ABRB Issue No.12 by Australian Building Codes Board

BULLETIN

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

Issue 12

WHAT’S INSIDE ABCB HOME

ONLINE SHOP

HISTORIC REGULATORY REFORM At its meeting of 30 May 2014, the Building Ministers’ Forum, which comprises the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for building and plumbing regulation, met to decide on a package of building regulatory reforms, which over the next few years has the potential to help achieve up to $1.1 billion per annum in productivity benefits to the national economy.

for International Economics (CIE), which found that current building regulatory reforms implemented progressively over the last 20 years are delivering $1.1 billion per annum in benefits, with an additional $1.1 billion per annum in potential benefits yet to be realised.

The reform package was agreed to by Ministers and will be delivered through the ABCB over a number of years, commencing in 2015 with the introduction of a free online National Construction Code (NCC). Over time it will be made more intuitive and accessible through a number of mediums so as to improve access in ways that are most useful to practitioners.

• quantifying the NCC’s performance measures to facilitate greater uptake in their use and therefore the application of new, innovative and cost effective solutions to building design and construction;

The regulatory reform package recognises that the construction sector is a significant industry for Australia and represents the second largest sector of small business in the economy. As a result, constraining cost growth and improving productivity has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits nationally. The package has been prepared through extensive consultation, engagement with State and Territory regulators and the development of an independent business case. It also follows the 2012 report by the Centre

To capture these additional benefits, the reform package includes: • making the NCC free online for the 2015 edition and moving to a three year amendment cycle from the 2016 edition;

NCC 2015 public comment draft Improving early response to residential fires through interconnection of alarms Weatherproofing buildings – proposed verification method FV1 Standards winter update Redevelopment of the building surveying qualification framework

OTHER ARTICLES INCLUDE: Free NCC Online – FAQs New YouTube clips, revised handbooks and more... Helping practitioners with their education requirements – NCC Online Training is now available! Discussion paper on construction standards for resilience of new buildings to extreme weather events Fire safety measures at building handover – why are there so many defects Spreading the word at the 2014 NCC information seminars What’s an NCC referenced document? The next Building Australia’s Future Conference The role of maintenance and the NCC Now we’re LinkedIn!

• enhancing access through a free NCC and improving the document’s useability to broaden understanding and consistency in interpretation; • a reduction in State and Territory departures from the NCC and consolidation of regulation, again to improve national consistency; • limiting the imposition of higher prescriptive standards for building design and construction than those agreed to nationally through the NCC by other authorities, such as local governments; and • continued expansion of the NCC to cover all on-site building regulations into a single source document for national consistency and remove unnecessary overlaps in regulation. (cont’d)

BULLETIN The goal is to increase awareness and adherence to the NCC, improve building outcomes through higher levels of compliance and deliver the national economic benefits. This will be achieved through:

• improve the stability, useability and penetration of the NCC, resulting in improved compliance, reduced disputes and the delivery of better, more affordable buildings;

• the development and application of new technologies to deliver the NCC to a wider audience (currently 12,000; estimated 200,000);

• transform the ABCB’s business model and change its underlying culture, allowing it to concentrate on its ‘gatekeeper’ role as a developer and custodian of uniform building regulation;

• improving the structure, format, language and presentation of the NCC content to make it more readily useable to the expanded audience;

• remove the incentive for routine amendments to the NCC enabling a more orderly consideration and approach to regulatory change, allowing resources to be better deployed to deliver on the core mission and objectives of the ABCB;

• working with industry and training providers in developing education and awareness material to help improve practitioner understanding of the NCC;

• extend the reach of the NCC in the building and plumbing industry, as well as to consumers that have an interest in building and plumbing regulations, improving access, awareness and understanding of the NCC; and

• reviewing the future role of acceptable construction practices for Volume Two; • increased harmonisation of the building and plumbing codes; • in conjunction with the State and Territory administrations, develop national practice notes to enhance consistency in interpretation of the NCC; and

• provide greater flexibility in meeting the NCC requirements by increasing the useability and certainty of performancebased approaches.

• reviewing the NCC to remove unnecessary, superseded or duplicative regulation.

The benefits of these building regulation reforms will accrue directly to builders, building professionals, plumbers, and small business. There will be flow-on benefits to new home buyers and others through lower construction costs.

Noting the crucial role of the States and Territories in controlling some of the areas where significant benefits can be achieved, the suite of reforms leverage off the platform created by the NCC, twenty years of inter-jurisdictional co-operation and the support of industry stakeholders.

The combination of reforms within the package have the potential to deliver a number of linked benefits that can be summed up with the phrase ‘less is more’ and captured in the concept illustrated below.

The benefits identified by the CIE report rely on a range of concurrent initiatives that focus on enhancing access to the NCC; improved awareness and understanding of its contents; increasing the useability of the document; and both implementing and enforcing national consistency. Making the NCC free online is a critical first step in this process.

Less is More Less:

Red tape

Productivity

Regulation

Improved compliance and building outcomes

BENEFITS OF THE REFORM PACKAGE

Local government interventions Housing affordability

The reforms will not only provide a further productivity dividend, but a reduction in the overall burden of regulation, which is an intergovernment agreement objective for the ABCB and consistent with recent decisions of the Council of Australian Governments to reduce the compliance cost of regulation to small business. The broader reform package will;

State and Territory variations to the NCC

National consistency

Amendments to the NCC

Certainty for industry

Cost to access

Access to the NCC

Cost to administer

Code useability

• add $1.1 billion per annum in productivity benefits to the national economy;

Disputation

Informed practitioners

• reduce red tape through the extended amendment cycle and limit the ability of other authorities to impose additional and less rigorously tested requirements;

Conflict of interest

Ability to focus on ABCB’s mission

Fragmentation of onsite building regulation

National harmonisation / consolidation

Members of the Building Minister’s Forum at the historic May 2014 meeting

From left to right: The Hon Matthew Guy MLC, Victorian Minister for Planning The Hon Matthew Mason-Cox MLC, New South Wales Minister for Fair Trading Mr Craig Baumann MP, New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Planning (representing the Hon Pru Goward, NSW Minister for Planning) Mr Paul Miles MLA, WA Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Commerce (representing The Hon Michael Mischin MLC, Western Australia Minister for Commerce) The Hon Bob Baldwin, Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry The Hon Tim Mander MP, Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Ms Dorte Ekelund, Director General, Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority (representing Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Australian Capital Territory, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development) The Hon John Thwaites, Chair of the Australian Building Codes Board The Hon Peter Chandler MLA, Northern Territory Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment

Issue 12

The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin

Have your say on draft NCC changes for 2015 Each year in June, proposed changes to the NCC, which includes the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), are made available for public review. This is your chance to learn about the proposals and to provide your views. This is an important step in the production of the next edition of the NCC.

