Specification C1.8 Structural Tests For Lightweight Construction | NCC

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5. Section C Fire resistance
6. Specification C1.8 Structural tests for lightweight construction

Specification C1.8 Structural tests for lightweight construction

Specification C1.8 Structural tests for lightweight construction

1. Scope

This Specification describes tests to be applied to and criteria to be satisfied by a wall system of lightweight construction.

This Guide does not address, in detail, every provision in this Specification.

Lightweight construction is more susceptible to damage than other forms of fire protection. It therefore needs protection to preserve its integrity in a fire.

Specification C1.8 describes a number of tests on walls of lightweight construction which can be used to demonstrate their acceptance as a fire protection system under the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

2. Application

A wall system need not be tested in accordance with this Specification for static pressure or impact if it is designed and constructed in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Section B to resist the appropriate pressures and impacts defined in this Specification.

3. Tests

3.1 Walls of certain Class 9b buildings

Lightweight construction forming—

(a)

a wall of a lift shaft and stair shaft; and

(b)

an external and internal wall bounding a public corridor, public lobby or the like, including a fire-isolated and non fire-isolated passageway or ramp, in a spectator stand, sports stadium, cinema or theatre, railway or bus station or airport terminal, must be subjected to the following tests and must fulfil the following criteria:

(i)

The materials tests of Clause 5(a) and the criteria of Clause 6(a).

(ii)

A static test by the imposition of a uniformly distributed load of 1.0 kPa (or its equivalent) in accordance with Clause 5(b) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (c) respectively.

(iii)

A dynamic test by the fall of the impact bag through a height of 350 mm in accordance with Clause 5(c) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (d) respectively.

(iv)

The surface indentation test of Clause 5(d) and the surface indentation criterion of Clause 6(e).

3.2 Walls of shafts and fire-isolated exits generally

A wall of lightweight construction that is required to be fire-resisting and which bounds a lift shaft, stair shaft, or service shaft, fire-isolated passageway or fire-isolated ramp must be subjected to the following tests and must fulfil the following criteria:

(a)

The materials tests of Clause 5(a) and the criteria of Clause 6(a).

(b)

A static test by the imposition of a uniformly distributed load of 0.35 kPa (or its equivalent) in accordance with Clause 5(b) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (c) respectively.

(c)

A dynamic test by the fall of the impact bag through a height of 150 mm in accordance with Clause 5(c) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (d) respectively.

(d)

The surface indentation test of Clause 5(d) and the surface indentation criterion of Clause 6(e).

3.3 Additional requirements for lift shafts (a)

In addition to the requirements of Clauses 3.1 and 3.2, a wall system for use in a lift shaft that is required to be fire-resisting must be subjected to dynamic test by the imposition of—

(i)

where the lift car speed is 7 m/s or less — 106 cycles of a uniformly distributed load between 0 and 0.2 kPa (or its equivalent); or

(ii)

where the lift car speed is greater than 7 m/s — 106 cycles of a uniformly distributed load between 0 and 0.35 kPa (or its equivalent) in accordance with Clause 5(e) and must fulfil the damage criteria of Clause 6(b).

(b)

The wall system must be subjected to the static test in accordance with Clause 3.2(b) after the successful conclusion of the dynamic test specified in (a).

3.4 Walls generally

An external and internal wall of lightweight construction that is required to be fire-resisting, other than one covered by Clauses 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3, must be subjected to the following tests and must fulfil the following criteria:

(a)

The materials tests of Clause 5(a) and the criteria of Clause 6(a).

(b)

A static test by the imposition of a uniformly distributed load of 0.25 kPa (or its equivalent) in accordance with Clause 5(b) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (c) respectively.

(c)

A dynamic test by fall of the impact bag through a height of 100 mm in accordance with Clause 5(c) and the damage and deflection criteria of Clauses 6(b) and (d) respectively.

(d)

The surface indentation test of Clause 5(d) and the surface indentation criterion of Clause 6(e).

4. Test specimens

4.1 General

Testing must be carried out on either—

(a)

construction in-situ; or

(b)

a laboratory specimen of the construction.

4.2 Testing in-situ

If testing is carried out in-situ, it must be done on that part of the construction least likely, because of the particular combination of the height of the walls, the support conditions and other aspects of the construction, to resist the loads.

4.3 Testing of specimens

If a laboratory specimen is tested, the specimen must span only in the direction corresponding to the height of the wall and testing must be done in accordance with either (a) or (b) below:

(a)

The test specimen—

(i)

height (or length, if the specimen is tested horizontally) must be identical with the height between supports in the actual construction; and

(ii)

must be supported at the top and bottom (or at each end if tested horizontally) by components identical with, and in a manner identical with, the actual construction.

