James Hardie Fire Rated Systems

Fire Rated Walls, Acoustic Rated Walls, and Bracing Systems

Created for New Zealand designs and conditions

Fire Rated Walls and Acoustic Rated Walls by James Hardie

Our fire-rated walls and acoustic-rated walls have been developed to assist you in selecting a suitable Hardie™ fibre cement product and choosing a system that will meet your performance requirements. We also have details of the systems available to assist in the material selection.

Hardie™ fibre cement products are classified as non-combustible materials. They also achieve better sound-insulated walls and are slimmer than other traditional walling materials. These thinner walls have advantages in multi-residential, units, motels and other similar projects where maximum floor area utilisation is paramount.

Our two-way fire-rated and acoustic-rated systems can be used on timber or steel frames in residential or non-residential construction, such as:

  • Separating walls in multi-unit residential buildings (intertenancy); or
  • External walls close to boundaries

In terms of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) requirements, fire rating is referred to as FRR (Fire Resistance Rating) and is measured in minutes e.g. a FRR 30/30/30 means a fire rating for 30 minutes.

Fire Rated Walls & Acoustic Rated Walls Compliance

NZBC Clause C ‘Protection from fire’

The fire resistance rating (FRR) of fire-rated wall systems by James Hardie has been verified through full-scale testing and technical assessments. The systems published in the design manual are suitable to achieve passive fire protection and meet the requirements of NZBC Clause C ‘Protection from fire’.

NZBC Clause B2 ‘Durability’

Hardie™ fibre cement products meet the serviceable life in excess of 50 years and meet the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 ‘Durability’. It must be ensured the products are installed and maintained in accordance to their published technical specifications.

NZBC Clause G6 ‘Airborne and impact sound’

For the systems published in the James Hardie Design Manual the STC and IIC ratings have been established through testing or acoustic modelling. Designers/specifiers must ensure that the ratings published in this manual are suitable for the intended applications. In case higher ratings are required, ask James Hardie at 0800 808 868 for assistance.

FIRE AND ACOUSTIC DESIGN MANUAL
BRACING DESIGN MANUAL
BRANZ EXTERNAL WALL SYSTEM TECHNICAL OPINION
James Hardie Fire & Acoustic Boundary Wall Systems
Axon™ Panel NFPA 285 Fire Test

Bracing Systems by James Hardie

The Bracing Systems by James Hardie cover the installation of a range of Hardie™ fibre cement products to achieve structural bracing for timber-framed buildings that fall within the scope of NZS 3604. To achieve bracing ratings published in the Design Manual, each product must be fixed in accordance with its respective details.

The Hardie™ fibre cement range of products listed below are classified as lightweight cladding materials and are suitable to achieve structural bracing in timber framed buildings as per the requirements of NZS 3604 when installed in accordance with the bracing system requirements.

  • Villaboard™ Lining, internal wall lining with recessed or square edges 6mm and 9mm; suitable for wet and dry areas
  • Hardie™ Groove Lining, internal wall lining
  • RAB™ Board 6mm, 9mm or HomeRAB™ Pre-Cladding 4.5mm, when used as rigid air barrier
  • Hardie™ Flex Sheet, 6mm and 7.5mm, for external wall claddings
  • Axon™ Panel, 9mm suitable for external wall claddings

Bracing Systems Compliance

All Hardie™ fibre cement products as mentioned above have been tested at SCION as per BRANZ P21 test method to determine their bracing capacity and bracing systems have been developed to meet the requirements of NZS 3604.

Hardie™ fibre cement products, when installed and maintained in accordance to James Hardie technical specification requirements, comply with the requirements of B1/AS1 Structure, B2/AS1 Durability and E2/AS1 External Moisture clauses of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

Design Handbook Cover 2024

The Design Handbook

BUILD YOUR MODERN LIFE

The Hardie™ Cladding Collection has a wide variety of products to select from, creating design versatility, in which It’s Possible™ to Make Modern like never before. It’s a movement that’s reshaping perceptions and changing the way New Zealand builds. This design handbook demonstrates that with great advice, support and inspiration, it’s possible to build a house you’re truly proud to come home to.

NEED SUPPORT?

For immediate general and technical assistance you can call 0800 808 868
Talk to one of our CustomerLink or Technical Team Consultants

Choose Your Style

Traditional

Style
Traditional design gives you that simple classic look, more formal than other design styles, traditional homes feature timeless finishes.

Modern

Style
Modern home designs offer clean lines, simple proportions, open layouts, mixed cladding and interesting roof lines.

