Warringtonfire’s Regulatory Information Report 45980.10 confirms that hoop pine and radiata pine 9mm thick or greater fall into Group 3. A copy can be downloaded from our website via this link https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/resources/standards-codes/fire-test-reports. Although originally to expire on 31 December 2023, RIR 45980.10 has been extended to 31 December 2025. Slash pine is not specifically mentioned, but since all timbers so far tested fall into Group 3 it’s highly likely that slash pine would also be a Group 3 material.
I have a class 2 building with rise in storeys of 3. There is a class 7a car park on the lowest level used exclusively for parking. NCC2022 C2D13 Fire-protected timber: Concession / NCC 2019 C1.13 Fire-protected timber: Concession, requires a sprinkler system. I understood that sprinklers are not required up to 3 storeys as per the NCC 2019 changes and WoodSolutions Timber-Framed Construction for Multi-Residential Buildings Class 2 & 3 (2022 version). I can't seem to find an NCC clause that confirms this concession (permitting no sprinklers). Does it exist?
Sprinklers are not essential but without sprinklers, according to NCC 2022 clause S5C20 (2), the carpark in the lowest storey and the floor between it and the Class 2 part above would have to be of concrete or masonry. So the lowest storey is virtually a concrete/masonry box with the timber-framed Class 2 occupancies on top.
We assume the existing pine mouldings are too easily dented or damaged and a harder timber species is needed. Common timbers have been rated for hardness according to a standard indentation test. Pine is rated 3.3 on the hardness scale, whereas blackbutt is 8.9 and spotted gum 10.1. Not all timber merchants can supply mouldings in Australian hardwood species but moulding specialists such as Rallis Timbers should be able to help, website here http://www.rallistimber.com.au/milling-mouldings.html.
