Plumbing Connection Spring 2016

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PLUMBING CONNECTION

SPRING 2016

THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION

CODE: A PERFORMANCE BASED CODE

THE AUSTRALIAN BUILDING CODES BOARD (ABCB) CONTINUES TO DEVELOP CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL

AND OTHER SUPPORTING MATERIALS TO ASSIST APPROPRIATELY SKILLED PRACTITIONERS IN DEVELOPING AND

DELIVERING PERFORMANCE BASED SOLUTIONS. THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES MORE INSIGHT INTO COMPLIANCE OPTIONS

FOR MEETING THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS.

MEETING THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Performance based solutions provide options and flexibility.

These solutions are used to achieve compliance with the

Performance Requirements.

This compliance structure, from the General Requirements

in the National Construction Code (NCC), is shown below.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Each Volume of the NCC contains mandatory General

Requirements

. They contain information about applying the

NCC. They include:

∫ Interpretation (defined terms);

∫ Referenced documents (standards);

∫ Acceptance of design and construction

(documentation);

and

∫ Classification of buildings (building types).

The General Requirements are located in Section A of NCC

Volumes One and Three, in Part 1 of Volume Two, and are

reproduced in the Consolidated Requirements document.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The mandatory Performance Requirements specify the

minimum level of performance for all buildings, and

COMPLIANCE

LEVEL

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

PERFORMANCE

SOLUTION

and/or

DEEMED-TO-SATISFY

SOLUTION

COMPLIANCE

SOLUTIONS

FIGURE: NCC COMPLIANCE STRUCTURE