How To Easily Achieve Compliance In Medium-Density Housing?

The Importance of Passive Fire Protection

One of the most important considerations when designing medium-density housing in New Zealand is ensuring compliance with building regulations. Not only is this a legal requirement, but it’s also essential for the overall success of the development.

Achieving compliance can be challenging for architects and engineers, particularly in medium-density housing where multiple units are designed in one building. This is where AFS Logicwall and AFS Rediwall offer an efficient solution for meeting fire, acoustic, and structural requirements in the walls of medium-density housing.

A key aspect of compliance, particularly in multi-residential buildings like townhouses and apartments, is passive fire protection. This refers to the materials and design features that help contain the spread of fire, protect residents, keep exit routes clear, and maintain the structural integrity of the building during a fire. Ensuring effective passive fire protection is crucial to preventing fire from spreading between units, which can significantly reduce the risk and damage in the event of a fire.

For architects and engineers, selecting materials that provide excellent fire protection is essential for meeting compliance. On the other hand, builders need compliant, practical, easy-to-install, and cost-effective solutions.

AFS Logicwall – Passive Fire Designed with Ease

AFS Logicwall is a versatile system combining fire, acoustic, and structural performance in one wall, particularly for intertenancy walls in medium-density housing.

With a fire rating of 240/240/240 FRL and just a 162mm profile, it provides up to 240 minutes of fire containment, suitable for all residential applications in New Zealand.

The 162mm profile Logicwall also achieves an acoustic rating of up to STC 55 without the need for additional strapping or lining, reducing both construction time and costs.

As Logicwall is a concrete wall, it also can also be designed for any part of the building that needs a structural load-bearing wall.

As the thinnest intertenancy wall on the market, it offers architects greater design flexibility and more space within units. For enhanced performance, additional strapping or lining can be added to increase acoustic ratings further. Logicwall’s integrated design makes it easier for architects and engineers to create compliant, high-performance developments.

Load-Bearing Wall

AFS Rediwall – A Versatile Wall Solution

AFS Rediwall offers similar benefits to Logicwall but with even greater versatility for a wide range of applications, particularly in smaller residential projects. Whether it’s a townhouse development, a multi-level house, or a basement wall, Rediwall delivers a consistent 240/240/240 fire rating.

Compared to traditional construction methods, Rediwall’s structural performance is highly effective for retaining walls, lift and stair shafts, and basement walls. As a concrete load-bearing wall, it provides passive fire resistance and superior strength and durability.

Additionally, while acoustics may be less critical in specific applications like basements or retaining walls, Rediwall’s acoustic performance reaches up to 61 STC without the need for strapping or lining.

Rediwall’s versatility extends to high-end housing, pools, retention tanks, and other bespoke projects, making it an ideal choice for architects and builders. It is also water resistant and can be further enhanced with waterproofing membranes for applications such as pools and water tanks.

Load-Bearing Wall

Read related articles:

• How do I Design Slimmer Intertenancy Walls and Maximise Space?
• How can Logicwall Minimise Steel Portals in Terraced Housing?