AU2020200819A1

AU2020200819A1 - Double 50mm panel party wall system

Info

Publication number: AU2020200819A1
Application number: AU2020200819A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Given Not
Original assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-06
Filing date: 2020-02-05
Publication date: 2020-08-20

Abstract

A wall system for inhibiting propagation of fire from one side of the wall system to the other side includes a central void or space located intermediate a first wall structure and a second wall structure. The wall system has two substantially identical wall structures. In other forms the first wall structure is different to the second wall structure. The or each wall structure includes a core wall, typically of AAC, a wall cavity, a supporting wall, and a covering in which the supporting wall and core wall are affixed to one another using a heat responsive connector which fails when exposed to heat above a predetermined temperature caused by a fire on that side of the wall system. Failure of the heat sensitive connector allows the supporting wall to collapse without breaching the core wall to prevent propagation or transmission to the other side. 2/2 44 24 B 46 26 A 52- 34 48 54 28 50 30 22 FIGURE 2

Description

A wall system for inhibiting propagation of fire from one side of the wall system to the other side includes a central void or space located intermediate a first wall structure and a second wall structure. The wall system has two substantially identical wall structures. In other forms the first wall structure is different to the second wall structure. The or each wall structure includes a core wall, typically of AAC, a wall cavity, a supporting wall, and a covering in which the supporting wall and core wall are affixed to one another using a heat responsive connector which fails when exposed to heat above a predetermined temperature caused by a fire on that side of the wall system. Failure of the heat sensitive connector allows the supporting wall to collapse without breaching the core wall to prevent propagation or transmission to the other side.

2/2

44 24

B 46 26 A

52-

34

48

54 28 50 30

22

FIGURE 2

DOUBLE 50MM PANEL PARTY WALL SYSTEM

FIELD

The present description relates generally to inter-tenancy wall systems for separating two adjacent living spaces from each another.

In one form the inter-tenancy wall is within a building, such as in a building having multiple dwellings adjoining one another, typically at the same level within the building.

In one form the present description relates to the wall structure or structures of the inter-tenancy wall system, including installation of the wall structures, in which the structure or structures from a variety of different components, layers or sections using temperature-dependent or temperature-sensitive connectors to fixedly attach one layer or component or section to another layer or component or section of the wall or wall structure.

In one form the present description relates to a wall structure located on either side of an inter-tenancy wall system for reducing or eliminating the propagation of fire through the inter-tenancy wall system when the wall structure on one side of the wall system is exposed to fire by the wall system having temperature dependent connectors fixedly connecting one part or component of the wall structure to another part or component of the wall structure which allows part of the wall structure on the fire side of the wall to collapse or fall away to prevent the spread of fire through the wall structure or wall system.

The present description finds particular application to an

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 inter-tenancy wall system having two separate wall structures, one located on one side of the wall system and the other located on the other side of the wall system, in which the two wall structures are separated from each other by a void and each wall structure is connected internally by temperature dependent or temperature sensitive connectors which fail when the heat generated by a fire on one side of the wall system is above a predetermined temperature, thereby preventing the spread of fire through the wall system.

Although embodiments of the wall system and of the wall structure located at one or both sides of the wall system will be described in detail, it is to be noted that the scope of protection is not restricted to the described embodiments but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms, variations and arrangements of the wall system, the wall structure and the components, fittings and fixtures used in the wall structure, and to the use of the wall system and wall structure in applications other than described.

BACKGROUND

There is always a risk of fire occurring in one unit of a multi-unit building having adjoining living units with a common boundary. When fire occurs in one unit there is a chance that the fire can spread to adjoining or adjacent units either at the same level or at a level above or below the unit having the fire. Thus, there is a need to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire which starts in one unit through the walls of the unit to adjoining or adjacent units.

Previous attempts at containing fire within one unit have not been entirely satisfactory for one reason or another.