• aligning termite management provisions in NCC Volume Two with a revised AS 3660; • a method to quantify the structural reliability of components of a building; • relocation to the PCA and clarification of the heated water delivery temperature limitations from AS/NZS 3500.4; and • relocation to the PCA of maximum flow rates and provisions for the layout of taps from AS/NZS 3500.

The changes under consideration for NCC 2015 have come from a variety of sources including proposals from Code users, industry and government, as well as the outcomes from a number of ABCB regulatory reform projects. Examples of some of the proposed changes are:

This is just a sample of the changes being considered for NCC 2015. Go to the ABCB website to get the entire NCC 2015 public comment draft and send us your comments by 1 August 2014.

• a method to quantify the weatherproofing capacity of external walls; • sprinkler protection to all new residential aged care buildings; • changes to alarm and detector requirements for soleoccupancy units in Class 3 buildings to reduce the incidence of false alarms;

Improving early response to residential fires through interconnection of alarms For a number of years now the BCA has required smoke alarms, or where appropriate, heat detection alarm systems in residential occupancies, to provide early notification of fire and time for occupant response. The location of these alarms in strategic positions such as a hallway serving bedrooms is designed to allow an early response by occupants to a fire, that may not be apparent in its early stages of development.

interconnection of smoke alarms in sole-occupancy units in Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 buildings where more than one alarm is provided: • the life safety of building occupants, and particularly those in residential buildings (acknowledging the additional risks associated with being asleep), was considered to be of paramount importance; • the cost of interconnecting alarms at the time of construction is not considered to be large and is significantly cheaper than the costs associated with retrofitting this feature; and • acknowledging that the cost benefit analysis met COAG guidelines, the ABCB was of the view that saving a life through the interconnection of alarms represented a greater value to the community than that presented in the Final RIS.

The size or layout of some residences can create situations where a number of alarms may be distributed throughout the occupancy, for example two storey dwellings or a house where bedrooms are separated by a living area.

The Final RIS is available on the ABCB website www.abcb.gov.au.

NCC 2014 introduced a change to the requirements for the installation of smoke and heat alarms. In a Class 1 building, within sole-occupancy units of a Class 2 or 3 building and in a Class 4 part of a building, alarms are now required to be interconnected so that when one alarm is activated it will activate all other alarms in the occupancy. This feature will increase the likelihood of occupants being aware of the presence of a fire. Whilst acknowledging that the final Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) demonstrated a small net cost, the ABCB considered the following factors in its decision to include a requirement for

Figure 1 – Example of the interconnection of multiple alarms in a Class 2 building

BULLETIN

WEATHERPROOFING BUILDINGS PROPOSED NCC VERIFICATION METHOD FV1 In 2012 the ABCB commissioned a report on the economic impact of implemented regulatory reform, as well as past, present, or potential barriers preventing the full benefits of reform being realised. Specifically, three significant regulatory reforms were assessed –

Proposed Verification Method FV1

1. national adoption of the Building Code of Australia (BCA), circa 1992;

A recent product of the quantification and use of performance project is the development of two new Verification Methods that have been included in the public comment draft of Volume One of NCC 2015; i.e. a Verification Method for Performance Requirements BP1.4 and FP1.4.

2. national adoption of the 1996 performance-based BCA; and 3. consolidation of the Plumbing Code of Australia into the BCA to create the NCC.

This article explains the background and application of proposed Verification Method FV1, which can be used to verify the weatherproofing of an external wall as required by Performance Requirement FP1.4.

The report estimated that these reforms had produced an annual national economic benefit of $1.1billion and that an additional $1.1billion per annum could be realised if all reforms were fully utilised. Of the three reforms reviewed, stakeholder evidence and previous studies suggest that regulation has potentially delivered around 70 per cent of the economic benefits.

Performance Requirement FP1.4 requires weatherproofing of roofs and external walls (including openings around windows and doors) of certain classes of buildings. At present, it is a qualitative Performance Requirement that does not have a Verification Method or Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions from which compliance can be demonstrated.

In light of these outcomes, the ABCB enhanced its resolve to increase the use of performance-based design and make it a first choice process for the design and construction of buildings. Several projects in the current ABCB work program are being progressed to facilitate this outcome, one of which relates to the quantification and increased use of the NCC’s Performance Requirements.

While significant deficiencies in weatherproofing buildings have not been encountered in Australia, inadequate weatherproofing of external building envelopes has proven to be a major problem in countries such as New Zealand and Canada.

It is intended that quantified Performance Requirements be introduced into the structure of the NCC either directly into the individual Performance Requirements, or through ‘Verification Methods’.

Specific indicators include • Australian construction practices are similar to those of New Zealand and Canada; • the Victorian Building Authority has issued a number of warnings concerning ‘non-compliant’ external wall cladding systems and has highlighted the need to prevent water penetration into buildings;

Objectives Functional Statements Performance Requirements

• concerns regarding inadequate weatherproofing were raised by industry representatives in interviews conducted during the CodeMark Certification Scheme review; and

Guidance Levels Compliance Levels

• responses to an ABCB subscriber survey relating to the quantification of Performance Requirements expressed concerns with current practices.

Building Solutions Deemed-to-Satisfy Alternative Solutions Provisions

To address these indicators, an ABCB working group was formed to develop a Verification Method for Performance Requirement FP1.4. This working group included representatives from -

Assessment Methods Documentary evidence described in Part 1.2 Verification Methods Expert Judgement Comparison to Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

• Victorian Building Authority; • Building Research Association of New Zealand;

Compliance with a ‘Verification Method’ (a defined term in the NCC) demonstrates compliance with the relevant Performance Requirement. Verification Methods are not a mandatory component of the NCC; however as described in NCC provision A0.9, they are one form of assessment method that can be used to determine that a building solution, or a plumbing and drainage solution, complies with the Performance Requirements.

