NCC 2019 Volume Three
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Part B1 Cold water services
Introduction to this Part
This Part sets out the requirements for the design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration and maintenance of any part of a cold water service of a property that is connected to the drinking water supply. It covers from the point of connection to the points of discharge.
This part also applies to a cold water service connected to a rainwater harvesting system.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
OBJECTIVE
BO1
The Objective of this Part is to—
- safeguard people from illness, injury or loss (including loss of amenity) due to the failure of a cold water installation; and
- ensure that a cold water installation is suitable; and
- conserve water and energy; and
- safeguard the environment; and
- safeguard public and private infrastructure; and
- ensure that a cold water installation is designed and is capable of being maintained so that throughout its serviceable life it will continue to satisfy Objectives (a) to (e).
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS
BF1.1
Sanitary fixtures, sanitary appliances and supply outlets provided with drinking water must have safe and adequate piped cold water supply.
BF1.2
The cold water service must be conveyed through plumbing installations in a way that minimises any adverse impact on building occupants, the Network Utility Operator's infrastructure, property and the environment.
Performance Requirements
BP1.1 Water supply
(1)
A cold water service must be connected to a drinking water supply.
Application 1:
Application 1:
BP1.1 only applies to cold water supplied for human consumption, food preparation, food utensil washing or personal hygiene.
BP1.2 Design, construction and installation
(1)
A cold water service must ensure the following:
(a)
Water is provided at required flow rates and pressures for the correct functioning of fixtures and appliances.
(b)
Access for maintenance of mechanical components and operational controls.
(c)
The system, appliances and devices can be isolated for testing and maintenance.
(d)
The efficient use of drinking water.
(2)
A cold water service must avoid failure or uncontrolled discharge.
Explanatory information: Unintentional heating of cold water services
Explanatory information: Unintentional heating of cold water services
Where installed in locations subjected to extreme summer temperatures (such as the roof space of a building), cold water services have the potential to become unintentionally heated. This can pose a hazard as the cold water supply may reach temperatures in excess of 45º Celsius, increasing the potential for scalding.
To reduce the likelihood of unintentional heating of cold water services, consideration should be given to—
- avoiding long runs of pipework in locations exposed to solar heat gain; or
- applying insulation, either directly to the pipework, or by using additional ceiling insulation material between the pipework and the solar heat source.
Avoidance of unintentional heating of cold water services in known areas of extreme summer temperatures may also assist in reducing water usage through drawing off of water which has become excessively heated.
Verification Methods
There are no Verification Methods in this Part.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
B1.1 Application
(1)
Performance RequirementBP1.1 is satisfied if the cold water service is connected to—
(a)
the Network Utility Operator's drinking water supply; or
(b)
an alternative drinking water supply.
(2)
Performance RequirementBP1.2 is satisfied by complying with B1.2 to B1.4.
B1.2 Sanitary flushing
(1)
A cistern or flushing valve used for the purpose of flushing a water closet pan must have a dual flushing mechanism that, when operated, discharges—
(a)
for a 6/3 litre cistern—
(i)
not less than 5.5 litres and not more than 6.5 litres for a full flush; and
(ii)
not less than 3.0 litres and not more than 3.5 litres for a reduced flush; and
(b)
for a 4.5/3 litre cistern—
(i)
not less than 4.3 litres and not more than 4.7 litres for a full flush; and
(ii)
not less than 2.8 litres and not more than 3.2 litres for a reduced flush.
Exemption 1:
Exemption 1:
The requirements of B1.2(1) do not apply to a vacuum water closet pan.
(2)
The volume of water discharged to a flush urinal must not exceed 2.5 litres for each—
(a)
single urinal stall; or
(b)
600 mm length of a continuous urinal wall, or part thereof.
(3)
Automatic or set-cycle cisterns must not be installed.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
A programmed solenoid operated flushing system may be used if programmed to shut down during extended periods of non-occupancy of a building. Prior to installing this type of system further advice should be sought from the authority having jurisdiction. Where sensor control is used for urinal flushing, sensors should be located to avoid unnecessary 'nuisance' flushing triggered by pedestrian traffic.
B1.3 Maximum flow rate for cold water outlets
(1)
The outlet of a shower, basin, kitchen sink or laundry trough must have a maximum flow rate of not more than 9 litres per minute.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
B1.3 applies to outlets that provide cold water only. The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for outlets that deliver a combination of cold water and heated water is B2.4.
Exemption 1:
Exemption 1:
The requirements of B1.3 do not apply to a shower intended to provide rapid drenching of a person for emergency purposes, such as chemical removal.
B1.4 General requirements
(1)
The design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration and maintenance of cold water services must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.1.
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
NCC Volumes One and Two deal with a number of areas of on-site construction which are relevant to to cold
water services. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:
Item
NCC Volume One Class 2 to 9 buildings
NCC Volume Two Class 1 and 10 buildings
Excavations for pipework adjacent to a building and footings
Termite management for attachments to buildings and penetrations through a slab
Penetrations for pipework through a vapour barrier
Pipework in timber bearers and joists of solid timber or engineered wood products
Fittings, fixtures and pipework installations in steel framed construction
Penetrations through a fire-resisting wall or floor
C3 Protection of openings3.7.3 Fire protection of separating walls and floors
Fixtures or fittings in a wet area
F1 Damp and weather proofing3.8.1 Wet areas and external weatherproofing
Service pipework external to the building and penetrations through roof cladding in a bushfire prone area
G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas
3.10.5 Construction in bushfire prone areas
Pipework sound insulation
F5 Sound transmission and insulation
Power supply to boiling and/or chilled water storage units
J6 Artificial lighting and power
Not applicable