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ANNEX 3A

NOTIONAL PERIODS OF FIRE RESISTANCE

A.1 GENERAL

A.1.1 In this Annex:

a. "Class 1 aggregate" means foamed slag, pumice, blast furnace slag, pelleted fly ash, crushed brick and burnt clay products (including expanded clay) well-burnt clinker and crushed limestone. "Class 2 aggregate" means flint gravel, granite, and all crushed natural stones other than limestones.

b. Any reference to plaster means:

(1) In the case of an external wall 1m or more from the relevant boundary, plaster applied on the internal face only;

(2) In the case of any other wall, plaster applied on both faces;

(3) If to plaster of a given thickness on the external face of a wall, except in the case of a reference to vermiculite-gypsum plaster, rendering on the external face of the same thickness; and

(4) If to vermiculite-gypsum plaster, vermiculite-gypsum plaster of a mix within the range of 1½ to 2:1 by volume.

c. In the case of a cavity wall, the load is assumed to be on inner leaf only except for fire resistance period of 4 hrs.

d. Any material or type of construction or method of mixing, preparing, using, applying or fixing the material as referred to in the table, shall conform with the relevant provisions of the Building Control Act (Chapter 29), and the relevant Singapore Standard or Singapore Standard Code of Practice. In the absence of the aforementioned Standard or Code of Practice, the relevant British equivalent or other accepted Standard or Code of Practice shall be applicable.

A.2 WALLS

A.2.1 Masonry construction:

Construction and materials Minimum thickness excluding plaster (in mm) for period of fire resistance of
Loadbearing Non-loadbearing
4-hrs 2-hrs 1-hrs 4-hrs 2-hrs 1-hrs
1. Reinforced concrete, minimum concrete cover to main reinforcement of 25 mm:            
(a) Unplastered (to comply with SS EN 1992-1-2) - - - - - -
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster 180 100 75 - - -
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster 180 100 75 - - -
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 125 75 63 - - -
2. No-fines concrete of Class 2 aggregate:            
(a) 13mm cement-sand plaster - - - 150 150 150
(b) 13mm gypsum-sand plaster - - - 150 150 150
(c) 13mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - - 150 150 150
3. Bricks of clay, concrete, or sand - lime:            
(a) Unplastered 200 100 100 170 100 75
(b) 13mm cement-sand plaster 200 100 100 170 100 75
(c) 13mm gypsum-sand plaster 200 100 100 170 100 75
(d) 13mm vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster 100 100 100 170 100 75
4. Concrete blocks of Class 1 aggregate:            
(a) Unplastered 150 100 100 150 75 75
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster 150 100 100 100 75 75
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster 150 100 100 100 75 75
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 100 100 100 75 75 50
5. Concrete blocks of Class 2 aggregate:            
(a) Unplastered - 100 100 150 100 75
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - 100 100 150 100 75
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - 100 100 150 100 75
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 100 100 100 100 75 75
6. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 475 - 1200 kg/m3 180 100 100 100 62 50
7. Hollow concrete blocks, one cell in wall thickness, of Class 1 aggregate:            
(a) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - 100 100 150 100 100
(b) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - 100 100 150 100 75
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - 100 100 150 100 75
(d) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - 100 100 100 75 62
8. Hollow concrete blocks, one cell in wall thickness, of Class 2 aggregate:             
(a) Unplastered - - - 150 150 125
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster
- - - 150 150 125
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster 
- - - 150 150 125
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - - 125 100 100
9. Cellular clay blocks not less than 50% solid:             
(a) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster  - - - - - 100
(b) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster  - - - - - 100
(c) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - - 200 100 100
10. Cavity wall with outer leaf of bricks or blocks of clay, composition, concrete or sand-lime, not less than 100mm thick and;             
(a) inner leaf of bricks or blocks of clay, composition, concrete or sand-lime  100 100 100 75 75 75
(b) inner leaf of solid or hollow concrete bricks or blocks of Class 1 aggregate 100 100 100 75 75 75
11. Cavity wall with outer leaf of cellular clay blocks as 9 above and inner leaf of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 480-1200kg/m3 150 100 100 75 75 75

A.2.2 Framed and composite construction (non-loadbearing)

