"Fire Resistance" means the ability of a building component to resist a fully developed fire, while still performing its function. Fire resistance in the form of a fire rating, can be applied only to a total building element incorporating plywood eg. a fire door or a wall or roof system. A product cannot be fire rated.
Plywood is suitable as a material used in fire resistance components or structures providing it is combined with other materials so as to meet the fire resistant requirements. This can be achieved chemically, however the usual method is to combine plywood with non-combustible materials such as fibrous-cement or fire grade plasterboard.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is a uniform set of technical provisions for the design and construction of buildings and other structures throughout Australia. The BCA includes a section on Fire Resistance, and designers and builders must ensure that their constructions satisfy this section.
Austral Plywoods - Fire & Acoustic solutions
| Product | Thickness | Type | Group Rating | NRC* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austral FireHoop | 5mm | Solid | 1 | - |
| Acoustic (8mm holes, 32mm centres) | 1 | 0.35 | ||
| Acoustic (8mm holes, 16mm centres) | 1 | 0.50 | ||
| Austral FR Panel | 13mm | Solid | 2 | - |
| Ariaply / iHoop | All | Solid | 3 | - |
| 9 and 9.5mm | Acoustic (8mm holes, 25mm centres) | 3 | 0.50 | |
| *NRC = Noise Reduction Coefficient | ||||
We can supply fire and acoustic certificates to support the options listed above - please contact us. Our fire certifications have been carried out in accordance with AS5637.1:2015.
Useful Resources
Fire Requirements for Internal Wall and Ceiling Linings (EWPAA Technical Note)
Factsheet - Fire Performance of Timber Panel Products
Consider also
