Type C Construction Building Codes & Rules

- Explore Type C Fire Resisting Construction with Tools™. FRL requirements, fire source exposure, and NCC insights through interactive graphics for compliance.

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (5)

Balconies & Verandahs^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (5)}

FRL required for structure if part of the only path leading to the building exit
Refer to Floor, External Walls & Columns for equivalent FRL requirements

Duct

Slab on Ground

SOU 2

Mezzanine

SOU 1

Void

Stair Shaft

Lift Shaft

Fire Source Feature

Non-Loadbearing Building Element

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3

Distance

FSF^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C3 (1)

Support of Another Element^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C3 (1)}

Any element providing support to another element generally must equal in
FRL &
Non-combustibility

Types of Construction

Type A Construction

Corridor/

Public Space

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24

Roof Lights^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24}

No requirement

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24

Service Shafts^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24}

No requirement

Bounding Walls

Walls bounding^[1]
Sole-occupancy Units
Public corridors & lobbies

Bounding Wall RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

FRL required for lightweight construction^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)}
Class 2 or 3 building internal walls must extend^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}
Underside of floor next above of 30/30/30 FRL, or protected from the underside with 13mm FR Plasterboard, 12mm Fibre-cement or other equivalent fire-protective covering
Underside of ceiling with a resistance to the incipient spread of fire ≥ 60 minutes to the space above , or
Underside of roof covering if non-combustible, or
≥ 450mm above roof covering if combustible

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

Walls bounding^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)}
Sole-occupancy Units
Public corridors & lobbies

Lift & Stair Shafts

Top & bottom enclosed by element with equal FRL^[1]
Support of a floor must not compromise the Shaft structure^[2]

Lift & Stair Shaft RULES

NCC 2022 V2

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

FRL required for lightweight construction^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)}
Class 2 or 3 building internal walls must extend^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}
Underside of floor next above of 30/30/30 FRL, or protected from the underside with 13mm FR Plasterboard, 12mm Fibre-cement or other equivalent fire-protective covering
Underside of ceiling with a resistance to the incipient spread of fire ≥ 60 minutes to the space above , or
Underside of roof covering if non-combustible, or
≥ 450mm above roof covering if combustible

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C8 (1)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

Top & bottom enclosed by element with equal FRL^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C8 (1)}
Support of a floor must not compromise the Shaft structure^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}

Internal Load-bearing Elements

Columns & Beams supporting a floor requiring an FRL must also be protected^[1][2]

Internal Loadbearing Element RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

Column or Beam supporting a Floor with an FRL^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}
30/30/30 FRL, or
Combustible or metal element protected with 13mm FR Plasterboard, 12mm Fibrecement or other equivalent fire-protective covering

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

Columns & Beams supporting a floor requiring an FRL must also be protected^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (c)NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}

Common & Fire Walls

Fire-resistant Barrier to prevent spread of fire between buildings or separate Fire Compartments^[1]

Common & Fire Wall RULES

NCC 2022 V2

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)

Must extend to underside of Floor or Roof above^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (d)}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D8 (3)

Fire-resistant Barrier to prevent spread of fire between buildings or separate Fire Compartments^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D8 (3)}

Floors

FRL required between storeys & above parking & storage for most residential or public use building^[1][2]

Type C Construction Floor RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)

Class 2, 3, 9a (Health Care) & 9b^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)}
FRL required to a floor between storeys, above a parking space, storage, or similar
30/30/30 FRL, or
Combustible or metal floor protected from the underside with 13mm FR Plasterboard, 12mm Fibrecement or other equivalent fire-protective covering
FRL not required to a floor within a SOU
Class 9c^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)}
As above but not required between storeys

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)

FRL required between storeys & above parking & storage for most residential or public use building^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)}

Protection of Openings

If a wall requires an FRL, then any openings must also be protected^[1], &
≤ 1/3 Area of the external wall of the Storey is allowed to be an opening (Doors, Windows etc)^[2]
Class 9b Spectator Stand is excluded from this rule^[3]

Protection of Openings

NCC 2022 V1

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 C4D5, S12 [2019 C3.4, S3.4]

1 May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (a) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (a) (i)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (b) (iii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (c) (ii)

Protected with external Wall-wetting Sprinklers, or
Doorways to AS 1905.1
-/60/30 FRL Fire Doorset^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (a) (ii)}
Self-closing^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (a) (i)}
Windows or Fire Shutters
-/60/- FRL^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (b) (ii)}
Self-closing^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (b) (iii)}
Other Openings
-/60/- FRL^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D5 (1) (c) (ii)}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3 (3)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3 (1)

If a wall requires an FRL, then any openings must also be protected^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3 (3)}, &
≤ 1/3 Area of the external wall of the Storey is allowed to be an opening (Doors, Windows etc)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3 (3)}
Class 9b Spectator Stand is excluded from this rule^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, C4D3 (1)}

