National Construction Code Updates, Deconstructed.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released the first stage of its National Construction Code updates for 2022, with plenty of upcoming changes that might affect your business.

Between several major revisions to housing and plumbing standards, plus  minor ones across a range of other areas, there’s a few things that will change once the updated code comes into effect. While these will mainly affect tradespeople in construction, those in property development will probably notice a few differences in how jobs are run as well.

Before the changes are officially rolled out, take five minutes now to get yourself up to speed on what the NCC 2022 has in store, and if your work will be affected.

Livable housing

Class 1a buildings (houses and townhouses) and Class 2 sole-occupancy units (individual apartments) will be subject to new livability requirements.

This change will introduce features based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines silver standard, with a voluntary gold standard also available for any features beyond this.

Essentially, this change aims to increase the amount of accessible housing available to older Australians, or those with a disability, as well as their families and carers.

Consistent volume structure

Based on previous NCCs, 2022’s Construction Code will be written to a new structure and clause referencing system.

This aims to create better consistency across all volumes, making it easier for you to find what you’re looking for – particularly when accessing the code via the web.

If you’re used to the old NCC structure, the new Section-Part-Type-Clause system will look a bit different. However, the old clause numbers will still be listed on the document for easy reference to help with the switch.

Housing Provisions Standard

The new ABCB Standard represents the Acceptable Construction Practices’ (ACP) content previously found in NCC 2019, Volume 2, Section 3. Like the ACP, it’s referenced by the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions in volume 2.

It’s a significant format change for the NCC, but to make it easier to understand a more traditional version combining NCC Volume 2 and the new Housing Provisions Standard into one document can also be accessed.

Lead-free plumbing products

NCC 2022 will also specify new requirements for any plumbing product containing a copper alloy and intended for use in contact with drinking water.

This major reform will come into effect from 1 September 2025, with the aim of leading to significant long-term health improvements that will flow on (see what we did there?) to all Australians.

Early childhood centres

New DTS Provisions, mostly extra requirements to allow for easier evacuation of young occupants from multi-storey buildings.

Fire safety and external walls

Clarifying the interpretations of concessions from non-combustibility requirements, as well as a new provision preventing fixing certain cladding panels by adhesive only.

Waterproofing

New DTS Provisions in Vol. 2 for waterproofing wet areas, with ‘waterproofing’ in Vol. 1 restructured into three parts for readability and ease of adding any future changes.

Weatherproofing

New solutions for external walls, including references to provisions in Australian Standards for masonry, autoclaved aerated concrete and metal wall sheeting.

Falls for floor wastes

Bathrooms and laundries where a floor waste is installed (either by requirement or voluntarily) will be required to have a fall of the floor to help drain the surface.

Number of exits

Minor amendments including a new concession allowing a single exit for part of a storey in some circumstances where two would previously have been required.

Quantification

To assist you in meeting performance requirements, the following areas of NCC 2022 have been quantified:

• Water efficiency
• Sanitary plumbing and drainage pipe sizing
• Heated water temperature delivery
• Drinking water pressure limits

Plumbing

Vol. 3 will contain new provisions for on-site wastewater management, and a new Verification Method for sanitary plumbing and drainage pipe sizing.

Standards

The latest editions of several new Australian Standards are also adopted by reference in NCC 2022 as part of new DTS Provisions.

NCC 2022 will initially be accessible as a downloadable pdf from NCC Online, with an online version you can access through your internet browser coming shortly after.

Once the second stage of the NCC is finalised, printed copies of NCC 2022 will be available for sale commercially later in the year, with the ABCB continuing to release guidance throughout that time.

For a more detailed breakdown of the changes we’ve listed above, as well as what to expect next, visit the ABCB online today.