Balancing fire safety and thermal efficiency in high-rise building facades

The integration of fire safety and sustainability in high-rise building façades presents a critical challenge in modern construction. This paper investigates the intersection of combustible insulation materials and the performance requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) in Australia. Using an example from notable building fires, including the Grenfell Tower tragedy, this research highlights deficiencies in the regulatory framework, product selection, and specification processes. A framework based on functional layers is proposed to address fire safety and thermal performance. The use of technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Blockchain in reducing siloed design practices is not explored and will be covered in a separate paper. The importance of communication between builders, engineers, architects, and regulatory bodies in façades need to deliver both safe and energy-efficient buildings for the occupant. Future research directions focus on integrating technological innovations and developing a performance-based approach to façade design.