Test Results Confirm KOROK's Strong Seismic Performance and Ability to Withstand High Drift Limits

KOROK Panels demonstrate exceptional durability under rigorous in-plane and out-of-plane seismic testing. They have the ability to withstand high levels of drift, ensuring minimal damage, reduced repair costs, and faster recovery after earthquakes, making them a smart choice for IL3 and IL4 buildings.

Leading the market in seismic testing

KOROK has recently undergone comprehensive seismic testing, setting a new benchmark to support their fire and acoustic wall performance. For over 25 years, KOROK have delivered high-performance solutions across the residential, industrial, and commercial markets.

The purpose behind KOROK's testing

KOROK undertook seismic testing to understand and determine the behaviour and performance of KOROK wall panels when subjected to seismic design loads occurring between structural slabs within buildings, to demonstrate how KOROK panels respond in correlation with drift levels for both in-plane and out-of-plane conditions, and to support the market with tested solutions. By undertaking this seismic testing, KOROK reinforces its commitment to superior building resilience, helping to minimise damage, lower repair costs, and maintain operational continuity after earthquakes.

View the video below to watch one of the tests in action:

Importance of seismic resilience

The 2010/2011 Christchurch earthquakes and the more recent 2013 Lower North Island earthquakes illustrated the vulnerability of building non-structural elements (partitions, building services and piping). Widespread damage and loss of business continuity due to the poor performance of non-structural elements was widely observed.

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission identified the need to improve the performance of non-structural elements in earthquakes with one of the recommendations focussed on improving non-structural element performance. “To prevent or limit the amount of secondary damage, engineers and architects should collaborate to minimise the potential distortion applied to non-structural elements. Particular attention must be paid to prevent the failure of non-structural elements blocking egress routes.”

Proven seismic performance

Conducted at BRANZ in 2024, KOROK's seismic tests followed FEMA 461 and NZS 1170.5:2004 standards, confirming KOROK panels have the ability to withstand high levels of drift. No other system in New Zealand has undergone such rigorous testing with multiple wall configurations and variations.

Application in high-importance structures

As an all-in-one solution for fire and acoustic-rated wall systems, KOROK panels offer unmatched performance for high-importance structures. With strong seismic performance and the ability to withstand high drift limits, KOROK panels are ideal for IL3 and IL4 buildings, such as hospitals, emergency response centres, and essential utilities. KOROK provides stakeholders, architects, and engineers with confidence in a durable, high-performance solutions.

Download the KOROK Seismic Resource

External Wall Systems

KOROK

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The KOROK External Wall Systems are all-in-one wall solutions for fire, acoustic and weather protection in external applications.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

NZ Made

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Fire ratings up to –/240/240
Acoustic ratings up to STC 76

Along with External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses, KOROK systems are suitable for:

Dividing walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Cinema walls
Intertenancy walls for apartments, hotels and retirement complexes
Lift shaft, stair and duct walls
Acoustic barriers
External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Terraced housing intertenancy

KOROK systems are suitable for all areas of New Zealand

CLAUSE B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The KOROK External Wall System meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (i), (j) and (q)].
CLAUSE B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years, Performance B2.3.1 (c), 5 years. The KOROK External Wall Systems meet these requirements.
CLAUSE C3 FIRE AFFECTING AREAS BEYOND THE FIRE SOURCE: Performance C3.4, C3.5 andC3.6. The KOROK External Wall Systems will meet or contribute to meeting these requirements.
CLAUSE C6 STRUCTURAL STABILITY: Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 'Structural Stability' In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (clause C6) relating to Structural Stability designers must ensure that KOROK elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK system that is used.
Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK system are outside the fire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK® system. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied
CLAUSE E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2. The KOROK External Wall Systems will meet this requirement
CLAUSE F6 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1. The KOROK External Wall Systems meet this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.

BRANZ Appraised

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Intertenancy Apartment Systems

KOROK

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Conventional framed wall systems rely on their linings to provide fire resistance and acoustic control performance.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

NZ Made

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Installed vertically
Fire ratings up to -/120/120
Acoustic ratings up to STC 68

Along with Terraced Housing Intertenancy, KOROK systems are suitable for:

Dividing walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Cinema walls
Intertenancy walls for apartments, hotels and retirement complexes
Lift shaft, stair and duct walls
Acoustic barriers
External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses

KOROK systems are suitable for all areas of New Zealand.

The NZBC sets out both the legal minimum sound transmission between tenancies (Clause G6) and minimum levels of fire resistance (Clauses C3 and C6). The KOROK Intertenancy Systems Manual provides guidance on the specification and construction of systems that will both meet and exceed those minimum levels. However, designers should consider the comfort of occupants when selecting a system that will satisfy the occupants' expectations when using the space rather than the minimum required by law.

NZBC:

Clause B1: Structure — The KOROK Systems meet the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage
Clause B2: Durability — Under normal conditions of dry internal use KOROK Intertenancy Systems have a serviceable life in excess of 50 years and satisfy the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 Durability
Clauses C3: Fire Affecting Areas Beyond the Source — KOROK Intertenancy Systems can be used to provide passive fire protection in accordance with the requirements of NZBC Clause 3: Spread of Fire
Clause C6: Structural Stability —Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 'Structural Stability'. In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (clause 6) relating to Structural Stability designers must ensure that KOROK elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK system that is used
Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK system are outside the fire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK system. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied
Clause G6: Airborne and Impact Sound — KOROK Intertenancy Systems, both meet and exceed the minimum requirements outlined in NZBC Clause G6. Consideration should be given to both the minimum requirements and the comfort of occupants

BRANZ Appraised

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Warehouse, Factory and Retail Wall Systems

KOROK

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Manufactured from rolled steel and aerated concrete, KOROK fire and acoustic clip-together simplicity wall systems are high performance and lightweight.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

Along with dividing walls for sheds, factories and warehouses, KOROK systems are suitable for:

Cinema walls
Intertenancy walls for terraced housing
Lift shaft, stair and duct walls
Acoustic barriers
External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Intertenancy walls for apartments, hotels and retirement complexes

KOROK systems are suitable for all areas of New Zealand.

NZBC:

Clause B1: Structure — The KOROK Systems meet the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage
Clause B2: Durability — Under normal conditions of dry internal use KOROK Intertenancy Systems have a serviceable life in excess of 50 years and satisfy the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 Durability
Clause C3: Fire Affecting Areas Beyond the Source — KOROK Intertenancy Systems can be used to provide passive fire protection in accordance with the requirements of NZBC Clause 3: Spread of Fire
Clause C6: Structural Stability —Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 'Structural Stability'. In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (clause 6) relating to Structural Stability designers must ensure that KOROK elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK system that is used
Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK system are outside the fire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK system. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied
Clause G6: Airborne and Impact Sound — KOROK Intertenancy Systems, both meet and exceed the minimum requirements outlined in NZBC Clause G6. Consideration should be given to both the minimum requirements and the comfort of occupants

BRANZ Appraised

Eco Choice Aotearoa

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