In an industrial factory design project, fire protection and firefighting (FPF) is no longer a component handled at the final stage, but must be integrated from the very beginning of the design development phase. Under the current legal framework in Vietnam, FPF requirements for factory buildings are governed by the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15, effective from July 1, 2025, together with Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP and QCVN 06:2022/BXD on fire safety for buildings and structures. This shows that FPF is not only a technical matter, but also a legal factor that directly affects the design, implementation, and operation of the project.
For industrial factories, where machinery, electrical systems, materials, goods, and various production activities with potential risks are concentrated, properly determining FPF solutions from the beginning will directly impact functional layout, escape routes, structural systems, MEP systems, and overall investment cost. If handled late or without proper coordination, investors are likely to encounter issues during the design and construction phase, leading to design revisions, delays, and increased unplanned costs. This is why FPF must be considered a core part of the overall factory design strategy, rather than a procedural add-on.
In this article, BIC helps investors better understand the role of fire protection and firefighting in factory design, key requirements to consider, and the right approach to ensure both safety and smoother project implementation and long-term operation.
In factory design, FPF is mandatory first and foremost because industrial facilities often concentrate many sources that increase fire risk, such as materials, goods, machinery, electrical systems, and production processes that generate heat or sparks. With these characteristics, if FPF is not properly considered from the beginning, the project can easily face issues such as unsuitable layouts, inadequate escape routes, or technical systems that fail to meet fire safety requirements. QCVN 06:2022/BXD is the key regulation currently governing fire safety for buildings and structures in Vietnam.
FPF is not only a technical issue but is also directly tied to the legal compliance of the project. Under the current legal framework, the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15 and Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP establish the foundation for managing FPF activities, including requirements related to design documentation, implementation, inspection, and conditions for putting the project into operation. This means that if FPF solutions are not integrated early into the design, investors may encounter obstacles in document appraisal, project implementation, and later operation.
For investors, the greatest value of FPF lies in its ability to protect people and assets. A well-designed FPF solution enhances evacuation capability, minimizes damage to machinery, goods, and structural systems in case of incidents, and reduces the risk of prolonged production disruption. In factory environments, even a single fire incident can result in significant losses, not only in assets but also in operational continuity, orders, and corporate reputation. Therefore, FPF in factory design must always be considered a core component of long-term investment protection.
One very practical reason why FPF must be addressed early is to avoid issues arising in later stages. When FPF solutions are integrated too late, investors often have to modify layouts, adjust structural systems, add or change MEP systems, or even redo parts of the construction design documentation. In contrast, if FPF is properly incorporated at the concept stage, the project will be more synchronized across architecture, structure, and technical systems, thereby improving cost and schedule control. This approach aligns with the current legal framework and fire safety regulations for buildings.
For investors, the primary legal document to understand is the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15, issued by the National Assembly on November 29, 2024, and effective from July 1, 2025. This law provides the foundational legal framework for FPF and rescue activities, including requirements for FPF design solutions in construction projects. In other words, in factory design, this is the core document that defines responsibilities, management principles, and compliance obligations of investors.
Following the law, investors should monitor Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP, issued by the Government on May 15, 2025, and effective from July 1, 2025. This decree provides detailed guidance on certain provisions and implementation measures of the law, and serves as a practical basis for determining which projects fall under management, design appraisal, inspection, acceptance, and implementation of FPF requirements during the investment and construction process.
If one key technical regulation must be identified for industrial factory FPF design, it is QCVN 06:2022/BXD. Issued together with Circular 06/2022/TT-BXD and effective from January 16, 2023, this regulation governs fire safety for buildings and structures. It provides the technical basis for handling requirements such as fire separation distances, firefighting access, evacuation, fire resistance ratings, fire compartmentation, fire spread prevention, and smoke control.
In addition to QCVN 06, investors should not treat FPF as a standalone set of documents, because in practice it is always associated with standards related to building classification, electrical systems, water supply and drainage, structural systems, and technical infrastructure. For example, QCVN 03:2022/BXD addresses building classification and includes criteria related to fire safety classification. This means FPF in factory design is inherently multidisciplinary and cannot be handled in isolation.
Investors may hire consultants to prepare documentation, but should not fully delegate the legal and technical logic of FPF. Current regulations assign clearer responsibilities to investors and project owners in organizing or coordinating appraisal of FPF-related aspects. Understanding the legal framework helps investors better control the project, understand why escape routes, layout changes, safety distances, or additional MEP systems are required, thereby reducing risks during design construction stages.
In factory design, FPF has an impact right from the master planning stage, as the project must consider safety distances, accessibility for firefighting forces, and internal traffic organization for fire trucks. For industrial factories, this is not a component to be added at the end, but a prerequisite for properly arranging buildings on the site in compliance with regulations and ensuring feasibility during implementation. This framework is based on the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15, Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP, and especially QCVN 06:2022/BXD on fire safety for buildings and structures.
