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A U S T R A L I A N B U I L D I N G R E G U L AT I O N
ELECTRONIC
WHAT’S INSIDE ABCB HOME
ONLINE SHOP Dear NCC Subscribers
This has been my final editorial before retiring from the ABCB. I was General Manager for nearly 16 years, having started with the ABCB in 1997. Those years have been momentous ones for the industry, for the ABCB, and of course, the Code. We started with a BCA in 1988, even before the ABCB was conceived. The ABCB came along in 1994 and since that time, it has been full speed ahead to deliver on the joint governments’ desire to see a better national regulatory system for the industry and better health, safety and amenity outcomes for the community. Along the way the Code has widened its scope to tackle the important contemporary sustainability agenda and to begin the process of addressing all on-site regulatory issues, starting with plumbing. As NCC subscribers, you too have been part of that story. Without the active participation of building professionals, much of what has been achieved would not have occurred. Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution over this period of time. I have met many of you personally, and that has been a terrific aspect of my work. I got to know much more than is probably wise, about many aspects of building and construction. But one thing that is humbling is at least I have learnt the meaning of the expression that “a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!” Thank you for setting me straight when I needed a push in the right direction.
CONTACT US The primary focus of the ABCB over those years has, of course, been maintaining and developing the national Code in its various forms. We also have had an important role to play in building regulation reform and we do have runs on the board including: • a national performance– based code; • implementation of the National Construction Code; • a measured response to the demands of energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change at a time of natural disasters; • shifting building regulatory policy settings in technical standards to the Code and to government, for better transparency and accountability; • being part of the national standards setting initiative to improve access for people with a disability; and • finding a way to address jurisdiction-based standards setting and local government Code variations, to overcome duplication and fragmentation of the regulations. But while the reform that the ABCB has been at the forefront of has been lauded by the Productivity Commission and others, the agenda is far from complete. That is why I saw merit in a recent COAG initiative to run the ruler over the building industry, focussing on productivity, addressing costs and industry competitiveness. Building regulations are clearly in the frame and I look forward to seeing emerge a sensible set of further reforms in the foreseeable future. Ivan Donaldson former General Manager
Issue 9
NCC 2013 Public Comment Draft–update A national approach to Occupational Licensing Developments to the online shop and customer communications Upcoming NCC 2013 Seminars ABCB launches its official Facebook page BAF 2013 Conference
OTHER ARTICLES INCLUDE: Managing condensation risk in your home Codemark Certification Scheme review What’s happening with Australian Standards Non-mandatory Handbooks Coming in 2013… the restyled ABCB Resource Kits Cross Laminated Timber – an alternative solution for sustainable construction
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Copyright © 1999-2012 - Australian Building Codes Board All Rights Reserved The views of this publication are not necessarily the views of the Australian Building Codes Board
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NCC 2013 public comment draft–Update! Each year the National Construction Code Series (NCC) undergoes a review and update process.
proposed changes, including those for: balustrades, measures to address falls through openable windows, quantification of slip resistance, building requirements associated with lifts, and building in flood hazard areas.
As part of this process, proposed changes for the next edition of the NCC are made available in draft form on the ABCB website to seek comment and to provide advance notice of proposals that may take effect in the next edition.
The submissions received were considered by the ABCB’s national technical committee as part of its role as the Board’s peak technical advisory body. This will assist in the finalisation of NCC 2013, which will have effect from 1 May 2013.
The proposed changes for NCC 2013 were available for comment during June and July this year. There were 101 individual submissions received on over 200 different topics related to the
A national approach to occupational licensing By Simone Greentree, Communications Manager, COAG National Licensing Taskforce Skills Group How are these changes going to be implemented?
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to pursue wide-ranging regulatory reform in order to increase Australia’s productivity and provide the environment for a seamless national economy. As part of these reforms, COAG has agreed to develop a national occupational licensing system (national licensing) for certain occupational areas.
The national licensing system will be introduced in two waves. The first wave of occupations to commence from July 2013 will include property, electrical, plumbing and gasfitting and refrigeration and air-conditioning occupations. A second wave, anticipated to commence in 2014, is to be progressed covering building and building-related occupations, valuers and conveyancers. Some work has already commenced on policy development for building occupations but this was placed on hold while resources were focused on first wave occupations. The National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) will be the body responsible for administering the proposed new system. NOLA is governed by a Board comprising nine members. A Chief Executive Officer is expected to be appointed in the near future.
