PUBLIC HEALTH (NATIONAL BUILDING CODE) REGULATIONS 2004

3 EAVES GUTTER

The procedure for the design of eaves gutters is as follows—

The fall of an eaves gutter.must never be less than 1 in 500 but in areas where dust or debris is likely to build up between rain periods the slope must be as steep as 1 in 50.

Space the downpipes suitably and calculate the catchment area per downpipe. For eaves gutters of permanent buildings determine the gutter discharge area by matching the catchment area against the 115 mm/hr intensity line in Figure 3.1. If the gutter discharge area obtained is more than what is available from a standard gutter after allowing for a 25 mm freeboard, either reduce the spacing of the downpipes and recalculate or proceed to specify a specially fabricated gutter. With rectangular fabricated gutters an additional allowance of 10 percent of area must be made in addition to the freeboard allowance.

The nett cross-sectional area of each vertical downpipe, including the nozzle must be not less than 50 per cent of the gutter discharge area.

3.3 Leaf guards and overflows

Leaf guards must be fitted to prevent the nozzle to the downpipe from becoming blocked wherever leaves or other debris are likely to collect in the gutter. If the eaves gutter has a fascia front higher than the rear lip, an overflow must be fitted at a level below that of the lowest point in the rear lip.

3.4 Proportion

The proportions of a rectangular eaves gutter are ideal when its width is twice the maximum depth of water flowing in it. Although a narrow deep gutter will provide a greater head of water over the outlet with a consequent improvement in the discharge capacity of the outlet, a shallower gutter is usually easier to maintain.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUP DWELLINGS (CLASS 2 TO 9)






	SECTION NE



	SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT





	Performance Requirements Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions


	NE1	Fire Fighting Equipment
	NE2	Smoke Control
	NE3	Lift Installations
	NE4	Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs
	NE5	Maintenance of Safety Installations
	NE6	Electricity

CONTENTS


PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS

Part		Part

NE1	Fire Fighting Equipment	NE4.4	Design and operation of emergency lighting
NE1.1	Application of Part		Design and operation of emergency lighting
NE1.2	Fire mains and water supply	NE4.5	Exit signs
NE1.3	Riser main system	NE4.6	Direction signs
NE1.4	Where hydrants are required	NE4.7	Class 2,3 and 4 buildings: Exemptions
NE1.5	Hose reels		Class 2,3 and 4 buildings: Exemptions
NE1.6	Sprinklers	NE4.8	Design and operation of exit signs
NE1.7	Portable fire extinguishers	NE5	Maintenance of Safety Installations
NE1.8	Fire and smoke alarms	NE5.1	Application
NE1.9	Fire control centres	NE5.2	Maintenance requirements
NE1.10	Fire precautions during construction	NE6	Electrical Work
	Fire precautions during construction	NE6.1	Safety
NE1.11	Provision for special hazards	NE6.2	Amenity
NE2	Smoke Control	Specifications
NE2.1	Smoke venting	Specification NE1.2 Fire Mains and Water Supply Services
NE2.2	Exclusion of smoke from fire-isolated exits	Specification NE1.2 Fire Mains and Water Supply Services
	Exclusion of smoke from fire-isolated exits	Specification NE1.6 Fire Sprinkler Systems
NE2.3	Natural smoke venting	Specification NE1.6 Fire Sprinkler Systems
NE2.4	Air-handling systems	Specification NE1.8 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
NE2.5	Roof vents	Specification NE1.8 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
NE2.6	Smoke exhaust systems	Specification NE1.9 Fire Emergency Control Centres
NE2.7	Pressurisation	Specification NE1.9 Fire Emergency Control Centres
NE3	Lift lnstallations	Specification NE2.4 Air Handling Systems in Buildings
NE3.1	Application of Part	Specification NE2.4 Air Handling Systems in Buildings
NE3.2	Stretcher facility in lifts	Specification NE2.6 Smoke Exhaust Systems
NE3.3	Warning against use of lifts in fire or earthquake	Specification NE2.6 Smoke Exhaust Systems
NE3.4	Emergency lifts
NE4	Emergency Lighting, Exit Signs and Warning Systems
NE4.1	Application of Part
NE4.2	Emergency lighting requirements
NE4.3	Measurement of distance

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

OBJECTIVES		NEP6 Electrical Work
A building must be so designed and constructed that the following objectives are fulfilled—		All electrical work must meet the following objectives—
		(a)	It must prevent electrocution, burns or fire.
NEP1 Fire Fighting Equipment		(b)	It must satisfy the reasonable expectations of the users by ensuring that it is adequate for their intended use, both current and anticipated.
Having regard to the size and use of the building and its Type of construction, adequate in-built and external fire protection services must be provided to—
		REQUIRED PERFORMANCE
(a)	restrict fire growth to the compartment of origin;	NEP1.1 Active fire fighting
(b)	prevent fire spread to adjoining buildings or allotments; and	In determining the type and extent of active fire fighting systems that must be provided for a building the following must be taken into account—
(c)	facilitate the fighting of fire to minimise damage to the building and its contents.
		(a)	the class of occupancy;
NEP2 Smoke Control		(b)	proximity to fire-source features;
Air-handling systems installed in a building must—		(c)	Type of construction in relation to fire resistance;
(a)	provide suitable air for the health and safety of the occupants; and	(d)	size of fire compartments;
(b)	incorporate reasonable measures to minimise the spread of smoke in the event of fire to escape paths from the building, to other compartments and to enable access by fire fighters.	(e)	effective height;
		(f)	the flow rate and pressure of available water supply;
NEP3 Lift Installations		(g)	the capacity of the Fire Brigade or other fire fighting organisation that serves the area where the building is located; and
Lifts where provided must have regard to the nature of any emergency—
(a)	to assist in the evacuation of the occupants; and	(h)	the technical resources available locally to satisfactorily instal and regularly test and maintain the active fire fighting system.
(b)	to facilitate access by fire-fighting and other emergency personnel.
NEP4 Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs		Fire and smoke alarms
(a)	Emergency lighting and exit signs must be provided where necessary to facilitate safe egress in an emergency upon failure of the normal lighting.	Reliable detection and warning systems must be installed for automatic operation in the event of a fire or generation of unacceptable levels of smoke. In the case of—
(b)	Suitable alarm systems must be provided to alert occupants of an emergency, initiate automatic counter measures and summon emergency personnel.	(a)	all tall buildings;
		(b)	buildings of medium size or larger, frequented by the public and where flammable and consumer goods are displayed; and
NEP5 Maintenance of Safety lnstallations
Equipment, installations and components critical to the safety of the building or the occupants must be adequately maintained in such condition that will enable their proper performance.		(c)	occupancies of excessive hazard of moderate size or larger,
		the detection systems on initiation must automatically activate suitable fire fighting systems.

NEP2.1	Smoke control	NEP6.1.1 Electrical safety
Air handling systems in buildings must be no more complex than what is given in the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions unless satisfactory evidence is produced to show that the level of expertise available on an on-going basis would be adequate to keep them regularly tested serviced and maintained in a sound condition. Air handling systems must be such that smoke is not transported from the compartment or locality of origin to escape paths and other fire compartments or storeys to a concentration that might affect the safety of the occupants or hinder the work of fire fighters.		The supply system must—
		(a)	have suitable devices of adequate interruptive duty to automatically shut off the supply in the event of a fault or overload. Such devices must allow easy reinstatement of the supply after interruption;

		(b)	have devices which are clearly identified and easily reached to isolate live parts from the incoming supply;

NEP3.1	Lift Installations	(c)	be constructed and installed to ensure that no part of the system can be subjected to a voltage higher than that for which the system was designed;
Lift installations in tall buildings must be capable of transporting stretchers without discomfort. Effective warning must be displayed against the use of lifts during fires or earthquakes. In very tall buildings at least one lift must be such that it can be safely operated during emergencies such as fires and be switched during the emergency for operation by only emergency personnel such as fire fighters. NEP4.1 Emergency lighting In moderately tall or higher residential buildings, in other than small buildings where the occupants are transient, and in all other buildings emergency lighting must be provided to clearly indicate exits and the doors guarding such exits must be identifiably marked. Such buildings must also have emergency lighting available to facilitate the occupants to reach the exits without confusion and to safely negotiate the exits until they can be in a road or open space. The route to the exits must be identifiably marked. In hospitals and in areas where emergency personnel operate, there must be adequate emergency lighting to avoid patient trauma or hardship and to permit the staff to carry out emergency functions. All emergency lighting must automatically operate in the event of any failure of normal lighting for a period long enough for the evacuation of all the occupants, plus a margin. Such lighting must give an adequate level of illumination to allow evacuation without hindrance.
		(d)	when the neutral of the supply is earthed, have socket outlet or plug — socket adaptor construction which would ensure that the live, neutral and earth conductors can only be connected to the corresponding live, neutral and earth conductors of the plug;


		(e)	where it is a common supply system be so compatible that the safety features of the system itself are not impaired;

		(f)	where it has a multiple earthed neutral system, have an adequate connection between the neutral conductor and earth at each consumer's premises;

		(g)	be adequately protected against damage arising from exposure to weather, water or excessive dampness mechanical loads and other such agents expected under normal conditions of use; and

		(h)	ensure that the main switch is normally accessible only to the occupants.
		NEP6.1.2 Amenity
		The supply system must have an adequate capacity to serve the reasonable anticipated needs of the users.

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS
FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

NE1.1 Application of Part					a roof of a plant room or other subsidiary structure on the main roof.
This Part applies to Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings.
NE1.2 Fire mains and water supply			(b)	External hydrants
(a)	Where a permanently charged fire main and water supply system are available these must provide a continuous supply of water at sufficient pressures and rates of flow to enable effective fire fighting on any adjoining building. The system must in addition have hydrants located free of obstructions at appropriate intervals. The location of the hydrants must be suitably marked for ease of identification by the fire service.			The configuration and location of a building and of adjacent external hydrants must be such that the farthest point on the storeys to which direct access from a street is available for the fire service, must be within reach of a 6m spray from the nozzle of a 120 m fire hose.


				External hydrants must be located—
				(i)	not closer than 6 m from a building unless protected from it with a wall having a FRL of not less than 60/60/30 extending at least 2 m each side and 3 m above the hydrant outlets; and
(b)	In the case of buildings with a rise of 5 storeys or more where an adjoining permanently charged fire main and water supply system is not available, adequate on site water storage and suitable fire pumps must be provided to give the rates and pressures of flow lot fire fighting, as per NZS 4510. The system provided may in addition serve any required sprinkler system or other required water type in-built fire protection system.

				(ii)	not more than 20 m unobstructed distance from hard standing access for a fire pump appliance.
			(c)	Internal hydrants
				(i)	The riser main system must provide for sufficient number and disposition of internal hydrants such that any point on any storey is within reach of a 6 m spray from the nozzle of a 45 m fire hose.
(c)	A fire main and water supply system must comply with Specification NE1.2.
NE1.3 Riser main system
Riser mains to NZS 4510 must be provided in buildings with a rise of 5 storeys or more. In buildings with a rise of up to 8 storeys a charged dry riser main system is allowable; for taller buildings a wet riser main system is required. Any wet riser main system must be connected to a permanently charged fire main. In buildings with a rise of more than 8 storeys a dedicated automatic starting fire pump or pumps in accordance with NZS 4510 must be installed in the system to boost the pressure and/or the rates of flow to the values required by the Standard.				(ii)	Internal hydrants must be located on the floor not more than 4 m from a required exit, or in a required stairway, passageway or ramp so as not to encroach on the required width of the exit.



