ABCB Housing Provisions
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7.4
Part 7.4 Gutters and downpipesPart 7.4 Gutters and downpipes
7.4.1
Application
New for 2022
Stormwater drainage systems specified in the NCC Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions are not designed to remove all water to an appropriate outfall during exceptionally heavy rain, particularly in tropical areas. Specifically, eaves gutter systems are designed to remove water arising from rainfall events with an annual exceedance probability of 5% provided they are not blocked.
Accordingly, it is necessary to design and install the system to incorporate overflow measures so that when overflowing occurs, during a rainfall event with an annual exceedance probability of up to 1%, any water is directed away in a manner which ensures it does not pond against, enter or damage the building, even if the stormwater drainage system is blocked.
Insufficient and poorly located downpipes are a frequent cause of poor roof drainage system performance. The installation of downpipes, especially near valley gutters, is designed to ensure rainwater from areas on the roof that have concentrated water flows is adequately removed.
Particular consideration needs to be given to box gutters, valley gutters etc. located above the internal areas of a building. There are several options available to designers using the requirements of NCC Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions. The designer will need to choose an overflow system that will cope with the rainfall intensity for the particular location. Consideration needs to be given to the total capacity of overflow measures on lower level roofs where overflow measures adopted for a higher roof catchment will result in overflow to a lower one. Overflow discharge onto lower roofs may also require consideration of sarking, flashing and other weatherproofing precautions to the lower roof area.
The acceptable overflow measures in Table 7.4.4a and Table 7.4.4b were calculated using the following formulas:
where—
= Area (m2)
= Discharge coefficient = 0.61
= Gravity = 9.81 m/s2
= Effective head (m)
= Flow rate (m3/s)
where—
= Width (m)
= Discharge coefficient = 0.63
= Gravity = 9.81 m/s2
= Effective head (m)
= Flow rate (m3/s)
7.4.2
Materials
2019: 3.5.3.2
Gutters, downpipes and flashings must—
7.4.3
Selection of guttering
2019: 3.5.3.3
The size of guttering must—
Design rainfall intensity (mm/h) (as per Table 7.4.3d) | Roof catchment area per downpipe — 30 m2 | Roof catchment area per downpipe — 40 m2 | Roof catchment area per downpipe — 50 m2 | Roof catchment area per downpipe — 60 m2 | Roof catchment area per downpipe — 70 m2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or C |
120 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or D |
140 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or D | B or E |
160 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or C | A or E | B or E |
175 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or D | B or E | E |
200 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or D | B or E | F |
225 mm/h | A or C | A or C | A or B | E | F |
255 mm/h | A or C | A or D | B or E | E | F |
275 mm/h | A or C | A or D | B or E | F | F |
325 mm/h | A or C | B or E | F | F | F |
425 mm/h | A or C | E | F | F | F |
Gutter type | Gutter description | Minimum cross-sectional area (mm2) |
---|---|---|
A | Medium rectangular gutter | 6500 |
B | Large rectangular gutter | 7900 |
C | 115 mm D gutter | 5200 |
D | 125 mm D gutter | 6300 |
E | 150 mm D gutter | 9000 |
F | Gutter must be designed in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.3 | N/A |
Downpipe section | Gutter type A | Gutter type B | Gutter type C | Gutter type D | Gutter type E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 mm dia. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
