NCC 2019 Volume Two
Part 3.7.4 Fire separation of garage top dwellings

Part 3.7.4 Fire separation of garage top dwellings

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Where an alternative fire separation design is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.7.4, that proposal must comply with—

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

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

In New South Wales, Part 3.7.4 does not apply.

Note: The New South Wales Additions contain requirements for a Class 1a dwelling located above a Class 10a private garage that is not associated withe the Class 1a dwelling.

3.7.4.1 Application

Compliance with this acceptable construction practice satisfies Performance Requirement P2.3.1 for fire separation of garage top dwellings.

3.7.4.2 Walls requiring protection

(a)

Where parts of a Class 1a dwelling are located above a Class 10a private garage that is not associated with the Class 1a dwelling—

(i)

any wall separating parts of the Class 1a dwelling from the private garage not associated with the dwelling must comply with (b); and

(ii)

any private garage associated with and located below the Class 1a dwelling must be separated from the private garage not associated with the dwelling by a wall complying with (b).

(b)

A wall required by (a) must—

(i)

have either—

(A)

an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 when tested from the private garage associated with another dwelling side; or

(B)

be of masonry construction not less than 90 mm thick; and

(ii)

commence at the footings or ground slab; and

(iii)

extend to the underside of a separating floor complying with 3.7.4.3; and

(iv)

comply with 3.7.3.2(b) to (e) and 3.7.3.3 as applicable.

3.7.4.3 Separating floors

(a)

Where parts of a Class 1a dwelling are located above or below a Class 10a private garage that is not associated with the Class 1a dwelling, any floor separating the Class 1a dwelling from the Class 10a private garage not associated with the dwelling must—

(i)

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

(ii)

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

(iii)

have a fire-protective covering on the underside of the floor, including beams incorporated in it, if the floor is combustible or of metal.

(b)

Where a floor subject to (a)(ii) 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.

(See Figure 3.7.4.1)

Figure 3.7.4.1 Separating wall and floor construction
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