• Building Products Innovation Council; • Property Council of Australia; • Consult Australia; and • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Issue 12

The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin

An outline of FV1

Step 4 – Test the specimen

FV1 can be used to verify that a proposed external wall achieves compliance with FP1.4. It should be noted that there is a difference in the scope of Performance Requirement FP1.4 and Verification Method FV1. Specifically, FP1.4 applies to a roof and an external wall, while FV1 is limited to verification of weatherproofing of an external wall.

The prepared specimen must be tested in accordance with FV1 (c). Two differing pressure testing procedures are described; one for ‘direct fix cladding’ and ‘unique wall systems’ and one for cavity wall systems.

In essence, FV1 describes a process of verification that requires a prototype of the proposed means of weatherproofing to pass a specified test procedure. This procedure comprises six steps that must be applied in the specified order.

The performance of the tested specimen must be assessed against the compliance criteria presented in FV1 (d). Two differing criteria are described; one for ‘direct fix cladding’ and ‘unique wall systems’ and one for cavity wall systems, each of which are primarily based on the presence of water on internal surfaces of the wall system.

Step 5 – Assess the performance of the specimen

Step 1 - Determine the risk score The overall risk score for the external wall is determined in accordance with Table FV1 and is influenced by a number of factors, including -

Step 6 – Record test outcomes A report that presents information relating to the tested wall system and its performance when tested must be prepared in accordance with FV1 (e).

• wind region; • number of storeys; • type of roof/wall junctions;

Public comment on FV1

• eaves widths; • types of decks and balconies.

Proposed Verification Method FV1 Is included in the public comment draft of NCC 2015. A copy of NCC 2015 and a public comment response sheet are available from the ABCB website.

In respect to the ‘type of roof/wall junctions’ and respective exposure levels –

The period for lodgement of public comment closes on 1 August 2014.

• a hip and gable roof with eaves is considered to have fully protected roof-to-wall junctions;

Future Verification Methods

• complexity of the building envelope; and

The ‘quantification and increased use of performance’ project is an ongoing activity on the ABCB’s work program and other topics currently being addressed through the project include -

• a hip and gable roof with no eaves is considered to have partially exposed roof-to-wall junctions; • parapets, enclosed balustrades or eaves at greater than 90° to vertical with soffit lining are considered fully exposed roof-towall junctions; and

• means of ventilation; • construction in designated bushfire prone areas;

• lower ends of aprons, chimneys, dormer windows and the like are considered roof elements finishing within the boundaries formed by the external walls.

• energy efficiency;

Step 2 – Select the allowable wall design

Outcomes of work on these topics may be the subject of further articles in the ABRB and included in the public comment draft of NCC 2016.

• backflow prevention; and • water efficiency.

Selection of the allowable design for the external wall is determined by applying the overall risk score in accordance with Table FV1.2. There are three types of allowable wall design, each of which is defined in Part A1 of Volume One. Respective types are defined as 1. Cavity wall - for the purposes of FV1, means a wall that incorporates a drained and vented cavity of not less than 18 mm; 2. Direct fix cladding - for the purposes of FV1, means a wall cladding attached directly to the wall framing without the use of a drained cavity; and 3. Unique wall system - for the purposes of FV1, means a wall system which is neither a cavity wall nor a direct fix cladding. Step 3 – Prepare a test specimen A test specimen that includes representative samples of openings and joints must be prepared in accordance with FV1 (b). Additional requirements are specified for cavity walls.

BULLETIN

Standards Australia Winter Update Whilst some may be thinking of hibernating over winter, the work of Standards Australia’s technical committees never stops. Our committee members are working tirelessly to make sure Australian Standards are up-to-date for consumers and installers.

The program provides an opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation and conformity assessment frameworks supporting Australian industry. If you have ever wondered about how Australian Standards are developed or are looking for a mentor to help develop your leadership skills, then this program might be for you. The Young Leaders Program provides formal training in drafting standards, writing for a non-technical audience and facilitation, negotiation and leadership skills. Participants are paired with an experienced mentor who has extensive committee experience. They also have the opportunity to attend relevant technical committee meetings for active standards development projects.

Slip resistance handbook A new reference in the 2014 National Construction Code, AS 45862013 Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials, was published late last year. This document is called up by selected state and territory administrations as a means of classifying new pedestrian surfaces according to their frictional characteristics.

Visit our website, or contact Standards Australia at young.leaders@standards.org.au to find out more.

Standards Australia has recently published a handbook that offers guidance on slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces. HB 198 Guide to the specification and testing of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces provides commentary on those parts of the National Construction Code that require slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces in particular applications. It also identifies the means of verifying compliance with the Code.

Get Linked(In) As always, we have the Standards Australia Building and Construction LinkedIn group that is keeping you up-to-date on Standards that may affect you. We keep practitioners informed of current projects, proposed projects, standards publications and other matters relevant to the sector. Documents out for Public Comment will be listed on the group page, along with updates on conferences, forums and events.

Fire Safety – Planning for emergencies in facilities Standards Australia’s technical committee FP-017 is pleased to announce that Amendment 1 of AS 3745-2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities is now published. For those that have already purchased the Standard, it can be uploaded free of charge from the SAI Global website. Whilst AS 3745-2010 is not referenced in legislation, it is a document often prescribed by facilities owners and managers, and forms the basis of emergency evacuation procedures.

To join the Standards Australia LinkedIn Page, look for Standards Australia – Building and Construction via the LinkedIn search function.

Keeping standards up to date Australian Standards are living documents that reflect progress in science, technology and systems. To maintain their currency, all Standards are periodically reviewed, and new editions are published. Between editions, amendments may be issued.

The Standard provides a framework for emergency planning in built facilities. This new amendment gives clearer guidance in the application of the Standard. Improved diagrams, symbols and text give clarity for users and allows for a more contemporary emergency management approach.

Standards Australia welcomes proposals to amend, revise, or develop new Australian Standards. The first round of submissions has closed for this year, and the next round opens Monday 11 August 2014. For details in relation to the proposal process, please visit our website.

Keep informed and have your say If you are interested in learning more about standards development projects, our website has a list of all active and approved projects. You can search for current projects by Standard, or current projects by sector, depending on your needs. The Drafts for Public Comment stage is an important part of the standards development process. Draft standards documents are circulated for public comment to ensure the wider community has the opportunity to contribute feedback to the development of a standard. The full list of drafts for public comment across all sectors can also be found by visiting our website and clicking on Drafts for Public Comment link.