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In the past the dividing wall between adjacent units has failed to contain the fire by the part of the wall exposed to the fire catching fire or charring or burning whilst still remaining in place, particularly as the supporting wall or part of the supporting wall, which had a tendency to transmit the fire to the remaining parts of the wall adjoining or adjacent to or surrounding the part of the wall thatwas burning or on fire. If the part of the wall that was on fire could be separated or isolated from the remaining part of the wall, there would be a reduced chance that the remaining parts of the wall would catch fire to transmit or propagate the fire through the entire wall. Thus, there is a need to provide a wall system in which there is a reduced chance of fire spreading through the wall, by separating or isolating the part of the wall that was on fire for burning from the remaining parts of the wall which have not caught fire.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide a wall system and/or wall structure which has a reduced tendency to transmit or propagate fire through the wall system and/or structure.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide a wall structure as part of a wall system in which the wall structure has one part which remains intact when the wall structure is subject to heat from a fire, and another part which collapses when on fire.

SUMMARY

According to one form of the present invention there is provided an inter-tenancy wall system dividing a first living space from a second living space, the wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering being oriented to face towards the first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering in contact the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing towards the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall, wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100 mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling an inter-tenancy wall system for dividing a first living space and a second living space, the wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure to form the inter-tenancy wall system, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering facing towards the first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering in contact the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing toward the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall,

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system, the method comprising the steps of installing the first wall structure using a multitude of first connectors on a first side of the void and installing the second wall structure using a multitude of second connectors on a second side of the void, wherein the multitude of first connectors are spaced apart from one another and the multitude of second connectors are spaced apart from one another.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a building having a first living space on one side of an inter-tenancy wall system and a second living space on another side of the inter-tenancy wall system, the inter-tenancy wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering facing towards the first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 in contact with the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing towards the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall, wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100 mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector which is subject to the heat fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be noted that in the present description when referring to the various components, layers or sections of the wall structure, including the connectors, reference to the different components generally includes reference to

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 the corresponding components on either or both sides of the wall system as the wall structure on one side of the wall system is the same or substantially the same as the wall structure on the other side of the wall system so that the wall system is symmetrical about a central axis. The general reference to the individual components of the wall structure without identifying the specific wall structure having the component, either as part of the first or structure or as part of the second wall structure, is for ease of understanding and clarity of expression.

Although the building having more than a single dwelling unit or living space can be any suitable or convenient type of building, typical examples of buildings include multi-story buildings having a multitude of individual dwellings, such as apartments, units, flats, or similar located at various levels throughout the building. However, the building can include single level buildings, such as for example, terrace units or houses in adjoining side-by-side relationship to one another.

Forms of the wall system are inter-tenancy walls or inter partes wall for dividing a building into separate dwelling units or living spaces in side by side relationship to each other on opposite sides of the inter-tenancy wall. Other forms include zero boundary wall systems or constructions, such as where external walls of buildings are built to the property boundary.

Although it is preferred that the core of each wall structure is an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panel, the core panel can be made from any suitable or convenient material, including plasterboard, particularly fire retardant or fire-resistant plasterboard, such as shaft liner board or panel, magnesium plasterboard or panel or

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 similar and can have any suitable or convenient form. The panel can be a reinforced panel or an unreinforced panel. If the panel is a reinforced panel, the reinforcement can have any suitable or convenient profile, size, style, type, or be made from any suitable material, including a mesh, screen, sieve, perforated plate, perforated sheet, or similar. Typically the reinforcement is made from reinforcement rod, referred to as Rebar, steel rods, steel bars, steel wire or similar, including single mesh reinforcement or double mesh (cage) reinforcement or the like.

Typically, the core panel is an AAC panel, a shaft liner panel, a shaft liner board, a speed panel, a fibre cement panel or a panel of any other suitable material.

Although the core panel, preferably the AAC panel, is at least 2.4 meter in length, the length of the panel can be in the range of from about 500mm to about 4.6 meter or longer depending upon the thickness of the panel and the type of reinforcement, if present, embedded within the panel and the precise location of the panel in the wall system or wall structure. Forms of the panel typically have lengths of from about 600mm, 800mm, 1.2 meter, 1.5 meter, 2.4 meter, 2.7 meter, 3.0 meter, 3.3 meter, 3.6 meter, 4.2 meter or 4.5 m or 4.6 meter. However, the panel can have any suitable or convenient length.

