NCC 2019 Volume Two
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Part 2.7 Ancillary provisions and additional construction requirements
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
Objective
O2.7
The Objective is to—
- safeguard young children from drowning or injury in a swimming pool; and
- safeguard people from drowning or injury due to suction by a swimming pool water recirculation system; and
- safeguard the occupants from illness or injury caused by fire from heating appliances installed within the building; and
- safeguard the occupants from illness or injury in alpine areas from an emergency while evacuating the building; and
- protect a building from the effects of a bushfire; and
- reduce the likelihood of fatalities arising from occupants of a Class 1a dwelling not evacuating a property prior to exposure from a bushfire event.
Application:
O2.7(a) and (b) only apply to a swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm.
O2.7(f) only applies to a Class 10c building.
Functional statements
F2.7.1 Swimming pool access
A swimming pool is to be provided with—
- means to restrict access to it by young children; and
- means to reduce the possibility of a person being entrapped or injured due to suction by a water recirculation system.
Application:
F2.7.1 only applies to a swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm.
F2.7.2 Heating appliances
Heating appliances using controlled combustion located in a building are to be installed in a way which reduces the likelihood of—
- fire spreading beyond the appliance; and
- smoke from the appliance entering the building.
F2.7.3 Alpine areas
A building in an alpine area is to be provided with additional measures in view of the increased difficulties in fighting fire and maintaining access and means of egress in snow conditions.
F2.7.4 Bushfire areas
A Class 1 building or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building constructed in a designated bushfire prone area is to provide resistance to bushfires in order to reduce the danger to life and reduce the risk of the loss of the building.
F2.7.5 Private bushfire shelters
A structure designed for emergency occupation during a bushfire event must provide shelter to occupants from direct and indirect actions of a bushfire.
F2.7.5 only applies to a Class 10c building.
P2.7.1 Swimming pool access
A barrier must be provided to a swimming pool and must—
(a)
be continuous for the full extent of the hazard; and
(b)
be of a strength and rigidity to withstand the foreseeable impact of people; and
(c)
restrict the access of young children to the pool and the immediate pool surrounds; and
(d)
have any gates and doors fitted with latching devices not readily operated by young children, and constructed to automatically close and latch.
Application:
Application:
P2.7.1 only applies to a swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm.
State and Territory Variations
State and Territory Variations
- P2.7.1 applies in New South Wales to a swimming pool with a depth of water of more than 300 mm, in conjunction with the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Swimming Pools Regulation 2018.
-
P2.7.1
does not apply in the Northern Territory.
Note: Restriction of access to swimming pools in the Northern Territory is regulated under the Swimming Pool Safety Act.
-
P2.7.1
does not apply in Queensland.
Note: Restriction of access to swimming pools in Queensland is regulated under the Building Act 1975.
P2.7.2 Swimming pool recirculation systems
A swimming pool water recirculation system must incorporate safety measures to avoid entrapment of, or injury to, a person.
Application:
Application:
P2.7.2 only applies to a swimming pool with a depth of water more than 300 mm.
P2.7.3 Heating appliances
A heating appliance and its associated components within a building, including an open fire-place, chimney, or the like, must be installed—
(a)
to withstand the temperatures likely to be generated by the appliance; and
(b)
so that it does not raise the temperature of any building element to a level that would adversely affect the element’s physical or mechanical properties or function; and
(c)
so that hot products of combustion will not—
(i)
escape through the walls of the associated components; and
(ii)
discharge in a position that will cause fire to spread to nearby combustible materials or allow smoke to penetrate through nearby windows, ventilation inlets, or the like in the building containing the heating appliance.
State and Territory Variations
State and Territory Variations
P2.7.3(c) has been replaced in Tasmania as follows:
(c) so that hot products of combustion will not—
- escape through the walls of the associated components; and
- discharge in a position that will cause fire to spread to nearby combustible materials or allow smoke to penetrate through nearby windows, ventilation inlets, or the like in the building containing the heating appliance; and
- in the case of solid-fuel burning appliances, be discharged above appropriate emission limits.
P2.7.4 Buildings in alpine areas
(a)
An external doorway from a building in an alpine area must be installed so that opening the door is not obstructed by snow or ice.
