The Developer has commissioned a Sydney access consultant to offer a Building code of Australia 2016 assessment for a proposed commercial project, which accommodate two ‘majors’, a mini food court, specialty shops and small kiosks.
The purpose of this report is to assess a set of architectural plans against nominated DTS provisions of the Building Code of Australia 2016, identification of compliances and non- compliances, discussion of solutions to any non-compliances and recommendations to the solutions.
The documents below has been reviewed, referenced and depend on when the report was being prepared.
Based to environmental planning and assessment regulation on clause 145, the commercial building proposed must comply with the BCA. Environmental planning and assessment regulation clause 143 prohibits issuance of certificate of construction if all the criteria of fire protection and structure capability of the new building will be reduced.
Fire safety engineering is involved in protecting the products which is required to be installed by legislation or installed with an objective of life safety, it can also include protecting property and similarly protecting the environment, to ensure that they achieve their respective purpose, with a perspective of achieving a minimum standard of safety, increase the confidence of the customers. The products should comply with the applicable BCA standards, to ensure that safety and work health, building and laws governing customers are achieved.
The procedure for achieving the BCA standards is through testing the products under fire protection in order to show their performance, this is done through ACCC mandatory standards and respective Australia standards. The product provided to the customers should contain laboratory accreditation status, configuration and identification of the product, time taken to test the product should be confirmed and finally the validity of the result and performance of products should be stated.
The summary of the proposed building is classified as per the table below.
|
Classification based on BCA |
2, 7a and 9b |
|
Rise in storeys |
1 |
|
Total height |
13.0 m |
|
Type of construction |
B |
|
Climatic zone |
Zone 8 |
|
Total area/ volume |
As shown below |
The maximum size of the fire compartment is tabled below, but this maximum floor are and volume will not be applicable on class 2 compartment.
|
Classification of the building |
Type B |
|
|
9b |
Maximum floor area |
15000 m2 |
|
Maximum volume |
195,000 m3 |
The comments below have been made based on the specific relevant building code of Australia(BCA) provisions, that reflects to the compliance matters that is entitled to the proposed commercial building.
|
Clause |
Descriptions |
Status |
Comment |
|
Part C1: Fire resistance and stability |
|||
|
C1.1 |
The required type of Construction. |
Compliance achieved |
Since the building is Type B then it must comply with the construction and requirement of this type of building. Based on the photo on Appendix 1it is a photo extracted from BCA table 3 under specification C1.1. Every component of the building must have FRL that is greater than that which is provided on the table. The Building is defined as Type B Construction. The roof allowance at its construction entitled for non-combustibility should be base on specification of C1.1 – 3.5 which explains concession of the roof, that will apply to the proposed class 2 building. |
|
C1.2 |
Calculation of Rise in Storey |
Stated |
The building has arise of storey 1 |
|
C1.3 |
Building that comprises of numerous classifications |
Stated |
Classification entitled to the ground floor will be applied to the top storey of being an hardware All Type B construction requirements will be implemented. |
|
C1.4 |
Mixed types of Construction |
||
|
C1.5 |
Two storey Class 2,3 or 9c buildings |
||
|
C1.6 |
Class 4 parts of buildings |
||
|
C1.7 |
Open spectator stands and indoor sports stadiums |
||
|
C1.8 |
Construction of a light weight |
Compliance achieved |
The wall that is buildup of lightweight materials must comply to the specification of C1.8 |
|
C1.9 |
Provisions are not there |
||
|
C1.10 |
Fire Hazard Properties |
The properties of fire hazard on the linings, assemblies and materials in a should comply to the specification C1.10. Relevant material will be required to be issued for assessment in order to ensure that it complies with the description above. |
|
|
Part C2 |
|||
|
C2.1 |
Application of Part |
Stated |
The clauses C2.2, C2.3 and C2.4 does not comply with the car park which is not applicable with a sprinkler system and it do comply with specification E1.5. |
|
C2.2 |
Limitations of the floor area |
Achieved |
