Glossary

A rainwater tank that is not in any way set into the ground.

Having features to enable use by people with a disability.

A continuous accessible path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into or within a building.

One of the following:

1. An organisation accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA) to undertake the relevant tests.
2. An organisation outside Australia accredited to undertake the relevant tests by an authority recognised by NATA through a mutual recognition agreement.
3. An organisation recognised as being an Accredited Testing Laboratory under legislation at the time the test was undertaken.

The degree to which occupants can undertake activities with respect to the likely activity traits and occupant traits.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a habitable room or space; or
2. Volume Two, the features of the activities that will be undertaken in a room or space.

The body responsible for administering the WaterMark Certification Scheme.

A Class 9c building for residential accommodation of aged persons who, due to varying degrees of incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with personal care services and 24 hour staff assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency.

Cropping, grazing, animal husbandry, intensive animal keeping, horticulture, aquaculture, wool shearing or dairy, but not viticulture or forestry.

A walkway at the end of rows of seating, not being continental seating, leading to a cross-over or to an egress doorway.

For the purposes of Section J of Volume One, a service that actively cools or heats the air within a space, but does not include a service that directly—

1. cools or heats cold or hot rooms; or
2. maintains specialised conditions for equipment or processes, where this is the main purpose of the service.

For the purposes of Specification 23, an area of a building protected by one or more smoke alarms connected to one alarm circuit.

An area given in Figure 1 and in Table 1 for specific locations, and is—

1. likely to be subject to significant snowfalls; and
2. in New South Wales, the ACT or Victoria more than 1200 m above the Australian Height Datum; and
3. in Tasmania more than 900 m above the Australian Height Datum.

Figure Notes

This map is approximate only and altitude above Australian Height Datum must be used to determine whether the building falls into an alpine area region.

In relation to a building, includes an addition or extension to a building.

Flat or profiled aluminium sheet material in composite with any type of materials.

An attribute which contributes to the health, physical independence, comfort and well-being of people.

An element that is secondary to and not an integral part of another element to which it is attached.

The probability that a given rainfall total accumulated over a given duration will be exceeded in any one year.

The theoretical amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the energy used annually by a building's services, excluding kitchen exhaust and the like.

For the purposes of the Fire Safety Verification Method, means the relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter satisfies the relevant Performance Requirement.

The relevant authority with the statutory responsibility to determine the particular matter.

A person recognised by the appropriate authority as having qualifications and/or experience in the relevant discipline in question.

A system for the disposal of sewage, sullage or stormwater approved by an authority having jurisdiction.

Masonry construction in which special provisions have been made for movement by articulation.

A building where people may assemble for—

1. civic, theatrical, social, political or religious purposes including a library, theatre, public hall or place of worship; or
2. educational purposes in a school, early childhood centre, preschool, or the like; or
3. entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes including—
   1. a discotheque, nightclub or a bar area of a hotel or motel providing live entertainment or containing a dance floor; or
   2. a cinema; or
   3. a sports stadium, sporting or other club; or
4. transit purposes including a bus station, railway station, airport or ferry terminal.

A method that can be used for determining that a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.

A space within a building that connects 2 or more storeys and—

1. is enclosed at the top by a floor or roof (including a glazed roof structure); and
2. includes any adjacent part of the building not separated by an appropriate barrier to fire; but
3. does not include a stairwell, rampwell or the space within a shaft; and
4. for the purposes of (a) a space is considered enclosed if the area of the enclosing floor or roof is greater than 50% of the area of the space, measured in plan, of any of the storeys connected by the space.

A space in an atrium bounded by the perimeter of the openings in the floors or by the perimeter of the floors and the external walls.

A part of an entertainment venue used or intended to be used for the purposes of accommodating an audience to an entertainment.

Designed to operate when activated by a heat, smoke or fire sensing device.

1. The time between ignition of a fire and the onset of untenable conditions in a specific part of a building.
2. The time referred to in (1) is the calculated interval between the time of ignition of a fire and the time at which conditions become such that the occupant is unable to take effective action to escape to a place of safety.

The ratio of the illumination level within a room provided by daylight to the level of daylight outside the building during overcast conditions.

The average specific extinction area for smoke as determined by AS 5637.1.

An air gap, break tank or mechanical device that is designed to prevent the unplanned reversal of flow of water or contaminants into the water service or a Network Utility Operator’s water supply.

A reversal of water flow caused by the downstream pressure becoming greater than the supply pressure.

A reversal of flow of water caused by negative pressure in the distributing pipes of a water service or supply.

A space associated with, and adjacent to, a stage in a Class 9b building for scenery, props, equipment, dressing rooms, or the like.

One or more chemical cells connected in series, parallel or a combination of the two for the purpose of electrical energy storage.

An obstruction within a water service or sanitary plumbing or drainage system.

A vessel or an arrangement of vessels and interconnecting parts, wherein steam or other vapour is generated, or water or other liquid is heated at a pressure above that of the atmosphere, by the application of fire, the products of combustion, electrical power, or similar high temperature means, and—

1. includes superheaters, reheaters, economisers, boiler piping, supports, mountings, valves, gauges, fittings, controls, the boiler settings and directly associated equipment; but
2. excludes a fully flooded or pressurised system where water or other liquid is heated to a temperature lower than the normal atmospheric boiling temperature of the liquid.

A material used as part of a waterproofing system that prevents the membrane bonding to the substrate, bedding or lining.

Any area of salt water in which waves break on an average of at least 4 days per week but does not include white caps or choppy water.

Are used to determine the building complexity level of all or part of a building in accordance with Table 2, where building complexity criteria are as follows:

1. Attributes — the building is designed or constructed with any of the following sub-criteria:
   1. An effective height of more than 25 m.
   2. One or more Performance Solutions are used to demonstrate compliance with the Performance Requirements relating to material and systems for structural safety.
   3. One or more Performance Solutions are used to demonstrate compliance with the Performance Requirements relating to material and systems for fire safety.
   4. Is located in an area prone to natural disaster or adverse environmental conditions.
2. Class 2 — all or part of the building is Class 2 of three or more storeys.
3. Occupant numbers — the building is to be occupied by more than 100 people determined in accordance with D2D18.
4. Occupant characteristics — the building is to be occupied by more than 10 people who will require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency.
5. Importance Level — the building is determined to be Importance Level 4 or 5.

A rainwater tank that is set into and completely covered by earth.

Exposure to fire for a time that includes fire growth, full development, and decay in the absence of intervention or automatic suppression, beyond which the fire is no longer a threat to building elements intended to perform loadbearing or fire separation functions, or both.

A fence or gate that is primarily constructed of Broombrush (Melalueca Uncinata).

A building or structure used for the commercial bulk handling or storage of granular materials such as grain, ore, or the like, where only a small number of occupants are present at one time and includes cell type silos and storage sheds.

A building that is used for the parking of motor vehicles but is neither a private garage nor used for the servicing of vehicles, other than washing, cleaning or polishing.

