A Draft Report "Guide to Preparing a Performance Solution for Fabric" was issued to the LSAA in 2019 and can be viewed by current financial members of LSAA after login.

The LSAA Fire sub-committee engaged the services of an external specialist consultant to report on the fire performance and regulations when architectural fabrics are used.

Many PVC and PTFE architectural coated fabrics which are available on the Australian market perform very well in fire. They do not contribute a significant fuel load nor the generation of toxic gases beyond typical furnishings in modern buildings.

However, for many uses they do not comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the National Construction Code, Building Code of Australia (the BCA). This is because they are deemed combustible when tested in accordance with the referenced Australian Standard AS 1530.1 - 1994.

LSAA Update on Fire Subcommittee Initiative (20 November 2020)

We wanted to provide you an update on an ongoing initiative of the LSAA, spearheaded by the Fire Subcommittee which was formed after the last LSAA Conference. 

• Many of our members have experienced roadblocks to having coated tensile fabric accepted by Building Surveyors and Fire Engineers for particular projects.
• Despite the fact that most tensile fabrics do not contribute a significant fuel load to a fire, they do not comply with the Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the (Building Code of Australia Version 2019) (“BCA”) because they are deemed combustible when tested in accordance with AS 1530.1.
• It is however possible to use coated tensile fabrics in Type A and B construction through the alternative compliance pathway of a Performance Solution.
• The LSAA engaged the services of Basic Expert Pty Ltd, Fire Engineers, to develop a Guide to Preparing a Performance Solution for Fabric (“The Guide”)
• The current version (Draft7) of The Guide is available HERE.
• The purpose of The Guide is to help LSAA members navigate through the combustibility provisions of the BCA and provides valuable information to aid fire engineers with preparation of a performance solution for a coated tensile fabric project.
• The Guide covers PVC/Polyester and PTFE/Fiberglass, but the principles in the guide applies to other tensile fabrics including HDPE.
• Next Steps:
  Read more …LSAA Update on Fire Subcommittee Initiative

Following several major building fires around the world there has been a reaction in Australia to introduce restrictions into various regulations that will affect the fabric segment of our industry.

The LSAA is taking a lead role in the formation of a task force to address these changes.

Several of the changes brought on by perhaps ill-informed wording could have a serious impact on the use of fabric in structures.

A fact finding exercise is being planned for 2018-19 followed by steps to have our industry have a voice before future changes are introduced to the NCC.

Links to other articles now listed under the page News --> Member News 

December 2018 - updated Nov 27 2020

The LSAA has a small introductory booklet covering Membrane Structures.

Download the Membrane Structures Booklet 9 page PDF 

Topics briefly covered include:

• Background
• Design
• Structural Materials
• The LSAA
• History of Fabric Architecture
• What are Membrane Structures
• What is a Tensile Membrane Structure
• Materials
• Design Considerations
• Design Guidelines
• Costs
• Environmental Issues
• Special Construction Features
• Example Applications
• The LSAA

Updated March 2011.

The LSAA is developing a set of Design Guidelines for parties involved in the Design, Fabrication and Installation of Tensioned Membrane Structures.

This document intends to cover both "solid" membranes as well as "shadecloth" structures.

Download a PDF 

Feedback is welcomed