Timber Penetrations through Fire walls – the jury is out
Colm McGrath • June 5, 2020
The jury is out & Yes these need to be fire stopped with a compliant solution just the same as services through fire walls.
There has been some discussion or confusion regarding how to deal with Timber members where they penetrate Fire rated walls. Often Fire Engineers or builders have maintained that they aren’t a penetration and therefore don’t need treated. Whereas by definition under the NZBC any penetration through a fire wall needs to be treated with a compliant system.
This has recently been clarified by Gib who have clarified the position and it resonates with the NZBC Definition. Timber members penetrating fire walls should be treated with a compliant solution.
This will vary from wall type and timber member size. But the same applies to any other service penetration. It must have an AS1530.4 tested solution or AS4072.2 assessed solution.
Contego have available several solutions for varying applications with regard to timber members penetrating fire walls. We are happy to discuss any current or upcoming projects to ensure timber penetrations are not missed and become a legacy compliance issue for building owners, designers or builders.
The Passive Fire Protection Intumescent Coating Code of Practice suggests that this should be a collaborative effort between all design consultants to ensure all aspects are considered. This way of thinking is no different to any other collaborative effort in designing a building whereby multiple consultants need to talk & collaborate on a solution.
Assessments – ask the extra questions. As most Passive Fire Protection contractors are aware AS1530.4 & AS4072.1 assessments satisfy compliance with NZBC and Acceptable solutions. However, when utilising an AS4072.1 assessment I would urge a little extra caution.
South Island passive fire protection contractor Contego today announced that it will continue its business expansion by opening a new base in the North Island in December 2021. Located in New Plymouth, the branch is expected to employ 10 persons over the next 24 months. The business currently employs 35 personnel between its bases across the South Island.
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It has been a busy summer for the Intumescent coatings division with projects right across the lower South Island.
Sadly I am hearing more or more frictions within the industry between Passive Fire Contractors and
consultants and Council inspectors.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that is experiencing weekly headaches with freight delays and lead time materials. What was once available down the road, can now be a lengthy delay to get a hold of it. The feedback I am getting from suppliers and contractors is that the worst is not over, and we should be planning to deal with this for the remainder of this year.
With the current codes of practice and Passive products annual renewal being worked through the issue of Tested vs Assessed is constantly brought up in conversation. NZBC accepts the use of AS4072.1 Assessments as a way of showing compliance as an equal with a tested solution in accordance with AS1530.4.
We are excited to announce that Contego have been selected as finalists within two categories at the 2020 Westpac Otago Business Awards. This year we have been selected as a finalist for the Excellence in Service Award and also the Future Business Leader Award.
Contego is proud to announce that we have been awarded a 3 year contract to provide IQP services to SDHB for all Passive Fire Systems including SS15.2, SS15.3, SS15.4, and SS15.5.