NCC 2019 Volume Three
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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
Schedule 3 Definitions

Schedule 3 Definitions

Definitions

Note: States and Territories may vary or add to the definitions contained in Schedule 3 at the relevant State or Territory Appendix.

In the NCC unless the contrary intention appears—

Accessiblemeans having features to enable use by people with a disability.
Accesswaymeans a continuous accessible path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into or within a building.
Accredited Testing Laboratorymeans—
  1. an organisation accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to undertake the relevant tests; or
  2. an organisation outside Australia accredited to undertake the relevant tests by an authority recognised by NATA through a mutual recognition agreement; or
  3. an organisation recognised as being an Accredited Testing Laboratory under legislation at the time the test was undertaken.
Activity support levelmeans the degree to which occupants can undertake activities with respect to the likely activity traits and occupant traits.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

This term is used to articulate whether the height of a room or space is sufficient and by what degree. This is achieved by having regard to the room or space's intended use by occupants, through consideration of the defined terms 'activity traits' and 'occupant traits'.

Activity traits, for the purposes of Volume One, means the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a habitable room or space.
Activity traits, for the purposes of Volume Two, means the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a room or space.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

This term is used to describe the characteristics of the activities that will be undertaken in a room or space.

For example, the activities likely to be undertaken in a bedroom, and the associated features are—

  • sleeping — a person laying horizontally; and
  • resting — a person laying horizontally or sitting upright on the bed; and
  • leisure activities, such as reading a book — a person sitting upright on the bed, with enough space to stretch their arms vertically; and
  • dressing/changing clothes — a person standing with enough space to stretch their arms vertically.
Administering bodymeans the body responsible for administering the WaterMark Certification Scheme.
Aged care buildingmeans a Class 9c building for residential accommodation of aged persons who, due to varying degrees of incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with personal care services and 24 hour staff assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency.
Air-conditioning, for the purposes of Section J of Volume One, means a service that actively cools or heats the air within a space, but does not include a service that directly
  1. cools or heats cold or hot rooms; or
  2. maintains specialised conditions for equipment or processes, where this is the main purpose of the service.
Alarm zone, for the purposes of Specification E2.2d of Volume One, means an area of a building protected by one or more smoke alarms connected to one alarm circuit.
Alpine areameans an area given in Figure 1 and in Table 1 for specific locations, and is—
  1. likely to be subject to significant snowfalls; and
  2. in New South Wales, A.C.T. or Victoria more than 1200 m above the Australian Height Datum; and
  3. in Tasmania more than 900 m above the Australian Height Datum.
Figure 1 Alpine areas
gr_sch3_Fig1_2019.svg

Note:

Note:

This map is approximate only and altitude above Australian Height Datum must be used to determine whether the building falls into an Alpine area region.

Table 1 Alpine areas where snow loads are significant

Location

Map identifier

Kiandra (NSW)

1

Mount Kosciuszko (NSW)

2

Perisher Valley (NSW)

3

Thredbo (NSW)

4

Cabramurra (NSW)

5

Charlotte Pass Village (NSW)

6

Diggers Creek (NSW)

7

Guthega Village (NSW)

8

Mount Blue Cow (NSW)

9

Mount Selwyn (NSW)

10

Perisher Range (NSW)

11

Rules Point (NSW)

12

Sawpit Creek (NSW)

13

Smiggin Holes (NSW)

14

Smiggin Range (NSW)

15

Three Mile Dam (NSW)

16

Wilsons Valley (NSW)

17

Falls Creek (Vic.), including Summit Area, Sun Valley and Village Bowl

18

Mount Baw Baw (Vic.)

19

Mount Buffalo (Vic.), including Chalet, Dingo Dell and Tatra

20

Mount Buller (Vic.), including Baldy and Village

21

Mount Hotham (Vic.), including Davenport and Village Centre

22

Dinner Plain (Vic.)

23

Lake Mountain (Vic.)

24

Mount Stirling (Vic.)

25

Ben Lomond Ski Field (Tas.)

26

Cradle Valley (Tas.)

27

Great Lake Area (Tas.)

28

Mount Field Ski Field (Tas.)

29

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

Alpine area are located in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Alpine area are areas 1200 m or more above Australian Height Datum (AHD) for New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, and 900 m or more above AHD for Tasmania, as shown in Figure 1.

Alpine area are considered to receive significant snowfalls (snowfalls that result in an average snow accumulation on the ground of 175 mm or greater). Regions in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria between 600–1200 m AHD are considered to be sub-alpine area and may receive significant snowfalls, however unlike alpine area the snow is unlikely to accumulate.

It is recommended that the appropriate authority be consulted to determine whether the building is located in an alpine area . AS/NZS 1170.3 also contains further detail in the identification of alpine area and the altitude of the alpine regions of Australia.

In the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra is not designated as an alpine area as snow loads are not considered significant.

Alteration, in relation to a building, includes an addition or extension to a building.
Amenitymeans an attribute which contributes to the health, physical independence, comfort and well-being of people.
Ancillary elementmeans an element that is secondary to and not an integral part of another element to which it is attached.
Annual greenhouse gas emissionsmeans the theoretical amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the energy used annually by a building's services, excluding kitchen exhaust and the like.
Appropriate authoritymeans the relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume One see (NSW, Appropriate authority

For Volume Two see (NSW, Appropriate authority)

Appropriate Authority, for the purposes of Schedule 7, means the relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter satisfies the relevant Performance Requirement.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

The Appropriate Authority is typically the building surveyor or building certifier charged with the statutory responsibility to determine building compliance and issue the building permit / approval and occupancy certificate / approval.

Appropriately qualified personmeans a person recognised by the appropriate authority as having qualifications and/or experience in the relevant discipline in question.
Approved disposal systemmeans a system for the disposal of sewage, sullage or stormwater approved by an authority having jurisdiction.
Articulated masonrymeans masonry construction in which special provisions have been made for movement by articulation.
Assembly buildingmeans a building where people may assemble for—
  1. civic, theatrical, social, political or religious purposes including a library, theatre, public hall or place of worship; or
  2. educational purposes in a school, early childhood centre, preschool, or the like; or
  3. entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes including—
    1. a discotheque, nightclub or a bar area of a hotel or motel providing live entertainment or containing a dance floor; or
    2. a cinema; or
    3. a sports stadium, sporting or other club; or
  4. transit purposes including a bus station, railway station, airport or ferry terminal.

    State and Territory variation

    State and Territory variation

    For Volume One see (NSW, Assembly building) and (SA, Assembly building)