			(d)	Hydrants for the ground floor of a building may be external hydrants.
			NE1.5 Hose reels Hose reels must be installed in buildings as listed in Table NE1.5 and must—

NE1.4 Where hydrants are required			(a)	not be located—
(a)	General			(i)	within a fire-isolated exit; or
	One or more hydrants must be provided—			(ii)	so that the hose will need to pass through the doorway fitted with a fire or smoke door; except a door to a sole-occupancy unit in a class 2, 3 or 4 building;
	(i)	in each storey with a floor area of more than 750 m²;
	(ii)	in every storey if the building contains 5 storeys or more; and	(b)	be located—
	(iii)	on the roof if the building has a rise of more than 8 storeys except on—		(i)	not more than 4 m from a required exit on each floor of the building (including the ground floor) and adjacent to any hydrants required within the building; and
		a roof having a pitch of more than 10°; or


TABLE NE1.5 REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE HOSE REELS				TABLE NE1.6 REQUIREMENT FOR SPRINKLERS
OCCUPANCY			FIRE HOSE REELS REQUIRED—	OCCUPANCY		WHEN SPRINKLERS ARE REQUIRED
Class 2		if more than 4 residential storeys contained.		Occupanices of excessive hazard		in fire compartments with
Class 3		if more than 2 residential storeys contained.				(a)	a floor area of more than 2000m²; or
Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9b		(a)	any storey if floor area of storey more than 750 m²; or			(b)	a volume more than 10000 m³.
		(b)	if more than 3 storeys contained.	Class 6		in fire compartments with—
Class 9a		all buildings.				(a)	a floor area of more than 2000 m²; or
AND All Classes		wherever an internal hydrant is required				(b)	a volume more than 12000 m³.
	(ii)	so that the nozzle end of a fully extended fire hose fitted to the reel and laid to avoid any partitions or other physical barriers will reach every part of the floor;		All Classes except open-deck carparks		in buildings more than 25 m in effective height or with a rise in excess of 8 storeys. The water supply for the sprinkler system must be to Class A.
(c)	serve only the floor on which they are located except that a hose reel may serve a sole-occupancy unit of not more than 2 storeys, or a unit with a mezzanine floor, if the hose reel is located at the level of egress from that unit; and			Carparks, other than open-deck carparks		(a)	if accommodating more than 40 vehicles;
				Carparks, other than open-deck carparks		(b)	if incorporating structural steel members with a FRL less than 60/-/-.
				Note:	(a) Occupancies of excessive fire hazard are listed in the annexure to Specification NE1.6.
(d)	comply with NZS 4504 and NZS 4503.				(b) See NC 2.3 for requirements for sprinklers in large isolated buildings.
NE1.6 Sprinklers				Table NE1.7 shows the commonly available portable extinguishers and their selection for appropriate class and type of fires.
A required sprinkler system must—
(a)	comply with Specification NE1.6; and
(b)	be installed in buildings as listed in Table NE1.6.			NE1.8 Fire and smoke alarms
NE1.7 Portable fire extinguishers				NE1.8.1 A suitable automatic fire and smoke alarm system complying with Specification NE1.8 must be installed in—
Portable fire extinguishers containing an extinguishing agent suitable for the risk being protected must be installed in accordance with NZS 4503 in all buildings except—
				(a)	each storey if the building has a rise of 5 to 8 storeys;
(a)	a Class 2 or 3 building; or			(b)	a Class 3 building—
(b)	in the case of water-type extinguishers, a building or part of a building served by a fire hose reel.				(i)	if rooms for residential use are above a height of 2 storeys; or

					(ii)	in a special accommodation house or home for the aged, children, sick or physically or mentally disabled persons or the like; and

				(c)	a Class 9a building—
					(i)	if more than 20 patients are accommodated in wards or bedrooms; or
					(ii)	in a clinic or day surgery, having areas where surgical procedures are performed at a height of 3 storeys or more.

NE 1.8.2 A manually operated evacuation alarm system to the relevant provisions of Specification NE1.8 must be provided in any building of—		(b)	a Class 6, 7, 8 or 9 building with a total floor area more than 18000 m².
		NE1.10 Fire precautions during construction
(a)	Class 3 containing more than 20 beds where the rooms for residential use are located up to a height of only 2 storeys;	In a building under construction—
		(a)	not less than one fire extinguisher to suit Class A, B and C fires and electrical fires must be provided at all times on each floor adjacent to each required exit or temporary stair or exit and;
(b)	Class 5 with a rise of 3 or 4 storeys and a storey floor area of more than 500 m²;
(c)	Class 6, 7 or 8 excluding a public carpark with a rise of up to 4 storeys and a storey floor area of more than 500 m²;	(b)	after the building has reached an effective height of 12 m—
			(i)	the required hydrants and hose reels must be operational in at least every storey that is covered by the roof or the floor structure above, except the 2 uppermost storeys; and
(d)	Class 9(a) with a rise of up to 4 storeys; and
(e)	in the residential part of a school accommodating more than 20 persons at a level above or below the entrance level. Also in all other class 9b buildings (including schools) with a rise of up to 4 storeys and a storey floor area of more than 250 m²; and		(ii)	any required fire brigade booster connection must be installed.
		NE1.11 Provision for special hazards
		Suitable additional provision must be made if special problems of fighting fire could arise because of—
Type A, B or C alarm systems are acceptable for Class 3 buildings, Type B or C for Class 6 and 9 other than schools, and a Type A system for Class 7 and 8 buildings and schools. NE1.9 Fire control centres A fire control centre facility in accordance with Specification NE1.9 must be provided in—		(a)	the nature or quantity of materials stored, displayed or used in a building or on the allotment; or
		(b)	the location of the building in relation to a water supply for fire fighting purposes.
(a)	all buildings with an effective height of more than 25m; and

SMOKE CONTROL

NE2.1 Smoke Venting
Buildings must have a system to control smoke as listed in Table NE2.1.

	TABLE NE2.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR SMOKE CONTROL
	BUILDING	SYSTEM
	Sole-occupancy units in Class 2, 3 or 4 buildings.	No requirement

	Single storey buildings where the floor area of a fire compartment or storey does not exceed 500 m² and is not served by a central mechanical ventilation plant.
	Single storey buildings, or the top storey of multistorey buildings	Either—
		(a)	Windows, panels or the like in accordance with NE2.3;
		(b)	Roof vents in accordance with NE2.5; or
		(c)	Smoke exhaust systems in accordance with NE2.6.
	Multistorey buildings excluding the top storey	Windows, panels or the like in accordance with NE2.3.
	Class 6 buildings with enclosed malls exceeding 40 m in length.	Smoke exhaust systems in accordance with NE2.6

NE2.2 Exclusion of smoke from fire-isolated exits
Smoke must be excluded from fire-isolated exits in accordance with Table NE2.2.

	TABLE NE2.2 MEANS OF EXCLUDING SMOKE FROM FIRE-ISOLATED EXITS
	EXIT TYPE	REQUIREMENT
	A required fire-isolated stairway serving any storey above an effective height of 25 m.	Either—
		(a)	a pressurisation system in accordance with NE2.7; or
	A required fire-isolated stairway serving 3 or more below ground storeys.	(b)	open access ramps or balconies in accordance with ND2.5.
	A required fire-isolated ramp or fire- isolated passageway having a path of travel more than 60 m along it to a road or open space.
	Note: A below ground storey is one where egress involves an upward vertical climb of more than 1.5m.

NE2.3 Natural Smoke Venting				(ii)	a fire detection and alarm system which complies with AS 1670 or NZS 4512; or
Windows, doors, panels, or the like, provided to control the movement of smoke must—
				(iii)	smoke detectors spaced not more than 30 m apart and 15m from any smoke curtain and with not less than one detector for each 500 m² of floor area; or
(a)	be as evenly distributed as practicable; and
(b)	be readily openable, except that if windows and panels or the like are provided on the ground level storey, they need only be shatterable.
				(iv)	rate of rise heat detectors spaced not more than 15 m apart and 7.5 m from any smoke curtain and with not less than one detector for each 250 m² of floor area.
NE2.4 Air-handling Systems
If an air-handling system is installed in a building it must operate in accordance with Specification NE2.4.			NE2.6 Smoke Exhaust Systems
			A required smoke exhaust system must comply with Specification NE2.6.
NE2.5 Roof Vents
Required roof vents must comply with AS 2665, except that—			NE2.7 Pressurisation
			A required pressurisation system must—
(a)	smoke curtains may divide the space below the roof into compartments with area not more than 1500 m²;		(a)	comply with AS 1668.1, except that instead of the criterion of 50 Pa pressure differential across each door when all doors are closed it must be 25 Pa;
(b)	all roof vents within the same compartment must open at the same time; and		(b)	not allow openable windows or other openable devices (other than necessary doorways, pressure-controlled relief louvres and windows openable by a key) in the stairway, ramp or passageway; and
(c)	roof vents must be activated by—
	(i)	except in a Class 7 or 8 building, a sprinkler system if it is installed throughout the building: or
			(c)	not serve more than one fire-isolated exit system and not form part of any other air-handling system.

LIFT INSTALLATIONS

NE3.1 Application of Part				(ii)	a small lift such as a dumb-waiter or the like that is for the transport of goods only; and
This Part applies to Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings.
NE3.2 Stretcher facility in lifts			(b)	comply with the details and dimensions of Figure NE3.3 and consist of—
(a)	If passenger lifts are installed in any building with an effective height of more than 25 m, at least one lift serving all storeys of the building must have a stretcher facility in accordance with (b).			(i)	incised, inlaid or embossed letters on a metal, wood, plastic or similar plate securely and permanently attached to the wall; or

(b)	A lift required to comply with NE3.2(a) or NE3.4(b) must accommodate a raised stretcher with a patient lying on it horizontally by providing a clear space 600 mm wide x 2000 mm long x 1200 mm high above the floor level.			(ii)	letters incised or inlaid directly into the surface of the material forming the wall.
			NE3.4 Emergency lifts
			(a)	Among the lifts serving every storey of a building with an effective height of 75 m or more, at least one must be capable of being used as an emergency lift.
NE3.3 Warning against use of lifts in fire or earthquake
A warning sign must—			(b)	An emergency lift required by (a) must—
(a)	be displayed where it can be readily seen—			(i)	comply with AS 1735.2;
	(i)	near every call button panel for a passenger lift or group of lifts throughout a building; except		(ii)	be of sufficient size to take a stretcher facility in accordance with NE3.2(b); and
				(iii)	have a rating of at least 612 kg.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING, EXIT SIGNS AND WARNING SYSTEMS

NE4.1 Application of Part			(f)	in every room or space to which there is public access in every storey in a Class 6 or 9b building where—
This Part applies to Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings.
NE4.2 Emergency lighting requirements				(i)	the floor area in that storey is more than 1000 m²;
An emergency lighting system must be installed—					the floor area in that storey is more than 1000 m²;
(a)	in every fire-isolated stairway, fire-isolated ramp or fire-isolated passageway located in Class 2 buildings of 5 stories or more, Class 3 buildings containing 30 beds or more, a building with Class 4 parts located at or higher than 15 m effective height, and in all Class 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings;			(ii)	any point on the floor of that storey is more than 30 m from the nearest doorway opening directly to a stairway, ramp, passageway, road or open space;

				(iii)	egress from that storey involves a vertical upward climb within the building of more than 1.5m; or

(b)	in every storey of a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building where the storey has a floor area more than 500 m²—			(iv)	the storey provides a path of travel from any other storey required by (i), (ii), or (iii) to have emergency lighting;

	(i)	in every passageway, corridor, hallway, or the like, which is part of the path of travel to an exit;	(g)	in a Class 9a building—
				(i)	in every passageway, corridor, hallway, or the like, serving a ward area or patient treatment room; and
	(ii)	in any room having a floor area more than 250 m² if it does not open to a corridor or space which has emergency lighting;
				(ii)	in every ward area or patient treatment room having a floor area of more than 200 m²; and
(c)	in every passageway, corridor, hallway, or the like, having a length of more than 6m from the entrance doorway of any sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 building of 5 stories or more, in a Class 3 building containing 30 beds or more, in a Class 4 part located at or above 15 m effective height, to the nearest doorway opening directly to—
			(h)	in every required fire control centre.
			NE4.3 Measurement of distance
			Distances, other than vertical rise, must be the shortest measurement along the corridor or the path of travel whether by straight lines, curves or a combination of both.

	(i)	a fire-isolated stairway, fire-isolated ramp or fire-isolated passageway;	NE4.4 Design and operation of emergency lighting
			(a)	Emergency lighting systems must—
	(ii)	an external stairway serving instead of a smoke or fire-isolated stairway under ND1.8;		(i)	be automatic in operation;
				(ii)	provide sufficient illumination without undue delay for safe evacuation of all areas of the building where it is required;
	(iii)	an external balcony leading to a fire-isolated stairway, fire-isolated ramp or fire-isolated passageway; or
				(iii)	if it is a central system, be suitably protected from damage by fire; and
	(iv)	a road or open space;		(iv)	operate without interruption for a minimum of 1 hour.
(d)	in every required non-fire isolated stairway, ramp or passageway connecting more than 3 consecutive storeys in other than Class 2 buildings;		(b)	Emergency lighting in accordance with AS 2293 or NZS 6742 satisfies (a).

(e)	in a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 5, 6, or 9 building if—
	(i)	the floor area of the unit is more than 500 m²; and
		the floor area of the unit is more than 500 m²; and
	(ii)	an exit from the unit does not open to a road or open space or to an external stairway, passageway, balcony or ramp, leading directly to a road or open space;

NE4.5 Exit signs			NE4.7 Class 2, 3 and 4 buildings: Exemptions
Exit signs must be installed and be clearly visible to persons approaching the exit, on or near—			NE4.5 does not apply to—
			(a)	a Class 2 building in which every door referred to is clearly and legibly labelled on the side remote from the exit or balcony—
(a)	every door providing direct egress from a storey to—
	(i)	an enclosed stairway, passageway or ramp serving as a required exit;		(i)	with the word “EXIT” in capital letters 25 mm high in a colour contrasting with that of the background: or
	(ii)	an external stairway, passageway or ramp serving as a required exit ; and
	(iii)	an external access balcony leading to a required exit;		(ii)	by some other suitable method; and
(b)	every door from an enclosed stairway, passageway or ramp at every level of discharge to a road or open space;		(b)	an entrance door of a Class 2, 3 or 4 sole-occupancy unit.
			NE4.8 Design and operation of exit signs
(c)	every horizontal exit; and		(a)	Every required exit sign must—
(d)	every door serving as, or forming part of, a required exit.			(i)	be clear and legible and have letters and symbols of adequate size;
NE4.6 Direction signs				(ii)	be illuminated at a level sufficient for it to be clearly visible at all times when the building is occupied by any person having the right of legal entry to the building;
If the exits will not otherwise be readily apparent to persons occupying or visiting the building, exit signs with directional arrows must be installed in appropriate positions in corridors, hallways, lobbies, and the like, indicating the direction to a required exit.

