NCC 2022 Volume Three - Plumbing Code of Australia

A2

Part A2 Compliance with the NCC

Part A2 Compliance with the NCC

Introduction to this Part

This Part explains the possible methods of demonstrating compliance with the NCC. It explains the various compliance pathways within the NCC and the appropriate steps that must be taken for each of these pathways.

Governing Requirements

(1) Compliance with the NCC is achieved by complying with—

  1. the Governing Requirements of the NCC; and
  2. the Performance Requirements.

(2) Performance Requirements are satisfied by one of the following, as shown in Figure A2G1:

  1. Performance Solution.
  2. Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.
  3. A combination of (a) and (b).
Figure A2G1 NCC compliance structure
image-A2G1-ncc-compliance-structure.svg

(1) A Performance Solution is achieved by demonstrating—

  1. compliance with all relevant Performance Requirements; or
  2. the solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

(2) A Performance Solution must be shown to comply with the relevant Performance Requirements through one or a combination of the following Assessment Methods:

  1. Evidence of suitability in accordance with Part A5 that shows the use of a material, product, plumbing and drainage product, form of construction or design meets the relevant Performance Requirements.
  2. A Verification Method including the following:
    1. The Verification Methods provided in the NCC.
    2. Other Verification Methods, accepted by the appropriate authority that show compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements.
  3. Expert Judgement.
  4. Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

(3) Where a Performance Requirement is satisfied entirely by a Performance Solution, in order to comply with (1) the following method must be used to determine the Performance Requirement or Performance Requirements relevant to the Performance Solution:

  1. Identify the relevant Performance Requirements from the Section or Part to which the Performance Solution applies.
  2. Identify Performance Requirements from other Sections or Parts that are relevant to any aspects of the Performance Solution proposed or that are affected by the application of the Performance Solution.

(4) Where a Performance Requirement is proposed to be satisfied by a Performance Solution, the following steps must be undertaken:

  1. Prepare a performance-based design brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
  2. Carry out analysis, as proposed by the performance-based design brief.
  3. Evaluate results from (4)(b) against the acceptance criteria in the performance-based design brief.
  4. Prepare a final report that includes—
    1. all Performance Requirements and/or Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions identified through A2G2(3) or A2G4(3) as applicable; and
    2. identification of all Assessment Methods used; and
    3. details of steps (4)(a) to (4)(c); and
    4. confirmation that the Performance Requirement has been met; and
    5. details of conditions or limitations, if any exist, regarding the Performance Solution.

VIC A2G2 Performance Solution2019: A2.2

Insert VIC subclause A2G2(5) in clause A2G2 as follows:

(5) A Performance Solution cannot be used to satisfy a relevant Performance Requirement for the installation of a combustible cladding product in an external wall of a—

  1. Class 2, 3 or 9 building with a rise in storeys of 2 that does not comply with C2D6; and
  2. Class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building with a rise in storeys of 3 or more.

(1) A solution that complies with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions is deemed to have met the Performance Requirements.

(2) A Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution can show compliance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions through one or more of the following Assessment Methods:

  1. Evidence of suitability in accordance with Part A5 that shows the use of a material, product, plumbing and drainage product, form of construction or design meets a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision.
  2. Expert Judgement.

(1) Performance Requirements may be satisfied by using a combination of Performance Solutions and Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions.

(2) When using a combination of solutions, compliance can be shown through the following, as appropriate:

  1. A2G2 for assessment against the relevant Performance Requirements.
  2. A2G3 for assessment against the relevant Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

(3) Where a Performance Requirement is satisfied by a Performance Solution in combination with a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution, in order to comply with (1), the following method must be used to determine the Performance Requirement or Performance Requirements relevant to the Performance Solution:

  1. Identify the relevant Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of each Section or Part that are to be the subject of the Performance Solution.
  2. Identify the Performance Requirements from the same Sections or Parts that are relevant to the identified Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.
  3. Identify Performance Requirements from other Sections or Parts that are relevant to any aspects of any Performance Solution proposed or that are affected by the application of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions that are the subject of the Performance Solution.

Explanatory information

To comply with the NCC, a solution must achieve compliance with the Governing Requirements and the Performance Requirements. The Governing Requirements contain requirements about how the Performance Requirements must be met.

Performance Requirements outline the minimum necessary standards different buildings or building elements must attain. The Performance Requirements are the only NCC technical provisions that must be satisfied.

In some instances, State and Territory variations and additions may also be applicable to certain Performance Requirements.

A solution may be partly a Performance Solution and partly a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution. However, no matter what method is chosen, building proponents need to always meet the Performance Requirements of the NCC.

A2G2(2)(b)(ii) provides for the use of Verification Methods that are not listed in the NCC. A Verification Method may include—

  • a calculation, using analytical methods or mathematical models; or
  • a test, using a technical procedure, either on-site or in a laboratory, to directly measure the extent to which the Performance Requirements have been met; or
  • an inspection (and inspection report); or
  • any other acceptable form of certification.

Any Verification Method used must be acceptable to the appropriate authority.

A Performance Solution must comply with all applicable Performance Requirements of the NCC. A Performance Solution provides a tailored solution to meet the intended objective of the Performance Requirements. A Performance Solution must comply with all relevant Performance Requirements and must be verified using one or a combination of the following Assessment Methods:

For example, building proponents who wish to know what has to be done to satisfy the fire safety Performance Requirements for a particular building can either follow the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions or develop a Performance Solution. Guidance on how to develop Performance Solutions can be found on the ABCB website at: www.abcb.gov.au. The ABCB Resource Library contains information on the development of Performance Solutions for both building and plumbing.

A Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is achieved by following all appropriate Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions in the NCC. The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions are prescriptive (i.e. like a recipe book, they tell you how, what and in which location things must be done). They include materials, components, design factors, and construction methods that, if used, are deemed to meet the Performance Requirements, hence the term “Deemed-to-Satisfy”.

A Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution may be verified using one or a combination of the following Assessment Methods:

Some Performance Requirements are without Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions. Compliance with these Performance Requirements must be achieved by using a Performance Solution.

When designing a building or plumbing or drainage system, both Performance Solutions and Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions can be used to achieve compliance with Performance Requirements. A combination of solutions may be used to satisfy a single Performance Requirement. This may include occasions where a specific Performance Requirement covers a number of elements of a building or plumbing or drainage system.

No NCC provision can be considered in isolation. Any departure from the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for a Performance Solution needs to be assessed against the relevant Performance Requirements within the relevant NCC Section or Part. Additionally, the proposed Performance Solution may also impact on other Performance Requirements in other Sections or Parts. Thus, these additional Performance Requirements need to be considered in relation to the subject Performance Solution. A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) set out the methods for determining which Performance Requirements are relevant.

It is important that a holistic approach is used when determining the appropriate Performance Requirements.

A2G4(2)(a) references A2G2. Therefore, when using a combination of Performance Solutions and Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions it is necessary to comply with A2G2(4) where a Performance Requirement is proposed to be satisfied by a Performance Solution.

More information on NCC compliance methods is located at www.abcb.gov.au.