What is the difference between Refuge Area and Service Floor?

There is a prominent difference between a refuge area and a service floor. I will take you through the refuge area and service floor meaning, and the difference between the two.

A refuge area is a space where the occupants of the building can take refuge in desperate times such as an earthquake or a hazard. This area is equipped with all the basic necessities and the occupants have to stay in there till the time help arrives. Refuge area in high-rise buildings is a must and it cannot be sold separately to anyone. The usage of a refuge area is defined and it should not be used for any other purposes. 

When it comes to the service floor, the name suggests its usage. A service floor is a space in a building where all the service equipment, machineries, utility lines, etc. are found. It can be found in multi storey buildings, plants, industries, workstations, etc. A service floor has heating, water and sewage pipelines, power supply mains, and equipment, elevator engine room, supplementary rooms, building rest rooms and much more depending on the nature of the building. You can find it on the top floor, basement area or middle portion of the building. The maximum height of the service floor is restricted to 2.4 meters.

I am well aware of these terms as I own a real estate firm. A building's service floor is the area that houses all the machinery, utilities, and other material used for providing services. In the event of an emergency, a refuge area is a place where you can take shelter. Let’s find some more info about the refuge area in building.

What are the guidelines for refugee area safety?

• The refuge area's doors shouldn't ever be locked because they need to be open in case of an emergency.

• No short-term or long-term uses, such as communal cooking, storage, or recreation, are permitted in the refuge area.

• Any high-rise structure over 70 metres must have a required fire checking floor. One whole floor of a structure must be occupied every 70 metres.

• Based on the type of construction, a service floor may have heating, water supply and sewage pipes, power distribution lines, elevator engine rooms, backup spaces, facility rooms, and more.

• You can also refer to Surbhiij’s answer to know more about the refuge area and service floor.

What is the service floor in high rise buildings?

The service floor height of 1.75 metres high between any two stories that are solely used for building-related pipelines, service vents, etc. Vertical transfer and high-speed pressure are essential for supplying water to high-rise structures. In order to bring essential services to the higher floors of tall structures, a complicated network of pipes, vents, wires, and tubes runs vertically through the structures.

This is what I wanted you to know about the refuge area in building.