				(iii)	be installed so that if the normal power supply fails, emergency illumination is provided to the sign in the case of those buildings covered by NE4.2; and

				(iv)	if illuminated by an emergency lighting system incorporating wiring and a power source, comply with NE4.4.

			(b)	Exit signs in accordance with AS 2293 or NZS 6742 satisfy (a).

MAINTENANCE OF SAFETY INSTALLATIONS

NE5.1 Application of Part

This Part applies to Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 buildings.

NE5.2 Maintenance requirements

Safety installations in buildings must be adequately maintained to the requirements of Table NE5.2.


TABLE NE5.2 SCHEDULE OF MAINTAINED ITEMS
ITEM TO BE INSPECTED OR TESTED		NATURE OF INSPECTION AND/OR TEST, AND FREQUENCY
1.	OPENING PROTECTION
A required fire door, fire window, fire shutter or smoke door		Operate-and inspect for compliance with the provisions of Part NC3 and Specification NC3.4
			Monthly
2.	MEANS OF EGRESS
(a)	Exits and paths of travel including doors, doorways and exit signs	Inspect to ensure compliance with Section ND
			Monthly
(b)	Required handrails and balustrades		Annually
(c)	Arrangements for safe egress in buildings with special security provisions		Monthly

3.	SIGNS

(a)	Signs concerning use of lifts in the event of fire	Inspect for legibility and installation in compliance with Part NE4
			Annually
(b)	Exit sign illumination—
	Internally illuminated signs	Check that the lamp matches the approved lamp rating marked on the sign fitting
			Monthly
	Externally illuminated signs	Check that the illumination is adequate
			Monthly

4.	EMERGENCY LIGHTING
		(a)	Operate in conditions of simulated failure of power to the distribution board concerned and check for compliance with the provisions of Part NE4
				Monthly
	Required emergency lighting	(b)	Where batteries are involved— Test and inspect as prescribed in AS 1670 as though they are installed pursuant to the provisions of that Standard or where AS 1670 is not relevant, test or inspect as appropriate
				Monthly
		(c)	Check battery charger for correct operation
				Monthly
5.	FIRE-FIGHTING SERVICES & EQUIPMENT
(a)	Required portable fire extinguishers	As prescribed in NZS 4503
(b)	Required fire hose reels	As prescribed in NZS 4503
(c)	Required hydrants and riser main system	As prescribed in NZS 4510

6.	SPRINKLERS
(a)	Required sprinkler system	As prescribed in NZS 4541
(b)	Plans containing reference information	Inspect for presence and legibility to comply with NZS 4541

7.	AIR-HANDLING SYSTEMS
(a)	Simulate activation of detectors	Operate and check for correct operation in accordance with Specification NE2.4 and NE2.6. Ensure that the system is left in correct operating condition
				As in NZS 4512
(b)	Detectors	Test and inspect as though they are prescribed for installations under NZS 4512
	Associated batteries	Check battery charger for correct operation
				As in NZS 4512
(c)	Fire situations	Check to ensure compliance with AS 1668.1
				Annually
(d)	Fire-control panels	Test and inspect as though the panel is installed as a Fire Indicator Board under NZS 4512
				As in NZS 4512

(e)	Pressurising of stairs, ramps and passageways	Operate, test and inspect to ensure compliance with AS 1668.1
			Monthly
8.	MANUAL FIRE ALARMS	Operate to see if in working order
			As in NZS 4561
9.	AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARMS
(a)	Required automatic alarms	As prescribed in NZS 4512
(b)	Special situations and precautions and outdoor applications	Inspect for compliance with NZS 4512

10.	LIFTS
Lifts and associated equipment for operation in event of emergency		Operate under simulated emegency conditions and check for compliance with the provisions of NE3
			Quarterly
11.	STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION
Compartmentation and fire protection of structural members		Ascertain that any work performed or any occurrence, accidental or otherwise, has not resulted in any reduction in the FRL or other fire protection provision of any part of the building installed as required
			Annually

ELECTRICAL WORK

NE6.1 Safety			(c)	not be located behind door-swings; and
NE6.1.1 General Requirements			(d)	in the kitchen in Class 2, 3 and 4 buildings be located 250 mm above worktops at the back of benches or on a return wall where it exists.
All electrical wiring and installations in or on any Class 2 to 9 building must ensure safety from electric shock and fire. This requirement is satisfied if all electrical work associated with the building is done to comply with AS 3000- Electrical installations-buildings, structures and premises (known as the SAA Wiring Rules). The capacity of the system must allow for the long term anticipated requirements of the occupants.
			NE6.1.3 Meter and distribution board
			The meter must be located in a position from which it can easily be read. If the main switches and circuit breakers/fuses are not located with the meter they must be located at a height of not less than 1.8 m from the floor where they can be found easily in the dark.

NE6.1.2 Plug and power sockets			NE6.2 Amenity
Plug and power sockets must—			NE6.2.1 Light switch layout
(a)	have their individual switch;		(a)	The layout of light switches in Class 2, 3 or 4 buildings must follow the main night time circulation routes such as from the entrance hall to the living area to the bedrooms to the bathroom and toilet. Crossing any major space in the dark must be avoided. The switches must be located close to door openings.
(b)	be located so that—
	(i)	cords and cables need not be taken across doorways;
	(ii)	trailing cords and cables do not have to cross circulation routes;
			(b)	All stairs must have two-way switching at the top and the bottom.

FIRE MAINS AND WATER SUPPLY SERVICES

1. Scope			3. Water supplies for sprinkler systems
This Specification refers to fire mains and water supply services for fire-fighting equipment in buildings.			All water supplies for sprinkler systems must satisfy the requirements of NZS 4541. Further—
2. General requirements			(a)	a Class C single supply system must comprise—
A fire main must—				(i)	a street main which may be boosted by a diesel fire pump unit;
(a)	be capable of supplying water at the flow rates and pressures necessary for the satisfactory operation of the required fire-fighting equipment;			(ii)	on-site storage or any source allowed by the Standard; or
					on-site storage or any source allowed by the Standard; or
				(iii)	a combined supply from two street mains which individually are inadequate; and
(b)	not incorporate plastic pipes above ground; and		(b)	a Class A dual supply system must include—
(c)	not be used for other than fire-fighting purposes, except a fire main serving only hose reels may be connected to a metered supply if—			(i)	a street main which may be boosted by a diesel fire pump or, any other primary source; and
				(ii)	a separate on-site storage or other source allowed by the Standard, with an independent electric or diesel fire pump.
	(i)	the required flow rate and pressure can be maintained at the most hydraulically disadvantaged hose reel;
			4. Fire pump enclosures Fire pumps must be located in a room or enclosure which has a FRL of not less than 60/60/30 and is—
	(ii)	the water meter and street supply to the allotment have a nominal diameter of not less than 32 mm;
	(iii)	water supply pipework reticulation arrangements comply with figure 2 or a similar arrangement; and		(i)	within the building; or
				(ii)	external but not within 6 m of the building and any fire-source feature.
	(iv)	any system valve which can isolate flow in the fire main is secured in the open position by a padlocked metal strap.
			5.	Booster and charged dry riser main connections and cabinets
In buildings with a sprinkler system with a dual supply to Class A of NZS 4541 the water supply to any wet riser main system and/or hose reels may be taken from one of those supplies provided the rates of flow and pressures are adequate for both or all three purposes.			(a)	Each fire brigade booster connection and the fire service inlet connection for a charged dry riser main system must be in locked cabinets accessible only to the fire service. If the system is fitted with a pressure gauge, the gauge must comply with AS 1349, and have a full scale reading of not less than 25% more than the pressure to which the system has been hydrostatically tested.


			(b)	Cabinets may be located—
				(i)	at the external wall of a building if they are within sight of the main entrance and for Class 6, 7, 8 or 9b buildings, separated from the building by construction having a FRL of not less than 60/60/30 for not less than 2 m each side of and above the top of the cabinet;

	(ii)	remote from the building if they are at the boundary of the allotment, within sight of the main entrance to the building, adjacent to the principal vehicular access to the allotment and located not less than 10 m from the external wall of any building; or			hydrants, fire hose reels, booster connections, street and allotment isolating and non-return valves, pumps and tanks;
				(iii)	the operational discharge pressure and pressure at zero flow of any pump installed in the system;
				(iv)	the capacity of any tank connected to the system;
	(iii)	in any other suitable position.		(v)	the height of the highest hydrant outlet above the lowest booster inlet connection; and
(c)	A permanent fade and water resistant plan, equal to photo-engraved anodised aluminium, must be displayed in a prominent position within the cabinet, showing the following information—
				(v)	the year of installation of the system.
			(d)	Suitable provision must be made for the drainage of water from within a booster or charged dry riser main system cabinet.
	(i)	the layout of the building and adjacent streets;
	(ii)	the layout of the fire hydrant system reticulation, with supply authority street mains and size, location of street and allotment

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1. Scope			(i)	the part is sprinklered throughout and fire-separated from the unsprinklered part in acoordance with Part NC2; and
This specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems.
			(ii)	any opening in the fire separating construction between the sprinklered and unsprinklered parts is protected in accordance with Part NC3.
2. Adoption of NZS 4541
An automatic fire sprinkler system and associated water supply must comply with NZS 4541 subject to this Specification. For further details of water supply requirements see Specification NE1.2.		5. Exceptions
		Where a building or part of a building is required to be sprinklered throughout, the exceptions nominated in clause 207 of NZS 4541 apply, except that a fire door in accordance with Part NC3 must be used for protection of openings.
3. Interpretation
A reference to FRR in NZS 4541 means FRL as defined in this code.		6. Sprinkler valve enclosures
4. Definition of a sprinklered building		Sprinkler alarm valves must be located in a secure enclosure or room of adequate size, and where the valves are located within a building, the enclosure and required access to it must be suitable for the Fire Service.
Notwithstanding NZS 4541, a building or a part of a building is deemed to be sprinklered if—
(a)	in the case of a whole building, the building complies with Section NC of this Code and is sprinklered throughout; or
		7. Connection to evacuation alarm
(b)	in the case of a part of a building—	The sprinkler system must be appropriately connected to any evacuation alarm system in the building to initiate the alarm in the event of activation of any sprinkler head.

OCCUPANCIES OF EXCESSIVE FIRE HAZARD
This annexure contains a graded list of examples of excessive fire hazard. The examples do not cover all possibilities and therefore there could be many other occupanices of excessive fire hazard. The Fire Authority having jurisdiction must be consulted in case of any doubt about occupancies not included in this Annexure.
ORDINARY HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Group III Special
Flash fires are likely to occur in these occupancies. These include the following—


	Chemical works and chemists (manufacturing or analytical) producing or using flammable solids, liquids, dusts and the like Copra kilns Cork factories Cotton mills (preparatory processes)			Exhibitions Fibre glass products manufactures Film and television studios Flax and hemp scutch mills Flax, jute and hemp mills (preparatory processes)




	Distilleries (stillhouses)			Match factories

				Oil mills (crushing and solvent extraction)

EXTRA HIGH HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Process risks

	Examples of extra high hazard process risks are as follows—

	Aircraft hangars Celluloid manufacturers and celluloid goods manufacturers Fire lighter manufacturers Fireworks manufacturers Floor cloth and linoleum manufacturers Foam plastics and foam plastics goods manufacturers and warehouses		Foam rubber and foam rubber goods manufacturers and warehouses LPG bulk storage Paint, colour and varnish works Resin, lamp black and turpentine manufacturers Rubber substitute manufacturers Tar distillers Woodwool manufacturers

High piled storage risks
Extra high hazard high piled storage risks are subdivided into four categories. Fires in materials belonging to categories II, III and IV produce exceptionally intense fires with a high rate of heat release. The four categories are—

(a)	Category I. Category I comprises ordinary combustible materials and non-combustible materials in combustible wrappings, excluding those items specified under Categories II, III and IV, stored in bulk, in pallets or on racking, to heights exceeding 4m.