Calling all Young Leaders and Mentors Standards Australia is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2014-2015 Young Leaders Program, which is designed to bring together Australia’s next generation of standards experts.

Issue 12

The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin

National project to redevelop the Building Surveying Qualification framework The national project to redevelop the existing Building Surveying Qualification Framework is well underway and is now into the all-important development stage of the project. Following advice received from the Australian Building Certifiers Forum (a forum of State and Territory Building Regulators) it has been decided and agreed by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) to proceed with the development of an Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying rather than the Diploma of Building Surveying. This qualification will also have included in its structure, an identified ‘Skill Set’ limited to three storeys as an exit point for the purposes of people working on Class 1 and 10 Buildings. It has also been decided that rather than the development of both a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma qualification as originally recommended the one

Graduate level qualification would be developed – that being the Graduate Diploma of Building Surveying. It should be noted that both Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas ‘sit’ at the AQF Level 8. At a recent meeting of the PSC it was agreed that additional new units would be developed including a new unit of competency at the Advanced Diploma level which will address the application of performance based building solutions and a new unit addressing the specialist area of ‘fire systems’ (from a compliance perspective) will also be developed. The ‘second draft’ qualifications, units and skill set are currently being developed in line with the committee’s agreed decisions. Revised units and qualifications will be available for stakeholder feedback in June 2014. For further information on this project visit the CPSISC website: CPC08 Constuction, Plumbing and Services Training Package Building Surveying qualifications or contact the CPSISC Project Manager, Joan Whelan: joan.whelan@cpsisc.com.au

NCC 2015 delivered free online… As of 1 February 2015, users will be able to freely: • Access the NCC Online • Download a digital file for print production

National Construction Code Series 2015

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

National Construction Code Series 2015

National Construction Code Series 2015 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 National Construction Code Series 2015

National Construction Code Series 2015

VOLUME ONE

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

National Construction Code Series 2015

National Construction Code Series 2015 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 National Construction Code Series 2015

• Print directly from the online service

National Construction Code Series 2015

VOLUME ONE Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

National Construction Code Series 2015

VOLUME ONE

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

National Construction Code Series 2015

National Construction Code Series 2015 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 National Construction Code Series 2015 VOLUME ONE Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2015

Following a decision by national Building Ministers that the NCC will be made available free online from NCC 2015, the ABCB will not offer hard copy volumes for sale beyond the 2014 edition. Instead, in preparation for the 1 May 2015 NCC adoption date, from 1 February 2015 users will have the option of printing their own complete set or individual volumes from the digital download files, or use the online version. Over time new applications will be developed by the ABCB to further enhance digital access to the NCC. Each of these options will be available from 1 February 2015, in preparation for the 1 May 2015 adoption date. Further information on the changes are available on the ABCB’s website at: www.abcb.gov.au or via the ABCB’s customer advisory service on 1300 134 631. PLEASE NOTE: THE ABCB WILL NOT BE INVOLVED 7IN ANY PRINTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR NCC 2015

BULLETIN

Free NCC Online – Frequently Asked Questions On 30 May 2014, the Australian Building Ministers’ Forum agreed in principle to make the 2015 NCC and future editions freely available online, significantly contributing to reducing the burden of building regulation. The decision to eliminate costs associated with buying the code will make it more accessible to both small business and the building and plumbing industries. For further information, please refer to our website.

Q: Can I get access to previous NCC/BCA/PCA editions for free? A: Yes. From 1 May 2015, all registered users will have online access to past BCA editions and PCA editions from 2011.

IT System Requirements Q: What format is the free NCC? A: Registered users will be able to view the free NCC 2015 online in a web browser or download a PDF file. Q: What if I don’t have internet access? How can I get access? A: You will need a computer with internet access to view the free NCC 2015 online. Free access to computers with internet is available at most local libraries or by using internet cafes or accessing free Wi-Fi zones in your local area.

Q: What is the NCC? A: The NCC is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) developed to incorporate all on-site construction requirements into a single code. The NCC comprises the Building Code of Australia (BCA), Volume One and Two; and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), as Volume Three.

Q: Can I print the NCC 2015? A: Yes. There are no printing restrictions on downloaded PDF files or website content.

Accessing the NCC Q: Can I get free access to NCC 2014 immediately? A: No. The decision by Governments to provide free NCC online access commences with NCC 2015. NCC 2014 is in effect to 30 April 2015 and is still available for purchase until this date.

Q: Can I view the NCC on my iPad/tablet/mobile phone? A: Yes. The NCC 2015 online and PDF version can be viewed on a mobile device. The layout may change slightly based on the screen resolution available.

Q: Can I still purchase a hard copy of NCC 2014? A: Yes. Hard copy purchases of NCC 2014 will be available from the ABCB online shop until it is replaced by NCC 2015 on 1 May 2015.

Technical Advice Q: Can I still get assistance with clarification of NCC technical provisions? How do I log a technical enquiry? A: For registered users, the ABCB will provide clarification of NCC clauses only, not project-specific advice. If you require clarification of an NCC clause, an enquiry can be logged via the ABCB website at the Contact Us page.

Q: How will I get access to the free online NCC 2015? When can I register? A: You will be able to pre-register from 1 December 2014 by visiting the ABCB website and following the link on the homepage. Registrations will be for individuals only; there will be no shared access for organisations. Each registration will have its own unique login details for each user.

Q: Who should I contact for a project-specific technical enquiry? A: For project-specific advice, contact your local building or plumbing control administration, local council or a private building certifier.

Q: I am a current NCC subscriber. Will I still have to register to view the free NCC 2015 online? A: Yes. Existing subscribers will still have to register on the ABCB website to view the free NCC 2015 online.

Q: How will I know if there are any updates/amendments to the NCC after I have downloaded it? A: It is important that you supply your correct contact details upon registering and update your profile when necessary via the ABCB website. Email alerts will be sent to you periodically when important updates or changes to the NCC occur.

Q: When will I be able to view the free NCC 2015 online? A: From 1 February 2015, registered users will have access to a free preview of NCC 2015 online and PDF, which will take effect from 1 May 2015. Access will be from the ABCB website, using your username and password to log in.