(b)

If the distance between supports of the actual construction is more than 3 m, then a smaller specimen may be tested but—

(i)

the distance between supports must be not less than 3 m; and

(ii)

forces, reactions and support conditions must be modelled so as to reproduce the behaviour of the actual construction if it were tested in-situ.

5. Test methods

Tests must be carried out in accordance with the following:

(a)

Material tests — The methods specified for the constituent materials of the construction of the standards adopted by reference in the BCA.

(b)

For resistance to static pressure — The provisions for testing walls under transverse load in ASTM E72-15, except that—

(i)

support conditions must be as specified in Clause 4.3; and

(ii)

equivalent load shall mean the quarter-point load that produces the same deflection or central moment as appropriate; and

(iii)

the timber species nominated in that standard may be substituted with a different species.

(c)

For resistance to impact — The provisions for testing wall systems in ASTM E695-03, except that—

(i)

the point of impact must be set 1.5 m above finished floor level or 1.5 m above the part of the specimen that corresponds to finished floor level; and

(ii)

the impact bag must be not less than 225 mm in diameter and not more than 260 mm in diameter and have a mass of not less than 27.2 or more than 27.3 kg; and

(iii)

the mass must be achieved by putting loose, dry sand into the bag and must be adjusted before each series of impact tests; and

(iv)

where the impact bag and suspension cannot be vertical at the instant of impact on a curved surface or an inclined surface, the height of drop is the net height at the point of impact.

(d)

For resistance to surface indentation — The test for resistance to surface indentation must be carried out at three points on the surface of an undamaged sample sheet as follows:

(i)

A steel ball of 10 mm diameter with a load of 150 N must be placed gently on the surface of the sheet and allowed to remain in position for 5 minutes.

(ii)

The ball and load must then be removed and the diameter of each impression of the ball on the surface measured.

(e)

For resistance of lift shaft construction to repetitive load — As for 5(b) except that—

(i)

it is sufficient to test one specimen with the pressure applied from the side of the construction on which the lift will operate; and

(ii)

the load must be applied dynamically at a frequency not less than 1 Hz and not more than 3 Hz; and

(iii)

equivalent load shall mean the quarter-point load that produces the same central moment as the distributed load.

6. Criteria for compliance

The wall system or the specimen of it must fulfil the following criteria:

(a)

Materials — Materials must comply with the applicable standard adopted by reference in the BCA.

(b)

Damage — There must be no crack, penetration or permanent surface-deformation to a depth of more than 0.5 mm or any other non-elastic deformation or fastener failure.

(c)

Deflection — Static pressure — Under static pressure the deflection must not be more than—

(i)

1/240th of the height between supports; or

(ii)

for construction other than a lift shaft — 30 mm; or

(iii)

for a lift shaft — 20 mm.

(d)

Deflection — Impact — Under impact the instantaneous deflection must not be more than—

(i)

1/120th of the height of the wall between supports; or

(ii)

for construction other than a lift shaft — 30 mm; or

(iii)

for a lift shaft — 20 mm.

(e)

Surface indentation — No impression must be more than 5 mm in diameter.

Table of Contents

• Contents and Introduction

  • Copyright and licence notice

  • Introduction to the National Construction Code (NCC)

  • Introduction to NCC Volume One

• Section A Governing Requirements

  • Section A Governing Requirements

  • Part A1 Interpreting the NCC

  • Part A2 Compliance with the NCC

  • Part A3 Application of the NCC in States and Territories

  • Part A4 NCC referenced documents
  • Part A5 Documentation of design and construction

  • Part A6 Building classification

  • Part A7 United buildings

• Section B Structure

  • Part B1 Structural provisions

  • Part B1 Structural provisions (DtS)

  • Specification B1.2 Design of buildings in cyclonic areas

• Section C Fire resistance

  • Section C Fire Resistance

  • Part C1 Fire resistance and stability

  • Part C2 Compartmentation and separation

  • Part C3 Protection of openings

  • Specification C1.1 Fire-resisting construction

  • Specification C1.8 Structural tests for lightweight construction

  • Specification C1.10 Fire hazard properties

  • Specification C1.11 Performance of external walls in fire

  • Specification C1.13 Cavity barriers for fire-protected timber

  • Specification C1.13a Fire-protected timber

  • Specification C2.5 Smoke-proof walls in health-care and residential care buildings

