Specification 18 Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height
S18C1
Scope
2019: Spec E1.5a: 1
This Specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems, and concessions for Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more.
S18C2
Application
2019: Spec E1.5a: 1
The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of this Specification take precedence where there is a difference to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Sections C, D and E.
S18C3
System requirements
2019: Spec E1.5a: 2
- AS 2118.1; or
- AS 2118.4, as applicable; or
- FPAA101D, except for residential care buildings; or
- FPAA101H, except for residential care buildings.
VIC S18C3 System requirements2019: Spec E1.5a: 2
- AS 2118.1 except clause 5.9.10 of AS 2118.1 does not apply and is replaced with ‘Covered balconies shall be sprinkler protected’; or
- AS 2118.4, as applicable; or
- FPAA101D—
- except for residential care building (Vic); and
- except that clause 2.2.1 of FPAA101D applies as if the first paragraph is replaced with ‘Covered balconies shall be sprinkler protected’; or
- FPAA101H—
- except for residential care building (Vic); and
- except that clause 3.5.2.8 of FPAA101H applies as if the first paragraph is replaced with ‘Covered balconies shall be sprinkler protected’; and
- except that clause 3.5.3 of FPAA101H applies as if it is replaced with:
- The location and spacing of sprinklers in Class 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9b parts of the building shall be in accordance with Section 5 of AS 2118.1:2017.
- The location and spacing of sprinklers in Class 9a and 9c parts of the building shall be in accordance with Section 5 of AS 2118.1:2017 except that clause 5.9.10 of AS 2118.1 does not apply and is replaced with ‘Covered balconies shall be sprinkler protected’.
- the automatic fire sprinkler system is permanently connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre in accordance with Specification 23 if—
- the system has more than 100 sprinkler heads; or
- in the case of a residential care building, the building will accommodate more than 32 residents; and
- the automatic fire sprinkler system is fitted with sprinklers complying with clauses 4.4, 4.5 and 5.5.2 of AS 2118.4 in bedrooms; and
- an automatic smoke detection and alarm system is installed in accordance with Specification 20 except that it need not be connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre, and in the case of a residential care building it must be installed in accordance with—
- S20C4; or
- both—
- S20C3, provided S20C3(1)(b) is applied as if the building was not protected with a sprinkler system; and
- Specification 23; and
- in a residential care building, the automatic smoke detection and alarm system and the automatic fire sprinkler system are connected to a local fire indicator panel provided in accordance with Specification 23; and
- fire orders are provided in a Class 3 building in accordance with G4D8 as for a building in an alpine area.
S18C4
Permitted concessions
2019: Spec E1.5a: 3
- The FRL for self-closing fire doors, as required by C4D9 and C4D12, may be reduced to not less than –/30/30.
- The FRL for—
- all non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, as required by Specification 5 to have FRLs greater than –/60/60, may be reduced to –/60/60 and service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, required by C4D15, may be reduced to not less than –/60/15; and
- all other non-loadbearing internal walls, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/45/45 and the FRL for service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/45/15.
- The FRL for fire-isolated stairways enclosed with non-loadbearing construction, as required by D2D4, may be reduced to –/45/45.
- Except in a residential care building, the maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
- The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
- The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
- Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1D2 are not required where—
- the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1D2, except that in a residential care building the nozzle at the end of the length of hose need only reach the entry door of any sole-occupancy unit to be considered as covering the area within the sole-occupancy unit; or
- a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building and—
- each fire hydrant head is located in accordance with E1D2 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
- the pipework is installed in accordance with E1D2 (as for a required fire main) except that it need not be connected to a water supply; and
- a hydrant booster inlet connection is provided in accordance with E1D2; and
- an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow is located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.
- An emergency warning and intercom system need not be provided in a residential care building in accordance with E4D9 if a warning system with an override public address facility is installed in accordance with Specification 23.
- Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C4D12(8) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
- The FRL for—
- service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/60/15; and
- non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/60/60.
- The maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
- The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
- The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
- Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1D2 are not required where—
- the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1D2; or
- a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building except—
- the system pipework is not connected to the water supply; and
- an on-site fire pumpset is not required; and
- the minimum fire hydrant outlet flow of 6 L/s may be achieved when boosted by a fire brigade pumping appliance; and
- the minimum pipe sizes specified in AS 2419.1 do not apply.
- Where a dry fire hydrant system is installed for the purposes of (f)—
- each fire hydrant head must be located in accordance with E1D2 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
- a hydrant booster inlet connection must be provided in accordance with E1D2; and
- an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow must be located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.
- Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C4D12(8) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
- The FRL for—
- service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/60/15; and
- non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/60/60.
- The maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
- The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
- The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.