Important Australian Standards

AS 1905.1:2015

Defines fire-resistant doorsets as openings in walls and partitions that resist fire passage. This also applies to transom panels over doors, where the panels are contained within the door frame and form part of the doorset.

AS 1530.4:2014

Defines that all components of a fire doorset (door leaf, frame, hardware) must have been tested together to confirm compatibility with one another. This testing is to be completed by an independent NATA accredited organisation.

AS 1428.1

Defines fire door accessibility standards. In order for a fire door to fulfil its safety purposes, it must apply to all relevant individuals to that application. Access to the opening must be irrespective of physical ability. For example, a ramp in applications that are raised above the floor level.

AS 1851-2012 & Building Code of Australia (BCA)

Defines fire doorset maintenance standards. This standard outlines the minimum requirements to uphold a doorset’s fire resistance and rating over time. Regularity of inspections are relative to the class of the building it is installed within along with the door type. If any faults deemed to affect functionality are detected during the inspection, the doorset’s fire rating may be voided until it is amended or replaced.

NCC C3.4

Defines that smoke doors leaves must be side-hung to swing either in the direction of egress; or in both directions. Specifies that door leaves must be solid-core and min. 35 mm thick, or capable of resisting smoke at 200°C for 30 minutes. Must also close automatically or be triggered by smoke detectors.

AS 1428.1

Defines the access and mobility of non-rated doors and associated building design. This includes requirements for doorway widths, clear opening spaces, and door hardware placement to ensure accessibility for all users.

AS 1288

Defines properties required of glass in buildings, including door glass panels.

AS 2047

Defines requirements for external doors such as weatherproofing, structural performance and energy efficiency.

AS 2688: 2017

Defines requirements for timber and composite doorsets. Importantly, this includes the requirement for a 'balanced construction' wherein the facings on side side of the core are essentially equal in thickness, grain direction, properties and arrangemenet to those on the other side of the core, such that forces induced by uniformly distributed changes in moisture will not cause warpage.

AS 1851:2005

Defines the maintenance standards of passive fire and smoke containment systems - including fire-resistant doorsets that are hinged, pivoted, or horizontal sliding doors. Stipulates that the frequency of maintenance is determined by building class and usage rate. Inspection frequency is categorised into three levels:

1. Three-monthy
2. Six-monthly
3. Yearly

In most instances, three-monthly or six-monthly checks are required. Checks account for all of the following items as they are relevant / present in a doorset:

• Doors help in the open position
• Locksets and latchsets
• Door closers and pivots
• Hinges
• Door seals (smoke, acoustic and weather seals)
• Fire-rated air transfer grilles or fire dampers
• Kick plates
• Selective sequence for pair doors
• Meeting stiles for pair doors
• Door guides, stop, and restraints
• Other fittings and accessories
• Door leaf
• Door frame
• Other features (ie. maintenance access panels for cavity sliders, sill under door leaf)
• Marking - tags and signage
• Clearance in the closed position
• Bracket fixings and barrel assembly
• Guide track fixings
• Curtain
• Threshold
• Fusible link
• Operation test
• Sensing device
• Access panel or leaf
• Access panel label
• Screw-fixed panels
• Hinged and/or latched panels
• Additions (ie. laminates and hardware)
• Fire-rated ductwork
• System coating
• General documentation
• Installation

Subsequent maintenance records must be kept in a logbook, as well as defect and condition reports, to be displayed on request.

Please note that a different set of rules applies in Queensland to the rest of Australia regarding certain aspects of construction. These are overseen by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), a statutory body established under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act) to regulate the building industry.