100 mm x 50 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
90 mm dia. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
100 mm x 75 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
State | Locality | Annual exceedance probability, 5% (mm/h) | Annual exceedance probability, 1% (mm/h) |
---|---|---|---|
ACT | Canberra | 143 | 192 |
ACT | Gungahlin | 137 | 179 |
ACT | Tuggeranong | 148 | 210 |
NSW | Albury | 139 | 180 |
NSW | Broken Hill | 142 | 217 |
NSW | Goulburn | 120 | 154 |
NSW | Kiama | 225 | 320 |
NSW | Newcastle | 225 | 316 |
NSW | Orange | 141 | 186 |
NSW | Sydney | 201 | 262 |
NSW | Avalon, Sydney | 210 | 287 |
NSW | Campbelltown, Sydney | 166 | 223 |
NSW | Penrith, Sydney | 178 | 240 |
NSW | Windsor, Sydney | 175 | 234 |
NSW | Tweed Heads | 252 | 332 |
NSW | Wollongong | 218 | 311 |
NT | Alice Springs | 165 | 239 |
NT | Darwin | 233 | 274 |
NT | Katherine | 216 | 250 |
QLD | Bamaga | 252 | 298 |
QLD | Brisbane | 236 | 306 |
QLD | Ipswich, Brisbane | 211 | 278 |
QLD | Victoria Point, Brisbane | 245 | 320 |
QLD | Bundaberg | 266 | 339 |
QLD | Cairns | 230 | 279 |
QLD | Cloncurry | 219 | 278 |
QLD | Innisfail | 248 | 302 |
QLD | Mackay | 250 | 315 |
QLD | Mt Isa | 201 | 262 |
QLD | Noosa Heads | 258 | 332 |
QLD | Rockhampton | 229 | 300 |
QLD | Toowoomba | 203 | 268 |
QLD | Townsville | 235 | 300 |
QLD | Weipa | 238 | 281 |
SA | Adelaide | 120 | 174 |
SA | Gawler, Adelaide | 111 | 158 |
SA | Mt Gambier | 103 | 144 |
SA | Murray Bridge | 120 | 177 |
SA | Port Augusta | 133 | 199 |
SA | Port Pirie | 123 | 183 |
SA | Yorketown | 155 | 166 |
TAS | Burnie | 128 | 178 |
TAS | Flinders Island | 124 | 167 |
TAS | Hobart | 86 | 120 |
TAS | Launceston | 91 | 123 |
TAS | Queenstown | 94 | 120 |
TAS | St. Marys | 150 | 207 |
VIC | Ballarat | 134 | 192 |
VIC | Benalla | 146 | 194 |
VIC | Geelong | 103 | 143 |
VIC | Horsham | 121 | 173 |
VIC | Lakes Entrance | 145 | 199 |
VIC | Melbourne | 132 | 187 |
VIC | Hastings, Melbourne | 112 | 145 |
VIC | Sorrento, Melbourne | 106 | 140 |
VIC | Mildura | 142 | 219 |
VIC | Stawell | 130 | 187 |
WA | Albany | 127 | 179 |
WA | Broome | 232 | 287 |
WA | Bunbury | 147 | 198 |
WA | Derby | 211 | 256 |
WA | Geraldton | 138 | 194 |
WA | Kalgoorlie | 136 | 204 |
WA | Perth | 129 | 172 |
WA | Joondalup, Perth | 133 | 180 |
WA | Midland, Perth | 122 | 164 |
WA | Port Hedland | 168 | 232 |
WA | Tom Price | 138 | 182 |
Locations used in this table are based on the nearest Bureau of Meteorology grid cell latitude and longitude to the central Post Office of each city or town.
The cross sectional area referred to in Table 7.4.3b is measured up to the lowest part of the relevant overflow facility including the lower edge of a slot, gutter back, end-stop weir, inverted nozzle, front-face weir or overflow opening in a rainhead.
The location of a proposed building is in Wollongong, NSW. Using Table 7.4.3d the 5 minute duration rainfall intensity for a 1% annual exceedance probability is 311 mm/h. The 5 minute duration rainfall intensities in Table 7.4.4a and Table 7.4.4b are provided in 25 mm/h increments, therefore for the purpose of the worked example 325 mm/h will be used.
Table 7.4.4a and Table 7.4.4b provide required overflow volumes in both litres per second for dedicated overflow measures and litres per second per metre for continuous overflow measures. Extrapolation of the values in these tables can be used to inform a Performance Solution complying with the Governing Requirements of the NCC. Where both dedicated and continuous measures are proposed, Table 7.4.4b can be used to determine the required overflow volume.
7.4.4
Installation of gutters
2019: 3.5.3.4
