The 2019 version of the National Construction Code (NCC) became effective as of 1 May 2019.This update reflects the first cycle of change since 2016 and the government’s commitment to a new, three-year cycle of revisions.

There are some substantial changes aimed at improving the NCC’s readability and create a level of consistency within its structure, wording and requirements throughout all three volumes.

A number of new verification methods appear throughout the volumes to help quantify decisions when considering performance-based decisions; this is with the intent to reduce poor practices of non-compliance when processing and considering performance solutions. 

The following information is an overview of some key changes within the 2019 NCC:

NCC 2019 - Volume 1

Fire resistance

New inclusions prescribe non-combustible and combustible products.

Access and egress

  • There are number of changes with regard to locking devices and signage.
  • New inclusions clarify the method of calculating maximum distances between alternative exits.

Services and equipment

  • Clarification is provided to help quantify when the fire brigade is available to attend to help enable better decisions when certain fire services are to be installed
  • Apartment buildings and other residential-type buildings of four storeys or greater, and that have an effective height of up to 25 metres are required to have sprinklers.

Health and amenity

  • Adult change facilities are now required for consideration in certain building types to enable people to obtain assistance where they cannot use standard accessible facilities independently
  • Wall / floor junctions can be water-resistant rather than waterproof in some WCs and laundries, unless nominated otherwise (which is generally where a floor waste is required)
  • There are new condensation management provisions included within this part of the NCC. The deemed-to-satisfy provisions are applicable to class-2 and 4 parts of a building. In general, this will require consideration on the following matters:
    • The use of pliable membranes in external walls and whether they are required to be vapour-permeable in certain climatic zones
    • Flow rate and discharge of exhaust systems
    • Ventilation of roof spaces.

The intention of these new provisions is to reduce the likelihood of condensation within a building that could potentially cause health risks and affect the amenity of the occupants.

Ancillary provisions

A new feature requires consideration for “occupiable outdoor areas”, such as roof-top bars and restaurants, balconies or similar parts of a building. It is important that there be no confusion with this specific, defined term and that of ‘open space”.

Energy efficiency

  • This part of the NCC has seen some substantial changes to reduce energy consumption, consistent with the COAG National Energy Productivity Plan. These provisions have a transition period of 12 months, so either the new provisions may be used, or those of the older, 2016 NCC can be adopted for 12 months as of 1 May 2019.

NCC 2019 - Volume 2

Site preparation

There is a new inclusion with regard to retaining walls and the need to comply with AS 4678 for any retaining wall between 800 mm and 15m in height.

Masonry

  • The NCC has re-introduced acceptable construction practices for masonry veneer construction and isolated masonry piers. It is important to note that there are restrictions for use of these provisions and they are not suitable for areas :
    • Where the wind speed is N3 or greater
    • Where the soil class is not A,S or M
    • Where the site is in an alpine area, etc.

Roof and wall cladding

  • This part has now been organised into smaller sub-categories
  • The acceptable construction practices within the NCC are not suitable for use in Victoria, therefore gutters and downpipes must comply with AS 3500.3
  • There are new requirements for external sheet-wall cladding and parapet capping.

Fire safety

  • There a number of changes throughout this section mainly to clarify the means to achieve compliance.
  • There is some new detailing with regard to the construction of horizontal projections where there are separating walls.

Health and amenity

  • Table 8.1.1b has been amended to require wall / floor junctions be water- resistant rather than waterproofed in WCs and laundries.
  • Condensation management is an entirely new addition to the NCC for all Class 1 buildings. It has been included to reduce the likelihood of risks to health and the amenity of the occupants of the dwelling. In general, this will require consideration on the following matters:
    • The use of pliable membranes in external walls and whether they are required to be vapour-permeable in certain climatic zones
    • Flow rate and discharge of exhaust systems
    • Ventilation of roof spaces.

Ancillary provisions and additional construction requirements

  • There have been a number of incidents in which balconies have failed to perform adequately and caused some detrimental outcomes. As a result, the NCC is now equipped with some new requirements to address these safety concerns.
  • The new requirements do have limitations (i.e. maximum width, loads, heights, etc.) Should these not be able to be complied with, the design must be carried out by a suitably qualified engineer registered as a Building Practitioner with the VBA.

Energy efficiency

  • These provisions have a transition period of 12 months, so either the new provisions may be used, or those of the older, 2016 NCC can be adopted for 12 months as of 1 May 2019.
  • If using the new provisions, the star rating must include separate heating and cooling loads. These loads then need to be assessed for compliance against the ABCB Standard for Nathers Heating and Cooling load limits.
  • There are also further requirements with regard to the sealing of roof lights, and for  doors between a class 1a (Dwelling) and Class 10a (Dwelling)

There are further changes included in the 2019 NCCs which have not been summarised in this article. Refer to the “List of amendments” at the rear of each volume which will identify the changes included throughout each volume of the NCC.