A void between 2 leaves of masonry, or in masonry veneer construction, a void between a leaf of masonry and the supporting frame.

For the purposes of F3V1 and H2V1, a wall that incorporates a drained cavity.

A type of bulk grain storage facility similar to that illustrated in diagram (a) of Figure SA 1.

Insert SA figure (1) as follows:

A facility as defined in Centre Based Care Class 4 Standards.

A facility as defined in Centre Based Care Class 5 Standards.

A certificate issued by a State or Territory accreditation authority stating that the properties and performance of a building material or method of construction or design fulfil specific requirements of the NCC.

A certificate issued under the ABCB scheme for products and systems certification stating that the properties and performance of a building material or method of construction or design fulfil specific requirements of the NCC.

A person or organisation operating in the field of material, product, form of construction or design certification that has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), and is accredited for a purpose other than as part of the CodeMark Australia Certification Scheme or WaterMark Certification Scheme.

The occupant data to be used in the modelling of access solutions which define how an occupant interacts with a building, i.e. occupant movement speeds, turning ability, reach capability, perception of luminance contrast and hearing threshold.

Has the same meaning as it has under the Children's Services Act 1996, but excludes a service where education and care is primarily provided to school aged children.

Timber or metal frame construction with exterior timber or sheet wall cladding that is not sensitive to minor movement and includes substructure masonry walls up to 1.5 m high.

An area defined in Figure 2 and in Table 3 for specific locations, having energy efficiency provisions based on a range of similar climatic characteristics.

Figure Notes

1. This map can be viewed in enlargeable form on the ABCB website at abcb.gov.au.
2. A Zone 4 area in South Australia, other than a council area, at an altitude greater than 300 m above the Australian Height Datum is to be considered as Zone 5.
3. The areas referred to in (2) have been defined in an enlarged format on the following maps produced by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (these maps can be viewed on the Government of South Australia website at www.sa.gov.au):
   1. Adelaide Hills Climate Zone Map.
   2. Barossa Council Climate Zone Map.
   3. Regional Council of Goyder Climate Zone Map.
4. Locations in climate zone 8 are in alpine areas.

Applied to—

1. a material — means combustible as determined by AS 1530.1; and
2. construction or part of a building — means constructed wholly or in part of combustible materials.

Means—

1. aluminium composite panels (ACPs) with a core of less than 93 per cent inert mineral filler (inert content) by mass in external cladding as part of a wall system; and
2. expanded polystyrene (EPS) products used in an external insulation and finish (rendered) wall system.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, a wall that is common to adjoining buildings.
2. Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions, a wall that is common to adjoining buildings other than Class 1 buildings.

The formation of moisture on the surface of a building element or material as a result of moist air coming into contact with a surface which is at a lower temperature.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, a space within a building, including a ceiling or under-floor supply air plenum or return air plenum, where the environment is likely, by the intended use of the space, to have its temperature controlled by air-conditioning; or
2. Volume Two, a space within a building that is heated or cooled by the building’s domestic services, excluding a non-habitable room in which a heater with a capacity of not more than 1.2 kW or 4.3 MJ/hour is installed.

Actions due to stacking of building materials or the use of equipment, including cranes and trucks, during construction or actions which may be induced by floor to floor propping.

The installation of a backflow prevention device at the point of connection of a Network Utility Operator’s water supply to a site.

Any substance (including gases, liquids, solids or micro-organisms), energy (excluding noise) or heat, that either by itself or in combination with the same, similar or other substances, energy or heat, changes or is likely to change the physical, chemical or biological condition of water.

Rows of seating in which the rows extend the full width of an auditorium without intervening aisles.

Material that has been placed and compacted in layers with compaction equipment (such as a vibrating plate) within a defined moisture range to a defined density requirement.

For any one hour when the mean outdoor air temperature is above the assumed cooling thermostat set point, the degree Celsius air temperature difference between the mean outdoor air temperature and the assumed cooling thermostat set point.

The calculated amount of energy removed from the cooled spaces of the building annually by artificial means to maintain the desired temperatures in those spaces.

The critical heat flux at extinguishment (CHF in kW/m²) as determined by AS ISO 9239.1.

Any actual or potential connection between a water supply and any contaminant.

In relation to an entertainment venue or temporary structure, means a walkway between aisles or between an aisle and an egress doorway.

A non-loadbearing external wall that is not a panel wall.

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures that occur in a day.

A continuous layer of impervious material placed in a masonry wall or pier, or between a wall or pier and a floor, to prevent the upward or downward migration of water.

Provisions which are deemed to satisfy the Performance Requirements.

A method of satisfying the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

The flood event selected for the management of flood hazard for the location of specific development as determined by the appropriate authority.

The flood level associated with a defined flood event relative to a specified datum (see Figure 3).

For any one hour when the mean humidity is more than 15.7g/kg, the grams per kilogram of absolute humidity difference between the mean outdoor absolute humidity and 15.7g/kg.

Land which has been designated under a power of legislation as being subject, or likely to be subject, to bushfires.

The characteristics of a bushfire, its initiation, spread and development, which arises from weather conditions, topography and fuel (vegetation) in a given setting, used to determine fire actions.

The quantitative description of a representation of a fire within the design scenario.

The specific scenario of which the sequence of events is quantified and a fire safety engineering analysis is conducted against.

The design gust wind speed for the area where the building is located, calculated in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.2 or AS 4055 (see Table 4 for wind classes).

A building in which persons are securely detained by means of the built structure including a prison, remand centre, juvenile detention centre, holding cells or psychiatric detention centre.

Is as defined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

For the purposes of F3V1 and H2V1, means a wall with cladding attached directly to the wall framing without the use of a drained cavity.

Means—

1. a wall having a minimum 20 mm cavity between 2 separate leaves, and—
   1. for masonry, where wall ties are used to connect leaves, the ties are of the resilient type; and
   2. for other than masonry, there is no mechanical linkage between the leaves, except at the periphery; and
2. a staggered stud wall is not deemed to be discontinuous construction.

Glazing used to display retail goods in a shop or showroom directly adjacent to a walkway or footpath, but not including that used in a café or restaurant.

The basic engineering systems that use energy or control the use of energy; and—

1. includes—
   1. heating, air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation and artificial lighting; and
   2. pumps and heaters for swimming pools and spa pools; and
   3. heated water systems; and
   4. on-site renewable energy equipment; but
2. excludes cooking facilities and portable appliances.

Any part of—

1. a sanitary drainage system, including any liquid trade waste drainage; or
2. a stormwater drainage system.

A flange connected to a waste pipe, at the point at which it passes through the floor substrate, to prevent leakage and which enables tile bed drainage into the waste pipe.

A waste pipe between the floor waste and the drainage system.

Water intended primarily for human consumption but which has other domestic uses.

Any premises or part thereof providing or intending to provide a centre-based education and care service within the meaning of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Vic), the Education and Care Services National Regulations and centre-based services that are licensed or approved under State and Territory children's services law, but excludes education and care primarily provided to school aged children in outside school hours settings.

