NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings
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
Glossary

Glossary

Above ground rainwater tank

A rainwater tank that is not in any way set into the ground.

Accessible

Having features to enable use by people with a disability.

Accessway

A continuous accessible path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into or within a building.

Accredited Testing Laboratory

One of the following:

  1. An organisation accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA) to undertake the relevant tests.
  2. An organisation outside Australia accredited to undertake the relevant tests by an authority recognised by NATA through a mutual recognition agreement.
  3. An organisation recognised as being an Accredited Testing Laboratory under legislation at the time the test was undertaken.
Activity support level

The degree to which occupants can undertake activities with respect to the likely activity traits and occupant traits.

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—

  1. Volume One, the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a habitable room or space; or
  2. Volume Two, the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a room or space.

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 body

The body responsible for administering the WaterMark Certification Scheme.

Aged care building

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.

Agriculture

Cropping, grazing, animal husbandry, intensive animal keeping, horticulture, aquaculture, wool shearing or dairy, but not viticulture or forestry.

Aisle

A walkway at the end of rows of seating, not being continental seating, leading to a cross-over or to an egress doorway.

Air-conditioning

For the purposes of Section J of Volume One, 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 23, an area of a building protected by one or more smoke alarms connected to one alarm circuit.

Alpine area

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, the ACT or Victoria more than 1200 m above the Australian Height Datum; and
  3. in Tasmania more than 900 m above the Australian Height Datum.
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
Figure 1 Alpine areas
image-1-alpine-areas.svg
Figure Notes

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.

Explanatory information

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

Alpine areas 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 areas 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 areas and may receive significant snowfalls, however unlike alpine areas 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 areas 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.

Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP)

Flat or profiled aluminium sheet material in composite with any type of materials.

ACP
Amenity

An attribute which contributes to the health, physical independence, comfort and well-being of people.

Ancillary element

An element that is secondary to and not an integral part of another element to which it is attached.

Annual exceedance probability

The probability that a given rainfall total accumulated over a given duration will be exceeded in any one year.

Annual greenhouse gas emissions

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 authority

For the purposes of the Fire Safety Verification Method, means the relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter satisfies the relevant Performance Requirement.

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.

Appropriate authority

The relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter.

Appropriate authority

The relevant authority with the responsibility to determine the particular matter.

Appropriately qualified person

A person recognised by the appropriate authority as having qualifications and/or experience in the relevant discipline in question.

Approved disposal system

A system for the disposal of sewage, sullage or stormwater approved by an authority having jurisdiction.

Articulated masonry

Masonry construction in which special provisions have been made for movement by articulation.

Assembly building

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.
Assembly building

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 or nightclub; 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.
Assembly building

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 cinema; or
    2. a sports stadium, sporting or other club; or
  4. transit purposes including a bus station, railway station, airport or ferry terminal.
Assessment Method

A method that can be used for determining that a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.

Assumed cooling thermostat set point

The cooling thermostat set point used to calculate cooling degree hours, and equal to

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, where
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is the mean January outdoor air temperature measured in degrees Celsius.
Atrium

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 well

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.

Auditorium

A part of an entertainment venue used or intended to be used for the purposes of accommodating an audience to an entertainment.

Automatic

Designed to operate when activated by a heat, smoke or fire sensing device.

Available safe egress time (ASET)
  1. The time between ignition of a fire and the onset of untenable conditions in a specific part of a building.
  2. The time referred to in (1) 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.
ASET
Average daylight factor

The ratio of the illumination level within a room provided by daylight to the level of daylight outside the building during overcast conditions.

Average specific extinction area

The average specific extinction area for smoke as determined by AS 5637.1.

Backflow prevention device

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.

Backpressure

A reversal of water flow caused by the downstream pressure becoming greater than the supply pressure.

Backsiphonage

A reversal of flow of water caused by negative pressure in the distributing pipes of a water service or supply.

Backstage

A space associated with, and adjacent to, a stage in a Class 9b building for scenery, props, equipment, dressing rooms, or the like.

Battery system

One or more chemical cells connected in series, parallel or a combination of the two for the purpose of electrical energy storage.

Blockage

An obstruction within a water service or sanitary plumbing or drainage system.

Boiler

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.
Bond breaker

A material used as part of a waterproofing system that prevents the membrane bonding to the substrate, bedding or lining.

Breaking surf

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

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.

Building complexity criteria

Are used to determine the building complexity level of all or part of a building in accordance with Table 2, where building complexity criteria are as follows:

  1. Attributes — the building is designed or constructed with any of the following sub-criteria:
    1. An effective height of more than 25 m.
    2. One or more Performance Solutions are used to demonstrate compliance with the Performance Requirements relating to material and systems for structural safety.
    3. One or more Performance Solutions are used to demonstrate compliance with the Performance Requirements relating to material and systems for fire safety.
    4. Is located in an area prone to natural disaster or adverse environmental conditions.
  2. Class 2 — all or part of the building is Class 2 of three or more storeys.
  3. Occupant numbers — the building is to be occupied by more than 100 people determined in accordance with D2D18.
  4. Occupant characteristics — the building is to be occupied by more than 10 people who will require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency.
  5. Importance Level — the building is determined to be Importance Level 4 or 5.

Notes

The NCC currently does not include corresponding technical requirements relating to the defined term ‘building complexity criteria’ and the various building complexity levels. It is intended that these terms will be integrated into future editions of the NCC.

Table 2 Building complexity level
Building complexity level Criteria
Low The building meets only one of the following building complexity criteria: (a) (Attributes), (b) (Class 2), (c) (Occupant numbers) or (d) (Occupant characteristics)
Medium The building meets two of the following building complexity criteria: (a) (Attributes), (b) (Class 2), (c) (Occupant numbers) or (d) (Occupant characteristics)
High The building meets three of the following building complexity criteria: (a) (Attributes), (b) (Class 2), (c) (Occupant numbers) or (d) (Occupant characteristics)
Very high The building meets all of the following building complexity criteria: (a) (Attributes), (b) (Class 2), (c) (Occupant numbers) and (d) (Occupant characteristics); or (e) (Building Importance Level 4 or 5)
Buried rainwater tank

A rainwater tank that is set into and completely covered by earth.

Burnout

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.

Brush fence

A fence or gate that is primarily constructed of Broombrush (Melalueca Uncinata).

Bulk grain storage facility

A building or structure used for the commercial bulk handling or storage of granular materials such as grain, ore, or the like, where only a small number of occupants are present at one time and includes cell type silos and storage sheds.

Carpark

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.

Cavity

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 F3V1 and H2V1, a wall that incorporates a drained cavity.