Construction and materialsPeriod of fire resistance (in hours)
1.Steel frame with external cladding of 16mm rendering on metal lathing and internal lining of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 480-1120 kg/m3 of thickness of -  
(a) 50mm 2
(b) 75mm4
2.Steel frame with external cladding of 100mm concrete blocks and internal lining of 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing4
3.Steel frame with external cladding of 16mm rendering on metal lathing and internal lining of 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing1
4.Steel frame with facings on each side of -  
(a) metal lathing with cement-sand or gypsum plaster of thickness of 19mm1
(b) metal lathing with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum of thickness of -
(1) 25mm2
(2) 12.5mm1
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum of thickness of -
(1) 25mm2
(2) 10mm1
(d) 12.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of 12.5mm1
(e) 12.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of -2
(1) 25mm2
(2) 10mm1
(f) 19mm plasterboard (or two layers of 9.5mm fixed to break joint) without finish1
(g) 19mm plasterboard for two layers of 9.5mm with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of 16mm2
5.Plasterboard 9.5mm cellular core partition with 22mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 2
6.Plasterboard 12.5mm cellular core partition -  
(a) 12.5mm gypsum plaster 1
(b) 16mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster2
7.Plasterboard 19mm finished on both faces with 16mm gypsum plaster 1
8.Three layers of 19mm plasterboard bonded with heat gypsum plaster 2

A.3 REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

DescriptionMinimum dimension of concrete (in mm) to give a fire resistance in hours
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
1. Reinforced concrete beams without any protectionComply with SS EN 1992-1-2
2. As (1) with cement or gypsum plaster 15mm thick on light mesh reinforcement   
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 50*3015
(b) beam width 25017085
3. As (1) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster** 15mm thick:    
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 251515
(b) beam width 17012560
4. Light weight concreteComply with SS EN 1992-1-2

Note:

* - Supplementary reinforcement necessary to hold the concrete cover in position.

** - Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster shall have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2:1 by volume.

A.4 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS

DescriptionMinimum dimension of concrete (in mm) to give a fire resistance in hours
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
1. Prestressed concrete beams without any protectionComply with SS EN 1992-1-2
2. As (1) with vermiculite concrete slabs 15mm thick, used as permanent shuttering:   
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 754525
(b) beam width 21012570
3. As (2) but with 25mm thick slabs:    
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 653515
(b) beam width 18010060
4. As (1) with 15mm thick gypsum plaster with light mesh reinforcement:
   
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 90*5030
(b) beam width 25017085
5. As (1) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster** 15m thick:   
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 75*4525
(b) beam width 17012560
6. As (5) but with 25mm thick coating:    
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 503015
(b) beam width 1408560
7. Prestressed lightweight concrete without any protectionComply with SS EN 1992-1-2

Note:

* - Supplementary reinforcement is necessary to hold the concrete cover in position.

** - Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster shall have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2:1 by volume.

A.5 REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

A.5.1 All Faces Exposed

Type of constructionMinimum dimension of concrete (in mm) to give a fire resistance in hours
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
1. Dense concrete:  
(a) without additional protection Comply with SS EN 1992-1-2
(b) with cement or gypsum plaster 15mm thick on light mesh reinforcement300225150
(c) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster* 275200120
2. Lightweight aggregate concreteComply with SS EN 1992-1-2

Note:

* - Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster shall have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2:1 by volume.

A.5.2 One Face Exposed

Type of constructionMinimum dimension of concrete (in mm) to give a fire resistance in hours
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
1. Dense concrete:  
(a) without additional protection Comply with SS EN 1992-1-2
(b) with Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster* 15mm thick on exposed faces1257565

Note:

* - Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster shall have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2:1 by volume.

 

A.6 STRUCTURAL STEEL

A.6.1 Encased steel stanchions (Mass per metre not less than 45kg)

Construction and materialsMinimum thickness (in mm) of protection for a fire resistance of
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
A. SOLID PROTECTION*
(unplastered)
1. Concrete not leaner than 1:2:4 mix with natural aggregates-
   
(a) concrete not assumed to be load-bearing reinforced +502525
(b) concrete assumed to be load-bearing, reinforced in accordance with BS EN 1992 and SS EN 1994755050
2. Solid bricks of clay, composition or sand-lime1005050
3. Solid blocks of foamed slag or pumice concrete reinforced+ in every horizontal joint755050
4. Sprayed vermiculite-cement-3819
B. HOLLOW PROTECTION++
1. Solid bricks of clay, composition or sand-lime reinforced in every horizontal joint, unplastered
1155050
2. Solid blocks of foamed slag or pumice concrete reinforced+ in every horizontal joint, unplastered755050
3. Metal lathing with gypsum or cement-lime plaster of thickness of - -38§19
4.   (a) Metal lathing with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of

50§

1912.5
(b) Metal lathing spaced 25mm from flanges with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of 441912.5
5.   Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch -

 


 
(a) 9.5mm Plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of  --12.5
(b) 19mm Plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of -12.57
6.   Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch -

 


 
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of    -1610
(b) 19mm plasterboard with vermiculite- gypsum plaster of thickness of   38§
2010
7. Vermiculite - cement slabs of 4:1 mix reinforced with wire mesh and finished with plaster skim. Slabs of thickness  of632525

Note:

* - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the steel without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid.

