The MBIE Consultation document for amending acceptable solutions and verification methods June 2020 update contains some significant but confused updates for how cladding assemblies demonstrate compliance for fire spread.
In February 2019 MBIE published guidance relating to fire spread of cladding. This guidance defines compliance of cladding assemblies can be achieved by 5 pathways:
P1 – Engineering judgement if timber is combustible can be used in a façade assembly*
P2-P4 Different international Fire Test methods of the façade assembly
P5 – protective sheathing to timber stud tested to AS1530.4
*P1 is a poorly worded, risky questionable pathway to compliance that should never have been proposed and is rightly being removed. Clause 5.8.3 requires the entire external wall assembly (including the cladding system, external wall framing and any insulation) to be non-combustible or be tested.
The proposals are that only recognized international test methods are an acceptable method of achieving compliance and that for façade assemblies containing timber studs only BS8414 testing is acceptable.
There are few tested assemblies using timber stud to BS8414, which would preclude the use of timber studs in a façade assembly. Forcing the change from timber to steel studs increase the carbon emissions of the construction sector at the time of heightened environmental concerns (including the Government's Climate Change Response (Zero-Carbon) Amendment Bill).
There is only one test facility in New Zealand.
However, there is contradictory guidance in clause 5.8.4, which only requires 'substantive components' to be non-combustible in a building with sprinklers.
It's entirely unclear what 'substantive' means and unclear why sprinklers inside a building would prevent the external vertical spread of flame in a facade, let alone to prevent the spread of flame to less than 3.5m (which is a building code requirement).
This consultation document is confused and confusing and does not result in clear, robust, guidance. In a post-Grenfell era, this is unacceptable.
Suggested changes:
- The reference to ‘substantive components’ should be removed.
- The construction industry should be made aware of the requirement for BS8414 testing and advanced notice is given when the measures come into effect.
- The BRANZ BS8414 test facility should be made available free of charge to cladding suppliers for testing.
The consultation document is here:
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/document-library/search?type[65]=65
Feedback can be given here:
https://www.research.net/r/bc-update-jun-2020
The deadline is 4 PM Friday 17th April.
