TECHNICAL

Prepare for a successful transition to the NCC 2022

Tony Bugeja Senior Advisor - Technical

There are changes afoot in 2022. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) focuses on digitising the National Construction Code (NCC) and improving its readability, along with several other significant changes that must be considered carefully in the design, procurement and construction process for future building projects. Unfortunately, when drafting this article, the changes to NCC 2022 had not been finalised and released to the public. However, we want to ensure that members are aware of these changes and emphasise how important it is that you set aside time and familiarise yourself when publicly available. MBV has advocated for our members and the broader community about the impact of the changes on housing affordability, ensuring that any changes are cost-effective and capable of being delivered by industry to support consumers’ expectations for a betterbuilt environment.

We also need to ensure that the building and construction industry continues to evolve and change as we have done during the COVID–19 pandemic, leading to a quality-built environment. While we have flagged various issues about the new NCC 2022, the government has assured us that they have considered our concerns.

We rely on each level of government to be accountable for delivering an NCC that is well-drafted and functional.

One that readily enables practitioners to deliver the necessary outcomes for all Victorians.

Building Ministers agreed to delay the adoption date of the NCC 2022 to later in the year (September 2022), recognising the impacts of COVID.

They will release a preview of the 2022 NCC in May 2022 to further support the industry and adjust to the new requirements. The key changes that are to be included in the NCC 2022 are:

• New format and layout of the NCC. • Increase the thermal performance of homes from 6 stars to 7 stars.

• The whole of home annual energy use (considering space heating and cooling, hot water systems, pool pumps and heating, PV systems). • Design of Class 2 – 9 buildings so they can be retrofitted with onsite renewables and electric vehicle charging. • Additional condensation management provisions include additional ventilation and wall vapour permeability. • Accessibility for homes - » Step-free access and maximum

gradients of paths to the entrance of the dwelling. » Minimum car park sizes. » Minimum clearance widths at entrance doorway and internal doors at ground or entry-level. » Threshold design requirements. » Minimum clearance widths throughout the home. » Sanitary compartment design. » Shower to be on ground or entrylevel that is step-free and hobless. » Reinforce walls to toilets, baths, and showers for future installation of grab rails. • Allowable lead levels for certain plumbing products that contact drinking water. • Egress requirements for early childcare centres and primary schools.

• New Inclusion Part A8, Quantification

of fire safety performance requirements. • New bushfire protection requirements for no residential buildings. • New surface water management, rising damp and external waterproofing requirements for Class 2 – 9 buildings. MBV will continue to provide members with further updates. It is very important that practitioners set time aside to familiarise themselves with the changes, so you are well prepared for its implementation in September. MBV encourages all members to attend training on the upcoming NCC changes. The following organisations are offering training: • Australian Building Codes Board. • Victorian Building Authority. • Master Builders Victoria.

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