Acoustic performance is an important component of your design decisions, however, ensuring your panel is also fire compliant is critical.
As Australian manufacturers of acoustic panels, we work extensively with our clients to ensure our products meet the acoustic & fire performance requirements of your project.
But how do you know if the design you want will meet your fire requirements? We’ve created a list of questions we often get asked to help you find some answers, and of course, if you need more advice, please contact out team on 1300 333 833 click here to get in touch.
The NCC 2019 BCA Section C, Specification C1.10, Part 4 states the following with regards to wall and ceiling linings.
(a) A wall or ceiling lining system must comply with the group number specified in Table 3 and for buildings not fitted with a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification E1.5 have—
(i) a smoke growth rate index not more than 100; or
(ii) an average specific extinction area less than 250 m2/kg.
(b) A group number of a wall or ceiling lining and the smoke growth rate index or average specific extinction area
must be determined in accordance with AS 5637.1.
Table 3 in the BCA, as outlined in the NCC 2019 BCA Section C, Specification C1.10, Part 4, lists what the requirements are based on Class Type, Classification Type and if the area has sprinklers installed.
To help you find the right answer every time, we have developed the Wall & Ceiling Lining Materials Group Rating Calculator – an easy to use online tool that allows you to quickly and accurately find the group rating required based on your project details.
Click here to use our Group Rating Calculator.
As stated in the BCA, a product must undergo fire testing in accordance with AS 5637.1.
Standards Australia introduced into the BCA ‘AS5637.1 : 2015 – Determination of fire hazard properties – Wall and ceiling linings’ to help determine accurate group numbers, particularly around multi-layered and perforated products.
Under the Standard:
Prior to the introduction of AS 5637, panels were often tested as a solid panel and were therefore achieving a Group 1 Rating. All perforated acoustic panels whether it is timber, plaster or fibre cement generally consist of multiple layers of materials glued together and they are perforated with holes or slots to achieve acoustic performance. Fire experts identified that multi-layered products with perforations can reduce the fire performance of a product, hence why AS 5637 was introduced.
The AS 5637 Fire Certificate for that product will advise what group rating was achieved.
It is very important that you inspect the test certificate to make sure the fire certificate exactly matches what product you are planning to specify. Things to look for inlcude:
Click here to read an article on tips on how to read a test certificate.
It is also possible to get a Deemed to Satisfy Performance Solution for a product.
Many things can affect the group rating. When looking at two products consider these to ensure you don’t make an assumption on a group rating for a similar product.
Substrate & substrate thickness
Different substrates can affect fire performance
Finish
Products with multiple layers will have Group rating effected by final finish selection – E.g. Veneer vs Image
Open Area Percentage
Higher open air % can have an impact on the way fire will attack a product
Perforation Shape
Even if it has same open air % but perforation type can provide a different rating
It is important not to assume that if you have a Group Certificate for a product that has all the details, but is slightly different from yours in terms of finish, substrate, open area percentage or perforation shape, that it will receive the same rating. Always ask Atkar for guidance.
With customised products that have many product variations, it is possible that there is not an exact fire test certificate for your preferred panel type.
However it is possible to achieve a BCA Deemed to Satisfy Performance Solution for a product, by using fire certificates and data from similar tested products, and getting it signed off by your project fire engineer.
Atkar go through this process almost every day with our clients. We have undertaken a significant number of fire tests in recent years for a large number of our products, however given the number of product variations that exist, it is impossible that we have every variation tested. However we are often able to provide fire certificates for products with the same or similar finish type, substrate or open area percentage which we present to our clients to get signed off by the project fire engineer, to achieve an acceptable Deemed to Satisfy solution.
Fire engineers often recommend products that meet the required fire rating requirements, but what if you want a different product to suit your design?
You just need to demonstrate through supporting fire reference data that it will meet the same fire group rating requirements.
Atkar are available to work with you to provide the data required to help assist with your selection – we do it almost every day!
Please contact our team to discuss your Fire Rating requirements. You can call us on 1300 333 833 or send us a request here and we will get back to you ASAP.