The ground floor in consideration to class 9b is subjected to the floor area limitations of this clause |
|
C2.6 |
Vertical separation of openings in external Walls |
Achieved |
Based on Type B construction building any opening that is on external wall and is above another opening that is next to it but below, whereas it vertical projection do not fall further than 450 mm outside a lower opening, then it is advisable that the opening should be separated by vertical or horizontal spandrel having FRL of about 60/60/60 |
|
C2.8 |
Separation of Classifications |
Complied |
Probably the building is having numerous different classifications that is situated next to each another; therefore each element will have the required higher FRL based on the classification concern. Further details will be needed for assessment. The construction certificate plans are expected to comply with FRL. |
|
C2.9 |
Separation of classification in different Storeys |
Achieved |
The building which is separated based on different classification and interlinked by columns above one another, in order to minimize the risk that may occur due to fire in one classification that may result to failure of the components of the building in the other classification on a different storey. It will be appropriate for a car park slab is to achieve 120/120/120 for it to be able to separate the class 7a and 9b. Whereas, the slab which is between each storey should provide a minimum FRL of 90/90/90. |
|
Part C3: PROTECTION OF OPENINGS |
|||
|
C3.1 |
Application part |
Stated |
Concessions for definite opening types |
|
C3.2 |
Protection of Opening in External Walls |
Complied |
Opening found on the external wall and are within 3 m and requires FRL must comply to C3.4 of BCA |
|
C3.4 |
Acceptable Methods of Protection |
Achieved |
The compliant solution or engagement of fire engineer will be incorporated at construction stage for provision of solutions that will satisfy the requirement of CP2. More details will be offered provided at Construction Certificate. |
|
C3.8 |
Openings in Fire-isolated Exits |
Achieved |
The fire exit through an external opening on the same building must comply to clause C3.4 |
|
C3.9 |
Service Penetrations in Fire-isolated Exits |
Achieved |
Fire exists is not suppose to obstructed by any services but only electrical wiring which is allowed by D2.7 (e) |
|
C3.15 |
Openings for Service Installations |
Stated |
Compliance is promptly achievable. Co-appointment with administrations experts to guarantee consistence at development testament arrange. |
|
Part D1: provision of escape |
|||
|
Clause |
Description |
Status |
Comment |
|
D1.1 |
Number of Exits Required |
Complied |
The arrangement of adequate ways out to empower safe egress if there should be an occurrence of a crisis. D1.2 gives that all structures must have no less than one exit from every storey as sets out conditions in which in excess of one exit might be required. |
|
D1.4 |
Exit Travel Distances |
Complied |
The passageway entryway is prominent to 6m from an exit. |
|
D1.5 |
Distances between alternative exits |
Complied |
The layout should comply with the provisions of D1.5. |
|
D1.6 |
Dimensions of exits |
Complied |
The exit stairs and corridors together with other paths of travel should have a minimum value of 1m in width and 2m in height. |
|
Part D2: CONSTRUCTION OF EXITS |
|||
|
D2.7 |
Installations in Exits & Paths of Travel |
Achieved |
In the event that introduced in a way of movement to an exit, Electrical conveyance sheets, Communication cabinets and so forth containing engines, and so on are to be encased with non-ignitable development, and entryways are to be furnished with smoke seals to the border. |
|
D2.19 |
Doorways and Doors |
Complied |
This applies to all entryways and refers to the sorts of entryways that can’t be utilized in structures of endorsed utilizes, the utilization of intensity worked entryways and the power required to work sliding entryways. |
|
D2.20 |
Swinging Doors |
Complied |
The condition forbids the utilization of devices, for example, stops and handles. D2.21 likewise sets out exemptions in connection to structures where unique security plans are required in connection to the utilizations completed. |
|
D2.23 |
Signs on Doors |
Achieved |
Utilization of signs to alarm people that the activity of smoke entryways and desperate entryways and entryways releasing structure fire secluded ways out, must not be hindered and should be introduced where they can be promptly observed. |
|
SECTION E : Service and equipment |
|||
|
Part E1: Firefighting equipment |
|||
|
E1.3 |
Fire hydrants |
Achieved |