The Occupational Licensing National Law Act (2010) provides the high-level framework for national occupational licensing and was passed by the Parliament of the host jurisdiction, Victoria on 17 September 2010. Since then, arrangements for the national framework legislation (the National Law) have been agreed in most jurisdictions (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory) to establish the national licensing system. Western Australia will consider its position on the Bill following the end of the consultation period on the national regulations and regulation impact statements. The Australian Capital Territory has reserved its right not to implement national licensing if the costs to the Territory outweigh the benefits.
Last month saw the release of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statements (RISs) for all occupations and the draft legislation and regulations for public consultation. The Consultation RISs provided an opportunity for industry, businesses, consumers and licence holders to express their views on the policy underpinning the proposed licensing reform options.
The move to a national approach means putting in place one set of national licences for key occupations, in turn making it easier for businesses and individuals to work across state and territory borders.
The RIS’s examined the impact of replacing the current diverse state and territory licensing with the proposed national licensing approach including details of proposed licence categories, scopes of regulated work and qualifications.
The introduction of a national licensing system means that a licence holder can work anywhere in Australia, where the relevant work is licensed without having to apply for an extra licence or pay an additional fee. This proposed system will replace current arrangements whereby each state and territory licenses an occupational area in a different way.
Information sessions were held on the proposed reform in all capital cities throughout September 2012. Submissions on the Consultations RISs and legislation closed on 12 October 2012.
How is this relevant to you as a practitioner or licence holder?
Where do we go from here? Following the analysis of submissions, Decision RISs will be developed to reflect the way forward and the draft legislation will be amended to reflect the agreed position before being submitted to the Standing Council on Federal Financial Relations for final approval.
As a practitioner this will mean the establishment of six main licence categories with a limited number of possible restrictions and endorsements, reducing complexity and removing licensing for minor work. A ‘no disadvantage’ principle will apply to existing licensees moving to national licensing. This means licensees will be able to undertake the work they can currently do now once national licensing is implemented without having to undergo any further training. Once national licensing has commenced, the common skills requirements will make it easier for employers and licensees to understand the work covered by any licence.
Want to know more? Visit the National Occupational Licensing Authority website at www.nola.gov.au for further information and to subscribe to receive updates.
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ABCB Online Shop and Customer Communications The ABCB has continued to develop its online systems and procedures to capture efficiencies in the ordering and delivery of NCC publications. The online shop has now been operational since November 2011, allowing the process of obtaining NCC publications to become simpler and more efficient.
The ABCB Online Shop Since the introduction of the online shop several improvements have been added, including: • the ability to view previous order history and reprint Tax Invoices; • the ability to save and print quotes; • a new function to retrieve online usage statistics; and • the automation of the Student Discount application process.
Applications for Student Discounts Online Applications for Student discounts had, up till recently, been a manual process undertaken outside of the online shop requiring the provision of a handwritten order form and supporting documentation. This process has now been upgraded to allow for online lodgement of the application through the ABCB Online Shop. The discount, now available on all publications, is accessed through the Online shop. Clicking on the Student Discount Available link from the main pages provides customers with information about eligibility and the process. Once a publication has been added to the cart, customers are able to apply for the discount by checking the Apply for a student discount check box. This will then allow for the upload of supporting documentation and student number.
When submitted, the application becomes available for the ABCB to approve if it meets the eligibility requirements. Customers are advised of the outcome of their application by email and approved applications allow the customer to progress the purchase at the discounted price. Those that do not meet the eligibility requirements can proceed with the purchase, but without the discount, i.e. at the normal cost.
Contacting the ABCB Enquiries regarding the NCC and building and construction issues have been steadily increasing over the last 12 months to the point where the ABCB is undergoing a trial of new procedures to handle the enquiries in the most efficient manner possible.
• answering questions on the purchase and delivery of publications over the phone. As part of the trial an updated Contact Page on the ABCB web site is under development to provide a form for the lodgement of all written enquiries.
The new procedures involve: • the lodgement of enquiries concerning the clarification of NCC clauses by email to ncc@abcb.gov.au with the enquirer’s customer number;
The trial commenced on 1 October 2012. The automation of the Contact Page is expected to be implemented within the next few weeks. If you require further information, please contact us at ncc@abcb.gov.au.
