Part E2 Smoke hazard management

The Objective of this Part is to—

1. safeguard occupants from illness or injury by warning them of a fire so that they may safely evacuate; and
2. safeguard occupants from illness or injury while evacuating during a fire.

A building is to be provided with safeguards so that—

1. occupants are warned of a fire in the building so that they may safely evacuate; and
2. occupants have time to safely evacuate before the environment in any evacuation route becomes untenable from the effects of fire.

In a building providing sleeping accommodation, occupants must be provided with automatic warning on the detection of smoke so they may evacuate in the event of a fire to a safe place.

(1) In the event of a fire in a building the conditions in any evacuation route must be maintained for the period of time occupants take to evacuate the part of the building so that—

1. the temperature will not endanger human life; and
2. the level of visibility will enable the evacuation route to be determined; and
3. the level of toxicity will not endanger human life.

(2) The period of time occupants take to evacuate referred to in (1) must be appropriate to—

1. the number, mobility and other characteristics of the occupants; and
2. the function or use of the building; and
3. the travel distance and other characteristics of the building; and
4. the fire load; and
5. the potential fire intensity; and
6. the fire hazard; and
7. any active fire safety systems installed in the building; and
8. fire brigade intervention.

Compliance with E2P1 and E2P2 is verified when a building is designed in accordance with C1V4.

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements E2P1 and E2P2 are satisfied by complying with—

1. E2D2 to E2D21; and
2. in a building containing an atrium, Part G3; and
3. in a building in an alpine area, Part G4; and
4. for additional requirements for Class 9b buildings, Part I1.

(2) Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable.

(1) The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of this Part do not apply to—

1. an open-deck carpark; or
2. an open spectator stand; or
3. a Class 8 electricity network substation with a floor area not more than 200 m², located within a multi-classified building.

(2) In addition to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of E2D3 to E2D13, the following specific Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions apply to the following Class 6 and Class 9b buildings:

1. For Class 6 buildings, in fire compartments more than 2000 m²—
   1. not containing an enclosed common walkway or mall serving more than one Class 6 sole-occupancy unit — must comply with E2D14; or
   2. containing an enclosed common walkway or mall serving more than one Class 6 sole-occupancy unit — must comply with E2D15.
2. For Class 9b assembly buildings—
   1. nightclubs, discotheques and the like — must comply with E2D16; and
   2. exhibition halls — must comply with E2D17; and
   3. theatres and public halls — must comply with E2D18; and
   4. theatres and public halls (not covered by E2D18) including lecture theatres and cinema/auditorium complexes — must comply with E2D19; and
   5. other assembly buildings (not listed in (i) to (iv)) excluding schools — must comply with E2D20.

(3) The smoke exhaust and smoke-and-heat vent provisions of this Part do not apply to any area not used by occupants for an extended period of time such as a storeroom with a floor area less than 30 m², sanitary compartment, plant room or the like.

(1) An air-handling system which does not form part of a smoke hazard management system in accordance with E2D4 to E2D20 and which recycles air from one fire compartment to another fire compartment or operates in a manner that may unduly contribute to the spread of smoke from one fire compartment to another fire compartment must, subject to (2), be designed and installed—

1. to operate as a smoke control system in accordance with AS 1668.1; or
2. such that it—
   1. incorporates smoke dampers where the air-handling ducts penetrate any elements separating the fire compartments served; and
   2. is arranged such that the air-handling system is shut down and the smoke dampers are activated to close automatically by smoke detectors complying with clause 7.5 of AS 1670.1.

(2) For the purposes of (1), each sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building is treated as a separate fire compartment.

(3) Miscellaneous air-handling systems covered by Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1 serving more than one fire compartment (other than a carpark ventilation system) and not forming part of a smoke hazard management system must comply with these Sections of the Standard.

(4) A smoke detection system must be installed in accordance with S20C6 to operate AS 1668.1 systems that are provided for zone pressurisation and automatic air pressurisation for fire-isolated exits.

(1) A part of a building listed in (2) must be provided with—

1. an automatic air pressurisation system for fire-isolated exits in accordance with AS 1668.1; or
2. open access ramps or balconies in accordance with D3D6.