Apart from the critical fire requirements outlined here, acoustic performance is also vital to ensure a comfortable space. Click here for advice on how to select the correct acoustic panel for your project.
Type: Learning Environment
Architect: Architectus
Product: Au.diLux AL500S/300 supplied in a raw finish with Integrated Acoustic Backing.
Project: A new three-storey technology building equipped with art classrooms, laboratories and multimedia spaces.
| Requirement 1 | Requirement 2 | Requirement 3 | Requirement 4 |
| Group 1 Rating | Robust Finish and need for fast installation | Cost Effective | Educational acoustic standards to be accommodated |
Solution:
Echo’s cause the last syllable of a word spoken by a teacher to merge into the first syllable of the next word. Independent studies have been published on the adverse effects to concentration and information absorption in these environments.
Collaborating closely over a lengthy program, Atkar delivered on project architect Architectus’ stringent acoustic requirements for this dynamic education environment. The industrial aesthetic of the design was complemented by Au.diLux’s high percentage open area in a cost-effective, versatile and durable solution. Panels were individually hung from concrete slabs to create ceilings that wrapped into wall elements resulting in a visually dynamic design solution which is especially evident in the lecture theatre where acoustic performance was paramount.
There are certain locations that require a Group 1 as outlined in the 2019 NCC BCA but in most ‘specific’ or ‘other’ areas it is possible to have up to a Group 3 rating.
The exact rating is dependent on the type of building; the section of the building; and if sprinklers are installed.
Refer to the BCA Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision Specification C1.10 Table 3 or click here to use our free online Group Rating Calculator that instantly tells you what exact rating you will require.
Check out our article What Group Rating number do I really need? or give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 if you have any more questions.
In most circumstances the substrate thickness of an acoustic panel will affect the fire rating of a multi-layered acoustic panel.
It is important to review every detail in the fire certificate and ensure that it matches exactly what you want to specify. If there are ANY variations in the description of the fire certificate (including panel substrate , thickness, open area percentage and finish type.
Have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
There are so many variations of acoustic panels available due to different substrates, finish and open area percentages (in fact Atkar has over 12,000 panel variations – you can view them here on our 3D Panel Visualiser!) that it is impossible to test them all.
If there is no fire certificate available for your preferred panel variation, it is possible to work with your supplier and fire engineer and use certificates for similar products that have been tested to receive a Performance Solution.
Want more detail or have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
Standards Australia introduced ‘AS5637.1:2015 – Determination of fire hazard properties – Wall and ceiling linings’ to help determine accurate group numbers.
Under the Standard, products which are multi-layered & perforated must be assessed to AS5637 and Group Numbers can only be obtained when assessed to AS5637.
AS3837 (Cone Test) or AS9705 (Full Room Test) alone can no longer be used to issue a Group Number.
Want more detail or have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
Acoustic perforated panels consist of multiple layers of materials glued together with perforated holes or slots to achieve acoustic performance. Fire experts identified that multi-layered products with perforations can reduce the fire performance of a product.
Prior to the 2016 NCC BCA, panels were often tested only as solid panel and were therefore achieving a Group 1 Rating this is why AS5637 was introduced – it is important to ensure your wall & ceiling lining panels have been tested to AS 5637.
Want more detail or have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
The term ‘FR’ has different meaning in different industries and companies.
For Atkar Group, our substrate MDF FR refers to Fire Retardant, but some suppliers may imply their product is Fire Rated or Fire Resistant.
It is important that you check Fire Test Certificates regardless of the claims that the supplier may say.
Want more detail or have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
There are many components to reading a fire certificate – click to read our article Understand The Facts About Group Numbers for full tips to help get you though it!
Want more detail or have another question? Give our Architectural team a call on 1300 333 833 to discuss.
Fire Certificates are available on request for project-related enquiries. Please submit your project and product requirements below and we’ll get back to you shortly. If you’d like to speak to us directly please contact us on 1300 333 833.