NCC Referenced Documents

Q: Can I purchase a hard copy of NCC 2015? A: As of NCC 2015, the ABCB will no longer produce hard copy versions of the NCC. Instead, users have the option of printing the complete NCC set or individual volumes from the digital download files. Printing has also been enabled within the online service. Alternatively, individuals can arrange for a printed copy to be purchased through their local print/copy shop for personal use from the digital download files available from the ABCB website. Each of these options will be available as of 1 February 2015 as a preview to the 1 May 2015 adoption date.

Q: Do I still have to pay for documents referenced in the NCC such as Australian Standards? A: Yes. The ABCB is not responsible for the sale of NCC referenced documents such as Australian Standards. Please visit the SAI Global website to purchase Australian Standards.

National Construction Code Series 2014

VOLUME ONE

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

National Construction Code Series 2014 VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

National Construction Code Series 2014

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

National Construction Code Series 2014

VOLUME ONE

VOLUME TWO

VOLUME THREE

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings

Plumbing Code of Australia

National Construction Code Series 2014

National Construction Code Series 2014 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 National Construction Code Series 2014 VOLUME ONE Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2014

National Construction Code Series 2014

VOLUME ONE Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

National Construction Code Series 2014

National Construction Code Series 2014 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES VARIATIONS AND ADDITIONS

Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

National Construction Code Series 2014 GUIDE TO VOLUME ONE

VOLUME ONE – APPENDICES

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

Issue 12

The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin

New YouTube Clips, Revised Handbooks and more… The ABCB is committed to enhancing the availability and dissemination of information to ensure practitioners are informed and the built environment meets the needs of the community. Handbooks Many practioners will be familiar with the range of handbooks which are freely available from the ABCB website. Handbooks typically address topics that are considered to be unsuitable for regulation through the NCC or provide additional guidance on those matters that are regulated by the NCC. These handbooks are non-mandatory with the aim of providing building industry practitioners with information and guidance on specific topics. The ABCB continues to develop new handbooks on contemporary topics and revise existing handbooks where construction practices, technology or regulations change. The following handbooks have recently been published: • Maintenance of Safety Measures, Equipment, and Energy Efficiency Installations (new); • NCC Volume One Energy Efficiency Provisions (revised); and • Condensation in Buildings (revised). A revised NCC Volume Two Energy Efficiency Provisions Handbook is scheduled for release later this year.

YouTube Clips The ABCB has also developed a number of tools and calculators to assist practitioners with meeting the requirements of the NCC. These tools and calculators include glazing calculators, a lighting calculator and climate zone maps. Given the frequent technical enquiries received from both practitioners and non-practitioners about the use and interpretation of results from the NCC Glazing and Lighting Calculators, four basic introductory YouTube clips have been developed to assist users in navigating these tools: • Glazing Calculator for NCC Volume Two; • Glazing Calculator for NCC Volume One; • Lighting Calculator for residential buildings NCC Volume One and Two; and • Lighting Calculator for non-residential buildings NCC Volume One. The clips provide users with an overview of how to use the tools and information on what data is required. To coincide with the release of the revised Condensation in Buildings Handbook, an additional clip, Minimising Condensation in Buildings has also been developed. It is intended that these clips will form the basis of an ABCB YouTube channel that will educate and provide guidance to stakeholders on relevant regulatory and non-regulatory matters as part of the NCC awareness and education strategy. The development of handbooks and YouTube clips will continue to be undertaken as part of the ABCB’s commitment to providing awareness and educational material for practitioners. Upon release, these will be made available on our website.

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Helping practitioners with their education requirements – NCC Online Training is now available! In the last edition, we reported that online NCC training courses were close to finalisation. The ABCB is pleased to announce that the courses are now live, with six courses already available, and further courses under development.

Australia are under development and will be available in the coming weeks.

Feedback from recent ABCB surveys and stakeholder meetings suggested that practitioners are keen to undertake NCC education and training to lift their understanding and maintain competency within the building and plumbing industries. To meet this need and support practitioner requirements, the ABCB investigated the development of online training: a fast, flexible and easy way to learn.

For more information visit www.pointsbuild.com.au or contact Pointsbuild on 1300 892 829 or info@pointsbuild.com.au.

The benefits of the online NCC training don’t stop there; eligible practitioners that complete the online training will also be able to earn CPD Points (subject to individual Scheme administrators and successful completion of course assessment).

Look out for more information about online training in the coming editions of the ABRB, and on the ABCB website.

A significant addition to the ABCB’s education and awareness initiative, online NCC training is available through specialist training provider Pointsbuild Pty Ltd. Pointsbuild has worked with the ABCB to develop the courses, which are self-paced, allowing participants to learn whenever and wherever convenient. Addressing topics such as - Introduction to the Australian Regulatory Framework and NCC Volume One, to Understanding the Performance Based NCC, the courses are a contemporary means to access the information and education that practitioners need. Additional courses on energy efficiency, the disability access provisions and Using NCC Volume Three, the Plumbing Code of

ABCB seeks comment on construction standards for resilience of new buildings to extreme weather events Over the past few years, extreme weather events have resulted in devastating winds, floods and bushfires in many parts of Australia, which have led to the destruction and damage of a number of buildings.

The NCC already requires new buildings to be designed and constructed to withstand climate related hazards such as cyclones and extreme winds, intense rain, bushfire, snow and flood, as appropriate to their location.

A DR

As part of the ABCB’s ongoing monitoring of the adequacy of the NCC, the ABCB released a discussion paper on 3 April 2014 to advise and seek feedback on the resilience of new buildings to extreme weather events. The feedback will help inform the ABCB on strategic advice it provides to governments in identifying future areas to focus its activities.

However, it is appropriate and timely to take stock and determine whether new buildings are sufficiently resilient to natural disasters associated with extreme weather events.

RESILIENCE OF BUILDINGS TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ABCB DISCUSSION PAPER April 2014 This document has been issued by the ABCB for consultation and discussion with Stakeholders and the general public. It is available for download from the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au Please provide any comments via email to resilience@abcb.gov.au by 1 July 2014.

The ABCB constantly reviews the NCC, particularly after major hazard events and via research, to investigate whether adequate levels of safety and health are maintained for the community. Where the building standards have proven to be inadequate they have been upgraded. The NCC does not currently include construction standards for all impacts of extreme weather events, such as heat, hail or storm tide, as it is not necessarily practical or cost effective to do so. In addition, the code does not apply to existing buildings other than where new building works are involved, the test for which may vary from state to state.