The first supporting wall and the second supporting wall are each a structural wall including one or more frame members, such as load bearing frame members. The description of the structural wall in one wall structure can be used for both wall structures since the structural wall is the same on both sides of the wall system. In one form, the supporting wall is a stud wall in which the studs of the wall are metal studs or timber studs. It is

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 to be noted that the supporting wall can have any suitable or convenient form or structure or construction so long as the supporting wall provides the necessary strength and rigidity to the wall structure and the wall system and is able to cooperate with the connectors to release the supporting wall from the core panel when the wall structure is exposed to heat, such as, when there is a fire within the unit or building. In one form the core panel has a thickness in the range from about 20 mm to about 100 mm, typically in the range from about 25 mm to about 80 mm, more typically from about 35mm to about 75 mm, even more typically nominally about 50 mm or about 75 mm within manufacturing tolerances for AAC panels.

Preferably, the stud is a timber stud, optionally having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire retardant coating or similar either applied to one or more surfaces of the stud or impregnated within the body of the stud. One form of the stud includes metal studs, such as steel studs, typically having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire-retardant coating or similar applied to one or more surface, such as for example, a galvanised steel stud or the like. The stud wall comprises a multitude of substantially parallel spaced apart individual studs extending to the height of the wall system or wall structure.

In one form, the stud is of an open cross-section, typically in the form of a "C-shaped" stud, an "H-shaped" stud or similar in cross-section having one or more open faces in the form of channels. In one form the metal stud is a closed box section, tube, hollow section or similar, optionally having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire-retardant coating applied to the inner or outer surfaces.

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In one form the individual studs forming the stud wall are 90 mm timber studs having a generally square or rectangular cross-section or 92 mm steel studs having a generally "C-shaped" section.

Forms of the covering of the wall structure include a panel, partition, lining, facade, sheet, board or the like. More particularly, the covering is a lining, internal cladding, internal skin member, internal wall covering, internal facade or the like. In one form the covering is in direct contact with the studs forming the supporting wall, typically lining the outer surface of the stud wall facing into the living space or dwelling unit. In one form the covering is adhered to the studs of the stud wall by adhesive, bonding agent, glue or similar. Forms of the covering are attached to the studs by suitable fasteners, typically in the form of nails, cleats, screws, Tek screws, hex head screws, bugle head screws or similar. Whilst it is to be noted that linings are generally directly fixed to the timber or steel studs, framing/battens can be installed over the studs for fixing linings also, as an optional alternative for fixing the internal wall lining to the supporting wall. In some forms of the wall structure the presence of the framing/battens may contribute to the release or separation of the supporting wall from the core panel, such as for example in some circumstances, by transferring heat to the connectors or fasteners used in combination with the connectors which connectors or fasteners expand due to the heat or the framing/battens expand differentially, to increase the gap or opening between the supporting wall and the core panel or within the supporting wall itself to facilitate release or separation of the supporting wall from the core panel. Where the framing/battens are used to fix the panel to the supporting wall, transfer of heat to the battens and their

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 connectors to the supporting wall may cause gaps to open in the panel and cause a breach and failure of the panel and supporting wall, due to expansion of the battens from the heat.

The supporting wall can have any suitable or convenient thickness. In one form the supporting wall has a thickness of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm.

Preferably the covering is a lining, typically made from plasterboard, preferably fire rated plasterboard such as for example 13 mm thick CD plasterboard. It is to be noted that any thickness of plasterboard or similar fire resistant or fire-retardant material can be used, such as for example ranging from about 5 mm to about 30 mm in thickness, typically from about 8 mm to about 25 mm, more typically from about 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably nominally about 13 mm, or similar. One form of the plasterboard is magnesium board.

Forms of the wall system include one or more layers of insulation located at one or other locations within the wall system. In one form the void intermediate the two cores of the wall structures is provided with insulation, typically a layer of insulation. In one form the insulation is generally of the glass wool or polyester type, but could be of any other suitable or convenient type, including being in the form of batts or free form flowable material.

In one form of the wall structure at either side of the wall system insulation is provided within the cavity between the stud wall and the core panel.

