Atrium (Compartmentation and Separation) Building Codes & Rules

≥ Ø 6m^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D2}

Definition of an Atrium^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary}

• ≥ 2 storeys connected within a clear building space with
• > 50% enclosure by a Roof or Floor above of the area of any Storey within
• Includes any adjacent non-fire separated areas
• Excludes shafts, stairwells, or ramp wells

≤ 3.5m^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D3}

≥ 1m^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D5}

Atrium Well^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D2}

• ≥ 6m Ø Clear Cylinder width throughout the Well

Open space or Road

Balcony^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D5}

• Non-combustible
• Solid construction

Fire and Smoke Protection

• Fire, Smoke & Emergency Systems to NCC 2022 Specification 31^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S31C7}, &
• Mechanical Air-handling to AS 1668.1^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S31C15}
• Fire Detection & Alarm System to AS 1670.1^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S31C19 (a)}
• Emergency Warning & Intercom System to AS 1670.4^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D8}

Atrium Egress^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D7}

• ≥ 2 Exits per area

Storey 1

Storey 2

Storey 3

Storey 4

Storey 5

Atrium Separation^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D3}

• ≤ 3 Storeys (consecutive) allowed to have Bounding Wall setback > 3.5m if one of those Storeys has direct access to Open Space or Road

> 3.5m^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D3}

Atrium Floor^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S31C4}

• Protected by quick response sidewall & overhead sprinklers as required to provide full coverage

Area & Volume Measurement

• Area = all Floors measured from the internal finished face of the Bounding Construction or any external walls^[1]
• Storeys with Balcony Width ≤ 3.5m to Bounding Wall excluded^[2]
• Volume = total space measured from the internal finished face of the Bounding Construction or any external walls^[3]
• Excludes the space within an Atrium Well above the Atrium Floor^[4]

Compartmentation Area & Volume RULES

NCC 2022 V1

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D6

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary

NCC 2022 Vol 1, Glossary

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G3D3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, C3D3 (3)