Examples of Category I storage are as follows—
	Carpets	Groceries (items, not packaged)
	Clothing
	Electrical appliances	Metal goods (in cartons)
	Fibreboard (high density Hardboard)	Textiles
	Glassware and crockery (in cartons)	All forms of paper storage other than those specified under Categories II and Ill
(b) Category II Examples of Category II storage are as follows—
	Aerosol packs with flammable contents	Linoleum products
		Palletized whisky stocks Plastics (non-foamed) other than celluloid
	Baled cork Baled waste paper
	Cartons and carton flats Cartons containing alcohols in cans or bottles Cartons of canned lacquerss which dry by solvent evaporation	Rolled pulp and paper (horizontal storage) Rolled asphalt paper (horizontal storage)
	Chipboard	Veneer sheets
	Fibreboard (low density soft board)	Wood patterns Wooden furniture

(c) Category III Examples of Category III storage are as follows—
	Bitumen coated or wax coated paper	Rolled asphalt paper (vertical storage) Rubber goods
	Celluloid
	Esparto (loose)	Ventilated wood stacks
	Flammable liquids in combustible containers	Waxed or asphalt coated paper and containers in cartons

	Foamed plastics and foamed rubber products (with or without cartons) other than those specified in Category IV
		Woodwool Wooden pallets and wooden flats (idle)
		All materials having wrappings or preformed containers of foamed plastics
	Rolled pulp and paper (vertical storage)
(d) Category IV Examples of Category IV storage are as follows—
	Rolls of sheet foamed plastics or foamed rubber	Off-cuts and random pieces of foamed plastics or foamed rubber

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

1. Scope		(b)	The setting of alarm threshold levels for addressable detectors used within intelligent systems must not exceed the sensitivity levels nominated in—
This Specification describes the installation and operation of automatic fire detection and alarm systems, and manually operated evacuation alarm systems. The automatic systems may also be used to operate a smoke control system within a building.
			(i)	AS 1668.1; and
			(ii)	NZS 2139.
		3.	Manually operated evacuation fire alarm systems
2. Automatic systems
An automatic fire detection and alarm system must comply with NZS 4512 subject to this Specification.		(a)	Required manually operated evacuation alarm systems must comply with NZS 4561 for installation, operation and maintenance. The three systems considered are—

2.1 Purpose
The purpose of a fire detection and alarm system is to—			Type A —		Simple mechanical means;
(a)	warn the occupants of any fire within the building;		Type B —		Simple electrical system, not monitored; and
(b)	alert the local Fire Service; and		Type C —		Electrical systems continuously monitored by connection to the fire service station.
(c)	activate any installed automatic smoke control system; and
(d)	provide for manual operation as an evacuation system.	(b)	When Type B systems are installed, the following warning notice must be clearly marked near each manual call point—
2.2 Connection to extinguishing systems
Systems designed to NZS 4512 for the actuation of any fire extinguishing system must operate on a dual circuit to permit automatic operation of an evacuation alarm.			NOT CONNECTED TO A FIRE SERVICE IN CASE OF FIRE PHONE--------------------
			showing the telephone number of the fire authority in the locality. Type B systems may be substituted with a self-contained battery operated system, provided care is taken to ensure that the battery has sufficient charge available at all times.
2.3 Location of smoke detectors
Smoke detectors must be—
(a)	wherever possible, surface mounted and external to air-conditioning and ventilation ducts, unless a point sampling system with maximum sensitivity level of 0.5% smoke obscuration is used;	(c)	Location
		Manual call points must be located not more than—
		(i)	for Class 3 buildings,
(b)	located at natural collection points for hot smoke having regard to the ceiling geometry and its effects on the migratory path;		20 m from the doorway of any sole-occupancy unit;
		(ii)	for Class 5, 6,7, 8 and 9b buildings,
(c)	situated no closer than 3 m from smoke doors or fire doors; and		20 m travel distance from any point on the floor; and
(d)	of the photo-electric type if installed within ducts or atmospheres contaminated with sub-micron dust and other particles likely to set off an ionisation type detector.	(iii)	for Class 9a buildings—
			—	12 m from any point of the floor of a ward area; or
2.4 Threshold levels			—	6 m from the entrance doorway of any room which may be occupied by a sleeping, sedated or dependant patient.
(a)	Sampling systems must comply with AS 1670, with response times and alarm thresholds maintained at minimum levels and no alarm delay permitted on the highest alarm threshold.

FIRE EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTRES

1. Scope			5. Protection of openings
This Specification describes the construction and contents of required fire-control centres or rooms.			Openings permitted by clause 4 must be protected as follows—
2. Purpose and content			(a)	Openings for windows, doorways, ventilation, service pipes, conduits and the like, in an external wall of the building that faces a public road or open space, must be protected in accordance with Part NC3 as applicable.
A fire-control centre or room must—
(a)	provide an area from which fire fighting operations or other emergency procedures can be directed or controlled;
(b)	contain controls, panels, telephones, furniture, equipment and the like associated with the required fire services in the building; and		(b)	Openings in the floors, ceilings and internal walls enclosing a fire-control room must, except for doorways, be protected in accordance with Part NC3, as appropriate.

(c)	not be used for any purpose other than the control of—		(c)	A door opening in the internal walls enclosing a fire-control room, must be fitted with a self closing 120/120/30 smoke sealed fire door.
	(i)	fire fighting activities; and
	(ii)	other measures concerning the safety or security of the building occupants.	(d)	Openings associated with natural or mechanical ventilation must—
3. Location of fire-control centre or room				(i)	not be made in any ceiling or floor immediately above or below the fire-control room; and
A fire-control centre or room must be so located in a building that egress from any part of its floor, to a public road or open space, does not involve changes in level which in aggregate exceed 300 mm.
				(ii)	be protected by a 120/120/-fire damper if the opening is for a duct through a wall required to have a FRL, other than an external wall.
4. Construction			6. Exit doors
A fire-control centre in a building more than 50 m in effective height must be in a separate room where—			(a)	Required doors to a fire-control room must open into the room, be lockable and located so that persons using escape routes from the building will not obstruct or hinder access to the room.
(a)	the enclosing construction is of concrete, masonry or the like, sufficiently impact resistant to withstand the impact of any likely falling debris, and with a FRL of not less than 120/120/120;		(b)	The fire-control room must be accessible via two paths of travel—
				(i)	one from the front entrance of the building; and
(b)	any material used as a finish, surface, lining or the like within the room complies with the requirements for fire-isolated stairways in Specification NC1.6.			(ii)	one direct from a public place or fire-isolated passageway which leads to a public place and has a FRL of not less than 120/120/120.
(c)	services, pipes, ducts and the like that are not directly required for the proper functioning of the fire-control room do not pass through it; and		7. Size and contents
			(a)	A fire-control room must contain not less than—
(d)	openings in the walls, floors or ceiling which separate the room from the interior of the building are confined to necessary doorways, ventilation and other openings for services, necessary for the proper functioning of the facility.			(i)	a Fire Indicator Panel and necessary control switches and visual status indication for all required fire pumps, smoke control fans and other required fire safety equipment installed in the building;

				(ii)	a telephone directly connected to an external telephone exchange;

	(iii)	a blackboard or whiteboard not less than 1200 mm wide x 1000 mm high;		(iii)	provides a flow of fresh air through the room of not less than 30 air changes per hour when the system is operating and any door to the room is open;
	(iv)	a pin up board not less than 1200 mm wide x 1000 mm high; and
	(v)	a raked plan layout table of size not less than the plans to be laid out upon the table, and plans of the structural, architectural, electrical, mechanical, lift and fire service details which may be stored beneath the plan layout table or within other suitable storage facility located in the room.		(iv)	has fans, motors and ductwork that form part of the system but not contained within the fire-control room protected by enclosing construction with a FRL of not less than 120/120/120; and

				(v)	has any electrical supply to the fire-control room or equipment necessary for its operation connected to the supply side of the main disconnection switch for the building and electrical service cables of copper-sheathed mineral-insulated cable with copper conductors,
(b)	In addition, a fire-control room may contain—
	(i)	master emergency control panels, lift annunciator panels, remote switching controls for gas or electrical supplies and emergency generator backup; and	and no openable window or other openable device other than necessary doorways, pressure controlled relief louvres and windows openable by a key, must be provided in the fire-control room.
	(ii)	building security, surveillance and management systems if they are completely segregated from all other systems.	9. Sign
			The external face of the door to the fire-control room must have a sign with the words—
(c)	A fire-control room must—			Fire Control Room
	(i)	have a gross area of not less than 10 m² and the length of any internal side must be not less than 2.5 m;	in letters not less than 50 mm high and colour which contrasts with that of the background.
			10. Lighting
	(ii)	if only the minimum prescribed equipment is installed- have a net floor area of not less than 8 m² with a clear space of not less than 1.5 m² in front of the Fire Indicator Panel; and	Emergency lighting in accordance with Part NE4 must be provided in a fire-control room, except that an illumination level of not less than 400 Lux must be maintained at the surface of the plan table.
			11.	Equipment not permitted within a fire-control centre or room
	(iii)	if additional equipment is installed, have an additional area of not less than 2 m² net floor area for each additional facility and a clear space of not less than 1.5 m² in front of each additional control or indicator panel,	An internal combustion engine, pumps, sprinkler control valves, pipes and ancillary fittings must not be located in a fire-control centre or room, but may be located in rooms accessed through the fire-control centre or room.

			12. Ambient Sound Level
and the area required for any path of travel through the room to other areas must be provided in addition to the requirements of (ii) and (iii).			The ambient sound level within the fire-control centre or room measured when all fire safety equipment is operating in the manner in which it operates in an emergency, must not exceed 65 dB(A), when determined in accordance with AS 2107.
8. Ventilation and power supply
A fire-control room must be ventilated by—
(a)	natural ventilation from a window or doorway in an external wall of the building which opens directly into the fire-control room from a roadway or open space; or
(b)	a pressurising system that only serves the fire-control room, and—
	(i)	is installed in accordance with AS 1668.1 as though the room is a fire-isolated stairway;
	(ii)	is activated automatically by operation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system installed in the building and manually by an over-riding control in the room;

AIR HANDLING SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS

1. Scope		3. Action on Detection of Smoke Fire or Flame
This Specification outlines the performance and operation of mechanical ventilation and airconditioning systems as they relate to smoke control in buildings.		In the case of small units the power supply to the units must be switched off manually. With all other systems immediately on activation of any of the detection units—

2. Commonly Used Systems		(a)	the total system for the whole building must shut down;
The following commonly used systems may be installed—		(b)	any required exit pressurisation system must operate; and
(a)	small stand-alone or window units without ducting;	(c)	any required smoke exhaust system or smoke-and-heat vent must operate.
(b)	central chilled water systems with fan coil units located in each storey without any ducting;	4. Compliance
		The action required under 3(a), (b) or (c) must be automatic and be activated by—
(c)	central chilled water systems with separate air handling plants in each storey or fire compartment and associated independent ducting for the storey or fire compartment;	(a)	smoke detectors located in each storey or fire compartment in accordance with Specification NE1.8 and with ducted systems, located just upstream of the supply fan as well as in the main return air duct; or


(d)	individual packaged plants and associated ducting for each storey; or	(b)	by any other suitable fire alarm system including a sprinkler system, installed within the building.
(e)	central plant where all the conditioning is done and with the ducting system connecting several fire compartments or storeys.

SMOKE EXHAUST SYSTEMS

1. Scope		3. Compartmentation at ceiling level
This Specification describes the performance and method of operation of smoke exhaust systems in buildings which are designed to—		The storey or room at ceiling level—
		(a)	must be divided into compartments not more than 1500 m² in area by smoke curtains in accordance with AS 2665; or
(a)	remove smoke from within the building using ducted or roof mounted exhaust fans; or
		(b)	in a shopping centre complex or mall, must have—
(b)	in a shopping centre complex or mall, remove smoke from within pedestrian malls to maintain for as long as possible a tenable escape path for the occupants.		(i)	smoke curtains or, toughened or wired glass or non-combustible bulkheads, which extend not less than 1 m beneath an imperforate ceiling; or

2. Fan capacity			(ii)	ceiling coffers not less than 500 mm deep, each containing a smoke exhaust fan,
Fan systems must have an exhaust capacity in accordance with the height of the building as specified in Figure 2.
		across the full width of the mall to divide it into lengths of not more than 40 m.

4. Location of fans and discharge				(i)	smoke detectors spaced not more than 30 m apart and 15 m from any curtain, bulkhead or wall and with not less than one detector for each 500 m² of floor area; or
Exhaust fans must be located so as not to cause undue turbulence, and—
(a)	in a shopping centre complex or mall—
	(i)	be spaced no more than 40 m apart and not more than 20 m from the end of the mall;		(ii)	rate of rise heat detectors spaced not more than 15m apart and 7.5m from any curtain, bulkhead or wall and with not less than one detector for each 250 m² of floor area,
	(ii)	not be at a mall intersection unless there is an open area where the ceiling is raised not less than 2 m above the ceiling in the mall; and
				and not less than 2 detectors located on opposite sides of each fan inlet; or
	(iii)	be located at natural collection points for the hot smoky gases within each smoke compartment having regard to the ceiling geometry and its effects on the migratory path of the smoke;	(d)	in a shopping centre complex or mall—
				(i)	optical smoke detectors in each smoke compartment with at least one detector for each 150 m² of floor area, arranged in at least 2 groups so that on activation of an alarm group in the respective smoke compartment full exhaust is initiated, and on activation of a second group and following a 30 second check period an alarm is transmitted to the fire service station; and

(b)	in other buildings be located so that each fan must serve not more than one 1500 m² roof compartment; and
(c)	discharge directly to the outside and in a manner that will not spread fire or smoke to adjacent fire compartments or buildings.
5. Make-up air				(ii)	a manual break-glass alarm at each exit from a shop with a floor area of more than 1000 m² arranged to activate the exhaust system and transmit an alarm to the Fire Brigade.
Low level fresh air inlet openings or doors must be sized to provide adequate low velocity fresh air make up to satisfy the exhaust performance of the installed smoke exhaust fans, care being exercised in the number and location of such openings and their disturbance of the smoke layer due to turbulence created by the incoming air.
			7. Protection of wiring
			Power supply wiring for roof-mounted exhaust fans must be MIMS (copper) cable or otherwise suitably fire-protected where it passes through other storeys and might be affected by fire remote from the floor served by the plant.
6. Operations of fans
All smoke exhaust fans must start sequentially and be activated by the operation in the area served by the fan of—
(a)	a sprinkler system;		8. Resistance to high-temperatures
(b)	a fire detection and alarm system which complies with Specification NE1.8;		If not adequately shielded from the airflow—
			(a)	all parts of exhaust fans and other equipment required to operate in a smoke laden environment; and
(c)	a detector system comprising—
			(b)	parts of the buildlng required to be smoke-resisting,
			must be capable of withstanding a temperature of 200° C for a period of not less than 1 hour.

