For Certifiers/Building Surveyors

Permax ensures that all passive fire protection systems are assessed by certified building surveyors in accordance to Australian standards by Accredited Testing Laboratories only. These fire assessment certificates and reports are available for verification upon request, please contact the Permax technical services team for more information.

Each specific product system can meet different compliance requirements of the NCC depending on the project and fire rating requirements. Intumescent fire protection on structural steel can be considered a DtS solution or be incorporated into a performance solution.

For more information on how structural steel fire protection and certified building surveyors can be achieved through DtS compliance please click here.

Nullifire SC902 & SC803

The Nullifire intumescent systems for structural steel are assessed in accordance with AS4100, Structural Steel Standard and AS1530.4:2014, the methods of fire tests on building materials, components and structures. The relevant fire assessment report number for the Nullifire SC902 system is FC 11812-001 while the Nullifire SC803 is FC 11648-001.

Aithon PV33

The Aithon pv33 system is a clear intumescent for timber fire protection which has been assessed to AS1530.4 and AS1720.4 for fire resistance of timber structures. The assessment provides a set of equations that can be used to determine the protected char rate of PV33 applied timber members. Please contact Permax for the relevant fire assessment report.

Aithon A90h

The Aithon a90h system is a pigmented intumescent for concrete fire protection which has been assessed to AS1530.4. The A90h assessment provides information on the equivalent concrete cover thickness that can be achieved with a certain thickness of intumescent. Please contact Permax for the relevant fire assessment report.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Nullifire SC902 system a DtS solution?

The Nullifire SC902 system has been assessed to the relevant Australian standards to provide the evidence of suitability required for a DtS solution. Please download PTA003 to find more information on how a DtS solution can be achieved. In some specific circumstances where the fire protected system is used in a different configuration, a performance solution may be required. Please contact Permax for more information on compliance pathways.

Do you have test evidence for my specific design scenario and steel section size?

It is not possible to fire test every different steel section size and configuration. Therefore, the fire test covers a range of steel sizes so a window or range of steel section factors can be covered in the assessment. Permax also have a range of fire testing evidence available to supplement the Nullifire assessment reports to provide further evidence for different configurations of fire protected steel. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

What is the relevant test standard for structural steel fire protection standard?

According to the NCC the relevant standard for structural steel fire protection is AS4100. The test standard referenced in AS4100 is AS1530.4, as it presents the methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures in particular fire resistance tests for elements of construction.

Do fire assessment reports expire and what version of standard is required for compliance?

The BCA provides guidance on the versions of fire test standards which are considered valid. Until the release of the NCC 2022, fire assessments to AS1530.4:2005 are valid however after the NCC2022 is released all product fire assessments are required to be in accordance with AS1530.4:2014.

What is coat-back and is it required on structural steel?

If an unprotected steel section is fixed to a protected steel member is it recommended to have 500 mm of coat-back as specified in the ASFP guidelines. Please download PTA004 for more information on how heat transfer affects fire protected steel.

Can intumescent achieve 60/60/60 on structural members?

Intumescent fire protection cannot achieve insulation and integrity ratings on structural steel. It can only achieve structural adequacy which is expressed as 60/–/–. Insulation and integrity are usually components which are required of compartment separating elements such as walls and slabs.

How do I make sure the product loading schedule that has been provided is in accordance with the fire assessment report?

Permax loading schedules are provided in accordance with the intumescent thicknesses given by the fire assessment reports. It is possible to correlate the steel section factor, FRL and limiting steel schedule in an intumescent loading schedule with the relevant table in the fire assessment report. For more information on reading reports please do not hesitate to contact Permax.

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29

Aug

Five Fire Prevention Tips to Ensure Safety in your Building

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