In forms of the wall structure the gaps, voids, cavities or similar are air gaps or air spaces. In forms, the

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 voids and similar are provided with suitable insulation.

Forms of the connector facilitating separation of the supporting wall from the core wall include connectors between panel and stud being either aluminium brackets or steel top hat/furring channel/battens. The failure of the aluminium connector is due to melting of the aluminium material that releases the connection between frame and panel or through failure of the aluminium connector to retain the fastener attaching the end of the fastener to the supporting wall due to expansion of either the end of the connector or the fastener as the connector or fastener expands owing to being heated by the fire. The different amount of expansion of the various components is due to the different rates of thermal expansion of the materials from which the components are manufactured. The steel top hat/furring channel/batten connection fails by charring of the timber stud around the batten fixing to the stud hence releasing this connection. As the charring occurs the fastener attaching the connector to the stud becomes loose either due to expansion of the fastener itself or due to expansion of the connector, particularly the end of the connector closer to the source of heat, so that the fastener/connector combination no longer retains the supporting wall or stud connected to the core panel thereby allowing the supporting wall or stud to fall away from the core panel to release the supporting wall from the core panel thereby preventing transfer of heat to the core panel which prevents the spread of fire through the wall system.

The threshold temperature is at which the connector fails or commences to fail either due to melting of the connector or loosening of the connector/fastener combination or both are in the range from about 250 0 C to about 11000 C, typically in the range of about 600°C to

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 about 700°C which is the temperature range over which aluminium loses integrity.

In one form, charring of the timber studs commences from about 250°C upwards depending upon prevailing conditions existing at the time of heat generation due to fire. Charring of the timber stud can cause loosening anddislodgement of the fastener or loosening and dislodgement of the connection between the end of the connector and the fastener attaching the connector to the stud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the wall system and/or the wall structure will now be described by way of example of the scope of protection with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a schematic cross section view of one form of a building having different living areas on either side of one form of the wall structure.

Figure 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the wall structure of figure 1 dividing two adjacent living areas.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the wall system for dividing two adjacent living areas or dwelling units will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In figure 1, one form of the wall system, generally denoted as 2, is illustrated located within a building 4.

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Building 4 includes a floor, typically in the form of a concrete slab 6 or similar, upon which wall system 2 is supported. Alternatively, the floor of the building is made from AAC panels in abutting side-by-side and end to end relationship. Building 4 has two dwelling units on either side of wall system 2, being lower unit 8 and upper unit 10 on side A of building 4, and lower unit 12 and upper unit 14 on side B of building 4, as shown in figure 1.

The upper unit 8 and lower unit 10 on side A of building 4 are separated by a floor, typically in the form of floor joists 16 which can be arranged to extend perpendicularly from wall system 2, as shown in figure 1, or to extend substantially parallel to wall system 2 (not shown). Similarly, upper unit 12 and lower unit 14 on side B of building 4 are separated by a floor, typically in the form of floor joists 18 which can be arranged to extend perpendicularly from wall system 2, as shown in figure 1, or to extend substantially parallel to wall system 2 (not shown).

One form of wall system 2 will now be described in detail with particular reference to figure 2. Wall system 2 is generally symmetrical about the central axis thereof and includes a multitude of different layers, components, fittings, fixtures and arrangements on either side thereof. A void, generally in the form of a gap 22 or space, typically having a width of about 40 mm, is located at the central axis of wall system 2.

A first wall structure, generally denoted as 24, is located to one side of the gap 22, which is on the side denoted by side A of building 4 as shown in figure 1. Wall structure 24 includes as one of the layers or components, a core, typically in the form of a panel of

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), generally denoted as 26, having a nominal thickness of about 50 mm and a nominal length of greater than about 2.4 meter to extend in one piece from slab 6 to the ceiling or roof of building 4. It is to be noted that AAC panel 26 can have any suitable thickness and length depending upon requirements and/or the details of construction of the building and the individual units within the building.