• the lodgement of enquiries regarding products by email to ncc@abcb.gov.au quoting the enquirer’s customer number; and
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The National Construction Code Seminars are coming to a capital city near you in 2013 Throughout February and March 2013, practitioners will have the opportunity to hear about the latest amendments to the NCC, at the ABCB’s annual NCC Awareness Seminar series. To be delivered in all capital cities throughout Australia, the Seminars will provide an update on all three volumes of the NCC. An opportunity not to be missed, the Seminars will also feature a presentation by Standards Australia, on recently amended Australian Standards. The NCC Seminars will play a critical role in raising practitioner awareness of issues associated with code amendments scheduled for 2013. The seminars will be divided into two sessions – a morning session addressing amendments to the Building Code of Australia, and an afternoon session for the Plumbing Code of Australia. Please note that the Plumbing Seminars wil be offered on the first day only in each capital city. Standards Australia will present at both the morning and afternoon sessions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear about imminent changes to the NCC and how they will affect your work. Visit the ABCB website www.abcb.gov.au in late November for registration details. City
Date
Venue
Canberra
19 February
National Convention Centre
Adelaide
21 February
Adelaide Convention Centre
Melbourne, Option 1
25 February
Melbourne, Option 2
26 February
Hobart
28 February
Brisbane, Option 1
11 March
Brisbane, Option 2
12 March
Darwin
14 March
Perth, Option 1
19 March
Perth, Option 2
20 March
Sydney, Option 1
26 March
Sydney, Option 2*
27 March
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane Convention Centre Darwin Convention Centre City West Function Centre
Australian National Maritime Museum
*Due to high demand, a third BCA Seminar will be offered in Sydney on the afternoon of 27 March.
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ABCB Launches its official Facebook Page Social media has become one of the biggest phenomenons of this generation. It has become integral to how we interact with friends, the community and stakeholders. The Australian Building Codes Board is pleased to announce that we have taken an important step into the fast paced world of social media by launching the ABCB Facebook page.
ABCB ‘Friends’ will be kept up to date with information relating to:
Within Australia, it is reported that users are spending roughly eight hours per month on various social media networks. Therefore, it is a logical step forward for the ABCB to further enhance our communication and awareness with stakeholders through social media. This communication tool is designed to expand our outreach capabilities and improve our interaction with the broader community.
• Job opportunities;
• NCC products and information; • Non-mandatory handbooks; • ABCB Business Plan; • Public comment drafts; • Media releases; • Conferences and seminars; and • Much more! To be an ABCB Facebook ‘Friend’ click the “Find us on Facebook” icon on the cover page or simply search “Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)” in the search function on Facebook.
The ABCB Facebook page will act as one of our many platforms to distribute information and updates relating to the National Construction Code (NCC) and its related products and services.
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WE’VE SAVED A PLACE FOR YOU IN BRISBANE...
Building Australia’s Future Conference
Sofitel Brisbane 15 - 18 September 2013 The Australian Building Codes Board, together with Master Plumbers Australia and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, will jointly deliver the pre-eminent national construction industry conference of 2013. The conference will offer both Building and Plumbing industry attendees a world class built environment learning and networking opportunity capturing the best of contemporary topics, with the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors hosting a one day QLD/NT Chapter Technical Summit as a prelude to the conference on Sunday 15 September.
To receive further information as it becomes available, email your details to:
BAF2013@abcb.gov.au or Details on this brochure were correct at the time of printing. The Conference organisers retain the right to alter any or all of the 6 Conference details
Issue 9
The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin
Managing condensation risk in your home State and Territory Building administrations are increasingly aware of concerns about condensation in homes and are receiving reports of the problems it can create. Persistent condensation can damage building finishes, fixings, linings, framing, insulation and claddings. Even before condensation forms, high humidity inside the home can trigger mould growth and provide conditions to keep dust mites and their relatives very happy. Mould, mildew and mites can be detrimental to health.
Figure 1 below shows the result of a small but perfect storm brewed inside a heated dwelling and set loose in a poorly ventilated and very cold roof space. Water vapour, concentrated in the warm interior of the house, has found its way into the space below a metal deck roof. Too little ventilation has allowed the water vapour to accumulate below the reflective sarking seen at the top of picture. Laid directly under the roof decking without insulation, the sarking is cold enough to cause the water vapour to condense into water droplets on its lower surface. The timber roofing batten, in the foreground, intercepts condensation droplets rolling down the slope of the sarking. As a result, it has become heavily infested by mould and, in turn, drips water onto the ceiling insulation seen in Figure 2 below.
