NCC 2019 Volume Two
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Part 3.8.1 Wet areas and external waterproofing

Part 3.8.1 Wet areas and external waterproofing

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Appropriate Performance Requirements

  1. Where an alternative system for external waterproofing a roof or external wall of a building is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.8.1, that proposal must comply with—
    1. Performance RequirementP2.2.2; and
    2. the relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with A2.4(3).
  2. Where an alternative system for protecting wet areas in a building is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.8.1, that proposal must comply with—
    1. Performance RequirementP2.4.1; and
    2. the relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as applicable.

3.8.1.1 Application

Compliance with this acceptable construction practice satisfies Performance Requirements P2.2.2 for external waterproofing and P2.4.1 for wet areas.

3.8.1.2 Wet Areas

Building elements in wet areas within a building must—

(a)

be waterproof or water resistant in accordance with Table 3.8.1.1; and

(b)

comply with AS 3740.

Table 3.8.1.1 Waterproofing and water resistance requirements for building elements in wet areas

Vessels or area where the fixture is installed

Floors and horizontal surfaces

Walls

Wall junctions and joints

Wall / floor junctions

Penetrations

Shower area (enclosed and unenclosed)

With hob

Waterproof floor in shower area (including any hob or step-down)
  1. Waterproof all walls in shower area to a height the greater of—
    1. not less than 150 mm above floor substrate; or
    2. not less than 25 mm above maximum retained water level; and
  2. Water resistant walls in shower area to not less than 1800 mm above finished floor level of the shower.

Waterproof wall junctions within shower area.

Waterproof wall / floor junctions within shower area.

Waterproof penetrations in shower area.

With step-down

Without hob or step-down

With preformed shower base

N/A

Water resistant walls in shower area to not less than 1800 mm above finished floor level of the show.

Waterproof wall junctions within shower area.

Waterproof wall / floor junctions within shower area.

Waterproof penetrations in shower area.

Area outside shower area

For concrete and compressed fibre-cement sheet flooring

Water resistant floor of the room.

N/A

N/A

Waterproof wall / floor junctions

N/A

For timber floors including particleboard, plywood and other timber based flooring materials

Waterproof floor of the room

Areas adjacent to baths and spas

For concrete and compressed fibre-cement sheet flooring

Water resistant floor of the room.

  1. Water resistant to a height of not less than 150 mm above the vessel, for the extent of the vessel, where the vessel is within 75 mm of a wall.
  2. Water resistant all exposed surfaces below vessel lip.

Water resistant junctions within 150 mm above a vessel for the extent of the vessel.

Water resistant wall / floor junctions for the extent of the vessel.

Waterproof tap and spout penetrations where they occur in horizontal surfaces.

For timber floors including particleboard, plywood and other timber based flooring materials

Waterproof floor of the room.
  1. Water resistant to a height of not less than 150 mm above the vessel, for the extent of the vessel, where the vessel is within 75 mm of a wall.
  2. Water resistant all exposed surfaces below vessel lip.

Water resistant junctions within 150 mm above a vessel for the extent of the vessel.

Water resistant wall / floor junctions for the extent of the vessel.

Waterproof tap and spout penetrations where they occur in horizontal surfaces.

Inserted baths and spas
  1. Waterproof shelf area, incorporating waterstop under the bath lip.
  2. No requirement under bath.
  1. Waterproof to not less than 150 mm above the lip of the bath or spa; and
  2. No requirement under bath.
  1. Waterproof junctions within 150 mm above bath or spa; and
  2. No requirement under bath

N/A

Waterproof tap and spout penetrations where they occur in horizontal surfaces.

Other areas

Laundries and WCs

Water resistant floor of the room

N/A

N/A

Water resistant wall / floor junctions.

N/A

Walls adjoining other vessels (e.g. sink, basin or laundry tub

N/A

Water resistant to a height of not less than 150 mm above the vessel, for the extent of the vessel, where the vessel is within 75 mm of a wall.

Waterproof wall junctions where a vessel is fixed to a wall.

N/A

Waterproof tap and spout penetrations where they occur in surfaces required to be waterproof or water resistant.

Notes to Table 3.8.1.1 :

1.

N/A means not applicable.

2.

Where a shower is above a bath or spa, use requirements for shower.

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory variations

In South Australia delete 3.8.1.2 and insert SA 3.8.1.2 as follows:

Building elements in wet areas within a building must—

  1. be waterproof or water resistant in accordance with Table 3.8.1.1, except that—
    1. in any room containing a washing machine, the wall area from finished floor level to a minimum of 75 mm above and 75 mm each side of the washing machine tap outlets must be water resistant; and
    1. where a vessel is inset into a bench top in a kitchen, bar area, kitchenette or domestic food and beverage preparation area—
      1. wall junctions and joints within 150 mm above the vessel must be water resistant for the extent of the vessel; and
      1. the perimeter edges of the vessel must be water resistant for the extent of the vessel (see Figure SA 3.8.1.2); and
    1. penetrations in horizontal surfaces for tap and spout outlets in kitchens, bar areas, kitchenettes or domestic food and beverage preparation areas, must be waterproof; and
  2. comply with AS 3740; and
  3. have floor wastes provided in accordance with SA 3.2.2.
  4. where floor wastes are provided for drainage of floors in bathrooms and laundries, the floors, floor/wall junction and penetration must be waterproof.

Figure SA 3.8.1.2

Typical water resistant junctions and joints for bench tops with inset vessels and vessels abutting walls

v2_FigSA3812a_2014.svg
v2_FigSA3812b_2014.svg
v2_FigSA3812c_2014.svg

3.8.1.3 External above ground membranes

Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654.1 and AS 4654.2.