New Solution for Fire Rating Timber Penetrations

There is a common misconception in New Zealand that char rates can be used to address the fire rating issues of timber passing through a fire separation, even though char rates only apply to mass timber. It is noted that this has been, and still is being detailed, however, this solution is non-compliant.

Therefore, to provide a robust and tested solution to this problem, which is able to be used in both new or existing buildings, Tech Coatings conducted testing at New Zealand’s newest fire laboratory, PFITS.

Test Results

Tech Coatings' latest test report details how the use of FBL-100 Intumescent Coating combined with BOSS FireMastic HPE can solve the issue of non-compliance.

Tech Coatings tested three different timber penetration scenarios;

90 x 45mm timber penetration coated on the four exposed sides;
90 x 45mm timber penetration topped with a combustible substrate and coated on the three exposed sides;
90 x 45mm timber penetration topped with a non-combustible substrateand coated on the three exposed sides;

At the termination of the test, the results for each of the specimens was 60/60/60.

Permissible Variations under AS 1530.4:2014

The results of the fire test contained in the test report are directly applicable, without reference to the testing authority, to similar constructions where one or more following changes have been made.

Results obtained from this prototype test may be applied to timber penetrations similar to those tested with:

Increase in timber density (meaning anything denser than pine)
Increase in cross-sectional dimensions (meaning anything thicker, i.e. 140 x 45mm)

Therefore, proving that the system can be used in many different scenarios.

Case Study: Acute Services Building, Christchurch Hospital

Tech Coatings was approached to help fix this exact problem in the new Acute Services Building at Christchurch Hospital. The Tech Coatings approved installer, Restruct Construction, was able to re-mediate all 200 separate timber penetrations in less than a week, which included opening up all annular gaps around the timber penetrations, allowing the client to keep moving towards their opening date.

FBL-100 is the only intumescent coating available in Australasia that has been tested on locally sourced building materials as per the New Zealand Building Code, using AS 1530.4:2014, ISO 9705 and ISO 5660.

For further information, please contact Tech Coatings.

FBL-100, Multiple Substrate Intumescent Coating System

Tech Coatings

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FBL-100 is an Intumescent Coating System especially designed for interior passive fire protection of multiple substrates that will be exposed to view.

FBL-100 has been tested as per NZBC C/AS2 -C/AS6 Appendix C, for interior use only, as part of a providing a 'Fire Resistance Rating' (FRR) of 60/60/60 on either

Timber (or better) framed walls exposed to fire from either or both sides (two-way FRR), or exposed to fire from the coated side (one way FRR) and
Timber framed (or better) floor/ceiling systems exposed to fire from below in residential, commercial or industrial buildings on the following substrates:

13mm GIB Standard Plasterboard,
6mm fibre cement sheet,
12mm plywood
Exposed timber floors/ceilings (underside only)

FBL-100 has been tested as per NZBC C/VM2 Appendix A and can be used to prevent spread of fire on interior wall or ceiling substrates. It achieves Group 2-S on Type 1 (most reactive) as per C/VM2 A1.6, Table A2
FBL-100 can be applied over existing pre-painted surfaces
FBL-100 Can be applied on new or existing substrates, subject to fixing pattern (refer to: Appendix A, Table 1, Substrate Fixing).
FBL-100 can be applied to structural timber works and can also be used to protect internal load bearing wood from fire, therefore reducing cross-sectional area requirements, or omitting the use of encapsulating boards.
For the purpose of defining the 'Level of finish' for pre-application of FBL-100 —
The surface that is to be coated must be finished to Level 4, minimum (AS/NZS 2589)
For the purpose of defining the 'Level of Finish' for post-application of FBL-100 —
Once FBL-100 has been applied, it achieves an indicative Level 4 for walls and ceilings, although the finish level will be as per the sample provided by the 'TCNZ Certified Applicator'
FBL-100 has been tested to be used on building materials and building practices used in projects designed and built on and after 1995
For the purpose of defining the Classification of 'Interior Environments' that FBL-100 may be used in, is as per AS/NZS 2311.1 — Section 2, Table 2.1:

FBL-100 may be used in Category C1 (Very Low) and C2 (Low) environments

Timber (or better) framed walls exposed to fire from either or both sides (two-way FRR), or exposed to fire from the coated side (one way FRR) and
Timber framed (or better) floor/ceiling systems exposed to fire from below in residential, commercial or industrial buildings on the following substrates:

13mm GIB Standard Plasterboard,
6mm fibre cement sheet,
12mm plywood
Exposed timber floors/ceilings (underside only)

13mm GIB Standard Plasterboard,
6mm fibre cement sheet,
12mm plywood
Exposed timber floors/ceilings (underside only)

FBL-100 may be used in Category C1 (Very Low) and C2 (Low) environments

B2.3.1 Performance — Building elements must, with only normal maintenance, continue to satisfy the performance requirements of this code for the lesser of the specified intended life of the building, if stated, or (c) 5 years if:
- (i) The building elements (including services, linings, renewable protective coatings, and fixtures) are easy to access and replace, and
- (ii) Failure of those building elements to comply with the building code would be easily detected during normal use of the building

(i) The building elements (including services, linings, renewable protective coatings, and fixtures) are easy to access and replace, and
(ii) Failure of those building elements to comply with the building code would be easily detected during normal use of the building

FBL-100 has been tested and assessed to:

AS 1530.4:2014 – Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures: Fire resistance tests for elements of construction; and
ISO 9705:1993 — Fire Tests: Full-scale room test for surface products

As per the following:
- Appendix C (normative) Test Methods of any of the NZBC – C/Acceptable Solutions (C/AS2 — C/AS6)
- Appendix A (normative): Establishing Group Numbers for lining materials of NZBC – C/Verification Method Two (C/VM2)
Therefore, is able to be used where the New Zealand Building code calls for a Fire Resistance Rating (FRR) or where a Group 2-S or better Interior Lining is needed

AS 1530.4:2014 – Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures: Fire resistance tests for elements of construction; and
ISO 9705:1993 — Fire Tests: Full-scale room test for surface products

Appendix C (normative) Test Methods of any of the NZBC – C/Acceptable Solutions (C/AS2 — C/AS6)
Appendix A (normative): Establishing Group Numbers for lining materials of NZBC – C/Verification Method Two (C/VM2)

FBL-100 has been designed to achieve a NZBC Group Number for surface finishes as per Appendix A of NZBC C/VM2.FBL-100 has been tested and assessed to achieve a Group 2-S on Type 1 substrates or better as per Appendix A1.6 Table A2 of NZBC C/VM2

All relevant certificates, assessments and reports are available upon request.

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