NATIONAL
BUILDING
CODE
1990

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUP DWELLINGS (CLASS 2 TO 9)






	SECTION NF



	HEALTH AND AMENITY





	Performance Requirements Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions


	NF1	Damp and Weatherproofing
	NF2	Sanitary Facilities
	NF3	Room Sizes
	NF4	Light and Ventilation
	NF5	Watersupply Plumbing
	NF6	Sanitary Plumbing and Drainage
	NF7	Roof Drainage

CONTENTS


PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS

Part		Part

NF1	Damp and Weatherproofing	NF4.7	Ventilation borrowed from adjoining room
NF1.1	Site drainage	NF4.8	Restriction on position of WCs and urinals
NF1.2	Building on land subject to dampness	NF4.9	Airlocks
NF1.3	Drainage of land external to building	NF4.10	Sub-floor ventilation
NF1.4	Weatherproofing of roofs and walls	NF4.11	Public carparks
NF1.5	Pliable roof sarking	NF4.12	Uncovered space for Class 4 parts
NF1.6	Water proofing of wet areas in buildings	NF5	Watersupply Plumbing
	Water proofing of wet areas in buildings	NF5.1	General requirements
NF1.7	Damp-proof courses	NF5.2	Means of compliance
NF1.8	Acceptable damp-proof courses	NF5.3	Pipes which are not easy to access
NF1.9	Damp-proofing of floors on the ground	NF5.4	Access to domestic-type water heaters
	Damp-proofing of floors on the ground	NF6	Sanitary Plumbing and Drainage
NF2	Sanitary Facilities	NF6.1	General requirements
		NF6.2	Means of compliance
NF2.1	Facilities in residential buildings other than Class 1 and 10	NF6.3	Certain floors to be drained
		NF6.4	Grease trap
NF2.2	Calculation of number of occupants and fixtures	NF6.5	Toxic wastes
	Calculation of number of occupants and fixtures	NF6.6	Small treatment plants
NF2.3	Facilities in Class 3 to 9 buildings	NF7	Roof Drainage
NF2.4	Facilities for people with disabilities	NF7.1	General requirements
NF2.5	Construction of sanitary compartments	NF7.2	Means of compliance
	Construction of sanitary compartments	Specifications
NF2.6	Interpretation: Urinals and washbasins	Specification NF7.2
NF3	Room Sizes		Sizing of Gutters and Downpipes
NF3.1	Height of rooms
NF3.2	Reduced height permissible
NF3.3	Ceiling fans
NF3.4	Size of rooms
NF4	Light and Ventilation
NF4.1	Provision of natural light
NF4.2	Methods and extent of natural lighting
NF4.3	Natural light borrowed from adjoining room
NF4.4	Artificial lighting
NF4.5	Ventilation of rooms
NF4.6	Natural ventilation

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

OBJECTIVES		NFP9 Site Drainage
A building must be designed and constructed to meet the following objectives—		Unhealthy ponding of water in the allotment must not be allowed and the erection of the building or any alteration to it must not adversely affect the drainage of other allotments or of any public land.
NFP1 Damp and Weatherproofing
Suitable damp and weatherproofing must be provided where necessary to prevent—		REQUIRED PERFORMANCE
(a)	moisture or damp affecting the stability of the building;	NFP1.1 Damp and weatherproofing
(b)	the creation of any unhealthy or dangerous condition; or	Water and damp conditions must not be allowed to—
(c)	causing damage to adjoining property.	(a)	affect the stability of buildings;
NFP2 Cooking and Sanitary Facilities		(b)	create ill health or discomfort for the occupants;
Adequate toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the occupants of a building, having regard to its use and size. In residential buildings other than those meant for transient occupants suitable facilities must also be available for the preparation and cooking of food, the cleaning of utensils and the laundering of clothes.		(c)	damage or deface buildings as a result of moisture present at the completion of construction; or
		(d)	cause damage to adjacent property.
		NFP2.1 Cooking and sanitary facilities
NFP3 Room Sizes		Any cooking facility provided must not spread smoke which may affect health or create a nuisance to the occupants or neighbours. Washing and clothes laundering facilities provided in residential buildings must be consistent with the size and occupancy of the building. The standard of toilet and washing facilities provided must in any building not create a nuisance or lead to ill health to the occupants or neighbours. These facilities must be located conveniently and the number of units provided must be consistent with the size and class of occupancy. Smoke extraction units from kitchens and other process operations in Class 6, 8, or 9 buildings must ensure that the progressive build-up of soot, grease and the like does not lead to a fire or unhealthy conditions. NFP3.1 Room sizes The size and disposition of rooms in a building must be consistent with the requirements of health and hygiene. NFP4.1 Light and ventilation Where airhandling systems are provided in a building there must be adequate provision for natural ventilation to cater for any prolonged failure of the system. NFP5.1 Water supply plumbing Plumbing for potable watersupply must use materials which do not react wih the water and thereby make it unsuitable. Suitable precautions must be taken to ensure that unsafe or unhygienic materials have no chance of entering the supply system. Installation of hot water systems must not impair the safety of the users. All concealed and difficult-to-access plumbing work must be suitably protected so that there is no likelihood of damage and leakage. The plumbing must take into account the current and anticipated needs of the user and allow for the simultaneous use of the connected system by others.
The floor area, plan dimensions and ceiling heights of rooms and other spaces within a building must be adequate for their use or purpose. NFP4 Light and Ventilation The standard of light and ventilation within a building must be adequate for the occupants, having regard to the use or purpose of the building. NFP5 Water Supply Plumbing An appropriate safe and hygienic system of plumbing for the supply of water for domestic needs must be provided. NFP6 Sanitary Plumbing An appropriate system of drainage for the hygienic waterborne conveyance of waste water must be provided. NFP7 Roof Drainage Where a roof drainage system is provided, it must give reasonable protection against the overflow of rainwater into the building.

NFP6.1 Sanitary plumbing and drainage Sanitary plumbing must be laid to self-cleansing grades consistent with their discharge loading, unless other suitable arrangements are made to ensure that the system is kept free of the accretion of sewage and other waste matter. The size of drains and the layout of their connections must reasonably ensure the current and anticipated needs of the users. The connections to sanitary installations must ensure that foul gases are not allowed to produce unhygienic conditions nor create any nuisance to anyone and are suitably vented. NFP7.1 Roof drainage The roof drainage system must be capable of handling peak intensities of rainfall as follows—	(a)	Eaves gutters and downpipes—
		a 20 year return intensity.
	(b)	Internal box gutters, valley gutters and downpipes— a 100 year return intensity.
	Any known local variation in rainfall intensity must be taken into account. Sufficient allowance must be made for the possibility of overflow into the building due to ripples and turbulence in the flowing water during cyclonic winds.

	NFP9.1 Site drainage
	The immediate site around the building must have suitable drainage so that no ponding results. Visible water must not be allowed to remain under or around for more than 1 hour after 10 minutes of maximum rainfall resulting from a storm with a return period of 5 years. Flood waters or waves resulting from a storm or cyclone with a return period of 30 years must not be allowed to enter a building.

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS
DAMP AND WEATHERPROOFING

NF1.1 Site drainage		NF1.6 Water proofing of wet areas in buildings
The construction of a site drainage system and the position and manner of discharge of a stormwater drain must not—		The following parts of a building must be impervious to water—
(a)	result in the entry of water into any building or other allotment;	(a)	In any building — the floor surface or substrate in a shower enclosure, or within 1.5 m measured horizontally from a point vertically below the shower fitting, if there is no enclosure.
(b)	affect the stability of any building; or
(c)	create any unhealthy or dangerous condition within or around any building.	(b)	In a Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building — the floor surface or substrate in a bathroom or shower room, slop sink compartment, laundry or sanitary compartment which is used in common by the occupants.
NF1.2 Building on land subject to dampness
One or more of the following measures must be carried out if it is warranted by the dampness of the building site—		(c)	The wall surface or substrate—
			(i)	of a shower enclosure, or if the shower is not enclosed, within 1.5 m and exposed to a shower fitting, to a height of 1.8 m above the floor;
(a)	The subsoil must be adequately drained.
(b)	The ground under the building must be regraded or filled and provided with outlets to prevent accumulation of water.		(ii)	immediately adjacent or behind a bath, trough, basin, sink, or similar fixture, to a height of 300 mm above the fixture if it is within 75 mm of the wall.
(c)	The surface of the ground under the building must be covered with a suitable damp-resisting material.	(d)	The junction between the floor and wall if the wall and floor are required to be impervious to water.
NF1.3 Drainage of land external to building		(e)	The junction between the wall and fixture if the wall is required to be impervious to water.
A suitable system of drainage must be provided if paving, excavation or any other work on an allotment will cause undue interference with the existing drainage of rainwater falling on the allotment whether the existing drainage is natural or otherwise.
		NF1.7 Damp-proof courses
		Except in a building that is exempt from weatherproofing under NF1.4, moisture from the ground must be prevented from reaching—
NF1.4 Weatherproofing of roofs and walls Roofs and external walls (including openings for windows doors and the like) must be constructed to prevent rain or dampness penetrating to the inner parts of a building, unless it is—		(a)	the lowest floor timbers and the walls above the lowest floor joists;
		(b)	the walls above the damp-proof course; and
		(c)	the underside of a suspended floor constructed of a material other than timber, and the supporting beams or girders.
(a)	a Class 7, 8 or 10 building and in the particular case there is no necessity for compliance;	NF1.8 Acceptable damp-proof courses A damp-proof course must consist of—
(b)	a garage, tool shed, sanitary compartment, or the like, forming part of a building used for other purposes; or	(a)	a material that complies with AS 2904;
		(b)	suitable termite shields placed on piers; or
(c)	an open spectator stand or open deck carpark.	(c)	other suitable material.
		NF1.9 Damp-proofing of floors on the ground
NF1.5 Pliable roof sarking		If a floor of a room is laid on the ground or on filling—
Pliable roof sarking-type material used under roof or wall coverings must comply and be fixed in accordance with—		(a)	moisture from the ground must be prevented from reaching the upper surface of the floor and adjacent walls by—
(a)	AS 1736; or
(b)	AS 1903 and AS 1904.		(i)	the insertion of a vapour barrier in accordance with AS 2870.1; or
			(ii)	other suitable means; and
		(b)	damp-proofing need not be provided if the building is exempt from weatherproofing under NF1.4.

SANITARY AND OTHER FACILITIES


NF2.1	Facilities for residential buildings other than Class 1 and 10		TABLE NF2.1 Continued CLASS OF MINIMUM FACILITIES REQUIRED BUILDING
Sanitary and other facilities for Class 2 and 3 buildings, and Class 4 parts of buildings, must be provided in accordance with Table NF2.1.			Class 3		Facilities for residents—
			For each 10 residents for whom private facilities are not provided—
TABLENF2.1PROVISIONOFSANITARYANDOTHERFACILITIES			(a)		a shower; and
TABLENF2.1PROVISIONOFSANITARYANDOTHERFACILITIES			(b)		a closet pan and washbasin, except that if one urinal is provided for each 25 males up to 50 and one additional urinal for each additional 50 males or part thereof, one closet pan for each 12 males may be provided.
CLASS OF BUILDING		MINIMUM FACILITIES REQUIRED
Class 2		Within each sole-occupancy unit—
(a)	a kitchen sink and facilities for the preparation and cooking of food;				If these facilities are situated outside the building, they should be conveniently accessible.
(b)	a shower; and
(c)	a closet pan and facilities for washing hands.		Class 4		For each sole-occupancy unit—
For each building—			(a)		a kitchen sink and facilities for the preparation and cooking of food;
(a)	a separate laundry for each 4 sole-occupancy units, or part without its own clothes washing facilities, comprising at least one washtub and space for a washing machine;		(b)		a shower;
			(c)		a closet pan and washbasin;
(b)	clothes drying facilities comprising—		(d)		clothes washing facilities, comprising a washtub and space in the same room for a washing machine; and
	(i)	lines or clothes hoists with not less than 7.5m of line per sole-occupancy unit; or
	(ii)	one heat-operated drying cabinet or appliance for each 4 sole-occupancy units, or part, without its own drying facilities.	(e)		a clothes line or hoist, or space for a heat-operated drying cabinet or similar appliance for the exclusive use of the occupants.
			NF2.2 Calculation of number of occupants and fixtures
Facilities for employees—			NF2.2 Calculation of number of occupants and fixtures
			(a)	The number of persons accommodated must be calculated according to Table ND1.13 if it cannot be more accurately determined by other means.
	If the building contains more than 32 sole-occupancy units, or if a group of Class 2 buildings on the one allotment contains in total, more than 32 sole-occupancy units—
			(b)	Unless the premises are predominantly used by one sex or numbers of male and female users are known, sanitary facilities must be provided equally for both sexes.
	a closet pan and washbasin in a compartment or room at or near ground level and accessible to employees without having to entering a sole-occupancy unit			In addition where the nature of employment of an employee is such that a shower is highly desirable at the end of the work (eg. cooks and kitchen hands), showers must be provided for each 10 such male or female employee in any one shift.

