Part C2 Fire resistance and stability
Introduction to this Part
This Part contains Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for Part C1. Its sets out Types of fire-resisting construction based on building height, size, use and other relevant factors, FRLs and fire hazard properties, which describe how certain materials react to fire. It also contains construction requirements to facilitate fire brigade intervention.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
C2D1
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
2019: C1.0
C2D2
Type of construction required
2019: C1.1
- certain Class 2, 3 or 9c buildings, in C2D6; and
- a Class 4 part of a building located on the top storey, in C2D4(2); and
- open spectator stands and indoor sports stadiums, in C2D8.
SA C2D2 Type of construction required2019: C1.1
- certain Class 2, 3 or 9c buildings, in C2D6; and
- a Class 4 part of a building located on the top storey, in C2D4(2); and
- open spectator stands and indoor sports stadiums, in C2D8; and
- Class 2 buildings located within 3 m of a brush fence and Class 10b brush fences located within 3 m of a Class 2 building, in SA C2D2(3) and (4); and
- a Class 7b bulk grain storage facility in SA C2D16.
SA C2D2 Type of construction required2019: C1.1
SA C2D2 Type of construction required2019: C1.1
Rise in storeys | Class of building 2, 3, 9 | Class of building 5, 6, 7, 8 |
---|---|---|
4 or more | A | A |
3 | A | B |
2 | B | C |
1 | C | C |
C2D3
Calculation of rise in storeys
2019: C1.2
- above the finished ground next to that part; or
- if part of the external wall is on the boundary of the allotment, above the natural ground level at the relevant part of the boundary.
- it is situated at the top of the building and contains only heating, ventilating or lift equipment, water tanks, or similar service units or equipment; or
- it is situated partly below the finished ground and the underside of the ceiling is not more than 1 m above the average finished level of the ground at the external wall, or if the external wall is more than 12 m long, the average for the 12 m part where the ground is lowest.
- a mezzanine is regarded as a storey in that part of the building in which it is situated if its floor area is more than 200 m2 or more than ⅓ of the floor area of the room, whichever is the lesser; and
- two or more mezzanines are regarded as a storey in that part of the building in which they are situated if they are at or near the same level and have an aggregate floor area more than 200 m2 or more than ⅓ of the floor area of the room, whichever is the lesser.
C2D4
Buildings of multiple classification
2019: C1.3
C2D5
Mixed types of construction
2019: C1.4
C2D6
Two storey Class 2, 3 or 9c buildings
2019: C1.5
A building having a rise in storeys of 2 may be of Type C construction if—
- it is a Class 2 or 3 building or a mixture of these classes and each sole-occupancy unit has—
- access to at least 2 exits; or
- its own direct access to a road or open space; or
- it is a Class 9c building protected throughout with a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17 and complies with the maximum compartment size specified in Table C3D3 for Type C construction.
C2D7
Class 4 parts of buildings
2019: C1.6
C2D8
Open spectator stands and indoor sports stadiums
2019: C1.7
C2D9
Lightweight construction
2019: C1.8
- that is required to have an FRL; or
- for a lift shaft, stair shaft or service shaft or an external wall bounding a public corridor including a non fire-isolated passageway or non fire-isolated ramp, in a spectator stand, sports stadium, cinema or theatre, railway station, bus station or airport terminal.
- the covering is not in continuous contact with the column, then the void must be filled solid, to a height of not less than 1.2 m above the floor to prevent indenting; and
- the column is liable to be damaged from the movement of vehicles, materials or equipment, then the covering must be protected by steel or other suitable material.
C2D10
Non-combustible building elements
2019: C1.9
- External walls and common walls, including all components incorporated in them including the facade covering, framing and insulation.
- The flooring and floor framing of lift pits.
- Non-loadbearing internal walls where they are required to be fire-resisting.
- Gaskets.
- Caulking.
- Sealants.
- Termite management systems.
- Glass, including laminated glass, and associated adhesives, including tapes.
- Thermal breaks associated with—
- glazing systems; or
-
external wall systems, where the thermal breaks—
- are no larger than necessary to achieve thermal objectives; and
- do not extend beyond one storey; and
- do not extend beyond one fire compartment.
- Damp-proof courses.
- Compressible fillers and backing materials, including those associated with articulation joints, closing gaps not wider than 50 mm.