Assessment Methodmeans a method that can be used for determining that a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.
Atriummeans a space within a building that connects 2 or more storeys and—
  1. is enclosed at the top by a floor or roof (including a glazed roof structure); and
  2. includes any adjacent part of the building not separated by an appropriate barrier to fire; but
  3. does not include a stairwell, rampwell or the space within a shaft; and
  4. for the purposes of (a) a space is considered enclosed if the area of the enclosing floor or roof is greater than 50% of the area of the space, measured in plan, of any of the storeys connected by the space.
Atrium wellmeans a space in an atrium bounded by the perimeter of the openings in the floors or by the perimeter of the floors and the external walls.
Automaticmeans designed to operate when activated by a heat, smoke or fire sensing device.
Available safe egress time (ASET)means the time between ignition of a fire and the onset of untenable conditions in a specific part of a building. This is the calculated interval between the time of ignition of a fire and the time at which conditions become such that the occupant is unable to take effective action to escape to a place of safety.
Average daylight factormeans the ratio of the illumination level within a room provided by daylight to the level of daylight outside the building during overcast conditions.
Average recurrence interval, applied to rainfall, means the expected or average interval between exceedances for a 5 minute duration rainfall intensity.
Average specific extinction areameans the average specific extinction area for smoke as determined by AS 5637.1.
Backflow prevention devicemeans an air gap, break tank or mechanical device that is designed to prevent the unplanned reversal of flow of water or contaminants into the water service or a Network Utility Operator's water supply.
Backpressuremeans a reversal of water flow caused by the downstream pressure becoming greater than the supply pressure.
Backsiphonagemeans a reversal of flow of water caused by negative pressure in the distributing pipes of a water service or supply.
Backstagemeans a space associated with, and adjacent to, a stage in a Class 9b building for scenery, props, equipment, dressing rooms, or the like.
Battery systemmeans one or more chemical cells connected in series, parallel or a combination of the two for the purpose of electrical energy storage.
Blockagemeans an obstruction within a drainage system.
Boilermeans a vessel or an arrangement of vessels and interconnecting parts, wherein steam or other vapour is generated, or water or other liquid is heated at a pressure above that of the atmosphere, by the application of fire, the products of combustion, electrical power, or similar high temperature means, and—
  1. includes superheaters, reheaters, economisers, boiler piping, supports, mountings, valves, gauges, fittings, controls, the boiler settings and directly associated equipment; but
  2. excludes a fully flooded or pressurised system where water or other liquid is heated to a temperature lower than the normal atmospheric boiling temperature of the liquid.
Burnoutmeans exposure to fire for a time that includes fire growth, full development, and decay in the absence of intervention or automatic suppression, beyond which the fire is no longer a threat to building elements intended to perform loadbearing or fire separation functions, or both.
Breaking surfmeans any area of salt water in which waves break on an average of at least 4 days per week but does not include white caps or choppy water.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

Breaking surf normally occurs in areas exposed to the open sea. Breaking surf does not normally occur in sheltered areas, such as that which occurs around Port Phillip Bay, Sydney Harbour, Swan River, Derwent River and similar locations.

Carparkmeans a building that is used for the parking of motor vehicles but is neither a private garage nor used for the servicing of vehicles, other than washing, cleaning or polishing.
Cavitymeans a void between 2 leaves of masonry, or in masonry veneer construction, a void between a leaf of masonry and the supporting frame.
Cavity wall, for the purposes of FV1.1 in Volume One and V2.2.1 in Volume Two, means a wall that incorporates a drained cavity.
Certificate of Accreditationmeans a certificate issued by a State or Territory accreditation authority stating that the properties and performance of a building material or method of construction or design fulfil specific requirements of the BCA.
Certificate of Conformitymeans a certificate issued under the ABCB scheme for products and systems certification stating that the properties and performance of a building material or method of construction or design fulfil specific requirements of the NCC.
Certification bodymeans a person or organisation operating in the field of material, product, form of construction or design certification that has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAZ-ANZ), and is accredited for a purpose other than as part of the CodeMark Australia Certification Scheme or WaterMark Certification Scheme.
Characteristicmeans the occupant data to be used in the modelling of access solutions which define how an occupant interacts with a building, i.e. occupant movement speeds, turning ability, reach capability, perception of luminance contrast and hearing threshold.
Clad framemeans timber or metal frame construction with exterior timber or sheet wall cladding that is not sensitive to minor movement and includes substructure masonry walls up to 1.5 m high.
Climate zonemeans an area defined in Figure 2 and in Table 2 for specific locations, having energy efficiency provisions based on a range of similar climatic characteristics.
Figure 2 Climate zones for thermal design
gr_sch3_Fig2_2019.svg

Notes:

Notes:
  1. This map can be viewed in enlargeable form on the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au.
  2. A Zone 4 area in South Australia, other than a council area, at an altitude greater than 300 m above the Australian Height Datum is to be considered as Zone 5.

    These areas have been defined in an enlarged format on the following maps produced by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure:

    Adelaide Hills Council Climate Zone Map

    Barossa Council Climate Zone Map

    Regional Council of Goyder Climate Zone Map

    These maps can be viewed on the Government of South Australia website at www.sa.gov.au.

