NCC 2016 Volume One
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Classification
Building class 1a Building class 1b Building class 2 Building class 3 Building class 4 Building class 5 Building class 6 Building class 7a Building class 7b Building class 8 Building class 9a Building class 9b Building class 9c Building class 10a Building class 10b Building class 10c

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Classification
Building class 1a Building class 1b Building class 2 Building class 3 Building class 4 Building class 5 Building class 6 Building class 7a Building class 7b Building class 8 Building class 9a Building class 9b Building class 9c Building class 10a Building class 10b Building class 10c
Part F3 Room Heights (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions)

Part F3 Room Heights (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions)

F3.0 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Vic F3.0

(a)

Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance RequirementFP3.1 is satisfied by complying with—

(i)

F3.1; and

(ii)

for farm sheds, Part H3.

(b)

Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A0.7.

Intent

To clarify that FP3.1 will be achieved by compliance with and for farm sheds, if applicable.

F3.1 Height of rooms and other spaces

The height of rooms and other spaces must be not less than—

(a)

in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building—

(i)

a kitchen, laundry, or the like — 2.1 m; and

(ii)

a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.1 m; and

(iii)

a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and

(iv)

in a room or space with a sloping ceiling or projections below the ceiling line within—

(A)

a habitable room—

(aa)

in an attic — a height of not less than 2.2 m for not less than two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and

(bb)

in other rooms — a height of not less than 2.4 m for not less than two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and

(B)

a non-habitable room — a height of not less than 2.1 m for not less than two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and

when calculating the floor area of a room or space, any part that has a ceiling height of less than 1.5 m is not included; and

(b)

in a Class 5, 6, 7 or 8 building—

(i)

except as allowed in (ii) and (f) — 2.4 m; and

(ii)

a corridor, passageway, or the like — 2.1 m; and

(c)

in a Class 9a health-care building—

(i)

a patient care area — 2.4 m; and

(ii)

an operating theatre or delivery room — 3 m; and

(iii)

a treatment room, clinic, waiting room, passageway, corridor, or the like — 2.4 m; and

(d)

in a Class 9b building—

(i)

a school classroom or other assembly building or part that accommodates not more than 100 persons — 2.4 m; and

(ii)

a theatre, public hall or other assembly building or part that accommodates more than 100 persons — 2.7 m; and

(iii)

a corridor—

(A)

that serves an assembly building or part that accommodates not more than 100 persons — 2.4 m; or

(B)

that serves an assembly building or part that accommodates more than 100 persons — 2.7 m; and

(iv)

the number of persons accommodated must be calculated according to D1.13; and

(e)

in a Class 9c building—

(i)

a kitchen, laundry, or the like — 2.1 m; and

(ii)

a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.4 m; and

(iii)

a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and

(f)

in any building—

(i)

a bathroom, shower room, sanitary compartment, airlock, tea preparation room, pantry, store room, garage, car parking area, or the like — 2.1 m; and

(ii)

a commercial kitchen — 2.4 m; and

(iii)

above a stairway, ramp, landing or the like — 2 m measured vertically above the nosing line of stairway treads or the floor surface of the ramp, landing or the like.

Vic F3.101 — F3.103

Intent

To establish a range of reasonable ceiling heights suitable for particular rooms and spaces.

2.4 metres

Generally, the minimum ceiling height has been set at 2.4 metres:

  • deals with habitable rooms (apart from kitchens) in Class 2 and Class 3 buildings and Class 4 parts;
  • apart from some specified exceptions, in Class 5-8 buildings;
  • deals with Class 9a patient-care areas, treatment rooms, clinics, waiting rooms, passageways and corridors;
  • is for school classrooms and smaller assembly buildings;
  • and deal with corridors, etc and habitable rooms (apart from kitchens) in Class 9c buildings; and
  • deals with commercial kitchens.
2.1 metres

A reduced height of 2.1 metres is permitted in areas unlikely to be occupied for long periods, where the reduction from 2.4 metres will not adversely affect occupant safety, health or amenity. Such areas include:

  • kitchens or laundries or the like in Class 2 and Class 3 buildings and Class 4 parts;
  • corridors and passageways or the like in Class 2 and Class 3 buildings and Class 4 parts;
  • corridors and passageways or the like in Class 5-8 buildings; and
  • various bathing facilities, small storage areas, airlocks, garages, carparking facilities, tearooms and the like, which are located in any building.
2.0 metres

A reduced height of 2 metres is permitted above stairways and ramps as these areas are used for transient purposes and therefore a reduction from the required height in corridors and rooms (2.1 and 2.4 metres generally) will not adversely affect occupant safety, health or amenity.

Ceiling heights above 2.4 metres

Some specific use areas require a ceiling height greater than 2.4 metres in recognition of the activities or equipment likely to be used in those areas, such as:

  • operating theatres or delivery rooms which require a ceiling height of three metres to accommodate special lighting fixtures, air monitoring equipment, and medical apparatus; and
  • larger assembly buildings, including corridors where the corridor serves a building or part of a building that accommodates more than 100 persons.
Measurement of height

When measuring the height of a room, allowance should be made for floor finishes such as tiles or carpet to ensure that the minimum ceiling height is achieved.