NCC 2016 Volume One
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Specification C1.10 Fire Hazard Properties

Specification C1.10 Fire Hazard Properties

1. Scope

This Specification sets out requirements in relation to the fire hazard properties of linings, materials and assemblies in Class 2 to 9 buildings as set out in Table 1.

Intent

To set out the scope of .

It should be noted that requires the fire hazard properties of linings, materials and assemblies used in the construction of a building to comply with . sets out the details of these requirements.

2. Application

Linings, materials and assemblies in Class 2 to 9 buildings must comply with the appropriate provisions described in Table 1.

Table 1 FIRE HAZARD PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS
Lining, material or assembly Requirement
Floor linings and floor coverings. Clause 3
Wall linings and ceiling linings. Clause 4
Air-handling ductwork. Clause 5
Lift cars. Clause 6
In fire control rooms subject to Specification E1.8 and fire isolated exits Clause 7
In Class 9b buildings used as a theatre, public hall or the like—
  1. fixed seating in the audience area or auditorium; and
  2. a proscenium curtain required by Specification H1.3.
Escalators, moving walkways and non-required non-fire-isolated stairways or pedestrian ramps subject to Specification D1.12.
Sarking-type material.
Attachments to internal floors, walls and ceilings.
Other materials including Insulation.
Intent

To set out clauses in the Specification, that the linings, materials and assemblies must comply with.

sets out which Clauses of linings, materials and assemblies must comply with.

3. Floor linings and floor coverings

A floor lining or floor covering must have—

(a)

a critical radiant flux not less than that listed in Table 2; and

(b)

in a building not protected by a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5, a maximum smoke development rate of 750 percent-minutes; and

(c)

a group number complying with Clause 6(b), for any portion of the floor covering that is continued more than 150 mm up a wall.

Table 2 CRITICAL RADIANT FLUX (CRF in kW/m 2 ) OF FLOOR MATERIALS AND FLOOR COVERINGS

Class of building General Fire-isolated exits and fire control rooms
Building not fitted with a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5 Building fitted with a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5
Class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9b, excluding— 2.2 1.2 2.2
(i) Class 3 accommodation for the aged; and
(ii) Class 9b as specified below.
Class 3 4.5 2.2 4.5
Accommodation for the aged.
Class 9a
Patient care areas. 4.5 2.2 4.5
Areas other than patient care areas. 2.2 1.2 4.5
Class 9b auditorium or audience seating area used mainly for—
(i) indoor swimming or ice skating; and 1.2 1.2 2.2
(ii) other sports or multi-purpose functions. 2.2 1.2 2.2
Class 9c
Resident use areas. — 2.2 4.5
Areas other than resident use areas. — 1.2 4.5
Intent

To prescribe the fire hazard properties of floor linings and floor coverings.

states that a floor lining or covering must have a critical radiant flux not less than that in . A material’s critical radiant flux is determined by testing the material in accordance with AS ISO 9239.1. This test is the floor radiant panel test. The higher a material’s critical radiant flux is, the better the material performs.

The different requirements for materials are based on the building classification, the location of the material in the building and whether the building contains a sprinkler system. The requirements are higher for aged care buildings and health care buildings due to the limited mobility of occupants in those buildings. The requirements are based on research which indicated that the required egress time in these buildings was greater and therefore proposed levels of control needed to be greater.

contains requirements dealing with a material’s smoke development rate. A material’s smoke development rate is determined by testing the material in accordance with AS ISO 9239.1. This test is the floor radiant panel test. The requirement is only applicable where floor materials and coverings are installed in buildings that do not have a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5. Clause 3(b) limits the smoke development rate to not more than 750 percent-minutes.

does not contain any requirements for Class 9c buildings that do not contain a sprinkler system. The reason for this is because, pursuant to , all Class 9c buildings must have a sprinkler system installed throughout the building.

4. Wall and ceiling linings

(a)

A wall or ceiling lining system must comply with the group number specified in Table 3 and for buildings not fitted with a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5 have—

(i)

a smoke growth rate index not more than 100; or

(ii)

an average specific extinction area less than 250 m2/kg.

(b)

A group number of a wall or ceiling lining and the smoke growth rate index or average specific extinction area must be determined in accordance with AS 5637.1.