The issue of assessing condensation risk is a complex one, with many variables for specific buildings in specific locations, which contribute to the specific outcomes. Factors such as the local temperature and humidity, terrain, soil moisture conditions, exposure to wind and sun, building form, construction methods and materials used, including sub-floor, wall and roof design, ventilation, sarking and insulation selection and placement, heating and cooling arrangements and ongoing daily activities can all contribute to condensation risk. Designers must first ensure that the building is suited to its climate, location and likely patterns of use. Many of the issues involved are discussed in the ABCB Condensation in Buildings Handbook, published in 2011. Beyond initial design considerations, home dwellers need to recognise the habits and choices of their own that can increase indoor humidity levels. Breathing is one of them! Each adult adds about 3 litres of water vapour per day through breath and perspiration, making home occupants one of the larger direct sources of unwanted indoor moisture. Short of spending more time outdoors, there is little scope to control this contribution. Other sources offering more discretion include: • cooking (3 litres/day); • dishwashing (1 litre/day); • showers and baths (1.5 litres/person) (spa baths and saunas are especially prolific sources);
Figure 1: Condensation forming on underside of cold roof sarking
• clothes washing (0.5 litres/load); • clothes drying (5 litres/load);
Historically:
• unflued gas heating (up to 1 litre/hour);
The bulk of Australia’s building stock was built with little concern for thermal insulation levels, especially in walls and under floors. The energy efficiency provisions of the NCC require greater use of insulation in new buildings and the retrofitting of insulation to many older buildings undergoing renovations. This has meant that less energy is needed to keep a home warm in cooler climates because less heat is escaping through the enclosing fabric. In turn, the hidden surfaces under floors, in wall cavities and in attic spaces have become cooler and more likely to trigger condensation from moisture-laden air leaking from inside the dwelling.
• indoor plants, water features or fish tanks; and • storage of firewood indoors. The accumulation of water vapour from such activities can be controlled by venting sources directly to the outside, using ducted exhausts in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms and by opening doors and windows to ventilate the house with drier outside air when conditions are suitable. An early sign of excessive indoor humidity will often be condensation forming on windows. The windows, and especially any metal frames, are likely to be the coldest surfaces in a room. Condensation forming there may indicate greater risks for the colder, darker recesses within the various layers of the enclosing building fabric (roof, walls and floor).
Such risks need to be anticipated before a new building is constructed or insulation is fitted to an existing building fabric. Means of limiting the flow of warm, moist air into the colder layers of the construction are essential, as are arrangements to ventilate and dry those spaces. In some cases, active ventilation may be needed. These are matters for designers, builders
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and properly informed insulation installers. From the occupants’ perspective, the important task is to be alert to the possible build-up of high humidity levels through their own activities. Avoiding unnecessary risks, removing moisture at source and flushing the indoor atmosphere with drier outside air are important contributions. Specific suggestions appear in Key Tips below.
Key tips: • Ensure that water vapour from showering, cooking, clothes drying and the like, is ducted directly to the outside wherever possible. Take care that the duct outlet is clear of windows and eaves ventilation openings; • Note that recirculating range hoods do not reduce the moisture released by cooking because the air is simply filtered for odours and grease and returned to the room; • Place lids on saucepans during cooking and turn the heat down accordingly;
Figure 2: Ceiling insulation saturated along the drip line below battens
• Do not install a spa bath or sauna without making special provisions to remove, to the outside of the dwelling, the high levels of water vapour it will generate; • When selecting light fittings, be aware that downlights penetrating the ceiling (even if sealed or covered) allow leakage of warm moist air from inside the home into a colder roof space where condensation risk is high;
Revised Handbook: The ABCB and the participating governments are committed to enhancing the availability and dissemination of information relating to the built environment. The ABCB, in consultation with industry, is currently revising the 2011 edition of the Condensation in Buildings Handbook to improve practitioner understanding of how to minimise the risk of condensation in both new and existing buildings. The revision will address editorial and technical issues, provide advice on matters not fully discussed in the 2011 edition and rely more on illustrations to explain risks and solutions. It will also address revisions now underway to two Australian Standards:
• Avoid the use of unflued gas heaters which can produce 2.5 to 5 litres of water during a single evening’s use. (Gas cooktops and ovens are also forms of unflued heaters but their water vapour output can be collected and removed by a ducted rangehood); • Open windows in bathrooms and kitchens, which do not already have mechanical ventilation, after showering or carrying out any cooking, washing or drying activities. Open windows and doors in other rooms when the weather permits and outdoor humidity is low;
• AS 3999:2012 (Thermal Insulation of dwellings – Bulk Insulation – Installation Requirements); and
• When using a tumble dryer that is not of the condensing type, ensure that it is vented directly to the outside and that the ventilation duct is not leaking and discharges clear of any window or eaves ventilation opening;
• AS/NZS 4200.2:1994 (Pliable building membranes and underlays Part 2: Installation Requirements).
• If you are unable to dry washing outside or in a ducted dryer, choose a room that can be heated and ventilated safely and shut off from the rest of the home;
The current and revised Handbooks should be read in conjunction with the NCC provisions relating to Damp and Weather Proofing, Energy Efficiency and Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas.
