Passive Fire - Reduce the Risk

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴

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.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲

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.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁

The above process results in:

❶ Walls and floors containing services half of which are fire stopped and half of which are not

❷ Confusion by those inspecting/auditing fire safety measures in the building

❸ Costly defects which could have been avoided

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

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:

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲: 02 9651 2864

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹: team@codecg.com.au

𝗪𝗲𝗯: www.codecg.com.au

#NCC2022 #PassiveFire #PassiveFireProtection #PassiveFireCompliance #ReducetheRisk #CodeConsultancyGroup #CCG #ComplianceAssured #Simplebuteffective