Looking at the changes in NCC 2025, following on from NCC 2022 - the inclusion of Class 2,3,9 properties into bushfire envelopes and designs is a new and challenging field for fire safety and fire protection engineers. There are no proper studies into this and AS3959 is based on 2 storey Class 1 homes. The Bushfire BPAD qualifications from FPA now offer a level of training that includes the ability to do Bushfire "Performance Solutions". But that is for what? The buildings, the BAL overlays, assessing the Bushfire method of construction, use of sprinklers to AS5414? Not sure. No university Fire Engineering course covers bushfire.
In considering this, the NSW Building Commission issued a change to the assessment of Bushfire applications for NSW Rural Fire - that they can take a power decision to demand DTS only, no performance solutions - and this goes onto the DA for a site. This "new power" is out of step with the NCC and BA processes. What are the experiences and thoughts of the group.
SFPE has already issued their reply to not allow this (Attached), so SFS members can make a submission on this to the NSW Rural Fire on this. The law change will set back the use of performance solutions in NSW, which is the possible start of a DTS only change, which is considered unacceptable. What should the fire profession advise the NSW Commission on this?
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Stephen Burton Engineers make it work...
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