Specification 43 Bushfire protection for certain Class 9 buildings
S43C1
Scope
New for 2022
Explanatory information
The measures set out in this Specification are intended to operate in conjunction with other bushfire safety measures that lie outside the scope of the NCC. Information about these measures can be found in the Guide to NCC Volume One for Part G5.
S43C2
Separation from classified vegetation
New for 2022
Separation from classified vegetation
S43C2 does not apply in NSW as Asset Protection Zones must be determined in accordance with Planning for Bush Fire Protection.
- by not less than the minimum distances specified in Table S43C2; or
- such that radiant heat flux on exposed building elements will not exceed 10kW/m².
Vegetation classification | Slope | Minimum distance (m) of the building to classified vegetation |
---|---|---|
High risk | Upslope and flat land | 60 |
High risk | Downslope max 20 degrees | 110 |
Medium risk | Upslope and flat land | 40 |
Medium risk | Downslope max 20 degrees | 80 |
Low risk | Upslope and flat land | 30 |
Low risk | Downslope max 20 degrees | 50 |
Table Notes
- Table values are based on a Fire Danger Index of 100 in accordance with AS 3959.
- High risk equates to vegetation classification of forest and woodland in accordance with AS 3959.
- Medium risk equates to vegetation classification of scrub and rainforest in accordance with AS 3959.
- Low risk equates to vegetation classification of shrubland, mallee/mulga and grassland in accordance with AS 3959.
S43C3
Separation between buildings
New for 2022
- with external walls that have an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 when tested from the outside, including any openings protected in accordance with AS 3959 for BAL—19 or greater; or
- for external walls and roof, using a material or system that satisfies the test criteria of AS 1530.8.1 for a radiant heat flux of 10 kW/m² or greater.
S43C4
Separation from allotment boundaries and carparking areas
New for 2022
- with external walls that have an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 when tested from the outside, including any openings protected in accordance with AS 3959 for BAL—19 or greater; or
- for external walls and roof, using a material or system that satisfies the test criteria of AS 1530.8.1 for a radiant heat flux of 10 kW/m² or greater.
S43C5
Separation from hazards
New for 2022
The external walls and roof of the building must be protected from potential hazards on the site such as liquefied petroleum gas bottles, fuel storage, storage of combustible materials, waste bins, vehicles, machinery, and the like, by—
- a separation distance of not less than 10 m; or
- where within the 10 m separation distance described in (a), constructed with external walls that have an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 when tested from the outside, including any openings protected in accordance with AS 3959 for BAL—19 or greater; or
- for external walls and roof, using a material or system that satisfies the test criteria of AS 1530.8.1 for a radiant heat flux of 10 kW/m² or greater.
S43C6
Non-combustible path around building
New for 2022
A non-combustible pathway directly adjacent to the building and not less than 1.5 m wide must be provided around the perimeter of the building.
S43C7
Access pathways
New for 2022
- be readily identifiable; and
- have an even surface; and
- have a minimum clear width of not less than 1 m.
S43C8
Exposed external areas
New for 2022
An external area designed to hold people unable to be safely accommodated within the building, that may be exposed to radiant heat flux from a fire front during a bushfire event, must not be exposed to an incident radiant heat flux from the fire front exceeding 1 kW/m2 above background solar radiant heat flux.
S43C9
Internal tenability
New for 2022
To maintain internal tenability throughout the duration of occupancy during a bushfire event, the building must comply with the following:
- An air handling system must be provided that is capable of—
- being adjusted for full recycling of internal air for a period of not less than 4 hours to avoid the introduction of smoke into the building; and
- maintaining an internal air temperature of not more than 25°C.
- The building envelope must be designed such that if an air handling system required by (a) fails, then—
- internal air temperatures can be maintained below 39°C; and
- internal surface temperatures can be maintained below 60°C.
- If the building is divided into separate compartments then, for the purposes of (a), each compartment must have a separate air handling system.
- Each air handling system required by (a) must be designed to account for the activation of smoke detectors from low concentrations of smoke from external sources, so as to ensure that air-conditioning and other essential systems remain operational.
S43C10
Building envelope
New for 2022
The building envelope must be constructed in accordance with AS 3959 – BAL 19 or greater, except that where the use of combustible materials is permitted by AS 3959, they are not to be used unless permitted by C2D10(4), (5) or (6).
S43C11
Supply of water for fire-fighting purposes
New for 2022
Water for fire-fighting purposes must be available and consist of—
- A fire hydrant system complying with E1D2; or
- A static water supply consisting of tanks, swimming pools, dams or the like, or a combination of these, together with suitable pumps, hoses and fittings, determined in consultation with the relevant fire brigade that—
- is capable of providing the required flow rate for a period of not less than 4 hours; or
- has a volume of 10 000 litres for each occupied building.
Supply of water for fire-fighting purposes
Water for fire-fighting purposes must be available and consist of—
- a fire hydrant system complying with E1D2, or
- a static water supply consisting of tanks, swimming pools, dams or the like, or a combination of these, together with suitable pumps, hoses and fittings, capable of providing the required flow rate for a period of not less than 4 hours, determined in consultation with the relevant fire brigade.
S43C12
Emergency power supply
New for 2022
S43C13
Signage
New for 2022
Signage must be provided to warn building occupants against storing combustible materials under or adjacent to the building.