  3. Locations in climate zone 8 are in alpine areas.
Table 2 Climate zones for thermal design—Various locations

Location

Climate zone

Location

Climate zone

Location

Climate zone

Location

Climate zone

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra

7

New South Wales

Albury

4

Byron Bay

2

Lord Howe Island

2

Sydney West

6

Armidale

7

Cobar

4

Moree

4

Tamworth

4

Batemans Bay

6

Coffs Harbour

2

Newcastle

5

Thredbo

8

Bathurst

7

Dubbo

4

Nowra

6

Wagga Wagga

4

Bega

6

Goulburn

7

Orange

7

Williamtown

5

Bellingen Shire - Dorrigo Plateau

7

Grafton

2

Perisher Smiggins

8

Wollongong

5

Bellingen Shire - Valley & seaboard

2

Griffith

4

Port Macquarie

5

Yass

6

Bourke

4

Ivanhoe

4

Sydney East

5

Broken Hill

4

Lismore

2

Northern Territory

Alice Springs

3

Elliot

3

Renner Springs

3

Darwin

1

Katherine

1

Tennant Creek

3

Queensland

Birdsville

3

Gladstone

2

Mount Isa

3

Brisbane

2

Hervey Bay

2

Normanton

1

Townsville

1

Bundaberg

2

Hughenden

3

Rockhampton

2

Warwick

5

Cairns

1

Longreach

3

Roma

3

Weipa

1

Cooktown

1

Mackay

2

Southport

2

Cunnamulla

3

Toowoomba

5

South Australia

Adelaide

5

Kingscote

6

Marree

4

Port Lincoln

5

Bordertown

6

Leigh Creek

5

Mount Gambier

6

Renmark

5

Ceduna

5

Lobethal

6

Murray Bridge

6

Tarcoola

4

Cook

4

Loxton

5

Oodnadatta

4

Victor Harbour

6

Elliston

5

Naracoorte

6

Port Augusta

4

Whyalla

4

Tasmania

Burnie

7

Flinders Island

7

Launceston

7

Rossarden

7

Bicheno

7

Hobart

7

New Norfolk

7

Smithton

7

Deloraine

7

Huonville

7

Oatlands

7

St Marys

7

Devonport

7

King Island

7

Orford

7

Zeehan

7

Victoria

Anglesea

6

Bright

7

Horsham

6

Swan Hill

4

Ararat

7

Colac

6

Melbourne

6

Traralgon

6

Bairnsdale

6

Dandenong

6

Mildura

4

Wangaratta

7

Ballarat

7

Echuca

4

Portland

6

Warrnambool

6

Benalla

6

Geelong

6

Sale

6

Wodonga

6

Bendigo

6

Hamilton

7

Shepparton

4

Western Australia

Albany

6

Cocos Island

1

Kalgoorlie- Boulder

4

Port Hedland

1

Balladonia

4

Derby

1

Karratha

1

Wagin

4

Broome

1

Esperance

5

Meekatharra

4

Wyndham

1

Bunbury

5

Exmouth

1

Northam

4

Carnarvon

3

Geraldton

5

Pemberton

6

Christmas Island

1

Halls Creek

3

Perth

5

Combustiblemeans—
  1. applied to a material — combustible as determined by AS 1530.1; and
  2. applied to construction or part of a building — constructed wholly or in part of combustible materials.
Common wall, for the purposes of Volume One, means a wall that is common to adjoining buildings.
Common wall, for the purposes of Volume Two, means a wall that is common to adjoining buildings other than Class 1 buildings.
Condensationmeans the formation of moisture on the surface of a building element or material as a result of moist air coming into contact with a surface which is at a lower temperature.
Conditioned space, for the purposes of Volume One, means a space within a building, including a ceiling or under-floor supply air plenum or return air plenum, where the environment is likely, by the intended use of the space, to have its temperature controlled by air-conditioning.
Conditioned space, for the purposes of Volume Two, means a space within a building that is heated or cooled by the building’s domestic services, excluding a non-habitable room in which a heater with a capacity of not more than 1.2 kW or 4.3 MJ/hour is installed.
Containment protectionmeans the installation of a backflow prevention device at the point of connection of a Network Utility Operator's water supply to a site.
Contaminantmeans any substance (including gases, liquids, solids or micro-organisms), energy (excluding noise) or heat, that either by itself or in combination with the same, similar or other substances, energy or heat, changes or is likely to change the physical, chemical or biological condition of water.
Construction activity actionsmeans actions due to stacking of building materials or the use of equipment, including cranes and trucks, during construction or actions which may be induced by floor to floor propping.
Controlled fillmeans material that has been placed and compacted in layers with compaction equipment (such as a vibrating plate) within a defined moisture range to a defined density requirement.
Cooling loadmeans the calculated amount of energy removed from the cooled spaces of the building annually by artificial means to maintain the desired temperatures in those spaces.
Critical radiant flux (CRF)means the critical heat flux at extinguishment (CHF in kW/m2) as determined by AS ISO 9239.1.
Cross-connectionmeans any actual or potential connection between a water supply and any contaminant.
Curtain wallmeans a non-loadbearing external wall that is not a panel wall.
Damp-proof course (DPC)means a continuous layer of impervious material placed in a masonry wall or pier, or between a wall or pier and a floor, to prevent the upward or downward migration of water.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisionsmeans provisions which are deemed to satisfy the Performance Requirements.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutionmeans a method of satisfying the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.
Defined flood event(DFE) means the flood event selected for the management of flood hazard for the location of specific development as determined by the appropriate authority.
Defined flood level(DFL) means the flood level associated with a defined flood event relative to a specified datum (see Figure 3).
Figure 3 Identification of defined flood level, flood hazard level and freeboard
gr_sch3_Fig3_2019.svg
Design firemeans the quantitative description of a representation of a fire within the design scenario.
Design scenariomeans the specific scenario of which the sequence of events is quantified and a fire safety engineering analysis is conducted against.
Design wind speedmeans the design gust wind speed for the area where the building is located, calculated in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.2 or AS 4055 (see Table 3 for wind classes).
Table 3 Wind classes

Non-cyclonic Region A and B

Cyclonic Region C and D

N1, N2, N3

C1

N4, N5, N6 (these wind classes are covered by Volume Two Part 3.0, Structural provisions).

C2, C3, C4 (these wind classes are covered by Volume Two Part 3.0, Structural provisions).

Notes:

Notes:
  1. Wind classification map identifying wind regions is contained in Volume Two Part 3.0 (see Figure 3.0.1).
  2. Information on wind classes for particular areas may be available from the appropriate authority.
  3. “N” = non-cyclonic winds and “C” = cyclonic winds.
Designated bushfire prone areameans land which has been designated under a power of legislation as being subject, or likely to be subject, to bushfires.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume One see (NSW, Designated bushfire prone area)

For Volume Two see (NSW, Designated bushfire prone area)

Detention centremeans a building in which persons are securely detained by means of the built structure including a prison, remand centre, juvenile detention centre, holding cells or psychiatric detention centre.
Direct fix cladding wall, for the purposes of FV1.1 in Volume One and V2.2.1 in Volume Two, means a wall with cladding attached directly to the wall framing without the use of a drained cavity.
Discontinuous constructionmeans the following:
  1. A wall having a minimum 20 mm cavity between 2 separate leaves, and—
    1. for masonry, where wall ties are used to connect leaves, the ties are of the resilient type; and
    2. for other than masonry, there is no mechanical linkage between the leaves, except at the periphery.
  2. A staggered stud wall is not deemed to be discontinuous construction.
Display glazingmeans glazing used to display retail goods in a shop or showroom directly adjacent to a walkway or footpath, but not including that used in a café or restaurant.
Domestic servicesmeans the basic engineering systems that use energy or control the use of energy; and—
  1. includes—
    1. heating, air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation and artificial lighting; and
    2. pumps and heaters for swimming pools and spa pools; and
    3. heated water systems; but
  2. excludes cooking facilities and portable appliances.
Drainagemeans any sanitary drainage, liquid trade waste drainage or stormwater drainage system.
Drinking watermeans water intended primarily for human consumption but which has other domestic uses.

Explanatory Information:

Explanatory Information:

See also the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Early childhood centremeans any premises or part thereof providing or intending to provide a centre-based education and care service within the meaning of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Vic), the Education and Care Services National Regulations and centre-based services that are licensed or approved under State and Territory children's services law, but excludes education and care primarily provided to school aged children in outside school hours settings.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume One see (Tas, Early childhood centre) and (Vic, Early childhood centre)

Effective heightmeans the vertical distance between the floor of the lowest storey included in the calculation of rise in storeys and the floor of the topmost storey (excluding the topmost storey if it contains only heating, ventilating, lift or other equipment, water tanks or similar service units).
Electric passenger liftmeans a power-operated lift for raising or lowering people in a car in which the motion of the car is obtained from an electric motor mechanically coupled to the hoisting mechanism.
Electricity network substationmeans a building in which high voltage supply is converted or transformed and which is controlled by a licensed network service provider designated under a power of legislation.
Electrohydraulic passenger liftmeans a power-operated lift for raising or lowering people in a car in which the motion of the car is obtained from the action of liquid under pressure acting on a piston or ram, the pressure being generated by a pump driven by an individual electric motor.
Envelope, for the purposes of Section J in Volume One, means the parts of a building’s fabric that separate a conditioned space or habitable room from—
  1. the exterior of the building; or
  2. a non-conditioned space including—
    1. the floor of a rooftop plant room, lift-machine room or the like; and
    2. the floor above a carpark or warehouse; and
    3. the common wall with a carpark, warehouse or the like.
Envelope, for the purposes of Part 2.6 and Part 3.12 in Volume Two, means the parts of a building’s fabric that separate artificially heated or cooled spaces from—
  1. the exterior of the building; or
  2. other spaces that are not artificially heated or cooled.
Equivalentmeans equivalent to the level of health, safety and amenity provided by the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.
Evacuation routemeans the continuous path of travel (including exits, public corridors and the like) from any part of a building, including within a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part, to a safe place.
Evacuation timemeans the time calculated from when the emergency starts for the occupants of the building to evacuate to a safe place.
Exitmeans—
  1. any, or any combination of the following if they provide egress to a road or open space:
    1. An internal or external stairway.
    2. A ramp.
    3. A fire-isolated passageway.
    4. A doorway opening to a road or open space.
  2. A horizontal exit or a fire-isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit.
Expert Judgementmeans the judgement of an expert who has the qualifications and experience to determine whether a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.

Explanatory Information:

Explanatory Information:

Contemporary and relevant qualifications and/or experience are necessary to determine whether a Performance Solution complies with the Performance Requirements. The level of qualification and/or experience may differ depending on the complexity of the proposal and the requirements of the regulatory authority. Practitioners should seek advice from the authority having jurisdiction or appropriate authority for clarification as to what will be accepted.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume Three see (Tas, Expert Judgement)

External wall, for the purposes of Volume One, means an outer wall of a building which is not a common wall.
External wall, for the purposes of Volume Two, means an outer wall of a building which is not a separating wall.
Extra-low voltagemeans a voltage not exceeding 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC.
Fabricmeans the basic building structural elements and components of a building including the roof, ceilings, walls, glazing and floors.
Farmingmeans—
  1. cultivating, propagating and harvesting plants or fungi or their products or parts, including seeds, spores, bulbs or the like, but does not include forestry; or
  2. maintaining animals in any physical environment for the purposes of—
    1. breeding them; or
    2. selling them; or
    3. acquiring and selling their bodily produce such as milk, wool, eggs or the like; or
  3. a combination of (a), and (b),

    but does not include forestry or maintaining animals for sport or recreational purposes.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume One see (SA, Farming)

Farm buildingmeans a Class 7 or 8 building located on land primarily used for farming—
  1. that is—
    1. used in connection with farming; or
    2. used primarily to store one or more farm vehicles; or
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii); and
      1. in which the total number of persons accommodated at any time does not exceed one person per 200 m² of floor area or part thereof, up to a maximum of 8 persons; and
      2. with a total floor area of not more than 3500 m².