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Example of bushfire damage

While there have been a number of calls to make buildings stronger and more durable, buildings need to be appropriately located and this is where land use planning has an important role to play. The 2012 Productivity Commission Report Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation states that in some cases, the vulnerability of people and buildings to climate change impacts will depend on how well building standards (which generally control how to build) and planning regulations (which generally control where to build) are integrated. For example, where planning schemes identify areas that are bushfire prone and the associated hazard level, building regulation can then specify an appropriate construction standard to better manage bushfire risk.

of the event, and whether the building is appropriately located and maintained for the environment in which it exists. Therefore a sensible balance needs to be struck given that the increased cost of making buildings more resilient needs to be balanced against the ability of the community to pay. The ABCB is seeking feedback so it can be better informed as to whether other hazards ought to be addressed in the NCC, or whether the stringency of the current hazards addressed is appropriate. However any change to the code needs to be carefully researched, satisfy stringent impact assessment requirements and be subject to further public consideration. The discussion paper is available at www.abcb.gov.au and comments close on 1 July 2014.

Building affordability is an extremely important consideration and it is also difficult to make buildings completely resistant to extreme weather events, taking into account the unpredictability

Example of bushfire damage

Example of damage to older house - Cyclone Yasi

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Fire safety measures at building handover – why are there so many defects? Written by David Barber, Australasian Fire Leader, ARUP Building owners, building managers and fire safety engineers ask a lot from the fire protection measures we specify for buildings. For example, active fire protection systems are required to control dampers, open doors, start fans, shut down fans and sound alert tones and evacuation tones. Additionally, we require passive measures to effectively prevent fire spread via fire seals around steel members or the use of concrete fire walls. Passive measures are also required to move as the building moves.

• Smoke hazard management fans incorrectly set up – not activating in the appropriate zones, insufficient make-up air and fans operating in the wrong zone. • Alert systems not correctly zoned to match the layout of the floors, especially where there are inter-connected floors with open atria. • Fire rated walls or walls requiring a fire resistance level (FRL) not constructed to meet the manufacturer’s specifications. • Penetrations through fire walls or walls requiring an FRL but not sealed to manufacturer’s specifications. There are many other defects often present within a completed or occupied building. Often, these types of issues are resolved through a period of defect rectification, as a building is progressively handed-over to the operator. However, when the defects remain over a longer period of time, rectification becomes more problematic and costly.

As a fire safety engineer, I am regularly asked to inspect installed fire safety measures in occupied buildings. As a result of my inspections, it has become evident that some buildings have major issues with the required measures, especially in the early stages of their use. Even buildings that are in full compliance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the NCC, and buildings that include performance based solutions, are not exempt from these problems. When these measures fail to perform as expected, there is a need to understand the reasons why. By determining the fault or mechanism of failure, often the best method of rectification can then be implemented.

In my experience, when it comes to acceptance of fire protection measures at building handover, there appears to be two differing streams of thought: 1. It is acceptable for a building to be occupied, provided the fire protection measures are generally in place and partially working, and the issues can be rectified through the defects period; or

Overall, a fire safety measure will normally be defective due to either a design fault, or an installation fault; and sometimes, both. Common examples of fire protection measures not working effectively that could be a design or installation fault, include:

2. A building should not be occupied until all fire protection measures are installed correctly and shown to be operationally effective. Unfortunately, it appears that there is a greater prevalence of the former; i.e., buildings with only partially compliant systems at hand-over. Too often, these systems do not get effectively rectified.

• Fire alarm systems not zoned correctly, where smoke detection causes an alert in a different zone. • Smoke detectors causing false alarms, when the smoke detection system is installed inappropriately.

How can the situation be improved so that buildings are handed over at completion with all of the fire protection measures working effectively? Some examples of recommended practice include: • Fire engineers designing through consultation with building end users, to understand how a building will be operated. This can assist in developing an integrated design of fire detection, alerting and smoke control systems in a manner consistent with the needs of building users. • A fire safety engineering report that summarises all required fire protection measures and any specific interoperability, so that installation contractors and sub-contractors have access to the information they need. • Fire engineers using drawings with notes to describe the fire protection measures required and their location, rather than written description through reports, as drawings are always easier to read and interpret on a building site.

Example of a non-compliant fire rated seal (to NCC Clause C3.15) within a concrete fire wall. Fire rated plasterboard ‘patch’ incorrectly installed to seal the penetration

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• Fire engineers and project managers including a scope for coordination of the documentation for fire protection measures, which may include architectural, electrical, mechanical and structural documentation. • Fire engineers writing or assisting with the fire mode operation matrix for fire protection systems, to ensure the design of the fire protection measures meets the fire safety engineering report in terms of an integrated operation. • Fire engineers involvement in the development or review of the AS 3745 evacuation management plan. Often an evacuation management plan is not consistent with the operation of the installed fire safety measures. • Contractors and site project managers allowing for inspections of the fire protection measures to occur throughout the construction period, not just towards or at the end of the project.

Example of non-compliant construction for a wall requiring an FRL, with a large unsealed penetration in the wall and a lack of any fire rated sealant to the top of the wall

• Contractors allowing fire engineers or other inspectors to check concealed fire rated structures, fire walls and penetrations seals, before they are closed off behind walls or ceilings.

The above items are just some of the ways that architects, engineers, contractors and project managers can improve the process of fire protection design and installation for safer, functional and more cost-effective buildings. In the end, there is no substitute for the time involved in carrying out inspections at a building site. In turn, all building projects will have better outcomes through the utilisation of regular inspections and planning for the thorough commissioning of systems.

• Contractors and site project managers providing for fire protection measure interoperability testing of systems, so that the installed measures operate consistently with the agreed fire mode matrix. • Fire engineers, contractors and site project managers using the best practice that is documented within Australian Standards, such AS 1851 “Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment” and AS 4072.1 “Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant separating elements - Service penetrations and control joints”

Successful efforts to ensure fire protection measures are properly designed and then correctly installed at the time of completion and handover can only lead to better life safety and asset protection outcomes.