• Keep a lid on any fish tank and be cautious about introducing indoor plants or water features to rooms with limited or infrequent ventilation; and
The Condensation in Buildings Handbook, 2011 edition, is available for download from our website. Thanks to Anthony Livingston, Principal Building Advisory Officer of Workplace Standards, Tasmania for initiating this article and providing the key ideas and images. Thanks, too, to BRANZ Ltd for their published information on rates of water vapour generation from household activities.
• Do not store large quantities of firewood indoors unless adequate ventilation is provided. This is a small sampling of some of the issues surrounding condensation risk in cooler climates. More extensive information can be found in the ABCB’s Condensation in Buildings Handbook, released in 2011. A second edition of the Handbook is being prepared to augment and improve the advice so far.
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Issue 9
The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin
CODEMARK CERTIFICATION SCHEME REVIEW The CodeMark Certification Scheme
of the Scheme and, whilst it is acknowledged the Scheme has implications for product conformity, the broader issue of building product conformity and non-compliance is outside the scope of the Review.
The Objective of the Australian CodeMark Certification Scheme (the Scheme) is to assist and benefit industry by providing confidence to regulatory authorities and the market about the conformity of certified products to the requirements of the National Construction Code Series Volume One and Two.
The Process for the Review The Review will commence with consultations involving the States and Territories, industry and key stakeholders. The purpose of these consultations is to examine the performance of the Scheme and its participants, the performance of similar schemes in other countries, and future options and their impacts.
The Scheme was initiated by the Australian Building Codes Board in conjunction with the then New Zealand Building Industry Authority to support the use of new and innovative building products. In Australia, the Scheme was intended to enable the replacement of individual State and Territory based schemes. The Scheme is embedded within State and Territory building control legislation and CodeMark Certificates of Conformity gain mandatory acceptance.
Following these consultations, a Draft Report will be released mid-2013 for public comment. A Final Report will then be presented to the ABCB Board for its consideration.
The voluntary, industry assisted Scheme has been operating in Australia since September 2005 and 35 Certificates of Conformity have been issued. A full review of the Scheme is being undertaken to determine its effectiveness, to consider the Scheme Rules and associated reporting processes, the issue of uptake, options to the current Scheme, the roles and liabilities of the participants as well as the overall costs and benefits to industry and government. The outcomes from the Review will assist in the decision making process regarding the future of the Scheme in Australia.
Further information about the Review can be found on the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au
CodeMark
™
Product Certification Build ing C onf id ence
The Review is intended to focus solely on the operation
What’s happening with Australian Standards by Adam Stingemore, National Sector Manager for Building, Construction and Plumbing, Standards Australia The importance of engagement
and Plumbing. “Understanding how critical this engagement is, we have implemented a range of initiatives over the past 12 months, particularly related to the building and construction sector. “
The development of Australian Standards is a process built around the principles of openness, transparency and consensus. It is important to us that we make every effort to engage with not only technical committees and the nominating organisations which sit behind them, but wider communities with an interest in the technical documents which we produce.
Standards Australia has established a LinkedIn page, focused on building and construction standards development to keep practitioners informed of the work being undertaken, proposed projects, standards publications and other matters relevant to the sector. The page provides a platform for Standards Australia to
“Engagement with practitioners is absolutely critical to the development of Australian Standards and other technical documents produced by Standards Australia” said Adam Stingemore, National Sector Manager for Building, Construction
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“Some specific issues with topographic classification that were found in damage investigations are addressed by introducing a new topographic classification. Minor refinements in wording and presentation of the document are also made to enhance clarity. If I were to think about one common theme across all of these projects, it would have to be the importance of receiving comment from members of the public with an interest in or expertise in the subject matter area. A lot of the changes to AS 1170.2 and AS 4055 were informed by comments received from the users of the documents.
“Having social media tools available to us is a very good thing. We are able to communicate in a focused way and give people access to the information that they have told us is important”.
Standards in development Standards Australia’s technical committees and staff have been working very hard over the last 12 months on a range of projects relevant to the sector. A great deal of work has been undertaken relevant to wind standards, including development of a new edition of AS 4055 Wind loads for housing, amendments to the AS 1170.2 Structural design actions – wind actions, and the AS 2050 Roof tile – installation standard.
“The old saying is true for us and our committees; the more comment, the better.” said Mr Stingemore
Future engagement In looking at Standard Australia’s engagement strategy with the sector seminars, webcasts and other interactive forums are on the agenda for 2012 and 2013.
Other important projects coming to an end include a new edition of AS 1668.2 Ventilation in buildings, mechanical ventilation, new editions of the AS 2118.4 Automatic fire systems - Residential and AS 2118.6 Automatic fire systems – combined sprinklers and hydrants, AS/NZS 3500.5 Plumbing and drainage – domestic installations and a range of other important documents referenced in the National Construction Code.