In one form panel 26 extends has a single panel between the ceiling and floor of one unit. In one form two or more panels 26 are located one on top of the other in edge to edge relationship to form the wall structure having a height of more than a single width unit in the vertical direction such that there is a join between panels 26 at spaced apart locations depending upon the number of panels 26 forming the wall structure and the overall height of the wall structure and the height of the individual unit.

Forms of panel 26 include panels of AAC having a suitable or convenient length and a suitable or convenient thickness. Forms of panel 26 can have any suitable length, typically, in the range from about 500 mm to about 4.6 meter, typically lengths from about 2400 mm to about 3300 mm when the panels have a nominal thickness of 50 mm, and lengths from about 2400 mm to about 4500 mm when the panels have a nominal thickness of 75 mm or 100 mm.

First wall structure 24 includes a first supporting wall, typically in the form of a stud wall 28 comprising a multitude of either 90 mm timber studs or 92 mm steel studs arranged in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship to one another in alignment to form the supporting wall.

First stud wall 28 is spaced apart from first panel 26 to

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 form a cavity 30 therebetween. In one form cavity 30 has a width of about 24 mm. A connector 32, typically in the form of a perforated top hat section or similar, more typically a heat sensitive or heat dependent or heat responsive top hat section made from a metal which loses integrity when exposed to heat above a predetermined temperature, is located in cavity 30 to fixedly interconnect panel 26 and individual studs of stud wall 28 to form part of first wall structure 22, which part provides strength and rigidity to wall structure 22.

It is to be noted that connector 32 can be of any suitable type or have any suitable form or be of any suitable size, profile, style or similar, such as for example being a 24 mm top hat section or a 24 mm perforated top hat section or a Rondo 303 connector which is a 24 mm top hat section or a Rondo 311D direct fixing clip. Other forms of connector 32 are possible.

In one form the connector is provided with a "heat failure" part which fails when heated to a temperature above a predetermined temperature so that the connector separates into two parts thereby allowing the wall structure to fall away from the wall system in the event of fire. In one form the "heat failure" part is located intermediate the ends of the connector fastened to the respective parts of the wall structure. Forms of the "heat failure" part include a strip, a section, a segment or similar located centrally within the connector.

Connector 32 is used to fixedly connect panel 26 forming the core of the first wall structure 22 to the studs of stud wall 28. Further, it is to be noted that the material from which connector 32 is manufactured is a heat sensitive material or temperature dependent material which, if connector 32 is exposed to heat above a

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 threshold value, results in connector 32 failing so that panel 26 and stud wall 28 are no longer fixedly interconnected to one another but rather stud wall 28 is free to fall away or collapse from panel 26 whilst panel 26 remains in place intact so as to prevent fire generating the heat to be propagated to or through panel 26 which remains in place to prevent fire from reaching the living area or dwelling unit on the other side of wall system 2, such as for example, if the fire starts on side A of building 4, fire is prevented from spreading to side B of building 4 by wall structure 24, particularly core panel 26 remaining intact.

Additionally, it is to be noted that the connection between the core panel and the supporting wall can fail due to expansion of either the connector itself or the fasteners fixedly attaching the connectors to the supporting wall due to being subjected to heat from the fire. The expansion of the connector and/or fastener causes loosening of the connection so that the fastener is easily dislodged from the supporting wall, particularly as the stud of the supporting wall begins to char thereby losing internal integrity so that the fastener becomes loose within the stud allowing the supporting wall to be released from the core panel by falling away into the unit where the fire is located, thereby restricting the fire to the single dwelling unit only.

Further, it is to be noted that subjecting the supporting wall to heat from a fire causes expansion of the supporting wall so that the gaps between the components of the supporting wall, particularly between the studs of the supporting wall, expand leading to opening of the joint between the components which opening contributes to the loss of integrity of the supporting wall thereby allowing release of the supporting wall from the core panel so that

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 the supporting wall falls inwardly into the unit in which the fire has occurred thereby preventing spread of fire to the adjacent dwelling unit or living space through the remainder of the wall structure, such as the core panel, by preventing fire propagating to and through the wall system.

It is to be noted that the connector can have any suitable or convenient form or be of any suitable or convenient type, style or the like. Typical examples of the connector include cold rolled sections, aluminium brackets, cold rolled top hat sections, extruded top hat sections, or the like.

