Fire protection drawing symbols & information

All you need to know

Obviously, it’s vital that fire protection drawings (and other architectural drawings and models) use a recognised set of symbols and graphics. They should also come with a key allowing all users to interpret the graphics used and form part of the fire risk assessment.

When creating a Building Information Model (see our BIM services), the main consideration for fire protection drawings are sprinkler systems. Because sprinklers require such a high level of co-ordination between different contractors, the BIM will be a single source of information for all stakeholders.

When dealing with simpler requirements, like the placement of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire doors and fire resistance ratings, these tend to be captured using 2D CAD drawings (see our CAD services).

At MultiCAD we have extensive expertise in creating fire protection drawings that provide all the information needed for your construction project and handover documents. We’ve consulted our expert technicians to compile a comprehensive list of what could be included, to help you navigate it with ease.

As it’s a long list, we’ve followed the conventions of BS 1635: 1990 to categorise the types of symbols into the following types:

1. Fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment
2. Fire alarms
3. Means of escape
4. Fire precautions (including fire doors & fire compartmentation)
5. Emergency lighting
6. Fire safety signs

1. Firefighting equipment and fire extinguishers

Firefighting equipment

Fire hydrant

This is a water outlet connected to the street water mains which supplies water for firefighting. The symbol will often indicate the distance of the hydrant from the Rising Fire Main.

Rising/Falling Fire Main

Pipe installations that allow fire and rescue services to access water. Rising Fire Mains pipe water to upper floors, Falling Fire Mains pipe water for use with hoses to fight fire in a basement. In addition, fire mains may be denoted as Wet Risers or Dry Risers. As you may have guessed, wet risers are kept filled with water, while for a dry riser the water must be pumped in from the mains.

Hose reels

Location of hose reels, with a number which shows the length of the hose in meters.

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers

There are two main categories of fire extinguisher, portable and fixed installations. They should be marked using different symbols on fire protection drawings. Portable fire extinguishers tend to be more commonly used, but it depends on the building type and usage. In a fire protection drawing the symbol will usually include a number, which gives the contents in either litres or kilograms (depending on the material).

The main types or portable fire extinguishers indicated in fire protection drawings are water, foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder, vaporising liquid.

Fire blanket

Should be shown with two numbers in the format ‘2 x 1’, which shows the size of the blanket in metres.

2. Fire alarms

Fire alarm call point

Shows the location of manual call point that can be activated when a fire is discovered.

Fire alarm audible and visual devices

Audible device

As you may imagine, this is a fire alarm that makes a sound to alert building occupants.

Visual device

As above, but the alarm gives a visual alert.

Fire alarm telephones

Shows the location of telephone handsets that enable fire officers to report the status of any emergency within a building to a central control room.

Fire alarm indicator panel

Shows the location of the indicator panel, which receives information from all devices that detect and report fires and will show in which zone(s) of the building fires have been detected.

Fire alarm manual sounders

Not the same as a manual call point, this shows the location of an alarm device like an air horn, where a human is needed to help create the sound.

Smoke detectors

Automatic Smoke Alarm

Shows the location of a device that is both detector and alarm, by detecting smoke from a fire which then sets an alarm going.

Automatic Roof Vent

A device connected to a smoke detector that can be automatically opened to provide ventilation if smoke is detected in the building.

Heat detectors

Automatic Heat Alarm

Shows the location of a device that is both detector and alarm, by detecting either heat from a fire which then sets an alarm going.

3. Means of escape

Assembly point

Designated location where people evacuating a building or premises can assemble for a roll call.

Disabled means of escape lift

A lift that can be used to safely evacuate people with a mobility related disability in the event of a fire. (This means the fire and rescue service should have been consulted to confirm the lift and materials are suitably protected for use during a fire.)

Disabled refuge

A temporary waiting area within the building that is (relatively) safe in the event of a fire. It can be used for people with mobility issues to aid their evacuation from the building as safely as possible.

4. Fire precautions

Fire resistance

Fire resistant materials used in construction should be marked in fire protection drawings. The standard fire rating is 30 minutes. For materials with a higher fire rating, the number of minutes should be marked with the relevant symbol.

Compartmentation, the design process of dividing a building into compartments to help contain fire, is an important part of passive fire protection. This includes walls, ceilings, floors, pipes, ducts and voids between elements (like floors and ceilings, or wall cavities). Ideally, the compartments will be marked on the fire protection drawing.

Fire doors

Locations of fire doors will be shown on fire protection drawings, where no number is given the fire resistance is 30 minutes (the minimum required to meet safety standards). Where a number is shown (e.g. 60 or 120) this indicates fire resistance in minutes. The drawings will also show fire safety signage on the door (see section on Fire Safety Signs below).

Fire sprinklers

Fire sprinklers are an important part of the BIM (building information model) as they require co-ordination between many contractors. A high-quality building information model will allow early clash-detection and significantly reduce any on-site adjustments.

Automatic sprinkler point

Symbols to indicate the location of automatic sprinkler points that confirm to the relevant British Standard.

Automatic sprinkler, main valve

Shows the location of the main control valve (pr the isolation switch) for an automatic sprinkler system.

5. Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting points

Shows the location of wall or ceiling mounted emergency lights as well as emergency hand lamps, which can be carried in the event of a power failure, to provide enough light for safe exit of the building.

Emergency lighting illuminated exit box

Indicates the location of illuminated exit sign boxes (green with running person and white arrow) which conform to the relevant British standard. A number will usually be included which shows the height of the sign in millimetres. If the sign shows direction of exit, the drawing may also include an arrow to show direction of exit.

6. Fire safety signs

Fire exit signs

Shows the location of standard fire exit signs, with a number that gives the height of the sign in millimetres. If the sign includes an arrow showing direction of exit, the symbol on the drawing will usually include a directional arrow.

Fire notice signs

Indicates the location of both ‘General Fire Notice’ signs and ‘Staff Fire Notice’ signs.

Fire door signs

What the sign instructs building users to do will usually be indicated on the fire protection drawing by means of a simple code. N3, for example, refers to ‘Keep Shut’ fire notice. If another number is given, this shows the height of the sign in millimetres.

Roof lights and ventilators

Differentiating between manual and automatic roof lights or ventilators that are part of the smoke control system in the building, symbols will show locations and type of roof light.

Mechanical smoke extraction

Shows the location of mechanical smoke extraction equipment which can be used to extract smoke from the relevant part of the building. The drawings will also usually show the location of the control panel for the system.

Do you need comprehensive fire protection drawings?

Whether you need fire protection drawings for the design phase, as part of the handover documents or at any other phase in the building life cycle, contact our team of specialists.