(1)
Non-combustible material means
a material which neither burns nor gives off flammable vapours in
sufficient quantity for self-ignition when heated to approximately
750°C, this being determined to the satisfaction of the Administration
by an established test procedure. Any other material is a combustible
material.footnote
(2) A standard fire test is one in
which specimens of the relevant bulkheads or decks are exposed in
a test furnace to temperatures corresponding approximately to the
standard time-temperature curve. The specimen shall have an exposed
surface of not less than 4.65 m2 and a height (or length
of deck) of 2.44 m, resembling as closely as possible the intended
construction and including where appropriate at least one joint. The
standard time-temperature curve is defined by a smooth curve drawn
through the following temperature points measured above the initial
furnace temperature.
| at the end of the first 5 min
|
556°C
|
| at the end of the first 10 min
|
659°C
|
| at the end of the first 15 min
|
718°C
|
| at the end of the first 30
min
|
821°C
|
| at the end of the first 60
min
|
925°C
|
(3)
"A" class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads and decks which
comply with the following:
-
(a) they shall be constructed of steel or other
equivalent material;
-
(b) they shall be suitably stiffened;
-
(c) they shall be so constructed as to be capable
of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the one-hour
standard fire test; and
-
(d) they shall be insulated with approved non-combustible
materials such that the average temperature of the unexposed side
will not rise more that 139°C above the original temperature,
nor will the temperature, at any one point, including any joint, rise
more than 180°C above the original temperature, within the time
listed below:
| Class "A-60"
|
60 min
|
| Class "A-30"
|
30 min
|
| Class "A-15"
|
15 min
|
| Class "A-0"
|
0 min
|
The Administration may require a test of a prototype bulkhead
or deck to ensure that it meets the above requirements for integrity
and temperature rise.footnote
(4)
"B" class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings or
linings which comply with the following:
-
(a) they shall be so constructed as to be capable
of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first one-half
hour of the standard fire test;
-
(b) they shall have an insulation value such that
the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than
139°C above the original temperature, nor will the temperature
at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 225°C above
the original temperature, within the time listed below:
| Class "B-15"
|
15 min
|
| Class "B-0"
|
0 min; and
|
-
(c) they shall be constructed of approved non-combustible
materials and all materials entering into the construction and erection
of B class divisions shall be non-combustible with the exception that
combustible veneers may be permitted provided they meet the relevant
requirements of this chapter.
The Administration may required a test of a prototype division
to ensure that it meets the above requirements for integrity and temperature
rise.footnote
(5)
"C" class divisions are those
divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. They
need meet no requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame
nor the limiting of temperature rise. Combustible veneers are permitted
provided they meet other requirements of this chapter.
(6)
"F" class divisions are those
divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings or linings which comply
with the following:
-
(a) they shall be so constructed as to be capable
of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first one-half
hour of the standard fire test; and
-
(b) they shall have an insulation value such that
the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than
139°C above the original temperature, nor will the temperature
at any one point, including any joint, rise more that 225°C above
the original temperature, up to the end of the first one-half hour
of the standard fire test.
The Administration may require a test of a prototype division
to ensure that it meets the above requirements for integrity and temperature
rise.footnote
(7)
Continuous "B" class ceilings or linings are those "B" class ceilings or linings
which terminate only at an "A" or "B" class division.
(8)
Steel or other equivalent material means steel or any material which, by itself
or due to insulation provided, has structural and integrity properties equivalent to
steel at the end of the applicable fire exposure to the standard fire test (e.g.
aluminium alloy with appropriate insulation).
(9)
Low flame spread means that the
surface thus described will adequately restrict the spread of flame,
this being determined to the satisfaction of the Administration by
an established test procedure.