Fire Resistance

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the various fire-resistant materials and fire dampers and their components have been installed as per the relevant project documentation, Australian Standards and in compliance with other Hansen Yuncken HYer Standards and procedures.

The scope of work includes but is not limited to the following:

• Speed Panel
• Aluminium Cladding
• Exterior Fire-Resistant Timber
• External Fibre Cement Panels
• Sprayed Fire-Resistant Materials Intumescent Paint
• Board Fire Protection – Mineral Fibre Board / Vermiculite Board / Plasterboard
• Fire Dampers

Responsibilities

Project Manager

• Ensuring design changes are assessed for constructability risks.
• Ensure any design constructability risks are assessed, controlled, and documented in the Project’s Risk Register.
• Ensuring any constructability risks identified are communicated to workers performing the work and the HY project team.

HY Project Team

• Obtaining and reviewing project documentation, drawings, and specifications.
• Managing workflows to document RFIs and design changes.
• Managing the project’s document registry and communicating documentation to relevant parties.
• Communicating requirements for submittals, warranties, and inspection and test plans to Subcontractors and other parties as applicable.
• Ensure nominated subcontract users are registered in the QA platform and invited to the Project Profile.
• Ensuring relevant quality control pre-work checks are complete prior to starting works.
• Ensuring any applicable hold and witness points are in place and adhered to.
• Receiving and controlling submittals, warranties, and inspection and test plans.

Subcontractor Supervisor

• Ensure personnel responsible for using the QA platform are registered and have means to access the platform via mobile or desktop devices.
• Ensuring relevant quality control pre-work checks are complete prior to starting works.
• Ensuring any applicable hold and witness points are adhered to.
• Providing any required submittals, warranties, and inspection and test plans.

Quality Verification

Hansen Yuncken predominantly utilises Autodesk platforms (BIM360 and ACC) to carry out quality control checks and verifications. Subcontractor supervisors or nominated representatives must have a registered Autodesk account and be invited onto the Project Profile by the HY project team. 

The Fire Rated Elements and Fire Damper Checklists in the QA platform are to be completed prior to and throughout the relevant stages of works. HY representatives are responsible for completing the header and site preparation sections. The subcontractor representatives are responsible for completing their respective sections respectively. All hold points must be adhered to and verified by the HY representative to proceed.

Guidance on the use of software for Subcontractor users can be accessed via the Onboarding Induction and Training Procedure.

Note: Defence Projects and select Government Projects may have unique requirements regarding Quality Control and the use of software packages to carry out verifications.  The agreed methods and software packages will be determined at Project Commencement considering the specific project needs and client requirements.

Preparation

Project drawings and specifications will detail the requirements of the various fire proofing systems and materials to be installed. The latest revisions of drawings and specifications are to be referenced for the works, which are to be provided to the subcontractors carrying out the works.

Approvals 

Submittals, samples, and materials are to be identified, reviewed, and approved by the respective responsible parties in accordance with project specifications prior to works beginning. Any changes are to be captured via appropriate channels for the project (e.g., Aconex Workflow) and communicated to workers.

The fire-resistant elements/materials are to be verified in accordance with the project drawings and specifications. The following items must be confirmed:

1. Fire Rated Element sample and prototype have been approved.
2. Fire Rated Element type and location have been approved.
3. All pre-installation activities have been completed; Fire Rated Element installation approved to commence.

Fire Resistance

Submissions and Inspection

The following items are to be provided to Hansen Yuncken by the relevant subcontractor.

1. Certification – Submit evidence of compliance with the NCC requirements for suitability of the completed fire protection system for the designated FRL.
2. Submit a test certificate for each fire-stopping system, for each application, orientation, applicable substrate, and service, including Fire-resistance of service penetration and control joint fire-stopping systems tested to AS 1530.4, conformance with AS 4072.1, NCC Clause C3.15 and Specification C3.15 and resistance of fire stop mortars to explosive spalling to AS 1774.36
3. Arrange to inspect with the superintendent the completed fire stopping system prior to covering over.
4. Manufacturer’s and installation warranties

Performance Requirements

Confirmation of the performance requirements of each fire system/material is to be provided to HY.

If the specified system or material doesn’t comply with the relevant Australian standards, the superintendent is to be notified. Any material or system that isn’t selected in the specification or project documentation must be approved prior to installation.

1. Work under the Contract is to achieve the fire ratings indicated on the Design Drawings. Materials/systems must have been tested for fire-resistance to the relevant parts of AS 4072.1 for integrity and insulation.
2. Materials are not to produce toxic gases or excessive quantities of smoke and are to be tested to the relevant parts of AS 1530.
3. Materials are to withstand thermal shock and maintain their integrity when subject to the actions of firemen’s hoses or other fire extinguishing products.
4. Fire-resistant installations are to prevent the passage of smoke and hot gases from one area to another and are to comply with the requirements of the NCC.
5. Materials/ systems are to be tested to demonstrate their fire properties and mechanical strength performance.
6. Comply with NCC C1.10 for fire-resistance and stability – fire hazard properties.

