Render, render on the wall, can I put render on them all?

Further information is available in the Advisory Note: Fire performance of external walls and cladding, but here is some initial guidance to help you on your way.

For a building of Type A or B construction, C1.9(a)(i) specifies that elements of external walls, including their components, must be non-combustible. Components of external walls include:

• façade covering (e.g. render and external cladding)
• framing
• insulation.

In the case of a material like render, ‘non-combustible’ means the material is capable of not being found combustible having been tested in accordance with AS 1530.1 — Combustibility Tests for Materials.

Render when used as part of a DTS Solution for an external wall of a Type A or Type B building must be non-combustible.

Render is normally a component of the external wall and is not provided with a concession or exemption in C1.9(d) or C1.9(e).

For situations where render is considered an ancillary element to the external wall, it is only permitted as a DTS Solution if it is non-combustible under C1.14(a). It is important to note that render is different to paints and lacquers, which are permitted ancillary elements under C1.14(l).

Textured paint, albeit not a flat paint finish, is commonly used as a final layer or coating to a wall. C1.14(l) does not specify the types of paint that may or may not be permitted. As such, textured paint is a permitted ancillary element.

Regardless of whether render is part of an external wall or an ancillary element to buildings of Type A or Type B construction, where part of a DTS Solution, the render must be non-combustible.