Part 10.3 Room heights
10.3.1
Height of rooms and other spaces
2019: 3.8.2.2
- in a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and
- in a kitchen — 2.1 m; and
- in a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.1 m; and
- in a bathroom, shower room, laundry, sanitary compartment, airlock, pantry, storeroom, garage, car parking area or the like — 2.1 m; and
- in a room or space with a sloping ceiling or projections below the ceiling line within—
- a habitable room—
- in an attic — a height of not less than 2.2 m for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
- in other rooms — a height of not less than 2.4 m over two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
- a non-habitable room — a height of not less than 2.1 m for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
- a habitable room—
- in a stairway, ramp, landing, or the like — 2.0 m measured vertically above the nosing line of stairway treads or the floor surface of a ramp, landing or the like.
Figure Notes
The letters in the diagram represent the following minimum dimensions:
A = 2.4 m In a habitable room (excluding a kitchen).
B = 2.4 m In a habitable room with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.
C = 2.1 m In a non-habitable room with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.
D = 2.2 m In an attic with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.
E = 1.5 m For the purpose of calculating the floor area of a room or space, any ceiling height of less than 1.5 m is excluded.
F = 2.0 m In a stairway (measured vertically above the nosing line).
The combined dimensions of G must not exceed one-third of the floor area (see E above) of the room or space.
Explanatory information
- Where a room or space has no ceiling lining, the measurement is taken from the floor to the underside of the floor or roof above.
- In areas unlikely to be occupied for long periods, such as non-habitable rooms, a reduced height of 2.1 m is permitted.
- 10.3.1(1)(f) permits a reduced height of 2.0 m above stairways, ramps and landings, as these are used for transient purposes and therefore a reduction from the required height in corridors and rooms (2.1 and 2.4 m generally) will not adversely affect occupant safety, health or amenity