NCC 2019 Volume Two
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Part 2.3 Fire safety

Part 2.3 Fire safety

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

Objective

O2.3

The Objective is to—

  1. safeguard the occupants from illness or injury by alerting them of a fire in the building so that they may safely evacuate; and
  2. avoid the spread of fire.

Functional Statements

F2.3.1 Protection from the spread of fire

A Class 1 building is to be protected from the spread of fire.

F2.3.2 Fire detection and early warning

A Class 1 building is to be provided with safeguards so that occupants are warned of a fire in the building so that they may safely evacuate.

Performance Requirements

P2.3.1 Spread of fire

(a)

A Class 1 building must be protected from the spread of fire from—

(i)

another building other than an associated Class 10 building; and

(ii)

the allotment boundary, other than a boundary adjoining a road or public space.

(see Figure 2.3.1)

(b)

A Class 10a building must not significantly increase the risk of fire spread between Class 2 to 9 buildings.

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

In South Australia after P2.3.1(a)(i) delete P2.3.1(a)(ii) and insert SA P2.3.1(a)(ii) and (iii) as follows:

    1. the allotment boundary, other than a boundary adjoining a road or public space; and
    2. a Class 10b brush fence.
Figure 2.3.1 Typical areas of potential fire spread
v2_Fig231_2005.svg

Note to Figure 2.3.1: This diagram indicates areas of potential fire spread. This situation will differ for corner allotments, etc.

P2.3.2 Automatic warning for occupants

In a Class 1 building, occupants must be provided with automatic warning on the detection of smoke so that they may evacuate in the event of a fire to a place of safety.

Verification Methods

V2.3.1.1 Avoidance of the spread of fire [P2.3.1(a)(i)]

Compliance with P2.3.1(a)(i) to avoid the spread of fire between buildings on the same allotment is verified when—

(a)

the external walls and any openings in the external walls of a building, less than 1.8 m from another building, are capable of withstanding 92.6 kW/m2 of heat flux for 60 minutes; and

(b)

the external walls extend to the underside of a non-combustible roof covering or non-combustible eaves lining in accordance with 3.7.2.4.

V2.3.1.2 Avoidance of the spread of fire [P2.3.1(a)(ii)]

Compliance with P2.3.1(a)(ii) to avoid the spread of fire from an allotment boundary is verified when—

(a)

the external walls and any openings in the external walls of a building, less than 0.9 m from an allotment boundary, are capable of withstanding 92.6 kW/m2 of heat flux for 60 minutes; and

(b)

the external walls extend to the underside of a non-combustible roof covering or non-combustible eaves lining in accordance with 3.7.2.4.

V2.3.1.3 Avoidance of the spread of fire [P2.3.1(b)] (adjoining allotment)

(a)

Compliance with P2.3.1(b) to avoid the spread of fire between buildings on adjoining allotments is verified when it is calculated that—

(i)

a building will not cause heat flux in excess of those set out in column 2 of Table V2.3.1.3 at locations within the boundaries of an adjoining property set out in column 1 of Table V2.3.1.3 where another building may be constructed; and

(ii)

when located at the distances from the allotment boundary set out in column 1 of Table V2.3.1.3, a building is capable of withstanding the heat flux set out in column 2 of Table V2.3.1.3 without ignition.

Table V2.3.1.3

Column 1 (Location)

Column 2 (Heat flux [kW/m 2 ])

On boundary

80

1 m from boundary

40

3 m from boundary

20

6 m from boundary

10

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

V2.3.1.3 is equivalent to CV1 in Volume One of the NCC. Guidance on the use of CV1 can be found in the Guide to Volume One of the NCC, and is applicable to the use of V2.3.1.3.

V2.3.1.4 Avoidance of the spread of fire [P2.3.1(b)] (same allotment)

(a)

Compliance with P2.3.1(b) to avoid the spread of fire between buildings on the same allotment is verified when it is calculated that a building—

(i)

is capable of withstanding the heat flux set out in column 2 of Table V2.3.1.4 without ignition; and

(ii)

will not cause heat flux in excess of those set out in column 2 of Table V2.3.1.4, when the distance between the buildings is as set out in column 1 of Table V2.3.1.4.

Table V2.3.1.4

Column 1 (Location)

Column 2 (Heat flux [kW/m 2 ])

0 m

80

2 m

40

6 m

20

12 m

10

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

V2.3.1.4 is equivalent to CV2 in Volume One of the NCC. Guidance on the use of CV2 can be found in the Guide to Volume One of the NCC, and is applicable to the use of V2.3.1.4.