NCC 2019 Volume One
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Part G1 Minor structures and components (DtS)

Part G1 Minor structures and components (DtS)

G1.0 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

(a)

Performance RequirementGP1.1 must be complied with.

Explanatory information

Tas G1.0(b)

(b)

Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements GP1.2 to GP1.5 are satisfied by complying with G1.1 to G1.3.

(c)

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.

Intent

To clarify that:

  • there are no Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for compliance with GP1.1; and
  • compliance with GP1.2–GP1.5 will be achieved if compliance is achieved with G1.1 and G1.3.
No Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for GP1.1

There are no Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for GP1.1. This is because the solution to compliance with GP1.1 will vary considerably from allotment to allotment. This does not alter the fact that compliance must be achieved with GP1.1.

Some options for compliance may be found in Volume Two of the BCA: Part 3.12.

Information on drainage requirements may be obtained from the appropriate authority. The legal discharge point from an allotment is generally determined by the appropriate local government authority.

G1.1 Swimming pools

NSW G1.1(a) and (b)

NT G1.1(a)

Qld G1.1(a)

Vic G1.1(a)

(a)

* * * * *

(b)

A swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm and which is associated with a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building, must have suitable barriers to restrict access by young children to the immediate pool surrounds in accordance with AS 1926.1 and AS 1926.2.

(c)

A water recirculation system in a swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm must comply with AS 1926.3.

ACT Appendix

SA G1.1(d), (e)

Tas G1.1(d)–(h)

Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations

Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations

Part C2 of NCC Volume Three sets out the requirements for pumped discharge from swimming pools.

Intent

To minimise the risk of young children sustaining injury as a result of gaining unsupervised access to a swimming pool.

Swimming pools—access for young children

G1.1(b) indicates that a barrier installed in accordance with AS 1926 Parts 1 and 2—Swimming Pool Safety, will form a suitable barrier to swimming pools associated with a Class 2 or Class 3 building or Class 4 part.

AS 1926 Part 2 provides a number of options for the location of swimming pool safety fencing.

Examples

Examples

Options for the location of safety fencing include:

  • enclose the pool with isolation-safety fencing, separating the pool area from any other part of the allotment and any buildings;
  • separate the pool area from other parts of the allotment, any buildings and neighbouring allotments, with barriers complying with the relevant Australian Standards provisions for safety fencing;
  • if access is provided from the building to an indoor pool area, protect the access door and window openings to the pool area with child-resistant doorsets and child-resistant openable portions of window; and
  • if a window forms part of the safety barrier to a swimming pool, the openable parts of the window must be child-resistant.

The operation of self-closing and latching devices on gates should allow it to close and latch from any position—from resting on the latching mechanism to fully open—in accordance with AS 1926 Part 1.

Water recirculation systems

The BCA definition of swimming pool is specific in including a bathing or wading pool and a spa. The requirements of AS 1926.3 apply to all types of pools defined as swimming pools under the BCA, irrespective of the definition in the Standard.

The swimming pool water recirculation system requirements seek to minimise the risk of entrapment or injury of people using the swimming pool and provide for the safe operation of skimmer boxes and outlet systems.

G1.2 Refrigerated chambers, strong-rooms and vaults

(a)

A refrigerated or cooling chamber, strongroom or vault which is of sufficient size for a person to enter must have—

(i)

a door which is capable of being opened by hand from inside without a key; and

(ii)

internal lighting controlled only by a switch which is located adjacent to the entrance doorway inside the chamber, strongroom or vault; and

(iii)

an indicator lamp positioned outside the chamber, strongroom or vault which is illuminated when the interior lights required by (a)(ii) are switched on; and

(iv)

an alarm that is—

(A)

located outside but controllable only from within the chamber, strongroom or vault; and

(B)

able to achieve a sound pressure level outside the chamber, strongroom or vault of 90 dB(A) when measured 3 m from the sounding device.

(b)

A door required by (a)(i) in a refrigerated or cooling chamber must have a doorway with a clear width of not less than 600 mm and a clear height not less than 1.5 m.

Intent

To maximise the ability of people working in a strongroom, refrigerated chamber, or the like, to escape the room in an emergency.

Accidental locking in small spaces

G1.2(a) specifies the acceptable safety requirements for a cooling chamber, strongroom or vault which people can enter and work within. The door must be operable from the inside without a key (this requirement overrides any corresponding requirements or concessions in Section D). Also, there must be dedicated controls within the chamber, room or vault for internal lighting and an external indicator lamp to indicate the space is in use. Activation of the external indicator lamp can only be by operation of the internal light from within the chamber, room or vault.

G1.2(iii) requires a dedicated alarm to alert people outside that a person is trapped inside. The alarm must achieve the specified sound pressure level, and should be located where it will be noticed. The activation of the alarm must be controlled from within the chamber, room or vault, and must not be connected to an external device which can override the internal alarm controls.

G1.2(b) sets out the minimum door opening with specified dimensions for refrigerated or cooling chamber (the clear width criterion means that the measurements must be taken at the narrowest point of the opening, including any protruding door or door hardware).

G1.3 Outdoor play spaces

(a)

Any outdoor play space in a Class 9b early childhood centre must be enclosed on all sides with a barrier which complies with AS 1926.1.

(b)

For the purposes of (a), AS 1926.1 is applied as if there is a swimming pool located outside the outdoor play space, so that the barrier restricts children from exiting the premises without the knowledge of staff in the centre.

(c)

The requirements of (a) do not apply to a wall, including doors and windows, which form part of the Class 9b early childhood centre.

NSW G1.101

Intent

To safeguard young children in an early childhood centre when playing in an outdoor play space by restricting children from going through, over or under fencing or barriers serving an outdoor play space.

G1.3 specifies requirements for enclosure of an outdoor play space in a Class 9b early childhood centre. The provision requires a barrier to be provided to an outdoor play space.

G1.3(a) sets the requirement to provide a barrier in accordance with AS 1926.1.

G1.3(b) specifies that AS 1926.1 is applied as if there is a swimming pool located outside the outdoor play space. AS 1926.1 is designed to restrict children from gaining access to a swimming pool by enclosing the swimming pool with a barrier. The opposite approach is used when providing a barrier for an outdoor play space associated with a Class 9b early childhood centre where the intent is to restrict children from leaving the enclosed space without the knowledge of centre staff rather than gaining access to it. Therefore, elements of AS 1926.1 that would otherwise apply to the outside of a barrier where it is enclosing a swimming pool are applied to the inside of the barrier to an outdoor play space. Some examples of this include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The gate should swing into the play space in lieu of away from the play space.
  • The non-climbable zone should be located on the inside face of the barrier, not the outside.
  • Where a latch is provided at a height of less than 1500 mm from the finished ground level, the latch should be located on the outside of the gate, not the inside.

G1.3(c) exempts a wall which forms part of an early childhood centre from the requirements of (a). This is because access is still required to and within the play area, for general movement and for the children to access toilet facilities within the early childhood centre.