“We are very pleased to be working with the Australian Building Codes Board again next year on the national NCC seminar series, with a range of other national face-to-face seminars and online events planned”. To join the Standards Australia LinkedIn Page, look for Standards Australia – Building and Construction via the LinkedIn search function.
However, work in this sector does not stop at standards referenced in the National Construction Code. This year, Standards Australia published a new standard, we believe the first in the world for bushfire water spray systems. Also, in what we believe to be a world first, a standard for climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure, is in the final stages of development.
Other updates, webinars and access to public comment drafts are available through Standards Australia website www.standards.org.au
A focus on wind loading related standards - new edition of AS 4055-2012 and amendments to AS/NZS 1170.2 Standards Australia is in the process of completing work to ensure alignment between AS/NZS 1170.2 and AS 4055 and to ensure that design wind loads on housing are compatible with rigorous calculations that make use of the best currently available information which underpins wind loads on the remainder of structures covered by the NCC. The Standards Australia technical committees engaged in the revision project have been assisted through the availability of research and contemporaneous material obtained on review of the Cyclone Yasi and Cyclone Larry events, in particular, with reference to the reports prepared in relation to both events by the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station. The proposed changes represent a series of relatively minor amendments throughout AS 4055. They bring interpretations of AS/NZS 1170.2 and AS 4055 together by amending definitions and categories so that they are consistent between the two documents. “This will minimise opportunities for confusion in users.” Mr Stingemore said.
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The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin
NON-MANDATORY HANDBOOKS – FREELY AVAILABLE Whilst a primary role of the ABCB is to maintain and update the National Construction Code to ensure effective regulatory systems, the ABCB and the participating Governments are committed to enhancing the availability and dissemination of information relating to the built environment. Where appropriate, the ABCB seeks to develop non-regulatory solutions to building related issues through the release of non-mandatory Handbooks. The Handbooks are available free of charge as a PDF download from the ABCB website. The current suite of 13 handbooks covers topics such as: Condensation in Buildings, Using On-Site Renewable and Reclaimed Energy Sources, Energy Efficiency Provisions for Electricians and Plumbers, Digital TV Antenna Systems, Landslide Hazards, Sound Insulation and more…
COMING SOON… The ABCB is currently working in consultation with industry to develop three new handbooks.
Performance Standard for Community Bushfire Shelters This Handbook is being developed to facilitate informed decision making, by professional practitioners, undertaking the design of community bushfire refuges or the approval of proposed designs of community bushfire refuges. The Handbook aims to reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality, based on the availability of relevant technical data and the input and judgment of a broad representation of stakeholders:
Lifts Used During Evacuation This Handbook is being developed to improve egress from buildings in emergencies. Codes around the world have been grappling with how best to facilitate egress for all occupants and while lifts were considered the most equitable and convenient means, lift safety issues are of paramount concern. The increase in height of buildings and the September 11 disaster in New York, has hastened international research resulting in a clearer set of considerations where lifts are to be used for, or to assist in, an evacuation. This Handbook identifies the issues and considerations to be addressed when designing evacuation strategies. The Handbook is being prepared in conjunction with the State and Territory Building Administrations, Fire Authorities, a disability consultant, the lift industry and a range of professional societies and associations.
Construction of Buildings in Flood Hazard Areas This Handbook is being developed to foster a greater understanding of the provisions in the ABCB Standard for ‘Construction of Buildings in Flood Hazard Areas’ and to provide additional advisory information outside the scope of the Standard. This Handbook should be read in conjunction with the Standard and the building regulations of the relevant State or Territory. The construction measures contained in the ABCB Standard are not the only measures that should be considered to address issues arising for buildings in flood hazard areas. The scope of this Handbook extends further than the scope of the ABCB Standard and provides additional information on these issues. Second editions of the Sound Insulation and Condensation in Buildings Handbooks are also to be released in the coming months. Upon release, these new and revised publications will be made available on our website.
