Simplifying Fire and Acoustic Systems in Residential Construction

As NZ's cities continue to grow unabated, higher density living in developments such as apartments and townhouses is becoming more accepted as an alternative to the traditional quarter-acre dream.

Smaller sites put dwellings in ever-closer proximity, resulting in the need to design and construct with greater thought than ever on the wellbeing of residents, especially in the case of a fire event.

This is no better displayed than at a two-storey duplex in a housing complex in Henderson. While the units were built in 1979, they had recently been re-clad in Linea Weatherboard by James Hardie, with a new code of compliance, before being damaged in an accidental fire in February 2019.

The cladding performed extremely well in the fire. Thanks to the fire-rated wall system and ceilings between each unit, the fire was well contained within unit 7 and the external Linea Weatherboards on the adjacent unit were not extensively damaged by the fire.

Owner of the adjacent unit, Lindsay Ellery, says the fire highlights the importance of using non-combustible claddings and proven fire-rated wall systems. He says it has turned him from a sceptic into a fan. “While the incident was unfortunate, it has given me confidence that James Hardie’s high-performance products and systems perform as designed.”

All of James Hardie cladding products are classified non-combustible materials, and therefore comply with table 5.8 of C/AS1 and table 5.5 of AS2.

To help cater for every eventuality, James Hardie have developed numerous systems to make achieving the necessary rating easy. From a simple FRR30 intertenancy wall, to a 60min external wall system, all the way to a dual-layer fire and acoustic flooring system.

Based on recent feedback, and to help further simplify the construction process James Hardie have recently released a number of new sizes in their RAB Board range. 6mm and 9mm RAB Board are now all available in three sizes — 2450mm, 2750mm, 3000mm.

Manjinder Singh, James Hardie Technical Advisor notes that “while it’s great to have options, we know it can be hard to find the right system. That’s why we’ve recently redeveloped our website to make accessing design manuals and details even easier. That coupled with our RAB Board range extension will mean there are options to meet almost any requirement.”

Contact James Hardie for design, construction, or technical advice.

Linea Weatherboard

James Hardie

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Linea™ Weatherboard provides a traditional weatherboard look with deep shadow lines that ensure sustainability well into the future.

NZ Made

Provides a traditional weatherboard look — 16mm thick bevel-backed weatherboard
Linea Weatherboard can be used to achieve bracings
30, 60 and 90 minute fire resistance ratings can be achieved when installed as per the current James Hardie Fire and Acoustic Design Manual
Direct or Cavity fix
Tongue and groove ends for easy and unflashed off stud jointing
Exceptional performance in harsh conditions, including coastal environments
Boards come pre-primed manila white in colour can be painted dark colours

Clause B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.4 for the relevant physical conditions of B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (j) and (q).
Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1(b) 15 years and B2.3.2.
Clause C3 FIRE AFFECTING AREAS BEYOND THE FIRE SOURCE: Performance C3.5, C3.7
Clause E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2, E2.3.5, E2.3.6 and E2.3.7
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1.

BRANZ Appraised

CodeMark

RAB Board

James Hardie

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RAB™ Board is a pre-sealed, cost effective rigid air barrier for use in medium to high-rise construction.

NZ Made

An alternative to traditional building underlays for use in medium to high-rise construction
Designed for use in Extra High wind zones and in Specific Engineering Design projects exposed to high wind pressure
RAB Board 9mm is suitable for specific design shear wall for residential or commercial applications where the structural design require strong/stiffer shear walls
60 minute fire ratings when installed as per the current James Hardie Fire and Acoustic Design Manual
RAB Board is also suitable for bracing

Clause B1 Structure
Clause B2 Durability
Clause E2 External Moisture
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials
Clause C3.5 & C3.7 External Vertical Fire Spread

See BRANZ Appraisal 611 for full information

BRANZ Appraised

Secura Fire & Acoustic Flooring System

James Hardie

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Secura™ Interior Flooring Fire & Acoustic flooring systems are a mid-floor solution, engineered to address the complete range of fire and acoustic performance needs in a multi-storey, intertenancy floor dwelling.

Secura Interior Flooring system as per the installation manual is suitable for use in dry or wet area applications for buildings within the scope of the NZS 3604, ‘Timber-framed buildings’ or buildings covered by specific engineering design (SED) with a maximum concentrated load of 2.7kN applied over an area of 0.025m2 as per Table-3 of AS/NZS 1170.1 ‘Structural Design Actions – Permanent, Imposed and other Actions’.

Mid-floor solution, engineered to address the complete range of fire and acoustic performance needs in a multi-storey, intertenancy floor dwelling
The system delivers a fire rating up to 60/60/60 FRR
Services can be run through the cavity without compromising the fire rating
Can be tiled directly without the need for tile underlay

The Secura Fire & Acoustic Flooring System, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of the technical literature, will meet or contribute to meeting the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B2 DURABILITY: James Hardie products meet the serviceable life in excess of 50 years and meet the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 Durability. It must be ensured the products are installed and maintained in accordance to their published technical specifications
Clause C PROTECTION FROM FIRE The fire resistance rating (FRR) of James Hardie fire rated systems has been verified through full scale testing and technical assessments. The systems published in the design manual are suitable to achieve passive fire protection and meet the requirements of NZBC Clause C Protection From Fire
Clause G6 AIRBORNE & IMPACT SOUND: For the systems published in the design manual the STC and IIC ratings have established through testing or acoustic modelling. Designers/specifiers must ensure that the ratings published in the manual are suitable for the intended applications. In case higher ratings are required, ask James Hardie for assistance

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