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The University of Adelaide
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
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Compartmentation

Back to Building Fire Safety Features

The Building Code of Australia determines where and when compartmentation is required.

Compartmentation requires building construction to be of a specified structural adequacy, integrity and insulation for a specified period of time and includes walls, floors, ceilings and doors.

Compartmentation :

  • provides life safety for both occupants and fire fighters
  • prevents the spread of fire/smoke usually from 1-4 hours
  • allows occupants to evacuate to the other side of the fire doors and be safe for the prescribed period of time
  • assists manage the evacuation of persons with a disability
  • will ensure that collapse of elements of structures does not endanger people (including firefighters)
  • will reduce the damage to both building and contents

Where fire compartmentation is installed :

  • the fire doors will identify the rating with a compulsory tag both on the door and door frame
  • the fire doors must be kept shut at all times unless they are fitted with an approved door hold-open device which will automatically release in the event of a Fire Alarm
  • the fire doors must not be “chocked” open or blocked
  • provisions must be made to ensure that any opening/penetration has been protected to prevent the spread of fire using fire-stopping material.
  • the fire doors must return to the fully closed position after each manual opening

Fire isolated stairwells

A fire isolated stairwell is a compartment and is constructed of non-combustible material.
Where a fire isolated stairway is installed, the space below must not be enclosed to form a cupboard or similar enclosed space unless it is constructed in accordance with the Building Code.

The fire isolated stairwell must :

  • provide independent exit from each storey
  • discharge directly to a road or open space
  • provide an uninterrupted handrail
  • provide an unobstructed path of travel
  • be accessible without a key and by a single hand downward action on a single device
  • not be locked, unless fitted with a fail safe device which automatically unlocks the door upon the activation of a sprinkler, smoke detector, heat detector or manual call point
  • provide entry on at least every fourth storey, and a sign is to be fixed on the doors stating that re-entry is available