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume One see (SA, Farm building)

Farm shedmeans a single storey Class 7 or 8 building located on land primarily used for farming—
  1. that is—
    1. used in connection with farming; or
    2. used primarily to store one or more farm vehicles; or
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii); and
      1. occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods by people; and
      2. in which the total number of persons accommodated at any time does not exceed 2; and
      3. with a total floor area of more than 500 m² but not more than 2000 m².

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume One see (SA, Farm shed)

Farm vehiclemeans a vehicle used in connection with farming.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume One see (SA, Farm vehicle)

Finished ground level, for the purposes of Part 3.2 in Volume Two, means the ground level adjacent to footing systems at the completion of construction and landscaping.
Fire brigademeans a statutory authority constituted under an Act of Parliament having as one of its functions, the protection of life and property from fire and other emergencies.
Fire brigade stationfor the purposes of E1.3(a)(ii) and H3.9 in Volume One, means a state or territory government operated premises which is a station for a fire brigade.
Fire compartmentmeans—
  1. the total space of a building; or
  2. when referred to in—
    1. the Performance Requirements — any part of a building separated from the remainder by barriers to fire such as walls and/or floors having an appropriate resistance to the spread of fire with any openings adequately protected; or
    2. the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions — any part of a building separated from the remainder by walls and/or floors each having an FRL not less than that required for a fire wall for that type of construction and where all openings in the separating construction are protected in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the relevant Part.
Fire growthmeans the stage of fire development during which the heat release rate and the temperature of the fire are generally increasing.
Fire hazardmeans the danger in terms of potential harm and degree of exposure arising from the start and spread of fire and the smoke and gases that are thereby generated.
Fire hazard propertiesmeans the following properties of a material or assembly that indicate how they behave under specific fire test conditions:
  1. Average specific extinction area, critical radiant flux and Flammability Index, determined as defined in Schedule 3.
  2. Smoke-Developed Index, smoke development rate and Spread-of-Flame Index, determined in accordance with Schedule 6.
  3. Group number and smoke growth rate index (SMOGRARC), determined in accordance with Specfication C1.10 of Volume One.
Fire intensitymeans the rate of release of calorific energy in watts, determined either theoretically or empirically, as applicable.
Fire-isolated passagewaymeans a corridor, hallway or the like, of fire-resisting construction, which provides egress to or from a fire-isolated stairway or fire-isolated ramp or to a road or open space.
Fire-isolated rampmeans a ramp within a fire-resisting enclosure which provides egress from a storey.
Fire-isolated stairwaymeans a stairway within a fire-resisting shaft and includes the floor and roof or top enclosing structure.
Fire loadmeans the sum of the net calorific values of the combustible contents which can reasonably be expected to burn within a fire compartment, including furnishings, built-in and removable materials, and building elements. The calorific values must be determined at the ambient moisture content or humidity. (The unit of measurement is MJ.)
Fire-protected timbermeans fire-resisting timber building elements that comply with Volume One Specification C1.13a.
Fire-protective coveringmeans—
  1. 13 mm fire-protective grade plasterboard; or
  2. 12 mm cellulose cement flat sheeting complying with AS/NZS 2908.2 or ISO 8336; or
  3. 12 mm fibrous plaster reinforced with 13 mm x 13 mm x 0.7 mm galvanised steel wire mesh located not more than 6 mm from the exposed face; or
  4. other material not less fire-protective than 13 mm fire-protective grade plasterboard, fixed in accordance with the normal trade practice for a fire-protective covering.
Fire-resistance level (FRL)means the grading periods in minutes determined in accordance with Schedule 5, for the following criteria—
  1. structural adequacy; and
  2. integrity; and
  3. insulation,

    and expressed in that order.

    Note

    Note

    A dash means that there is no requirement for that criterion. For example, 90/–/– means there is no requirement for an FRL for integrity and insulation, and –/–/– means there is no requirement for an FRL.

Fire-resisting, for the purposes of Volume One, applied to a building element, means having an FRL appropriate for that element.
Fire-resisting, for the purposes of Volume Two, applied to a structural member or other part of a building, means having the FRL required for that structural member or other part.
Fire-resisting construction, for the purposes of Volume One, means one of the Types of construction referred to in Part C1 of Volume One.
Fire safety engineeringmeans application of engineering principles, rules and expert judgement based on a scientific appreciation of the fire phenomenon, often using specific design scenarios, of the effects of fire and of the reaction and behaviour of people in order to—
  1. save life, protect property and preserve the environment and heritage from destructive fire; and
  2. quantify the hazards and risk of fire and its effects; and
  3. mitigate fire damage by proper design, construction, arrangement and use of buildings, materials, structures, industrial processes and transportation systems; and
  4. evaluate analytically the optimum protective and preventive measures, including design, installation and maintenance of active and passive fire and life safety systems, necessary to limit, within prescribed levels, the consequences of fire.
Fire safety systemmeans one or any combination of the methods used in a building to
  1. warn people of an emergency; or
  2. provide for safe evacuation; or
  3. restrict the spread of fire; or
  4. extinguish a fire,

    and includes both active and passive systems.

Fire-source featuremeans—
  1. the far boundary of a road, river, lake or the like adjoining the allotment; or
  2. a side or rear boundary of the allotment; or
  3. an external wall of another building on the allotment which is not a Class 10 building.
Fire wallmeans a wall with an appropriate resistance to the spread of fire that divides a storey or building into fire compartments.
Fixed wired, for the purposes of Specification E2.2d in Volume One, means a system of electrical wiring (either AC or DC), in which cables are fixed or supported in position.
Flammability Indexmeans the index number as determined by AS 1530.2.
Flashingmeans a strip or sleeve of impervious material dressed, fitted or built-in to provide a barrier to moisture movement, or to divert the travel of moisture, or to cover a joint where water would otherwise penetrate to the interior of a building.
Flashover, in relation to fire hazard properties, means a heat release rate of 1 MW.
Flight, means that part of a stair that has a continuous series of risers, including risers of winders, not interrupted by a landing or floor (for Volume Two, see Figure 4).

Explanatory information for Volume Two:

Explanatory information for Volume Two:

A flight is the part of a stair that has a continuous slope created by the nosing line of treads. The length of a flight is limited to restrict the distance a person could fall down a stair. Quarter landings, as shown in Figure 4, are considered sufficient to halt a person’s fall and therefore are considered for the purposes of Volume Two not to be part of the flight.

Figure 4 Identification of stair flights - Plan view
gr_sch3_Fig4_2019.svg
Flood hazard areameans the site (whether or not mapped) encompassing land lower than the flood hazard level which has been determined by the appropriate authority.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume One see (Vic, Flood hazard area)

For Volume Two see (Vic, Flood hazard area)

Flood hazard level(FHL) means the flood level used to determine the height of floors in a building and represents the defined flood level plus the freeboard (see Figure 3).
Floor area, for the purposes of Volume One, means—
  1. in relation to a building — the total area of all storeys; and
  2. in relation to a storey — the area of all floors of that storey measured over the enclosing walls, and includes—
    1. the area of a mezzanine within the storey, measured within the finished surfaces of any external walls; and
    2. the area occupied by any internal wall or partitions, any cupboard, or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting; and
    3. if there is no enclosing wall, an area which has a use that—
      1. contributes to the fire load; or
      2. impacts on the safety, health or amenity of the occupants in relation to the provisions of the BCA; and
  3. in relation to a room — the area of the room measured within the finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting; and
  4. in relation to a fire compartment — the total area of all floors within the fire compartment measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction, and if there is no bounding construction, includes an area which has a use which contributes to the fire load; and
  5. in relation to an atrium — the total area of all floors within the atrium measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction and if no bounding construction, within the external walls.
Floor area, for the purposes of Volume Two, means in relation to a room, the area of the room measured within the finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting (see Figure 5).
Figure 5 Identification of floor area of a room
gr_sch3_Fig5_2019.svg
Foundationmeans the ground which supports the building (see Figure 6).
Figure 6 Identification of foundation
gr_sch3_Fig6_2019.svg
Fractional effective dose (FED)means the fraction of the dose (of thermal effects) that would render a person of average susceptibility incapable of escape.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

The definition for FED has been modified from the ISO definition to be made specific for Schedule 7. The use of CO or CO2 as part of FED is not part of that Verification Method. This is because the ability to measure CO in a repeatable test varies by two orders of magnitude for common cellosic fuel.

