3.1.7.3. Exposure Conditions for Rating

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3.1.7.3. Exposure Conditions for Rating

1) Floor, roof and ceiling assemblies shall be rated for exposure to fire on the underside.

2) Firewalls and interior vertical fire separation shall be rated for exposure to fire on each side.

3) Exterior walls shall be rated for exposure to fire from inside the building.

3.1.5.6. Combustible Components in Exterior Walls

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3.1.5.6. Combustible Components in Exterior Walls

1) Combustible components, other than those permitted by Article 3.1.5.5., are permitted to be used in an exterior wall assembly of a building required to be of noncombustible construction, provided

a) the building is

i) not more than 3 storeys in building height, or

ii) sprinklered throughout, and

b) the wall assembly

i) meets the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.5.(1)(b), or

ii) is protected by masonry or concrete cladding not less than 25 mm thick.

Design Key:

1. Combustible components in exterior walls are permitted for a sprinklered noncombustible construction building with masonry or concrete cladding.

2. Combustible components in exterior walls are permitted for a building not more than 3 storeys with masonry or concrete cladding.

This sentence is very helpful if you are struggling for meeting the spatial calculation requirements of noncombustible construction.

3.1.4.8. Exterior Cladding

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3.1.4.8. Exterior Cladding

1) Not less than 90% of the exterior cladding on exterior walls of buildings conforming to Article 3.2.2.50. or 3.2.2.58. shall consist of

a) noncombustible cladding, or

b) a wall assembly that satisfies the criteria of Clause 3.1.5.5.(1)(b)

3.1.10.7. Combustible Projections

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3.1.10.7. Combustible Projections

1) combustible material shall not extend across the end of a firewall but it is permitted to extend across a roof above a firewall that is terminated in conformance with Sentence 3.1.10.3.(2).

2) If buildings are separated by a firewall, combustible projections on the exterior of one building, including balconies, platforms, canopies, eave projections and stairs, that extend outward beyond the end of the firewall, shall not be permitted within 2.4 m of combustible projections and window or door openings of the adjacent building.

3.1.5.11. Combustible Stairs in Dwelling Units

Articles need to know!!! hashtag#stairs 3.1.5.11. Combustible Stairs in Dwelling Units 1) Combustible stairs are permitted in a dwelling unit in a building required to be of noncombustible construction.

3.3.1.23. Obstructions

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3.3.1.23. Obstructions

1) No obstructions shall be permitted in any occupancy that would restrict the width of a normal means of egress from any part of a floor area to less than 750mm unless an alternative means of egress is provided adjacent to, accessible from, plainly visible from the obstructed means of egress.

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

Articles need to know!!! hashtag#secondarysuites
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.