1. General;
This article will highlight, how to develop an understanding of Clause C3D13. The specific clause is all about, separation of equipment as per NCC-2022 from the rest of building. The separation of these equipment from rest of building would improve the safety of building during fire. This separation would some equipment continue their operation even if the building is on fire.
2. Equipment need separation
The following equipment in any building needs separation from other parts of the building
- Lift motors and lift control panel
- Emergency generator used to sustain emergency equipment operating in the emergency
- Central smoke control plant
- Boilers
- A battery system having total voltage of 12V or more and a storage capacity of 200kWh or more. It means, battery system shall be separated from the building if it has voltage of 12V or more and storage capacity as well. If the battery system has storage capacity less than 200kWh, it shall not be deemed necessary to separate from other parts of building.
3. Separating construction
The below are the construction requirements for the equipment listed above.
- The FRL of construction where these equipment are installed shall not be less than 120/120/120. Apart from this minimum FRL level, we shall make sure that construction meets specifications 5 which may require FRL more than 120/120/120.
- The construction shall have doorway of FRL -/120/30. The door way shall be self-closing.
- The minimum FRL of 120/-/- between lift shaft and lift motor room.
4. Equipment need not separation.
The below list of equipment shall not need separation as above
- Smoke control exhaust fans meeting the requirements of specification 21. As per specifications 21, smoke exhaust shall be capable of maintain its operation at 200C for not less than 1 hour. If the building is not sprinkler protected, exhaust fans shall maintain its operation for 30 minutes at 300 C. The specification 21 also highlights exhaust fans vent and make up air requirements. The discharge speed of vent shall be not less than 5m/s and shall not be within 6m to any exit or intake point.
- Star pressurization system installed which comply AS 1668.1 requirements.
- Lift installation without a machine room
5. Separation of on-site fire pump
AS 2419.1 highlights, how the fire pump rooms shall be separated.
5.1 Internal Pump rooms
If the building is not sprinkler protected, the below requirements are applicable to pump rooms
- The fire resistance of pump room walls shall be not less than required for the building as per specifications 5
- Pump room shall have fire door with minimum insulation criteria of 30 minutes
The pump room shall have a door leading directly to –
- Rood or open space
- An air lock or smoke lobby leading to
- Fire isolated passage, open space or road
- Fire isolated passage or stair pressurized as per AS 1668.1 leading to open space or road
For compression ignition pumps, the below requirements are applicable.
- A capable exhaust system
- The exhaust from pump room shall not be less than 2.7m above the path of travel or road.
5.2 External Pump rooms
If pump room is located less than 6m from an non-sprinkled building, the below requirement are applicable
- The fire resistance of pump room walls shall be not less than required for the building as per specifications 5
- Pump room shall have fire door with minimum insulation criteria of 30 minutes
For compression ignition pumps, the below requirements are applicable.
- A capable exhaust system
- The exhaust from pump room shall not be less than 2.7m above the path of travel or road.
The pump room shall be no more than 20m from hardstand
The pump room shall be no more than 10m from
- High voltage electrical distribution equipment
- Any dangerous goods
- Any combustible storage
6. Conclusion
This article has explained the separation of equipment as per NCC-2022 requirements of equipment’s listed in NCC-2022. If any of the valued client or customers requires detailed consultancy about the subject, CYBIL CONSULTS’ door are always open.