Freeboardmeans the height above the defined flood level as determined by the appropriate authority, used to compensate for effects such as wave action and localised hydraulic behaviour.

State and Territory variations

State and Territory variations

For Volume One see (Vic, Freeboard)

For Volume Two see (Vic, Freeboard)

Fully developed firemeans the state of total involvement of the majority of available combustible materials in a fire.
Glazing, for the purposes of Section J in Volume One, means a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the envelope, and includes a window other than a roof light.
Glazing, for the purposes of Part 2.6 and Part 3.12 in Volume Two, means a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the external fabric of the building, and includes a window other than a roof light.
Green Starmeans the building sustainability rating scheme managed by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Goingmeans the horizontal dimension from the front to the back of a tread less any overhang from the next tread or landing above (see Figure 3.9.1.4).
Group numbermeans the number of one of 4 groups of materials used in the regulation of fire hazard properties and applied to materials used as a finish, surface, lining, or attachment to a wall or ceiling.
Habitable roommeans a room used for normal domestic activities, and—
  1. includes a bedroom, living room, lounge room, music room, television room, kitchen, dining room, sewing room, study, playroom, family room, home theatre and sunroom; but
  2. excludes a bathroom, laundry, water closet, pantry, walk-in wardrobe, corridor, hallway, lobby, photographic darkroom, clothes-drying room, and other spaces of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.
Hazard Ratingmeans a rating of either Low Hazard, Medium Hazard or High Hazard determined in accordance with Specification B5.1 in Volume Three, for any Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.
Health-care buildingmeans a building whose occupants or patients undergoing medical treatment generally need physical assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency and includes—
  1. a public or private hospital; or
  2. a nursing home or similar facility for sick or disabled persons needing full-time care; or
  3. a clinic, day surgery or procedure unit where the effects of the predominant treatment administered involve patients becoming non-ambulatory and requiring supervised medical care on the premises for some time after the treatment.
Heated watermeans water that has been intentionally heated. It is normally referred to as hot water or warm water.
Heating loadmeans the calculated amount of energy delivered to the heated spaces of the building annually by artificial means to maintain the desired temperatures in those spaces.
Heat releasemeans the thermal energy produced by combustion (kJ).
Heat release rate (HRR)means the rate of thermal energy production generated by combustion (kW (preferred) or MW).
High Hazardmeans any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to cause death.
High wind areameans a region that is subject to design wind speed more than N3 or C1 (see Table 3).
Horizontal exitmeans a required doorway between 2 parts of a building separated from each other by a fire wall.
Hours of operationmeans the number of hours when the occupancy of the building is greater than 20% of the peak occupancy.
House energy rating software, for the purposes of Volume One, means software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
House energy rating software, for the purposes of Volume Two—
  1. applied to V2.6.2.2—means software accredited or previously accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme and the additional functionality provided in non-regulatory mode; and
  2. applied to 3.12.0.1—means software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) refers to the Australian governments' scheme that facilitates consistent energy ratings from software tools which are used to assess the potential thermal efficiency of dwelling envelopes.

Housing Provisionsmeans the requirements for Class 1 and 10 buildings contained in Volume Two of the National Construction Code as published by the Australian Building Codes Board.
Illuminancemeans the luminous flux falling onto a unit area of surface.
Illumination power density(W/m2) means the total of the power that will be consumed by the lights in a space, including any lamps, ballasts, current regulators and control devices other than those that are plugged into socket outlets for intermittent use such as floor standing lamps, desk lamps or work station lamps, divided by the area of the space.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:
  • Illumination power density relates to the power consumed by the lighting system and includes the light source or luminaire and any control device. The power for the lighting system is the illumination power load. This approach is more complicated than the lamp power density approach but provides more flexibility for a dwelling with sophisticated control systems.
  • The area of the space refers to the area the lights serve. This could be considered a single room, open plan space, verandah, balcony or the like, or the total area of all these spaces.
Inclined liftmeans a power-operated device for raising or lowering people within a carriage that has one or more rigid guides on an inclined plane.
Individual protectionmeans the installation of a backflow prevention device at the point where a water service connects to a single fixture or appliance.
Insulation, in relation to an FRL, means the ability to maintain a temperature on the surface not exposed to the furnace below the limits specified in AS 1530.4.
Integrity, in relation to an FRL, means the ability to resist the passage of flames and hot gases specified in AS 1530.4.
Internal wall, for the purposes of Volume One, excludes a common wall or a party wall.
Internal wall, for the purposes of Volume Two, excludes a separating wall, common wall or party wall.
Interstitial condensationmeans the condensation of moisture on surfaces between material layers inside the building component.
JAS-ANZmeans the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.
Lamp power density(W/m2) means the total of the maximum power rating of the lamps in a space, other than those that are plugged into socket outlets for intermittent use such as floor standing lamps, desk lamps or work station lamps, divided by the area of the space.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:
  • Lamp power density is a simple means of setting energy consumption at an efficient level for Class 1 and associated Class 10a buildings.
  • Lamp refers to the globe or globes that are to be installed in a permanently wired light fitting. The maximum power of a lamp is usually marked on the fitting as the maximum allowable wattage.
  • The area of the space refers to the area the lights serve. This could be considered a single room, open plan space, verandah, balcony or the like, or the total area of all these spaces.
Landingmeans an area at the top or bottom of a flight or between two flights.
Latent heat gainmeans the heat gained by the vapourising of liquid without change of temperature.
Lightweight constructionmeans construction which incorporates or comprises—
  1. sheet or board material, plaster, render, sprayed application, or other material similarly susceptible to damage by impact, pressure or abrasion; or
  2. concrete and concrete products containing pumice, perlite, vermiculite, or other soft material similarly susceptible to damage by impact, pressure or abrasion; or
  3. masonry having a width of less than 70 mm.
Loadbearingmeans intended to resist vertical forces additional to those due to its own weight.
Loadbearing wall, for the purposes of Part 3.2 in Volume Two, means any wall imposing on the footing a load greater than 10 kN/m.
Lossmeans either: physical damage, financial loss or loss of amenity.
Low Hazardmeans any condition, device of practice which, in connection with a water supply, would constitute a nuisance by colour, odour or taste but does not have the potential to injure or endanger health.
Low rainfall intensity areameans an area with a 5 minute rainfall intensity for an average recurrence interval of 20 years of not more than 125 mm/hour.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

Rainfall intensity figures can be obtained from Tables 3.5.3.1a to 3.5.3.1h in Volume Two

Low-rise, low-speed constant pressure liftmeans a power-operated low-rise, low-speed device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a carriage that is controlled by the application of constant pressure to a control.
Low-rise platform liftmeans a power-operated device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a platform, that is controlled automatically or by the application of constant pressure to a control.
Low voltagemeans a voltage exceeding extra-low voltage, but not exceeding 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC.
Luminance contrastmeans the light reflected from one surface or component, compared to the light reflected from another surface or component.
Massive timbermeans an element not less than 75 mm thick as measured in each direction formed from solid and laminated timber.
Medium Hazardmeans any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to injure or endanger health.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)means the Minimum Energy Performance Standards for equipment and appliances established through the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.
Mixed constructionmeans a building consisting of more than one form of construction, particularly in double-storey buildings.
Mezzaninemeans an intermediate floor within a room.
Mouldmeans a fungal growth that can be produced from conditions such as dampness, darkness, or poor ventilation.
NABERS Energy for Officesmeans the National Australia Built Environment Rating Systems for office energy efficiency, which is managed by the New South Wales Government.
Network Utility Operatormeans a person who—
  1. undertakes the piped distribution of drinking water or non-drinking water for supply; or
  2. is the operator of a sewerage system or a stormwater drainage system.

