs, and areas with a high risk of fire and explosion, such as factories and warehouses. Fire-resistant doors are required to have fire resistance ratings (EI 60 minutes, EI 90 minutes, EI 120 minutes) to ensure the prevention of smoke and fire from spreading.
2. Non-fire-resistant doors: These types of doors can be used in areas that lead to the outside space of a yard, where there are no high requirements for fire resistance.

In buildings such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, and factories, fire-resistant doors are prioritized to ensure safety and comply with fire prevention requirements.

Fire doors are designed to prioritize safety, fully meeting fire prevention standards.

Some notes when making emergency exit doors for factories

When designing and constructing emergency exits for factories, there are several important factors to consider to ensure the safety of workers and comply with regulations. Below are the key points to note:

• Analysis of Needs and Scale: Based on the number of workers and the size of the workshop, design emergency exits that meet actual safety requirements.
• Number of Emergency Exits: Each workshop must have at least two emergency exits to ensure flexibility and safety in case of an emergency.
• Emergency Staircase Standards: Each flight of stairs should have no more than 18 steps, no fewer than 3, and should not use spiral staircases, as they may cause difficulties during an emergency evacuation.
• Signs and Directions: There should be prohibition signs, evacuation plans, and directional signs to guide quick escape, helping workers easily identify the emergency exit routes in an emergency situation.
• Choosing a Reputable Contractor: Choose a professional construction unit to ensure the emergency exits are of high quality and meet fire safety standards, thus improving the overall safety of the building.
• Fire Safety Testing: Emergency exits in areas requiring fire resistance must pass certification from the Fire Safety Police Department, ensuring their effectiveness in preventing fire spread during an emergency.

Conclusion

Compliance with emergency exit regulations in factories is not only a legal obligation but also a crucial factor in ensuring worker safety. Proper installation, regular maintenance, and clear signages are necessary to enhance the effectiveness of emergency exits. Factories must prioritize these regulations to create a safe working environment. .

Nguồn tham khảo:

[1] thuvienphapluat.vn. (2024, May 8). Circular 02/2021/TT-BXD on QCVN 06:2021/BXD National Technical Regulation on Fire Safety for Buildings and Constructions issued by the Minister of Construction. THU VIEN PHAP LUAT; thuvienphapluat.vn. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Xay-dung-Do-thi/Thong-tu-02-2021-TT-BXD-QCVN-06-2021-BXD-Quy-chuan-ky-thuat-quoc-gia-ve-An-toan-chay-cho-nha-474757.aspx