Flush Box Fire Protection
Contego • May 24, 2017
Recently the spotlight has been put upon Fire stopping systems with regard to Flush Boxes. It has been highlighted that many Fire rated pads being used in flush boxes are not compliant to New Zealand requirements.
We have heard of entire Commercial buildings completed in 2017 now being told to replace all of the Fire rated pads used in Flush Boxes – all at the Electrical Contractors Expense.
There are only a few companies in New Zealand that have the required AS1530.4 testing/ AS4072.1 assessment for their Fire rated pads.
It is important to check the following before proceeding with a Fire rated pad:
- Test report to AS1530.4
- Tested details
- Single layer 13 Gib? (most are tested on double layer or minimum 16 Fire rated plasterboard)
- -/60/60 achieved with insulation rating (or did it only achieve -/60/-)
- Was it a single pad
- Does the pad you are being sold match the pad used in the test? (we are finding retailers/ manufacturers are selling different pads but marketing against other product test reports – the recent court rulings in the Reinforcing Steel industry highlight that this practice is “Gross Negligence”
- What else was included in the test – i.e Fire rated mastic & which brand
- Do they also offer Acoustic rating?
Contego. has completed its due diligence and as an outcome we stock & supply two tested pads that suit NZ’s most common building & electrical scenarios
- Ryanfire Electro pads – 1 layer of 13 Fyreline tested to -/60/60 & -/120/120 to AS1530.4
- Ryanfire Acoustic Putty Pads – 1 layer of 13 Fyreline tested to -/90/90 to AS1530.4
The Passive Fire Protection Intumescent Coating Code of Practice suggests that this should be a collaborative effort between all design consultants to ensure all aspects are considered. This way of thinking is no different to any other collaborative effort in designing a building whereby multiple consultants need to talk & collaborate on a solution.
Assessments – ask the extra questions. As most Passive Fire Protection contractors are aware AS1530.4 & AS4072.1 assessments satisfy compliance with NZBC and Acceptable solutions. However, when utilising an AS4072.1 assessment I would urge a little extra caution.
South Island passive fire protection contractor Contego today announced that it will continue its business expansion by opening a new base in the North Island in December 2021. Located in New Plymouth, the branch is expected to employ 10 persons over the next 24 months. The business currently employs 35 personnel between its bases across the South Island.
Our managing director, Justin McEntyre outlines our top 5 tips for managing your building compliance with regards to passive fire protection.
It has been a busy summer for the Intumescent coatings division with projects right across the lower South Island.
Sadly I am hearing more or more frictions within the industry between Passive Fire Contractors and
consultants and Council inspectors.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that is experiencing weekly headaches with freight delays and lead time materials. What was once available down the road, can now be a lengthy delay to get a hold of it. The feedback I am getting from suppliers and contractors is that the worst is not over, and we should be planning to deal with this for the remainder of this year.
With the current codes of practice and Passive products annual renewal being worked through the issue of Tested vs Assessed is constantly brought up in conversation. NZBC accepts the use of AS4072.1 Assessments as a way of showing compliance as an equal with a tested solution in accordance with AS1530.4.
We are excited to announce that Contego have been selected as finalists within two categories at the 2020 Westpac Otago Business Awards. This year we have been selected as a finalist for the Excellence in Service Award and also the Future Business Leader Award.
Contego is proud to announce that we have been awarded a 3 year contract to provide IQP services to SDHB for all Passive Fire Systems including SS15.2, SS15.3, SS15.4, and SS15.5.