The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has recently reviewed and published several Practice Notes, providing valuable guidance to plumbing and building practitioners. These Practice Notes cover a range of topics, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting safety in the industry. 

The following new Practice Note is now published on the VBA Plumbing Practitioner Resource Hub:  

• RF 01 Plumbing Regulatory Framework – NCC 2019 

The following existing Practice Notes have been reviewed and are now published on the VBA Plumbing and Building Practitioners Resource Hubs 

• BP 02 Toilet seat douches  
• CW 02 Water supply for dental consoles  
• CW 03 Maximum static water pressure with a building  
• DR 02 Bedding material for above  
• RP 01 Regulatory Framework 
• RP 02 Box Gutter 
• RP 03 Eave Gutter 
• RP 04 Downpipes 
• RP 05 Roof Flashing  
• RP 06 Sizing a roof catchment drainage system 
• BP 10 Places of public entertainment  
• ESM 01 ESM 01 | Fire safety systems for residential care buildings or shared accommodation buildings (used for residential care)  
• GE 06 Classification of buildings used for farming 
• SD 01 Stormwater drainage systems 
• BF 01 Emergency Accommodation Buildings – Part 11A 
• BP 01 When is a building permit required  
• BP 02 Amending a building permit 
• BP 10 Places of public entertainment 
• ESM 05 Fire hydrant testing systems 
• ESM 06 Fire alarm monitoring systems   
• ESM 10 Methods of demonstrating compliance with the National Construction Code 2022 
• FH 01 Building in flood hazard areas  
• GE 04 Definition of Building  
• GE 07 Fire rates performance solutions 
• PS 01 Documentation and Assessment  
• PW 01 Building above and below certain public facilities 
• SP 02 Swimming Pool Barriers and other requirements 
• AC 01 Access to buildings for people with a disability  
• BP 12 Exemption from, or partial compliance wit, requirements in the Building Regulations  
• ESM 04 Removing a fire hydrant hose from buildings built before 1991 
• FS 02 Building service penetrations installations through fire-rated and smoke proof walls, floors and ceilings 
• GE 08 Small live music venues 
• BP 03 Building projects with multiple building permits  
• BP 11 Report and Consent 
• CT 01 Cooling towers 
• EE 03 Energy requirements for new residential buildings  
• EE 04 Alterations to existing Class 1 buildings 
• ESM 03 Residential smoke alarm, detection and evacuation system requirements 
• MS 01 Solid fuel heaters  
• DE 02 Demolition and Removal of Buildings  
• SP 01 Swimming pool standards and safety requirements 

In addition, the following Building Practice Notes have been reinstated and are now published to the VBA Plumbing and Building Practitioner Resource Hub. 

• PN 07 Residential Fire Safety Systems 
• PN 08 Emergency Communication Systems 

By providing comprehensive guidance and up-to-date information, these Practice Notes contribute to the ongoing improvement of plumbing and building practices, ultimately benefiting both industry professionals and the community at large. Practitioners are encouraged to utilise these resources to enhance their knowledge, skills, and ultimately, the quality and safety of their work. 

Master Builders Victoria sits on the Education Resources Working Group (ERWG) at the VBA. If you identify that an existing Practice Note requires amendments or a new Practice Note could be developed, please email the Policy team on [email protected]