NCC 2019 Volume One
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Specification E1.5a Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height
1. Scope and application
This Specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems, and concessions for Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more. The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of thisSpecification take precedence where there is a difference to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Sections C, D and E.
2. System requirements
(a)
A required automatic fire sprinkler system installed in a Class 2 or 3 building with an effective height of not more than 25 m and a rise in storeys of 4 or more must comply with—
(i)
AS 2118.1; or
(ii)
AS 2118.4, as applicable; or
(iii)
FPAA101D, except for residential care buildings; or
(iv)
FPAA101H, except for residential care buildings.
(b)
A Class 2 or 3 building not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system under Clause 2(a)(i) or 2(a)(ii) may be constructed in accordance with Clause 3(a), as applicable, provided—
(i)
the automatic fire sprinkler system is permanently connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre in accordance with Specification E2.2d if—
(A)
the system has more than 100 sprinkler heads; or
(B)
in the case of a residential care building, the building will accommodate more than 32 residents; and
(ii)
the automatic fire sprinkler system is fitted with sprinklers complying with clauses 4.4, 4.5 and 5.5.2 of AS 2118.4 in bedrooms; and
(iii)
an automatic smoke detection and alarm system is installed in accordance with Specification E2.2a except that it need not be connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre, and in the case of a residential care building it must be installed in accordance with—
(A)
(B)
both—
(aa)
Specification E2.2a Clause 3, provided Specification E2.2a Clause 3(a)(ii) is applied as if the building was not protected with a sprinkler system; and
(bb)
Specification E2.2d; and
(iv)
in a residential care building, the automatic smoke detection and alarm system and the automatic fire sprinkler system are connected to a local fire indicator panel provided in accordance with Specification E2.2d; and
(v)
fire orders are provided in a Class 3 building in accordance with G4.9 as for a building in an alpine area.
3. Permitted concessions
(a)
The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Clause 2(a)(i) or 2(a)(ii):
(i)
The FRL for self-closing fire doors, as required by C3.8 and C3.11, may be reduced to not less than -/30/30.
(ii)
The FRL for—
(A)
all non-loadbearing internal wallsand shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, as requiredby Specification C1.1 to have FRLs greater than -/60/60, may be reduced to -/60/60 and service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, as required by C3.15, may be reduced to not less than -/60/15; and
(B)
all other non-loadbearing internal walls, as required by Specification C1.1, may be reduced to -/45/45 and the FRL for service penetrations through internal non-loadbearing walls and shafts, as required by C3.15, may be reduced to -/45/15.
(iii)
The FRL for fire-isolated stairways enclosed with non-loadbearing construction, as required by D1.3, may be reduced to -/45/45.
(iv)
Except in a residential care building, the maximum distance of travel, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(A), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
(v)
The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(B), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
(vi)
The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D1.5(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
(vii)
Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1.3 are not required where—
(A)
the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1.3, except that in a residential care building the nozzle at the end of the length of hose need only reach the entry door of any sole-occupancy unit to be considered as covering the area within the sole-occupancy unit; or
(B)
a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building and—
(aa)
each fire hydrant head is located in accordance with E1.3 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
(bb)
(cc)
a hydrant booster inlet connection is provided in accordance with E1.3; and
(dd)
an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow is located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.
(viii)
An emergency warning and intercom system need not be provided in a residential care building in accordance with E4.9 if a warning system with an override public address facility is installed in accordance with Specification E2.2d.
(b)
The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Clause 2(a)(iii):
(i)
Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C3.11(g) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
(ii)
The FRL for—
(A)
service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C3.15, may be reduced to -/60/15; and
(B)
non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification C1.1, may be reduced to -/60/60.
(iii)
The maximum distance of travel, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(A), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
(iv)
The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(B), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
(v)
The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D1.5(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
(vi)
Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1.3 are not required where—
(A)
the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1.3; or
(B)
a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building except—
(aa)
the system pipework is not connected to the water supply; and
(bb)
an on-site fire pumpset is not required; and
(cc)
the minimum fire hydrant outlet flow of 6 L/s may be achieved when boosted by a fire brigade pumping appliance; and
(dd)
the minimum pipe sizes specified in AS 2419.1 do not apply,
and—
(ee)
each fire hydrant head is located in accordance with E1.3 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
(ff)
a hydrant booster inlet connection is provided in accordance with E1.3; and
(gg)
an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow is located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.
(c)
The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Clause 2(a)(iv):
(i)
Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C3.11(g) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
(ii)
The FRL for—
(A)
service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C3.15, may be reduced to -/60/15; and
(B)
non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification C1.1, may be reduced to -/60/60.
(iii)
The maximum distance of travel, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(A), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
(iv)
The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D1.4(a)(i)(B), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
(v)
The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D1.5(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.