Welcome to the second edition of the Building Technical Bulletin for 2024.
Earlier this week, new NCC 2022 requirements relating to livable housing, energy efficiency and condensation management came into effect.
The new livable housing design requirements will improve the suitability of new Australian homes for people with reduced mobility, the energy efficiency requirements will make homes cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and more resilient to extreme weather, and the condensation management provisions further decrease health risks associated with condensation in new homes.
Linked to the new NCC 2022 Volume Two energy efficiency provisions, solar water heater requirements in Part B2 of the NCC 2022 Volume Three have replaced those in the Plumbing Regulations 2018.
Additional changes in place from 1 May require building surveyors to use the updated Form 2 (DOCX, 32.68 KB), which now covers any exemption or partial compliance to certain livable housing clauses in NCC 2022 that are granted.
I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the changes by reviewing the Australian Building Code Board’s (ABCB) webinar series and resources and the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) Practitioner Education Series webinars and NCC 2022 webpage.
Looking ahead to NCC 2025, the ABCB has released proposed changes to the next edition of the NCC for consultation. Key changes to the NCC include new and updated amendments for:
- Adequate toilets for women
- Alternative referenced documents
- Apartment energy efficiency – centralised heated water systems
- Assisting future electrification and EV charging in homes
- Carpark fire safety improvements
- Commercial building energy efficiency
- Condensation mitigation
- Fire hazard properties
- Housing energy efficiency – thermal breaks
- Hybrid photoluminescent exit signs
- Improving fire safety Performance Solutions
- Improving structural Performance Solutions
- Improving waterproofing and water shedding provisions
- NCC Referenced documents
- Re-entry from fire-isolated exits
- Use of an Accredited Testing Laboratory
You can now provide feedback on the Public Comment Draft (PCD) on the ABCB website. Consultation will be open for two months, closing on 1 July 2024.
The ABCB is hosting two events at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29 May, in addition to three building webinars, to inform industry on the proposed changes and how they’ll impact the way we work. Don’t miss out and register for these free events on the ABCB website.
Kind regards,
Andrew Cialini,
VBA State Building Surveyor
In this edition…
Engineered stone to be banned in Victoria from 1 July
From 1 July 2024, work involving manufacturing, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs will be banned.
After 1 July 2024, you cannot work with engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs, even if you entered into a contract before that date.
Your questions on small second dwellings answered
In December 2023, the Victorian Government made changes to the Building Regulations 2018, making it easier for Victorians to build small second dwellings (SSD).
During a webinar hosted in February, we answered your questions on SSDs. Read on to access that webinar recording and a transcript of the Q&A.
Industry alert: Important information about applying MG-15
The VBA is requiring building surveyors to familiarise themselves with the application of Minister’s Guideline 15 (MG-15).
MG-15 was issued to provide guidance to Municipal Building Surveyors and private building surveyors when considering the suitability and risk of existing combustible external cladding.
Applying Section 10 to staged construction projects
Under Section 10(2) of the Building Act 1993, the relevant building surveyor has the authority to decide on the application of a building regulation or an amendment to a building regulation where substantial progress on the design of the building was made prior to the commencement of a new regulation or an amendment to an existing regulation.
Building surveyor documentation and information obligations to councils
Building surveyors are reminded they are required to provide certain documents and information to councils related to building permits, occupancy permits and certificates of final inspection.
Building surveyor referrals of danger to life or property
The VBA reminds relevant building surveyors of their obligations under rule 2.5.1 of the Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors to consider the most appropriate enforcement action and to refer any matter of danger to life or property to the Municipal Building Surveyor.
Revised VBA interpretations of new condensation management provisions
As a point of clarification, the VBA would like to update industry on our interpretation of the condensation management provisions. In particular, the ventilation of roof spaces through the provision of ventilation at the eaves and the Deemed-to-Satisfy pathway to achieve compliance with the performance requirements.
Written Directions to Fix must be compliant to be enforceable
The VBA has introduced an approved form for the notification of conventions of Section 33 of the Building Act 1993.
Building surveyors are obliged to comply with the notification requirement and building practitioners are encouraged to be familiar with the requirement.
Key information missing from Form 2 – Building Permits
Building Surveyors are reminded that their building permit template must be in the correct format prescribed in the Building Regulations 2018 and contain all the relevant information required by the Building Act 1993 and Regulations.
Updates to building practitioner registration and offences under the Building Act 1993
Amendments have been made to Section 169D of the Building Act 1993, designed to align the Victorian building industry with the National Registration Framework and enhance regulatory clarity and compliance.