- Isolated—
- construction packers and shims; or
- blocking for fixing fixtures; or
- fixings, including fixing accessories; or
- acoustic mounts.
- Waterproofing materials applied to the external face, used below ground level and up to 250 mm above ground level.
- Joint trims and joint reinforcing tape and mesh of a width not greater than 50 mm.
- Weather sealing materials, applied to gaps not wider than 50 mm, used within and between concrete elements.
- Wall ties and other masonry components complying with AS 2699 Part 1 and Part 3 as appropriate, and associated with masonry wall construction.
- Reinforcing bars and associated minor elements that are wholly or predominately encased in concrete or grout.
- A paint, lacquer or a similar finish or coating.
- Adhesives, including tapes, associated with stiffeners for cladding systems.
- Fire-protective materials and components required for the protection of penetrations.
- Concrete.
- Steel, including metallic coated steel.
- Masonry, including mortar.
- Aluminium, including aluminium alloy.
- Autoclaved aerated concrete, including mortar.
- Iron.
- Terracotta.
- Porcelain.
- Ceramic.
- Natural stone.
- Copper.
- Zinc.
- Lead.
- Bronze.
- Brass.
- Plasterboard.
- Perforated gypsum lath with a normal paper finish.
- Fibrous-plaster sheet.
- Fibre-reinforced cement sheeting.
- Pre-finished metal sheeting having a combustible surface finish not exceeding 1 mm thickness and where the Spread-of-Flame Index of the product is not greater than 0.
- Sarking-type materials that do not exceed 1 mm in thickness and have a Flammability Index not greater than 5.
- Bonded laminated materials where—
- each lamina, including any core, is non-combustible; and
- each adhesive layer does not exceed 1 mm in thickness and the total thickness of the adhesive layers does not exceed 2 mm; and
- the Spread-of-Flame Index and the Smoke-Developed Index of the bonded laminated material as a whole do not exceed 0 and 3 respectively; and
- when located externally, are fixed in accordance with C2D15.
Explanatory information
For C2D10(4)(i), isolated refers to localised situations where these elements are used. For example, construction packers and shims used for levelling window frames at fixing points and blocking used to fix a handrail. Blocking an entire wall is not considered to be used in an isolated situation. Isolated fixings and fixing accessories may include, but are not limited to, screws, anchors, wall plugs, nails and washers.
Associated minor elements in C2D10(4)(n) refers to elements such as bar chairs, tie wire and spacers commonly used to support reinforcement in concrete construction.
C2D10(4)(p) applies only to adhesives and tapes associated with stiffeners that may be installed to prevent buckling, bowing or distortion of a cladding material. This provision does not allow for the use of adhesives and tapes as the primary method of support or fixing the cladding material. Refer also to C2D15.
C4D15 is a provision that necessitates the installation of fire-protective materials and components referred to in C2D10(4)(q).
C2D11
Fire hazard properties
2019: C1.10
- Floor linings and floor coverings.
- Wall linings and ceiling linings.
- Air-handling ductwork.
- Lift cars.
- In Class 9b buildings used as—
- an entertainment venue, a material used to cover closed back upholstered seats; and
- a public hall or the like, a proscenium curtain required by Specification 32.
- Escalators, moving walkways and non-required non fire-isolated stairways or pedestrian ramps subject to Specification 14.
- Sarking-type materials.
- Attachments to floors, ceilings, internal walls, common walls, fire walls and to internal linings of external walls.
- Other materials including insulation materials other than sarking-type materials.