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Coming in 2013… the restyled ABCB Resource Kits The ABCB has a range of training modules (Resource Kits) which are designed to increase awareness of NCC provisions within the Australian building, plumbing and construction sector. The Resource Kits are intended to provide current and consistent information on the NCC and have been designed to assist those who are in a training profession such as teachers or lecturers. The ABCB is currently restyling the Resource Kits to improve the way in which the information is presented and to increase audience engagement and understanding of the NCC. Currently there are six Resource Kits available: Module One:
Introduction to the BCA
Module Two:
Understanding the BCA’s Performance Requirements
Module Three: Understanding Energy Efficiency for Class 1 and 10 buildings Module Four: Understanding Energy Efficiency for Class 2 to 9 buildings Module Five:
Understanding the Disability Access Provisions
Module Six:
Understanding the Plumbing Code of Australia
The restyled Resource Kits will be more interactive with additional visual cues and diagrams as well as: • the ability to tailor the presentation as you go, with a table of contents slide enabling the presenter to change the order of the presentation or reflect on a section already covered through the topic buttons; • additional graphics within the presentation to explain the topics; • worked examples for the audience to participate in; • quick points for the presenter to refer to, with background notes if additional background information is required. The ABCB has also commenced scoping the next module in the suite: Understanding the Fire Provisions of the National Construction Code. Module Seven is ear-marked for release in the second half of 2013. The revised modules are expected to be released in early 2013. Further information will be made available on our website www.abcb.gov.au
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Issue 9
The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin
Cross Laminated Timber – An Alternative Solution For Sustainable Construction by Tara Spencer, Communications Manager, Lend Lease Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is one of the most significant forms of innovation in construction technology that Australia has seen in many years. It is set to transform the building and construction industry by introducing more efficient and environmentally friendly construction process and finished building product.
to CLT panel sizes). The panels can be supplied with three different grades of top layer non-visual, industrial grade visual and domestic grade visual. Panels are cut and processed using CNC technologies, resulting in excellent dimensional tolerance, both in overall panel size and for structural openings as well as services penetrations.
Lend Lease is currently building the first high rise apartment project in Australia and the tallest in the world using the revolutionary CLT material – Forte in Victoria Harbour, Melbourne. Aspiring to be the first 5 Star Green Star As Built residential building in the country, Forté will rise over 10 levels, offering 23 boutique residential apartments and ground floor retail. The ground floor and first floor slab is constructed of traditional concrete whilst the upper levels including the lift shaft and fire stair shaft are all being constructed from CLT (as manufactured by KLH Massivholz in Austria).
The CLT panels can be used for all elements of a building’s superstructure – walls, floors and roofs.
National Construction Code Challenges
Forté will reflect the contemporary inner-city lifestyle of Victoria Harbour while combining environmental initiatives that are inherent within CLT as it has a higher level of thermal performance, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs for building occupants.
The objectives that underpin the National Construction Code Series (NCC) are to “safeguard people from injury, illness or loss of amenity in the course of the use of the building; and to promote sustainability.”
What is Cross Laminated Timber?
CLT does not fit into almost any of the “deemed to satisfy” provisions of the NCC being an innovative and sustainable product from overseas, and consequently was required to be analysed through alternate solutions to demonstrate compliance with the performance provisions of Volume One of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). A key decision was made that the design should be as close to deemed to satisfy requirements as possible.
The history of CLT dates back to the early 1990s when the innovative wood product was first developed in Austria and Germany. In 1996, Austria undertook an industry-academic joint research program that resulted in the development of what CLT is today, involving pioneering companies such as KLH Massivholz, who opened their CLT production facility in 1999.
For Forté, the key areas that needed to be considered and analysed included:
In very simple terms, CLT is effectively load bearing jumbo plywood. The CLT panels are currently produced predominantly in Europe with the timber sourced from sustainably managed forests. This timber is kiln-dried finger jointed spruce/fir planks bonded together to produce a solid timber panel. The sheets are then stacked at right angles to each other and glued under high pressure in layers typically of 3, 5 or 7mm thickness (or more). It is this cross stacking of the layers that makes CLT so different from any traditional timber construction methods – as each layer alternates between longitude and traverse reducing the effects of shrinkage and swelling. It also means that the CLT panels can transfer loads in 2 directions.
• Structural provisions; • Protection from subterranean termites; • Fire generally (particularly as it is combustible); • Fire precautions during construction; • Fire isolated stair (exit) being combustible; • Damp and weatherproofing; • Sound transmission and insulation; and • Energy Efficiency provisions. A large amount of time and resources went into examining all available overseas standards, test reports, handbooks, etc (primarily from Europe and Canada but also Japan) to then start to be able to review and demonstrate compliance against the appropriate performance provisions.
The majority of CLT panels manufactured now use polyurethane adhesive in the boards, which is a solventfree and formaldehyde-free adhesive with no risk of toxic emissions at any stage in the product’s life cycle.
