Internal walls

General Selection Requirements

Internal lining materials and finishes should be selected based on a "Whole of Life" approach using a range of preferably sustainable materials, designed to provide:

• Value for money
• Fit for purpose
• Long term durability
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Low maintenance costs
• Future flexibility and the potential to revise and adapt space layouts.

The preference is to use products with recycling potential on disposal and /or includes recycled content.

The selection of materials and finishes must be based on a knowledge of the activities to be conducted in the area.

Use impact resistant materials in all Student accessible areas.

Visible surfaces should be capable of being easily cleaned and repaired if damaged.

To maximise flexibility of future room layouts avoid load bearing internal walls.

Variations

• Variations to the nominated materials may be necessary in particular designs due to planning considerations.
• In these cases, the fixtures are to be approximately equivalent and must be approved by the project control group and MQP.

Preferred Wall Materials

The following design criteria and materials are recommended for internal walls:

• All wall finishes are to be readily cleanable and maintainable. Painted surfaces are to be washable.
• Reduce horizontal surfaces to a minimum to reduce dust. Timber sill linings to windows are preferred.
• Walls to have glazed ceramic tiles up to door head height (minimum) or preferably, up to ceiling height.

The following table indicates the preferred internal wall finishes, based on the space functional use: 

The following materials are recommended for internal walls:

• Standard wall finish is to be plasterboard sheeted steel framed partition walls with set joints and painted finish. All partition walls are to include acoustic insulation as required to meet the space acoustic requirements,(Refer to Acoustic Data details) with a minimum of 50mm bulk insulation.
• Impact Resistant walls are to be either impact resistant plasterboard, villaboard (or similar product as agreed with MQP).
• Typical Metal Stud walls Construction– Metal framed, painted plasterboard sheeted from floor to false ceiling level. Sheeting is to be 13mm one side and double 13mm the other, generally the traffic or corridor side. The cavity is to contain insulation to produce an STC sound rating of 45db. Specify partitions to be constructed in accordance with a manufacturer's tested prototype as identified in the catalogue.
• Full Height Stud walls - As above but carried full height from floor to the top of the ceiling void. Baffles above the ceiling (to be separate from partition to allow future relocation) are to be of similar construction to the partition or to be lead impregnated vinyl of equivalent sound rating, or preferably, 600mm wide insulation batts stacked from ceiling to roof or slab over.
• Partitions to match existing - Internal partitions to match in finishes and quality identified sample partitions of similar construction in University buildings recently constructed. Tenderers are to inspect existing partitions nominated as samples and to allow for similar finishes and quality.
• Fully Glazed walls - Safety glass in accordance with AS 2208 (toughened or laminated glass) in prefinished aluminium frames.
• Part Glazed walls - Solid to 1200 above floor level as metal stud walls, glazed to ceiling as glazed walls. Partition glazing is to be easily removable for replacement in the event of breakage. Wherever possible, framed partitions are to be erected over floor finishes, including carpet.
• Masonry is to only be used for internal partitions where specifically approved to match existing construction, or where appropriate. Masonry partitions are to be concrete block fair faced and painted or 'Hebel' lightweight concrete erected in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.
• Acoustic Partitions - Where acoustic performance of partitions in excess of that identified above is required by the brief, an Acoustic Consultant is to be engaged to provide advise on the design and material selections.

Stiffness

• Aluminium framed partitions with glass panels and/or doors, are to be specified to be constructed with sufficient strength to be able to resist twisting or bending resulting from normal use or from abuse.
• Door frames are to be reinforced where necessary to ensure that force applied to the joints, either deliberately or by abuse or in normal operation, does not cause deformation sufficient to allow the lock bolt to be withdrawn from the strike.
• Similarly, all framing holding glass panels is to resist movement or twisting that could allow glass panels to be sprung from their frames.

Deflection Heads

• All internal partitions (not including load bearing walls) built from floor slabs to the underside of floor slabs over, shall be constructed to finish below the slabs soffit, restrained by a metal channel to permit the slabs to deflect without imposing load on the partition.
• The fixing of the deflection head to the slabs soffit and the dimension of the gap between the top of the partition and the underside of the slabs are to be determined by the structural engineer.

Skirtings

The following types of skirtings are to be included as nominated in each space:

Wall Tiles

Wall tiles to be included as indicated to wet areas in rooms and spaces and are to be:

• Impervious impact resistance material that is easy to clean, with sealed junctions and joints to eliminate accumulation of dirt etc.
• Glazed ceramic tiles are preferred, although other materials may be considered subject to MQP.

Splashbacks

Splashbacks to be included as indicated to above benches and to walls adjacent to sinks, basins and are to be:

• Impervious impact resistance material that is easy to clean, with sealed junctions and joints to eliminate accumulation of dirt etc.
• Ceramic tiles are preferred, although other materials may be considered subject to MQP.

Lift Cars and Doors

The surface finishes to doors, door frames and internal wall surfaces of lift cars are to be stainless steel.