Refuge Area
An open floor mandated in Indian high-rises at specified intervals, providing a place for occupants to gather during a fire.
On an actual building
It is an exposed slab directly above occupied flats, so any waterproofing failure shows up below immediately. Balustrade base plates bolted through a completed membrane are the defect we find most often.
What we most often have to correct
That railings can be fixed after waterproofing. Every fixing through the barrier needs an individual collar.
Where this comes up in our work
Terms that come up alongside this one
- Upturn (Skirting)
The vertical continuation of a waterproofing layer up an adjoining wall or parapet, terminated mechanically at the top..
- Podium
A raised deck between the ground and tower floors, typically carrying landscaping, a clubhouse or parking, and sitting above occupied space..
- Fall (Slope)
The deliberate gradient built into a horizontal surface so water runs to the outlets, usually around 1:100 to 1:120 on a terrace..
More building elements terms
Refuge Area — questions we get asked
What does refuge area mean in waterproofing?
An open floor mandated in Indian high-rises at specified intervals, providing a place for occupants to gather during a fire.
Why does refuge area matter on a real project?
It is an exposed slab directly above occupied flats, so any waterproofing failure shows up below immediately. Balustrade base plates bolted through a completed membrane are the defect we find most often.
What do people commonly get wrong about refuge area?
That railings can be fixed after waterproofing. Every fixing through the barrier needs an individual collar.
Have a building showing this?
If a term on this page describes something you are looking at, a site inspection will tell you how far it has gone and what it needs. It costs nothing.
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