The vertical distance between the floor of the lowest storey included in the calculation of rise in storeys and the floor of the topmost storey (excluding the topmost storey if it contains only heating, ventilating, lift or other equipment, water tanks or similar service units).

The degree to which a system achieves a design objective given that it performs to a level consistent with the system specification during the relevant fire scenario.

A building in which high voltage supply is converted or transformed and which is controlled by a licensed network service provider designated under a power of legislation.

A power-operated lift for raising or lowering people in a car in which the motion of the car is obtained from an electric motor mechanically coupled to the hoisting mechanism.

A power-operated lift for raising or lowering people in a car in which the motion of the car is obtained from the action of liquid under pressure acting on a piston or ram, the pressure being generated by a pump driven by an individual electric motor.

The net cost to society including, but not limited to, costs to the building user, the environment and energy networks.

A pier bonded to a masonry wall by course bonding of masonry units or by masonry ties.

Is as defined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

For the purposes of—

1. Section J in NCC Volume One, the parts of a building’s fabric that separate a conditioned space or habitable room from—
   1. the exterior of the building; or
   2. a non-conditioned space including—
      1. the floor of a rooftop plant room, lift-machine room or the like; and
      2. the floor above a carpark or warehouse; and
      3. the common wall with a carpark, warehouse or the like; or
2. Part H6 in NCC Volume Two and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, the parts of a building’s fabric that separate artificially heated or cooled spaces from—
   1. the exterior of the building; or
   2. other spaces that are not artificially heated or cooled.

Equivalent to the level of health, safety and amenity provided by the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

The continuous path of travel (including exits, public corridors and the like) from any part of a building, including within a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part, to a safe place.

The time calculated from when the emergency starts for the occupants of the building to evacuate to a safe place.

Means—

1. Any, or any combination of the following if they provide egress to a road or open space:
   1. An internal or external stairway.
   2. A ramp.
   3. A fire-isolated passageway.
   4. A doorway opening to a road or open space; or
2. A horizontal exit or a fire-isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit.

The judgement of an expert who has the qualifications and experience to determine whether a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution complies with the Performance Requirements.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, an outer wall of a building which is not a common wall; or
2. Volume Two, an outer wall of a building which is not a separating wall.

A voltage not exceeding 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC.

The basic building structural elements and components of a building including the roof, ceilings, walls, glazing and floors.

A Class 7 or 8 building located on land primarily used for farming—

1. that is—
   1. used in connection with farming; or
   2. used primarily to store one or more farm vehicles; or
   3. a combination of (i) and (ii); and
2. in which the total number of persons accommodated at any time does not exceed one person per 200 m² of floor area or part thereof, up to a maximum of 8 persons; and
3. with a total floor area of not more than 3500 m².

Includes—

1. cultivating, propagating and harvesting plants or fungi or their products or parts, including seeds, spores, bulbs or the like, but does not include forestry; or
2. maintaining animals in any physical environment for the purposes of—
   1. breeding them; or
   2. selling them; or
   3. acquiring and selling their bodily produce such as milk, wool, eggs or the like; or
3. a combination of (a) and (b),

but does not include forestry or maintaining animals for sport or recreational purposes.

A single storey Class 7 or 8 building located on land primarily used for farming—

1. that is—
   1. used in connection with farming; or
   2. used primarily to store one or more farm vehicles; or
   3. a combination of (i) and (ii); and
2. occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods by people; and
3. in which the total number of persons accommodated at any time does not exceed 2; and
4. with a total floor area of more than 500 m² but not more than 2000 m².

A vehicle used in connection with farming.

A cinematograph film of a size of 35 mm or greater.

The ground level adjacent to footing systems at the completion of construction and landscaping.

Each of the following:

1. airborne embers; and
2. burning debris and/or accumulated embers adjacent to building elements; and
3. heat transfer from combustible materials within the site; and
4. radiant heat from a bushfire front; and
5. flame contact from a bushfire front; and
6. the period of time post fire front subject to collapsing vegetation due to persistent combustion.

A statutory authority constituted under an Act of Parliament having as one of its functions, the protection of life and property from fire and other emergencies.

For the purposes of E1D2(1)(b) and I3D9, means a state or territory government operated premises which is a station for a fire brigade.

Either—

1. the total space of a building; or
2. when referred to in—
   1. the Performance Requirements — any part of a building separated from the remainder by barriers to fire such as walls and/or floors having an appropriate resistance to the spread of fire with any openings adequately protected; or
   2. the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions — any part of a building separated from the remainder by walls and/or floors each having an FRL not less than that required for a fire wall for that type of construction and where all openings in the separating construction are protected in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the relevant Part.

The stage of fire development during which the heat release rate and the temperature of the fire are generally increasing.

The danger in terms of potential harm and degree of exposure arising from the start and spread of fire and the smoke and gases that are thereby generated.

The following properties of a material or assembly that indicate how they behave under specific fire test conditions:

1. Average specific extinction area, critical radiant flux and Flammability Index, determined as defined in Schedule 1.
2. Smoke-Developed Index, smoke development rate and Spread-of-Flame Index, determined in accordance with Specification 3.
3. Group number and smoke growth rate index (SMOGRA_RC), determined in accordance with Specification 7.

The rate of release of calorific energy in watts, determined either theoretically or empirically, as applicable.

A corridor, hallway or the like, of fire-resisting construction, which provides egress to or from a fire-isolated stairway or fire-isolated ramp or to a road or open space.

A ramp within a fire-resisting enclosure which provides egress from a storey.

A stairway within a fire-resisting shaft and includes the floor and roof or top enclosing structure.

The sum of the net calorific values of the combustible contents which can reasonably be expected to burn within a fire compartment, including furnishings, built-in and removable materials, and building elements.

Fire-resisting timber building elements that comply with Specification 10.

Any one or more of the following:

1. 13 mm fire-protective grade plasterboard.
2. 12 mm cellulose cement flat sheeting complying with AS/NZS 2908.2 or ISO 8336.
3. 12 mm fibrous plaster reinforced with 13 mm x 13 mm x 0.7 mm galvanised steel wire mesh located not more than 6 mm from the exposed face.
4. Other material not less fire-protective than 13 mm fire-protective grade plasterboard, fixed in accordance with the normal trade practice for a fire-protective covering.

The grading periods in minutes determined in accordance with Specifications 1 and 2, for the following criteria—

1. structural adequacy; and
2. integrity; and
3. insulation,

and expressed in that order.

For the purposes of Volume One, means one of the Types of construction referred to in Part C2 of Volume One.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, applied to a building element, having an FRL appropriate for that element; or
2. Volume Two, applied to a structural member or other part of a building, having the FRL required for that structural member or other part.

Application of engineering principles, rules and expert judgement based on a scientific appreciation of the fire phenomenon, often using specific design scenario, of the effects of fire and of the reaction and behaviour of people in order to—

1. save life, protect property and preserve the environment and heritage from destructive fire; and
2. quantify the hazards and risk of fire and its effects; and
3. mitigate fire damage by proper design, construction, arrangement and use of buildings, materials, structures, industrial processes and transportation systems; and
4. evaluate analytically the optimum protective and preventive measures, including design, installation and maintenance of active and passive fire and life safety systems, necessary to limit, within prescribed levels, the consequences of fire.

