SR32 Facade fire spread in multi-storey buildings (2007)

The advent of curtain wall cladding systems in multi-storey buildings has brought with it problems in preventing fire and smoke spreading from the fire floor to the floors above through the windows or the gap that sometimes exists between the curtain wall and the floor of the structure.

This report reviews the current knowledge and research on fire spread in this manner, identifying the mechanisms of spread and possible methods to prevent or restrict it.

A comparison is made between the current New Zealand code NZS 1900 Chapter 5 1988 and those of some other countries as well as comparing current and future test methods in these countries. A method for calculating the flame height out of windows and the thermal exposure of the wall above is also investigated.