Cell type silo

A type of bulk grain storage facility similar to that illustrated in diagram (a) of Figure SA 1.

Insert SA figure (1) as follows:
SA Figure 1: Two types of bulk grain storage facilities
image-SA-1-two-types-of-bulk-grain-storage-facility-SA.svg
Centre-based care class 4 facility

A facility as defined in Centre Based Care Class 4 Standards.

Centre-based care class 5 facility

A facility as defined in Centre Based Care Class 5 Standards.

Certificate of Accreditation

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 NCC.

Certificate of Conformity

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 body

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 (JAS-ANZ), and is accredited for a purpose other than as part of the CodeMark Australia Certification Scheme or WaterMark Certification Scheme.

Characteristic

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.

Children’s service

Has the same meaning as it has under the Children's Services Act 1996, but excludes a service where education and care is primarily provided to school aged children.

Clad frame

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 zone

An area defined in Figure 2 and in Table 3 for specific locations, having energy efficiency provisions based on a range of similar climatic characteristics.

Table 3 Climate zones for thermal design
State Location Climate zone
ACT Canberra 7
NSW Albury 4
NSW Armidale 7
NSW Batemans Bay 6
NSW Bathurst 7
NSW Bega 6
NSW Bellingen Shire - Dorrigo Plateau 7
NSW Bellingen Shire - Valley & seaboard 2
NSW Bourke 4
NSW Broken Hill 4
NSW Byron Bay 2
NSW Cobar 4
NSW Coffs Harbour 2
NSW Dubbo 4
NSW Goulburn 7
NSW Grafton 2
NSW Griffith 4
NSW Ivanhoe 4
NSW Lismore 2
NSW Lord Howe Island 2
NSW Moree 4
NSW Newcastle 5
NSW Nowra 6
NSW Orange 7
NSW Perisher - Smiggins 8
NSW Port Macquarie 5
NSW Sydney East 5
NSW Sydney West 6
NSW Tamworth 4
NSW Thredbo 8
NSW Wagga Wagga 4
NSW Williamtown 5
NSW Wollongong 5
NSW Yass 6
NT Alice Springs 3
NT Darwin 1
NT Elliot 3
NT Katherine 1
NT Renner Springs 3
NT Tennant Creek 3
QLD Birdsville 3
QLD Brisbane 2
QLD Bundaberg 2
QLD Cairns 1
QLD Cooktown 1
QLD Cunnamulla 3
QLD Gladstone 2
QLD Hervey Bay 2
QLD Hughenden 3
QLD Longreach 3
QLD Mackay 2
QLD Mount Isa 3
QLD Normanton 1
QLD Rockhampton 2
QLD Roma 3
QLD Southport 2
QLD Toowoomba 5
QLD Townsville 1
QLD Warwick 5
QLD Weipa 1
SA Adelaide 5
SA Bordertown 6
SA Ceduna 5
SA Cook 4
SA Elliston 5
SA Kingscote 6
SA Leigh Creek 5
SA Lobethal 6
SA Loxton 5
SA Naracoorte 6
SA Marree 4
SA Mount Gambier 6
SA Murray Bridge 6
SA Oodnadatta 4
SA Port Augusta 4
SA Port Lincoln 5
SA Renmark 5
SA Tarcoola 4
SA Victor Harbour 6
SA Whyalla 4
TAS Burnie 7
TAS Bicheno 7
TAS Deloraine 7
TAS Devonport 7
TAS Flinders Island 7
TAS Hobart 7
TAS Huonville 7
TAS King Island 7
TAS Launceston 7
TAS New Norfolk 7
TAS Oatlands 7
TAS Orford 7
TAS Rossarden 7
TAS Smithton 7
TAS St Marys 7
TAS Zeehan 7
VIC Anglesea 6
VIC Ararat 7
VIC Bairnsdale 6
VIC Ballarat 7
VIC Benalla 6
VIC Bendigo 6
VIC Bright 7
VIC Colac 6
VIC Dandenong 6
VIC Echuca 4
VIC Geelong 6
VIC Hamilton 7
VIC Horsham 6
VIC Melbourne 6
VIC Mildura 4
VIC Portland 6
VIC Sale 6
VIC Shepparton 4
VIC Swan Hill 4
VIC Traralgon 6
VIC Wangaratta 7
VIC Warrnambool 6
VIC Wodonga 6
WA Albany 6
WA Balladonia 4
WA Broome 1
WA Bunbury 5
WA Carnarvon 3
WA Christmas Island 1
WA Cocos Island 1
WA Derby 1
WA Esperance 5
WA Exmouth 1
WA Geraldton 5
WA Halls Creek 3
WA Kalgoorlie-Boulder 4
WA Karratha 1
WA Meekatharra 4
WA Northam 4
WA Pemberton 6
WA Perth 5
WA Port Hedland 1
WA Wagin 4
WA Wyndham 1
Figure 2 Climate zones for thermal design
image-2-climate-zones-for-thermal-design.svg
Figure Notes
  1. This map can be viewed in enlargeable form on the ABCB website at 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.
  3. The areas referred to in (2) have been defined in an enlarged format on the following maps produced by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (these maps can be viewed on the Government of South Australia website at www.sa.gov.au):
    1. Adelaide Hills Climate Zone Map.
    2. Barossa Council Climate Zone Map.
    3. Regional Council of Goyder Climate Zone Map.
  4. Locations in climate zone 8 are in alpine areas.
Combustible

Applied to—

  1. a material — means combustible as determined by AS 1530.1; and
  2. construction or part of a building — means constructed wholly or in part of combustible materials.
Combustible cladding product

Means—

  1. aluminium composite panels (ACPs) with a core of less than 93 per cent inert mineral filler (inert content) by mass in external cladding as part of a wall system; and
  2. expanded polystyrene (EPS) products used in an external insulation and finish (rendered) wall system.
Common wall

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, a wall that is common to adjoining buildings.
  2. Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions, a wall that is common to adjoining buildings other than Class 1 buildings.
Condensation

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—

  1. Volume One, 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; or
  2. Volume Two, 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.
Construction activity actions

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.

Containment protection

The installation of a backflow prevention device at the point of connection of a Network Utility Operator’s water supply to a site.

Contaminant

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.

Continental seating

Rows of seating in which the rows extend the full width of an auditorium without intervening aisles.

Controlled fill

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 degree hours

For any one hour when the mean outdoor air temperature is above the assumed cooling thermostat set point, the degree Celsius air temperature difference between the mean outdoor air temperature and the assumed cooling thermostat set point.

Cooling load

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)

The critical heat flux at extinguishment (CHF in kW/m2) as determined by AS ISO 9239.1.

