NCC 2022 Volume Three - Plumbing Code of Australia
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D1

Part D1 Excessive noise

Part D1 Excessive noise

Section 23 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) makes it unlawful to discriminate against another person on the ground of the person’s disability in relation to a number of aspects of access to, or use of, premises. The DDA also provides that the relevant Minister may, by legislative instrument, formulate standards in relation to any area in which it is unlawful to discriminate against another person on the ground of a disability. The Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) were formulated following requests for improved certainty under the DDA in satisfying its requirements for non-discriminatory access to premises. The BCA provisions for access for people with a disability have been aligned with the technical provisions in the Premises Standards. This results in a uniform set of requirements that will apply both in relation to non-discriminatory access under the DDA and in relation to the requirements for access that must be complied with in order to obtain a building approval under building law.

Introduction to this Part

This Part sets out the requirements to prevent excessive noise being generated from a plumbing and drainage system that could cause illness or loss of amenity to occupants in a building.

Objectives

The Objective of this Part is to—

  1. safeguard people from illness, injury or loss (including loss of amenity) due to excessive noise of a plumbing and drainage system; and
  2. ensure that a plumbing and drainage system installation throughout its serviceable life will continue to satisfy the requirements of Objective (a).

 

Safe, equitable and dignified access—D1O1(a)

D1O1(a) requires the provision of safe, equitable and dignified access to a building and its services, as far as is reasonable. Several of these terms are explained below.

As far as is reasonable

There may be occasions when the application of a rule is “unreasonable”. Use of the phrase “as far as is reasonable” indicates that the BCA provisions are not absolute. This is consistent with the intent of the DDA.

Equitable

One of the primary intentions of the DDA is to provide people with a disability with the same rights as the rest of the community. The word “equitable” combines concepts of fairness and equality. It does not mean that all people must be able to do precisely the same thing in the same way. However, if some people can use a building for a particular purpose, then most people should be able to use the building for that purpose.

Examples

If most members of the community enter a building at a particular point, normally the front entrance, people with a disability should be able to enter the same building at that point. However, this may not mean entry through the same door. For example, a revolving door may not be suitable for guide dogs or wheelchairs. However, people who use guide dogs or wheelchairs should be able to enter the building at an adjacent door.

The concept of “equitable” does not necessarily mean that everybody should be able to access all parts of a building.

Dignified

A person with a disability should be able to gain access to and within a building, and to the services and facilities of buildings, in a manner which is not devaluing or demeaning.

Safeguarding people evacuating—D1O1(b)

D1O1(b) refers to safeguarding occupants while evacuating in an emergency. This includes people with a disability who cannot independently use exits and may require specific egress arrangements.

Examples

A person who is able to walk without assistance is able to reach a public space on an upper level of a building with dignity, perhaps by walking up a flight of stairs. A person with a mobility disability should also be able to access that space with similar dignity. It is unlikely that having to be carried up the stairs would achieve this requirement.

Functional Statements

A plumbing and drainage system must operate in a way that avoids the likelihood of excessive noise of any part of the plumbing and drainage system, and minimises any adverse impact on building occupants.

VIC D1F1 Excessive noise2019: DF1

Delete subclause D1F1(1) and insert D1F1(1) as follows:

A plumbing and drainage system must be designed and installed so as to operate in a way that avoids the likelihood of excessive noise of any part of the plumbing and drainage system, and minimises any adverse impact on building occupants.

 

D1F1 reflects the intent of D1O1(a). A building is to as far as is reasonable provide access for all occupants, including people with a disability, to services and facilities within the building.

D1F1(b) does not apply a Class 4 part of a building.

Performance Requirements

A plumbing and drainage system must not create undue noise.

 

D1P1 refines the intention of D1O1(a). A building must, as far as is reasonable, provide safe access for people to all the services and facilities in it.

It also excludes the application of D1P1 to a Class4 part of a building.

Emphasis on access for people

The required access is for people, including people with a disability.

To the degree necessary

D1P1 uses the term “to the degree necessary”. See Explanatory Information in BCA Volume One for A1G4(3)(c).

(1) A plumbing and drainage system must reduce the transmission of airborne and/or impact generated sound which may cause illness or loss of amenity to occupants.

(2) The required sound insulation of a floor or wall must not be compromised by the incorporation or penetration of a plumbing or drainage system.

Applications

D1P2 only applies to a plumbing or drainage system that is located in—

  1. a separating wall of a Class 1 building; or
  2. a Class 2, Class 3 or Class 9c building that is required to be sound rated.