Spreading the word at the 2014 National Construction Code Information Seminars To keep practitioners informed of the changes to the NCC, the ABCB delivered information seminars in all capital cities during February and March. The presentations addressed the 2014 amendments to the BCA, Volumes One and Two, while changes to the Australian Standards referenced in the NCC were covered by Standards Australia.

Overall delegate attendance Australia-wide was again strong in 2014, with sessions selling out in major capitals.

During the morning sessions, practitioners heard about the BCA amendments for 2014, including those for photoluminescent exit signs, smoke alarms and energy efficiency. Stepping-up our awareness raising, during the afternoon session the ABCB, along with the Society for Fire Safety, Engineers Australia, and the Australian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, delivered free additional seminars on Increasing the Use of Performance. Practitioners were informed about the benefits of improving the use of alternative solutions, and how doing so could benefit the Australian economy to the tune of at least $500 million per annum.

To complement our face-to-face awareness raising activities, the ABCB has also produced free webcasts of the Seminars. Featuring separate segments on building, plumbing and the Standards Australia updates, as well as three segments on Increasing the Use of Performance, our on-demand webcast ensures that the ABCB reaches as many practitioners as possible. To view the webcast of the Seminars visit: http://www.webcasts.com.au/ABCB2014_menupage. A PDF version of the 2014 NCC PowerPoint presentations can be viewed on the website at: http://www.abcb.gov.au/en/educationevents-resources/ncc-information-seminars.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an NCC referenced document? State/Territory Act State/Territory Regulations

National Construction Code

Referenced documents

NCC referenced documents support the technical provisions of the NCC. The NCC calls up over 100 referenced documents that contain a detailed means of complying with the requirements of the NCC. These documents demonstrate how a material, a product or an assembly is to be designed, manufactured, tested, or installed to achieve a specific level of performance. Once referenced by the NCC, they become part of the building and plumbing regulatory framework.

the documents developed are appropriate for regulatory use, undergo a consistent and transparent process, and are delivered in a suitable format and drafting style. Additionally, the Protocol is consistent with the Council of Australian Governments bestpractice regulation principles. A copy of the Protocol can be found on the ABCB website under the Education: Events and Resources section â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ABCB Protocols.

Why get involved in the development of NCC Referenced Documents? One of the benefits of NCC referenced documents is that they are developed by the people that use them. Moreover, being involved in the referenced document process allows your ideas and needs to contribute to a process that will affect the Australian building community in the future.

Who can develop NCC Referenced Documents? Development committees are established that have membership that is representative of relevant stakeholders with an interest in or likely to be affected by the proposed NCC referenced document. These committees can be initiated by government bodies, industry associations, professional bodies, standard writing bodies and other stakeholders. Current NCC referenced documents have been developed by Standards Australia, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the National Association of Steel Framed Housing (NASH), the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and others. The ABCB supports the NCC referenced documents process by participating in the development process to ensure that the documents developed are appropriate for regulatory use, and are eligible for consideration for referencing in the NCC.

The ABCB welcomes and encourages organisations to participate in the NCC referenced document process to develop technical solutions that contribute to the safety and health, amenity and sustainability in the design, construction and performance of buildings.

How are NCC Referenced Documents developed? The ABCB policies and processes for preparing documents proposed for referencing in the NCC are set out in the ABCBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Protocol for the Development of NCC Referenced Documents (the Protocol). The objective of the Protocol is to ensure that

For further information on the NCC referenced document process please refer to the Protocol or contact us via the ABCB website.

The Date is Set! Issue 12

The Australian Building Regulation Bulletin

Mark your calendar...

and prepare yourself for the next Building Australia’s Future Conference!

The Australian Building Codes Board is proud to announce their next National Conference to be held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

13 – 16 September 2015

e sure to place this event in your diaries and watch for the registration form in the Summer edition of the Australian Building Regulation Bulletin and on the ABCB Website www.abcb.gov.au

If you would like further information or would like to leave your contact details, please contact us at baf2015@loudevents.com.au or on 07 3200 8299. Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, 13 – 16 September 2015

*The ABCB Conference is subject to change including dates and venues. Further detailed information will be forthcoming over the coming months.

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The Role of Maintenance and the NCC The removal of Section I Maintenance from Volume One of the Building Code of Australia may raise questions for users of the National Construction Code (NCC). The ABCB’s non-mandatory handbook Maintenance of Safety Measures, Equipment and Energy Efficiency Installations may answer some of these questions. The handbook aims to clarify the relationship between the role of maintenance and the NCC, and assist building industry participants in understanding their obligations. Maintenance includes activities such as monitoring, reporting, repair/replacement or testing of ‘building measures’ to ensure these are capable of performing to a standard no less than that which they were originally required to achieve. The objectives of building maintenance – which is simply expressed as ensuring that the NCC Performance Requirements continue to be met beyond the initial approval of a building – have long been recognised by States’ and Territories’ relevant legislation. Maintenance requirements can differ depending on the State or Territory where the building is located, the installed building measures required to be maintained (which can include safety measures, or equipment and energy efficiency installations) and the scope of buildings (classifications) to which these obligations apply. It was the inception of a performance based Building Code of Australia (BCA) in 1996 that brought with it the desire for this objective to be reflected through the inclusion of Performance Requirement IP1.1. Yet it wasn’t until BCA 2004 that Deemed-to-Satisfy (D-t-S) Provisions clarifying ‘what’ needed to be maintained were first identified through Section I. Moreover, prescribing ‘how to maintain’ buildings proved more difficult, as linkages to a number of administrative issues, such as competencies of personnel, monitoring, reporting and auditing of servicing and maintenance systems are matters not considered appropriate for inclusion in the NCC. Therefore, the D-t-S provisions in Section I remained general and led most jurisdictions to replicate or supplement the requirements of Section I.

States’ and Territories’ specific requirements and assist in clarifying the relationship between the NCC and post construction obligations, beyond the initial certification of a building. The handbook outlines standards commonly used for maintenance purposes and while it does not prescribe specific requirements, it provides useful links to States’ and Territories’ relevant legislation, which should be consulted to determine the extent to which these obligations apply. The handbook is available for free download from the ABCB website.

