General Definition

• Fire and smoke protection refers to a combination of passive and active safety measures designed to prevent fire spread, protect occupants, and ensure safe evacuation during a fire event.
  • These measures include fire-resistant construction (walls, doors, and barriers), automatic fire suppression (sprinklers, alarms, and smoke control), and safe egress systems (exit routes, emergency lighting, and panic hardware).
• Building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and Japan’s Building Standard Law (BSL) regulate these protections, with IBC using a performance-based approach and BSL enforcing stricter fireproofing for high-rise structures.
  • These regulations ensure life safety, structural integrity, and property protection, adapting to regional risks like earthquakes and urban density.

• The above chart representing the importance levels of various fire safety elements for Group B occupancy, including Fire-Resistance of Structural Elements, Automatic Sprinkler System, Fire Alarm System, Emergency Lighting, and more.

Comparative Table

• The following table compares the IBC and BSL Fire & Smoke Protection for group B occupancy.
  • By clicking on the blue underlined text, the reader shall have access to more information about each elements of required fire protection:

Fire Protection System	IBC Requirements (B Occupancy) & Sections	BSL Requirements (Business Use) & Articles
Fire-Resistance of Structural Elements	IBC 601, Table 601, Table 508.4 – Type I & II: 2-3 hours – Type III, IV, V: 1-2 hours based on building size	BSL Articles 2, 27, 35 – Buildings ≥ 3 stories or ≥ 1,000 m² must be fireproof (耐火建築物)
Fire-Resistance of Interior Partitions	IBC 708.1, 508.4 – 1-hour fire partition required between different occupancies and incidental spaces	BSL Article 35 – Fireproof partitions required between office spaces and corridors
Fire-Resistance of Exterior Walls	IBC Table 602 – 0-10 ft separation: 1-3 hours – 10-30 ft separation: 1 hour	BSL Articles 2, 27 – Fire-resistant exterior walls required in fire prevention districts
Automatic Sprinkler System	IBC 903.2.1.6 Required if: – Fire area > 12,000 sq. ft. (1,115 m²) – Located above/below exit discharge – Laboratories using hazardous materials	BSL Article 17 Required if: – Floor area > 500 m² – Building height > 31 meters – Laboratory or hazardous storage present
Smoke Control System	IBC 909 – Required for enclosed office spaces > 50,000 sq. ft. or with windowless areas	BSL Articles 17, 35 – Smoke control systems required for large office buildings and high-rise business complexes
Fire Alarm System	IBC 907.2.2 – Required if occupant load > 500 or if building has multiple tenants	BSL Article 17 – Required in all business buildings exceeding 31 meters
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Stations	IBC 907.2.2 – Required on each floor	BSL Article 17 – Required in high-rise and multi-tenant business buildings
Smoke Exhaust System	IBC 909.6,.8,.20 – Required for enclosed office spaces without natural ventilation	BSL Article 17 – Required in business buildings > 31 meters or with enclosed atriums
Fire Doors	IBC 716.2 – Required at exits & corridors	BSL Article 35 – Required in corridors > 20 meters long
Panic Hardware on Exit Doors	IBC 1010.1.10 – Required for doors with occupant load > 50 in assembly areas within offices	BSL Article 28 – Required in large offices and business centers
Fire-Retardant Interior Finishes	IBC Table 803.11 – Class A/B materials required	BSL Article 35 – Class A (難燃材料) required for walls and ceilings in high-rise offices
Emergency Lighting	IBC 1008.3 – Required for all egress routes	BSL Article 28 – Required in all business buildings
High-Rise Business Buildings	IBC 403 – > 75 ft (23 m) high requires: – Fire command center – Firefighter elevators – Standby power	BSL Article 35 – > 31 meters must be 耐火建築物 (fireproof) with fire-resistant stairwells

Key Differences

1. Fire-Resistance of Structural & Interior Elements –
   • IBC: Fire rating 1-3 hours based on construction type;
   • BSL: Fireproofing required for buildings ≥ 3 stories or 1,000 m².
2. Fire-Resistance of Exterior Walls –
   • IBC: Fire rating 1-3 hours based on separation distance;
   • BSL: Mandatory in fire prevention districts, stricter for urban areas.
3. Automatic Sprinkler & Smoke Control Systems –
   • IBC: Required for fire area > 12,000 sq. ft. (1,115 m²) or hazardous spaces;
   • BSL: Required for buildings > 500 m², > 31 meters, or hazardous storage.
4. Fire Alarm & Smoke Exhaust Systems –
   • IBC: Required for occupant load > 500 or multiple tenants;
   • BSL: Required in all buildings > 31 meters or with enclosed atriums.
5. Fire Doors, Panic Hardware & Interior Finishes –
   • IBC: Fire doors required at exits & corridors, panic hardware for occupant load > 50;
   • BSL: Fire doors required in corridors > 20 meters, panic hardware in large offices.
6. Emergency Lighting & High-Rise Fireproofing –
   • IBC: Egress routes must have emergency lighting, high-rises need fire command centers and firefighter elevators;
   • BSL: All buildings require emergency lighting, high-rises > 31 meters must be fireproof with fire-resistant stairwells.