BUILDING SERVICES

Ref: BCA 16-02

Current at: April 2016

2016 BUILDING CODE TO START 1 MAY

The 2016 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2016 which includes the Building
Code of Australia (BCA) Volumes 1 & 2 and the Plumbing Code of Australia has been released.
The new version of the Codes will take effect from 1 May 2016 in all States and Territories.
The 2016 edition is an historic one in that from this year the codes will only be revised every three
years. This is a longer revision cycle and will allow industry time to adopt new provisions into their
business processes before any changes are made, which was common under the one year cycle.
New approach to Performance Requirements
NCC 2016 includes a restructure of the explanatory information on Performance Requirements
set out in Section 1 of each Code.
The Codes have always been performance based, however many users have chosen not to
take advantage of this option when developing building designs. Whilst using performance
designs is less common in detached housing, from time to time the need can arise. The ABCB is
seeking to improve the understanding of how performance requirements can be used to increase
its use overall.
This edition now includes a new clause 1.0.2 Meeting the Performance Requirements with a new
diagram showing the two compliance pathways, being a 'Performance Solution' or a Deemed-toSatisfy Solution.

The Objectives and Functional Statements that were previously part of this hierarchy of
provisions are now only found in Section 2 as explanatory information which each performance
requirement.
Definitions
The definitions are now all consolidated in Part 1.1.1 for convenience. A number of definitions
have been amended and new definitions included that relate to new provisions in the BCA.

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Changes to reference standards

As is generally the case several new and amended or revised Australian Standards have also
been referenced.

AS 1670: 2004 Fire detection, warning control and intercom systems - Part 1 Fire (new)
AS 1720:2015 Timber structures - Part 5: Nail plated roof trusses (new)
AS 3500: 2015 Plumbing and drainage Part 3: Stormwater drainage (revised)
AS 4773: 2015 Masonry for small buildings - Part 1: Design (revised)
AS 4773: 2015 Masonry for small buildings Part 2 Construction (revised)
AS 5146: 2015 Aerated autoclaved concrete Part 1: Structures (New)
SA TS 101 2015 Design of post installed and cast-in fastening in concrete (new)

Proposed changes for houses - Volume 2 Building Code of Australia (Housing Provisions)
Due to a review of the Acceptable Construction Practice (ACP) over the last two years, there are
a large number of changes to the construction provisions under Part 3. Many are changes to
improve interpretation rather than alter the minimum standards.
The following changes are worth noting in the 2016 edition:

New verification methods have been developed for structural robustness and ventilation
as the ABCBs move to better facilitate the use of a performance approach to building.
The Termite Risk Management provisions have been restructured to assist in the usability of
the Part; no technical changes have been made.
Additional explanatory information and a new diagram reflecting clad home construction has
been included in the sub-floor ventilation requirements.
Design of box gutters now must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.3 or AS/NZS 3500.5
the plumbing Australian Standards; the provisions for box gutters previously contained in the
BCA Volume 2 have been removed.
The 5 minute duration rainfall intensities under Table 3.5.2.1 have been amended to reflect
current data and include additional locations.
New provisions to quantify overflow measures for gutters and a concession for overflow
measures for certain eaves and verandahs.
Vertical or diagonal timber cladding has been included under the scope of the timber
cladding provisions and a requirement to use a permeable vapour barrier behind vertical or
diagonal timber cladding. New fixing requirements for timber cladding have also been
introduced providing for screw fixing and width of cladding board.
A new requirement under Fire Safety where parts of a second Class 1a dwelling located
above or below a Class 10a private garage which is not appurtenant to the primary Class 1a
dwelling (the Fonzie Flat) must have a separating floor/ceiling with a fire resistance level
(FRL)
The provision for smoke alarms has been amended to enable the installation of any alarm
deemed suitable in accordance with AS 1670.1 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom
systems Systems design, installation and commissioning in a Class 10a private garage.
This is to avoid spurious or false alarms by allowing the use of other types of alarms such as
heat activated alarms.
New provisions for the installation of boilers and pressure vessels under Part 3.7.3 Heating
Appliances
Clarification that a washbasin does not need to be associated with a closet pan; the
requirement to provide a washbasin under Part 3.8.3 will be provided as a separate subclause

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The natural light provisions have been amended to clarify the method of determining areas
of openings for borrowed light, and explanatory information has been inserted to clarify that
when a door is used to transmit natural light to an adjoining room it must do so when in the
closed position
New explanatory information to clarify that the size of an openable sash is used to determine
the required ventilation area despite the type of window and any opening restrictions
New explanatory information regarding ventilation which is "borrowed" from an adjoining
room which clarifies that an adjoining room's ventilation can be used to help make up the total
amount of ventilation required
Explanatory information to clarify that when using an exhaust fan as a means of mechanical
ventilation in a sanitary compartment, laundry or bathroom the provisions are only relevant
when the exhaust fan is the sole means of ventilation. This provision has been misinterpreted
in the past as requiring an exhaust fan in a bathroom where ventilation has also been
provided by other means such as window.
The stair provisions have been restructured and changes include:
- clarification that a stairway must be designed to take loading forces in accordance with
AS/NZS 1170.1
- an allowance for conditions such as movement of materials due to atmospheric
moisture changes or minor deviations related to variations in materials which affect
finished stair dimensions. This provides a 5mm tolerance between adjacent risers or
treads and a 10mm overall tolerance for treads and risers within a stairway
- the inclusion of Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for stairways serving non-habitable
rooms; this is being provided in conjunction with the deletion of referenced Standard
AS 1657 which is used to design stairs serving non-habitable rooms
- new provisions for ramps which is separate to the requirements for ramps for disabled
access for other building classifications. The new provisions require ramps to be no
steeper than 1:8 and be provided with landings at the top and bottom of the ramp and
at no more than 15m intervals
- slip resistance has also been applied to ramp surfaces and landings where the edge
of the landing leads to a stair flight below
- a new provision for landings for stairs serving non-habitable rooms which can be a
minimum 600mm long
- a change to the maximum height of a threshold from 190mm to 230mm
A minor change to the Energy Efficiency provisions which removes the provision under Part
3.12.0 in relation to compensating for the loss of ceiling insulation if provided by the house
energy rating software adopted

When do the changes apply?

Each State and Territory has slightly different rules about when these changes will apply to a
building application. If you have plans that have already been approved, these changes will not
apply. If an application has not been lodged for approval, or has been lodged by not yet approved,
these changes may apply. You should check with your local council or building surveyor to confirm
whether a project is affected.
For further clarification and information on the changes in BCA 2016 HIA members can
contact HIAs Building Services team for more information.