One or any combination of the methods used in a building to—

1. warn people of an emergency; or
2. provide for safe evacuation; or
3. restrict the spread of fire; or
4. extinguish a fire,

and includes both active and passive systems.

Any one or more of the following:

1. The far boundary of a road, river, lake or the like adjoining the allotment.
2. A side or rear boundary of the allotment.
3. An external wall of another building on the allotment which is not a Class 10 building.

A wall with an appropriate resistance to the spread of fire that divides a storey or building into fire compartments.

For the purposes of Specification 23, a system of electrical wiring (either AC or DC), in which cables are fixed or supported in position.

The index number as determined by AS 1530.2.

A strip or sleeve of impervious material dressed, fitted or built-in to provide a barrier to water movement, or to divert the travel of water, or to cover a joint where water would otherwise penetrate to the interior of a building, and includes the following:

1. Perimeter flashing: a flashing used at the floor-wall junction.
2. Vertical flashing: a flashing used at wall junctions within shower areas.

In relation to fire hazard properties, means a heat release rate of 1 MW.

That part of a stair that has a continuous series of risers, including risers of winders, not interrupted by a landing or floor.

Explanatory information

A flight is the part of a stair that has a continuous slope created by the nosing line of treads. The length of a flight is limited to restrict the distance a person could fall down a stair.

Quarter landings, as shown in Explanatory Figure 1, are considered sufficient to halt a person’s fall and therefore are considered for the purposes of NCC Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions not to be part of the flight.

The site (whether or not mapped) encompassing land lower than the flood hazard level which has been determined by the appropriate authority.

The flood level used to determine the height of floors in a building and represents the defined flood level plus the freeboard (see Figure 3).

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One—
   1. in relation to a building — the total area of all storeys; and
   2. in relation to a storey — the area of all floors of that storey measured over the enclosing walls, and includes—
      1. the area of a mezzanine within the storey, measured within the finished surfaces of any external walls; and
      2. the area occupied by any internal wall or partitions, any cupboard, or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting; and
      3. if there is no enclosing wall, an area which has a use that contributes to the fire load or impacts on the safety, health or amenity of the occupants in relation to the provisions of the BCA; and
   3. in relation to a room — the area of the room measured within the internal finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting; and
   4. in relation to a fire compartment — the total area of all floors within the fire compartment measured within the finished internal surfaces of the bounding construction, and if there is no bounding construction, includes an area which has a use which contributes to the fire load; and
   5. in relation to an atrium — the total area of all floors within the atrium measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction and if no bounding construction, within the external walls.
2. Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions, in relation to a room, the area of the room measured within the finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting (see Figure 4).

A grated inlet within a graded floor intended to drain the floor surface.

Scenery of a kind that is lifted above the stage floor by means of lines run from a grid.

The ground which supports the building (see Figure 5).

The fraction of the dose (of thermal effects) that would render a person of average susceptibility incapable of escape.

The height above the defined flood level as determined by the appropriate authority, used to compensate for effects such as wave action and localised hydraulic behaviour.

The state of total involvement of the majority of available combustible materials in a fire.

A Class 1a dwelling located above a Class 10a private garage which is not associated with that Class 1a dwelling and includes any internal entry stair serving the garage top dwelling.

For the purposes of—

1. Section J of Volume One, except for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building—
   1. a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the envelope; and
   2. includes a window other than a roof light; or
2. Section J of NCC Volume One, for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building—
   1. a translucent element and its supporting frame located in the external fabric of the building; and
   2. includes a window other than a roof light; or
3. Part H6 of NCC Volume Two and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions—
   1. a transparent or translucent element and its supporting frame located in the external fabric of the building; and
   2. includes a window other than a roof light.

The horizontal dimension from the front to the back of a tread less any overhang from the next tread or landing above (see Figure 11.2.2f in the ABCB Housing Provisions).

The building sustainability rating scheme managed by the Green Building Council of Australia.

A framework from which lines are run for the purpose of lifting flying scenery above the stage floor.

The number of one of 4 groups of materials used in the regulation of fire hazard properties and applied to materials used as a finish, surface, lining, or attachment to a wall or ceiling.

A room used for normal domestic activities, and—

1. includes a bedroom, living room, lounge room, music room, television room, kitchen, dining room, sewing room, study, playroom, family room, home theatre and sunroom; but
2. excludes a bathroom, laundry, water closet, pantry, walk-in wardrobe, corridor, hallway, lobby, photographic darkroom, clothes-drying room, and other spaces of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.

A level of potential toxicity that may cause contamination in a drinking water system, having a rating of Low Hazard, Medium Hazard or High Hazard, determined in accordance with NCC Volume Three.

A building whose occupants or patients undergoing medical treatment generally need physical assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency and includes—

1. a public or private hospital; or
2. a nursing home or similar facility for sick or disabled persons needing full-time care; or
3. a clinic, day surgery or procedure unit where the effects of the predominant treatment administered involve patients becoming non-ambulatory and requiring supervised medical care on the premises for some time after the treatment.

Water that has been intentionally heated; normally referred to as hot water or warm water.

For any one hour when the mean outdoor air temperature is less than 15°C, the degrees Celsius temperature difference between the mean outdoor air temperature and 15°C.

The calculated amount of energy delivered to the heated spaces of the building annually by artificial means to maintain the desired temperatures in those spaces.

The thermal energy produced by combustion (measured in kJ).

The rate of thermal energy production generated by combustion, measured in kW (preferred) or MW.

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to cause death.

A region that is subject to design wind speed more than N3 or C1 (see Table 4).

The upstand at the perimeter of a shower area.

A required doorway between 2 parts of a building separated from each other by a fire wall.

A hotel which has any sole-occupancy units that can be shared by unrelated persons.

The number of hours when the occupancy of the building is greater than 20% of the peak occupancy.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS); or
2. Volume Two—
   1. applied to H6V2—software accredited or previously accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) and the additional functionality provided in non-regulatory mode; and
   2. applied to Specification 42—software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).

The luminous flux falling onto a unit area of surface.

The total of the power that will be consumed by the lights in a space, including any lamps, ballasts, current regulators and control devices other than those that are plugged into socket outlets for intermittent use such as floor standing lamps, desk lamps or work station lamps, divided by the area of the space, and expressed in W/m².

A power-operated device for raising or lowering people within a carriage that has one or more rigid guides on an inclined plane.

The installation of a backflow prevention device at the point where a water service connects to a single fixture or appliance.

Is as defined in the Standard Instrument—Principal Local Environment Plan.

In relation to an FRL, the ability to maintain a temperature on the surface not exposed to the furnace below the limits specified in AS 1530.4.

In relation to an FRL, the ability to resist the passage of flames and hot gases specified in AS 1530.4.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, excludes a common wall or a party wall; or
2. Volume Two, excludes a separating wall, common wall or party wall.

