NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings
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3

Specification 3 Fire hazard properties

Specification 3 Fire hazard properties

This Specification sets out the procedures for determining the fire hazard properties of assemblies tested to AS/NZS 1530.3.

To establish the tests required by Specification 3.

This specification deals with the testing to AS/NZS 1530.3 of an assembly of materials where the central core of the assembly is shielded from the effects of the fire.

Assemblies

The fire hazard properties of assemblies and their ability to screen their core materials as required under Specification 7 must be determined by testing in accordance with S3C3 to S3C6.

To establish the tests required by Specification 3.

S3C2 deals with the installation of an assembly of materials where the central core of the assembly is shielded from the effects of fire.

Tests must be carried out in accordance with—

  1. for the determination of the Spread-of-Flame Index and Smoke-Developed Index — AS/NZS 1530.3; and
  2. for the determination of the ability to prevent ignition and to screen its core material from free air — AS 1530.4.

To establish the tests required for early fire-hazard properties on assemblies of materials.

Specification 3 requires two tests in accordance with S3C3(a) and S3C3(b). They are respectively: AS/NZS 1530.3 for Spread-of-Flame Index and Smoke-Developed Index; and AS 1530.4 for the ability to prevent ignition and to screen the core material from free air. 

Test specimens must incorporate—

  1. all types of joints; and
  2. all types of perforations, recesses or the like for pipes, light switches or other fittings, which are proposed to be used for the member or assembly of members in the building.

To specify the details required for the test specimen.

The assembly to be tested must include all joints, perforations, recesses, and the like. These parts may affect not only its early fire-hazard properties but are also more likely to affect the passage of air and fire to the assembly’s inner core. The requirements for the test specimen apply to both tests required by S3C3.

S3C4 does not apply to joints, perforations, recesses or the like that are larger than those in the proposed application and have already been tested in the particular form of construction concerned and found to comply with the conditions of the test.

To provide a concession for the re-testing of joints, perforations, recesses, and the like which have been previously tested.

S3C5 is based on the assumption that S3C3 tests would be passed by joints, perforations and recesses, which will be smaller in the building member to be used on site than those in the member tested. The concession in S3C5 applies to both tests in S3C3.

A testing laboratory may carry out the test specified in S3C3(b) at pilot scale if a specimen (which must be not less than 900 mm x 900 mm) will adequately represent the proposed construction in the building, but the results of that test do not apply to construction larger than limits defined by the laboratory conducting the pilot examination.

To allow smaller test specimens when testing for the ability to prevent ignition and screen the core material from free air when appropriate.

The smaller test specimen allowed by S3C6 only applies to the AS 1530.4 test required by S3C3(b). The smaller test specimen is allowed for practical reasons in the test rig. This is on the basis that the test will affect the specimen in an identical manner to the on-site building member.

The results from a smaller test specimen are limited to those specified by the testing laboratory. In accordance with Specification 3, only an Accredited Testing Laboratory may conduct the test.