All buildings have boundary walls and if they’re close to your neighbours’ property then they need to be fireproofed. Fireproofing stops fire from spreading to neighbouring properties and is essential in ensuring compliance with Australian building regulations and standards.
When is fireproofing required on boundary walls?
The National Construction Code (NCC) states that an external wall of a class 1 building (mainly residential construction – standalone houses, townhouses, terraces etc) must be fire-proofed if:
- it sits within 900mm of an allotment boundary, or
- it sits within 1.8m of another building on the same block.
How to fireproof boundary walls
Boundary walls are fireproofed using non-combustible materials and adhering to a specific fire resistance level (FRL). The FRL measures how many minutes the wall can resist a fire test. It is denoted by three numbers that are separated by slashes (–/–/–) that represent structural adequacy, integrity and insulation of the wall. Fire resistance levels are set nationally by the National Construction Code.
The most common materials used for fireproofing boundary walls include:
- Brick or Masonry Walls
- Magnesium Oxide Boards (MgO)
- Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) / (Hebel Panels)
- Fyrecheck / Specialised Plasterboards
- Fibre Cement Systems
Many suppliers throughout Australia provide fire resistant boundary wall systems.
In brushfire prone areas, construction must adhere to Australian Standards 3959-2009. This applies a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating to each building and outlines specific materials and systems to enhance fire resistance.
Fireproofing boundary walls is an important part of designing and constructing a safe and compliant building. Understanding fire safety regulations and using appropriate fire-resistant materials can help prevent the spread of fire and protect neighbouring properties.
To discuss your building design project, contact the team at Lateral Building Design.