The condensation of moisture on surfaces between material layers inside the building component.

An irrigation system of the following types:

1. Type A— all permanently open outlets and piping more than 150 mm above finished surface level, not subject to ponding or backpressure and not involving injection systems.
2. Type B— irrigation systems in domestic or residential buildings with piping or outlets installed less than 150 mm above finished surface level and not involving injection systems.
3. Type C— irrigation systems in other than domestic or residential buildings with piping outlets less than 150 mm above finished surface level and not involving injection systems.
4. Type D— irrigation systems where fertilizers, herbicides, nematicides or the like are injected or siphoned into the system.

The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.

The total of the maximum power rating of the lamps in a space, other than those that are plugged into socket outlets for intermittent use such as floor standing lamps, desk lamps or work station lamps, divided by the area of the space, and expressed in W/m².

An area at the top or bottom of a flight or between two flights.

The heat gained by the vapourising of liquid without change of temperature.

A support (including a footing, buttress, cross wall, beam, floor or braced roof structure) that effectively restrains a wall or pier at right angles to the face of the wall or pier.

Where a plumbing product or material in contact with drinking water has a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.

Is as defined in the Liquor Act 2007.

Includes—

1. premises in respect of which a cabaret licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; or
2. premises in respect of which a tavern licence, a hotel restricted licence or any other kind of hotel licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; or
3. a cabaret, hotel or tavern—
   1. in respect of which a special facility licence as defined by the Liquor Control Act 1988 has been granted under that Act; and
   2. in respect of which paragraph (a) or (b) does not apply.

Construction which incorporates or comprises—

1. sheet or board material, plaster, render, sprayed application, or other material similarly susceptible to damage by impact, pressure or abrasion; or
2. concrete and concrete products containing pumice, perlite, vermiculite, or other soft material similarly susceptible to damage by impact, pressure or abrasion; or
3. masonry having a width of less than 70 mm.

Intended to resist vertical forces additional to those due to its own weight.

For the purposes of H1D4 and H2D3 of NCC Volume Two and Section 4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, means any wall imposing on the footing a load greater than 10 kN/m.

Physical damage, financial loss or loss of amenity.

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, would constitute a nuisance by colour, odour or taste but does not have the potential to injure or endanger health.

An area with a 5 minute rainfall intensity for an annual exceedance probability of 5% of not more than 125 mm/hour.

A power-operated low-rise, low-speed device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a carriage that is controlled by the application of constant pressure to a control.

A power-operated device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a platform, that is controlled automatically or by the application of constant pressure to a control.

A voltage exceeding extra-low voltage, but not exceeding 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC.

The light reflected from one surface or component, compared to the light reflected from another surface or component.

The domestic hot water unit in a dwelling that is connected to at least one shower and the largest number of hot water outlets.

Either—

1. the heating or cooling equipment that serves at least 70% of the conditioned space of a dwelling; or
2. if no one heating or cooling equipment serves at least 70% of the conditioned space of the dwelling, the equipment that results in the highest net equivalent energy usage when calculated in accordance with J3D14(1)(a) of NCC Volume One or 13.6.2(1)(a) of the ABCB Housing Provisions.

An element not less than 75 mm thick as measured in each direction formed from solid and laminated timber.

The point where surface water will start to overflow out of the shower area.

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with a water supply, has the potential to injure or endanger health.

A barrier impervious to moisture.

An intermediate floor within a room.

The Minimum Energy Performance Standards for equipment and appliances established through the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.

A permanently unobstructed space having a height above floor level of not less than 2000 mm and a width of not less than the specified measurement.

A building consisting of more than one form of construction, particularly in double-storey buildings.

A fungal growth that can be produced from conditions such as dampness, darkness, or poor ventilation.

The National Australian Built Environment Rating Systems for energy efficiency, which is managed by the New South Wales Government.

A person who—

1. undertakes the piped distribution of drinking water or non-drinking water for supply; or
2. is the operator of a sewerage system or a stormwater drainage system.

Applied to—

1. a material — means not deemed combustible as determined by AS 1530.1 — Combustibility Tests for Materials; or
2. construction or part of a building — means constructed wholly of materials that are not deemed combustible.

Water which is not intended primarily for human consumption.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a habitable room or space; or
2. Volume Two, the features, needs and profile of the occupants in a room or space.

A space on a roof, balcony or similar part of a building—

1. that is open to the sky; and
2. to which access is provided, other than access only for maintenance; and
3. that is not open space or directly connected with open space.

A system that receives and/or treats wastewater generated and discharges the resulting effluent to an approved disposal system or re-use system.

A carpark in which all parts of the parking storeys are cross-ventilated by permanent unobstructed openings in not fewer than 2 opposite or approximately opposite sides, and—

1. each side that provides ventilation is not less than ¹/₆ of the area of any other side; and
2. the openings are not less than ½ of the wall area of the side concerned.

A space on the allotment, or a roof or similar part of a building adequately protected from fire, open to the sky and connected directly with a public road.

A tiered stand substantially open at the front.

All or any of the following—

1. any building on the same or an adjoining allotment; and
2. any adjoining allotment; and
3. a road.

Air outside the building.

A mode of operation of an air-conditioning system that, when the outdoor air thermodynamic properties are favourable, increases the quantity of outdoor air used to condition the space.

That part of the disposal system receiving surface water from the drainage system and may include a natural water course, kerb and channel, or soakage system.

A device that provides relief to a water service, sanitary plumbing and drainage system, rainwater service or stormwater system to avoid the likelihood of uncontrolled discharge.

A non-loadbearing external wall, in frame or similar construction, that is wholly supported at each storey.

A rainwater tank that is not completely covered by earth but is partially set into the ground.

A part of a health-care building normally used for the treatment, care, accommodation, recreation, dining and holding of patients including a ward area and treatment area.

The report that defines the scope of work for the performance-based analysis, the technical basis for analysis, and the criteria for acceptance of any relevant Performance Solution as agreed by stakeholders.

A requirement which states the level of performance which a Performance Solution or Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution must meet.

A method of complying with the Performance Requirements other than by a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.

For the purposes of Section 8 of the Housing Provisions, means the external envelope of a building.

A permit authority as defined in the Building Act 2016.

Any of the following:

1. The provision of nursing care.
2. Assistance or supervision in—
   1. bathing, showering or personal hygiene; or
   2. toileting or continence management; or
   3. dressing or undressing; or
   4. consuming food.
3. The provision of direct physical assistance to a person with mobility problems.
4. The management of medication.
5. The provision of substantial rehabilitative or development assistance.

For the purposes of Section J in Volume One or Part H6 in Volume Two, and Section 13 of the Housing Provisions, means an assembly of pipes, with or without valves or other fittings, connected together for the conveyance of liquids and gases.

Is as prescribed by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

A water barrier as classified by AS 4200.1.

Any water service plumbing or sanitary plumbing system.

A solution which complies with the Performance Requirement and is a—

1. Performance Solution; or
2. Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution; or
3. combination of (a) and (b).

