Fire Compliance & Regulations For Load-Bearing Walls – A Technical Update

In an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny and evolving standards, fire compliance is no longer something architects can delegate—it’s a shared responsibility, and it begins at the design stage. From the tragic La Crosse cladding fire to the legislative reforms that followed, Australia’s building industry has been reshaped by the need for better fire performance and clearer accountability.

Today’s presentation is designed specifically with architects in mind. We’ll unpack what’s required under the NCC, demystify common fire testing standards, and explore how real-world conditions affect compliance. We’ll cover performance requirements, fire resistance testing, material selection, and how design decisions impact both compliance and liability. The focus will be on internal and external load-bearing wall systems, including the important differences in compliance pathways depending on whether a wall has penetrations, joints, linings or is part of a composite structure.

Learning objectives

By the end of this presentation, you should have a clearer understanding of the following:

• How fire compliance is governed in Australia, including the key parts of the National Construction Code and the relevant Australian Standards, and how these impact the way we design and specify for Class 2 to 9 buildings.
• How to apply the principles of passive fire protection when specifying load-bearing wall systems, with a focus on ensuring both structural performance and compliance.
• What’s changed in the NCC 2022, and how to recognise and respond to compliance gaps early in the design process—particularly where the architect’s responsibility can influence downstream approvals.
• And finally, how to critically assess fire performance evidence: knowing the difference between compliant documentation and what’s often mistakenly accepted, so you can specify with confidence.

AACA NSCA Competency Standards related to this session:

P12 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
PC16 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
PC39 DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
PC45 DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

Speaker

Berkay Dincel – Director, Dincel Structural Walling