NCC 2019 Volume One
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Part F3 Room heights (DtS)
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
F3.0 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
(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 A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as 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)
(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)
(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, other than an accessible adult change facility, 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; and
(iv)
a required accessible adult change facility — 2.4 m.
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:
- F3.1(a)(iii) deals with habitable rooms (apart from kitchens) in Class 2 and Class 3 buildings and Class 4 parts;
- F3.1(b)(i) apart from some specified exceptions, in Class 5-8 buildings;
- F3.1(c)(i) and (iii) deals with Class 9a patient-care areas, treatment rooms, clinics, waiting rooms, passageways and corridors;
- F3.1(d)(i) is for school classrooms and smaller assembly buildings;
- F3.1(e)(ii) and (iii) deal with corridors, etc and habitable rooms (apart from kitchens) in Class 9c buildings; and
- F3.1(f)(ii) 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, other than accessible adult change facilities required to comply with Specification F2.9.
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.
Accessible adult change facilities required to comply with Specification F2.9
Unlike other sanitary compartments, where a ceiling height of 2.1 m is acceptable, accessible adult change facilities required to comply with Specification F2.9 include a ceiling-mounted hoist. These hoists require 300 mm additional clearance to avoid the rails or hoist unit (other than the hook) impinging upon the headroom of users.
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.