NCC 2016 Volume One
Search the National Construction Code editions
Section C Fire Resistance
The minimum Type of fire-resisting construction of a building must be determined in accordance with Table C1.1, except as allowed for—
Class 2 buildings located within 3 m of a brush fence and Class 10b brush fences located within 3 m of a Class 2 building in C1.1(c) and (d).
In addition to the minimum fire-resisting construction requirements of Table C1.1 and Specification C1.1 a Class 2 buildings must not be constructed within 3 m of a Class 10b brush fence unless any part of the building within 3 m of the brush fence complies with the fire resisting requirements of SA C2.15.
A Class 10b brush fence must not be constructed within 3 m of a Class 2 building unless any part of the building within 3 m of the brush fence complies with the fire resisting requirements of .
Where the distance between the external wall of a Class 2 building and a brush fence is less than 3 m, the Class 2 building must comply with the following:
An external wall or part of an external wall exposed to the brush fence must be fire resisting and extend to the underside of a non-combustible roof covering or a non-combustible eaves lining or to a point at which exposure to the brush fence no longer exists and must—
have a FRL of at least 60/60/60 when tested from the outside; or
be of masonry veneer construction in which the external masonry veneer is not less than 90 mm thick; or
be of masonry construction not less than 90 mm thick; and
have any exposed openings protected in accordance with C3.4.
Where an external wall is required by (a) to be fire resisting, only that part of the wall, including openings within the specified distance, need to be constructed in that manner.
The requirements of (a) do not apply to subfloor vents, roof vents, weepholes, control joints, construction joints and penetrations for pipes, conduits and the like.
The following are permitted to encroach within 3 m of a brush fence—
non-combustible fascias, gutters, downpipes; and
eaves with non-combustible roof cladding and non-combustible lining; and
flues, chimneys, pipes, domestic fuel tanks, cooling or heating appliances or other services; and
light fittings, electricity or gas meters, aerials or antennas; and
pergolas, sun blinds or water tanks; and
unroofed terraces, landings, steps and ramps, not more than 1 m in height.
The distance from any point on an external wall of a building to a brush fence is measured in any direction from the external wall.