Clause 9.5 Depot
9.5.1 General
Requirements stipulated in the previous sections of this Code for transit stations and trainways are not applicable to the depot. The depot shall comply fully with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings except as herein modified.
9.5.2 Hose reel and areas with traction power
Areas with traction power shall not be covered/ protected by hose reels. A 6m wide zone on plan, enveloping the unenclosed area with traction power need not be fully covered/ protected by hose reels. See Diagram 9.5.2.
R Rationale - Clause 9.5.2The purpose is to prevent electrocution when water discharging from the hose reel comes into direct contact with electrical apparatus in the unenclosed areas with traction power that are connected to high voltage electrical power. The 6m wide zone (with 0-100% hose reel protection) is not applicable if the area with traction power is physically separated from the adjacent area by imperforated walls.
Diagram 9.5.2: Hose Reels and Areas with Traction Power
9.5.3 Stores containing materials that react explosively with water
Hose reels and sprinklers shall not be provided in stores (e.g., thermit and volatile stores) containing materials that react explosively with water.
9.5.4 Purpose group
The depot shall be considered as a factory (Purpose Group VI).
9.5.5 Fire separation from non-transit occupancies
Elements of structure forming the fire separation between track areas/ sidings of the depot and non-transit occupancies shall have at least 4 hrs fire resistance. See Diagram 9.5.5.
Diagram 9.5.5: Element of Structure Forming Fire Separation Between Depot and Non-Transit Occupancies Shall Have 4-hrs Fire Resistance Rating
9.5.6 Fire resistance of elements of structure
The fire resistance of elements of structure around underground track areas/ sidings shall be at least 4-hrs.
9.5.7 Occupant loads
R Rationale - Clause 9.5.7 The occupant load is not based on the conventional OL factor because these spaces are only accessed by maintenance personnel and are established by the railway operators. Where such information is not available, QP shall consult the client on the actual number of occupants occupying the areas.The occupant loads for the track areas and sidings shall be determined based on the expected number of people occupying the areas.
9.5.8 Travel distances
The maximum travel distance for the track areas, sidings and workshop areas for the trains shall be as shown in Table 9.5.8.
| TABLE 9.5.8. - MAXIMUM TRAVEL DISTANCE FOR TRACK, SIDING & WORKSHOP AREAS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Sprinkler-protected | Non-sprinkler-protected |
| One-way | 30m | 15m |
| Two-way | 120m | 90m |
| Dead-end | 15m | 15m |
Note: The maximum two-way travel distance for the siding shall be at most 150m if exits are provided at both ends of the siding and that the siding is sprinkler-protected. | ||
9.5.9 Fire safety report
Fire safety report shall be prepared in accordance with the relevant chapter of the Fire Code and submitted.
9.5.10 Detectors for engineered smoke control systems
In lieu of smoke detectors, linear heat detectors of the optic fibre type can be used to activate the engineered smoke control systems in non-public areas.
9.5.11 Automatic fire alarm system
The automatic fire alarm system shall be connected to the OCC.
9.5.12 Fire Command Centre
R Rationale - Clause 9.5.12Depot development consisting of more than one building is managed by a single railway operator in term of depot control and monitoring, and emergency operation. Where there are multiple railway operators within the same depot development, the fire emergency operation will still be managed by a single lead operator.
All the alarm panels, control and monitoring devices of other fire safety systems like engineered smoke control system and lift supervisory (if any) from respective buildings will be consolidated and installed into this single FCC for SCDF’s control and assessment of the fire situation & firefighting deployment in the depot development.
In view of the above arrangement, a single FCC is sufficient to support firefighting operations.
There shall be one FCC to be provided at the depot development, which can consist of more than one building subject to the following:
a. It shall be located at the main building nearest to the front entrance of the depot development, which is part of the ingress of the fire engine accessways/ fire engine access roads;
b. In the case of multiple railway operators within the same depot development, the fire emergency operation shall be managed by a single lead operator; and
c. All the fire alarm panels, control, and monitoring devices of other fire safety systems e.g. engineered smoke control system, emergency voice communication system, and lift supervisory (if any) from respective buildings shall be housed inside this single FCC.
9.5.13 Two-way emergency voice communication system
a. Provision
For depot with basement storey(s), two-way emergency voice communication system complying with SS 546 shall be provided to the basement storey(s), except for requirements on locations of remote handsets as modified herein.
b. Locations of handsets
The master handset of the two-way emergency voice communication system shall be located near the main alarm panel. Remote handsets shall be provided at the following locations if present at the basement storey(s):
The remote handsets of the communication system shall be provided in the control rooms housing these electrical control equipment and located at or near the fan control panels to facilitate communication & control of the smoke control equipment.
(1) Fire lift lobbies
(2) Fire pump room
(3) Rooms housing smoke control equipment
(4) Lift motor rooms
(5) Fire lifts
9.5.14 Radio communication
Basement storey(s) of depot shall be provided with radio communication facilities capable of operating in the frequency band as allocated and approved by authority having jurisdiction.
9.5.15 Design fire size and perimeter
R Rationale - Clause 9.5.15The design train fire size is an important parameter as it is used for design of engineered smoke control system and tunnel ventilation system.
Where required to be provided with engineered smoke control system, the design train fire size and perimeter shall be substantiated, subject to the approval of the SCDF.