NF2.3 Facilities in Class 3 to 9 Buildings Sanitary facilities must be provided in Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings in accordance with Table NF2.3.

	TABLE NF2.3 SANITARY AND OTHER FACILITIES
	Class of Building	User	Max Number Served by—
			Closet Fixture (s)			Urinals (s)			Washbasin (s)
			1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra	1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra	1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra
	3, 5, 6 and 9 other than schools	Employees Males Females	20 15	40 30	20 15	25 -	50 -	50 -	60 60	120 120	60 60
	7 and 8	Employees Males Females	20 15	40 30	20 15	25 -	50 -	50 -	30 30	60 60	30 30
	6 — Department stores, shopping centres and, individual shops in excess of 900 m² total floor area	Patrons— Males Females	500 300	2400 600	1200 1200	600 -	1200 -	1200 -	1000 1000	4000 4000	2000 2000
	6 — Restaurants cafes, bars, public halls, function rooms and 9a — out patients	Patrons— Males Females	50 30	200 70	250 80	50 -	200 -	100 -	50 50	200 200	250 250
	9a — Health-care buildings (Other than for out patients)	Resident Patients— Males Females	- -	16 16	8 8	- -	- -	- -	16 16	32 32	16 16
		— Other facilities — One shower for each 8, or part, patients or inmates.
	9b — Schools not being early child-hood centres	Staff and employees— Males Females Students— Males Females	20 15 30 20	40 30 70 40	20 15 70 30	25 - 30 -	50 - 70 -	50 - 40 -	30 30 60 60	60 60 140 140	30 30 140 140
		– Other facilities — A minimum of one shower each for male and female students
	9b — Early childhood centres	Children	-	30	15	-	-	-	-	30	15
		– Other facilities — One shower must be provided.


TABLE NF2.3 Continued SANITARY AND OTHER FACILITIES
Class of Building	User	Max Number Served by—
		Closet Fixture (s)			Urinals (s)			Washbasin (s)
		1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra	1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra	1 Up to	2 Up to	Each extra
9b — Sporting venues, theatres cinemas, art galleries or the like and churches, chapels or the like	Participants at sporting venues, theatres or the like

	Males Females	20 15	40 30	20 15	10 -	20 -	10 -	20 20	40 40	20 20



	— Other facilities: One shower for each 10 or part, participants.

	Spectators or patrons

	Males Females	250 75	500 250	500 250	100 -	200 -	100 -	250 250	500 500	500 500

NF2.4 Facilities for people with disabilities
Sanitary facilities must be provided in accordance with Table NF2.4 in every Class 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 building that is required by Part ND3 to be accessible to people with disabilities.

TABLENF2.4SANITARYFACILITIESFORPEOPLEWITHDISABILITIES

CLASS OF
BUILDING

MINIMUM FACILITY FOR USE BY PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES

Class 3 — In every sole-occupancy unit to which access for people with disabilities is required—

(a)

one closet pan and washbasin; and

(b)

one shower.

Class 5, 6, 7 and 9 buildings with floor area more than 1000 m² and

Class 3 if accommodation is other than in sole-occupancy units, or other parts of the building are required to be accessible—

NUMBER OF PERSONS
FOR WHOM TOTAL FACILITIES
NORMALLY REQUIRED

MINIMUM NUMBER FOR USE BY
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Closet pans plus urinals—

1 – 100

(a)

one unisex facility; or

(b)

one closet pan and washbasin for each sex.

101 – 200

(a)

2 unisex facilities; or

(b)

one closet pan and washbasin for each sex and one unisex facility.

More than 200

(a)

2 unisex facilities or one closet pan and washbasin for each sex and one unisex facility; and

(b)

one additional unisex facility or one closet pan and washbasin for each sex for each additional 100 persons.

In all cases, facilities for females must include adequate means for the disposal of sanitary towels.

Baths or showers

one shower or shower-bath for each 10 or part thereof normally required, but not less than one for use by both sexes.

NF2.5 Construction of sanitary compartments			NF2.6 Interpretation: Urinals and washbasins
(a)	Partitions — Other than in any early childhood centre, sanitary compartments must have doors and partitions must separate adjacent compartments and extend—		(a)	A urinal may be either—
				(ii)	an individual stall or wall hung urinal;
				(ii)	each 600 mm length of a continuous urinal trough; or
	(i)	from floor level to the ceiling in the case of a unisex facility; or		(iii)	a closet pan used in place of a urinal.
	(ii)	to a height of not less than 1500 mm above the floor if primary school children are the principal users, or 1800 mm above the floor in all other cases.	(b)	A washbasin may be either—
				(i)	an individual basin; or
				(ii)	a part of a hand wash trough served by a single water tap.
(b)	Facilities for people with disabilities — The construction and layout of sanitary compartments for use by people with disabilities must comply with AS 1428.1, or NZS 4121 and NZS 4122.

ROOM SIZES

NF3.1 Height of rooms				(ii)	theatre, public hall or other assembly building or part that accommodates more than 100 persons- 3.0 m.
Minimum heights below the ceiling and any framing excluding minor projections such as cornices, are:
(a)	Class 2, or 3 buildings, or Class 4 parts—		(e)	Ancillary and other spaces—
	(i)	habitable room- 2.4 m;		(i)	bathroom, shower room, water closet, toilet room, airlock, tea preparation room, pantry, store room, garage, carparking area, or the like, in any class of building- 2.1 m.
	(ii)	laundry or the like- 2.1 m; and
	(iii)	corridor or passageway- 2.1 m.
(b)	Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings—		NF3.2 Reduced height permissible
	(i)	areas other than in (ii)- 2.4 m; and	These heights may be reduced if the reduction does not unduly interfere with the proper functioning of the room in—
	(ii)	corridor, passageway, or the like- 2.1 m.
(c)	Class 9a building —		(a)	attic rooms
	(i)	ward area- 2.4 m;	(b)	rooms with a sloping ceiling or projection below ceiling line; or
	(ii)	operating theatre or delivery room- 3.0 m; and	(c)	other rooms or spaces.
	(iii)	treatment room, clinic, waiting room, passageway, corridor, or the like- 2.4 m.	NF3.3 Ceiling fans
			Ceiling fans and other such appliances must be at a minimum vertical clearance of 2.1 m.
(d)	Class 9b buildings —
	(i)	school classroom or other assembly building or part that accommodates not more than 100 persons- 2.4 m; and	NF3.4 Size of rooms
			In Class 2, 3 or Class 4 parts habitable rooms excluding kitchens must have a minimum floor area of 6 m². The size of a toilet must be not less than 1.5 m x 0.75 m and of a shower cubicle, 0.74 m x 0.74 m.

LIGHT AND VENTILATION

NF4.1 Provision of Natural Light			(b)	the glazed panel or opening has an area of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room to which it provides light; and
Natural lighting must be provided in—
(a)	Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts — to all habitable rooms.		(c)	the adjoining room has windows with an aggregate light transmitting area of not less than 10% of the combined floor areas of both rooms.
(b)	Class 3 buildings — to all bedrooms and dormitories.
(c)	Class 9a buildings — to all rooms used for sleeping purposes.		The areas specified in (b) and (c) may be reduced as appropriate if direct natural light is provided from another source:
(d)	Class 9b buildings — to all general purpose classrooms in primary or secondary schools and all playrooms or the like for the use of children in an early childhood centre.
			NF4.4 Artificial lighting
			Artificial lighting must be provided—
NF4.2 Methods and extent of natural lighting			(a)	in required stairways and ramps by means of separate electrical wiring circuits from the main switchboard for the exclusive use of the stairway or ramp; and
Direct natural lighting must be provided by windows that—
(a)	have an aggregate light transmitting area measured excluding framing members, glazing bars or other obstructions of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room;		(b)	if natural lighting of a standard equivalent to that required by NF4.2 is not available and the periods of occupation, or use of the room or space will create undue hazard to occupants seeking egress in an emergency, in—
(b)	face—
	(i)	a court or other space open to the sky; or		(i)	Class 4 parts — to sanitary compartments, bathrooms, shower rooms, airlocks and laundries;
	(ii)	an open verandah, open carport, or the like;
(c)	are not less than a horizontal distance from any adjoining allotment, or a wall of the same building or another building on the allotment that they face, that is the greater of—			(ii)	Class 2 buildings — to sanitary compartments, bathrooms, shower rooms, airlocks, laundries, common stairways and other spaces used in common by the occupants of the building; and
	(i)	In a Class 2, 3 or 9 building or a Class 4 part –1 m;
	(ii)	in a ward area or other room used for sleeping purposes in a Class 9a building –3 m; and		(iii)	Class 3, 5, 6 7 8 and 9 buildings — to all rooms that are frequently occupied and all corridors, lobbies, internal stairways, other circulation spaces and paths of egress.
	(iii)	50% of the square root of the height of the wall in which the window is located, measured in metres from its sill.	NF4.5 Ventilation of rooms
			(a)	A habitable room, office, shop, factory, workroom, sanitary compartment, bathroom, shower room, laundry and any other room occupied by a person for any purpose must have adequate flow-through or cross-ventilation and air quality, including sufficient air-changes and fresh air quantities.
NF4.3 Natural light borrowed from adjoining room
Natural lighting to a room in a Class 2 or 4 building, or in a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 3 building may come through a glazed panel or opening from an adjoining room (including an enclosed verandah) if—
			(b)	Provision of either—
				(i)	natural ventilation complying with NF4.6; or
(a)	in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part, both rooms are within the same sole-occupancy unit or the enclosed verandah is on common property;			(ii)	a mechanical ventilation or air conditioning system complying with Table 3 of AS 1668.2, with provision for natural ventilation to NF4.6 for use in case of a lengthy failure of the mechanical system,

satisfies (a).				(ii)	the adjoining room has a window, opening, door or other device with a ventilating area of not less than 10% of the combined floor areas of both rooms; and
Where the required ventilation relies on mechanical or air-conditioning systems, habitable rooms, offices, shops, factories, workrooms or commercial laundries must have alternate natural ventilation for use in case of a lengthy failure of the mechanical system. The extent of natural ventilation available must be not less than 25% of that required under NF4.6. Otherwise the mechanical system must have a complete stand-by system including for power generation.
			(c)	the ventilating areas specified in (a) and (b) may be reduced as appropriate if direct natural ventilation is provided from another source.
			NF4.8 Restriction on position of WCs and urinals A room containing a closet pan or urinal must not open directly into—
NF4.6 Natural ventilation			(a)	a kitchen or pantry;
Required natural ventilation must be provided by permanent windows, openings, doors or other devices—			(b)	a public dining room or restaurant;
			(c)	a dormitory in a Class 3 building;
(a)	with an aggregate opening or openable size not less than 10% of the floor area of the room required to be ventilated; and		(d)	a room used for public assembly; or
			(e)	a workplace normally occupied by more than one person.
(b)	which open to—		NF4.9 Airlocks
	(i)	a court, or space open to the sky; or	If a room containing a closet pan or urinal is prohibited under NF4.8 from opening directly to another room—
	(ii)	an open verandah, open carport, or the like.
NF4.7 Ventilation borrowed from adjoining room			(a)	in a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or in a Class 4 part—
Natural ventilation to a room may come through a window, opening, ventilating door or other device from an adjoining room (including an enclosed verandah) if both rooms are within the same sole-occupancy unit or the enclosed verandah is common property, and—
				(i)	access must be by an airlock, hallway or other room; or
				(ii)	the room containing the closet pan or urinal must be provided with an exhaust fan; and
(a)	in a Class 2 building, a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 3 building or a Class 4 part of a building—		(b)	in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building (which is not an early childhood centre, primary school or open spectator stand)—
	(i)	the room to be ventilated is not a sanitary compartment;		(i)	access must be by an airlock, hallway or other room with a floor area of not less than 1.1 m² and fitted with self-closing doors at all access doorways; or
	(ii)	ventilation is not borrowed from one bedroom to another or between a bedroom and the kitchen;
	(iii)	the window, opening, door or other device has a ventilating area of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room to be ventilated; and		(ii)	the room containing the closet pan or urinal must be provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation and the doorway to the room adequately screened from view.
			NF4.10 Sub-floor ventilation
	(iv)	the adjoining room has a window, opening, door or other device with a ventilating area of not less than 10% of the combined floor areas of both rooms;	(a)	Suitable provision must be made to prevent undue deterioration of the lowest floor of a building because of dampness, other conditions on the allotment or the design of the building.
			(b)	The following would satisfy the requirements of (a)—
(b)	in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building—
	(i)	the window, opening, door or other device has a ventilating area of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room to be ventilated, measured not more than 3.6 m above the floor; and