External Freestanding Column

FRL affected by distance from Fire-source Feature (FSF)^[1][2]

External Column FRL

NCC 2022 V1

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

FRL affected for loadbearing columns if ≤ 3m from Fire-source Feature (FSF)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (2)

FRL affected by distance from Fire-source Feature (FSF)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (2)}

Fire-Source Feature (FSF)

A possible fire-source where the spread of fire to the subject building is a risk^[1]
Allotment Boundary
Adjacent building on the same allotment

Fire Source Feature EXPOSURE

NCC 2022 V4

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 C4D3 & S5C2 [2019 C3.2, Spec C1.1: 2.1]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (1) (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (3)

Boundaries^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary}
The far boundary of a road, river, lake or similar adjoining the allotment, or
Rear & Side boundaries
Elements below finished ground level at every relevant part of the boundary are not considered as exposed
Adjacent Building (on same allotment)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (1) (a)}
The external wall of a separate building (other than Class 10)
> 15m above another building is not considered as exposed
Barrier Element^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (2) (a)}
30/-/- FRL wall or similar that is not transparent or translucent can shield exposure to a Fire Source Feature
Varying Distance to FSF (Fire Source Feature)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C2 (3)}
FRL of any element must either be
equal to the required FRL for the minimum distance of any part, or
varying FRL dependant on the individual distance

NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary

A possible fire-source where the spread of fire to the subject building is a risk^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary}
Allotment Boundary
Adjacent building on the same allotment

External Walls & Columns

FRL varies dependant on distance from Fire-source Feature (FSF)^[1]
Non-combustible Curtain or Panel Walls do not require an FRL if sprinklered^[2]

External Wall & Column RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (b)

FRL only needs to be tested from outside^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (b)}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (4)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

FRL varies dependant on distance from Fire-source Feature (FSF)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (4)}
Non-combustible Curtain or Panel Walls do not require an FRL if sprinklered^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)}

Carpark

Elements with FRL as per main building^[1]
Carparking areas can be reduced FRL if separated from main building & sprinklered^[2]

Type C Construction Floor RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C24 [2019 Spec 1.1: 5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)

Class 2, 3, 9a (Health Care) & 9b^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (e)}
FRL required to a floor between storeys, above a parking space, storage, or similar
30/30/30 FRL, or
Combustible or metal floor protected from the underside with 13mm FR Plasterboard, 12mm Fibrecement or other equivalent fire-protective covering
FRL not required to a floor within a SOU
Class 9c^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (f)}
As above but not required between storeys

Class 2 & 3 RECLASSIFICATION

NCC 2022 V2

Class 2 & 3

NCC 2022 S5C9 [2019 Spec 1.1: 2.8]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C9 (1)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C9 (2)

Class 7 is considered Class 2 (only for FRL requirements)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C9 (1)}

If ≤ 4 storey building with
Only one storey used as parking, or other ancillary purpose to Class 2, &
Remaining storeys are Class 2

Class 7 is considered Class 3 or mixed 2 & 3 (only for FRL requirements)^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C9 (2)}

If ≤ 3 storey building with
Only one storey used as parking, or other ancillary purpose to Class 2, &
Remaining storeys are Class 3 or mixed 2 & 3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C25 (3)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C25 (1)

Elements with FRL as per main building^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C25 (3)}
Carparking areas can be reduced FRL if separated from main building & sprinklered^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C25 (1)}

Roof & Ceilings

FRL not required for Roof^[1]
Refer to Lift & Stair Shafts for enhanced requirements^[2]

Rooftop Structure RULES

NCC 2022 V2

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C6 [2019 Spec C1.1: 2.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (3)

No FRL requirements for the structure situated on a roof if^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (3)}
Non-combustible
Contains lift motor equipment, or
Water tanks, or
Ventilating system, or
A/C chillers, or
Window cleaning equipment, or
Other non-combustible service units not containing flammable or combustible liquids or gases

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (3)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)

FRL not required for Roof^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C6 (3)}
Refer to Lift & Stair Shafts for enhanced requirements^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C24 (1) (a)}

Mezzanine

Floor area of Mezzanine determines if required to have FRL^[1]
FRL of adjacent building elements may require upgrade^[2]

Mezzanine RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C7 [2019 Spec C1.1: 2.6]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2)

FRL is not required to a Mezzanine Floor or its support if^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2)}
Total Floor Area of all Mezzanines in a room is the lesser of ≤ 200m² or
≤ 1/3rd of the Floor Area, &
FRL of each Wall & Column that supports another part of the building ≤ 6m from the Mezzanine is increased as per table below

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2) (b)

Floor area of Mezzanine determines if required to have FRL^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2) (a)}
FRL of adjacent building elements may require upgrade^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C7 (2) (b)}

Type B Construction

Compartmentation & Separation