The National Construction Code

Bringing Building and Plumbing Together

The purpose of regulations:“To keep out the fools and rascals”

- Hardy Cross (author of Engineers and Ivory Towers)

National Construction Code

Background to theNational Construction Code

• Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiative

• First step – building and plumbing

• All States/Territories have agreed to adopt by October 2012

Plumbing Code of Australia• First published in 2004 by the National Plumbing

Regulators Forum (NPRF)• Not universally adopted by States and Territories• 2010 review by NPRF/ABCB working group

National Construction Code Series

Building Code Plumbing Code Guide toVolume One

Volume One S&T Appendices

Why PCA?

Training (2004)

PCA (2011)

Licencing (2013?)

Regulatory FrameworkState/Territory Act

NCC (incl. Plumbing Code of Australia)

Referenced documents(incl. Australian Standards)

State/Territory Regulations

PCA Operating Structure

Performance Requirements• Set the level of performance that a

plumbing or drainage solution must meet, e.g.-– A cold water service for human

consumption must comply with drinking water guidelines etc…; or

– A sanitary plumbing system must be installed to minimise noise, blockages, stormwater ingress etc…

Deemed-to-Satisfy• Solutions that are ‘deemed-

to-satisfy’ a requirement – i.e. an accepted solution

• Referenced standards and other documents

• AS/NZS 3500 series of standards

Alternative Solutions• Alternative means of compliance• Assessed through ‘Assessment Methods’

– Part A2.2 of PCA– Verification Methods– Expert Judgement– Comparison to DTS

What does it mean for you?• PCA is now the primary

regulatory code• Opportunity for innovation

through Alternative Solutions• AS/NZS 3500 series still provides

the bulk of technical detail• Still need to use WaterMarked

products

Have a say in future NCC development

• Proposal for Change submissions

• Public comment

Plumbing Code Committee

• Assess technical proposals to change the Plumbing Code of Australia and provide technical advice to the Board

Plumbing Code CommitteeBuilding Ministers Forum

ABCB Board

Building Codes Committee

ABCB Office

Plumbing Code Committee

What the future holds• Heated water deadwater draw-off• Waterless urinals• Review of AS/NZS 3500 suite• Solar hot water review• Scoping study for gasfitting in

NCC

Heated Water Dead Water Draw-off

• Wasted water and energy?• Project will establish-

– ‘Typical’ water losses– Energy losses incl. by water

cooling in pipework– Options and impact analysis

Waterless Urinals• Project will establish

– Extent of problem– Potential solutions if

necessary– Impact analysis

12 months after installationPhoto from NPRF Advisory Note 2009

AS/NZS 3500 Suite Review• Review for regulatory use in PCA• Compliance with ABCB Protocol

– Public policy, regulatory statements and administrative matters

– PCA duplication and compatibility– Manufacturer’s or supplier’s

instructions

Solar Hot Water Review• AS/NZS 3500 Part 4 Section 6

– Lacks installation requirements– Relies on “manufacturer’s

instructions”– Specific orientation and inclination

provisions required

Gasfitting

• Scoping study to determine whether gasfitting should also be included in NCC

Plumbing Resource Kit• One of a series ABCB

produces• Designed for trainers• Includes lecture notes,

group exercises and frequently asked questions

Plumbing Resource Kit

Role of Regulator

NCC

Role of PCA

Why PCA?

Using the PCA

Recent Changes Materials / Products

Performance Req’ts

Deemed-to-Satisfy

Alternative Solutions

Variations & Additions

More about ABCB

Plumbing Resource Kit

Tailor to Different AudiencesAll Slides

1st Year Apprentices

3rd Year Apprentices

Cert IV Students

Contractors (60-90 min.)

Contractors (20 min.)

Annual NCC seminars

Biennial Building Australia’s Future Conference

Postal Address:GPO Box 9839Canberra ACT 2601

www.abcb.gov.au Phone: 1300 134 631

Australian Building Codes Board