3.2.5.4. Access Routes

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3.2.5.4. Access Routes

1) A building which is more than 3 storeys in building height or more than 600sqm in building area shall be provided with access routes for fire department vehicles

a) to the building face having a principle entrance, and

b) to each building face having access openings for firefighting as required by Articles 3.2.5.1. and 3.2.5.2.

3.6.4.7. Access to Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment

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3.6.4.7. Access to Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment

1) A building shall be provided with direct access to the roof by an interior stairway if

a) heating, ventilation or air-conditioning equipment is installed on the roof, and

b) the roof elevation is more than 4m above grade.

2) Fixed assess shall be provided to rooftop heating, ventilating or air-conditioning equipment that is installed on a sloped roof.

Division B, 9.10.11.2. Firewalls Not Required

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Division B, 9.10.11.2. Firewalls Not Required
2) Where a building of residential occupancy contains more than 2 houses, a party wall that separates any 2 adjacent houses with a secondary suite from the rest of the building shall be constructed as a firewall to create separate buildings each containing no more than 2 adjacent houses with a secondary suite.
Design tricks:
Existing rowhouse with 3 or 4 units is not eligible to have a secondary suite.

Is a parapet always required for a firewall?

Is a parapet always required for a firewall?

Answer: not always.

3.1.10.3. Continuity of Firewalls

2) A firewall is permitted to terminate on the underside of a reinforced concrete roof slab, provided

a) the roof slab on both sides of the firewall has a fire-resistance rating not less than:

i) 1h if the firewall is required to have a fire-resistance rating not less than 2h, or

ii) 2h if the firewall is required to have a fire-resistance rating not less than 4h, and

b) there are no concealed spaces within the roof slab in that portion immediately above the firewall.

Design tricks:

If you have a one storey warehouse building with concrete roof, it is possible to divide it into separate buildings by adding firewalls to the underside of concrete roof slab. It is very useful when you want to use combustible construction or have a prohibited occupancy, such as F1, in a building.

3.1.10.4. Parapets

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3.1.10.4. Parapets

1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2) and 3.1.10.3.(2), a firewall shall extend above the roof surface to form a parapet not less than

a) 150mm high for a firewall required to have a fire resistance rating not less than 2h, and

b) 900mm high for a firewall required to have a fire resistance rating not less than 4h.

2) A firewall that separates 2 buildings with roofs at different elevations need not extend above the upper roof surface to form a parapet, provided the difference in elevation between the roofs is more than 3 m.