NCC 2019 Volume Two
NSW 1.1 Garage top dwellings acceptable construction practice

NSW 1.1 Garage top dwellings acceptable construction practice

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Where a Performance Solution to NSW 1.1 is proposed, that proposal must comply with—

  1. Performance RequirementP2.3.1; and
  2. Performance RequirementP2.3.2; and
  3. relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as applicable.

NSW 1.1.0 Definitions

The following definition is used in this Part:

Garage top dwelling means a Class 1a dwelling located above a Class 10a private garage which is not associated with that Class 1a dwelling and includes any internal entry stair serving the garage top dwelling.

NSW 1.1.1 Fire separation

(a)

A garage top dwelling must be separated from a non-associated private garage by a floor complying with NSW 1.1.2.

(b)

Where a garage top dwelling is served by an internal stair, the garage top dwelling must be separated from a non-associated private garage by a wall complying with NSW 1.1.3.

(c)

Where a garage top dwelling is located above both associated and non-associated private garages

(i)

in addition to a floor required by (a), the private garages must be separated with a wall complying with NSW 1.1.3; or

(ii)

where a garage top dwelling is not served by an internal stair, the garage top dwelling may be separated from the private garages by a floor complying with NSW 1.1.2.

NSW 1.1.2 Construction of floors

(a)

A floor required by NSW 1.1.1(a) or (c)(ii) must—

(i)

have an FRL of not less than 30/30/30 when tested from the underside; or

(ii)

have a fire-protective covering on the underside of the floor, including beams incorporated in it; or

(iii)

be a floor/ceiling system incorporating a ceiling which has a resistance to the incipient spread of fire to the space above itself of not less than 60 minutes.

(b)

Where a floor subject to (a)(i) depends on direct vertical or lateral support from another part to maintain its FRL, that supporting part must have an FRL of not less than 30/-/-.

(c)

Where a service passes through a floor referred to in (a), the penetration must not reduce the fire performance of the floor or covering.

NSW 1.1.3 Construction of walls

(a)

A wall required by NSW 1.1.1(b) or (c)(i) must—

(i)

have an FRL of not less than 30/30/30 when tested from the non-associated private garage side; or

(ii)

be of masonry construction not less than 90 mm thick.

(b)

A wall subject to (a) must—

(i)

commence at the footings or ground slab; and

(ii)

extend to the underside of a floor complying with NSW 1.1.2.

(c)

A wall referred to in (a)(i), if of lightweight construction must be tested in accordance with Specification C1.8 of BCA Volume One.

(d)

Where a service passes through a wall referred to in (a), the penetration must not reduce the fire performance of the wall.

(e)

A wall required by NSW 1.1.1(b) or (c)(i) need not comply with 3.7.3.2.

NSW 1.1.4 Heat alarms

(a)

A heat alarm must be installed in a private garage that is not associated with and located below, a garage top dwelling.

(b)

A heat alarm required by (a) must—

(i)

be located on or near the ceiling; and

(ii)

comply with AS 1603.3; and

(iii)

be connected to the consumer mains power supplying the garage top dwelling where consumer mains power is supplied to the building; and

(iv)

be interconnected to and activate the garage top dwelling smoke alarms required by 3.7.5.3.

(c)

Durable notices must be permanently fixed to the garage top dwelling and non-associated private garage in prominent locations, indicating that—

(i)

a heat alarm is installed in the non-associated private garage; and

(ii)

the heat alarm is interconnected to the garage top dwelling smoke alarms.