Structurally, the initial challenge was that unlike Europe, there are no specific Australian Standards that deal with CLT and the associated design. In reviewing however the European certified data for the CLT produced by KLH Massivholz and comparing this with the Australian Standard for plywood structures, it was found that the design methodologies for plywood as contained in the
Panel sizes vary by manufacturer. Typical widths are 0.5m, 1.2m, and 3m, while lengths can be up to 18m, and the thickness can be up to 400mm (although transportation may impose limitations
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BULLETIN Safety Benefits and Considerations
Australian Standard provided the correlation needed. In using the plywood Australian Standard and utilising the Australian Standards for loadings, the entire building structure was analysed through the Strand 7 finite element analysis software.
The safety benefits of using CLT was a key determinant in the selection process, with Lend Lease committed to operating incident and injury free wherever it has a presence. The benefits from CLT largely arise by taking high risk site activities into a controlled manufacturing setting.
An enhancement in standard Australian analysis however was also undertaken on the Forté project. As required in European design, disproportionate collapse is required to be considered. That is, the CLT has been analysed in relation to ensuring that should a wall section for example be damaged, that the remaining structure is able to take the load.
More specifically, safety improvements seen on CLT sites include reduced work at heights, a reduction in ‘hot’ works and eliminating the need for formwork. Constructing with CLT also reduces the amount of manual handling, truck movements and use of heavy power tools. Lower amounts of concrete dust and noise also improves the work conditions for site teams.
Working hand in hand with the structural requirements was also the analysis in relation to fire ratings of the elements including the connections of each panel. The fire ratings and combustibility of CLT is usually one of the key initial questions raised by many here in Australia however as CLT in essence is solid timber it actually is very predictable in terms of determining the fire ratings as set out in the Australian Standard for Timber Construction. The charring rates and overseas research note that this material performs more like traditional non-combustible material than a combustible one in a fire scenario.
In the consultation with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade, a site specific construction methodology and plan was developed to take into consideration specific requirements when working with timber. This included items such as ensuring that the fire hydrant system was operational from when the timber construction commenced (as opposed to when the building reached an effective height of 12m), site sheds were located more than 10m from the structure, two (2) exits are available off the site and no welding occurs within 1 hour of the end of the day.
The design therefore typically took a 5 layer panel (typically 128mm for the walls and 156mm for the floors) noting that structurally, only 3 layers are required. This provided for 2 layers to be sacrificial in the case of a fire for the structural adequacy to remain intact. Direct fixed fire grade plasterboard is then also being applied to most of the fire rated elements to then ensure the 90/90/90 FRL is achieved as per the deemed to satisfy requirements.
Sustainability While the use of CLT is an important advance into what is a new and innovative building technology in Australia, from a wider perspective, the shift to green materials, such as CLT, is paving the way for the future of sustainable development and a different way of living.
The connections of the wall panels to floor panels maintain the appropriate fire ratings through being incorporated within the centre layer of the panel or through being covered by screed / fire grade plasterboard.
Construction in CLT has sustainability benefits across its lifecycle. As a material every tonne of CLT has circa 500kg of carbon stored in it, this carbon is locked in for the life of the building. Timber also has the lowest energy and water consumption of any building material and it is the only renewable structural building material of scale.
The fire isolated stair shaft and lift shaft provided their own unique challenges particularly in relation to the deemed to satisfy requirement for fire stairs to retain their integrity in the case of local failure or damage to the shaft. This has been achieved through the design of a double shaft system in which each shaft achieves the required fire rating however do not rely on the other for structural connection.
In construction, CLT reduces the amount of onsite waste and the number of truck movements required (up to as much as 90% for the latter), resulting in a positive impact on the surrounding community. In operation, CLT provides a higher level of thermal performance, reducing heating and cooling costs for building occupants.
This design solution also provides for acoustic benefits in ensuring that there is disconnection of the timber into the adjoining apartments. As per conventional design, the acoustic separation requirements are achieved through the build-up of each element with the additional use of insulation, underlay and screed.
Next Steps Building with CLT is becoming increasingly popular overseas with other residential developments such as London’s Bridport House and Stadhause Murray Grove being built successfully with CLT.
The thermal conductivity of CLT by KLH is certified in the European Accreditation process as 0.13W/m.k and consequently ensures excellent thermal properties for the building when analysed through the house energy rating scheme pursuant to Section J Energy Efficiency requirements. Thermal modelling for this project was undertaken through the computer software AccuRate v1.1.4.1 and resulted in a collective energy rating of 7 stars with a minimum of 5.8 stars (as opposed to minimum requirements of 6 stars and 5 stars respectively). This is a 28% reduction on the heating and cooling loads for a comparative 6 star apartment building in Melbourne.
Following on from Forté in Victoria Harbour, due for completion in October 2012, Lend Lease sees the possibility to develop up to 30-50 per cent of its apartment pipeline using CLT and sees application elsewhere across the organisation. For further information, please go to http://www.forteliving.com.au
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