- plaster, cement render, concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile or the like; or
- a fire-protective covering; or
- a timber-framed window; or
- a solid timber handrail or skirting; or
- a timber-faced door; or
- an electrical switch, socket-outlet, cover plate or the like; or
- a material used for—
- a roof insulating material applied in continuous contact with a substrate; or
- an adhesive; or
- a damp-proof course, flashing, caulking, sealing, ground moisture barrier, or the like; or
- a paint, varnish, lacquer or similar finish, other than nitro-cellulose lacquer; or
- a clear or translucent roof light of glass fibre-reinforced polyester if—
- the roof in which it is installed forms part of a single storey building required to be Type C construction; and
- the material is used as part of the roof covering; and
- it is not closer than 1.5 m from another roof light of the same type; and
- each roof light is not more than 14 m2 in area; and
- the area of the roof lights per 70 m2 of roof surface is not more than 14 m2; or
- a face plate or neck adaptor of supply and return air outlets of an air handling system; or
- a face plate or diffuser plate of light fitting and emergency exit signs and associated electrical wiring and electrical components; or
- a joinery unit, cupboard, shelving, or the like; or
- an attached non-building fixture and fitting such as—
- a curtain, blind, or similar decor, other than—
- a proscenium curtain required by Specification 32; or
- in a Class 9b building used as an entertainment venue, a material regulated under NSW Table S7C7; and
- a whiteboard, window treatment or the like; or
- a curtain, blind, or similar decor, other than—
- timber treads, risers, landings and associated supporting framework installed in accordance with D3D30 where the Spread-of-Flame Index and the Smoke-Developed Index of the timber does not exceed 9 and 8 respectively; or
- any other material that does not significantly increase the hazards of fire.
Fire hazard properties
- Floor linings and floor coverings.
- Wall linings and ceiling linings.
- Air-handling ductwork.
- Lift cars.
- In Class 9b buildings used as a theatre, public hall or the like—
- fixed seating in the audience area or auditorium; and
- a proscenium curtain required by Specification 32.
- Escalators, moving walkways and non-required non fire-isolated stairways or pedestrian ramps subject to Specification 14.
- Sarking-type materials.
- Attachments to floors, ceilings, internal walls, common walls, fire walls and to internal linings of external walls.
- Other materials including insulation materials other than sarking-type materials.
- plaster, cement render, concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile or the like; or
- a fire-protective covering; or
- a timber-framed window; or
- a solid timber handrail or skirting; or
- a timber-faced door; or
- an electrical switch, socket-outlet, cover plate or the like; or
- a material used for—
- a roof insulating material applied in continuous contact with a substrate; or
- an adhesive; or
- a damp-proof course, flashing, caulking, sealing, ground moisture barrier, or the like; or
- a paint, varnish, lacquer or similar finish, other than nitro-cellulose lacquer; or
- a clear or translucent roof light of glass fibre-reinforced polyester if—
- the roof in which it is installed forms part of a single storey building required to be Type C construction; and
- the material is used as part of the roof covering; and
- it is not closer than 1.5 m from another roof light of the same type; and
- each roof light is not more than 14 m2 in area; and
- the area of the roof lights per 70 m2 of roof surface is not more than 14 m2; or
- a face plate or neck adaptor of supply and return air outlets of an air handling system; or
- a face plate or diffuser plate of light fitting and emergency exit signs and associated electrical wiring and electrical components; or
- a joinery unit, cupboard, shelving, or the like; or
- an attached non-building fixture and fitting such as—
- a curtain, blind, or similar decor, other than a proscenium curtain required by Specification 32; and
- a whiteboard, window treatment or the like; or
- timber treads, risers, landings and associated supporting framework installed in accordance with D3D30 where the Spread-of-Flame Index and the Smoke-Developed Index of the timber does not exceed 9 and 8 respectively; or
- any other material that does not significantly increase the hazards of fire.
VIC C2D11 Fire hazard properties2019: C1.10
- plaster, cement render, concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile or the like; or
- a fire-protective covering; or
- a timber-framed window; or
- a solid timber handrail or skirting; or
- a timber-faced door; or
- an electrical switch, socket-outlet, cover plate or the like; or
- a material used for—
- a roof insulating material applied in continuous contact with a substrate; or
- an adhesive; or
- a damp-proof course, flashing, caulking, sealing, ground moisture barrier, or the like; or
- a paint, varnish, lacquer or similar finish, other than nitro-cellulose lacquer; or
- a clear or translucent roof light of glass fibre-reinforced polyester if—
- the roof in which it is installed forms part of a single storey building required to be Type C construction; and
- the material is used as part of the roof covering; and
- it is not closer than 1.5 m from another roof light of the same type; and
- each roof light is not more than 14 m2 in area; and
- the area of the roof lights per 70 m2 of roof surface is not more than 14 m2; or
- a face plate or neck adaptor of supply and return air outlets of an air handling system; or
- a face plate or diffuser plate of light fitting and emergency exit signs and associated electrical wiring and electrical components; or
- a joinery unit, cupboard, shelving, or the like; or
- an attached non-building fixture and fitting such as—
- a curtain, blind, or similar decor, other than a proscenium curtain required by Specification 32; and
- a whiteboard, window treatment or the like; or
- timber treads, risers, landings and associated supporting framework installed in accordance with D3D30 where the Spread-of-Flame Index and the Smoke-Developed Index of the timber does not exceed 9 and 8 respectively.
