Fire Resistance Levels For Walls & Ceiling Systems – A Specifiers’ Guide

As illustrated by numerous incidents, including the Lacrosse fire in 2014 and the Neo200 tower fire in 2019, building fires represent a significant threat to human life, property and the economy.

Passive fire protection is a technique for containing a fire at its source and stopping the spread of flames and smoke throughout a building for a predetermined amount of time so occupants can escape. Under the National Construction Code (NCC), wall and ceiling assemblies are among the key areas of focus for passive fire protection design strategies.

For the best possible fire protection, building regulations stipulate that these assemblies must undergo testing in accordance with industry standards to ascertain the levels of fire resistance they can be expected to provide. A solid understanding of fire-resistant construction, its regulation and how it applies to a building’s walls and ceilings is essential in today’s regulatory environment.

In this session of CPD Live, we examine how passive protection works in the context of building design. Our speakers will outline how Fire Resistance Levels are determined, what is required by the NCC for different building elements, and how these requirements impact the design and specification of wall and ceiling systems.

Learning Outcomes  

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

•   Define ‘passive fire protection’ and identify the four key principles associated with this concept
•   Outline the ways that the National Construction Code (NCC) addresses the issue of fire resistance in Australian buildings
•   Explain why wall and ceiling assemblies should be key areas of focus for passive fire protection design strategies
•   Outline the ways the NCC’s fire-related requirements impact the design and specification of wall and ceiling systems

(PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC 28, DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PC 39, DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PC 41, DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PC 56)

Speakers 

Dominic Gillespie, Product & Training Manager, Rondo

Dominic Gillespie is the Product and Training Manager at Rondo Building Services, based in the Greater Sydney Area. With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Dominic began his career as a laborer before deciding to pursue engineering. His extensive background has equipped him with a broad skill set, making him a valuable asset to Rondo. Dominic holds a Diploma of Engineering from TAFE South Australia, a Bachelor of Construction Management from the University of South Australia and is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering Systems at Southern Cross University . These qualifications have provided him with a solid foundation in both the technical and managerial aspects of construction. At Rondo, Dominic is responsible for overseeing product training and development. He plays a crucial role in ensuring that customers and team members are well-versed in the technical aspects and applications of Rondo’s product range, which includes ceiling systems, wall systems, and seismic solutions. His dedication to providing outstanding customer service and his hands-on approach to training have significantly contributed to the company’s success.

Aidan Brisbane, Technical Manager, CSR

Aidan is an experienced Technical & Compliance Manager with over 25 years in the building industry, and he is highly skilled and qualified in Design Management and Materials / Building Compliance. During his time as the Queensland State Technical Manager, Aidan has worked extensively with Regulators, Certifiers, Architects, Building Designers, Engineers, Builders and Contractors providing technical assistance for a variety or CSR’s brands, including Cemintel, Gyprock, Hebel, AFS and Himmel, across products and systems. Working with numerous and complex systems, Aidan helps to educate diverse stakeholder groups from a wide range of perspectives including fire, acoustics, thermal, structural, NCC compliance and general product information.

Peter Blain, Managing Director, Plus Systems 

Challenging outdated opinions and practices within the construction industry, Peter uses his position as a founder, educator, and speaker to encourage change and empowerment for the better within the passive fire niche. 

Backed by over 40 years of construction experience providing a wealth of knowledge, he is driven to waken the broader industry to the importance of getting passive fire right, the first time. 

As Managing Director of Plus Systems, he oversees a team that provides advice, training, and a systemised approach to passive fire on site, developing solutions to technical challenges, and ensuring compliance standards are developed and maintained.