Achieving BCA & NCC Fire Compliance with Inapod Office Pods - Norman Disney & Young - Certified to Australian & International Standards (All test results are located at the bottom of this page)
I am pleased to announce the release of the most comprehensive Australian Fire Engineering Guidance Note and Fire Test Results for the Inapod Acoustic Office Pods ever undertaken.
Designed for Architects, Designers, Fire Engineers & Specifiers, this specially commissioned fire engineering report has been written by Norman Disney & Young (Fire Engineers) and Ignis Labs (Fire Testing Laboratory) and includes references to all relevant Australian Standards and Australian building compliance requirements.
The intent of these reports is to provide guidance for designers around the fire safety compliance requirements associated with the Inapod Office Pod products that can be used on any Commercial, Government or Private single or multi-storey project in Australia.
This report from NDY and all test results can be used when submitting for any tender.
Pathways for achieving Australian BCA & NCC Fire Compliance with Inapod Office Pods.
Norman Disney & Young Fire Engineers
Fire safety compliance requirements associated with office pod's are often subject to variations in interpretations between individual Building Certifiers and Fire Protection Designers. This can be confusing to those specifying the product and others associated with fit-out designs.
Interpretations vary in terms of the compliance of materials and whether fire systems such as sprinklers need to be installed to comply with prescriptive requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, Norman Disney Young’s fire engineering team have undertaken a ‘Performance Solutions Assessment" on the installation of Inapod's Acoustic Office Pods in office fit-outs on a Performance Basis. This is an alternative to following Prescriptive Code Requirements.
The NDY report includes the following:
Guidance Notes and Reference Documents - Specifications & NCC BCA Compliance - Key NCC BCA Measures - Limitations and Reference to Relevant Test data - Pathways to Compliance (Prescriptive & Performance Based) - Table of Key Prescriptive Measures versus Potential Performance Solutions - Compliance Checklist and Summary AS 5637 Short Form Report Group Number - Relevant Australian Fire Standards
This document is to assist architects, designers, builders, fire engineers and specifiers in planning their clients office environment. Download all test reports at bottom of this page.
Understanding the NCC Requirements
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out requirements for fire safety that must be complied with for all new buildings and building works. Products used in Type A, Type B and type C buildings must be non-combustible materials or deemed to satisfy NCC requirements for non combustible materials.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC) do not allow some building elements to be constructed from combustible materials, such as timber or plywood, or they nominate the material that can be used, such as steel, concrete or masonry.
Performance Solutions may be developed by an accredited/registered Fire Safety Engineer as part of a building solution to conform to the DTS Provisions of the NCC.
INAPOD Automatic Sprinkler System Installation
Additionally an automatic sprinkler system can be installed after the unit has been assembled if required by local regulations. There are knock out holes in the ceiling to fit a fire sprinkler head if required.
This means that the INAPOD acoustic office pods comply with the fire sprinkler requirements for multi-story buildings in Australia.
Fire Safety Requirements - Construction Materials
The PODS do not contain materials that can be easily combustible. The chassis and body of the INAPODS are made from structural steel with steel sheet covering. No plywood panels or timber beams are used in the construction.
The internal surface materials, upholstery and acoustic materials have been rigorously tested to Australian & International fire standards and contain no easily combustible materials. (See test reports below)
The INAPOD range of office Pods have been rigorously tested to Australian & International Standards.
For individual test certificates, please click the PDF links below
INAPOD CERTIFIED AUSTRALIAN/ISO/NZ STANDARDS - Downloads
- NORMAN DISNEY & YOUNG FIRE TEST REPORT
- AS 5637.1 GROUP NUMBER (Wall & Ceiling Linings)
- AS ISO 9239.1-2003 (Floor Coverings)
- ASNZS 3837 1998 (Wall & Ceiling Lining)
- AUSTRALIAN STANDARD AS 1530 Part 3 Test Result - Acoustic Panels
- INAPOD_GMA BUILDING RULES ASSESSMENT
INAPOD CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS - Downloads
- SGS ACOUSTIC PANEL FIRE TEST 2
- ACOUSTIC PANEL FIRE TEST
- PET ACOUSTIC PANEL FIRE TEST
- ACOUSTIC PANEL FIRE TEST 2
- CARPET FIBER FIRE TEST
- FIRE RETARDANT FOAM TEST
- FOAM FILLING FIRE TEST
Inapod Additional Reference Documents - GMA & PBS Certification Documents
The following Building Certification Services
companies have stated the following about the INAPOD range of products:
1. "We have reviewed the literature provided in relation to the INAPOD Office Pod series (S,W,D,C,M) and it is our opinion that the units constitute “furniture” or a “joinery unit” and as such are not subject to the requirements of Clause C1:10 of the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume 1."
2. "It is further our opinion that the installation of the INAPOD Office Pod series units into a building would not constitute building work that requires approval."
*See GMA CERTIFICATION GROUP building report HERE
*See PBS CERTIFICATION REPORT building report HERE
Please note: An automatic sprinkler system can be installed after the unit has been assembled if required by local regulations.
There are knock out holes in the ceiling to fit a fire sprinkler head if required.
This means that the INAPOD acoustic office pods comply with the fire sprinkler requirements for multi-story buildings in Australia.