Supawood’s commitment
Supawood has a simple way of handling any ambiguity in the BCA. We simply ask ourselves, if the worst was to occur, and our panelling was to be burnt in a real fire, would the judge or investigator be able to find anything untoward in what we manufactured or in what we represented to the client?
This question has kept us on a safe, but conservative, path.
Why is there still ambiguity regarding the changes made to the BCA in May 2019?
Since the 2019 NCC/BCA came into effect, a lot of confusion still surrounds the fire compliance of interior linings used in commercial buildings, as outlined in C1.10 in Volume 1 of the NCC.
A lot of the confusion is due to the many suppliers who are still submitting ambiguous or non-compliant fire tests and reports. Typically, tests or reports are submitted that do not make it clear what product configurations and install method the test or report applies to.
For this reason, the BCA requests that a complete copy of the original certificate, report, or document is to be submitted to ensure the product is similar and has been tested in a like fashion to how it will be installed on site. This can be determined by referring to photos, diagrams, or a detailed description in the full report.
What Supawood will and will not do
Supawood’s commitment is to ensure that any fire test or fire assessment we supply will match the actual install or system supplied to site.
For example, Supawood will not use fire intumescent paints, as these require a specified thickness of paint to be applied to the edges of all holes and slots, which is impossible to guarantee in reality.
See https://www.supawood.com.au/news/what-is-wrong-with-using-fire-intumescent-paint-to-achieve-fire-group-numbers
Supawood will only use fire tests and fire assessments from NATA or IANZ accredited laboratories, as our view is that only these fire engineers are appropriately qualified persons.
We have this view because only these fire engineers have access to the knowledge gleaned from all the tests that have been conducted in the industry, are peer reviewed and ISO 17025 certified.
Supawood will not use fire tests or fire assessments from non-certified fire laboratories or fire engineers as these will be likely based on incomplete information and assumptions and therefore be ambiguous or misleading.
Supawood fully complies with the current relevant NCC/BCA standards in all respects: Reaction to Fire, Non-Combustibility, Seismic, Acoustic, and Sustainability. We are known for this and for providing clear and concise information to design and building professionals.
If you have any questions about this blog, would like further training, or would like us to help you with a current project, please click here.
Watch this video
The Stardust night club fire in 1981 killed 48 and injured 214. This video shows a recreation of the fire and demonstrates how quickly linings can contribute to flashover.