CRF
Cross-connection

Any actual or potential connection between a water supply and any contaminant.

Cross-over

In relation to an entertainment venue or temporary structure, means a walkway between aisles or between an aisle and an egress doorway.

Curtain wall

A non-loadbearing external wall that is not a panel wall.

Daily outdoor temperature range

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures that occur in a day.

Damp-proof course (DPC)

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.

DPC
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Provisions which are deemed to satisfy the Performance Requirements.

Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution

A method of satisfying the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

Defined flood event (DFE)

The flood event selected for the management of flood hazard for the location of specific development as determined by the appropriate authority.

DFE
Defined flood level (DFL)

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
image-3-identification-of-defined-flood-level-flood-hazard-level-and-freeboard.svg
DFL
Dehumidification gram hours

For any one hour when the mean humidity is more than 15.7g/kg, the grams per kilogram of absolute humidity difference between the mean outdoor absolute humidity and 15.7g/kg.

Designated bushfire prone area

Land which has been designated under a power of legislation as being subject, or likely to be subject, to bushfires.

Designated bushfire prone area

Land that:

  1. has been designated under legislation; or
  2. has been identified under an environmental planning instrument, development control plan or in the course of processing and determining a development application,

as land that can support a bushfire or is likely to be subject to bushfire attack.

Design bushfire

The characteristics of a bushfire, its initiation, spread and development, which arises from weather conditions, topography and fuel (vegetation) in a given setting, used to determine fire actions.

Design fire

The quantitative description of a representation of a fire within the design scenario.

Design scenario

The specific scenario of which the sequence of events is quantified and a fire safety engineering analysis is conducted against.

Design wind speed

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 4 for wind classes).

Table 4 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 in the ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2). C2, C3, C4 (these wind classes are covered in the ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2).
Table Notes
  1. Wind classification map identifying wind regions is contained in ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2 (see Figure 2.2.3).
  2. Information on wind classes for particular areas may be available from the appropriate authority.
  3. “N” = non-cyclonic winds and “C” = cyclonic winds.
Design wind speed

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 WA Table 4 for wind classes).

Insert WA table (4) as follows:
WA Table 4: Wind classes
Non-cyclonic Region A Cyclonic Region B, C and D
N1, N2, N3 C1
N4, N5, N6 (these wind classes are covered in the ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2) C2, C3, C4 (these wind classes are covered in the ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2)
Table Notes
  1. Wind classification map identifying wind regions is contained in ABCB Housing Provisions Part 2.2 (see Figure 2.2.3).
  2. Information on wind classes for particular areas may be available from the appropriate authority.
  3. “N” = non-cyclonic winds and “C” = cyclonic winds.
Detention centre

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.

Development consent

Is as defined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Direct fix cladding wall

For the purposes of F3V1 and H2V1, means a wall with cladding attached directly to the wall framing without the use of a drained cavity.

Discontinuous construction

Means—

  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; and
  2. a staggered stud wall is not deemed to be discontinuous construction.
Display glazing

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 services

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; and
    4. on-site renewable energy equipment; but
  2. excludes cooking facilities and portable appliances.
Drainage

Any part of—

  1. a sanitary drainage system, including any liquid trade waste drainage; or
  2. a stormwater drainage system.
Drainage flange

A flange connected to a waste pipe, at the point at which it passes through the floor substrate, to prevent leakage and which enables tile bed drainage into the waste pipe.

Drainage riser

A waste pipe between the floor waste and the drainage system.

Drinking water

Water intended primarily for human consumption but which has other domestic uses.

Explanatory information

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

Early childhood centre

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.

Early childhood centre

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—

  1. education and care primarily provided to school aged children in outside school hours settings; and
  2. services licensed as centre-based care class 4 under the Child Care Act 2001.
Early childhood centre

Includes—

  1. 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, and the Education and Care Services National Regulations, excluding a service where education and care is primarily provided to school aged children; and
  2. a children’s service.
Effective height

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).

Efficacy

The degree to which a system achieves a design objective given that it performs to a level consistent with the system specification during the relevant fire scenario.

Electricity network substation

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.

Electric passenger lift

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.

Electrohydraulic passenger lift

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.

Energy value

The net cost to society including, but not limited to, costs to the building user, the environment and energy networks.

Engaged pier

A pier bonded to a masonry wall by course bonding of masonry units or by masonry ties.

Entertainment venue

Is as defined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

Envelope

For the purposes of—

  1. Section J in NCC Volume One, 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; or
  2. Part H6 in NCC Volume Two and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, 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.
Equivalent

Equivalent to the level of health, safety and amenity provided by the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

Evacuation route

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 time

The time calculated from when the emergency starts for the occupants of the building to evacuate to a safe place.

Exit

Means—

  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; or
  2. A horizontal exit or a fire-isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit.
Expert judgement

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

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.

Expert judgement

For Volume Three, the judgement of a person who has the qualifications and expertise to determine whether a Plumbing or Drainage Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.

Explanatory information

The level of qualification and/or experience required to determine whether a Plumbing or Drainage Solution complies with the Performance Requirements may differ depending on the degree of complexity and the requirements of the Tasmanian Building Act. Practitioners should seek advice from the Permit Authority.

External wall

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, an outer wall of a building which is not a common wall; or
  2. Volume Two, an outer wall of a building which is not a separating wall.
Extra-low voltage

A voltage not exceeding 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC.

Fabric

The basic building structural elements and components of a building including the roof, ceilings, walls, glazing and floors.

Farm building

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
  2. 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
  3. with a total floor area of not more than 3500 m².
Farm building

A single storey Class 7 or 8 building that is—

  1. primarily associated with agriculture and located on land used primarily for agriculture; and
  2. the total number of people accommodated in the building does not exceed one person per 200 m2 of total floor area, or six people, whichever is greater; and
  3. the floor area of each building does not exceed the maximum floor area and volume specified in Table SA 1 for the type of farm building; and
  4. the building does not contain occupancies of excessive fire hazard as listed in E1D5 to E1D13; and
  5. if the building is used for the storage of hay, an open space complying with C3D5(1) is provided around the perimeter of each building.
Insert SA table (SA 1) as follows:
SA Table SA 1: Farm building categories and maximum floor area
Building group Type of farm building Maximum floor area Maximum volume
Group A Buildings used for keeping, growing and/or harvesting of animals and/or plants, and includes greenhouses with rigid covering material and large implement/vehicle storage sheds. 5,000 m2 30,000 m3
Group B Buildings used for packing, sorting and/or storage of produce and may include workshops. 2,000 m2 12,000 m3
Group C Greenhouses with non-rigid, plastic or fabric covering material. 5,000 m2 30,000 m3
Farming

Includes—

  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.