Preparation

Prior to the installation of any system or material the following items must be verified:

1. Supporting structure is as per approved design type.
2. Supporting structure is sound, free from defects/omissions.
3. Preparation of area/s appropriate to receive Fire Rating material.
4. Specified material/s used (manufacturer/supplier details verified) and supporting records attached.
5. Fire Rated Element sample and prototype have been approved.
6. Fire Rated Element type and location have been approved.
7. Fire Rated System (FRS) compatibility with adjoining elements has been tested and approved in accordance with Fire Engineer’s report.
8. FRL of components easily identifiable.
9. Material is sound and free of defects.
10. All pre-installation activities have been completed; Fire Rated Element installation approved to commence.

Fire Dampers

Materials

The following items must be verified prior to installation:

1. The Fire Damper Type & Material have been approved for use within Vertical/Horizontal Fire separation element and are compliant.
2. Fire Damper sample and prototype have been finalised.
3. Fasteners used for the connection of the duct to the fire damper as specified.
4. All sealants/Insulation materials of correct type/grade and as specified.
5. Mounting flange(s) type & material as specified and in accordance with manufacturer requirements.

Preparation

In addition to the above material confirmations, prior to installation, the following must be verified:

1. Fire Damper type and location have been finalised.
2. Supporting structure (wall/slab/floor/ceiling) is complete and accepted for FD installation.
3. Fire rating level (FRL) of supporting structure is as documented.
4. The Fire Damper does not support any element of the structure in which it is installed.
5. Angle/Lintels installed above opening to support structure.

Installation

At the completion of the fire damper installation process, the following items are to be verified:

1. Size and location of fire damper as detailed in approved drawings.
2. Fire damper centrally located within fire rated wall/ceiling/floor – casing completely penetrates the fire rated structure and is retained in position.
3. Damper casing or mounting sleeve does not extend more than 150mm past wall (increased up to 250mm for motorised type).
4. Breakaway joint installed – type as specified.
5. Airflow Direction compliant with manufacturer’s label.
6. Fire damper is installed so that the airflow does not impede the closure of the damper.
7. Fire damper can shut fully in fire mode – no intermediate position is allowed.
8. Duct and fire damper is free of obstructions.
9. The minimum total clearance has been provided to AS1682.2 between a fire damper and all sides of the penetration.
10. Insulated packing material is installed around fire damper(s).
11. Insulation material is packed so that it fills the space uniformly without impairing the operational performance of the fire damper.
12. Mounting flange(s) are butted against the face of the wall, floor, or ceiling, and fixed to the fire damper casing.
13. Size and location of access panel as per approved drawing and allows for clear access to inspect and test fire damper.
14. Fire damper is left in open position.
15. The fire damper label has been provided and positioned so that it can be read through the access panel. Label complies with AS1682.2.
16. The label is of a size sufficient to contain required information.
17. Fire damper Label Text/Character height is greater than 2.5 mm.
18. Fire damper installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and as specified.
19. Fire damper Installation and subcontractor QC Checklist items completed.

Protection of Works

Smoke detectors and sprinkler heads are to be protected with a proprietary product designed for this purpose until works are completed.

Specifications and Compliance

Current Project Specifications are to be used to confirm all approvals, samples, and submittals required for the project. Project Specification requirements are to be entered into the Project’s Compliance Schedule.

The following approvals/samples may be required:

• Fire Rated Element sample and prototype have been approved.
• Fire Rated Element type and location have been approved.
• All pre-installation activities have been completed; Fire Rated Element installation approved to commence.
• The Fire Damper Type & Material have been approved for use within Vertical/Horizontal Fire separation element and are compliant.
• Fire Damper sample and prototype have been finalised.

The following supporting documentation or submissions may be required from the subcontractor:

• Subcontractor completed QC checklist
• Fire Rating certificate
• Consultant certificate
• Fire Rated element Schedule
• Manufacturer’s/supplier’s certificate of compliance

Hold/Witness Points to be adhered to throughout the works:

• Fire Rated Element sample and prototype have been approved.
• Fire Rated Element type and location have been approved.
• All pre-installation activities have been completed; Fire Rated Element installation approved to commence.
• All pre-installation activities have been completed; Fire Damper installation approved to commence.

Definitions

FD – Fire Damper

FRL – Fire Resistance Level

FRS – Fire Rated System

ITP – Inspection and Test Plan

NCC – National Construction Code

RFI – Request for Information

References

Fire Resistance:

• AS 1530.4 – Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction.
• AS 3784.1 – Coatings for fire protection of building elements – Guide to selection and installation of sprayed mineral coatings.
• AS 4072.1 – Components for the protection of openings in fire–resistant separating elements Part 1: Service penetrations and control joints.
• AS/NZS 4859.1 – Thermal insulation materials for buildings General criteria and technical provisions.
• NCC – Part C1 Fire resistance

Fire Dampers:

• NCC Volume 1 Specification 5 Fire-resisting construction
• AS 1682.2 – Fire, smoke and air dampers Installation.
• AS 1668.1 – The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings Fire and smoke control in buildings.
• AS 1851 – Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment

Associated Checklists and Documents

• Fire Rated Elements Checklist (Autodesk)
• Fire Damper Checklist (Autodesk)