(2) The requirements of (1) apply to—

1. a required fire-isolated stairway, including any associated fire-isolated passageway or fire-isolated ramp serving—
   1. any storey above an effective height of 25 m; or
   2. more than 2 below ground storeys, not counted in the rise in storeys in accordance with C2D3; or
   3. an atrium to which Part G3 applies; or
   4. a Class 9a building with a rise in storeys of more than 2; or
   5. a Class 9c building with a rise in storeys of more than 2; or
   6. a Class 3 building used as a residential care building with a rise in storeys of more than 2; and
2. a required fire-isolated passageway or fire-isolated ramp with a length of travel more than 60 m to a road or open space.

(3) An automatic air pressurisation system for a fire-isolated exit must serve the entire exit.

An automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20 must be provided to the following:

1. A Class 2 or 3 building which is more than 25 m in effective height.
2. A Class 2 or 3 part of a building, or a Class 4 part of a building, in a building which is more than 25 m in effective height.

(1) A Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 or 9b building or part of a building must be provided with a zone pressurisation system between vertically separated fire compartments in accordance with AS 1668.1, if the building is more than 25 m in effective height.

(2) The requirements of (1) do not apply to a building that has a fire compartment containing a Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 or 9b part (or a combination of these classes in the same fire compartment) where there is only one fire compartment containing these classifications in an otherwise Class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.

(3) For the purposes of (1), ‘vertically separated fire compartments’ are fire compartments above and below each other, and not fire compartments within the same storey.

(1) A Class 9a building must be provided with—

1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; and
2. a zone pressurisation system between vertically separated fire compartments in accordance with AS 1668.1,

if the building is more than 25 m in effective height.

(2) For the purposes of (1), ‘vertically separated fire compartments’ are fire compartments above and below each other, and not fire compartments within the same storey.

In a Class 2 and 3 building or part of a building, or Class 4 part of a building, if the building is not more than 25 m in effective height—

1. it must be provided with an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; and
2. where a required fire-isolated stairway serving the Class 2 or 3 parts also serves one or more storeys of Class 5, 6, 7 (other than an open-deck carpark), 8 or 9b parts—
   1. the fire-isolated stairway, including any associated fire-isolated passageway or fire-isolated ramp, must be provided with an automatic air pressurisation system for fire-isolated exits in accordance with AS 1668.1; or
   2. the Class 5, 6, 7 (other than an open-deck carpark), 8 and 9b parts must be provided with—
      1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
      2. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17; and
3. where a required fire-isolated stairway serving the Class 4 part also serves one or more storeys of Class 5, 6, 7 (other than an open-deck carpark), 8 or 9b parts—
   1. a system complying with (b)(i) or (b)(ii) must be installed; or
   2. a smoke alarm or detector system complying with Specification 20 must be provided except that alarms or detectors need only be installed adjacent to each doorway into each fire-isolated stairway (set back horizontally from the doorway by a distance of not more than 1.5 m) to initiate a building occupant warning system for the Class 4 part.

(1) A building not more than 25 m in effective height that—

1. is a Class 5 or 9b school building or part of a building having a rise in storeys of more than 3; or
2. is a Class 6, 7b, 8 or 9b building (other than a school) or part of a building having a rise in storeys of more than 2; or
3. has a rise in storeys of more than 2 and contains—
   1. a Class 5 or 9b school part; and
   2. a Class 6, 7b, 8 or 9b (other than a school) part,

must meet the requirements of (2).

(2) A building referred to in (1) must be provided with—

1. in each required fire-isolated stairway, including any associated fire-isolated passageway or fire-isolated ramp, an automatic air pressurisation system for fire-isolated exits in accordance with AS 1668.1; or
2. a zone pressurisation system between vertically separated fire compartments in accordance with AS 1668.1, if the building has more than one fire compartment; or
3. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
4. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(3) For the purposes of (2), vertically separated fire compartments are fire compartments above and below each other, and not fire compartments within the same storey.

