Custom-engineered steel wall frames, made to your plans

Technical considerations

Designed for the site's wind classification

Wall bracing and tie-downs depend on the wind classification of your site. The NASH Standard Part 2 gives design solutions for N1 to N4 and C1 to C2. Sites outside that range, or buildings outside its limits, need specific engineering design, which we flag at quote stage.

Recognised compliance routes

For Class 1 and 10 buildings, NCC 2022 clause H1D6(3) accepts steel framing designed to the NASH Standard (Part 1 or Part 2), AS 4100 or AS/NZS 4600. Your frame documentation states which route the design follows so your certifier can check it.

Thermal breaks on lightweight-clad walls

Under NCC 2022 Housing Provisions 13.2.5(5), a metal-framed external wall clad with weatherboards, fibre-cement or metal sheeting fixed to the frame needs a thermal break of at least R0.2 between cladding and frame. The explanatory note deems 12 mm expanded polystyrene strips or 20 mm timber to meet R0.2. Brick veneer is not in the trigger list.

Thermal bridging is part of the energy design

The ABCB's thermal bridging provisions apply to metal-framed walls, roofs and floors. They are met with extra or continuous insulation, or by calculating the total R-value. Your energy assessor needs to know the frame is steel.

Termites

The NCC Housing Provisions say a primary building element made entirely of steel is considered not subject to termite attack. Any timber structural members elsewhere in the building are assessed separately, and your certifier decides what termite management the whole building needs.