+ - Reinforcement shall consist of steel binding wire not less than 2.3mm in thickness, or a steel mesh weighing not less than 0.48kg/m2. In concrete protection, the spacing of that reinforcement shall not exceed 150mm in any direction.

++ - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protective material and the steel. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level.

§ - Light mesh reinforcement required 12.5mm to 19mm below surface unless special corner beads are used.

A.6.2 Encased steel beams (Mass per metre not less than 30kg)

Construction and materialsMinimum thickness (in mm) of protection for a fire resistance of
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
A. SOLID PROTECTION+
(unplastered)
1. Concrete not leaner than 1:2:4 mix with natural aggregates -
   
(a) concrete not assumed to be load-bearing, reinforced++752525
(b) concrete assumed to be load-bearing, reinforced in accordance with BS 5950: Part 8755050
2. Sprayed vermiculite - cement-3819
B. HOLLOW PROTECTION*
1.  Metal lathing -
   
(a) with cement-lime plaster of thickness of-3819
(b) with gypsum plaster of thickness of-2216
(c) with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of 3212.512.5
2.   Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch -



 
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of --12.5
(b) 19 mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of -12.57
3.   Plasterboard with 1.6mm wire at 100m pitch - 

 


 
(a) 9.5 mm plaster nailed to wooden cradles finished with gypsum plaster of thickness of---
(b) 9.5 mm plasterboard with vermiculite - gypsum plaster of thickness of-1610
(c) 19 mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of32107
(d) 19 mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of -2010
4. Vermiculite-cement slabs of 4:1 mix reinforced with wire mesh and finished with plaster skim. Slabs of thickness of632525

Note:

* - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protective materials and the steel. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level.

+ - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the steel without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid.

++ - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the steel without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid.

A.7 STRUCTURAL ALUMINIUM

A.7.1 Encased aluminium alloy stanchions and beams (Mass per metre not less than 16kg)

Construction and materialsMinimum thickness (in mm) of protection for a fire resistance of
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
A. SOLID PROTECTION*
1. Sprayed vermiculite-cement 
--44
B. HOLLOW PROTECTION+
1. Metal lathing with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of 
-3216
2. Metal lathing finished with neat gypsum plaster of thickness of --19
3. Gypsum plasterboard 19 mm thick with 1.6 mm wire binding at 100 mm pitch finished with gypsum-vermiculite plaster of thickness of -2210

Note:

* - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the alloy without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid.

+ - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protective material and the alloy. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level.

A.8 REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS (DENSE CONCRETE)

Description
Minimum dimension (in mm) to give fire resistance in
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
Solid floor slab, ribbed floor slab, hollow core slab.Solid floor slab, ribbed floor slab, hollow core slab.

A.8 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FLOORS (SILICEOUS OR CALCAREOUS AGGREGATE)

Floor ConstructionMinimum dimension (in mm) to give fire resistance in
4-hrs2-hrs1-hrs
1. Solid slabAverage cover to reinforcement65*4025
Depth, overall+150125100
2. Cored slabs in which the cores are circular or are higher than wide. Not less than 50 % of the gross across section of the floor shall be solid materialAverage cover to reinforcement65*4025
Thickness under cores504025
Depth, overall+190160110
3. Hollow box section with one or more longitudinal cavities which are wider than highAverage cover to reinforcement65*4025
Thickness of bottom flange654025
Depth, overall+230180130
4. Ribbed floor with hollow infill blocks of clay, or inverted T-section beams with hollow infill blocks of concrete or clay. A floor in which less than 50% of the gross cross section is solid material must be provided with a 15mm plaster coating on soffitAverage cover to reinforcement65*4025
Width or rib, or beam, at soffit1259070
Depth, overall+190160110
5. Upright T-sectionAverage bottom cover to reinforcement100*65*40
Side cover to reinforcement1006540
Least width or downstanding leg25015090
Thickness of flange+150125100
6. Inverted channel sections with radius at intersection of soffits with top of leg not exceeding depth of sectionAverage bottom cover to reinforcement100*65*40
Side cover to reinforcement503520
Least width or downstanding leg1257545
Thickness at crown+150125100
7. Inverted channel sections or U-sections with radius at intersection of soffits with top of leg exceeding dept of sectionAverage bottom cover to reinforcement100*65*40
Side cover to reinforcement503520
Least width or downstanding leg1107045
Thickness at crown+150125100

Note:

* - Supplementary reinforcement is necessary to hold the concrete cover in position.

+ - Non-combustible screeds and finishes can be included in these dimensions.