Winery, Brewery & Distillery Fire Systems

The National Construction Code (NCC) defines the specific requiremements for fire safety systems and equipment when a building is constructed or modified. The buildings use (classification) along with its size (area), height, occupancy and other factors are used to determine what fire safety systems, equipment and measures are applicable.

A winery, brewery and distillery are predominantly "process-type" buidlings (Class 8) which include the production, assembling, altering, repairing, packing, finishing, or cleaning of goods or produce for sale takes place. They may also include other uses such as an office (Class 5) and laboratory (also a Class 8).

Understanding the buildings classification is the first step in determining which fire safety systems and equipment are required1.

The fire safety requirements of the NCC can be broken down into the following categories;

• 1

  Additional requirements over and above the National Construction Code as part of a Performance Solution by the Relevant Building Surveyor or in consideration of Wormplace Health & Safety requirements or as a required condition for insurance.

• Fire Resistance (Section C4): Which is the the capacity of a building and its structural elements to withstand fire exposure, maintain structural stability, and limit the spread of fire and smoke.
• Fire Hazard Properties (Specification 3): are the measurable performance characteristics of a building material, component, or assembly that dictate how it reacts to fire, specifically its resistance to ignition, flame spread, heat release, and smoke generation.
• Compartmentation (Part C3): defines the division of a building into discrete, fire-protected sub-sections (fire compartments) using fire-resisting walls, floors, and fire walls to limit the floor area and volume of a fire, restrict the spread of fire and smoke, safeguard evacuation paths, and assist fire brigade intervention.
• Protection of Openings (Part C4): Regulates and protects doorways, windows, construction joints, and service penetrations in fire-resisting building elements to maintain their required Fire Resistance Level (FRL) and limit the spread of fire.
• Fire-resisting Construction (Specification 5): Sets out the construction standards and structural element requirements for Type A, B, and C construction to ensure building elements achieve specified Fire Resistance Levels (FRL) and maintain stability during a fire
• Fire Doors, Smoke Doors, Fire Windows and Shutters (Specification 12): Defines the technical design, testing, and operation standards for opening protectives that restrict the passage of fire, radiant heat, and smoke across fire-rated barriers and exit paths.
• Penetration of Walls, Floors and Ceilings by Services (Specification 13): Prescribes the approved materials, fire-stopping systems, and installation methods required when electrical, plumbing, or mechanical services pass through fire-rated building elements to ensure their fire performance is not compromised.