C2D12
Performance of external walls in fire
2019: C1.11
Concrete external walls that could collapse as complete panels (e.g. tilt-up and pre-cast concrete), in a building having a rise in storeys of not more than 2, must comply with Specification 8.
C2D13
Fire-protected timber: Concession
2019: C1.13
Fire-protected timber may be used wherever an element is required to be non-combustible, provided—
- the building is—
- a separate building; or
- a part of a building—
- which only occupies part of a storey, and is separated from the remaining part by a fire wall; or
- which is located above or below a part not containing fire-protected timber and the floor between the adjoining parts is provided with an FRL not less than that prescribed for a fire wall for the lower storey; and
- the building has an effective height of not more than 25 m; and
- the building has a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) throughout complying with Specification 17; and
- any insulation installed in the cavity of the timber building element to have an FRL is non-combustible; and
- cavity barriers are provided in accordance with Specification 9.
C2D14
Ancillary elements
2019: C1.14
An ancillary element must not be fixed, installed, attached to or supported by the concealed internal parts or external face of an external wall that is required to be non-combustible unless it is one of the following:
- An ancillary element that is non-combustible.
- A gutter, downpipe or other plumbing fixture or fitting.
- A flashing.
- A grate, grille or similar cover not more than 2 m2 in area associated with a building service.
- An electrical switch, socket-outlet, cover plate or the like.
- A light fitting.
- A required sign.
- A sign other than one provided under (a) or (g) that—
- achieves a group number of 1 or 2; and
- does not extend beyond one storey; and
- does not extend beyond one fire compartment; and
- is separated vertically from other signs permitted under (h) by at least 2 storeys.
- An awning, sunshade, canopy, blind or shading hood other than one provided under (a) that—
- meets the relevant requirements of Table S7C7 as for an internal element; and
- serves a storey—
- at ground level; or
- immediately above a storey at ground level; and
- does not serve an exit, where it would render the exit unusable in a fire.
- A part of a security, intercom or announcement system.
- Wiring.
- Waterproofing material installed in accordance with AS 4654.2 and applied to an adjacent floor surface, including vertical upturn, or a roof surface.
- Collars, sleeves and insulation associated with service installations.
- Screens applied to vents, weepholes and gaps complying with AS 3959.
- Wiper and brush seals associated with doors, windows or other openings.
- A gasket, caulking, sealant or adhesive directly associated with (a) to (o).
Limitations
C2D14 does not apply to ancillary elements fixed, installed or attached to the internal face or lining of an external wall.
Notes
C2D14 does not prevent the mounting of domestic air-conditioning condenser units on external walls.
Explanatory information
Ancillary elements fixed, installed or attached to the internal face or lining of an external wall may be subject to other provisions such as C2D11.
C2D15
Fixing of bonded laminated cladding panels
New for 2022
- A laminated glass system.
- Layered plasterboard product.
- Perforated gypsum lath with a normal paper finish.
- Fibrous-plaster sheet.
- Fibre-reinforced cement sheeting.
- A component of a garage door.
Notes
For C2D15(1), mechanical support or restraint means fixing that does not solely rely on chemical adhesive and includes concealed fixing systems such as cassette fixing, channel-type fixing and face fixing.
Explanatory information
For structural requirements relating to the fixing of cladding, refer to Section B. For most cladding systems, the requirements of Section B will necessitate mechanical fixing of the cladding panel to the supporting frame.
The external walls of a bulk grain storage facility need not be of fire-resisting construction if—
- The external walls are 3 m or more from an allotment boundary and more than 6 m from any other building on the same allotment, other than a Class 10 building; and
- a fire separation space of not less than 2 m is provided between cell type silos; and
- the external walls are—
- of non-combustible construction; or
- of Type C construction.
Class 7b bulk grain storage facilities