    Explanatory information:

    Explanatory information:

    A Network Utility Operator in most States and Territories is the water and sewerage authority licensed to supply water and receive sewage and/or stormwater. The authority operates or proposes to operate a network that undertakes the distribution of water for supply and undertakes to receive sewage and/or stormwater drainage. This authority may be a licensed utility, local government body or council.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume Three see (Tas, Network Utility Operator)

Non-combustiblemeans—
  1. applied to a material — not deemed combustible as determined by AS 1530.1 — Combustibility Tests for Materials; and
  2. applied to construction or part of a building — constructed wholly of materials that are not deemed combustible.
Non-drinking watermeans water which is not drinking water.
Occupant traits, for the purposes of Volume One, means the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a habitable room or space.
Occupant traits, for the purposes of Volume Two, means the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a room or space.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

This term is used to describe the characteristics of the occupants and their associated requirements in relation to a room or space.

For example, in relation to a bedroom, the following occupant characteristics and associated requirements should be considered:

  • Characteristics: height, mobility and how often the space will be used.
  • Requirements: a sleeping space and a space to undertake leisure activities.
Occupiable outdoor areameans a space on a roof, balcony or similar part of a building—
  1. that is open to the sky; and
  2. to which access is provided, other than access only for maintenance; and
  3. that is not open space or directly connected with open space.
On-site wastewater management systemmeans a system installed on premises that receives and/or treats wastewater generated on the premises and applies the resulting effluent to an approved disposal system or re-use system.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume Three see (Tas, On-site wastewater management system)

Open-deck carparkmeans a carpark in which all parts of the parking storeys are cross-ventilated by permanent unobstructed openings in not fewer than 2 opposite or approximately opposite sides, and—
  1. each side that provides ventilation is not less than 1/6 of the area of any other side; and
  2. the openings are not less than ½ of the wall area of the side concerned.
Open spacemeans a space on the allotment, or a roof or similar part of a building adequately protected from fire, open to the sky and connected directly with a public road.
Open spectator standmeans a tiered stand substantially open at the front.
Other propertymeans all or any of the following—
  1. any building on the same or an adjoining allotment; and
  2. any adjoining allotment; and
  3. a road.
Outdoor airmeans air outside the building.
Outdoor air economy cycleis a mode of operation of an air-conditioning system that, when the outdoor air thermodynamic properties are favourable, increases the quantity of outdoor air used to condition the space.
Outfallmeans that part of the disposal system receiving surface water from the drainage system and may include a natural water course, kerb and channel, or soakage system.
Overflow devicesmeans a device that provides relief to a water service, sanitary plumbing and drainage system, rainwater harvesting system or stormwater system to avoid the likelihood of uncontrolled discharge.
Panel wallmeans a non-loadbearing external wall, in frame or similar construction, that is wholly supported at each storey.
Patient care areameans a part of a health-care building normally used for the treatment, care, accommodation, recreation, dining and holding of patients including a ward area and treatment area.
Performance-based design brief (PBDB), for the purposes of Schedule 7, means the process and the associated report that defines the scope of work for the performance-based fire safety engineering analysis and the technical basis for analysis as agreed by stakeholders.
Performance Requirementmeans a requirement which states the level of performance which a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution must meet.
Performance Solutionmeans a method of complying with the Performance Requirements other than by a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.
Perimeter of building, for the purposes of Part 3.6 in Volume Two, means the external envelope of a building.
Personal care servicesmeans any of the following:
  1. The provision of nursing care.
  2. Assistance or supervision in—
    1. bathing, showering or personal hygiene; or
    2. toileting or continence management; or
    3. dressing or undressing; or
    4. consuming food.
  3. The provision of direct physical assistance to a person with mobility problems.
  4. The management of medication.
  5. The provision of substantial rehabilitative or development assistance.
Piping, for the purposes of Section J in Volume One or Part 3.12 in Volume Two, means an assembly of pipes, with or without valves or other fittings, connected together for the conveyance of liquids and gases.
Pliable building membrane means a water barrier as classified by AS/NZS 4200.1.
Plumbingmeans any water plumbing, roof plumbing, sanitary plumbing system or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning plumbing.
Plumbing or Drainage Solutionmeans a solution which complies with the Performance Requirements and is a—
  1. Performance Solution; or
  2. Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution; or
  3. combination of (a) and (b).
Point of connection—
  1. for a heated water service means the point where the water heater connects to the cold water service downstream of the isolation valve; and
  2. for sewage disposal means the point where the on-site drainage system connects to the Network Utility Operator's sewerage system or to an on-site wastewater management system; and
  3. for stormwater disposal means the point where the on-site drainage system connects to the Network Utility Operator's stormwater system or to an approved disposal system; and
  4. for a water service means the point where the service pipe within the premises connects to the Network Utility Operator's property service or to an alternative water supply system.
Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)means the Predicted Mean Vote of the thermal perception of building occupants determined in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55.
Pressure vesselmeans a vessel subject to internal or external pressure. It includes interconnected parts and components, valves, gauges and other fittings up to the first point of connection to connecting piping, and—
  1. includes fire heaters and gas cylinders; but
  2. excludes—
    1. any vessel that falls within the definition of a boiler; and
    2. storage tanks and equipment tanks intended for storing liquids where the pressure at the top of the tank is not exceeding 1.4 kPa above or 0.06 kPa below atmospheric pressure; and
    3. domestic-type hot water supply heaters and tanks; and
    4. pressure vessels installed for the purposes of fire suppression or which serve a fire suppression system.
Primary building element, for the purposes of Volume One, means a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the loads specified in B1.2 and includes roof, ceiling, floor, stairway or ramp and wall framing members including bracing members designed for the specific purpose of acting as a brace to those members.
Primary building element, for the purposes of Part 3.1.4 in Volume Two, means a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the building loads and includes roof, ceiling, floor, stairway or ramp and wall framing members including bracing members designed for the specific purpose of acting as a brace to those members.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

The loads to which a building may be subjected are dead, live, wind, snow and earthquake loads. Further information on building loads can be found in the AS 1170 series of Standards.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume Two see (Qld, Primary building element)

Private bushfire sheltermeans a structure associated with, but not attached to, or part of a Class 1a dwelling that may, as a last resort, provide shelter for occupants from immediate life threatening effects of a bushfire.
Private garage, for the purposes of Volume One, means—
  1. any garage associated with a Class 1 building; or
  2. any single storey of a building of another Class containing not more than 3 vehicle spaces, if there is only one such storey in the building; or
  3. any separate single storey garage associated with another building where such garage contains not more than 3 vehicle spaces.
Private garage, for the purposes of Volume Two, means—
  1. any garage associated with a Class 1 building; or
  2. any separate single storey garage associated with another building where such garage contains not more than 3 vehicle spaces.
Productmeans plumbing and drainage items within the scope of the PCA including but not limited to:
  1. Materials, fixtures and components used in a plumbing or drainage installation.
  2. Appliances and equipment connected to a plumbing or drainage system.
Product Technical Statementmeans a form of documentary evidence stating that the properties and performance of a building material, product or form of construction fulfil specific requirements of the NCC, and describes—
  1. the application and intended use of the building material, product or form of construction: and
  2. how the use of the building material, product or form of construction complies with the requirements of the NCC Volume One and Volume Two; and
  3. any limitations and conditions of the use of the building material, product or form of construction relevant to (b).
Professional engineermeans a person who is—
  1. if legislation is applicable — a registered professional engineer in the relevant discipline who has appropriate experience and competence in the relevant field; or
  2. if legislation is not applicable—
    1. registered in the relevant discipline on the National Engineering Register (NER) of the Institution of Engineers Australia (which trades as 'Engineers Australia'); or
    2. eligible to become registered on the Institution of Engineers Australia's NER and has appropriate experience and competence in the relevant field.