First wall structure 24 further includes a covering, typically in the form of a lining 34 or similar which is in contact with the surface of stud wall 26 facing into the dwelling unit on side A of building 4. In one form lining 34 is plasterboard, typically a 13 mm thick fire resistant plasterboard, such as for example a 13 mm FYRCHEK@ plasterboard.

Thus, first wall structure 24 comprises panel 26, cavity 30, stud wall 28, connectors 32 and lining 34 arranged in order extending outwardly from gap 22.

A second wall structure, generally denoted as 44, is provided on the other side of the void 22 of wall system 2. In one form the wall structure 44 includes a second core in the form of a second AAC panel 46 having a nominal thickness of 50 mm and a nominal length of greater than about 2.4 meter to extend from slab 6 in a direction towards the roof of building 4 on the other side of the building 4, such as side B, as shown more particularly in figure 1. Second wall structure 44 further includes a second supporting wall, typically in the form of a stud

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 wall 48 comprising a multitude of studs arranged in spaced apart substantially parallel relationship in alignment with each other to form a stud wall 48. Second wall structure 44 includes cavity 50 located between panel 46 and stud wall 48. In one form, cavity 50 has a thickness of about 24 mm. A suitable connector 52 is located within cavity 50 fixedly connecting panel 46 to stud wall 48. Similarly with connector 32, connector 52 is a heat sensitive or heat dependent connector, typically made from a material which loses integrity when exposed to heat above a threshold temperature so as to allow stud wall 48 and panel 46 two separate from one another by stud wall 48 collapsing or falling away from panel 46 while panel 46 remains intact in place to prevent fire spreading through wall system 2 into the dwelling unit or living area on the other side of wall system 2.

Second wall structure 44 includes a covering over the inwardly facing surface of stud wall 48 to form the exterior of wall structure 42 facing inwardly to the living space defined by wall structure 42. One form of the covering is a lining 54, typically in the form of a plasterboard panel, board, sheet, partition or similar, more typically a fire resistant or fire-retardant plasterboard panel, such as for example, a panel of 13 mm FYRCHEK@ plasterboard.

Connector 52 can have any suitable or convenient form, size or be of any suitable or convenient type, style, or the like. One form of the connector 52 is a top hat section or a perforated top hat section, such as for example a 24 mm HEBEL top hat section, a 24 mm HEBEL perforated top hat section, a Rondo 303 connector which is a 24 mm top hat section or a Rondo 311D direct fixing clip for fixing AAC panel 46 to the studs of stud wall 48.

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ADVANTAGES

Advantages of one or more embodiments of the wall system include:

- satisfies Torrens Title constructions for units/townhouse developments; - clearly defines the building property of adjacent units to avoid legal conflict because each unit is provided with its own wall structure which is separate and separated from the wall structure of an adjacent unit at the same level within the building; - provides potential increased floor space to the developer due to using thinner fire resistant wall construction, particularly AAC panels having a reduced thickness; - allows wall construction across various building class types with a system that can be manually handled; - promotes safety within buildings having multiple units by constraining the fire to one unit only in which the fire commences by reducing or eliminating the spread of fire through the common wall structure intermediate the two adjoining units; - the use of lighter weight panels for forming the core wall of the individual wall structures of the wall system enables the panels to be more easily handled and installed which is less fatiguing for workmen installing many panels in a single working day.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20

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Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An inter-tenancy wall system dividing a first living space from a second living space, the wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering being oriented to face towards the first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering in contact the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing towards the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall, wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100 mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system.

2. A method of assembling an inter-tenancy wall system for dividing a first living space and a second living space, the wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure to form the inter-tenancy wall system, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering facing towards the first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering in contact the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing toward the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall, wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system, the method comprising the steps of installing the first wall structure using a multitude of first connectors on a first side of the void and installing the second wall structure using a multitude of second connectors on a second side of the void, wherein the multitude of first connectors are spaced apart from one another and the multitude of second connectors are spaced apart from one another.