Any of the following:

1. For a cold water service, means the point where the cold water service connects to—
   1. the Network Utility Operator's water supply system; or
   2. the point of isolation to an alternative water source where there is no Network Utility Operator's water supply available or is not utilised.
2. For a heated water service, means the point where the water heater connects to the cold water service downstream of the isolation valve.
3. For sanitary drainage, means the point where the on-site sanitary drainage system connects to—
   1. the Network Utility Operator's sewerage system; or
   2. an on-site wastewater management system.
4. For sanitary plumbing, means the point where the sanitary plumbing system connects to the sanitary drainage system.
5. For a rainwater service, means the point where the rainwater service—
   1. connects to the point of isolation for the rainwater storage; or
   2. draws water from the rainwater storage.
6. For stormwater disposal, means the point where the on-site stormwater drainage system connects to—
   1. the Network Utility Operator's stormwater system; or
   2. an approved on-site disposal system.
7. For a fire-fighting water service, means the point where the service connects to—
   1. a cold water service, downstream of a backflow prevention device; or
   2. the Network Utility Operator's water supply system; or
   3. the point of isolation to an alternative water source.

Water intended for human consumption supplied by a water services provider.

The Predicted Mean Vote of the thermal perception of building occupants determined in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55.

A preformed, prefinished vessel installed as the finished floor of a shower compartment, and which is provided with a connection point to a sanitary drainage system.

A vessel subject to internal or external pressure, including interconnected parts and components, valves, gauges and other fittings up to the first point of connection to connecting piping, and—

1. includes fire heaters and gas cylinders; but
2. excludes—
   1. any vessel that falls within the definition of a boiler; and
   2. storage tanks and equipment tanks intended for storing liquids where the pressure at the top of the tank is not exceeding 1.4 kPa above or 0.06 kPa below atmospheric pressure; and
   3. domestic-type hot water supply heaters and tanks; and
   4. pressure vessels installed for the purposes of fire suppression or which serve a fire suppression system.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the loads specified in B1D3 and includes roof, ceiling, floor, stairway or ramp and wall framing members including bracing members designed for the specific purpose of acting as a brace to those members; or
2. Part 3.4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, a member of a building designed specifically to take part of the building loads and includes roof, ceiling, floor, stairway or ramp and wall framing members including bracing members designed for the specific purpose of acting as a brace to those members.

The most interior insulation layer of a wall or roof construction.

A structure associated with, but not attached to, or part of a Class 1a dwelling that may, as a last resort, provide shelter for occupants from immediate life threatening effects of a bushfire.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One—
   1. any garage associated with a Class 1 building; or
   2. any single storey of a building of another Class containing not more than 3 vehicle spaces, if there is only one such storey in the building; or
   3. any separate single storey garage associated with another building where such garage contains not more than 3 vehicle spaces; or
2. Volume Two—
   1. any garage associated with a Class 1 building; or
   2. any separate single storey garage associated with another building where such garage contains not more than 3 vehicle spaces.

Plumbing and drainage items within the scope of Volume Three including but not limited to—

1. materials, fixtures and components used in a plumbing or drainage installation; and
2. appliances and equipment connected to a plumbing or drainage system.

A form of documentary evidence stating that the properties and performance of a building material, product or form of construction fulfil specific requirements of the NCC, and describes—

1. the application and intended use of the building material, product or form of construction; and
2. how the use of the building material, product or form of construction complies with the requirements of the NCC Volume One and Volume Two; and
3. any limitations and conditions of the use of the building material, product or form of construction relevant to (b).

A person who is—

1. if legislation is applicable — a registered professional engineer in the relevant discipline who has appropriate experience and competence in the relevant field; or
2. if legislation is not applicable—
   1. registered in the relevant discipline on the National Engineering Register (NER) of the Institution of Engineers Australia (which trades as ‘Engineers Australia’); or
   2. eligible to become registered on the Institution of Engineers Australia’s NER and has appropriate experience and competence in the relevant field.

Such part of an entertainment venue as is designed to accommodate apparatus used for projecting films.

Includes any person working in an enclosed public place.

A Class 6 licensed premises or 9b building where persons may assemble for—

1. civic, theatrical, social, political or religious purposes; or
2. educational purposes; or
3. entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes; or
4. business purposes.

An enclosed corridor, hallway or the like which—

1. serves as a means of egress from 2 or more sole-occupancy units to a required exit from the storey concerned; or
2. is required to be provided as a means of egress from any part of a storey to a required exit.

A water service which distributes water from the isolation valve of the rainwater storage to the rainwater points of discharge for purposes such as for clothes washing, urinal and water closet flushing and external hose cocks.

Any storage of rainwater collected from a roof catchment area which is used to supply water for the primary purposes of drinking, personal hygiene or other uses.

A vessel for the storage of surface water collected from the roof catchment area of the building.

A door that opens and closes at a speed of not less than 0.5 m/s.

A person with qualifications and experience in the area of plumbing or drainage in question recognised by the authority having jurisdiction.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, a hypothetical building that is used to calculate the maximum allowable—
   1. annual greenhouse gas emissions for the common area of a Class 2 building or a Class 3 to 9 building; or
   2. heating load, cooling load and energy value for a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building; or
2. Volume Two, a hypothetical building that is used to determine the maximum allowable heating load and cooling load for the proposed building.

A building membrane with a reflective surface such as a reflective foil laminate, reflective barrier, foil batt or the like capable of reducing radiant heat flow.

The energy consumed by a building's services minus the amount of renewable energy generated and used on site.

Masonry reinforced with steel reinforcement that is placed in a bed joint or grouted into a core to strengthen the masonry.

The probability that a system performs to a level consistent with the system specification.

Energy that is derived from sources that are regenerated, replenished, or for all practical purposes cannot be depleted and the energy sources include, but are not limited to, solar, wind, hydroelectric, wave action and geothermal.

Required to satisfy a Performance Requirement or a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision of the NCC as appropriate.

The time required for safe evacuation of occupants to a place of safety prior to the onset of untenable conditions.

A Class 3 or 9a building whose residents, due to their incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency.

A Class 3, 9a or 9c building which is a place of residence where 10% or more of persons who reside there need physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency (including any aged care building or residential aged care building) but does not include a hospital.

A building which is a place of residence where 10% or more of persons who reside there need physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency (including any residential care service, State funded residential care service or supported residential service as defined in the Supported Residential Services (Private Proprietors) Act 2010 and an aged care building) but does not include—

1. a hospital; or
2. a dwelling in which 2 or more members of the same family and not more than 2 other persons would ordinarily be resident; or
3. a place of residence where only one resident needs physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency.

Part of a Class 9c building normally used by residents, and—

1. includes sole-occupancy units, lounges, dining areas, activity rooms and the like; but
2. excludes offices, storage areas, commercial kitchens, commercial laundries and other spaces not for the use of residents.