Farm shed

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
  2. occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods by people; and
  3. in which the total number of persons accommodated at any time does not exceed 2; and
  4. with a total floor area of more than 500 m² but not more than 2000 m².
Farm vehicle

A vehicle used in connection with farming.

Film

A cinematograph film of a size of 35 mm or greater.

Finished ground level

The ground level adjacent to footing systems at the completion of construction and landscaping.

Fire actions

Each of the following:

  1. airborne embers; and
  2. burning debris and/or accumulated embers adjacent to building elements; and
  3. heat transfer from combustible materials within the site; and
  4. radiant heat from a bushfire front; and
  5. flame contact from a bushfire front; and
  6. the period of time post fire front subject to collapsing vegetation due to persistent combustion.
Fire brigade

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 station

For the purposes of E1D2(1)(b) and I3D9, means a state or territory government operated premises which is a station for a fire brigade.

Fire compartment

Either—

  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 growth

The stage of fire development during which the heat release rate and the temperature of the fire are generally increasing.

Fire hazard

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 properties

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 1.
  2. Smoke-Developed Index, smoke development rate and Spread-of-Flame Index, determined in accordance with Specification 3.
  3. Group number and smoke growth rate index (SMOGRARC), determined in accordance with Specification 7.
Fire intensity

The rate of release of calorific energy in watts, determined either theoretically or empirically, as applicable.

Fire-isolated passageway

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 ramp

A ramp within a fire-resisting enclosure which provides egress from a storey.

Fire-isolated stairway

A stairway within a fire-resisting shaft and includes the floor and roof or top enclosing structure.

Fire load

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.

Notes

The calorific values must be determined at the ambient moisture content or humidity (the unit of measurement is MJ).

Fire-protected timber

Fire-resisting timber building elements that comply with Specification 10.

Fire-protective covering

Any one or more of the following:

  1. 13 mm fire-protective grade plasterboard.
  2. 12 mm cellulose cement flat sheeting complying with AS/NZS 2908.2 or ISO 8336.
  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.
  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)

The grading periods in minutes determined in accordance with Specifications 1 and 2, for the following criteria—

  1. structural adequacy; and
  2. integrity; and
  3. insulation,

and expressed in that order.

Notes

A dash means 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.

FRL
Fire-resisting construction

For the purposes of Volume One, means one of the Types of construction referred to in Part C2 of Volume One.

Fire-resisting

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, applied to a building element, having an FRL appropriate for that element; or
  2. Volume Two, applied to a structural member or other part of a building, having the FRL required for that structural member or other part.
Fire safety engineering

Application of engineering principles, rules and expert judgement based on a scientific appreciation of the fire phenomenon, often using specific design scenario, 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 system

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 feature

Any one or more of the following:

  1. The far boundary of a road, river, lake or the like adjoining the allotment.
  2. A side or rear boundary of the allotment.
  3. An external wall of another building on the allotment which is not a Class 10 building.
Fire wall

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 23, a system of electrical wiring (either AC or DC), in which cables are fixed or supported in position.

Flammability Index

The index number as determined by AS 1530.2.

Flashing

A strip or sleeve of impervious material dressed, fitted or built-in to provide a barrier to water movement, or to divert the travel of water, or to cover a joint where water would otherwise penetrate to the interior of a building, and includes the following:

  1. Perimeter flashing: a flashing used at the floor-wall junction.
  2. Vertical flashing: a flashing used at wall junctions within shower areas.
Flashing

A strip or sleeve of impervious material dressed, fitted or built-in to provide a barrier to water movement, or to divert the travel of water, or to cover a joint where water would otherwise penetrate to the interior of a building, and includes the following:

  1. Perimeter flashing: a flashing used at the floor-wall junction.
  2. Vertical flashing: a flashing used at wall junctions within shower areas.
  3. Roof flashing: a rigid or flexible material, usually metal, fixed over, against or built into an abutment to form a weathertight joint.
Flashover

In relation to fire hazard properties, means a heat release rate of 1 MW.

Flight

That part of a stair that has a continuous series of risers, including risers of winders, not interrupted by a landing or floor.

Explanatory information

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 Explanatory Figure 1, are considered sufficient to halt a person’s fall and therefore are considered for the purposes of NCC Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions not to be part of the flight.

Figure 1 (explanatory) Identification of stair flights — Plan view
image-1-explanatory-identification-of-stair-flights-plan-view.svg
Flood hazard area

The site (whether or not mapped) encompassing land lower than the flood hazard level which has been determined by the appropriate authority.

Flood hazard area

The site (whether or not mapped) encompassing land in an area liable to flooding within the meaning of Regulation 153 of the Building Regulations 2018.

Flood hazard level (FHL)

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).

FHL
Floor area

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One—
    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 contributes to the fire load or 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 internal 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 internal 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.
  2. Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions, 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 4).
Figure 4 Identification of floor area of a room
image-4-identification-of-floor-area-of-a-room.svg
Floor waste

A grated inlet within a graded floor intended to drain the floor surface.

Flying scenery

Scenery of a kind that is lifted above the stage floor by means of lines run from a grid.

Foundation

The ground which supports the building (see Figure 5).

Figure 5 Identification of foundation
image-5-identification-of-foundation.svg
Fractional effective dose (FED)

The fraction of the dose (of thermal effects) that would render a person of average susceptibility incapable of escape.

Explanatory information

The definition for FED has been modified from the ISO definition to be made specific for the Fire Safety Verification Method. 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.

FED
Freeboard

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.

Freeboard

The minimum height of the lowest floor of the building above the defined flood level, regulated by the relevant planning scheme, or specified or otherwise determined by the relevant council under Regulation 153 of the Building Regulations 2018 (see Figure 3).

Fully developed fire

The state of total involvement of the majority of available combustible materials in a fire.

Garage top dwelling

A Class 1a dwelling located above a Class 10a private garage which is not associated with that Class 1a dwelling and includes any internal entry stair serving the garage top dwelling.

Glazing

For the purposes of—

  1. Section J of Volume One, except for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building—
    1. a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the envelope; and
    2. includes a window other than a roof light; or
  2. Section J of NCC Volume One, for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building—
    1. a translucent element and its supporting frame located in the external fabric of the building; and
    2. includes a window other than a roof light; or
  3. Part H6 of NCC Volume Two and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions—
    1. a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the external fabric of the building; and
    2. includes a window other than a roof light.
Going

The horizontal dimension from the front to the back of a tread less any overhang from the next tread or landing above (see Figure 11.2.2f in the ABCB Housing Provisions).