(1) In a Class 7 or 8 building of not more than 25 m in effective height, and which does not exceed 18 000 m² in floor area nor exceed 108 000 m³ in volume, the building must be provided with—

1. a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17, and provided with perimeter vehicular access complying with C3D5(2); or
2. an automatic fire detection and alarm system complying with AS 1670.1 and monitored in accordance with S20C8; or
3. an automatic smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21; or
4. automaticsmoke-and-heat vents in accordance with Specification 22; or
5. natural smoke venting, with ventilation openings distributed as evenly as practicable and comprising permanent openings at roof level with a free area not less than 1.5% of floor area and low level openings which may be permanent or readily openable with a free area not less than 1.5% of floor area.

(2) In a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building of not more than 25 m in effective height, and which exceeds 18 000 m² in floor area or 108 000 m³ in volume, the building must be provided with—

1. if the ceiling height of the fire compartment is not more than 12 m—
   1. an automatic smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21; or
   2. automaticsmoke-and-heat vents in accordance with Specification 22; or
2. if the ceiling height of the fire compartment is more than 12 m, an automatic smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21.

(3) For the purposes of (1) and (2), reference to ‘the building’ being provided with specified measures, means to the nominated classes within the building.

(1) A Class 9a health-care building or a Class 9c building, or a building containing a part thereof, which is not more than 25 m in effective height, must be provided throughout with—

1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; and
2. automatic shutdown of any air-handling system which does not form part of a zone pressurisation system (other than individual room units with a capacity not more than 1000 L/s, systems serving critical treatment areas and miscellaneous exhaust air systems installed in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1) on the activation of—
   1. smoke detectors installed in accordance with (a); and
   2. any other installed fire detection and alarm system including a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17; and
3. in a building having a rise in storeys of more than 2 and not more than 25 m effective height (not being a Class 9c building)—
   1. a zone pressurisation system between vertically separated fire compartments in accordance with AS 1668.1; or
   2. a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17 throughout with residential sprinkler heads in patient care areas.

(2) For the purposes of (1), ‘vertically separated fire compartments’ are fire compartments above and below each other, and not fire compartments within the same storey.

A Class 7a building, including a basement, provided with a mechanical ventilation system in accordance with AS 1668.2, must comply with clause 5.5 of AS 1668.1.

(1) A basement, other than a Class 7a basement, not counted in the rise in storeys in accordance with C2D3, must—

1. comply with measures in accordance with this Part applicable to the building generally; and
2. where the basement has a total floor area of more than 2000 m², be provided with—
   1. if not more than 2 below ground storeys—
      1. a zone pressurisation system between vertically separated fire compartments in accordance with AS 1668.1, if the basement has more than one fire compartment; or
      2. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
      3. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17; or
   2. if more than 2 below ground storeys, a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(2) For the purposes of (1), ‘vertically separated fire compartments’ are fire compartments above and below each other, and not fire compartments within the same storey.

(1) This clause applies to a Class 6 building not containing an enclosed common walkway or mall serving more than one Class 6 sole-occupancy unit, except for—

1. a Class 6 sole-occupancy unit that—
   1. has a floor area of not more than 2000 m²; and
   2. is single storey with a main public entrance opening to a road or open space; and
   3. is separated from other parts of the fire compartment by construction, including openings, penetrations and junctions with other building elements, that prevents the free passage of smoke; and
2. parts of any other classification that are smoke separated from a Class 6 part by construction complying with (a)(iii).

(2) Where the floor area of a Class 6 part of a fire compartment referred to in (1) is more than 2000 m², the fire compartment must be provided with—

1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22; or
3. if the floor area of the fire compartment is not more than 3500 m² and the building—
   1. is single storey, an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
   2. has a rise in storeys of not more than 2, a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(1) This clause applies to a Class 6 building containing an enclosed common walkway or mall serving more than one Class 6 sole-occupancy unit, except for—

1. a Class 6 sole-occupancy unit that—
   1. opens onto the enclosed common walkway or mall if the Class 6 sole-occupancy unit has a floor area of not more than 1000 m²; or
   2. does not open onto the enclosed common walkway or mall if the Class 6 sole-occupancy unit—
      1. has a floor area of not more than 2000 m²; and
      2. is single storey with a main entrance opening to a road or open space; and
      3. is separated from other parts of the fire compartment by construction, including openings, penetrations and junctions with other building elements, that prevents the free passage of smoke; and
2. parts of any other classification that are smoke separated from a Class 6 part by construction complying with (a)(ii)(C).