Horizontal

Installation Type
Clean, horizontal lines establish a look of simplicity and capture a timeless classic charm

Vertical

Installation Type
Vertical lines are a great way to achieve a modern architectural style and make a bold statement

Textured

Surface
A wood-grain type finish, brushed concrete or board and batten can bring a interest to your outdoor space

Smooth

Surface
A smooth surface helps create a clean distinctive design look

Axon™ Panel Smooth

Panel
Use a panel cladding product such as Axon™ Panel Smooth to create a clean look and finish, it can be finished with a site applied roll on textured acrylic paint for that rendered look.

Linea™ Weatherboard

Weatherboard
Create the look of a classic weatherboard with deep shadow lines using the 150mm width. Add the finishing touches around doors, windows and corners with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim painted in a contrasting colours

Axon™ Panel Smooth

Panel
The traditional look of board and batten gives texture and depth to your design. Use Axon™ Panel Smooth with our Hardie™ Axent™ Trims to achieve this classic look

Axon™ Panel Grooved

Panel
Axon™ Panel Grooved 133mm provides the narrow board look of a traditional design but with a unique vertical look

Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete

Panel
Use a panel cladding product such as Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete to reduce the vertical lines and achieve a subtle texture

Oblique™ Weatherboard

Weatherboard
For a modern twist on a classic profile use Oblique™ Weatherboard. The 300mm profile used horizontally creates a look that's confident and contemporary

Axon™ Panel Grooved Grained

Panel
Be bold with a dramatic full wrap that creates a pristine look. Axon™ Panel Grooved Grained 133mm painted black creates a dramatic modern look

Stria™ Cladding

Panel
The wider format of Stria™ Cladding makes your home look distinctive and modern

Where

To buy our products

Get

The James Hardie Product Guide

See

James Hardie's Modern Design Forecast

Find your nearest Showhome

  • Select Option
  • 40B Johns Rd, Belfast, Christchurch
  • 50, Lochridge Drive, Kinloch, 3300, Waikato
  • 136 Highland Crescent, Te Awamutu
  • 145 Kaniere Road, Kaniere, Hokitika
  • 19 Clydesdale Drive, Holmes Hill, Oamaru
  • 52, Summersfield Boulevard, Appleby, 7081, Tasman
  • 74 Pelorus Avenue, Poraiti, Napier
  • 163 Brookside Road, Rolleston
  • 37 Meadowstone Street, Gleniti, Timaru
  • 21 Skibbereen Drive, Halswell, Christchurch
  • 80, Benashet Drive, Lincoln, 7672, Canterbury
  • 32 Nikau Drive, Redwoodtown, Blenheim
  • 19 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 16 Camberley Road, Richmond
  • 153 Brougham Street, Westport
  • 119 Carters Road, Amberley
  • 72 Hitchen Road, Pōkeno
  • 27 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 7 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 13 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 5 Bannister Street, Jacks Point
  • 46 Arbuckle Road, Frimley, Hastings
  • 9 Montiicola Drive, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
  • 1, Flounder Drive, Ōmokoroa
  • 62, Maurice Kelly Road, Wainui
  • 108 Fairway Drive, Morrinsville
  • 274, Te Rapa Road, Beerescourt, Hamilton, 3200, Waikato
  • 37, Okaia Drive, Kinloch, 3377, Waikato
  • 7, Tūhua Close, Wharewaka, Taupō, 3378, Waikato
  • 2, Walsh Road, 2110, Auckland
  • Rotorua Grove, Aotea, Porirua, 5024, Wellington
  • 2, Buddle Road, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • 11, Highland Drive, Acacia Bay, Taupō, 3385, Waikato
  • 714, Te Kowhai Road, Te Kowhai, 3288, Waikato
  • 501, Webb Drive, Chartwell, Hamilton, Waikato
  • Kahukaka Road, One Tree Point, 0118, Northland
  • Pampas Drive, 0992, Auckland
  • 29, Kimbrae Drive, Hamilton, 3210, Waikato
  • 50, Hitchens Road, Pokeno, 2402, Waikato
  • Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • Flaxfield Lane, Beachlands, 2571, Auckland
  • 1, Manutewhau Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • 10, Ripeka Lane, Whenuapai, 0618, Auckland
  • 12, Harriet Johnston Drive, Pokeno, 2472, Waikato
  • Podgora Avenue, Kumeu, 0891, Auckland
  • Kapia Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • Walter Lawry Road, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • 17, Brown Street, Inglewood, 4330, Taranaki
  • 109, Wairau Drive, Tikipunga, Whangarei, 0112, Northland
  • 60, Stace Hopper Drive, Whangarei, 0118, Northland
  • 1, Kukuwai Avenue, Red Beach, 0932, Auckland
  • 25, Jonah Lomu Drive, Pukekohe, 2676, Auckland
  • 190 Matua Road, Huapai
  • 30 Main Road, Waikanae
40B Johns Rd, Belfast, Christchurch