In relation to a ceiling membrane, means the ability of the membrane to insulate the space between the ceiling and roof, or ceiling and floor above, so as to limit the temperature rise of materials in this space to a level which will not permit the rapid and general spread of fire throughout the space.

The greatest number of storeys calculated in accordance with C2D3 of Volume One.

The height between consecutive treads and between each landing and continuous tread.

A children’s service that is—

1. any one of the following as defined in the Children’s Services Regulations 2020—
   1. a limited hours Type 1 service; or
   2. a limited hours Type 2 service; or
   3. a short term Type 1 service; or
   4. a short term Type 2 service; or
2. an associated children's service within the meaning of the Children's Services Act 1996 approved to be operated by an approved provider at the same place as an approved education and care service that is required to meet the conditions of a limited hours Type 1 service, a limited hours Type 2 service, a short term Type 1 service, or a short term Type 2 service.

Material placed in layers and compacted by repeated rolling by an excavator.

The area of the roof (expressed in square metres), measured on the horizontal (no allowance for slope or vertical surfaces) and includes the plan area of the gutters.

For the purposes of Section J and Part F6 in NCC Volume One, Part H6 in NCC Volume Two, and Part 10.5 and Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, a skylight, window or the like installed in a roof—

1. to permit natural light to enter the room below; and
2. at an angle between 0 and 70 degrees measured from the horizontal plane.

A row of seating—

1. between a wall or other barrier and an aisle; or
2. between 2 aisles.

The thermal resistance of a component calculated by dividing its thickness by its thermal conductivity, expressed in m².K/W.

Either—

1. a place of safety within a building—
   1. which is not under threat from a fire; and
   2. from which people must be able to safely disperse after escaping the effects of an emergency to a road or open space; or
2. a road or open space.

A room or space containing a closet pan or urinal (see Figures 6a and 6b).

A material such as a reflective insulation or other flexible membrane of a type normally used for a purpose such as waterproofing, vapour management or thermal reflectance.

Includes a primary or secondary school, college, university or similar educational establishment.

Is a facility providing care for children (primarily) 5 years or older in an outside of school hours setting, either approved or licenced under Education and Care Services National Law (Application) Act 2011 or the Child Care Act 2001.

A layer of material (usually cement based) which sets in situ between a structural base and the finished floor material.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, applied to a door, means equipped with a device which returns the door to the fully closed position immediately after each opening; or
2. Volume Two, applied to a door or window, means equipped with a device which returns the door or window to the fully closed and latched position immediately after each manual opening.

The heat gained which causes a change in temperature.

A barrier that exhibits fire integrity, structural adequacy, insulation, or a combination of these for a period of time under specified conditions (often in accordance with AS 1530.4).

A wall that is common to adjoining Class 1 buildings (see Figure 7).

Figure Notes

In Volume Two a separating wall may also be known as a party wall and typically is required to be fire-resisting construction (see ABCB Housing Provisions Parts 9.2 and 9.3).

For the purposes of Section J in Volume One, means a mechanical or electrical system that uses energy to provide air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation, heated water supply, artificial lighting, vertical transport and the like within a building, but which does not include—

1. systems used solely for emergency purposes; and
2. cooking facilities; and
3. portable appliances.

A garage which is not a private garage and is for the servicing of vehicles, other than only washing, cleaning or polishing.

The walls and other parts of a building bounding—

1. a well, other than an atrium well; or
2. a vertical chute, duct or similar passage, but not a chimney or flue.

A Class 3 building that is a boarding-house, chalet, guest house, lodging-house, backpacker accommodation or the like, or a residential part of a hotel offering shared accommodation (but is not a residential care building (Vic), a motel or a residential part of school, health-care building or detention centre) having—

1. more than one sole-occupancy unit of which any sole-occupancy unit has sleeping facilities capable of accommodating 3 or more unrelated persons; or
2. sleeping facilities capable of accommodating 13 or more unrelated persons.

The area affected by water from a shower, including a shower over a bath and for a shower area that is—

1. Enclosed – the area enclosed by walls or screens including hinged or sliding doors that contain the spread of water to within that space; or
2. Unenclosed – the area where, under normal use, water from the shower rose is not contained within the shower area.

The panels, doors or windows enclosing or partially enclosing a shower area.

Outer walls constructed with a single thickness of masonry unit.

The part of the allotment of land on which a building stands or is to be erected.

Work on or around a site, including earthworks, preparatory to or associated with the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building.

The whole or the only part of a building that has a rise in storeys of not more than 2—

1. in which cultural activities including live music, visual arts displays, dancing, poetry and spoken word performances are provided to the public; and
2. the floor area used as a small arts venue does not exceed 300 m²; and
3. no pyrotechnics or theatrical smoke (smoke machines, hazers or the like) are used.

The whole or part of a building—

1. in which cultural activities including live music, visual arts’ displays, dancing, poetry and spoken word performances are provided to the public; and
2. that has a floor area of not more than 300 square metres; and
3. that has a rise in storeys of not more than 2; and
4. that occupies not more than 2 storeys including the ground floor storey; and
5. where pyrotechnics or theatrical smoke (smoke machines, hazers or the like) are not used.

A certificate issued under the Commonwealth Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

A restricted use power-operated device for the infrequent raising or lowering of people with limited mobility on a platform that is controlled automatically but has the capability of being electrically isolated by a key-lockable control.

A vent, located in or near the roof for smoke and hot gases to escape if there is a fire in the building.

The index number for smoke as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.

The development rate for smoke as determined by testing flooring materials in accordance with AS ISO 9239.1.

The index number for smoke used in the regulation of fire hazard properties and applied to materials used as a finish, surface, lining or attachment to a wall or ceiling.

The fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction that adds heat to a building's space.

A room or other part of a building for occupation by one or joint owner, lessee, tenant, or other occupier to the exclusion of any other owner, lessee, tenant, or other occupier and includes—

1. a dwelling; or
2. a room or suite of rooms in a Class 3 building which includes sleeping facilities; or
3. a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building; or
4. a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 9c building, which includes sleeping facilities and any area for the exclusive use of a resident.

Is as defined in the Swimming Pools Act 1992.

For the purposes of Section J, means the opaque part of a façade in curtain wall construction which is commonly adjacent to, and integrated with, glazing.

(As per Section 100B(6) of the Rural Fires Act 1997) means any of the following purposes:

1. a school,
2. a child care centre,
3. a hospital (including a hospital for the mentally ill or mentally disordered),
4. a hotel, motel or other tourist accommodation,
5. a building wholly or principally used as a home or other establishment for mentally incapacitated persons,
6. seniors housing within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004 (now SEPP (Housing) 2021),
7. a group home within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy No 9 - Group Homes (now SEPP (Housing) 2021),
8. a retirement village,
9. any other purpose prescribed by the regulations (Rural Fires Regulation 2022).

A stairway with a circular plan, winding around a central post with steps that radiate from a common centre or several radii (see Figures 11.2.2d and 11.2.2e in the ABCB Housing Provisions).

The index number for spread of flame as determined by AS/NZS 1530.3.