(2) Where the floor area of a Class 6 part of a fire compartment referred to in (1) is more than 2000 m², the fire compartment, including the enclosed common walkway or mall, must be provided with—

1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22; or
3. if the floor area of the fire compartment is not more than 3500 m² and the building has a rise in storeys of not more than 2, a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

A Class 9b assembly building which is a nightclub, discotheque or the like must be provided with—

1. automatic shutdown of any air-handling system (other than miscellaneous exhaust air systems installed in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1) which does not form part of the smoke hazard management system, on the activation of—
   1. smoke detectors installed complying with S20C6; and
   2. any other installed fire detection and alarm system, including a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17; and
2. at least one of the following:
   1. An automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21.
   2. If the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22.
   3. A sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17 with quick response sprinkler heads.

A Class 9b assembly building which is an exhibition hall must be provided with—

1. automatic shutdown of any air-handling system (other than miscellaneous exhaust air systems installed in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1) which does not form part of the smoke hazard management system, on the activation of—
   1. smoke detectors installed complying with Specification 20; and
   2. any other installed fire detection and alarm system, including a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17; and
2. where the floor area is more than 2000 m² and not more than 3500 m²—
   1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
   2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22; or
   3. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17; and
3. where the floor area is more than 3500 m², a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17 and—
   1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
   2. automaticsmoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22, if the building is single storey.

(1) This clause applies to a Class 9b assembly building where the building or part of the building is used as a theatre or public hall which—

1. is a school assembly, church or community hall, and has a stage and any backstage area with a total floor area of more than 300 m²; or
2. is not a school assembly, church or community hall, and has a stage and any backstage area with a total floor area of more than 200 m²; or
3. has a stage with an associated rigging loft.

(2) A building or part of a building referred to in (1) must be provided with—

1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22.

(1) This clause applies to a Class 9b assembly building where the building or part of the building is used as a theatre or public hall not listed in E2D18 and includes lecture theatres and cinema/auditorium complexes.

(2) A building or part of a building referred to in (1)—

1. must be provided with automatic shutdown of any air-handling system (other than miscellaneous exhaust air systems installed in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of AS 1668.1) which does not form part of the smoke hazard management system, on the activation of—
   1. smoke detectors installed complying with Specification 20; and
   2. any other installed fire detection and alarm system, including a sprinkler system complying with Specification 17; and
2. other than in the case of a school lecture theatre, where the floor area of the fire compartment is more than 2000 m²—
   1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
   2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22; or
   3. if the floor area of the fire compartment is not more than 5000 m² and the building has a rise in storeys of not more than 2—
      1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
      2. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(1) The requirements of (2)—

1. apply to a Class 9b assembly building where the building or part of the building is used for a purpose other than—
   1. as described in E2D16 to E2D19; or
   2. a school; and
2. do not apply to—
   1. sporting complexes (including sports halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, ice and roller rinks, and the like) other than an indoor sports stadium with total spectator seating for more than 1000; or
   2. churches and other places used solely for religious worship.

(2) Each fire compartment, other than one in a building referred to in (1)(b), having a floor area of more than 2000 m² must be provided with—

1. an automatic smoke exhaust system complying with Specification 21; or
2. if the building is single storey, automatic smoke-and-heat vents complying with Specification 22; or
3. if the floor area of the fire compartment is not more than 5000 m² and the building has a rise in storeys of not more than 2—
   1. an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20; or
   2. a sprinkler system (other than a FPAA101D or FPAA101H system) complying with Specification 17.

(3) A building containing a Class 9b early childhood centre must be provided with an automatic smoke detection and alarm system complying with Specification 20 throughout the whole building, including any part of another class.

Additional smoke hazard management measures may be necessary due to the—

1. special characteristics of the building; or
2. special function or use of the building; or
3. special type or quantity of materials stored, displayed or used in a building; or
4. special mix of classifications within a building or fire compartment,

which are not addressed in E2D4 to E2D20.