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

For Volume Three see (Tas, Professional engineer)

Public corridormeans an enclosed corridor, hallway or the like which—
  1. serves as a means of egress from 2 or more sole-occupancy units to a requiredexit from the storey concerned; or
  2. is required to be provided as a means of egress from any part of a storey to a requiredexit.
R-Value(m2.K/W) means the thermal resistance of a component calculated by dividing its thickness by its thermal conductivity.
Rapid roller doormeans a door that opens and closes at a speed of not less than 0.5 m/s.
Rainwater harvesting systemmeans a plumbing installation that comprises—
  1. any plumbing that connects a rainwater tank to any drinking water or non-drinking water outlets; and
  2. any top-up line that conveys drinking water from a Network Utility Operator's water supply to a rainwater tank.
Recognised expertmeans a person with qualifications and experience in the area of plumbing or drainage in question recognised by the authority having jurisdiction.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

A recognised expert is a person recognised by the authority having jurisdiction as qualified to provide evidence under A5.3(5). Generally, this means a hydraulic consultant or engineer, however the specific requirements are determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Under A5.3(5), a report from a recognised expert may be used as evidence of suitability that a product listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Excluded Products, or a plumbing or drainage system, complies with a Performance Requirement or Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision.

State and Territory variation

State and Territory variation

For Volume Three see (Tas, Recognised expert)

Reference building, for the purposes of Volume One, means a hypothetical building that is used to calculate the maximum allowable annual greenhouse gas emissions and determine the Thermal comfort level for the proposed building.
Reference building, for the purposes of Volume Two, means a hypothetical building that is used to determine the maximum allowable heating load and cooling load for the proposed building.
Reflective insulationmeans a building membrane with a reflective surface such as a reflective foil laminate, reflective barrier, foil batt or the like capable of reducing radiant heat flow.

Explanatory information for Volume Two:

Explanatory information for Volume Two:
  1. Typical R-Values achieved by adding reflective insulation are given in the explanatory information accompanying Figures 3.12.1.1, 3.12.1.3 and 3.12.1.4. Information on specific products may be obtained from reflective insulation manufacturers.
  2. The surface of reflective insulation may be described in terms of its emittance (or infra-red emittance) or in terms of its reflectance (or solar reflectance). Generally, for the surface of a particular reflective insulation –
  3. emittance + reflectance = 1.
  4. Some types of reflective insulation may also serve the purposes of waterproofing or vapour proofing.
Regulated energymeans the energy consumed by a building's services minus the amount of renewable energy generated and used on site.
Reinforced masonrymeans masonry reinforced with steel reinforcement that is placed in a bed joint or grouted into a core to strengthen the masonry.
Renewable energymeans energy that is derived from sources that are regenerated, replenished, or for all practical purposes cannot be depleted and the energy sources include, but are not limited to, solar, wind, hydroelectric, wave action and geothermal.
Requiredmeans required to satisfy a Performance Requirement or a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision of the NCC as appropriate.
Required safe egress time (RSET)means the time required for safe evacuation of occupants to a place of safety prior to the onset of untenable conditions.
Residential aged care buildingmeans a Class 3 or 9a building whose residents, due to their incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency.
Residential care buildingmeans a Class 3, 9a or 9c building which is a place of residence where 10% or more of persons who reside there need physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency (including any aged care building or residential aged care building) but does not include a hospital.
Resident use areameans part of a Class 9c building normally used by residents, and—
  1. includes sole-occupancy units, lounges, dining areas, activity rooms and the like; but
  2. excludes offices, storage areas, commercial kitchens, commercial laundries and other spaces not for the use of residents.
Resistance to the incipient spread of fire, in relation to a ceiling membrane, means the ability of the membrane to insulate the space between the ceiling and roof, or ceiling and floor above, so as to limit the temperature rise of materials in this space to a level which will not permit the rapid and general spread of fire throughout the space.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

Resistance to the incipient spread of fire refers to the ability of a ceiling to prevent the spread of fire and thermally insulate the space between the ceiling and the roof or floor above. "Resistance to the incipient spread of fire" is superior to "fire-resistance" because it requires a higher standard of heat insulation.

The definition is used in Volume Two for separating floors/ceilings for a Class 1a dwelling located above a non-appurtenant private garage.

Rise in storeysmeans the greatest number of storeys calculated in accordance with C1.2 of Volume One.
Risermeans the height between consecutive treads and between each landing and continuous tread.
Roof light, for the purposes of Section J and Part F4 in Volume One, and Parts 2.6, 3.8.4 and Part 3.12 in Volume Two, means a skylight, window or the like installed in a roof—
  1. to permit natural light to enter the room below; and
  2. at an angle between 0 and 70 degrees measured from the horizontal plane.
Rolled fillmeans material placed in layers and compacted by repeated rolling by an excavator.
Safe placemeans—
  1. a place of safety within a building—
    1. which is not under threat from a fire; and
    2. from which people must be able to safely disperse after escaping the effects of an emergency to a road or open space; or
  2. a road or open space.
Sanitary compartmentmeans a room or space containing a closet pan or urinal (see Figure 7).
Figure 7 Identification of a sanitary compartment
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Sarking-type materialmeans a material such as a reflective insulation or other flexible membrane of a type normally used for a purpose such as waterproofing, vapour management or thermal reflectance.
Schoolincludes a primary or secondary school, college, university or similar educational establishment.
Self-closing, for the purposes of Volume One, applied to a door, means equipped with a device which returns the door to the fully closed position immediately after each opening.
Self-closing, for the purposes of Volume Two, applied to a door or window, means equipped with a device which returns the door or window to the fully closed and latched position immediately after each manual opening.
Sensible heat gainmeans the heat gained which causes a change in temperature
Separating elementmeans a barrier that exhibits fire integrity, structural adequacy, insulation, or a combination of these for a period of time under specified conditions (often in accordance with AS 1530.4).
Separating wallmeans a wall that is common to adjoining Class 1 buildings (see Figure 8).
Figure 8 Separating wall
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Note:

Note:

In Volume Two may also be known as a party wall and typically is required to be fire-resisting construction (see Parts 3.7.2 and 3.7.3)