Green Star

The building sustainability rating scheme managed by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Grid

A framework from which lines are run for the purpose of lifting flying scenery above the stage floor.

Group number

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 room

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 Rating

A level of potential toxicity that may cause contamination in a drinking water system, having a rating of Low Hazard, Medium Hazard or High Hazard, determined in accordance with NCC Volume Three.

Health-care building

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 water

Water that has been intentionally heated; normally referred to as hot water or warm water.

Heating degree hours

For any one hour when the mean outdoor air temperature is less than 15°C, the degrees Celsius temperature difference between the mean outdoor air temperature and 15°C.

Heating load

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 release

The thermal energy produced by combustion (measured in kJ).

Heat release rate (HRR)

The rate of thermal energy production generated by combustion, measured in kW (preferred) or MW.

HRR
High Hazard

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to cause death.

High wind area

A region that is subject to design wind speed more than N3 or C1 (see Table 4).

Hob

The upstand at the perimeter of a shower area.

Horizontal exit

A required doorway between 2 parts of a building separated from each other by a fire wall.

Hotel offering shared accommodation

A hotel which has any sole-occupancy units that can be shared by unrelated persons.

Hours of operation

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—

  1. Volume One, software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS); or
  2. Volume Two—
    1. applied to H6V2—software accredited or previously accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) and the additional functionality provided in non-regulatory mode; and
    2. applied to Specification 42—software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).

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.

Illuminance

The luminous flux falling onto a unit area of surface.

Illumination power density

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, and expressed in W/m2.

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 lift

A power-operated device for raising or lowering people within a carriage that has one or more rigid guides on an inclined plane.

Individual protection

The installation of a backflow prevention device at the point where a water service connects to a single fixture or appliance.

Information and education facility

Is as defined in the Standard Instrument—Principal Local Environment Plan.

Insulation

In relation to an FRL, 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, the ability to resist the passage of flames and hot gases specified in AS 1530.4.

Internal wall

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, excludes a common wall or a party wall; or
  2. Volume Two, excludes a separating wall, common wall or party wall.
Interstitial condensation

The condensation of moisture on surfaces between material layers inside the building component.

Irrigation system

An irrigation system of the following types:

  1. Type A— all permanently open outlets and piping more than 150 mm above finished surface level, not subject to ponding or backpressure and not involving injection systems.
  2. Type B— irrigation systems in domestic or residential buildings with piping or outlets installed less than 150 mm above finished surface level and not involving injection systems.
  3. Type C— irrigation systems in other than domestic or residential buildings with piping outlets less than 150 mm above finished surface level and not involving injection systems.
  4. Type D— irrigation systems where fertilizers, herbicides, nematicides or the like are injected or siphoned into the system.
JAS-ANZ

The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.

Lamp power density

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, and expressed in W/m2.

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.

Landing

An area at the top or bottom of a flight or between two flights.

Latent heat gain

The heat gained by the vapourising of liquid without change of temperature.

Lateral support

A support (including a footing, buttress, cross wall, beam, floor or braced roof structure) that effectively restrains a wall or pier at right angles to the face of the wall or pier.

Lead free

Where a plumbing product or material in contact with drinking water has a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.

Licensed premises

Is as defined in the Liquor Act 2007.

Licensed premises

Includes—

  1. premises in respect of which a cabaret licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; or
  2. premises in respect of which a tavern licence, a hotel restricted licence or any other kind of hotel licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; or
  3. a cabaret, hotel or tavern—
    1. in respect of which a special facility licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; and
    2. in respect of which paragraph (a) or (b) does not apply.
Lightweight construction

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.
Loadbearing

Intended to resist vertical forces additional to those due to its own weight.

Loadbearing wall

For the purposes of H1D4 and H2D3 of NCC Volume Two and Section 4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, means any wall imposing on the footing a load greater than 10 kN/m.

Loss

Physical damage, financial loss or loss of amenity.

Low Hazard

Any condition, device or 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 area

An area with a 5 minute rainfall intensity for an annual exceedance probability of 5% of not more than 125 mm/hour.

Explanatory information

Rainfall intensity figures can be obtained from Table 7.4.3d in the ABCB Housing Provisions.

Low-rise, low-speed constant pressure lift

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 lift

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 voltage

A voltage exceeding extra-low voltage, but not exceeding 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC.

Luminance contrast

The light reflected from one surface or component, compared to the light reflected from another surface or component.

Main water heater

The domestic hot water unit in a dwelling that is connected to at least one shower and the largest number of hot water outlets.

Main space conditioning

Either—

  1. the heating or cooling equipment that serves at least 70% of the conditioned space of a dwelling; or
  2. if no one heating or cooling equipment serves at least 70% of the conditioned space of the dwelling, the equipment that results in the highest net equivalent energy usage when calculated in accordance with J3D14(1)(a) of NCC Volume One or 13.6.2(1)(a) of the ABCB Housing Provisions.

Notes

  1. If a multi-split air-conditioning unit is installed, it is considered to be a single heating or cooling service.
  2. A series of separate heaters or coolers of the one type can be considered a single heater or cooler type with a performance level of that of the unit with the lowest efficiency.

Explanatory information

The purpose of defining for main space conditioning is to provide criteria upon which the heating or cooling equipment should be selected when showing compliance with J3D14(1)(a) of NCC Volume One and 13.6.2(1)(a) of the ABCB Housing Provisions when more than one type and efficiency of equipment is present. In J3D14(1)(a) the formula that determines ER allows the selection of only one heating or cooling system. This definition requires that if any one system serves at least 70% of the floor area that is heated or cooled it should be used as the basis of determining ER. If, however, no one system serves at least 70% of the floor area, then the appliance that results in the highest net equivalent energy usage, when calculated in accordance with J3D14(1)(a)/13.6.2(1)(a), should be selected.

Massive timber

An element not less than 75 mm thick as measured in each direction formed from solid and laminated timber.

Maximum retained water level

The point where surface water will start to overflow out of the shower area.

Medium Hazard

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to injure or endanger health.

Membrane

A barrier impervious to moisture.

Explanatory information

A barrier may be a single or multi-part system.

Mezzanine

An intermediate floor within a room.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

The Minimum Energy Performance Standards for equipment and appliances established through the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.

MEPS
Minimum lateral clearance

A permanently unobstructed space having a height above floor level of not less than 2000 mm and a width of not less than the specified measurement.

Mixed construction

A building consisting of more than one form of construction, particularly in double-storey buildings.

Mould

A fungal growth that can be produced from conditions such as dampness, darkness, or poor ventilation.

