Part E2 Smoke hazard management

NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings

NSW E2D10 Buildings not more than 25 m in effective height: large isolated buildings subject to C3D42019: NSW Table E2.2a

Delete clause E2D10 and insert NSW E2D10 as follows:

(1) In a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building of not more than 25 m in effective height, and which exceeds 18 000 m² in floor area or 108 000 m³ in volume, the building must be provided with—

if the ceiling height of the fire compartment is not more than 12 m—
1. an automatic smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21; or
2. automatic smoke-and-heat vents in accordance with Specification 22; or
if the ceiling height of the fire compartment is more than 12 m, an automatic smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21.

(2) For the purposes of (1), reference to ‘the building’ being provided with specified measures, means to the nominated classes within the building.

Notes

Refer to E2D14 and E2D15 for specific provisions applicable to a Class 6 building or part of a building (in a fire compartment having a floor area of more than 2000 m²).
Refer to NSW E2D16 to NSW E2D19 for specific provisions applicable to a Class 9b building or part of a building.
Refer to E2D5 and E2D8 where a Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9b building contains a Class 2, 3 or 4 part.

NSW E2D16 Class 9b – assembly buildings: all2019: NSW Table E2.2b

Delete clause E2D16 and insert NSW E2D16 as follows:

The following provisions apply to all Class 9b assembly buildings:

A building or part of a building used as an assembly building must be provided with automatic shutdown of any air-handling system (other than non-ducted individual room units with a capacity not more than 1000 L/s and miscellaneous exhaust air systems installed in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1) which does not form part of the smoke hazard management system, on the activation of—
1. smoke detectors installed complying with S20C6; and
2. any other installed fire detection and alarm system, including a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.
A basement not counted in the rise in storeys in accordance with C2D3, less than 2000 m² used as an assembly building or part of an assembly building containing an auditorium or other public area, must be equipped with—
1. an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with Specification 20; or
2. an automatic zone pressurisation system in accordance with AS 1668.1 if the basement has more than one fire compartment; or if the basement forms part of a multi fire compartmented building served by the zone pressurisation system; or
3. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.
Stages and backstages:
1. For the purposes of this clause, where a stage is separated from the auditorium by a proscenium wall incorporating a proscenium opening, a backstage room or area that is not separated from the stage by construction having an FRL of not less than 60/60/60, is taken to form part of the stage.
2. A building or part of a building used as an assembly building which has a stage with a floor area of more than 50 m² and not more than 150 m² must, over the stage, be provided with—
  1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21 (including Figure S21C2); or
  2. roof mounted automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with NSW I4D59, in a single storey building or the top storey of a multi storey building.
3. A building or part of a building used as an assembly building which has a stage with a floor area of more than 150 m² must, over the stage, be provided with an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21 (including Figure S21C2).
4. A building or part of a building used as an assembly building which has a stage equipped with means of flying scenery must, over the stage, be provided with an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21 (including Figure S21C2).

Explanatory information

Smoke hazard management provisions for an assembly building used for multiple purposes must comply with all the relevant provisions of NSW E2D16, NSW E2D17, NSW E2D18 and NSW E2D19 according to usage.

NSW E2D17 Class 9b – assembly buildings: night clubs, discotheques and the like2019: NSW Table E2.2b

Delete clause E2D17 and insert NSW E2D17 as follows:

A building or part of a building being a night club, discotheque or the like, must be provided with—

in an auditorium—
1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. roof mounted automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22, in a single storey building or the top storey of a multi storey building; or
3. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17 with fast response sprinkler heads; and
in all other areas—
1. where a building or part of a building has a floor area not more than 2000 m²—
  1. one of the smoke hazard management measures listed under (a) above; or
  2. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
2. where a building or part of a building has a floor area of more than 2000 m², smoke hazard management measures as provided for under NSW E2D19.

Notes

Paragraph (a) applies only to an auditorium designed principally to accommodate an audience to an entertainment.
Smoke hazard management provisions for an assembly building used for multiple purposes must comply with all the relevant provisions of NSW E2D16, NSW E2D17, NSW E2D18 and NSW E2D19 according to usage.

NSW E2D18 Class 9b – assembly buildings: exhibition halls, museums and art galleries2019: NSW Table E2.2b

Delete clause E2D18 and insert NSW E2D18 as follows:

A building or part of a building used as an exhibition hall, museum, art gallery or the like, must be provided with—

where the floor area is more than 2000 m² and not more than 3500 m²—
1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. roof mounted automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22 in a single storey building or the top storey of a multi storey building; or
3. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17; and
where the floor area is more than 3500 m², a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17 and—
1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. roof mounted automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22 , in a single storey building or the top storey of a multi storey building.

Notes

NSW E2D19 Class 9b – assembly buildings: other assembly buildings (not listed in NSW E2D16 to E2D18)2019: NSW Table E2.2b

Delete clause E2D19 and insert NSW E2D19 as follows:

(1) Unless otherwise described in (2), in a building or part of a building used as an assembly building (not being a night club, discotheque or the like; or an exhibition hall, museum or art gallery) where the floor area of a fire compartment is more than 2000 m², the fire compartment must be provided with—

an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
roof mounted automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22, in a single storey building or the top storey of a multi storey building; or
if the floor area of the fire compartment is not more than 5000 m² and the building has a rise in storeys of not more than 2—
1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
2. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(2) The following buildings are exempt from the provisions of (1):

Sporting complexes, (including sports halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, ice and roller rinks, and the like) other than indoor sports stadiums with total spectator seating for more than 1000 persons.
Churches and other places used solely for religious worship.
School classrooms.

(3) A building containing a Class 9b early childhood centre must be provided with an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20 throughout the whole building, including any part of another Class.

Notes

NSW E2D20 Class 9b assembly buildings: other assembly buildings (not listed in E2D16 to E2D19)

This clause been deliberately left blank

E2D20 does not apply in NSW. This clause is deleted from the BCA in NSW, as requirements for Class 9b – Assembly buildings in NSW are covered under NSW E2D16 to NSW E2D19.