Service, for the purposes of Section J in Volume One, means a mechanical or electrical system that uses energy to provide air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation, heated water supply, artificial lighting, vertical transport and the like within a building, but which does not include—
  1. systems used solely for emergency purposes; and
  2. cooking facilities; and
  3. portable appliances.
Service stationmeans a garage which is not a private garage and is for the servicing of vehicles, other than only washing, cleaning or polishing.
Shaftmeans the walls and other parts of a building bounding—
  1. a well, other than an atrium well; or
  2. a vertical chute, duct or similar passage, but not a chimney or flue.
Shower areameans the area affected by water from a shower, including a shower over a bath.
Single leaf masonrymeans outer walls constructed with a single thickness of masonry unit.
Sitemeans the part of the allotment of land on which a building stands or is to be erected.
Siteworkmeans work on or around a site, including earthworks, preparatory to or associated with the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building.
Small-scale Technology Certificatemeans a certificate issued under the Commonwealth Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Small-sized, low-speed automatic liftmeans a restricted use power-operated device for the infrequent raising or lowering of people with limited mobility on a platform that is controlled automatically but has the capability of being electrically isolated by a key-lockable control.
Smoke-and-heat ventmeans a vent, located in or near the roof for smoke and hot gases to escape if there is a fire in the building.
Smoke-Developed Indexmeans the index number for smoke as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.
Smoke development ratemeans the development rate for smoke as determined by testing flooring materials in accordance with AS ISO 9239.1.
Smoke growth rate index(SMOGRARC) means the index number for smoke used in the regulation of fire hazard properties and applied to materials used as a finish, surface, lining or attachment to a wall or ceiling.
Solar admittancemeans the fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction that adds heat to a building's space.
Sole-occupancy unitmeans a room or other part of a building for occupation by one or joint owner, lessee, tenant, or other occupier to the exclusion of any other owner, lessee, tenant, or other occupier and includes—
  1. a dwelling; or
  2. a room or suite of rooms in a Class 3 building which includes sleeping facilities; or
  3. a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building; or
  4. a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 9c building, which includes sleeping facilities and any area for the exclusive use of a resident.
Spandrel panel, for the purposes of Section J of Volume One, means the opaque part of a façade in curtain wall construction which is commonly adjacent to, and integrated with, glazing.
Spiral stairwaymeans a stairway with a circular plan, winding around a central post with steps that radiate from a common centre or several radii (see Figures 3.9.1.2(a) and (b)).
Spread-of-Flame Indexmeans the index number for spread of flame as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.
Sprinkler alarm switch, for the purposes of Specification E2.2d of Volume One, means a device capable of sending an electrical signal to activate an alarm when a residential sprinkler head is activated (e.g. a flow switch).
Stagemeans a floor or platform in a Class 9b building on which performances are presented before an audience.
Stairway platform liftmeans a power-operated device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a platform (with or without a chair) in the direction of a stairway.
Standard Fire Testmeans the Fire-resistance Tests of Elements of Building Construction as described in AS 1530.4.
Storeymeans a space within a building which is situated between one floor level and the floor level next above, or if there is no floor above, the ceiling or roof above, but not—
  1. a space that contains only—
    1. a lift shaft, stairway or meter room; or
    2. a bathroom, shower room, laundry, water closet, or other sanitary compartment; or
    3. accommodation intended for not more than 3 vehicles; or
    4. a combination of the above; or
  2. a mezzanine.
Structural adequacy, in relation to an FRL, means the ability to maintain stability and adequate loadbearing capacity as determined by AS 1530.4.
Structural membermeans a component or part of an assembly which provides vertical or lateral support to a building or structure.
Surface watermeans all naturally occurring water, other than sub-surface water, which results from rainfall on or around the site or water flowing onto the site.
Swimming poolmeans any excavation or structure containing water and principally used, or that is designed, manufactured or adapted to be principally used for swimming, wading, paddling, or the like, including a bathing or wading pool, or spa.
Tapered treadmeans a stair tread with a walking area that grows smaller towards one end.
Thermal comfort levelmeans the level of thermal comfort in a building expressed as a PMV sensation scale.
Total R-Value (m².K/W), for the purposes of Volume One, means the sum of the R-Values of the individual component layers in a composite element including any building material, insulating material, airspace, thermal bridging and associated surface resistances.
Total R-Value (m².K/W), for the purposes of Volume Two, means the sum of the R-Values of the individual component layers in a composite element including any building material, insulating material, airspace and associated surface resistances.
Total System Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), for the purposes of Volume One, means the fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space.
Total System Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), for the purposes of Volume Two, means the fraction of incident irradiance on glazing or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space.
Total System U-Value (W/m².K), for the purposes of Volume One, means the thermal transmittance of the composite element allowing for the effect of any airspaces, thermal bridging and associated surface resistances.
Total System U-Value (W/m².K), for the purposes of Volume Two, means the thermal transmittance of the composite element allowing for the effect of any airspaces and associated surface resistances.
Treatment areameans an area within a patient care area such as an operating theatre and rooms used for recovery, minor procedures, resuscitation, intensive care and coronary care from which a patient may not be readily moved.
Uncontrolled dischargemeans any unintentional release of fluid from a plumbing and drainage system and includes leakage and seepage.
Unique wall, for the purposes of FV1.1 in Volume One and V2.2.1 in Volume Two, means a wall which is neither a cavity wall nor a direct fix cladding wall.
Unobstructed opening, for the purposes of Part 3.6 in Volume Two, means a glazed area that a person could mistake for an open doorway or clearway and walk into the glazed panel.
Unreinforced masonrymeans masonry that is not reinforced.
Vapour pressuremeans the pressure at which water vapour is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed state.
Ventilation openingmeans an opening in the external wall, floor or roof of a building designed to allow air movement into or out of the building by natural means including a permanent opening, an openable part of a window, a door or other device which can be held open.
Verification Methodmeans a test, inspection, calculation or other method that determines whether a Performance Solution complies with the relevant Performance Requirements.
Vessel, for the purposes of Volume One and Part 3.8.1 in Volume Two, means an open, pre-formed, pre-finished concave receptacle capable of holding water, usually for the purpose of washing, including a basin, sink, bath, laundry tub and the like.
Visibilitymeans the maximum distance at which an object of defined size, brightness and contrast can be seen and recognised.
Voltage means a difference of potential, measured in Volts (V) and includes extra-low voltage and low voltage.
Waffle raftmeans a stiffened raft with closely spaced ribs constructed on the ground and with slab panels supported between ribs.
Wall-glazing construction, for the purposes of Section J in Volume One, means the combination of wall and glazing components comprising the envelope of a building, excluding—
  1. display glazing; and
  2. opaque non-glazed openings such as doors, vents, penetrations and shutters.
Ward areameans that part of a patient care area for resident patients and may contain areas for accommodation, sleeping, associated living and nursing facilities.
Water control layermeans a pliable building membrane or the exterior cladding when no pliable building membrane is present.
WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body (WMCAB)means a conformity assessment body registered with and accredited by the JAS-ANZ to conduct evaluations leading to product certification and contracted with the administering body to issue the WaterMark Licence.
WaterMark Certification Schememeans the ABCB scheme for certifying and authorising plumbing and drainage products.
WaterMark Licencemeans a licence issued by a WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body.
WaterMark Schedule of Excluded Productsmeans the list maintained by the administering body of products excluded from the WaterMark Certification Scheme.
WaterMark Schedule of Productsmeans the list maintained by the administering body of products included in the WaterMark Certification Scheme, and the specifications to which the products can be certified.

Explanatory Information:

Explanatory Information:

The WaterMark Schedule of Products and the WaterMark Schedule of Excluded Products can be viewed on the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au.

Waterproofmeans the property of a material that does not allow moisture to penetrate through it.
Water resistantmeans the property of a system or material that restricts moisture movement and will not degrade under conditions of moisture.
Water sensitive materialsmeans materials that have an inherent capacity to absorb water vapour and include timber, plasterboard, plywood, oriented strand board and the like.
Watertightmeans will not allow water to pass from the inside to the outside of the component or joint and vice versa.
Wet areameans an area within a building supplied with water from a water supply system, which includes bathrooms, showers, laundries and sanitary compartments and excludes kitchens, bar areas, kitchenettes or domestic food and beverage preparation areas.
Windersmeans treads within a straight flight that are used to change direction of the stair (see Figure 4).
Windowincludes a roof light, glass panel, glass block or brick, glass louvre, glazed sash, glazed door, or other device which transmits natural light directly from outside a building to the room concerned when in the closed position.
Yieldmeans the mass of a combustion product generated during combustion divided by the mass loss of the test specimen as specified in the design fire.
Zone protectionmeans the installation of a backflow prevention device at the point where a water service is connected to multiple fixtures or appliances, with no backflow prevention device installed as individual protection downstream of this point.