FPF directly affects how factory architecture is organized, from escape routes, emergency exits, and corridors to the arrangement of functional zones within the building. In other words, if the architectural design is not developed based on FPF requirements from the beginning, investors will likely need to revise layouts, relocate exits, or adjust circulation paths later. This is why QCVN 06:2022/BXD is always the key regulation guiding architectural design for industrial buildings.
From a structural perspective, FPF influences fire resistance ratings, structural protection requirements, and the selection of finishing materials suitable for the building’s fire safety level. This is particularly important for factories, which often feature large spans, wide spaces, and multiple production and storage areas. When FPF is properly addressed early, structural solutions will align better with fire safety requirements. Otherwise, late adjustments may require structural reinforcement or additional protective measures, increasing costs. These aspects fall within the scope of QCVN 06:2022/BXD and are also related to building classification standards.
FPF directly affects the entire MEP system of a factory, including fire alarm systems, firefighting systems, pressurization, smoke extraction, and priority power supply for safety systems during emergencies. This means FPF cannot be separated from electrical, plumbing, and building technical design. If MEP systems are designed without considering FPF logic, conflicts are likely to arise, leading to pipeline rerouting, equipment additions, or electrical adjustments during construction. Essentially, this reflects the multidisciplinary integration required by current FPF regulations.
From the investor’s perspective, FPF clearly affects both cost and schedule. If handled correctly from the beginning, the design will be more coordinated across layout, structure, and MEP systems, reducing issues during implementation. Conversely, if FPF is addressed later, projects often require layout revisions, structural adjustments, additional technical systems, or document reviews, leading to increased costs and delays. Therefore, in factory design, FPF is not only a safety or legal requirement but also a key factor in overall investment efficiency.
In factory design, means of egress is one of the most critical FPF requirements because it directly relates to human safety during emergencies. In principle, the design must consider the number of exits, travel distances, movement directions, and accessibility under actual operating conditions. These are core requirements under QCVN 06:2022/BXD and align with the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15.
For investors, this means escape routes cannot be “added later” after the layout is finalized, but must be planned together with production functions, machinery layout, and material flow from the beginning. Incorrect planning may require later modifications to exits, corridors, or zoning, increasing cost and delaying the project.
Another important requirement is organizing fire compartments and fire separation between areas with different usage characteristics. In practice, production areas, storage areas, offices, and auxiliary zones should not be treated as a single block if their fire risk levels differ. Proper compartmentation helps limit fire spread and supports evacuation and firefighting efforts. QCVN 06:2022/BXD is the key standard governing this requirement.
From an investor’s perspective, fire compartmentation is not only about safety but also about functional organization. When done correctly from the start, the layout becomes clearer, easier to operate, and less likely to require changes later.
FPF directly influences the selection of fire resistance levels, structural protection methods, and finishing materials. For industrial factories, this is especially important due to large spans, steel structures, and high occupancy. QCVN 06:2022/BXD provides the main technical basis for evaluating fire resistance requirements.
Investors should understand that material selection and structural protection cannot be separated from FPF. Choosing materials based only on initial cost without considering fire resistance may lead to additional protective measures or material changes later.
In factory design, preventing fire spread is essential, especially for large-scale facilities with multiple functional areas or high storage loads. The design must limit fire spread horizontally between zones and vertically between levels or interconnected spaces. This is a core requirement within QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
In practice, fire spread prevention affects spatial layout, fire-rated walls and doors, technical intersections, and enclosure materials. If not planned early, it can lead to major design revisions later.
Beyond the building itself, FPF requires proper access for firefighting operations, including internal roads, fire truck access, and operational space. This is closely tied to site planning and is part of QCVN 06:2022/BXD requirements.
For investors, firefighting access is not an optional addition but a mandatory condition for safe and legal operation. Improper planning can lead to costly modifications later.
In factory design, the fire alarm system serves as the early detection layer, providing timely warnings in case of incidents and supporting evacuation and initial response. This system typically includes fire alarm control panels, detectors, manual call points, bells, lights, and necessary integrated components. Within the current regulatory framework, QCVN 06:2022/BXD is the key standard for fire safety in buildings, and it references related technical standards such as TCVN 5738 for automatic fire alarm systems.
For investors, it is important to understand that a fire alarm system should not be treated merely as installing equipment for compliance, but must be properly arranged according to layout, function, and fire risk levels of each area within the industrial factory. If not coordinated from the beginning, adjustments to architecture, MEP, or equipment layout may be required later.
In addition to fire alarms, internal firefighting systems are directly involved in controlling fires when incidents occur. Depending on the nature of the building and fire risks, solutions may include internal hydrants, sprinkler systems, or other specialized firefighting systems. QCVN 06:2022/BXD references standards such as TCVN 7336 for automatic water and foam firefighting systems, indicating their importance in FPF design.