Design 5 minute duration rainfall intensity (mm/h) (from Table 7.4.3d) | Ridge to gutter length — 2 m | Ridge to gutter length — 4 m | Ridge to gutter length — 6 m | Ridge to gutter length — 8 m | Ridge to gutter length — 10 m | Ridge to gutter length — 12 m | Ridge to gutter length — 14 m | Ridge to gutter length — 16 m |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
150 mm/h | 0.08 L/s/m | 0.17 L/s/m | 0.25 L/s/m | 0.33 L/s/m | 0.42 L/s/m | 0.50 L/s/m | 0.58 L/s/m | 0.67 L/s/m |
175 mm/h | 0.10 L/s/m | 0.19 L/s/m | 0.29 L/s/m | 0.39 L/s/m | 0.49 L/s/m | 0.58 L/s/m | 0.68 L/s/m | 0.78 L/s/m |
200 mm/h | 0.11 L/s/m | 0.22 L/s/m | 0.33 L/s/m | 0.44 L/s/m | 0.56 L/s/m | 0.67 L/s/m | 0.78 L/s/m | 0.89 L/s/m |
225 mm/h | 0.13 L/s/m | 0.25 L/s/m | 0.38 L/s/m | 0.50 L/s/m | 0.63 L/s/m | 0.75 L/s/m | 0.88 L/s/m | 1.0 L/s/m |
250 mm/h | 0.14 L/s/m | 0.28 L/s/m | 0.42 L/s/m | 0.56 L/s/m | 0.69 L/s/m | 0.83 L/s/m | 0.97 L/s/m | 1.1 L/s/m |
275 mm/h | 0.15 L/s/m | 0.31 L/s/m | 0.46 L/s/m | 0.61 L/s/m | 0.76 L/s/m | 0.92 L/s/m | 1.1 L/s/m | 1.2 L/s/m |
300 mm/h | 0.17 L/s/m | 0.33 L/s/m | 0.50 L/s/m | 0.67 L/s/m | 0.83 L/s/m | 1.0 L/s/m | 1.2 L/s/m | 1.3 L/s/m |
325 mm/h | 0.18 L/s/m | 0.36 L/s/m | 0.54 L/s/m | 0.72 L/s/m | 0.90 L/s/m | 1.1 L/s/m | 1.3 L/s/m | 1.4 L/s/m |
350 mm/h | 0.19 L/s/m | 0.39 L/s/m | 0.58 L/s/m | 0.78 L/s/m | 0.97 L/s/m | 1.2 L/s/m | 1.4 L/s/m | 1.6 L/s/m |
375 mm/h | 0.21 L/s/m | 0.42 L/s/m | 0.63 L/s/m | 0.83 L/s/m | 1.0 L/s/m | 1.3 L/s/m | 1.5 L/s/m | 1.7 L/s/m |
400 mm/h | 0.22 L/s/m | 0.44 L/s/m | 0.67 L/s/m | 0.89 L/s/m | 1.1 L/s/m | 1.3 L/s/m | 1.6 L/s/m | 1.8 L/s/m |
Design 5 minute duration rainfall intensity (mm/h) (from Table 7.4.3d) | Roof catchment area — 30 m2 | Roof catchment area — 40 m2 | Roof catchment area — 50 m2 | Roof catchment area — 60 m2 | Roof catchment area — 70 m2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
150 mm/h | 1.3 L/s | 1.7 L/s | 2.1 L/s | 2.5 L/s | 2.9 L/s |
175 mm/h | 1.5 L/s | 1.9 L/s | 2.4 L/s | 2.9 L/s | 3.4 L/s |
200 mm/h | 1.7 L/s | 2.2 L/s | 2.8 L/s | 3.3 L/s | 3.9 L/s |
225 mm/h | 1.9 L/s | 2.5 L/s | 3.1 L/s | 3.8 L/s | 4.4 L/s |
250 mm/h | 2.1 L/s | 2.8 L/s | 3.5 L/s | 4.2 L/s | 4.9 L/s |
275 mm/h | 2.3 L/s | 3.1 L/s | 3.8 L/s | 4.6 L/s | 5.3 L/s |
300 mm/h | 2.5 L/s | 3.3 L/s | 4.2 L/s | 5.0 L/s | 5.8 L/s |
325 mm/h | 2.7 L/s | 3.6 L/s | 4.5 L/s | 5.4 L/s | 6.3 L/s |
350 mm/h | 2.9 L/s | 3.9 L/s | 4.9 L/s | 5.8 L/s | 6.8 L/s |
365 mm/h | 3.1 L/s | 4.2 L/s | 5.2 L/s | 6.3 L/s | 7.3 L/s |
400 mm/h | 3.3 L/s | 4.4 L/s | 5.6 L/s | 6.7 L/s | 7.8 L/s |
Design rainfall intensity mm/h | Sheet width (minimum, mm) | Effective depth (he), (minimum, mm) | Effective width (we), (minimum, mm) |
---|---|---|---|
≤200 | 355 | 32 | 215 |
>200 to ≤ 250 | 375 | 35 | 234 |
>250 to ≤300 | 395 | 38 | 254 |
>300 to ≤350 | 415 | 40 | 273 |
>350 to ≤400 | 435 | 43 | 292 |
7.4.5
Downpipes – size and installation
2019: 3.5.3.5
Downpipes must—
A maximum 12 m gutter length served by each downpipe is to ensure effective fall and adequate capacity to discharge all water anticipated during a storm having an annual exceedance probability of 5%.
Where a rainhead overflow device is incorporated in the top of the downpipe, its overflow discharge should be directed away from the building.
7.4.6
Acceptable continuous overflow measure
2019: Table 3.5.3.4a
the acceptable overflow capacity must be 0.5 L/s/m, constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.6a.
the acceptable overflow capacity must be 1.5 L/s/m, constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.6b.
7.4.7
Acceptable dedicated overflow measure per downpipe
2019: Table 3.5.3.4b
the acceptable overflow is 0.5 L/s constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.7a.
the acceptable overflow is 1.2 L/s constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.7b.
the acceptable overflow capacity is 1.0 L/s constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.7c.
the acceptable overflow capacity is 3.5 L/s constructed in accordance with Figure 7.4.7d.