SAA Lift Code Part 11: Fire-rated landing doors

AS 1735.11: SAA Lift Code Part 11: Fire-rated landing doors - An Essential Guide for Engineers

Ensuring the safety of occupants during a fire event is paramount in building design. For lift systems, the integrity of landing doors plays a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke. AS 1735.11, a foundational document within the SAA Lift Code, provides the authoritative engineering specifications for fire-rated landing doors, making it an essential reference for professionals tasked with lift safety and building compliance.

What is AS 1735.11?

AS 1735.11, published by the Standards Association of Australia, lays down the essential requirements for fire-rated landing doors used in lifts. This comprehensive standard specifically addresses the design, construction, and installation of these doors to ensure they effectively retard the passage of fire through openings in fire-rated lift wells. Its primary purpose is to enhance building fire safety by maintaining the integrity of fire barriers.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the performance characteristics and specifications for lift landing doors intended to achieve a fire resistance rating. It details the criteria for materials, construction methods, and performance under fire conditions. Crucially, AS 1735.11 defines the requirements for these doors to act as barriers, thereby limiting fire and smoke migration between floors. It does not, however, cover general lift door functionality or non-fire-rated door specifications.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Building Inspectors, Fire Safety Engineers, Lift Technicians, Architects, Building Managers, and Fire Engineers.
• • Industries affected: Construction, Building Services, Real Estate, and Fire Safety sectors.
• • Compliance nature: Generally mandatory, as it is often referenced within building codes and regulations.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified by building authorities, fire authorities, and accredited inspection bodies.

Key Requirements Overview

Professionals must ensure that lift landing doors designated as fire-rated meet specific performance benchmarks. Key provisions include:

• • The standard requires components and assemblies to be designed and constructed to achieve a defined fire resistance level, as determined by testing or approved variations.
• • Professionals must ensure that the doors, when closed, form an effective barrier against the passage of flames and hot gases for a specified duration.
• • Specific requirements are outlined for the materials used in door construction, including their fire-retardant properties.
• • The design must consider provisions for hardware, such as hinges and locking mechanisms, to maintain their function and integrity during a fire.
• • Clear labelling and documentation are required to demonstrate compliance and identify the fire rating of the installed doors.

Related Standards & References

AS 1735.11 works in conjunction with other Australian Standards to ensure holistic building safety. It is often referenced alongside AS 1735.1, the general SAA Lift Code, which covers broader lift safety aspects. Furthermore, AS 1905.1, the SAA Fire Door Code, provides overarching principles for fire-resistant door sets, with AS 1735.11 detailing the specific applications for lift landing doors. Understanding these interdependencies is crucial for comprehensive design and compliance.