NABERS Energy

The National Australian Built Environment Rating Systems for energy efficiency, which is managed by the New South Wales Government.

Network Utility Operator

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

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.

Non-combustible

Applied to—

  1. a material — means not deemed combustible as determined by AS 1530.1 — Combustibility Tests for Materials; or
  2. construction or part of a building — means constructed wholly of materials that are not deemed combustible.
Non-drinking water

Water which is not intended primarily for human consumption.

Occupant traits

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a habitable room or space; or
  2. Volume Two, the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a room or space.

Explanatory information

For the purpose of Volume Two, 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 area

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 system

A system that receives and/or treats wastewater generated and discharges the resulting effluent to an approved disposal system or re-use system.

On-site wastewater management system

A system that receives and/or treats wastewater generated and discharges the resulting effluent to—

  1. an approved disposal system; or
  2. re-use system; or
  3. land application system.
Open-deck carpark

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 space

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 stand

A tiered stand substantially open at the front.

Other property

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 air

Air outside the building.

Outdoor air economy cycle

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.

Outfall

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 device

A device that provides relief to a water service, sanitary plumbing and drainage system, rainwater service or stormwater system to avoid the likelihood of uncontrolled discharge.

Panel wall

A non-loadbearing external wall, in frame or similar construction, that is wholly supported at each storey.

Partially buried rainwater tank

A rainwater tank that is not completely covered by earth but is partially set into the ground.

Patient care area

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)

The report that defines the scope of work for the performance-based analysis, the technical basis for analysis, and the criteria for acceptance of any relevant Performance Solution as agreed by stakeholders.

PBDB
Performance Requirement

A requirement which states the level of performance which a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution must meet.

Performance Solution

A method of complying with the Performance Requirements other than by a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.

Perimeter of building

For the purposes of Section 8 of the Housing Provisions, means the external envelope of a building.

Permit Authority

A permit authority as defined in the Building Act 2016.

Personal care services

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 H6 in Volume Two, and Section 13 of the Housing Provisions, means an assembly of pipes, with or without valves or other fittings, connected together for the conveyance of liquids and gases.

Planning for Bush Fire Protection

Is as prescribed by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

Pliable building membrane

A water barrier as classified by AS 4200.1.

Plumbing

Any water service plumbing or sanitary plumbing system.

Plumbing

Any water service plumbing, roof plumbing, sanitary plumbing system or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning plumbing.

Plumbing or Drainage Solution

A solution which complies with the Performance Requirement and is a—

  1. Performance Solution; or
  2. Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution; or
  3. combination of (a) and (b).
Point of connection

Any of the following:

  1. For a cold water service, means the point where the cold water service connects to—
    1. the Network Utility Operator's water supply system; or
    2. the point of isolation to an alternative water source where there is no Network Utility Operator's water supply available or is not utilised.
  2. For a heated water service, means the point where the water heater connects to the cold water service downstream of the isolation valve.
  3. For sanitary drainage, means the point where the on-site sanitary drainage system connects to—
    1. the Network Utility Operator's sewerage system; or
    2. an on-site wastewater management system.
  4. For sanitary plumbing, means the point where the sanitary plumbing system connects to the sanitary drainage system.
  5. For a rainwater service, means the point where the rainwater service
    1. connects to the point of isolation for the rainwater storage; or
    2. draws water from the rainwater storage.
  6. For stormwater disposal, means the point where the on-site stormwater drainage system connects to—
    1. the Network Utility Operator's stormwater system; or
    2. an approved on-site disposal system.
  7. For a fire-fighting water service, means the point where the service connects to—
    1. a cold water service, downstream of a backflow prevention device; or
    2. the Network Utility Operator's water supply system; or
    3. the point of isolation to an alternative water source.

Notes

A domestic fire sprinkler service conforming to FPAA101D is considered part of the cold water service.

Explanatory information

The point of connection is usually determined by the Network Utility Operator according to the water and sewerage Acts, Regulations and codes that apply within the Network Utility Operator's licensed area and/or jurisdiction.

Potable water

Water intended for human consumption supplied by a water services provider.

Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)

The Predicted Mean Vote of the thermal perception of building occupants determined in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55.

PMV
Preformed shower base

A preformed, prefinished vessel installed as the finished floor of a shower compartment, and which is provided with a connection point to a sanitary drainage system.

Explanatory information

Preformed shower bases are commonly made of plastics, composite materials, vitreous enamelled pressed steel, or stainless steel.

Pressure vessel

A vessel subject to internal or external pressure, including 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—

  1. Volume One, a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the loads specified in B1D3 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; or
  2. Part 3.4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, 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

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.

Primary building element

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the loads specified in B1D3 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; or
  2. Volume Two—
    1. A member of a building specifically designed 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; and
    2. door jambs, window frames and reveals, architraves and skirtings.

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.

Primary insulation layer

The most interior insulation layer of a wall or roof construction.

Private bushfire shelter

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—

  1. Volume One—
    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; or
  2. Volume Two—
    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.
Product

Plumbing and drainage items within the scope of Volume Three including but not limited to—

  1. materials, fixtures and components used in a plumbing or drainage installation; and
  2. appliances and equipment connected to a plumbing or drainage system.
Product Technical Statement

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 engineer

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.
Projection suite

Such part of an entertainment venue as is designed to accommodate apparatus used for projecting films.

Public

Includes any person working in an enclosed public place.

Public building

A Class 6 licensed premises or 9b building where persons may assemble for—

  1. civic, theatrical, social, political or religious purposes; or
  2. educational purposes; or
  3. entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes; or
  4. business purposes.
Public corridor

An enclosed corridor, hallway or the like which—

  1. serves as a means of egress from 2 or more sole-occupancy units to a required exit from the storey concerned; or
  2. is required to be provided as a means of egress from any part of a storey to a required exit.
Rainwater service

A water service which distributes water from the isolation valve of the rainwater storage to the rainwater points of discharge for purposes such as for clothes washing, urinal and water closet flushing and external hose cocks.

Rainwater storage

Any storage of rainwater collected from a roof catchment area which is used to supply water for the primary purposes of drinking, personal hygiene or other uses.

Explanatory information

Generally this applies to alternative water sources not supplied by a Network Utility Operator. This does not include rainwater storage for non-drinking purposes.

Rainwater tank

A vessel for the storage of surface water collected from the roof catchment area of the building.

Rapid roller door

A door that opens and closes at a speed of not less than 0.5 m/s.

Recognised expert

A person with qualifications and experience in the area of plumbing or drainage in question recognised by the authority having jurisdiction.

