Specification 13 Penetration of walls, floors and ceilings by services
S13C1
Scope
2019: Spec C3.15: 1
This Specification prescribes materials and methods of installation for services that penetrate walls, floors and ceilings required to have an FRL.
S13C2
Application
2019: Spec C3.15: 2
S13C3
Metal pipe systems
2019: Spec C3.15: 3
- copper alloy or stainless steel with a wall thickness of at least 1 mm; or
- cast iron or steel (other than stainless steel) with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm.
- be neatly formed, cut or drilled; and
- be no closer than 200 mm to any other service penetration; and
- accommodate only one pipe.
S13C4
Pipes penetrating sanitary compartments
2019: Spec C3.15: 4
If a pipe of metal or UPVC penetrates the floor of a sanitary compartment in accordance with C4D15(2)(c)(ii)—
- the opening must be neatly formed and no larger than is necessary to accommodate the pipe or fitting; and
- the gap between pipe and floor must be fire-stopped in accordance with S13C7.
S13C5
Wires and cables
2019: Spec C3.15: 5
If a wire or cable or cluster of wires or cables penetrates a floor, wall or ceiling—
- the opening must be neatly formed, cut or drilled and no closer than 50 mm to any other service; and
- the opening must be no larger in cross-sectional area than—
- 2000 mm2 if only a single cable is accommodated and the gap between cable and wall, floor or ceiling is no wider than 15 mm; or
- 500 mm2 in any other case; and
- the gap between the service and the wall, floor or ceiling must be fire-stopped in accordance with S13C7.
S13C6
Electrical switches and outlets
2019: Spec C3.15: 6
If an electrical switch, outlet, socket or the like is accommodated in an opening or recess in a wall, floor or ceiling—
- the opening or recess must not—
- be located opposite any point within 300 mm horizontally or 600 mm vertically of any opening or recess on the opposite side of the wall; or
- extend beyond half the thickness of the wall; and
- the gap between the service and the wall, floor or ceiling must be fire-stopped in accordance with S13C7.
S13C7
Fire-stopping
2019: Spec C3.15: 7
- demonstrated in a system tested in accordance with C4D15(2)(a) that it does not impair the fire-resisting performance of the building element in which it is installed; or
- demonstrated in a test in accordance with (5) that it does not impair the fire-resisting performance of the test slab.
- installed in accordance with (2) to a thickness of 25 mm all round the service for the full length of the penetration; and
- restrained, independently of the service, from moving or parting from the surfaces of the service and of the wall, floor or ceiling.
- the cavity immediately behind the service must be framed and packed with fire-stopping material in accordance with (3); or
- the back and sides of the service must be protected with refractory lining board identical with and to the same thickness as that in which the service is installed.
- The test specimen must comprise a concrete slab not less than 1 m square and not more than 100 mm thick, and appropriately reinforced if necessary for structural adequacy during manufacture, transport and testing.
- The slab must have a hole 50 mm in diameter through the centre and the hole must be packed with the fire-stopping material.
- The slab must be conditioned in accordance with AS 1530.4.
- Two thermocouples complying with AS 1530.4 must be attached to the upper surface of the packing each about 5 mm from its centre.
- The slab must be tested on flat generally in accordance with Section 10 of AS 1530.4 and must achieve an FRL of 60/60/60 or as otherwise required.