Basic BCA Performance Requirements and Provisions for Multi-Storey Buildings.

The BCA is designed to ensure that:

• each unit (known as ‘sole occupancy unit’) will be unaffected by a fire in adjoining unit, building or property;
• everyone in the building can safely get out of the building in the event of a fire;
• you install all the right fire safety systems such as hose reels and sprinklers; and
• some units are accessible to people with disabilities.

The list below includes some of the key considerations (however this is NOT an exhaustive list)

Key Fire Rating Requirements

Fire-Resistant Barriers: Fire-resistant barriers, such as gypsum board or fire-resistant glazing, are required to separate occupancies, corridors, and stairwells. These barriers must have a minimum fire-resistance rating of 1-2 hours, depending on the occupancy type and building height.

Fire-Stopping: Fire-stopping materials, such as sealants or sprays, are used to seal gaps and joints in fire-resistant barriers. These materials must be tested and rated for fire resistance, with a minimum rating of 1 hour.

Fire-Resistant Materials: Fire-resistant materials, such as fire-treated wood or fire-resistant roofing, are required for exterior walls, roofs, and structural elements. These materials must meet specific fire-resistance ratings, depending on the building's height and occupancy type.

Fire-Resistant Assemblies: Fire-resistant assemblies, such as fire-resistant doors and frames, are required for corridors, stairwells, and occupancies. These assemblies must meet specific fire-resistance ratings, depending on the building's height and occupancy type.

Compliance and Enforcement

Building owners, architects, and contractors must ensure compliance with fire rating requirements to avoid costly fines, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. To ensure compliance, it is essential to:

Consult with fire safety experts: Engage with fire safety experts to ensure that fire rating requirements are met and that the building design and materials comply with relevant codes and regulations.

Conduct regular inspections: Regular inspections can help identify potential fire hazards and ensure that fire rating requirements are maintained.

Maintain records: Keep accurate records of fire rating certifications, testing, and inspections to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

Fire rating requirements are a critical aspect of ensuring the safety of occupants in multi-story commercial buildings. By understanding the regulatory framework, key fire rating requirements, and compliance measures, building owners, architects, and contractors can ensure that their buildings meet the necessary standards.

• the manufacturers’ technical information tells you the FRL or fire resistance of their products;
• walls on boundaries between properties and between different classes of buildings are always fire rated;
• every gap or hole in a wall, floor or around a penetration, must be sealed with a fire rated sealant;
• the entry door must be fire rated and have a self closer fitted;

• the maximum gap under a fire door is 10mm;
• doors into and out of fire stairs should open in the direction of travel; and
• all air conditioning and ventilation ducts must have a fire damper at any fire rated wall.
• Always consult with fire safety experts

The Building Code of Australia

(BCA) is a national code that sets out the minimum requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, including stairs. The BCA requires stairs in commercial buildings to comply with AS 1657:2018, as well as additional requirements, including:

Fire-resistance: Stairs must be designed and constructed to resist the spread of fire, with requirements for fire-resistant materials and fire-stopping.

Accessibility: Stairs must be designed and constructed to provide safe and accessible passage for all occupants, including people with disabilities.

Emergency egress: Stairs must be designed and constructed to provide a safe means of emergency egress, with requirements for exit signs, emergency lighting, and clear paths.

The Disability Discrimination Act

(DDA) requires commercial buildings to provide accessible facilities, including stairs, for people with disabilities. The DDA requires stairs to be designed and constructed to meet specific accessibility standards, including:

Ramps and landings: Ramps and landings must be provided to facilitate access for people with mobility impairments.

Handrails and grabrails: Handrails and grabrails must be installed to assist people with mobility impairments.

Tactile indicators: Tactile indicators must be installed to assist people with visual impairments.

Compliance and Enforcement

Building owners, architects, and contractors must ensure compliance with Australian standards and requirements for stairs in commercial buildings to avoid costly fines, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. To ensure compliance, it is essential to:

Consult with experts: Engage with experts in stair design and construction to ensure that stairs meet the necessary standards and requirements.

Conduct regular inspections: Regular inspections can help identify potential hazards and ensure that stairs remain compliant with standards and requirements.

Maintain records: Keep accurate records of stair design, construction, and maintenance to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

The design, construction, and maintenance of stairs in commercial buildings are critical to ensuring the safety and accessibility of occupants. By understanding and complying with Australian standards and requirements, building owners, architects, and contractors can ensure that their stairs meet the necessary standards, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and legal liabilities.

• must not have more than 18 risers and not less than two;
• balustrades must be at least 865mm above stair nosing (at least one metre in landings and balconies); and
• risers must not exceed 190mm (minimum 115mm) and treads not more than 355mm (minimum 250mm).

Building Code of Australia (BCA)

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is a national code that sets out the minimum requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, including paths of travel. The BCA requires paths of travel in commercial buildings to comply with AS 1428.1:2009, as well as additional requirements, including:

Fire-resistance: Paths of travel must be designed and constructed to resist the spread of fire, with requirements for fire-resistant materials and fire-stopping.

Emergency egress: Paths of travel must be designed and constructed to provide a safe means of emergency egress, with requirements for exit signs, emergency lighting, and clear paths.

Accessibility: Paths of travel must be designed and constructed to provide safe and accessible passage for all occupants, including people with disabilities.

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires commercial buildings to provide accessible facilities, including paths of travel, for people with disabilities. The DDA requires paths of travel to be designed and constructed to meet specific accessibility standards, including:

Continuous accessible paths: Paths of travel must be continuous and unobstructed, with a minimum width of 1000mm.

Ramps and landings: Ramps and landings must be provided to facilitate access for people with mobility impairments.

Tactile indicators: Tactile indicators must be installed to assist people with visual impairments.

Compliance and Enforcement

Building owners, architects, and contractors must ensure compliance with Australian standards and requirements for paths of travel in commercial buildings to avoid costly fines, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. To ensure compliance, it is essential to:

Consult with experts: Engage with experts in accessibility and mobility to ensure that paths of travel meet the necessary standards and requirements.

Conduct regular inspections: Regular inspections can help identify potential hazards and ensure that paths of travel remain compliant with standards and requirements.

Maintain records: Keep accurate records of path of travel design, construction, and maintenance to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

The design, construction, and maintenance of paths of travel in commercial buildings are critical to ensuring the safe and accessible passage of occupants. By understanding and complying with Australian standards and requirements, building owners, architects, and contractors can ensure that their paths of travel meet the necessary standards, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and legal liabilities.

• at least one metre wide;
• at least two metres high;
• have no trip points in floor;

• contain no stored goods;
• contain no combustible materials; and
• must have emergency lights and signs.

Smoke alarm and/or detection system

• within unit in public corridors & spaces

Exit signs & lighting

• all paths of travel,
• all fire stairs.

Penetrations

• fire rated collars or sealants.

Openings

• protect if close to boundary.

Electrical equipment

• non-combustible lined door,
• self-closing fire door in some areas.

Extinguishers

• Class A fire risks

Hydrants

• if floor area exceeds 500 square metres.

Ducts

• fire rated dampers at fire rated floors or walls

Top of walls

• fire rated sealant to underside of roofs.

Fire doors

• frame & door tagged,
• self closing 10mm max.

Hose reels

• if hydrants installed.
• if no hydrants if fire compartment exceeds 500m2
• adjacent to hydrant - within 4m of exit.