Fire prevention and minimisation

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) for Class stipulates the use of materials for use in the construction of Building classes 1a, 2, 3 and 9c buildings. These are stipulated by specification C.1.10. In addition, the BCA stipulates the materials that are used for walls, floors, ceilings coverings within specification C.1.10. Learn more about Fire Hazard Properties

Designing fire-resisting construction involves understanding how the BCA's Performance Requirements translate into objective design parameters, as contained in the BCA's Deemed to Satisfy Provisions (ie acceptable construction practices). This becomes the basis for selecting appropriate timber-framed construction. 

Part C of the BCA Performance Requirements is concerned with safeguarding people when a fire in a building occurs. Specific attention is given to evacuating occupants, facilitating the activities of emergency services personnel, avoiding the spread of fire between buildings, and protecting other property from physical damage caused by structural failure of the building as a result of fire.

Deemed to Satisfy Provisions that meet the above Performance Requirements are detailed in the BCA under:

  • Part C1 - Fire-resistance and stability

  • Part C2 - Compartmentalisation and separation

  • Part C3 - Protection of openings.

Each of these parts deal with a wide range of issues but it is only the fire-resistance of specific building elements (eg wall and floor/ceiling elements) that are dealt with in the design guides below, as these elements can be of timber-framed construction. To this end, only relevant clauses from Parts C1, C2 and C3 are discussed. 

This section contains the following WoodSolutions Technical Design Guides

  • TDG 15 Fire Design - a summary of fire safety design process for EXPAN-developed systems, including timber concrete composite (TCC) floors, timber cassette floors and post-tensioned timber beams without any fire-rated lining or additional protection.

  • TDG 20 Fire Precautions During Construction of Large Buildings - this guide provides information to help people and organisations with responsibilities for fire safety on a construction site to reduce the risk of fire.

  • Fire and sound rated wall and floor/ceiling systems summary - information on the most common fire rated systems used in Multi Residential Timber Framed Construction (MRTFC).

Related Links:

Learn more about designing for fire.

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