  • Specification C3.4 Fire doors, smoke doors, fire windows and shutters

  • Specification C3.15 Penetration of walls, floors and ceilings by services

• Section D Access and egress

  • Section D Access and Egress

  • Part D1 Provision for escape

  • Part D2 Construction of exits

  • Part D3 Access for people with a disability

  • Specification D1.12 Non-required stairways, ramps and escalators

  • Specification D3.6 Braille and tactile signs

  • Specification D3.10 Accessible water entry/exit for swimming pools

• Section E Services and equipment

  • Part E1 Fire fighting equipment

  • Part E1 Fire fighting equipment (DtS)

  • Specification E1.5 Fire sprinkler systems

  • Specification E1.5a Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height

  • Specification E1.8 Fire control centres

  • Part E2 Smoke hazard management (Performance Requirements)
  • Part E2 Smoke hazard management (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions)
  • Specification E2.2a Smoke detection and alarm systems
  • Specification E2.2b Smoke exhaust systems
  • Specification E2.2c Smoke-and-heat vents
  • Specification E2.2d Residential fire safety systems

  • Part E3 Lift installations

  • Part E3 Lift installations (DtS)

  • Specification E3.1 Lift installations

  • Part E4 Visibility in an emergency, exit signs and warning systems

  • Part E4 Visibility in an emergency, exit signs and warning systems (DtS)

  • Specification E4.8 Photoluminescent exit signs

• Section F Health and amenity

  • Part F1 Damp and weatherproofing

  • Part F1 Damp and weatherproofing (DtS)

  • Part F2 Sanitary and other facilities

  • Part F2 Sanitary and other facilities (DtS)

  • Specification F2.9 Accessible adult change facilities

  • Part F3 Room heights

  • Part F3 Room heights (DtS)
  • Part F4 Light and ventilation
  • Part F4 Light and ventilation (DtS)

  • Part F5 Sound transmission and insulation

  • Part F5 Sound transmission and insulation (DtS)
  • Specification F5.2 Sound insulation for building elements

  • Specification F5.5 Impact sound — Test of equivalence

  • Part F6 Condensation management

  • Part F6 Condensation management (DtS)

• Section G Ancillary provisions

  • Part G1 Minor structures and components

  • Part G1 Minor structures and components (DtS)

  • Part G2 Boilers, pressure vessels, heating appliances, fireplaces, chimneys and flues

  • Part G2 Boilers, pressure vessels, heating appliances, fireplaces, chimneys and flues (DtS)
  • Specification G2.2 Installation of boilers and pressure vessels

  • Part G3 Atrium construction

  • Specification G3.8 Fire and smoke control systems in buildings containing atriums

  • Part G4 Construction in alpine areas

  • Part G4 Construction in alpine areas (DtS)

  • Part G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas

  • Part G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas (DtS)

  • Part G6 Occupiable outdoor areas

• Section H Special use buildings

  • Part H1 Class 9b buildings

  • Part H2 Public transport buildings

  • Part H3 Farm buildings and farm sheds

  • Specification H1.3 Construction of proscenium walls

• Section I * * * * *

  • Part I1 *  *  *  *  *

  • Part I2 *  *  *  *  *

• Section J Energy efficiency

  • Section J Energy Efficiency

  • Specification JVa Additional requirements

  • Specification JVb Modelling parameters

  • Specification JVc Modelling profiles

  • Part J0 Energy efficiency

  • Part J1 Building fabric

  • Part J2 * * * * *

  • Part J3 Building sealing

  • Part J4 *  *  *  *  *

  • Part J5 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems
  • Part J6 Artificial lighting and power

  • Part J7 Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant

  • Part J8 Facilities for energy monitoring

  • Specification J1.2 Material properties
  • Specification J1.5a Calculation of U-Value and solar admittance
  • Specification J1.5b Spandrel panel thermal performance
  • Specification J1.6 Sub-floor thermal performance
  • Specification J6 Lighting and power control devices

• Schedule 1 State & Territory appendices

• Commonwealth of Australia

  • Footnote: Other legislation and policies affecting buildings

• Australian Capital Territory

  • ACT Appendix

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• New South Wales

  • Introduction

  • Section A Governing Requirements

  • Section C Fire resistance
  • Section D Access and egress
  • Section E Services and equipment

  • Section F Health and amenity

  • Section G Ancillary provisions
  • Section H Special use buildings
  • NSW Part H101 Entertainment venues other than temporary structures and drive-in theatres
  • NSW Part H102 Temporary structures