From an investment perspective, firefighting systems cannot be selected based on a single standard solution for all projects. Production areas, storage zones, office spaces, and technical areas may have different fire risks and protection requirements. Therefore, system selection must follow an assessment of function, fire load, and hazard level.
An effective FPF solution cannot be separated from firefighting water supply. In practice, this system includes water tanks, fire pumps, piping networks, and water access points for both internal and external firefighting systems. Official guidelines related to QCVN 06:2022/BXD also emphasize that water supply capacity and accessibility are critical elements in building design.
For investors, the key point is that firefighting water supply is not just about having sufficient tanks or pumps, but ensuring actual operational capability during emergencies. Incorrect planning can lead to later adjustments in piping, tank placement, or infrastructure.
For certain types of industrial factories or specific areas within them, smoke extraction and pressurization systems must be considered as part of the overall FPF solution, particularly in relation to evacuation and smoke control. These systems help maintain safer evacuation conditions, limit smoke spread, and preserve the usability of escape routes during fire incidents. These requirements fall under the overall fire safety framework of QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
From a design perspective, these systems should not be added as separate components at the final stage. If required, they must be integrated with architectural layout, evacuation planning, electrical systems, and MEP design from the beginning to avoid conflicts during construction.
An FPF system is only effective if it has a reliable power supply to ensure continuous operation during emergencies. Therefore, in factory design, electrical systems for FPF must be considered as a dedicated part of the overall MEP design, including primary power, backup power, and continuity of supply for critical safety systems.
For investors, this is often an overlooked aspect when FPF is treated as a separate package. In reality, power supply for fire alarms, firefighting systems, pressurization, and smoke extraction affects electrical layout, cable routing, and overall building operation. Proper planning from the beginning ensures better coordination and reduces the need for later MEP modifications.
The first step in factory design is to accurately assess usage functions, production processes, materials, goods, and fire hazard levels in each area. This forms the foundation for the overall FPF approach, rather than installing systems reactively at later stages. This approach aligns with the legal framework of the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15, Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP, and QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
After understanding functions and fire risks, the next step is to develop layout planning based on FPF principles from the outset. This includes organizing escape routes, zoning, safety distances, internal traffic, and firefighting access. If layouts are finalized before integrating FPF, significant modifications may be required later.
FPF cannot be treated as a standalone discipline. Architectural, structural, and MEP systems must be coordinated simultaneously to address requirements such as evacuation, fire resistance, structural protection, fire alarm systems, firefighting systems, smoke control, pressurization, and power supply. Lack of coordination often leads to design conflicts and construction issues.
Before moving to detailed design, investors and consultants should conduct a comprehensive review of FPF logic, including layout, evacuation, fire compartmentation, firefighting access, structural solutions, and MEP systems. Early review helps identify issues when adjustment costs are still low.
One major cause of cost overruns is inconsistency between design intent and construction implementation. Many projects are correct in concept but fail during execution due to lack of coordination. Therefore, FPF integration must ensure consistency from concept to construction drawings and execution.
The goal of early FPF integration is to minimize changes during construction. Late adjustments often require layout changes, structural modifications, or MEP revisions, increasing cost and delaying progress. In factory design, early accuracy is always more efficient than later corrections.
From a contractor’s perspective, FPF solutions should start with understanding actual factory operations rather than selecting equipment first. Each factory has different fire risks, material flows, machinery density, and production organization. Without this understanding, FPF solutions may not align with real needs.
Effective FPF solutions must be integrated into the overall design, as they directly affect site planning, evacuation, zoning, fire access, fire resistance, and technical systems. These requirements fall under QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
A common issue is that designs are correct in theory but fail during construction due to lack of practical coordination. FPF is especially sensitive to discrepancies in layout, structure, piping, or power supply. Decree 105/2025/ND-CP provides guidance for implementation and management.
Cost optimization does not mean cutting essential components. In factory projects, the highest costs often come from correcting mistakes rather than doing things properly from the beginning. Compliance with QCVN 06:2022/BXD helps avoid costly adjustments later.
Early review of FPF design helps identify issues in layout, evacuation, compartmentation, firefighting access, and MEP coordination when adjustment costs are still manageable. This is an effective way to control project risks.
The contractor’s value lies not only in proposing solutions but also in supporting the investor from design through construction to final approval. FPF involves legal, technical, and operational aspects throughout the project lifecycle.
In factory design, fire protection and firefighting is not a final-stage task but a mandatory component that must be integrated from the beginning of the design process. Under Vietnam’s current legal framework, this requirement is based on the Law No. 55/2024/QH15, Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP, and QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
From an investor’s perspective, properly implementing FPF from the early stages ensures better coordination between layout, structure, MEP systems, and operational strategy, while reducing risks, costs, and delays. It is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a critical factor in protecting people, assets, and business continuity.
From practical experience, BIC believes that the most effective FPF solution is one that is developed early, aligned with functional requirements, compliant with regulations, and consistently applied from concept to construction.