Notes

  1. Part F7 in Volume One of the NCC contains Performance Requirements F7P1 through to F7P4 which cover sound transmission and insulation in walls and floors of Class 2, Class 3 and Class 9c buildings.
  2. Part H4 in Volume Two of the NCC contains Performance Requirement H4P6 which covers sound insulation of walls in Class 1 buildings.

 

D1P2 generally sets the performance required for safe movement within a building for most people, including those with a disability.

Safe gradient—D1P2(a)

The D1P2(a) requirement for a safe gradient is to facilitate access and safety for all people, and refers to the crossfall as well as the longitudinal grade.

Doors—D1P2(b)

D1P2(b) aims to make sure people are not put at risk by doors impeding egress or causing them to be trapped.

Slip-resistant walking surfaces—D1P2(c)(i)

People moving on stairways and ramps should not slip and fall. This is a particular issue during an emergency.

Handrails—D1P2(c)(ii)

Handrails may be necessary to assist people using stairways and ramps, particularly in helping them maintain their stability.

Landings for stairways and ramps—D1P2(c)(iii) and (iv)

Under D1P2(c)(iii) and (iv), it is necessary to provide landings for ramps as well as stairways. As with stairways, the landings on a ramp are used as a place to rest when necessary. Landings at doorways provide a level plane from which doors may be safely opened.

Safe passage on stairways—D1P2(c)(v)

D1P2(c)(v) requires that a stairway must be suitable for the safe passage of people, and appropriate to the nature, volume and frequency of use. This is a reference to the riser and going of the treads, and the width of the stairway. Hence the rise, going and width may differ between buildings as long as a safe passage is provided.

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirement—

  1. D1P1 is satisfied by complying with D1D2; and
  2. D1P2 is satisfied by complying with D1D3.

NT D1D1 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions2019: D1.1

Delete subclause D1D1(1) and insert D1D1(1) as follows:

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirement—

  1. D1P1 is satisfied by complying with D1D2; and
  2. D1P2 is satisfied by complying with—
    1. NT F5.0 through to NT F5.8 in the NT Appendix to NCC Volume One for Class 2, 3 and 9c buildings; and
    2. NT Part 3.8.6 in NCC Volume Two for Class 1 buildings.

(2) Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable.

To prevent undue noise, plumbing and drainage systems must comply with—

  1. B1D3 for cold water services.
  2. B2D9 for heated water services.
  3. B3D3 for non-drinking water services.
  4. B4D2 for fire-fighting water services.
  5. B6D2 for rainwater services.
  6. C1D3 for sanitary plumbing systems.
  7. C2D4 for sanitary drainage systems.

VIC D1D2 Undue noise2019: D1.2

Delete subclause D1D2(1) and insert D1D2(1) as follows:

To prevent undue noise, plumbing and drainage systems must comply with—

  1. B1D3 for cold water services; or
  2. B2D9 for heated water services; or
  3. B3D3 for non-drinking water services; or
  4. B4D2 for fire-fighting water services; or
  5. B6D2 for rainwater services; or
  6. B7D4 for rainwater storage, or
  7. C1D3 for sanitary plumbing systems; or
  8. C2D4 for sanitary drainage systems, or
  9. C3D2, C3D3, C3D4, C3D5, C3D6 and C3D7 for on-site wastewater management systems, or
  10. E3D2 for stormwater drainage systems, and
  11. E4D2 for surface and sub-surface drainage systems.
NCC Title
Sound insulation
NCC State
NT
NCC Variation Type
Deletion
NCC SPTC Current
Sound insulation

(1) If a plumbing or drainage system serves or passes through more than one sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2, Class 3 or Class 9c building, it must be separated from the rooms of any other sole-occupancy unit by construction with an Rw + Ctr (airborne) not less than—

  1. 40 if the adjacent room is a habitable room (other than a kitchen); or
  2. 25 if the adjacent room is a kitchen or a non-habitable room.

(2) In Class 2, Class 3 or Class 9c buildings, a flexible coupling must be used to connect a pump to a plumbing or drainage system.

(3) If a plumbing or drainage system is located in (or passes through) a separating wall in a Class 1 building, it must—

  1. only be installed in discontinuous construction; and
  2. not be fixed to the wall of a dwelling that it does not serve; and
  3. have a gap not less than 10 mm between the pipe and a wall of a dwelling that it does not serve; and
  4. not be chased in if the separating wall is made of concrete or masonry.

Explanatory information

Specification 28 lists sound ratings for some common forms of construction. If any of these common forms of construction are used, the plumbing or drainage system must be installed in accordance with the requirements of that Specification.