  • NSW Part H103 Drive-in theatres

  • NSW Section J Energy efficiency

  • NSW Subsection J(A) Energy efficiency — Class 2 building and Class 4 parts

  • NSW Part J(A)1 Building fabric

  • NSW Part J(A)2 Building sealing

  • NSW Part J(A)3 Air-Conditioning and ventilation systems

  • NSW Part J(A)4 Heated water supply

  • NSW Part J(A)5 Facilities for energy monitoring

  • NSW Subsection J(B) Energy efficiency — Class 3 and Class 5 to 9 buildings

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Northern Territory

  • Introduction

  • Section B Structure

  • Section E Services and equipment

  • Section F Health and amenity

  • Section G Ancillary provisions

  • Section H Special use buildings

  • NT Part H101 *  *  *  *  *

  • NT Part H102 Premises to be used for activities involving skin penetration

  • NT Part H103 Mortuaries

  • Section J Energy efficiency

  • NT Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Queensland

  • Introduction

  • Section B Structure

  • Section G Ancillary provisions

  • Qld Part G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas

  • Section J Energy efficiency

  • Qld Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• South Australia

  • Introduction

  • Section A Governing Requirements

  • Section B Structure

  • Section C Fire Resistance
  • Section D Access and egress
  • Section E Services and equipment
  • Section F Health and amenity
  • Section G Ancillary provisions
  • SA Part G7 Access for maintenance
  • SA Part G8 Miscellaneous provisions

  • SA Part H3 Farm buildings

  • Section J Energy efficiency

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Tasmania

  • Introduction

  • Section D Access and egress

  • Section E Services and equipment

  • Section F Health and amenity

  • Section G Ancillary provisions

  • Tas Part G2 *  *  *  *  *

  • Section H Special use buildings

  • Tas Part H101 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H102 Food premises

  • Tas Part H103 Dining rooms and bar rooms

  • Tas Part H104 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H105 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H106 Meat premises

  • Tas Part H107 Farm dairy premises

  • Tas Part H108 Pharmacies

  • Tas Part H109 Health service establishments

  • Tas Part H110 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H111 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H112 Mortuaries

  • Tas Part H113 Foundries

  • Tas Part H114 Premises for manufacture or processing of glass reinforced plastics

  • Tas Part H115 Premises for production or processing of isocyanates

  • Tas Part H116 Premises for electro-plating, electro-polishing, anodising or etching

  • Tas Part H117 Premises for lead processing

  • Tas Part H118 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H119 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H120 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H121 *  *  *  *  *

  • Tas Part H122 Early childhood centres and school age care facilities

  • Tas Part H123 Temporary structures

  • Tas Part H124 Premises where work is undertaken on gas-fuelled vehicles

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Victoria

  • Introduction

  • Section B Structure

  • Section C Fire resistance

  • Section D Access and egress

  • Section E Services and equipment

  • Section F Health and amenity

  • Section G Ancillary provisions

  • Section H Special use buildings

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Western Australia

  • Introduction

  • Section H Special use buildings

  • WA Part H101 Public buildings

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Footnote: Other legislation affecting buildings

• Schedule 2 Abbreviations and symbols

  • Schedule 2 Abbreviations and symbols

• Schedule 3 Definitions

  • Schedule 3 Definitions

• Schedule 4 Referenced documents

  • Schedule 4 Referenced documents

• Schedule 5 Fire-resistance of building elements

  • Schedule 5 Fire-resistance of building elements

  • Annexure To Table 1

• Schedule 6 Fire hazard properties

  • Schedule 6 Fire hazard properties

• Schedule 7 Fire Safety Verification Method

  • 1.0 Preface

  • 1.1 Purpose

  • 1.2 How to use this Verification Method

  • 1.3 Performance-based design

  • 1.4 Design scenarios: NCC Performance Requirements

  • 1.5 Fire modelling to determine ASET

  • 2.1 Design scenario (BE)

  • 2.2 Design scenario (UT)

  • 2.3 Design scenario (CS)

  • 2.4 Design scenario (SF)

  • 2.5 Design scenario (HS)

  • 2.6 Design scenario (VS)

  • 2.7 Design scenario (IS)

  • 2.8 Design scenario (FI)

  • 2.9 Design scenario (UF)

  • 2.10 Design scenario (CF)

  • 2.11 Design scenario (RC)

  • 2.12 Design Scenario (SS)

• History of adoption

  • History of adoption

• List of amendments

  • List of amendments—NCC 2019—Volume One Amendment 1