NCC: Meeting the Performance Requirements

[Text saying: “The National Construction Code, Meeting the Performance Requirements, ABCB (Logo)”][Graphic: ABCB (Logo) on front of book with Text saying: "The National Construction Code"]

The National Construction Code also known as the NCC contains mandatory Performance Requirements [Book open at page with Text saying: "Performance Requirements" with check box points and set of scales] that set the minimum level [Ticks placed in check boxes] that buildings, building elements and plumbing systems must achieve.

There are three options to satisfy the Performance Requirements – [Text saying: “Deemed-to-Satisfy and/or Performance”] a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution, a Performance Solution or a combination of both. [Book open at page with icons of four assessment methods] To achieve compliance, one or more of the four assessment methods described in the NCC must be used.

[Graphic: Book open at page of four icons with flashing icon of magnifying glass] The first assessment method in the NCC is evidence of suitability. It describes the different forms of evidence that are considered appropriate methods of supporting a solution. [Graphic: Zoom in on icon of magnifying glass with Text saying: “Compliance with the NCC”] It is generally used to show that the use of a material, form of construction or design meets the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. [Graphic: Icon of clipboard with Text saying: “DTS”, Text saying “or’, Icon of Clipboard with graph, Symbol “+”, Icon of magnifying glass]

It can also be used as part of a Performance Solution. [Graphic: Open report with Text saying: "Test Report No. 3795"]

Evidence could be a report from a registered testing authority or in the case of Volume Three, from a recognised expert, a definition specific to that volume. [Graphic: Certificates of conformity] Or, it could be a current certificate of conformity or a certificate issued by a product certification body, [Graphic: Certificate of Accreditation and Professional Engineering Certificate] or a certificate of accreditation or a certificate from a professional engineer, [Graphic: Magnifying glass moving over open report with graphs and tables] or any other form of documentary evidence that is acceptable to the appropriate authority. [Circle with Text saying: "And one other thing…"]

And one other thing, plumbing and drainage is different when it comes to evidence of suitability for products and materials. [Graphic: Tap with water coming out] Plumbing materials and products that are covered by the Watermark Certification Scheme have specific evidence requirements. [Circle with Text saying: Watermark (Logo)] They require a current certification mark through the Watermark Certification Scheme. [Graphic: Book open at page of four icons with flashing icon of laptop with house on screen]

The second assessment method described in the NCC is a Verification Method. [Graphic: Magnifying glass moving over model of house, experiment flask and Text saying: "a + b = x"] To determine whether a Performance Solution complies with the Performance Requirements, a test, inspection, calculation or other method may be used. While the NCC contains a number of Verification Methods, [Graphic: Book open at page with model of house and drawing of tap with Text saying: "Verification Methods"] a Verification Method that is not from the NCC may be used if the approval authority deems it acceptable for determining compliance with the Performance Requirements. [Circle with Text saying: "Remember…"]

Remember using a Verification Method is an option to meet the Performance Requirements. [Graphic: Book open at page of four icons with flashing icon of documents]The third assessment method enables a designer to compare the performance of a proposed design to the performance produced by relevant Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

[Graphic: Icon of clipboard with bar graph, Symbol “=”, Text “or”, Symbol “>, Icon of clipboard with text “DTS”] When using the comparison method the Performance Solution needs to demonstrate an equivalent or superior performance to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision to meet the Performance Requirement. [Graphic: Book open at page of four icons with flashing icon of person wearing hard hat]The fourth assessment method allows the use of expert judgement. It requires than an expert assesses relevant qualifications and sufficient experience to determine the adequacy of a Performance Solution. [Graphic: 3D technical drawing] It is usually applied where a proposed design relates to Performance Requirements that are difficult to quantify.

[Graphic: Book open at page of four icons with icons flashing on a rotation] Remember when meeting the Performance Requirements one or more of the four assessment method options may be used. [Graphic: Icons of clipboards, certificates, reports, design drawing and mathematical formula move into open folder] All decisions made in the process of developing or approving a solution as well as the evidence used to make those decisions should be documented. [Graphic: Tick appears on front of folder]

Tools provided by the ABCB to assist in the development of solutions include [Graphic: Icon of book, Text saying: " Performance Solution Process, Guidance Document"] a guidance document to assist in developing Performance Solutions.

Further details are available in the Governing Requirements of the NCC. [Graphic: Open book with scales, checkboxes and Text saying: " Governing Requirements"]

[Logo: ABCB, Text saying: abcb.gov.au]

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