Specification 18 Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height

This Specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems, and concessions for Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more.

The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of this Specification take precedence where there is a difference to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Sections C, D and E.

(2) A Class 2 or 3 building not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system under (1)(a) or (1)(b) may be constructed in accordance with S18C4(1), as applicable, provided—

1. the automatic fire sprinkler system is permanently connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre in accordance with Specification 23 if—
   1. the system has more than 100 sprinkler heads; or
   2. in the case of a residential care building, the building will accommodate more than 32 residents; and
2. the automatic fire sprinkler system is fitted with sprinklers complying with clauses 4.4, 4.5 and 5.5.2 of AS 2118.4 in bedrooms; and
3. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system is installed in accordance with Specification 20 except that it need not be connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre, and in the case of a residential care building it must be installed in accordance with—
   1. S20C4; or
   2. both—
      1. S20C3, provided S20C3(1)(b) is applied as if the building was not protected with a sprinkler system; and
      2. Specification 23; and
4. in a residential care building, the automatic smoke detection and alarm system and the automatic fire sprinkler system are connected to a local fire indicator panel provided in accordance with Specification 23; and
5. fire orders are provided in a Class 3 building in accordance with G4D8 as for a building in an alpine area.

(1) The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with S18C3(1)(a) or (1)(b):

1. The FRL for self-closing fire doors, as required by C4D9 and C4D12, may be reduced to not less than –/30/30.
2. The FRL for—
   1. all non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, as required by Specification 5 to have FRLs greater than –/60/60, may be reduced to –/60/60 and service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts constructed of fire-protected timber, required by C4D15, may be reduced to not less than –/60/15; and
   2. all other non-loadbearing internal walls, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/45/45 and the FRL for service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/45/15.
3. The FRL for fire-isolated stairways enclosed with non-loadbearing construction, as required by D2D4, may be reduced to –/45/45.
4. Except in a residential care building, the maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
5. The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
6. The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
7. Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1D2 are not required where—
   1. the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1D2, except that in a residential care building the nozzle at the end of the length of hose need only reach the entry door of any sole-occupancy unit to be considered as covering the area within the sole-occupancy unit; or
   2. a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building and—
      1. each fire hydrant head is located in accordance with E1D2 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
      2. the pipework is installed in accordance with E1D2 (as for a required fire main) except that it need not be connected to a water supply; and
      3. a hydrant booster inlet connection is provided in accordance with E1D2; and
      4. an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow is located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.
8. An emergency warning and intercom system need not be provided in a residential care building in accordance with E4D9 if a warning system with an override public address facility is installed in accordance with Specification 23.

(2) The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with S18C3(1)(c):

1. Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C4D12(8) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
2. The FRL for—
   1. service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/60/15; and
   2. non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/60/60.
3. The maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
4. The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
5. The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.
6. Internal fire hydrants in accordance with E1D2 are not required where—
   1. the building is served by external fire hydrants that provide compliant coverage installed in accordance with E1D2; or
   2. a dry fire hydrant system that otherwise complies with AS 2419.1 is installed in the building except—
      1. the system pipework is not connected to the water supply; and
      2. an on-site fire pumpset is not required; and
      3. the minimum fire hydrant outlet flow of 6 L/s may be achieved when boosted by a fire brigade pumping appliance; and
      4. the minimum pipe sizes specified in AS 2419.1 do not apply.
7. Where a dry fire hydrant system is installed for the purposes of (f)—
   1. each fire hydrant head must be located in accordance with E1D2 and fitted with a blank end cap or plug; and
   2. a hydrant booster inlet connection must be provided in accordance with E1D2; and
   3. an external street or feed hydrant capable of providing the required system flow must be located within 60 m of the hydrant booster connection.

(3) The following concessions are permitted for Class 2 and 3 buildings provided with a required automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with S18C3(1)(d):

1. Window openings need not be protected in accordance with C4D12(8) provided the room served by the window is sprinkler protected.
2. The FRL for—
   1. service penetrations through non-loadbearing internal walls and shafts, as required by C4D15, may be reduced to –/60/15; and
   2. non-loadbearing fire-resisting lift and stair shafts, as required by Specification 5, may be reduced to –/60/60.
3. The maximum distance of travel, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(i), may be increased from 6 m to 12 m.
4. The maximum distance of travel from a single exit serving the storey at the level of egress to a road or open space, as required by D2D5(1)(a)(ii), may be increased from 20 m to 30 m.
5. The maximum distance between alternative exits, as required by D2D6(c)(i), may be increased from 45 m to 60 m.