(b)
A building in an alpine area containing external trafficable structures forming part of the means of egress must be constructed so that they remain, as far as practicable, useable under snow conditions.
(c)
A building in an alpine area must be constructed so that snow or ice is not shed from the building onto the allotment, any adjoining allotment, road or public space in a location or manner that will—
(i)
obstruct a means of egress from any building to a road or open space; or
(ii)
otherwise endanger people.
P2.7.5 Buildings in bushfire prone areas
A Class 1 building or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building that is constructed in a designated bushfire prone area must, to the degree necessary, be designed and constructed to reduce the risk of ignition from a bushfire, appropriate to the—
(a)
potential for ignition caused by burning embers, radiant heat or flame generated by a bushfire; and
(b)
intensity of the bushfire attack on the building.
State and Territory Variations
State and Territory Variations
P2.7.5 has been replaced in Tasmania as follows:
A Class 1 building or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building that is constructed in a designated bushfire prone area must, to the degree necessary, be—
- designed and constructed to reduce the risk of ignition from a bushfire, appropriate to the—
- potential for ignition caused by burning embers, radiant heat or flame generated by a bushfire; and
- intensity of the bushfire attack on the building; and
- provided with vehicular access to the site to assist fire fighting and emergency personnel defend the building or evacuate occupants; and
- provided with access at all times to a sufficient supply of water for fire fighting purposes on the site.
P2.7.6 Private bushfire shelters
A private bushfire shelter must be designed and constructed to provide a tenable environment for occupants during the passage of untenable conditions arising from a bushfire event, appropriate to the—
(a)
location of the private bushfire shelter relative to fire hazards including—
(i)
predominant vegetation; and
(ii)
adjacent buildings and structures; and
(iii)
allotment boundaries; and
(iv)
other combustible materials; and
(b)
occupancy of the private bushfire shelter; and
(c)
bushfire intensity having regard for the bushfire attack level; and
(d)
fire intensity from adjacent buildings and structures, allotment boundaries and other combustible materials; and
(e)
ready access to the private bushfire shelter from the associated dwelling and occupant egress after the fire; and
(f)
tenability within the private bushfire shelter for the estimated maximum period of occupancy; and
(g)
generation of smoke, heat and toxic gases from materials used to construct the private bushfire shelter; and
(h)
structural and fire loads and actions to which it may reasonably be subjected, appropriate to—
(i)
the topography between the private bushfire shelter and the predominant vegetation or other fire hazards; and
(ii)
the distance between the private bushfire shelter and the predominant vegetation or other fire hazards; and
(iii)
the size of the potential fire source and fire intensity; and
(iv)
wind loading; and
(v)
potential impact from debris such as falling tree limbs; and
(i)
degree of external signage identifying the location of the private bushfire shelter; and
(j)
degree of internal signage identifying the design capacity and maximum period of occupancy; and
(k)
degree of occupant awareness of outside environmental conditions; and
(l)
degree of essential maintenance.
Application:
Application:
P2.7.6 only applies to a Class 10c building.
Note:
Note:
The Housing Provisions do not contain any Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for this Performance Requirement, however the ABCB Performance Standard for Private Bushfire Shelters contains guidance for this Performance Requirement.
V2.7.1 Combustion appliances
Compliance with P2.7.3(a) and (b) is verified when—
(a)
components used within an appliance and its installation are constructed from—
(i)
heat-resistant materials for maximum operating temperatures more than 600℃, where the material complies with (c); or
(ii)
heat-tolerant materials for maximum operating temperatures more than 150℃ and less than 600℃, where the material complies with (c); and
(b)
the building elements surrounding the appliance maintain their designed function and material properties inclusive of a full range of thermal movements when exposed to the heat effects of the appliance; and
(c)
a sample of the material is tested to the maximum operating temperature, specified in (a)(i) or (a)(ii) for a minimum of 96 hours and the tested sample complies with the following:
(i)
When allowed to cool, the tested sample must be free from—
(A)
visible cracks and fractures; and
(B)
visible indication of de-lamination; and
(C)
linear distortion in excess of the equivalent of 10 mm per metre; and
(D)
deterioration of the appearance of any surface finish, when compared to an unheated sample.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
Under V2.7.1, the user needs to demonstrate that the proposed appliance will not deteriorate under standard operating conditions. Examples of deterioration may include deformation or failure of components that would render the appliance unsafe to use.