Table 3 WALL AND CEILING LINING MATERIALS (Material Groups permitted)
Class of building Fire-isolated exits and fire control rooms Public corridors Specific areas Other areas
Wall/ceiling Wall Ceiling Wall Ceiling Wall/ceiling
Class 2 or 3
Excluding accommodation for the aged, people with disabilities, and children
Unsprinklered 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Sprinklered 1 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Class 3 or 9a
Accommodation for the aged, people with a disability, children and health-care buildings
Unsprinklered 1 1 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3
Sprinklered 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9b schools
Unsprinklered 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2 1, 2, 3
Sprinklered 1 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Class 9b other than schools
Unsprinklered 1 1 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3
Sprinklered 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Class 9c
Sprinklered 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
For the purpose of this Table—
  1. "Sprinklered" means a building fitted with a sprinkler system complying with Specification E1.5.
  2. "Specific areas" means within—
    1. for Class 2 and 3 buildings, a sole-occupancy unit; and
    2. for Class 5 buildings, open plan offices with a minimum floor dimension/floor to ceiling height ratio > 5; and
    3. for Class 6 buildings, shops or other building with a minimum floor dimension/floor to ceiling height ratio > 5; and
    4. for Class 9a health-care buildings, patient care areas; and
    5. for Class 9b theatres and halls, etc, an auditorium; and
    6. for Class 9b schools, a classroom; and
    7. for Class 9c buildings, resident use areas.
Intent

To prescribe the fire hazard properties of wall and ceiling linings.

specifies that a material used as a wall or ceiling lining must be a Group 1, Group 2 or Group 3 material and used in accordance with . A material’s group number is determined by testing the material in accordance with AS 5637.1.

For the purpose of the BCA, a Group 1 material indicates the best performing material and a Group 4 material is the worst performing material.

The allowable material group number differences are based on the building classification and the location of the material in the building. It is also dependant on whether the building contains a sprinkler system in accordance with , and whether the material is used as a wall lining or a ceiling lining.

The locations within the building referred to in are fire-isolated exits, fire control rooms, public corridors, specific areas and other areas. The definition of specific areas differs according to the use of the building. The specific areas are as follows:

  • for Class 2 and 3 buildings, a sole-occupancy unit;
  • for Class 5 buildings, open plan offices with a minimum floor dimension/floor to ceiling height ratio >5;
  • for Class 6 buildings, shops or other buildings with a minimum floor dimension/floor to ceiling height ratio >5;
  • for Class 9a health care buildings, patient care areas;
  • for Class 9b theatres and halls, etc, an auditorium;
  • for Class 9b schools, a classroom; and
  • for Class 9c buildings, resident use areas.

For Class 5 and 6 buildings, the minimum floor dimension and the floor to ceiling height need to be considered when determining “specific areas”. An area is a specific area if the minimum floor dimension/floor to ceiling height ratio is more than 5.

Example

Example

Consider the case of a Class 5 building having a 15 m by 20 m open plan office with a ceiling height of 2.5 m. The building also contains an enclosed office having a floor plan of 3 m by 4 m.

For the open plan office area, as the minimum floor dimension (15 m) divided by the ceiling height (2.5 m) is 6, i.e. more than 5, it would be deemed a “specific area” and therefore wall and ceiling linings in the area would need to comply with the requirements for Class 5 “specific areas”.

For the enclosed office, as the minimum floor dimension (3 m) divided by the ceiling height (2.5 m) is 1.2, i.e. less than 5, it would not be deemed to be a “specific area” and therefore wall and ceiling linings in the enclosed office would need to comply with the requirements for Class 5 “other areas”.

“Other areas” are areas which are not either a fire-isolated exit, a public corridor or a “specific area”.

The requirements differ between the building classifications. These requirements are based on research which indicated that the required egress time differed between the building’s classifications and therefore proposed levels of control needed to be greater.

contains requirements dealing with a material’s smoke development rate. The requirements only apply where the wall and/or ceiling lining material is installed in a building that does not have a sprinkler system complying with .

5. Air-handling ductwork

Rigid and flexible ductwork in a Class 2 to 9 building must comply with the fire hazard properties set out in AS 4254 Parts 1 and 2.

Intent

To specify requirements for air-handling ductwork.

Air-handling ductwork has the potential to cause the rapid spread of fire throughout a building. It is important that the materials used in its construction are appropriate to avoid this potentially dangerous situation. The particular requirements are covered by AS 4254.

6. Lift cars

Materials used as—

(a)

floor linings and floor coverings must have a critical radiant flux not less than 2.2; and

(b)

wall and ceiling linings must be a Group 1 material or a Group 2 material in accordance with AS 5637.1.

Intent

To specify requirements for lift cars.

Lift cars are small, enclosed spaces, with minimal ventilation and no active fire suppression equipment. They also have no immediate means of egress. The materials used in their construction must be appropriate to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. The particular requirements are outlined in AS 1735.2. The appropriate Occupational Health and Safety Authorities also enforce these requirements.

Additionally, floor linings and floor coverings must have a critical radiant flux of not less than 2.2, and the wall linings and ceiling linings must be either a Group 1 material or a Group 2 material, which are similar to those required in public corridors.

7. Other materials

NSW Spec C1.10 NSW 7

Materials and assemblies in a Class 2 to 9 building not included in Clauses 3, 4, 5 or 6 must not exceed the indices set out in Table 4.