(i)	where timber is used, the floor framing must be suspended with an absolute minimum of 250 mm and an average minimum of 400 mm clearance from the ground underneath to the floor and the immediate surrounds of the building. The average clearance must be determined as the average of the clearances at the corners of a 3 m square grid covering the building. Subfloor ventilation must be provided with ventilation openings totalling not less than 3% of the peripheral vertical area between the ground and the boundary of the floor. These openings are to be spaced uniformly and at not more than 1.8 m apart.			the floor members suitably treated.
		NF4.11 Public carparks
		Every storey of a public carpark must have—
		(a)	a mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning system complying with AS 1668.2; or
		(b)	a suitable system of permanent natural ventilation in accordance with NF4.6.
		NF4.12 Uncovered space for Class 4 parts
		Class 4 parts of buildings must have sole access to a space open to the sky of 20 m² minimum area. Of this at least 5 m² must be at the same level as the Class 4 part and the rest may be at either 3 m above or 3 m below.
(ii)	where other than timber is used—
	subfloor ventilation must be provided if the floor is suspended;
	an impervious cover provided over the ground surface beneath the building; or

WATERSUPPLY PLUMBING

NF5.1 General requirements		NF5.3 Pipes which are not eay to access
The plumbing work for water supply must ensure—		Particular attention is drawn to the provisions in AS 3500 — Parts 1 and 4 which prohibit the installation of pipes and fittings of certain materials in locations which are concealed or difficult to access. These include pipes made of ABS, galvanised steel, polybutylene and UPVC. Pipes and fittings made of copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, ductile iron, cast iron and polyethylene when used in concealed or difficult to access locations must follow the special precautions specified in AS 3500 — Parts 1 and 4.
(a)	the appropriateness of the materials and products used;
(b)	the correct sizing of water services for the intended use;
(c)	the control of cross-connections and prevention of backflow;
(d)	adequate care in the installtion of the services;
(e)	suitable provision of main and subsidiary storage as required;	NF5.4 Access to domestic-type water heaters
(f)	adequate connections to sanitary services without endangering health and hygiene; and	(a)	A household water heater which is installed in a building must—
(g)	the installation of hot water systems to provide safe and adequate service.		(i)	be supported on construction sufficient to carry its full capacity weight and any possible wind or earthquake loads;
NF5.2 Means of compliance			(ii)	be positioned to enable adequate access for operation, maintenance and removal; and
The requirements of NF5.1 are satisfied if all plumbing for watersupply is carried out to the relevant provisions of—
			(iii)	provide suitably for any overflow, especially if installed in a concealed location.
(a)	AS 3500 — Part 1 for cold water service; and	(b)	AS 3500 — Part 4 is the relevant standard for the installation of a household water heater.
(b)	AS 3500 — Part 4 for hot water service.

SANITARY PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE

NF6.1 General requirements		NF6.4 Grease trap
Sanitary plumbing and drainage must ensure—		Where the nature of the occupancy is such that the waste water contains grease, fats or oils to levels unacceptable to the Authority having jurisdiction, a suitable grease trap must be installed. The accumulated grease and oils must be removed at intervals sufficient to prevent their escape into the disposal system. After removal the grease and oils must be suitably disposed off.
(a)	the appropriateness of the products and materials used;
(b)	the correct sizing of drainage services for the intended use;
(c)	adequate care in the installation of the services including the provision of appropriate grades; and
		NF6.5 Trade wastes
(d)	that foul gases are not allowed to produce unhygienic conditions or any nuisance to anyone.	Any trade waste unacceptable to the Authority having jurisdiction must be pretreated before it enters the disposal system.
NF6.2 Means of compliance		NF6.6 Small treatment plants
The requirements of NF6.1 are satisfied if all sanitary plumbing and drainage works are carried out to the relevant provisions of AS 3500 — Part 2 — Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage.		Where there is no public sewerage and treatment system available one of the following methods may be used for the treatement of sewage—
NF6.3 Certain floors to be drained		(a)	Packaged treatment plants.
In a Class 2, 3 or 4 Part building the floor of each bathroom and laundry in a sole-occupancy unit which is located at other than the lowest level must be graded to permit drainage to a floor waste gully.		(b)	Septic tanks.
		(c)	Any other suitable method.
		The details given in Annexure 2 to Specification DF2.1 may be used for the preliminary design of the main elements of a septic tank system if such a system is considered.

ROOF DRAINAGE

NF7.1 General requirements		(c)	Gutters and downpipes for temporary buildings must cater to a 5 year return intensity of rainfall of 85 mm/hr.
Gutters and downpipes where provided must have sufficient capacity to reasonably prevent the overflow of rain water into the building. The peak intensities of rainfall that the gutters and associated downpipes must be able to handle are as follows—
		Eaves gutters other than for temporary buildings must have a designed free-board of 25 mm and box gutters, 35 mm.
		NF7.2 Means of compliance
(a)	Eaves gutters— a 20 year return intensity of 115 mm/hr	The requirements of NF7.1 are satisfied if the requirements of AS 2179 — Metal rainwater goods — Specification and AS 2180 — Metal rainwater goods — Selection and installation, are met. Specification NF7.2 covers some of these requirements.
(b)	Box and valley gutters— a 100 year return intensity of 150 mm/hr

SIZING OF GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES

1 DESIGN CRITERIA
The design of a roof-drainage system is based on the following factors—
—	Rainfall intensity and risk of flooding
—	Catchment area of roof
—	Gutter efficiency
—	Spacing of downpipes.
1.1 Rainfall intensity
In rainstorms long periods of steady rainfall are interspersed with peak intensities for short periods. The roof-drainage system must be capable of handling the peak intensities without flooding or overflow. Peak intensities for Fiji are as follows—
	5 year return period	85 mm/hr
	20 year return period	115 mm/hr
	100 year return period	150 mm/hr
Any known local variations should be taken into account. The 5 year return intensity is used in the design of temporary structures of short life. The design of eaves gutters of permanent buildings must be based on the 20 year return intensity and of internal box gutters and valley gutters on the 100 year return intensity. A freeboard of 25 mm for eaves gutters and of 35 mm for internal box gutters and valley gutters are required to provide against overflow into buildings.
2 CATCHMENT A roof drainage system is best analysed by dividing it into lengths of gutter each sloping down from a high point to an outlet with a downpipe. A long length of roof usually drains into several lengths of gutter separated by expansion joints that are also high points. The catchment area for a length of gutter is determined by multiplying the rafter length by the length of gutter (G) and adding a proportion of any vertical surface against which rain can be driven. A reasonable procedure is to add half the area of a very exposed vertical surface and smaller proportions for less extreme conditions (see Figure 2.1).			The length G of a gutter is measured as the distance from a high point in the gutter to the downpipe when the downpipe is at the end of the gutter and between high points when the downpipe is not at the end (see Figure 2.2).

4 BOX GUTTERS			catchment area and 150 mm/hr rain intensity, determine the design flow for the gutter and the downpipe. Select a width of not less than 300 mm for the box gutter. The required depth can then be read from Figure 4.1.2 by using the selected width and the design flow. The depth allows for a freeboard of 35 mm which will be necessary during cyclonic winds along with normal turbulence and ripples. The depth thus determined assumes that the gutter is laid to zero slope. To adjust for the slope, use the depth determined from Figure 4.1.2 in Figure 4.1.3 and read off the depth adjusted for slope against the appropriate slope line. The minimum depth must be 80 mm.
The procedure for the design of box gutters is as follows—
Ideally, box gutters must be straight, at least 300 mm wide, capable of supporting a workman, fixed at a slope of not less than 1 in 200, and provided with, an overflow and adequate downpipe outlets not more than 18 m apart. The gutters must have sufficient slope to clear dust and debris and they might need leaf guards. 4.1 Size of gutter Space the downpipes suitably and calculate the catchment area per downpipe. From Figure 4.1.1 using the calulated

4.2 Size of downpipe
The size of the downpipe can be determined from figure 4.2 by reading against the design flow and the actual depth of the gutter determined from using figure 4.1.3. The downpipes can be round or rectangular.

4.3 Overflow
A box gutter discharging directly into a downpipe must have an overflow outlet to allow for blockage and to provide for rainfall intensities greater than those used for design. To cope only with peaks in rainfall it is sufficient for the overflow outlet to have a cross sectional area equal to 15 percent of the total cross-sectional area of the gutter, that is an overflow area of 0.15 dw (see Figure 4.3.1).

But if the overflow is intended to cope with the effect of a total blockage of the downpipe during a peak period then the cross-sectional area of the overflow outlet must equal the cross-sectional area of the water flow at the outlet of the gutter (h x w for minimum fall). The overflow should be slightly above level h and if it is the same width as the gutter, the depth of the gutter will have to be further increased by an amount equal to h in order to accommodate the flow of water in a crisis (see Figure 4.3.2). The slope factor must not be taken into account when determining the new depth for the gutter and the amount of freeboard added to the increased gutter depth will depend on the risk the designer wishes to take regarding the possibilities of failure of the roof-drainage system during a peak period. Other methods of preventing overflow due to blocked downpipes are the provision of rainheads and sumps.

5 RAINHEADS AND SUMPS	7 INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS
5.1 Rainheads	Dissimilar metals must be separated by a non-conducting gasket or similar device to prevent electro-chemical corrosion. Water draining from copper components must not discharge onto non-copper components tor the same reason. However, water can be safely drained from non-copper onto copper components. (The prevention of electro-chemical corrosion between metals will not necessarily prevent atmospheric corrosion of the individual metals). 8 EXPANSION JOINTS FOR GUTTERS Metal gutters must be provided with expansion joints to prevent distortion and resulting damage and reduced flow. The maximum length between expansion joints is given in Table 8.
The rainhead is a device used to increase the capacity of a downpipe at the end of a box gutter and to allow for overflow in case of a blocked downpipe. The discharge capacity of an outlet increases with the depth of water (head) over the outlet. The rainhead is located at the far end of a box gutter and consists of a sump and overflow arrangements. The sump increases the flow through the downpipe by providing an additional head of water. The overflow provides safety against water spilling into the building if the downpipe is blocked. The detailed design of rainheads is given in AS 2180. 5.2 Sumps

Where a sump is fitted to the sole of a gutter it provides a local reservoir and the additional head increases the flow through the downpipe. The detailed design of sumps is given in AS 2180.	TABLES 8 Maximum Distance between gutter expansion Joints
6 DOWNPIPES	Material	Estimated exposed temperature range (°C)	Distance between 20 mm expansion joints (m)
6.1 Location
Downpipes must be located externally, but where it is necessary to locate a downpipe internally the pipe must be accessible so that any blockage can be cleared. Access for cleaning must be provided at the base of all downpipes that are connected directly to a storm water drain. Downpipes are most efficient when located at the centre of a length of gutter. 6.2 Swirl
	Aluminium Copper Stainless Steel Steel Zinc	45 55 40 50 50	18 21 30 33 15
The performance of an outlet with the head of water more than 1/3 of its diameter will be reduced if swirl occurs at the outlet. This would generally happen only where rainheads or sumps are included in the system. Swirl can be eliminated if the centreline of the downpipe is kept no more than a distance equal to its diameter or the average of its cross-sectional dimensions, away from the nearest vertical side of the rainhead or the sump.	9 STORMWATER
	9.1 Where a downpipe discharges into a storm water gully it must terminate below the gully grating, and where the connection is made directly to a stormwater pipe underground the internal diameter of the underground pipe must be greater than that of the downpipe. Underground stormwater pipes draining roof and paved catchments must be laid in straight lines at uniform gradients between sumps or collection pits. Large paved areas and roadways must slope towards drainage points with a minimum cross-fall of 1 in 60 for bitumen or concrete surfaces and 1 in 120 for concrete kerb channels.

6.3 Gratings
Where a grating or strainer is fitted to a rain-water outlet the total area of the perforations in the grating must be at least 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of the outlet. Strainer gratings must project above the calculated level of flow at the outlet and must be cleared of accumulated debris regularly.

9.2 Pipe sizes
Table 9.2 indicates the maximum total catchment area of roof and paving that can be drained by underground pipes laid at different gradients, of various diameters and running half full. Areas shown above the heavy line will have a flow velocity insufficient to flush out debris.
The Table is for a rainfall intensity of 115 mm/h. For other rainfall intensities, the horizontal area to be drained must be proportionally adjusted by multiplying the area by 115 and dividing by the required rainfall intensity. The proportionally adjusted area can be used in the Table to determine the pipe size.