For the purposes of demonstrating compliance with sub-clause (a), the typical operating temperature of a combustion device can be established by testing.
For the purposes of demonstrating compliance with sub-clause (b), materials used for building elements (walls, floors and ceiling) in the areas surrounding an appliance can be appropriately selected and/or designed to align with the quantified values as determined by sub-clause (a). This could either be achieved by using Expert Judgement or by adhering to manufacturer's specifications. Certification in accordance with CodeMark Australia would also be a possibility in demonstrating compliance using the Verification Method.
Full range of thermal movements relates to both the appliance and materials when exposed to both the heated and ambient conditions,
Benefits to industry derived from the application of this Verification Method includes the potential use of non-standard national or internationally manufactured appliances. For example, test reports from appliances complying with various ISO Standards and various British Standards could be used to demonstrate compliance with the Verification Method. The Verification Method also allows for in situ testing of unique combustion appliances, which would not easily be tested in accordance with the Australian Standard. Such testing would need to be verified by a suitably qualified practitioner and be supported by appropriate documentation.
V2.7.2 Buildings in bushfire prone areas
(a)
Compliance with P2.7.5 is verified if the ignition probability for a building exposed to a design bushfire does not exceed 10%.
(b)
Bushfire design actions must be determined in consideration of the annual probability of a design bushfire derived from—
(i)
assigning the building or structure with an importance level in accordance with (c); and
(ii)
determining the corresponding annual probability of exceedance in accordance with Table V2.7.2.
(c)
A building or structure's importance level must be identified as one of the following:
(i)
Importance level 1 — where the building or structure presents a low degree of hazard to life and other property in the case of failure.
(ii)
Importance level 2 — where the building or structure is not of importance level 1 or 4 and is a Class 1a or 1b building accommodating 12 people or less.
(iii)
Importance level 4 — where the building is a Class 10c building and is subject to a necessary 'defend in place' strategy.
Table V2.7.2 Annual Probability of Exceedance (APE) for design bushfire actions
|
Importance level |
Complex analysis APE for bushfire exposure |
Simple analysis APE for weather conditions (design bushfire) |
|
1 |
No requirement |
No requirement |
|
2 |
1:500 |
1:50 |
|
3 |
N/A for Class 1 and 10 buildings |
N/A for Class 1 and 10 buildings |
|
4 |
1:2000 |
1:200 |
Note to Table V2.7.2: Complex analysis must consider the probability of ignition, fire spread to the urban interface and penetration of the urban interface coincident with fire weather conditions.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
Volume Two does not apply to buildings that are importance level 3, therefore this importance level is not included under (c).
(d)
The ignition probability for a building must be assessed by application of the following:
(i)
An event tree analysis of relevant bushfire scenarios.
(ii)
Design bushfire conditions that include combinations of the following actions appropriate to the distance between the building and the bushfire hazard:
(A)
Direct attack from airborne burning embers.
(B)
Burning debris and accumulated embers adjacent to a building element.
(C)
Radiant heat from a bushfire front.
(D)
Direct flame attack from a bushfire front.
(e)
Applied fire actions must allow for reasonable variations in—
(i)
fire weather; and
(ii)
vegetation, including fuel load, burning behaviour of vegetation (including the potential for crown fires); and
(iii)
the distance of the building from vegetation; and
(iv)
topography, including slopes and features that may shield; and
(v)
ignition of adjacent buildings, building elements, plants, mulch and other materials; and
(vi)
effective size of fire front; and
(vii)
duration of exposure; and
(viii)
flame height; and
(ix)
flame tilt; and
(x)
flame adhesion to sloping land; and
(xi)
the height of the building and its elements.
(f)
The assessment process must include consideration of—
(i)
the probability of non-complying construction of critical aspects of an approved design; and
(ii)
the probability of critical aspects of an approved design being fully functional during the life of the building; and
(iii)
inclusion of safety factors; and
(iv)
sensitivity analysis of critical aspects of a proposed design.