Egress and Fire Protection

Construction of a building can significantly impact occupants’ ability to evacuate in case of a fire. Non-combustible concrete and masonry construction resists fire, does not burn, and provides fire containment through compartmentation or division of units. It does not produce smoke, fumes, or gases. These inherent features of concrete and masonry are valuable benefits for allowing safe egress, the act of exiting, from a building and reducing the amount of flame, gas, and smoke an occupant must pass through when a fire occurs. The occupants and their property may be protected from fire by minimum two-hour non-combustible concrete and masonry walls between living units. During an evacuation, such walls between living units and public spaces can provide a structurally sound, fire-resistant escape route. This escape route also provides access for emergency responders to safely assist in evacuations and effectively attack the fire. This older population often seeks living conditions such as apartments and condominiums which require limited or no occupant maintenance. Many reside in assisted living, nursing homes, or other care-providing facilities. These individuals often have developed physical, mental, vision, and/or hearing impairments that slow or prevent self-evacuation. In addition, many of the elderly take medications which may limit their ability to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. Concrete and masonry construction can contain fires, provide safe havens, and assure that exit routes remain intact to allow for slower egress and to provide time for emergency responders to locate and assist individuals who cannot self-evacuate. All such structures should be constructed with minimum two-hour non-combustible concrete and masonry between living units and between living units and public spaces. Minimum one-hour non-combustible concrete or masonry exterior walls will reduce the potential for fires to spread from one structure to another.