SERVICES-HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

CLASS NOTES

1. Introduction to Services in High-Rise Buildings: -

High-rise buildings demand integrated service planning to ensure safety, comfort, sustainability, and
efficiency. Key systems include:

• Fire Safety Systems

• Vertical Transportation (Lifts, Escalators)
• Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP)
• HVAC Systems
• Automation & Building Management
• Utility & Power Distribution
• Waste & Water Management
The design must comply with NBC India, local building bye-laws, and environmental standards.

2. Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: -

2.1 NBC India Guidelines

• Firefighting as per NBC India:
→ Fire detection, suppression, escape routes, and firefighting access are mandatory.
→ Minimum 2-hour fire-rated enclosures for escape staircases.
→ Fire pumps, sprinklers, and hydrants are essential for buildings above certain heights.
• Staircase Height Norm (15m Rule):
→ For residential buildings under 15m, lifts are not mandatory.
→ Above 15m, at least one lift is compulsory.
→ Staircases must be 1.2m wide for residential (NBC Section 4).
2.2 Fire Towers for Skyscrapers
• Enclosed, fire-rated shafts with independent ventilation and pressurization to prevent smoke ingress.
• Designed to provide protected egress in tall buildings.
2.3 Service Shafts – Fire Safety Role
• Pressurization Shafts: Maintain positive air pressure in escape routes.
• Smoke Vents: Exhaust smoke from fire zones to maintain visibility for evacuation.
2.4 Zoning & Compartmentation
• Large floor plates divided into fire zones (NBC suggests max 750m² per compartment for high-rises).
• Vertical shafts sealed with fire dampers.
• Fire doors between compartments.

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3. Occupant Load According to NBC: -

Occupant load is defined in the National Building Code (NBC) of India as the number of persons for whom
the means of egress, such as exits and staircases, need to be provided for a particular type of occupancy. The
NBC offers standard factor tables to calculate the occupant load based on the building's use and floor area.

NBC Occupant Load Factors (per 100sq.m of covered area)

Occupancy Type Occupant Load per 100sq.m

Residential 8.0

Educational 25.0

Institutional 6.6

Assembly (fixed/loose seats, dance floor) 166.6

Assembly (no seating, dining rooms) 66.6

Mercantile (street floor, sales basement) 33.3

Mercantile (upper sales floor) 16.6

Business and Industrial 10.0

Storage 3.3

Hazardous 10.0

Dormitories, orphanages, etc. 13.3*

Note: The occupant load in dormitory portions of homes for the aged, orphanages, or mental hospitals is
calculated at not less than 13.3 persons per 100sq.m.

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Calculation Formula
To calculate the occupant load for a given area:

Occupant Load=Floor Area (in sq. m)/Area per person (according to occupancy type)

• For example, for residential buildings: Occupant Load Factor = 12. 5sq.m/person

• For educational buildings (schools): Occupant Load Factor = 4sq.m/person

• For assembly buildings (fixed seats): Number of seats × 1.2

Regulatory Notes

• The total occupied area must include all spaces accessible to occupants, corridors, closets, connecting
rooms, etc., serving the occupancy type.

• No deduction for passages and subdivisions.

• The latest NBC version should be referred to for enforcement and exact application.

4. Calculation of Number of Lifts and Lift Area as per NBC: -

4.1 How to Calculate the Number of Lifts

The National Building Code (NBC) of India does not prescribe a fixed formula for the number of lifts but
recommends a traffic analysis based on building use, population, floors served, and peak demand:

Primary Factors:

• Total building population (often estimated via occupant load calculations)

• Number of floors to be served
• The population on each floor
• Floor-to-floor distance
• Maximum peak demand (such as peak up or down periods)
• Waiting time and travel time expectations
Guidelines:

• Traffic analysis for typical office buildings: Design lifts to handle all occupants within 5 minutes during
peak times.
• In residential buildings above 13m height or 4 or more stories, at least one lift of 6-person (408kg)
capacity is mandatory.
• For every additional population segment, as determined by traffic calculations, more lifts may be
required.
• Tall buildings (over 15m): Must have at least one fire lift (8-person, automatic doors, reach top floor
within 60sec).

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• Buildings over 30m: Must provide a stretcher lift (minimum 1100mm × 2100mm floor area).

NBC and IS standards recommend consulting lift manufacturers and using computerized traffic analysis
software for optimal lift count in large or complex structures.

