Living in High-Rise Buildings: What Are The Refuge Floors?

On July 18, 2024, according to the South China Morning Post, a fire at a shopping center in China's Sichuan province resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people. Have you ever wondered what truly keeps you safe in a high-rise building during a fire? Or how the floor you live on might influence your fortune and well-being? Understanding the intricacies of fire-resistant floors, fire compartment floors, and refuge floors in high-rise buildings can ensure your safety. Join us as we delve into the high-rise building safety and feng shui considerations, and uncover how these critical features can impact your life.

What is a Refuge Floor?

A refuge floor, also known as a fire refuge floor, is a designated level within a high-rise building specifically designed to provide temporary shelter during a fire alarm. It serves as a safe gathering and resting place for occupants, equipped with essential fire safety facilities, and is typically unoccupied to ensure it is always available in an emergency.

Hong Kong Fire Refuge Floor Regulations

High-rise buildings in Hong Kong are subject to stringent fire safety regulations, and refuge floor design is a crucial aspect. According to these regulations, buildings over 25 floors generally require a refuge floor, except for residential or mixed-use buildings under 40 floors. Refuge floors must be positioned within 20 floors (for industrial buildings) or 25 floors (for non-industrial buildings) from another refuge floor, street, or open area.

For residential or mixed-use buildings between 25 and 40 floors, the rooftop can be considered a refuge floor. All refuge floors must comply with the relevant provisions of the "Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011" issued by the Buildings Department.

Differences Between Fire-Resistant Floors, Fire Compartment Floors, and Refuge Floors

Although fire-resistant floors, fire compartment floors, and refuge floors are often mentioned interchangeably, each has distinct definitions and functions in building design and fire safety:

Fire-Resistant Floor (Fire-resisting Floor): This specific floor is designed to prevent fire from spreading between different levels. It features fire doors, fire walls, and other fire-resistant facilities to ensure that flames do not spread rapidly during a fire.

Fire Compartment Floor (Fire Compartment Floor): This floor divides the building into different fire zones, controlling the spread of fire within these zones to provide more escape time for occupants.

Refuge Floor (Refuge Floor): Dedicated floors in high-rise buildings for temporary shelter during emergencies like fires. Refuge floors are equipped with good ventilation systems, fire safety facilities, and sufficient space to ensure safety while awaiting rescue.

Feng Shui of Floors Above or Below Fire-Resistant Floors

Feng Shui Below Fire-Resistant Floors

According to feng shui principles, the energy field below a fire-resistant floor is suppressed by the floor above, potentially affecting residents' wealth and health. To improve the feng shui below a fire-resistant floor, consider placing items like crystals and plants in your home to enhance positive energy.

Feng Shui Above Fire-Resistant Floors

Living above a fire-resistant floor can also present challenges. The presence of the fire-resistant floor may create an unstable energy field and lead to financial losses. Solutions include placing feng shui mirrors in your home to reflect and improve the energy field, as well as adjusting furniture placement to enhance your fortune.

Feng Shui of Fire-Resistant Floor Sky Gardens

Fire-resistant floor sky gardens have a positive impact on feng shui. They not only beautify the environment but also improve the energy field, bringing vitality and energy. Buildings with sky gardens on fire-resistant floors typically have better feng shui, enhancing residents' overall fortunes.

Feng Shui for Floors Above or Below Fire Compartment Floors

Feng Shui Below Fire Compartment Floors

The feng shui below fire compartment floors is generally favorable because these floors avoid noise disturbances from upstairs residents, resulting in a stable energy field. However, residents should be mindful of practical issues like unstable water pressure and exposure of air conditioning units to the elements.

Feng Shui Above Fire Compartment Floors

The feng shui above fire compartment floors is relatively poor due to the lack of physical floor support, causing residents to feel insecure and experience financial losses. Feng shui experts recommend using items like Bagua mirrors and feng shui wheels to enhance stability and wealth.

Fire Compartment Floor Sky Gardens

Sky gardens on fire compartment floors can improve feng shui by introducing natural energy fields and increasing vitality, balancing the negative impacts of fire compartment floors. Proper greening design enhances aesthetics and improves residents' mental health and feng shui fortunes.

Refuge Floors Design in Public Housing and HOS in Hong Kong

Public Housing Fire-Resistant Floor

• Structural Characteristics: Public housing fire-resistant floors are typically designed between floors to block the spread of fire.
• Material Selection: These floors use fire-resistant materials such as fire bricks and fire boards to effectively isolate flames during a fire.
• Design Standards: They adhere to Hong Kong building regulations, ensuring sufficient fire resistance time between floors for safe evacuation.

Home Ownership Scheme Housing Fire-Resistant Floor

• Structural Characteristics: Fire-resistant floor design in Home Ownership Scheme housing is more flexible, usually located at critical structural positions like staircase and elevator shafts.
• Material Selection: These floors use efficient fire-resistant materials combined with modern fire safety technologies such as automatic fire extinguishing systems.
• Design Standards: The fire-resistant design in Home Ownership Scheme housing emphasizes personalized needs, adjusted according to the residents' specific conditions while still complying with stringent fire safety regulations.

Importance of Fire-Resistant Floors

• Increase Escape Opportunities: Fire-resistant floors effectively prevent the rapid spread of fire, providing valuable escape time for residents.
• Reduce Property Damage: Effective fire-resistant design can limit the fire to a smaller area, reducing the damage to the entire building.
• Enhance Building Fire Resistance: High-quality fire-resistant floors significantly improve the overall fire resistance of the building, reducing structural damage caused by fire.

Considerations for Renting in Hong Kong: Floor Selection and Fire Safety

The feng shui and practicality of fire-resistant and fire compartment floors each have their pros and cons. Choosing the right floor requires comprehensive consideration of various factors to ensure a comfortable living environment and enhanced fortunes.

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Before renting, tenants should always visit the property and ask real estate agents about the building's fire safety facilities and fire-resistant floors to ensure residential safety. Register now with LetsGetHome to book a free viewing!