Explanatory information

A recognised expert is a person recognised by the authority having jurisdiction as qualified to provide evidence under A5G4(5). Generally, this means a hydraulic consultant or engineer, however the specific requirements are determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Under A5G4(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 Provisions.

Reference building

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, a hypothetical building that is used to calculate the maximum allowable—
    1. annual greenhouse gas emissions for the common area of a Class 2 building or a Class 3 to 9 building; or
    2. heating load, cooling load and energy value for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building; or
  2. Volume Two, a hypothetical building that is used to determine the maximum allowable heating load and cooling load for the proposed building.
Reflective insulation

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:

  • Typical R-Values achieved by adding reflective insulation are given in the explanatory information accompanying Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions. Information on specific products may be obtained from reflective insulation manufacturers.
  • 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: emittance + reflectance = 1.
  • Some types of reflective insulation may also serve the purposes of waterproofing or vapour proofing.
Regulated energy

The energy consumed by a building's services minus the amount of renewable energy generated and used on site.

Reinforced masonry

Masonry reinforced with steel reinforcement that is placed in a bed joint or grouted into a core to strengthen the masonry.

Reliability

The probability that a system performs to a level consistent with the system specification.

Renewable energy

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.

Required

Required to satisfy a Performance Requirement or a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision of the NCC as appropriate.

Required safe egress time (RSET)

The time required for safe evacuation of occupants to a place of safety prior to the onset of untenable conditions.

RSET
Residential aged care building

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 building

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.

Residential care building (Vic)

A 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 residential care service, State funded residential care service or supported residential service as defined in the Supported Residential Services (Private Proprietors) Act 2010 and an aged care building) but does not include—

  1. a hospital; or
  2. a dwelling in which 2 or more members of the same family and not more than 2 other persons would ordinarily be resident; or
  3. a place of residence where only one resident needs physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency.
Resident use area

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

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 storeys

The greatest number of storeys calculated in accordance with C2D3 of Volume One.

Riser

The height between consecutive treads and between each landing and continuous tread.

Restricted children’s service

A children’s service that is—

  1. any one of the following as defined in the Children’s Services Regulations 2020—
    1. a limited hours Type 1 service; or
    2. a limited hours Type 2 service; or
    3. a short term Type 1 service; or
    4. a short term Type 2 service; or
  2. an associated children's service within the meaning of the Children's Services Act 1996 approved to be operated by an approved provider at the same place as an approved education and care service that is required to meet the conditions of a limited hours Type 1 service, a limited hours Type 2 service, a short term Type 1 service, or a short term Type 2 service.
Rolled fill

Material placed in layers and compacted by repeated rolling by an excavator.

Roof catchment area

The area of the roof (expressed in square metres), measured on the horizontal (no allowance for slope or vertical surfaces) and includes the plan area of the gutters.

Roof light

For the purposes of Section J and Part F6 in NCC Volume One, Part H6 in NCC Volume Two, and Part 10.5 and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, 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.
Row

A row of seating—

  1. between a wall or other barrier and an aisle; or
  2. between 2 aisles.
R-Value

The thermal resistance of a component calculated by dividing its thickness by its thermal conductivity, expressed in m2.K/W.

Safe place

Either—

  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 compartment

A room or space containing a closet pan or urinal (see Figures 6a and 6b).

Figure 6a Identification of a sanitary compartment (diagram a)
image-6a-identification-of-a-sanitary-compartment-diagram-a.svg
Figure 6b Identification of a sanitary compartment (diagram b)
image-6b-identification-of-a-sanitary-compartment-diagram-b.svg
Sarking-type material

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.

School

Includes a primary or secondary school, college, university or similar educational establishment.

School age care facility

Is a facility providing care for children (primarily) 5 years or older in an outside of school hours setting, either approved or licenced under Education and Care Services National Law (Application) Act 2011 or the Child Care Act 2001.

Screed

A layer of material (usually cement based) which sets in situ between a structural base and the finished floor material.

Self-closing

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, applied to a door, means equipped with a device which returns the door to the fully closed position immediately after each opening; or
  2. 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 gain

The heat gained which causes a change in temperature.

Separating element

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 wall

A wall that is common to adjoining Class 1 buildings (see Figure 7).

Figure 7 Separating wall
image-7-separating-wall.svg
Figure Notes

In Volume Two a separating wall may also be known as a party wall and typically is required to be fire-resisting construction (see ABCB Housing Provisions Parts 9.2 and 9.3).

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 station

A garage which is not a private garage and is for the servicing of vehicles, other than only washing, cleaning or polishing.

Shaft

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.
Shared accommodation building

A Class 3 building that is a boarding-house, chalet, guest house, lodging-house, backpacker accommodation or the like, or a residential part of a hotel offering shared accommodation (but is not a residential care building (Vic), a motel or a residential part of school, health-care building or detention centre) having—

  1. more than one sole-occupancy unit of which any sole-occupancy unit has sleeping facilities capable of accommodating 3 or more unrelated persons; or
  2. sleeping facilities capable of accommodating 13 or more unrelated persons.
Shower area

The area affected by water from a shower, including a shower over a bath and for a shower area that is—

  1. Enclosed – the area enclosed by walls or screens including hinged or sliding doors that contain the spread of water to within that space; or
  2. Unenclosed – the area where, under normal use, water from the shower rose is not contained within the shower area.
Shower screen

The panels, doors or windows enclosing or partially enclosing a shower area.

Single leaf masonry

Outer walls constructed with a single thickness of masonry unit.

Site

The part of the allotment of land on which a building stands or is to be erected.

Sitework

Work on or around a site, including earthworks, preparatory to or associated with the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building.

Small arts venue

The whole or the only part of a building that has a rise in storeys of not more than 2—

  1. in which cultural activities including live music, visual arts displays, dancing, poetry and spoken word performances are provided to the public; and
  2. the floor area used as a small arts venue does not exceed 300 m2; and
  3. no pyrotechnics or theatrical smoke (smoke machines, hazers or the like) are used.
Small live music or arts venue

The whole or part of a building—

  1. in which cultural activities including live music, visual arts’ displays, dancing, poetry and spoken word performances are provided to the public; and
  2. that has a floor area of not more than 300 square metres; and
  3. that has a rise in storeys of not more than 2; and
  4. that occupies not more than 2 storeys including the ground floor storey; and
  5. where pyrotechnics or theatrical smoke (smoke machines, hazers or the like) are not used.
Small-scale Technology Certificate

A certificate issued under the Commonwealth Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Small-sized, low-speed automatic lift

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 vent

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 Index

The index number for smoke as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.

Smoke development rate

The development rate for smoke as determined by testing flooring materials in accordance with AS ISO 9239.1.