For the purposes of Specification 23, a device capable of sending an electrical signal to activate an alarm when a residential sprinkler head is activated (e.g. a flow switch).

A pier where the overlap of a masonry unit is not more than 25% of the length of the masonry unit below.

A floor or platform in a Class 9b building on which performances are presented before an audience.

A power-operated device for raising or lowering people with limited mobility on a platform (with or without a chair) in the direction of a stairway.

The Fire-resistance Tests of Elements of Building Construction as described in AS 1530.4.

A type of bulk grain storage facility similar to that illustrated in diagram (b) of Figure SA 1.

A space within a building which is situated between one floor level and the floor level next above, or if there is no floor above, the ceiling or roof above, but not—

1. a space that contains only—
   1. a lift shaft, stairway or meter room; or
   2. a bathroom, shower room, laundry, water closet, or other sanitary compartment; or
   3. accommodation intended for not more than 3 vehicles; or
   4. a combination of the above; or
2. a mezzanine.

In relation to an FRL, means the ability to maintain stability and adequate loadbearing capacity as determined by AS 1530.4.

A component or part of an assembly which provides vertical or lateral support to a building or structure.

All naturally occurring water, other than sub-surface water, which results from rainfall on or around the site or water flowing onto the site.

Any excavation or structure containing water and principally used, or that is designed, manufactured or adapted to be principally used for swimming, wading, paddling, or the like, including a bathing or wading pool, or spa.

A stair tread with a walking area that grows smaller towards one end.

Either—

1. a booth, tent or other temporary enclosure, whether or not a part of the booth, tent or enclosure is permanent; or
2. a mobile structure.

Includes any–

1. booth, tent or other temporary enclosure, whether or not part of the booth, tent or enclosure is permanent; or
2. temporary seating structure; or
3. other structure prescribed under the Building Act 2016.

The level of thermal comfort in a building expressed as a PMV sensation scale.

The sum of the heating load and the cooling load.

The sum of the R-Values of the individual component layers in a composite element including any building material, insulating material, airspace, thermal bridging and associated surface resistances, expressed in m².K/W.

For the purposes of—

1. Volume One, the fraction of incident irradiance on a wall-glazing construction or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space; or
2. Volume Two, the fraction of incident irradiance on glazing or a roof light that adds heat to a building’s space.

The thermal transmittance of the composite element allowing for the effect of any airspaces, thermal bridging and associated surface resistances, expressed in Wm^-2K^-1.

An area within a patient care area such as an operating theatre and rooms used for recovery, minor procedures, resuscitation, intensive care and coronary care from which a patient may not be readily moved.

Any unintentional release of fluid from a plumbing and drainage system and includes leakage and seepage.

For the purposes of F3V1 in Volume One and H2V1 in Volume Two, a wall which is neither a cavity wall nor a direct fix cladding wall.

For the purposes of Section 8 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, a glazed area that a person could mistake for an open doorway or clearway and walk into the glazed panel.

Unprotected water service means that the water service may be contaminated from a surrounding hazard.

Masonry that is not reinforced.

The degree that water vapour is able to diffuse through a material, measured in µg/N.s and tested in accordance with the ASTM-E96 Procedure B – Water Method at 23°C 50% relative humidity.

The pressure at which water vapour is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed state.

An opening in the external wall, floor or roof of a building designed to allow air movement into or out of the building by natural means including a permanent opening, an openable part of a window, a door or other device which can be held open.

A test, inspection, calculation or other method that determines whether a Performance Solution complies with the relevant Performance Requirements.

For the purposes of Volume One and Part 10.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, an open, pre-formed, pre-finished concave receptacle capable of holding water, usually for the purpose of washing, including a basin, sink, bath, laundry tub and the like.

The maximum distance at which an object of defined size, brightness and contrast can be seen and recognised.

A difference of potential, measured in Volts (V) and includes extra-low voltage and low voltage.

In relation to—

1. a building — the volume of the total space of the building measured above the lowest floor (including, for a suspended floor, any subfloor space), over the enclosing walls, and to the underside of the roof covering; or
2. a fire compartment — the volume of the total space of the fire compartment measured within the inner finished surfaces of the enclosing fire-resisting walls and/or floors, and—
   1. if there is no fire-resisting floor at the base of the fire compartment, measured above the finished surface of the lowest floor in the fire compartment; and
   2. if there is no fire-resisting floor at the top of the fire compartment, measured to the underside of the roof covering of the fire compartment; and
   3. if there is no fire-resisting wall, measured over the enclosing wall and if there is no enclosing wall, includes any space within the fire compartment that has a use which contributes to the fire load; or
3. an atrium — the volume of the total space of the atrium measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction and if there is no bounding construction, within the external walls.

A stiffened raft with closely spaced ribs constructed on the ground and with slab panels supported between ribs.

For the purposes of Section J in Volume One, the combination of wall and glazing components comprising the envelope of a building, excluding—

1. display glazing; and
2. opaque non-glazed openings such as doors, vents, penetrations and shutters.

That part of a patient care area for resident patients and may contain areas for accommodation, sleeping, associated living and nursing facilities.

A pliable building membrane or the exterior cladding when no pliable building membrane is present.

The ABCB scheme for certifying and authorising plumbing and drainage products.

A conformity assessment body registered with and accredited by the JAS-ANZ to conduct evaluations leading to product certification and contracted with the administering body to issue the WaterMark Licence.

A licence issued by a WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body.

The list maintained by the administering body of products excluded from the WaterMark Certification Scheme.

The list maintained by the administering body of products included in the WaterMark Certification Scheme, and the specifications to which the products can be certified.

The property of a material that does not allow water to penetrate through it.

A combination of elements that are required to achieve a waterproof barrier as required by H4D2 and H4D3 including substrate, membrane, bond breakers, sealants, finishes and the like.

The property of a system or material that restricts water movement and will not degrade under conditions of water.

Materials that have an inherent capacity to absorb water vapour and include timber, plasterboard, plywood, oriented strand board and the like.

A vertical extension of the waterproofing system forming a barrier to prevent the passage of water in a floor or other horizontal surfaces.

Will not allow water to pass from the inside to the outside of the component or joint and vice versa.

Is calculated across the wetted surface area of a pipe, pipe fitting or plumbing fixture.

Has the meaning given in the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 of the Commonwealth.

An area within a building supplied with water from a water supply system, which includes bathrooms, showers, laundries and sanitary compartments and excludes kitchens, bar areas, kitchenettes or domestic food and beverage preparation areas.

Is calculated by the total sum of diameter (D) in contact with drinking water.

Treads within a straight flight that are used to change direction of the stair (see Explanatory Figure 1).

Includes a roof light, glass panel, glass block or brick, glass louvre, glazed sash, glazed door, or other device which transmits natural light directly from outside a building to the room concerned when in the closed position.

The mass of a combustion product generated during combustion divided by the mass loss of the test specimen as specified in the design fire.

The installation of a backflow prevention device at the point where a water service is connected to multiple fixtures or appliances, with no backflow prevention device installed as individual protection downstream of this point.