SABSM Technical Policy Note T06/2012
The Scottish Association of BUILDING STANDARDS MANAGERS
Incorporating the Scottish Association of Chief Building Control Officers and representing Local Authority Building Standards in Scotland
IMAGE: The cover displays the SABSM logo, containing the legible text “SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION BUILDING STANDARDS MANAGERS”, “SABSM”, and “Incorporating SACBCO”. The cover also identifies the document as “SABSM TECHNICAL POLICY NOTE T06/2012” and gives the title “Short duration fire resisting intermediate floors – utilising standard timber joists”. A diagonal “Final Approved” watermark is visible, though part of the wording is obscured.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Guidance Note Number | T06/2012 |
| Issue Date | 01/05/2012 |
| Domestic/Non Domestic | Domestic/Non Domestic |
| Section | Part 2. Fire |
| Clause Number | 2.3.1 |
| Clause Title | Elements of structure |
BACKGROUND
It has been noted recently that manufacturers published data for plasterboards no longer makes reference to the use of 12.5 mm plasterboard as achieving a short duration of fire resistance for load bearing capacity where fixed to regular timber joists on intermediate floors.
This has caused confusion for verifiers since it is normal practice to accept standard 12.5 mm plasterboard fixed to the underside of intermediate floors with regular timber joists in order to achieve a short duration standard for load bearing capacity only.
Following discussion through the consortium group it was decided that TRADA’s Technology Report 1/2001 Timber frame walls and floors – fire resistance of service penetrations was relevant to this subject since the intermediate floor test beds utilised a ceiling finish of 12.5 mm thick standard plasterboard with positive results.
DECISION
SABSM considers that in order to achieve a short duration fire resisting intermediate floor for load bearing capacity when it is constructed with standard solid timber joists, a ceiling finish of 12.5 mm thick standard plasterboard may be used. The plasterboard should have taped and filled joints or a plaster skim finish.
This policy note is only applicable to standard solid timber joisted intermediate floors and does not take account of requirements that go beyond providing a short duration fire resistance for load bearing capacity only. It does not apply to engineered joists, intermediate floors requiring sound insulation or separating floors.
References
TRADA (1) (on behalf of the DETR) Technology Report 1/2001 Timber frame walls and floors – fire resistance of service penetrations
Acronyms
(1) TRADA is the Timber Research and Development Association.
IMAGE: The second page repeats the SABSM header and logo, containing the legible text “SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION BUILDING STANDARDS MANAGERS”, “SABSM”, and “Incorporating SACBCO”. The page contains the headings “BACKGROUND”, “DECISION”, “References”, and “Acronyms”, followed by the policy text transcribed above. A diagonal “Final Approved” watermark is visible, though part of the wording is obscured.