Specification 3 Fire hazard properties

This Specification sets out the procedures for determining the fire hazard properties of assemblies tested to AS/NZS 1530.3.

The fire hazard properties of assemblies and their ability to screen their core materials as required under Specification 7 must be determined by testing in accordance with S3C3 to S3C6.

Tests must be carried out in accordance with—

1. for the determination of the Spread-of-Flame Index and Smoke-Developed Index — AS/NZS 1530.3; and
2. for the determination of the ability to prevent ignition and to screen its core material from free air — AS 1530.4.

Test specimens must incorporate—

1. all types of joints; and
2. all types of perforations, recesses or the like for pipes, light switches or other fittings, which are proposed to be used for the member or assembly of members in the building.

S3C4 does not apply to joints, perforations, recesses or the like that are larger than those in the proposed application and have already been tested in the particular form of construction concerned and found to comply with the conditions of the test.

A testing laboratory may carry out the test specified in S3C3(b) at pilot scale if a specimen (which must be not less than 900 mm x 900 mm) will adequately represent the proposed construction in the building, but the results of that test do not apply to construction larger than limits defined by the laboratory conducting the pilot examination.