Provides an overview of options available to demonstrate compliance with the NCC.

Keywords: Governing Requirements, Performance Requirements, Performance Solution, Deemed-to-Satisfy, compliance, Assessment Method

Target audience: Architects and designers, builders, educators, engineers, plumbers, surveyors and certifiers 

 

The National Construction Code (NCC) is Australia’s performance-based building and plumbing code. It sets the minimum technical requirements for the construction of new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings). 

This document gives an overview of options available to demonstrate compliance with the NCC. This information is useful for all NCC users.

The NCC is a performance-based code. This means that a building, plumbing or drainage solution will comply with the NCC if it satisfies the relevant Performance Requirements. Compliance with the NCC is achieved by complying with the:

  1. Governing Requirements.
  2. relevant Performance Requirements.

The Governing Requirements are a set of governing rules outlining how the NCC must be used and the process that must be followed.

The Performance Requirements prescribe the minimum necessary requirements for buildings, building elements, and plumbing and drainage systems. They must be met to demonstrate compliance with the NCC.

What are my compliance options? (A2G1)

There are three ways to comply with the NCC’s Performance Requirements. These include using a: 

  • Performance Solution
  • Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Solution
  • combination of Performance Solutions and DTS Solutions.

Performance Requirement example

The Performance Requirement for appropriate room heights states `a habitable room or space must have sufficient height that does not unduly interfere with its intended function’.

The objective of this Performance Requirement is to reduce occupant injury because the ceiling height is too low and to enable proper functioning of the space.

Using a Performance Solution (A2G2)

Did you know?

A Performance Solution is unique. They also often allow flexibility in achieving design and compliance outcomes and encourage innovative design and use of technology. 

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:

  • Evidence of Suitability.
  • A Verification Method.
  • Expert Judgement. 
  • Comparison with the DTS Provisions.

The NCC also prescribes the following process that practitioners must undertake when developing a Performance Solution: 

  1. Develop a performance-based design brief with appropriate stakeholders.
  2. Carry out analysis.
  3. Evaluate results.
  4. Prepare a final report outlining steps 1 to 3. 

Using a DTS Solution (A2G3)

A DTS Solution is achieved by following all appropriate DTS Provisions in the NCC. The DTS 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 DTS Solution must comply with the relevant Performance Requirements. It must be verified using one or a combination of the following Assessment Methods:

  • Evidence of suitability.
  • Expert Judgement. 

Did you know?

The DTS Provisions commonly reference Australia Standards. The standards generally provide more detailed information on how to construct different elements. The standards are also known as `referenced documents’.

Using a combination of solutions (A2G4)

When designing a building, both Performance Solutions and DTS 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 within a building. 

When using a combination of solutions, the relevant Performance Requirements must be identified by reviewing the:

  • DTS Provisions of each Section/Part for the solution; and Performance Requirements from these Sections/Parts; and
  • Performance Requirements from other Sections/Parts relevant to or affected by the proposed solution.

When using a combination of compliance solutions, the appropriate Assessment Methods must be used. That means where a Performance Requirement is met by a Performance Solution; then evidence of suitability, a Verification Method, Expert Judgement and/or Comparison with the DTS Provisions must be used. The Performance Solution process must also be followed for this portion of the design.

If a DTS Solution is used to meet the Performance Requirements; then evidence of suitability and/or Expert Judgement must be used.

More information about NCC Assessment Methods is provided in the ABCB publication, NCC Navigator - Assessment Methods NCC 2022.

Performance Solution example

Performance Requirement D1P2 for safe movement to and within a building applies to the design and construction of stairways.

A combination of solutions could involve a DTS Solution to address the dimensions of the treads and risers and a Performance Solution to address slip resistance of the tread.

Performance Solution example

In a school, a combination solution might use Performance Solutions for issues to do with fire safety, while DTS Solutions could be used for sanitary facilities and energy efficiency.