This parliamentary question seeks clarification on the fire safety standards for materials used in public hospitals, specifically regarding the adoption of the Australian Building Code and the continued use of products tested before the code's amendments. The Minister's response confirms reliance on the BCA and allows for the use of older test reports under certain conditions.

AnsweredQoN 513Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 August 2000
Member
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) In light of the new Australian Building Code regulations (AS 1530), what fire ratings will the State adopt in relation to testing procedures of carpets and other materials to be used in public hospitals? (2) Will products whose safety tests were conducted prior to the amendments (November 1999) continue to be used? Answered on 13 September 2000 The Minister

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
13 September 2000
Response time
29 days
(1) The State does not directly adopt fire ratings but relies on the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which includes details of fire ratings for carpets and other materials in health care buildings. Details of testing procedures to determine fire ratings for such materials are contained in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1530 Part 3 (which was amended in 1999) and has been adopted by reference in the BCA. (2) Yes. The Australian Building Codes Board allows continued use of test reports that refer to the previous versions of the Standard, but requires that tests carried out after the amendment date must relate to the amended Standard.
(2) Will products whose safety tests were conducted prior to the amendments (November 1999) continue to be used? Answered on 13 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The State does not directly adopt fire ratings but relies on the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which includes details of fire ratings for carpets and other materials in health care buildings. Details of testing procedures to determine fire ratings for such materials are contained in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1530 Part 3 (which was amended in 1999) and has been adopted by reference in the BCA. (2) Yes. The Australian Building Codes Board allows continued use of test reports that refer to the previous versions of the Standard, but requires that tests carried out after the amendment date must relate to the amended Standard.
Answered on 13 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The State does not directly adopt fire ratings but relies on the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which includes details of fire ratings for carpets and other materials in health care buildings. Details of testing procedures to determine fire ratings for such materials are contained in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1530 Part 3 (which was amended in 1999) and has been adopted by reference in the BCA. (2) Yes. The Australian Building Codes Board allows continued use of test reports that refer to the previous versions of the Standard, but requires that tests carried out after the amendment date must relate to the amended Standard.

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