Fire services pump room is required to be available specifically from the street or open space, or from an entryway opening from a fire confined exit. Inward Hydrants are to be situated inside each required Fire Isolated Exit (or then again the outside stairs in lieu of a fire disengaged exit). Note: Hydrant supporter assembly must be inside sight of the fundamental passageway of structures, generally an application to FR NSW can be made keeping in mind the end goal to get an exception from this prerequisite in the conditions |
|
E1.4 |
Fire hose reels |
Achieved |
Fire Hose Reels are to be situated inside 4m of an exit, or found nearby an inward hydrant (other than one inside a fire segregated exit). Where framework scope isn’t accomplished by the over, extra FHR might be situated in ways of movement to an exit. Points of interest are to be accommodated evaluation, especially the area of the fire hydrant promoter get together. Hose reels are just required in the storm cellar levels and ground floor if required. |
|
E1.6 |
Portable fire extinguishers |
Not applicable |
Nominate relevant BCA Performance Requirements
|
Non-compliance |
BCA clause |
BCA issue |
Performance Requirement/s |
Additional Performance Requirement/s |
|
Protection of Opening in External Walls |
C3.2 |
Numerous windows within the development are within 1.5 m of the boundary. |
comply with specification C3.4 |
CP2 |
|
Application of Part |
C2.1 |
Does not comply with the car park which is provided with a sprinkler |
comply with specification E1.5. |
CP3 (Performance Requirements from Section C or D that are also relevant) |
|
Exit Travel Distances |
D1.4 |
The door way entrance is greater 6m from an exit |
comply with specification DP.4 |
|
Non-compliance |
BCA clause |
BCA issue |
Performance Requirement/s |
Additional Performance Requirement/s |
Assessment method |
Subsystem |
Reason for Assessment Method and Subsystem/ |
|
Protection of Opening in External Walls |
C3.2 |
Numerous windows within the development are within 1.5 m of the boundary. |
comply with specification C3.4 |
CP2 |
Qualitative and Quantitative (IFEG) |
SS-C |
Fire spread, impact and control |
|
Application of Part |
C2.1 |
Does not comply with the car park which is provided with a sprinkler |
comply with specification E1.5. |
CP3 (Performance Requirements from Section C or D that are also relevant) |
A0.2/A0.5 (NCC) Qualitative and Quantitative (IFEG) |
SS-D |
fire detection and suppression. |
|
Exit Travel Distances |
D1.4 |
The door way entrance is greater 6m from an exit |
comply with specification DP.4 |
Exits to open space are available from each unit without passing through or by unprotected openings of the other unit. |
SS-E |
Occupant evacuation and control |
Conclusion
The report explains an assessment of the proposed building based on the documentation for the proposed mixed commercial building. After the study of the given drawing plan that is prepared by the architecture it can be generally classified that most of the areas in the plan are all considered dispute with the principals of the DTS provisions of the BCA 2016 anyway a couple of things will require assistance on their examination and consultation from a Fire Engineer to give goals.
Rising up out of the assessment, it is seen that the proposed project can speedily attain consistence when the relevant performance BCA are provided with any changes of design having a state that won’t result in the need to adjust the improvement consent.
References
Bennetts, I. and Pham, L., 2016. Structural robustness and fire. In Australasian Structural Engineering Conference: ASEC 2016 (p. 155). Engineers Australia.
Board, A. B. C. (2016). National Construction Code Series Volume 1, Building Code of Australia 2016, Class 2 to 9 Buildings. Canberra: Australian Building Codes Board, 163.
Board, A. B. C. (2016). National Construction Code Volume Two: Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings. Canberra: Australian Building Codes Board.
Board, A. B. C. (2016). National Construction Code: Guide to the Building Code of Australia 2016. Canberra: Australian Building Codes Board.
Grant, W., GRANT SHARON, 2008. Sprinkler system for converting non-sprinklered buildings. U.S. Patent 7,363,987.
Moinuddin, K.A., Thomas, I., Chea, S. and Bennetts, I.D., 2007. Factors affecting the reliability of sprinkler system in Australian high rise office buildings. Fire Safety Science, 7, pp.80-80.
Nguyen, K.T., Weerasinghe, P., Mendis, P., Ngo, T. and Barnett, J., 2016. Performance of modern building façades in fire: a comprehensive review. Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, 16, p.1.
Webb, A. and Lin, X., 2015. Slip Resistance Assessment of Carpets for Compliance to National Construction Code of Australia.
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