Due to the limited scope for its application, the ABCB decided to remove Maintenance from Volume One of the BCA in 2014 and to coincide with its removal, release a non-mandatory Handbook - Maintenance of Safety Measures, Equipment and Energy Efficiency Installations. The document was developed to recognise the role of 16

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Now we’re LinkedIn! As part of the ABCB’s communications program the official ABCB LinkedIn company page was recently launched. LinkedIn will provide an important connection to the ABCB that will further enhance our communication and awareness channels with industry groups, stakeholders and the broader community.

’Followers’ will be kept up to date with information relating to: • • • • • • •

The new LinkedIn page will act as one of our many platforms to distribute information and updates relating to the NCC and its related products and services.

new NCC products and information; the release of non-mandatory handbooks; ABCB future work programs; public Comment Draft releases; media releases; advance notice of conferences and seminars; and much more!

Currently, Australia has over 5 million users on LinkedIn providing a further platform that will allow the ABCB to engage with followers, collectively or individually, in conversation on topical issues relevant to the building and plumbing industry, while providing a platform for the dissemination of news and information to a wider interactive audience. To follow the ABCB, click the LinkedIn icon located in this article, or search “Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)” in the search field on LinkedIn. You can also be kept up to date with ABCB news and information through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ABCB.NCC.

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helping the ABCB help you

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• Email: abrb@abcb.gov.au Post to: Australian Buiding Codes Board – ABR, GPO Box 9839, CANBERRA ACT 2601

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

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WHAT’S INSIDE

Have your say on draft NCC changes for 2014 The economic benefits of building regulatory reform Standards Australia mid-year stocktake BAF 2013 Conference

ABCB HOME

ONLINE SHOP Dear NCC Subscribers I am pleased to contribute to my first edition of the Australian Building Regulation (ABR) Online.

Since starting at the ABCB in February I have had the opportunity to engage with industry and government to identify key issues and promote an understanding of the Board’s strategic direction. This will enable us to continue to develop codes, standards and regulatory systems at a national level that are proportionate, contemporary and deliver further productivity gains. Having come from a long background in government building regulation and planning policy, I am well aware of many of the current and future challenges, whilst at the same time the importance of consolidating and improving what exists. A good example of this paradox is natural hazard mitigation and the associated effects of climate change. This is a significant issue for all levels of government and we are continuing to work together to address this and other matters through our work program. The recently released Benefits of Building Regulatory Reform report undertaken by the Centre for International Economics quantifies the significant economic benefits (around $1.1b per annum) that the Australian economy is realising from building regulation reform. You can read more about the report and additional productivity opportunities in this edition of the ABR.

CONTACT US Over the coming year, the Board will be pursuing its project on Quantification of Performance requirements. The project will assist in realising the full benefits of the performance-based code whilst addressing concerns about the application of qualitative performance requirements. More information on the quantification of performance project is included in this edition. Major life safety initiatives continue to be addressed and the window barrier and ventilation article from our last hard copy edition proved popular with practitioners. In response we have provided additional information on the application of the window barrier provisions in this edition.

Window barrier and ventilation update

OTHER ARTICLES INCLUDE: National Harmonisation Quantification of NCC requirements (both building and plumbing) Identifying exits with photoluminescence NCC Seminars ABCB student research Scholarship The International Fire Engineering Guidelines – what’s next? Vacuum technology – a sustainablity plumbing solution for new and existing buildings

Connecting with our stakeholders continues to be an important part of our education and awareness raising activities, and the NCC National Awareness Seminars were again well attended. You can read more about the seminars in this edition and for those that couldn’t attend in person, our webcast of the seminars is now available on our website and I encourage you to take a look. Don’t forget our National Conference will take place this year from 15-18 September at the Sofitel Brisbane Central, so if you haven’t registered, you should do so quickly. With our partners being the Master Plumbers’ Association and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, we anticipate a dynamic and interactive event.

ABCB HOME

ONLINE SHOP Dear NCC Subscribers Welcome to the spring edition of the Australian Building Regulation (ABR) Online.

The ABCB has a strong track-record in building regulation reform and is well placed to meet the challenges that are emerging with the renewed emphasis from governments and industry on increased productivity and efficiency. While the ABCB’s mission of life safety, health, amenity and sustainability remains the focus of its work, potential change to the ABCB’s current business model can help support a new reform agenda that will assist industry and contribute to the wider Australian economy. Conceptually, a new tranche of reforms has the potential to consider a number of options to reduce the costs of NCC compliance, whilst assisting in achieving improved outcomes. It could enhance access to and the utility of key tools needed by users of the building and plumbing control systems and assist in further consolidating consistency in regulatory arrangements across and within jurisdictions - essentially adopting the principle of ‘less is more’.

If delivered, the reforms will not only provide productivity dividends but will reduce the overall burden of regulation while delivering better building standards and assisting housing affordability. This is a good news story for all Australians and one that the ABCB will be pursuing with Governments in coming months.

CONTACT US Some of you may have participated in one of our recent practitioner surveys, which invited feedback about the ‘Building Control Supply Chain’. This survey sought information about where opportunities may exist to enhance features of the Supply Chain; a conceptual ‘snapshot’ of the building system and how it’s performing. Although the ABCB does not have any direct control over the majority of the Supply Chain, the Board ultimately intends to facilitate discussions with appropriate institutions to affect positive change. You can read more about the survey in this edition of the ABR. The importance of restricting air infiltration through doors and openable windows is highlighted in the article about building sealing requirements. Open fronted shops, cafes and restaurants are particularly affected, and ensuring that such areas are appropriately sealed will ensure optimal thermal performance as well as being a cost effective and simple measure to help reduce air flow between conditioned and nonconditioned spaces. Our National Building Australia’s Future Conference took place in Brisbane in September and attracted over 430 participants over three days. The new location and added sessions involving plumbing were very well received as was the quality of guest speakers. Find out more about the Conference and other topical issues in this edition of the ABR Online. Finally, the NCC 2014 Public Comment period closed on 1 August and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this process, which helps us ensure the robustness of the Code. Neil Savery, ABCB General Manager

Quantification of NCC Performance Requirements: EV4.1 Emergency Lighting The building control supply chain survey results The building/planning interface for climate adaptation BAF Conference wrap-up Future directions of the NCC – catering for more extreme natural hazards

OTHER ARTICLES INCLUDE: Building sealing requirements and open front shops, cafes and restaurants Standards Australia “spring into action” WaterMark certification scheme review Coming soon… online NCC training CPSISC national training package project update How have housing energy efficiency requirements made a difference?