Smoke growth rate index (SMOGRA)

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.

SMOGRARC
Solar admittance

The fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction that adds heat to a building's space.

Sole-occupancy unit

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.
Spa pool

Is as defined in the Swimming Pools Act 1992.

Spandrel panel

For the purposes of Section J, means the opaque part of a façade in curtain wall construction which is commonly adjacent to, and integrated with, glazing.

Special fire protection purpose

(As per Section 100B(6) of the Rural Fires Act 1997) means any of the following purposes:

  1. a school,
  2. a child care centre,
  3. a hospital (including a hospital for the mentally ill or mentally disordered),
  4. a hotel, motel or other tourist accommodation,
  5. a building wholly or principally used as a home or other establishment for mentally incapacitated persons,
  6. seniors housing within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004 (now SEPP (Housing) 2021),
  7. a group home within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy No 9 - Group Homes (now SEPP (Housing) 2021),
  8. a retirement village,
  9. any other purpose prescribed by the regulations (Rural Fires Regulation 2022).

Notes

For application of this definition in the BCA, the term “school” does not include a college, university or similar tertiary educational establishment.

Spiral stairway

A stairway with a circular plan, winding around a central post with steps that radiate from a common centre or several radii (see Figures 11.2.2d and 11.2.2e in the ABCB Housing Provisions).

Spread-of-Flame Index

The index number for spread of flame as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.

Sprinkler alarm switch

For the purposes of Specification 23, a device capable of sending an electrical signal to activate an alarm when a residential sprinkler head is activated (e.g. a flow switch).

Stack bonded pier

A pier where the overlap of a masonry unit is not more than 25% of the length of the masonry unit below.

Stage

A floor or platform in a Class 9b building on which performances are presented before an audience.

Stairway platform lift

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 Test

The Fire-resistance Tests of Elements of Building Construction as described in AS 1530.4.

Storage shed

A type of bulk grain storage facility similar to that illustrated in diagram (b) of Figure SA 1.

Storey

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 member

A component or part of an assembly which provides vertical or lateral support to a building or structure.

Surface water

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 pool

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 tread

A stair tread with a walking area that grows smaller towards one end.

Temporary structure

Either—

  1. a booth, tent or other temporary enclosure, whether or not a part of the booth, tent or enclosure is permanent; or
  2. a mobile structure.
Temporary structure

Includes any–

  1. booth, tent or other temporary enclosure, whether or not part of the booth, tent or enclosure is permanent; or
  2. temporary seating structure; or
  3. other structure prescribed under the Building Act 2016.
Thermal comfort level

The level of thermal comfort in a building expressed as a PMV sensation scale.

Thermal energy load

The sum of the heating load and the cooling load.

Total R-Value

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, expressed in m2.K/W.

Total System Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

For the purposes of—

  1. Volume One, the fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space; or
  2. Volume Two, the fraction of incident irradiance on glazing or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space.
SHGC
Total System U-Value

The thermal transmittance of the composite element allowing for the effect of any airspaces, thermal bridging and associated surface resistances, expressed in Wm-2K-1.

Treatment area

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 discharge

Any unintentional release of fluid from a plumbing and drainage system and includes leakage and seepage.

Unique wall

For the purposes of F3V1 in Volume One and H2V1 in Volume Two, a wall which is neither a cavity wall nor a direct fix cladding wall.

Unobstructed opening

For the purposes of Section 8 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, a glazed area that a person could mistake for an open doorway or clearway and walk into the glazed panel.

Unprotected water service

Unprotected water service means that the water service may be contaminated from a surrounding hazard.

Unreinforced masonry

Masonry that is not reinforced.

Vapour permeance

The degree that water vapour is able to diffuse through a material, measured in µg/N.s and tested in accordance with the ASTM-E96 Procedure B – Water Method at 23°C 50% relative humidity.

Vapour pressure

The pressure at which water vapour is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed state.

Ventilation opening

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 Method

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 10.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, 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.

Visibility

The maximum distance at which an object of defined size, brightness and contrast can be seen and recognised.

Voltage

A difference of potential, measured in Volts (V) and includes extra-low voltage and low voltage.

Volume

In relation to—

  1. a building — the volume of the total space of the building measured above the lowest floor (including, for a suspended floor, any subfloor space), over the enclosing walls, and to the underside of the roof covering; or
  2. a fire compartment — the volume of the total space of the fire compartment measured within the inner finished surfaces of the enclosing fire-resisting walls and/or floors, and—
    1. if there is no fire-resisting floor at the base of the fire compartment, measured above the finished surface of the lowest floor in the fire compartment; and
    2. if there is no fire-resisting floor at the top of the fire compartment, measured to the underside of the roof covering of the fire compartment; and
    3. if there is no fire-resisting wall, measured over the enclosing wall and if there is no enclosing wall, includes any space within the fire compartment that has a use which contributes to the fire load; or
  3. an atrium — the volume of the total space of the atrium measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction and if there is no bounding construction, within the external walls.
Waffle raft

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, 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 area

That part of a patient care area for resident patients and may contain areas for accommodation, sleeping, associated living and nursing facilities.

Water control layer

A pliable building membrane or the exterior cladding when no pliable building membrane is present.

WaterMark Certification Scheme

The ABCB scheme for certifying and authorising plumbing and drainage products.

WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body (WMCAB)

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.

WMCAB
WaterMark Licence

A licence issued by a WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body.

WaterMark Schedule of Excluded Products

The list maintained by the administering body of products excluded from the WaterMark Certification Scheme.

WaterMark Schedule of Products

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

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

Waterproof

The property of a material that does not allow water to penetrate through it.

Waterproofing system

A combination of elements that are required to achieve a waterproof barrier as required by H4D2 and H4D3 including substrate, membrane, bond breakers, sealants, finishes and the like.

Water resistant

The property of a system or material that restricts water movement and will not degrade under conditions of water.

Water sensitive materials

Materials that have an inherent capacity to absorb water vapour and include timber, plasterboard, plywood, oriented strand board and the like.

Waterstop

A vertical extension of the waterproofing system forming a barrier to prevent the passage of water in a floor or other horizontal surfaces.

Watertight

Will not allow water to pass from the inside to the outside of the component or joint and vice versa.

Weighted average

Is calculated across the wetted surface area of a pipe, pipe fitting or plumbing fixture.

WELS

Has the meaning given in the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 of the Commonwealth.

Wet area

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.

Wetted surface area

Is calculated by the total sum of diameter (D) in contact with drinking water.

Winders

Treads within a straight flight that are used to change direction of the stair (see Explanatory Figure 1).

Window

Includes 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.

Yield

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 protection

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.