NATIONAL
BUILDING
CODE
1990

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUP DWELLINGS (CLASS 2 TO 9)






	SECTION NG



	ANCILLARY PROVISIONS





	Performance Requirements Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions


	NG1	Minor Structures and Components

	NG2	Fireplaces, Chimneys and Flues

	NG3	Atrium Construction

CONTENTS


PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS

Part		Part

NG1	Minor Structures and Components	NG1.6	Fences
		NG2	Fireplaces, Chimneys and Flues
NG1.1	Swimming pools	NG2.1	General requirements
NG1.2	Refrigerated chambers, strong rooms and vaults	NG2.2	Open fireplaces
	Refrigerated chambers, strong rooms and vaults	NG2.3	Incinerator rooms
NG1.3	Parapets on flat roofs	NG3	Atrium Construction
NG1.4	Projections over public places
NG1.5	Moveable awnings or sunshades over public places

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

OBJECTIVES AND REQUIRED PERFORMANCE		NGP1.4 Use of the air space over public places
This Section contains more specific requirements for particular parts of buildings or structures.		Any use of the air space over public places such as footpaths and roads must be limited to ensure that normal public use of such places is not obstructed.
Parts of buildings and structures must be so designed and constructed that the following objectives, in addition to those listed for Sections B, NC, ND, NE and NF where relevant, are fulfilled:
		NGP1.5 Aesthetics
		Any minor structure such as fencing, awnings, and such like must be suited to the general surroundings and the occupancy of the buildings and the neighbourhood.
NGP1 Minor Structures and Components
NGP1.1 Swimming pools—		NGP2 Fireplaces, Chimneys and Flues
(a)	Suitable means for the disposal of waste and drainage must be provided to a swimming pool.	Fireplaces, chimneys and flues must be adequately constructed or separated to prevent—
		(a)	ignition of nearby parts of the building; or
(b)	Access by unsupervised young children to swimming pools must be restricted.	(b)	escape or discharge of smoke to the inside of the building or to adjacent windows, ventilation inlets, or the like.
NGP1.2 Refrigerated chambers, strong rooms and vaults—		NGP3 Atrium Construction
Refrigerated or cooling chambers, strong rooms and vaults, or the like, which are capable of entry by a person must have adequate safety measures to facillitate escape and for alerting persons outside the chamber or vault in the event of an emergency.		The construction of an atrium must not unduly increase the danger to occupants from fire or smoke.

NGP 1.3. Safety at elevated place
Elevated places with regular access such as some flat roofs must have adequate protection to prevent anyone from falling.

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS
MINOR STRUCTURES AND COMPONENTS

NG1.1 Swimming pools			NG1.4 Projections over public places
(a)	Drainage: A swimming pool must have suitable means of drainage.		Buildings must not project beyond the allotment boundary. Architectural features such as eaves cornices clocks lamps ventilating equipment trade signs hoardings flag poles bay or oriel windows and such like as well as a platform or balcony to provide additional means of egress from an existing building, may however project over public footpaths or roads with the following minimum clearances—
(b)	Safety fencing: A swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm must have suitable barriers or safety fencing in acccrdance with AS 2818 and AS 1926 to restrict access by young children to the immediate pool surrounds if the swimming pool is associated with a Class 2 or 3 building or is a public pool.


NG1.2 Refrigerated chambers, strong rooms and vaults			(a)	3300 mm above existing or intended finished level of footpaths; and
(a)	A refrigerated or cooling chamber which is of sufficient size for a person to enter must—		(b)	the outer extremity of the feature must be set back 300 mm from the existing or intended kerb.
	(i)	have a door which is in an opening with a clear width of not less than 600 mm and a clear height of not less than 1.5 m; and	Any drainage from such architectural features (including drainage from airconditioning and other ventilating equipment) must be suitably taken down to a drain with downpipes which must also satisfy the required clearances.
	(ii)	at all times, be able to be opened from inside without a key.	NG1.5 Movable Awnings or sunshades over public places
(b)	A strong room or a vault in a building must have—		Any moveable awnings or sunshades must be firmly fixed so that they they do not create any danger obstruction or inconvenience to pedestrians. They must provide the following minimum clearances if they project over public places—
	(i)	internal lighting controllable only from within the room; and
	(ii)	a pilot light located outside the room but controllable only by the switch for the internal lighting.	(a)	2300 mm above the finished levels of the footpath; and
(c)	A refrigerated or cooling chamber, strong room or vault must have a suitable alarm device located outside but controllable only from within the chamber, room or vault.		(b)	their outer extremity must be set back 300 mm from the kerb.
			NG1.6 Fences
NG1.3 Parapets on flat roofs			Any fencing or free-standing wall must be suited to the occupancy of the building within. It must not detract from the general aesthetic appearance of the surroundings. If any barbed wire or other such is used it must be at a height of not less than 2 m above the finished level of any existing or intended adjacent footpath.
Where a flat roof or other elevated place has regular access a parapet or balustrade of not less than 1 m height above the surface of the roof or elevated place must be provided. The width of any opening in the parapet or balustrade must not exceed 100 mm.

FIREPLACES, CHIMNEYS AND FLUES

NG2.1 General requirements				(iv)	combustible material situated below the hearth (but not below that part required to extend beyond the fireplace opening or the limits of the fireplace) is not less than 155mm from the upper surface of the hearth;
A chimney or flue must be constructed—
(a)	to withstand the temperatures likely to be generated by the appliance to which it is connected;
(b)	so that the temperature of the exposed faces will not exceed a level that would cause damage to nearby parts of the building;		(b)	walls forming the sides and back of the fireplace up to not less than 300 mm above the underside of the arch or lintel which—
(c)	so that hot products of combustion will not—			(i)	are constructed in 2 separate leaves of solid masonry not less than 180 mm thick, excluding any cavity; and
	(i)	escape through the walls of the chimney or flue; or		(ii)	do not consist of concrete block masonry in the construction of the inner leaf;
	(ii)	discharge in a position that will cause fire to spread to nearby combustible materials or allow smoke to penetrate through nearby windows, ventilation inlets, or the like;
			(c)	walls of the chimney above the level referred to in (b)—
				(i)	constructed of masonry units with a net volume, excluding cored and similar holes, not less than 75% of their gross volume, measured on the overall rectangular shape of the units, and with an actual thickness of not less than 90 mm; and

(d)	in such a manner as to prevent rainwater penetrating to any part of the interior of the building;
(e)	such that its termination is not less than—			(ii)	lined internally to a thickness of not less than 12 mm with rendering consisting of 1 part cement, 3 parts lime, and 10 parts sand by volume, or other suitable material; and
	(i)	600 mm above any point of penetration of or contact with the roof; and
	(ii)	900 mm above any opening or openable part in any building, within 3 m horizontal distance of the chimney or flue; and	(d)	suitable damp-proof courses or flashings to maintain weatherproofing.
			NG2.3 Incinerator rooms
(f)	so that it is accessible for cleaning.		(a)	If an incinerator is installed in a building any hopper giving access to a charging chute must be—
NG2.2 Open fireplaces
An open fireplace, or solid-fuel burning appliance in which the fuel-burning compartment is not enclosed, satisfies NG2.1 if it has—				(i)	non-combustible;
				(ii)	gaslight when closed;
(a)	a hearth constructed of stone, concrete, masonry or similar non-combustible material so that—			(iii)	designed to automatically return to the closed position after use;
	(i)	it extends not less than 300 mm beyond the front of the fireplace opening and not less than 150 mm beyond each side of that opening;		(iv)	not attached to a chute that connects directly to a flue unless the hopper is located in the open air; and
				(v)	not located in a required exit.
	(ii)	it extends beyond the limits of the fireplace or appliance not less than 300 mm if the fireplace or appliance is free-standing from any wall of the room;	(b)	If an incinerator is in a separate room, that room must be separated from other parts of the building by construction with a FRL of not less than 60/60/60.
	(iii)	its upper surface does not slope away from the grate or appliance; and

ATRIUM CONSTRUCTION

NG3.1 The design of an atrium along with the attendant life safety provisions such as fire prevention, fire fighting, smoke exhaust systems, etc. must fulfil up-to-date and relevant fire engineering principles and practices.

NATIONAL
BUILDING
CODE
1990

PUBLIC BUILDINGS






	SECTION NH



	SPECIAL USE BUILDINGS





	Performance Requirements Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions


	NH1	Theatres, Stages and Public Halls

CONTENTS


OBJECTIVES

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Part		Part

NH1	Theatres, Stages and Public Halls	NH1.4	Seating area
		NH1.5	Exits from threatre stages
NH1.1	Application of Part	NH1.6	Access to platforms and lofts
NH1.2	Separation and smoke control
NH1.3	Proscenium wall construction	Specifications
		Specification NH1.2
			Construction of Theatres with Proscenium Walls

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

OBJECTIVES AND REQUIRED PERFORMANCE			NHP1 Threatres, Stages and Public Halls
This Section contains more specific requirements for particular special use buildings.			The audience seating area and egress routes of a Class 9b building used as a theatre, public hall, or the like, must be protected against fire and smoke from any fire occurring on stage, in backstage areas or in a rigging loft.
Special use buildings must be so designed and constructed that the following objectives, in addition to those listed for Sections B, NC, ND, NE and NF where relevant, are fulfilled.

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY PROVISIONS
THEATRES, STAGES AND PUBLIC HALLS

NH1.1 Application of Part				(iii)	the height of any opening in the riser is not more than 100 mm;
This Part applies to every enclosed Class 9b building which—			(b)	if an aisle divides the stepped floor and the difference in level between any 2 consecutive steps—
(a)	has a stage and any backstage area with a total floor area of more than 200 m²; or			(i)	exceeds 230 mm but not 400 mm — an intermediate step must be provided in the aisle;
(b)	has a stage with an associated rigging loft.			(ii)	exceeds 400 mm — 2 equally spaced steps must be provided in the aisle; and
NH1.2 Separation and smoke control				(iii)	the going of intermediate steps must be not less than 270 mm and such as to provide as nearly as practicable equal treads throughout the length of the aisle; and
The design of smoke control systems for theatres and public halls must fufill up-to-date fire engineering principles and practices.
			(c)	the clearance between rows of fixed seats used for viewing performing arts, sport or recreational activities must be not less than—
A theatre, public hall or the like must—
(a)	have a smoke control system in accordance with AS 1668.1 where relevant; or			(i)	300 mm if the distance to an aisle is not more than 3.5 m; or
(b)	have the stage, backstage area and accessible under-stage area, separated from the audience by a proscenium wall and have a mechanical exhaust system, both in accordance with Specification NH1.2.			(ii)	500 mm if the distance to an aisle is more than 3.5 m.
			NH1.5 Exits from theatre stages
			(a)	The path of travel to an exit from a stage or performing area must not pass through the proscenium wall if the stage area is separated from the audience area with a proscenium wall.
NH1.3 Proscenium wall construction
A proscenium wall and mechanical exhaust system required by NH1.2(b) must comply with Specification NH1.2.
NH1.4 Seating area			(b)	Required exits from backstage and under-stage areas must be independent of those provided for the audience area.
In a seating area in a Class 9b building or part of a building—
(a)	the slope of the floor surface must not exceed 1: 8, or the floor must be stepped so that—		NH1.6 Access to platforms and lofts
			A stairway that provides access to a service platform, rigging loft, or the like, must comply with AS 1657.
	(i)	the pitch does not exceed 30^o;
	(ii)	it has a riser height not more than 600 mm; and

CONSTRUCTION OF THEATRES WITH PROSCENIUM WALLS

1.	Scope			(ii)	operated by a system of automatic heat activated devices, manually operated devices or push button emergency devices; and
This Specification contains the requirements for the construction of proscenium walls and mechanical ventilation for theatres, public halls, or the like.

2.	Separation of stage areas, etc.			(iii)	able to be operated from either the stage side or the audience side of the curtain; and
(a)	Dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms, workshops, associated store rooms and other ancillary areas must be—
			(b)	at any doorway in the wall, by a self-closing —/60/30 fire door.
	(i)	located on the stage side of the proscenium wall; and	6.	Proscenium curtains
		located on the stage side of the proscenium wall; and	A curtain required by Clause 5 must be—
	(ii)	separated from corridors and the like by construction having a FRL of not less than 60/60/60 and if of lightweight construction, comply with Specification NC1.5.	(a)	a fire safety curtain—
				(i)	made of non-combustible material;
				(ii)	capable of withstanding a pressure differential of 0.5 kPa over its entire surface area; and
(b)	The stage and backstage must be separated from other parts of the building, other than the audience seating area, by construction having a FRL of not less than 60/60/60 and if of lightweight construction, comply with Specification NC1.5.			(iii)	so fitted that when fully closed it inhibits the penetration of smoke around the perimeter of the opening, from the stage; or

			(b)	a curtain—
(c)	Any doorway in the construction referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be protected by a self-closing –/60/30 fire door.			(i)	having a Spread-of-Flame Index not greater than 0 and a Smoke-Developed Index not greater than 3; and

3.	Proscenium wall construction			(ii)	protected by a deluge system of open sprinklers installed along the full width of the curtain.
A proscenium wall must—
(a)	extend to the underside of the roof covering or the underside of the structural floor next above; and		7.	Mechanical ventilation
			Every stage must have a system of mechanical ventilation with sufficient capacity to exhaust an amount of air whichever is the greater of—
(b)	have a FRL of 60/60/60 or more and if of lightweight construction, comply with Specification NC1.5.
			(a)	5,000 L/s; or
4.	Combustible materials not to cross proscenium wall		(b)	the sum of—
	Combustible materials not to cross proscenium wall			(i)	10 L/s.m² of the performing area of the stage;
Timber purlins or other combustible material must not pass through or cross any proscenium wall.					10 L/s.m² of the performing area of the stage;
				(ii)	20 L/s.m² of the remaining area of the stage.
5.	Protection of openings in proscenium wall				20 L/s.m² of the remaining area of the stage.
Every opening in a proscenium wall must be protected—
(a)	at the principal opening, by a curtain in accordance with Clause 6 which is—
	(i)	capable of closing the proscenium opening within 35 seconds either by gravity slide or motor assisted mechanisms;