3. A building having a first living space on one side of an inter-tenancy wall system and a second living space on another side of the inter-tenancy wall system the inter-tenancy wall system comprising a first wall structure, a second wall structure and a void located intermediate the first wall structure and the second wall structure, the first wall structure including a first wall core, a first wall cavity, a first supporting wall and a first wall covering, the first wall covering facing towards the

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 first living space, the first wall cavity located intermediate the first wall core and the first supporting wall on an inner side of the first supporting wall, and the first wall covering in contact with the first supporting wall on an outer side of the first supporting wall, a first connector located within the first cavity for connecting the first wall core to the first supporting wall, the second wall structure including a second wall core, a second wall cavity, a second supporting wall and a second wall covering, the second wall cavity located intermediate the second wall core and the second supporting wall on an inner side of the second supporting wall, and the second wall covering in contact with the second supporting wall on an outer side of the second supporting wall, the second wall covering facing towards the second living space, a second connector located within the second cavity for connecting the second wall core to the second supporting wall, wherein the first wall core and the second wall core are each one or more panels having a nominal thickness of up to about 100 mm, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are each either directly or indirectly heat responsive so that when the connectors are subject to heat at a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the connector which is subject to the heat fails to maintain fixed connection between the respective wall core and the respective supporting wall to allow separation of the supporting wall from the wall core to reduce or eliminate propagation of fire through the wall system.

4. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the core of each wall structure is an autoclaved

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 aerated concrete (AAC) panel, plasterboard, fire retardant plasterboard, fire-resistant plasterboard, shaft liner board or panel, a speed panel, a fibre cement panel, magnesium plasterboard or panel including the panel being a reinforced panel or an unreinforced panel.

5. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the reinforcement of the reinforcing panel is mesh, screen, sieve, perforated plate, perforated sheet, reinforcement rod, referred to as Rebar, steel rod, steel bar, steel wire, including single mesh reinforcement or double mesh (cage) reinforcement.

6. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the length of the core panel is in the range of from about 500mm to about 4.6 meter or longer depending upon the thickness of the panel and the type of reinforcement, if present, embedded within the panel and the precise location of the panel in the wall system or wall structure.

7. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the length of the panel is about 600mm, 800mm, 1.2 meter, 1.5 meter, 2.4 meter, 2.7 meter, 3.0 meter, 3.3 meter, 3.6 meter, 4.2 meter or 4.5 m or 4.6 meter.

8. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the first supporting wall and the second supporting wall are each a structural wall including one or more frame members or load bearing frame members.

9. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the supporting wall is a stud wall in which the studs of the wall are metal studs or timber studs.

10. A wall system according to any preceding claim in

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 which the core panel has a thickness in the range from about 20 mm to about 100 mm, typically in the range from about 25 mm to about 80 mm, more typically from about 35mm to about 75 mm, even more typically nominally about 50 mm or about 75 mm within manufacturing tolerances for AAC panels.

11. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the stud is a timber stud, optionally having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire retardant coating either applied to one or more surfaces of the stud or impregnated within the body of the stud or is a metal stud, such as steel studs, typically having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire retardant coating applied to one or more surface, including a galvanised steel stud or the like in which the stud wall comprises a multitude of substantially parallel spaced apart individual studs extending to the height of the wall system or wall structure.

12. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the wall stud is of an open cross-section, typically in the form of a "C-shaped" stud, an "H-shaped" stud or similar in cross-section having one or more open faces in the form of channels or the metal stud is a closed box section, tube, hollow section or similar, optionally having a protective coating or fire-resistant coating or fire-retardant coating applied to the inner or outer surfaces.

13. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the individual studs forming the stud wall are 90 mm timber studs having a generally square or rectangular cross-section or are 92 mm steel studs having a generally "C-shaped" section.

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20

14. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the covering of the wall structure includes a panel, partition, lining, facade, sheet, board, internal cladding, internal skin member, internal wall covering, internal facade or the like.

15. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the covering is in direct contact with the studs forming the supporting wall, typically lining the outer surface of the stud wall facing into the living space or dwelling unit.

16. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the covering is adhered to the studs of the stud wall by adhesive, bonding agent, glue or similar or is attached to the studs by suitable fasteners, typically in the form of nails, cleats, screws, Tek screws, hex head screws, bugle head screws or similar.

