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Concrete fire-egress stairwell with yellow step nosings and handrail in a commercial building, tested for stair pressurisation

Stairwell Pressurisation Testing Sydney – AS 1668.1 & NCC Compliance

ENGIC provides stairwell pressurisation testing in Sydney, verifying that stair pressurisation systems perform to AS 1668.1 and the National Construction Code so occupants can evacuate safely and certifiers can sign off with confidence.

We measure pressure differentials, door-opening forces and airflow velocities, and document the results in a clear report suitable for commissioning, certification and Annual Fire Safety Statements.

TAB reports within 24 hours - every project

Overview

What It Is & When It's Required

What it is

  • Verifies stair pressurisation systems that keep stairwells smoke-free
  • Measures pressure, door-opening force and door airflow velocity
  • Confirms performance against AS 1668.1 and the NCC

Why it matters

  • A life-safety system for safe egress during a fire
  • Required for occupation certificates and fire safety compliance
  • Identifies fan, damper or leakage faults before certification

When it's required

  • At commissioning and before practical completion
  • For occupation certificate and fire safety certification
  • For the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)
  • After system modifications or building works

A pressurisation system that misses its targets can hold up occupation certificates and fire safety sign-off, and leaves a life-safety system unverified.

Scope

What's Included in Our Service

Pre-Test Review

  • Review of fire engineering and mechanical design intent
  • Confirmation of system configuration and door schedule
  • Check of fan, damper and pressure-relief arrangements

Testing & Measurement

  • Pressure differential across stairwell doors (closed-door condition)
  • Door-opening force at the required doors
  • Airflow velocity through open doorways (open-door condition)
  • System response and relief / discharge performance

Verification & Reporting

  • Results compared against AS 1668.1 and NCC limits
  • Clear pass / fail status per door and condition
  • Notes on defects, leakage or adjustments required

Testing is carried out with calibrated instruments and in line with AS 1668.1 test methods.

Deliverables

Your Deliverables – Stairwell Pressurisation Test Report

Every stairwell pressurisation project includes a structured test report, suitable for commissioning, certification and Annual Fire Safety Statements.

  • Pressure differential results per door
  • Door-opening force results
  • Airflow velocity results (open-door condition)
  • Pass / fail against AS 1668.1 and NCC limits
  • Clear notes on defects or required adjustments
  • Format suitable for certifiers and fire safety practitioners

Suitable for occupation certificate support, fire safety certification, and AFSS documentation.

View a sample TAB report (PDF) →

Coverage

Systems & Capability

Systems

  • Single and multiple stair pressurisation systems
  • Mechanical air-supply (pressurisation) fans
  • Pressure-relief and over-pressure relief dampers
  • Fire and smoke control systems interfacing with stairs
  • Lift shaft and lobby pressurisation (where applicable)

Capability

  • New construction and commissioning
  • Occupied and existing buildings
  • Fire safety compliance and AFSS testing
  • Fault finding on underperforming systems
  • Coordination with fire engineers and certifiers
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is stairwell pressurisation testing?+

It verifies that a stair pressurisation system maintains enough pressure to keep smoke out of the stairwell during a fire, while still allowing the doors to be opened for egress. We measure pressure differentials, door-opening forces and airflow velocities against AS 1668.1 and the NCC.

Which standard applies?+

Stair pressurisation systems in Australia are tested against AS 1668.1 and the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). Project certifiers and fire engineers may also specify additional criteria for a particular building.

Do you test for the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)?+

Yes. We test and report on stair pressurisation performance in a format suitable for the AFSS and for fire safety practitioners assessing a building's essential safety measures.

What do you actually measure?+

The three key parameters are pressure differential across the closed stairwell doors, the force required to open doors against that pressure, and the airflow velocity through open doorways under the design open-door condition, along with overall fan and relief performance.

What happens if the system fails?+

We identify the likely cause – fan performance, damper operation, relief arrangement or building leakage – and provide clear notes so the contractor or consultant can rectify it before re-testing.

Can you test during commissioning and for existing buildings?+

Yes. We test new systems at commissioning and existing systems for ongoing compliance, whether the building is occupied or not.

ENGIC technician on a phone call reviewing HVAC drawings on screen
Get in touch

Request a Quote for Stairwell Pressurisation Testing

ENGIC delivers stairwell pressurisation testing across Sydney to AS 1668.1 and NCC requirements, with clear reports for commissioning, certification and Annual Fire Safety Statements.

TAB reports within 24 hours - every project

Request a Quote

or call +61 493 987 289 / email info@engic.com.au

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