Ask the VBA by a Victorian Building Authority spokesperson

Ask the VBA

Please email questions for the Victorian Building Authority to editor@designmatters.org.au Q. Is there any planned restructuring of registration classes for building designers?

With builders having varying classes of registration, maybe this needs to extend to building designers - I know it’s more regulation, which I’m sure would have its opposition, but I would hope that it would clear up the responsibilities and scope for those in the industry and also the public. i.e., The practitioners who earn an unlimited registration access a greater scope of work. Likewise, practitioners who wish to only work on small-to-medium density residential can focus the VBA’s resources on that kind of project. Also,

I acknowledge that this is kind of done with the other draftsperson categories, but I feel that is a bit different.

A. We are not aware of any planned work to change the registration of draftspersons.

Proposed changes to the building regulations can be submitted to Victorian

Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP). It is likely DELWP will be considering the Australian

Building Codes Board (ABCB) Building

Confidence National Registration framework recommendations.

Q. Could the VBA establish a code of ethics with regards to the protection of improper use of a building designer’s Registered

Building Practitioner’s numbers when permission has not been sought? This would also include the registered practitioner’s names when it relates to contracts, and other related domesticbuilding documents.

A. Section 169 – 169J of the Building Act 1993 sets out numerous offences that relate to these issues, such as an offence for false representation of possessing registration and the requirement to include the practitioner’s registration number in all advertisements and written statements for domestic building work. Codes of conduct are under consideration for other practitioners following the introduction of the Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors.

Q. I would like to seek clarity regarding VBA

PN2018-55 [PN55] regarding the use of the extension/addition formula. The practice note states that the extension/addition formula can be used as a Performance

Solution to “determine that proposed alterations, including additions achieve the required star rating. The formula set out below is only for use where part of the building is required to have a different star rating to the remainder.” Design Matters National has responded that this formula and assessment method can be used for all extension/additions. Can the VBA acknowledge that this method of assessment is acceptable for all extensions? From my experience, the use of the extension/addition formula as a Performance Solution provides the greatest flexibility in demonstrating compliance and is a more robust assessment. The challenge with DTS (elemental method) is that glazing compliance can be challenging to achieve for extensions/additions even with applying the new glazing performance values to the existing windows as per VBA PN2018-55.

A. The formula within PN55 is essentially an idea for a performance solution that could be used for an alteration/extension to an existing dwelling. A performance solution should be appropriately justified and documented by the designer/consultant for assessment and decision by the relevant building surveyor. The VBA acknowledges that there are issues with the current form of PN55 and is currently working on an updated version.

Q. How do I achieve acceptance with an RBS for an energy rating for an extension to an existing dwelling?

A. The building permit applicant is responsible for demonstrating compliance. Whether a performance solution demonstrates compliance is to be decided by the relevant building surveyor. Where the building permit applicant disagrees with the relevant building surveyor’s decisions, the

Building Appeals Boards exists to hear appeals and disputes. The VBA does not provide performance solutions that are deemed compliant performance solutions that can be applied in all circumstances.

Q. What is the best way to provide an energy rating for an extension to an existing dwelling?

A. To comply with the energy efficiency performance requirements, a performance solution can be developed to demonstrate compliance with performance requirements. Alternatively, adopt the

Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions or a combination of a performance solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy solution. Regulation 233 permits partial compliance in some instances however must be permitted by the relevant building surveyor.