NCC 2016 Volume One
Search the National Construction Code editions
Part F3 Room Heights (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions)
Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance RequirementFP3.1 is satisfied by complying with—
F3.1; and
for farm sheds, Part H3.
Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A0.7.
To clarify that FP3.1 will be achieved by compliance with and for farm sheds, if applicable.
The height of rooms and other spaces must be not less than—
in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building—
a kitchen, laundry, or the like — 2.1 m; and
a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.1 m; and
a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and
in a room or space with a sloping ceiling or projections below the ceiling line within—
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
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
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
in a Class 5, 6, 7 or 8 building—
a corridor, passageway, or the like — 2.1 m; and
in a Class 9a health-care building—
a patient care area — 2.4 m; and
an operating theatre or delivery room — 3 m; and
a treatment room, clinic, waiting room, passageway, corridor, or the like — 2.4 m; and
in a Class 9b building—
a school classroom or other assembly building or part that accommodates not more than 100 persons — 2.4 m; and
a theatre, public hall or other assembly building or part that accommodates more than 100 persons — 2.7 m; and
a corridor—
that serves an assembly building or part that accommodates not more than 100 persons — 2.4 m; or
that serves an assembly building or part that accommodates more than 100 persons — 2.7 m; and
the number of persons accommodated must be calculated according to D1.13; and
in a Class 9c building—
a kitchen, laundry, or the like — 2.1 m; and
a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.4 m; and
a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and
in any building—
a bathroom, shower room, sanitary compartment, airlock, tea preparation room, pantry, store room, garage, car parking area, or the like — 2.1 m; and
a commercial kitchen — 2.4 m; and
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.
To establish a range of reasonable ceiling heights suitable for particular rooms and spaces.
Generally, the minimum ceiling height has been set at 2.4 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:
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 metresSome 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:
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.