Table 4 OTHER MATERIALS
Material or assembly location Flammability Index Spread-of-Flame Index Smoke-Developed Index
Fire control rooms subject to Specification E1.8 and fire-isolated exits, other than a sarking-type material used in a ceiling or used as an attachment or part of an attachment to a building element. Note 1 — 0 2
Class 9b buildings used as a theatre, public hall or the like:
(a) Any part of fixed seating in the audience area or auditorium. — 0 5
(b)

A proscenium curtain required by Specification H1.3.

 — 0 3
Escalators, moving walkways or non-required non-fire-isolated stairways or pedestrian ramps subject to Specification D1.12. — 0 5
Sarking-type material:
(a) In a fire control room subject to Specification E1.8 or a fire-isolated exit or fire control room used in the form of an exposed wall or ceiling. 0 — —
(b) In other locations.Note 2 5 — —
Other materials or locations and insulation materials other than sarking-type materials. Notes 2 and 3 — 9 8 if the Spread-of-Flame Index is more than 5
Notes:
  1. In a fire control room or fire-isolated stairway, a material used as an attachment or part of an attachment to a building element must, if combustible, be attached directly to a non-combustible substrate and not exceed 1 mm finished thickness.
  2. A material, other than one located within a fire-isolated exit or fire control room, may be covered on all faces by concrete or masonry not less than 50 mm thick, as an alternative to meeting the specified indices.
  3. In the case of a composite member or assembly, the member or assembly must be constructed so that when assembled as proposed in a building—
    1. any material which does not comply with this Table is protected on all sides and edges from exposure to the air; and
    2. the member or assembly, when tested in accordance with Specification A2.4, has a Spread-of-Flame Index and a Smoke-Developed Index not exceeding those prescribed in this Table; and
    3. the member or assembly retains the protection in position so that it prevents ignition of the material and continues to screen it from access to free air for a period of not less than 10 minutes.
Intent

To specify requirements for other locations and materials.

sets out requirements for materials and assemblies not included elsewhere in . The detail is located in Table 4. It is important to read the notes to this table because they contain specific requirements.

Fire-isolated exits and fire control rooms

Because fire-isolated exits are considered a safe place for people seeking egress during a fire, it is acknowledged that they should be as safe as possible.

Similarly, fire control rooms are part of a building set aside for the fire brigade to co-ordinate its search, rescue and firefighting operations during a fire. Since fire control rooms are used by the fire brigade during a fire, they should also be a safe as possible.

The basic aim of is to minimise the risk of a fire in a fire-isolated exit and a fire control room.

It could be claimed that fire is unlikely to enter either of these spaces because of their construction and protection, and therefore there is no need for control of the finishes within them. However, compromising the integrity of these spaces is not at all unusual. For example, by—

  • removal, alteration or deterioration of fire doors; or
  • wedging open fire doors in fire-isolated stairways.

The prescribed Spread-of-Flame Index and Smoke-Developed Index measures aim to limit finishes to those that are no more hazardous than a conventional paint finish on a non-combustible surface.

The requirements for sarking-type materials in a fire-isolated exit or fire control room are contained under the heading of sarking-type material.

Class 9b theatres, public halls and the like

To minimise the spread of fire and smoke in a Class 9b building used as a theatre, public hall or the like, contains specific requirements for—

  • fixed seating used by the audience; and
  • proscenium curtains.
Escalators, non-required non fire-isolated stairways and ramps, etc.

contains requirements for materials not listed elsewhere in , used in stairways, ramps and escalators not required by the BCA, and which are non fire-isolated. These requirements aim to prevent the spread of fire through an unrestricted number of floors through unprotected openings for stairways, ramps and escalators. Further requirements for escalators, non-required non fire-isolated stairways and ramps can be found in and .

Sarking-type material

The requirements in Table 4 for a sarking-type material, in areas other than fire-isolated exits and fire control rooms, to have a Flammability Index of not more than 5 is to minimise the risk of sarking facilitating the spread of fire.

Example

Example

Before the flammability of sarking was regulated, there was a supermarket fire with the following characteristics:

  • The building was single storey, and similar to the current Type C construction.
  • The fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring, started in a small switch and staff room, and was noticed by an employee in its initial stages.

Under normal circumstances this fire would be easily extinguished, but it penetrated the ceiling through a small hole for electrical wiring and ignited the sarking immediately above.

The sarking aided the spread of fire through the roof space.

As a result, there was severe damage to the roof structure, including the metal roof cladding, steel purlins, bracing and trusses, timber battens and plaster ceilings, leading to burning debris falling down onto the floor.

As explained above, fire-isolated exits are considered a safe place for people seeking egress during a fire. Likewise, fire control rooms are spaces used by the fire brigade during a fire. Accordingly, both spaces should be as safe as possible and the required Flammability Index is more restrictive.

Other materials

The other materials referred to in are materials not referred to in other parts of and elsewhere in . Such materials include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Window frames other than timber window frames (timber window frames are exempt from the requirements of , see ).
  • Attachments to walls, floors and ceilings.