๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐บ: ๐ก๐ผ๐ป-๐ฟ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Fire stopping of service penetrations through walls which aren't required to be fire rated ('non-required fire stopping') continues to cause confusion and frustration for all parties, from builders trying to obtain PC/OC right through to building owners receiving a defect report containing this issue.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ
Non-required fire stopping most commonly occurs due to service drawings not aligning with fire compartment plans or trades installing fire stopping systems to all of their service penetrations to ensure fire stopping isn't missed.
Unfortunately, once installed, fire stopping systems can often prove difficult and/or costly to remove and as a result it is often left installed, as the installation of non-required fire stopping in itself isn't a defect.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
The above process results in:
โถ Walls and floors containing services half of which are fire stopped and half of which are not
โท Confusion by those inspecting/auditing fire safety measures in the building
โธ Costly defects which could have been avoided
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
The above process has been occurring for decades, but it doesn't have to be this way. There is a simple, cost effective solution - Signage!
Signage identifying that the wall/floor is not required to be fire rated under the National Construction Code, removes the confusion caused by penetrations in walls/floors being partially fire stopped and importantly, reduces the risk of defects by communicating critical information to those inspecting them in the same fashion way that tags to fire doors or install stickers for required fire stopping does.
Looking for smarter ways to ensure your project is #NCC compliant? Follow Code Consultancy Group or get in contact:
๐ฃ๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ: 02 9651 2864
๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น: team@codecg.com.au
๐ช๐ฒ๐ฏ: www.codecg.com.au
#NCC2022 #PassiveFire #PassiveFireProtection #PassiveFireCompliance #ReducetheRisk #CodeConsultancyGroup #CCG #ComplianceAssured #Simplebuteffective
Comments