4.2 Lift Car Area and Dimensions (Minimum Requirements)

Standard Passenger Lifts (NBC Table)

No. of Persons Rated Load (kg) Car Size (mm, L × W) Door Width (mm)

4 272 1100 × 700 700

6 408 1100 × 1000 700

8 544 1300 × 1100 800

10 680 1300 × 1350 800

13 884 2000 × 1100 900

16 1088 2000 × 1300 1000

20 1360 2000 × 1500 1000

Stretcher Lifts (for buildings >30m): Minimum internal car size: 1100mm × 2100mm.

Accessibility Recommendations

• For barrier-free access, recommended minimum internal clear car size: 1500mm × 1500mm, with a
minimum door width of 900mm for wheelchair access.

5. Stack Effect & Atmospheric Pressure in High-Rises: -

• Stack Effect: Air movement caused by the temperature difference between inside and outside,
influencing smoke movement and ventilation.
• At 130 ft (~40m) height, atmospheric pressure difference impacts HVAC and smoke control systems.
• Mitigated by compartmentation, air curtains, and pressurization.

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6. Service Shafts- Planning & Purpose: -

Service shafts centralize and conceal essential building services, while ensuring easy access for maintenance.

Service Shaft Type Purpose & Use Typical Location

MEP Shaft Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing lines Near core
Garbage Chute Waste disposal to centralized collection Core/Utility zone
Lift Shaft Vertical transportation Near stair core
Fire Shaft Houses, hydrant risers, sprinkler pipes Adjacent to the fire escape
Smoke Vent Shaft Removes smoke during a fire Top vented
Telecommunication Shaft Internet, telephone, and intercom cables Core wall
Fresh Air Shaft Supplies outside air for ventilation Core/periphery
LAN/LV Shaft Low-voltage data cables Near the IT rooms
DG Exhaust Shaft Removes diesel generator exhaust gases Roof discharge
Lightning Arrestor (L/A) Shaft Electrical earthing & lightning protection Edge/roofline
Light Shaft Daylight penetration to lower floors Courtyard/void
Pressurization Shaft Positive pressure for stairs/lift lobbies Fire escape core

7. Mechanical Systems in High-Rise Buildings: -

7.1 Water Supply & Pressure Management
• Pressure Pumps: Ensure adequate pressure for upper floors.
• Hydraulic Systems:
→ Main + Standby: One operational, one for redundancy.
• So-Vent System: Specialized drainage system reducing vent pipes, controlling odour.
7.2 HVAC Design
• Temperature & Humidity for Composite Climate: 22–23°C & 50–52% RH (Relative Humidity).
• Cooling Methods:
→ Water-Cooled: Efficient, requires cooling towers.
→ Air-Cooled: Simpler, higher energy use.
→ Mixed: Combination for flexibility.
• Service Floors:
→ In a 48m building: One service floor every 2 floors; height ~4m.
→ Houses AHUs, electrical panels, and distribution ducts.
• Jet Thrust Fan System in Basements:
→ Ductless ventilation using high-velocity fans to push exhaust air toward outlets.

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8. Power Supply & Electrical Systems: -

8.1 Substations & Distribution

• Components:
→ Transformers (Oil-based / Dry-type)
→ LT Panels
→ UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)
→ DG Sets
→ Air Conditioning Plant
→ Water Tanks
→ Fire Pump Room
→ STP / Central Plant
• Compact Substations:
→ Can be within building setbacks or in dedicated service areas.
→ For large campuses, placed near load centres.
8.2 Electrical Connection Standards in India

• 11kV Connection:
→ HT Meter Room & Switchgear.
→ Jio Switch on H-pole for telecom integration.
→ Transformer location per NBC fire clearance.
• HT Supply (>90kV): For very high loads.
• Single Phase (220 volt) & Three Phase (415 volt): Based on load requirement.
• HT Supply to Service Floors: Power distributed vertically to service zones.

9. Automation & Building Management Systems (BMS):-

Automation improves operational efficiency and reduces energy use.

Automation Feature Purpose

Light Management System Optimize lighting based on occupancy/daylight
Presence Detector Turns the lights off when the area is unoccupied
Motion Sensor Activates lighting or HVAC
AC Control System Integrates temperature control
Lutron System Advanced lighting & shading control

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