17. A wall system according to any preceding claim further comprising framing/battens in which the framing/battens are installed over the studs for fixing linings thereto, as an optional alternative for fixing the internal wall lining to the supporting wall.

18. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which framing/battens contribute to the release or separation of the supporting wall from the core panel, by assisting in transferring heat to the connectors or fasteners used in combination with the connectors which connectors or fasteners expand due to the heat or the framing/battens expand differentially, to increase the gap or opening between the supporting wall and the core panel or within the supporting wall itself to facilitate release or separation of the supporting wall from the core panel.

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20

19. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the framing/battens are used to fix the panel to the supporting wall, wherein heat transferred from the battens and the connectors to the supporting wall results in formation of gaps which open in the panel and cause a breach and failure of the panel and supporting wall, due to expansion of the battens due to the heat.

20. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the supporting wall has a thickness of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm.

21. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the covering is a lining, typically made from plasterboard, preferably fire rated plasterboard such as for example 13 mm thick CD plasterboard or magnesium board.

22. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the thickness of plasterboard or similar fire resistant or fire-retardant material is from about 5 mm to about 30 mm in thickness, typically from about 8 mm to about 25 mm, more typically from about 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably nominally about 13 mm, or similar.

23. A wall system according to any preceding claim further comprising insulation in which the insulation is located at one or other locations within the wall system including being located in the void intermediate the two cores of the wall structures.

24. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the insulation is generally of the glass wool or polyester type, including being in the form of batts or free form flowable material.

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20

25. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the wall structure located at either side of the wall system includes insulation within the cavity between the stud wall and the core panel.

26. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the wall structure includes gaps, voids, cavities or similar in which the gaps or similar are air gaps or air spaces optionally containing insulation.

27. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the connector facilitating separation of the supporting wall from the core wall includes connectors between panel and stud being either aluminium brackets or steel top hat/furring channel/battens.

28. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which failure of the aluminium connector is due to melting of the aluminium material that releases the connection between frame and panel or through failure of the aluminium connector to retain the fastener attaching the end of the fastener to the supporting wall due to expansion of either the end of the connector or the fastener as the connector or fastener expands owing to being heated by the fire.

29. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the different amount of expansion of the various components of the wall system is due to the different rates of thermal expansion of the materials from which the components are manufactured.

30. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the connector is a top hat section or a perforated top hat section, such as for example a 24 mm HEBEL top hat section, a 24 mm HEBEL perforated top hat section, a Rondo

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20

303 connector which is a 24 mm top hat section or a Rondo 311D direct fixing clip for fixing AAC the panel to the studs of stud wall, or a steel top hat/furring channel/batten connection.

31. A wall system according to any preceding claim the steel top hat/furring channel/batten connection fails by charring of the timber stud around the batten fixing to the stud hence releasing this connection.

32. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which as the charring of the start occurs the fastener attaching the connector to the stud becomes loose either due to expansion of the fastener itself or due to expansion of the connector, particularly the end of the connector closer to the source of heat, so that the fastener/connector combination no longer retains the supporting wall or stud connected to the core panel thereby allowing the supporting wall or stud to fall away from the core panel to release the supporting wall from the core panel thereby preventing transfer of heat to the core panel which prevents the spread of fire through the wall system.

33. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the threshold temperature resulting in commencement of failure of the connector or connector/fastener combination is a temperature at which the connector fails or commences to fail either due to melting of the connector or loosening of the connector/fastener combination or both.

34. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which the threshold temperature is in the range from about 250 0C to about 11000 C, typically in the range of about 600°C to about 700°C which is the temperature range over

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20 which aluminium loses integrity.

35. A wall system according to any preceding claim in which charring of the timber studs commences from about 250°C upwards depending upon prevailing conditions existing at the time of heat generation due to fire and wherein charring of the timber stud results in loosening and dislodgement of the fastener or loosening and dislodgement of the connection between the end of the connector and the fastener attaching the connector to the stud.

12069030_1 (GHMatters) P104932.AU.3 5/02/20