Fire barriers

[Tradie]

A topic I would like to discuss in more depth.

I am finishing off a project, and looking at all the holes we have made, all over the building.

It is just a domestic installation, however there are a lot of holes between rooms, the garage, ground floor and first floor, created by all the services.

Now it is time to start the test report for the property rewire and solar installation.

The question is at what point do you need to consider a barrier, a 20 mm hole, a 100x200mm hole?

What type of barrier should be installed?

I am yet to see a document attached to a COC/test report which covers the fire barrier used to seal the holes where the electrician or installer has sealed the hole.

I see a lot of installations in the garage, but never seen any form of barrier installed.

In fact just thinking back to the last COC I received for a factory, I dont recall seeing anything about firestops, etc.

When are fire barriers required?

[GCE]

There is a clause to help decide - At the end it is normally the fire chief or structural Eng. that will dictate the need
Extract from SANS10142-1

6.4.8 Wiring through building elements
6.4.8.1 If wiring has to pass right through a building element such as a floor,
a wall, a partition, or a ceiling, conductors and busbars shall be in a
non-flammable enclosure or wireway.
6.4.8.2 If the building element is a fire break, the space around
a) a cable,
b) a wireway, or
c) the wiring in a wireway, if the internal cross-sectional area of the wireway
exceeds 13 000 mm2,
shall be completely filled with non-flammable material over the full thickness
of the building element.
NOTE 1 Mineral wool is non-flammable.
NOTE 2 A local authority or fire officer could require extra safety measures to be taken.