Green Building Design and Delivery

This assignment delves into the crucial aspects of green building design and delivery. It examines relevant building codes, particularly focusing on energy efficiency standards like those outlined in the National Construction Code Series Volume 1 (Australia). The assignment also explores sustainability rating tools used in Australia, such as the ones mentioned in Iyer-Raniga et al.'s research, highlighting their role in promoting environmentally responsible construction practices. Furthermore, it touches upon crucial topics like building energy consumption trends, thermal performance of green roofs, and the importance of integrating building performance simulation for optimal design outcomes.

Running head: CODES AND COMPLIANCE
Codes and Compliance
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CODES AND COMPLIANCE
Table of Contents
Australian National Building Code (NCC)......................................................................................2
Australian standards.........................................................................................................................2
NCC- A Performance based Code...................................................................................................3
Rating tools to evaluate the compliance to NCC.............................................................................4
Tools used for assessing compliance...............................................................................................6
Change in the environment of the Building Codes of Australia......................................................7
Essential amendments made in the Building Code of Australia 2015.............................................9
Reasons behind the changes in the Building code of Australia.....................................................10
International Building Code..........................................................................................................11
Inadequacy and challenges arising from the National Construction Codes..................................13
Analysis of the International Building Code against recently adopted Building Codes of Australia
ensuring consistence of the Australian codes with that of the International building codes.........14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17

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Australian National Building Code (NCC)
The National Construction Code (NCC) of Australia is a governmental initiative that was
created with a view to develop a single code for all the on-site construction requirements in the
country (Board 2015). The NCC consists of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume one
and two and the Plumbing Coda of Australia (PCA) as Volume three.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is the main code that assesses building approvals
in Australia. It is a set of technical provisions for the construction and design of the buildings and
other structures applicable throughout Australia. The provisions are uniform in nature. The BCA
is produced and regulated by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). The reason behind
frequent review and amendments in the BCA is twofold: firstly, to ensure that the building
related works are being carried out in compliance with the Building Code. Secondly, the
amendments are made with a view to avert any form of contractual disputes that may arise due to
no-compliance (Dimyadi and Amor 2013). A joint initiative of the ABCB and the Australian
government along with the state and territory governments is to address issues related to health,
safety, sustainability and amenity through the National Construction Code (NCC) with an
intention to attain universal minimum and consistent standards.
Australian standards
Several building standards have been developed for the construction and building
industry to ensure safety, cost-effectiveness, efficiency in the building construction throughout
the country. A standard refers to a document that includes all the guidelines, rules, and other

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detailed technical provisions that are essential while undertaking any activities within the
building and the construction industry.
Some of the building and construction standards are provided in the regulations stipulated
under the Building Code of Australia, which implies that those standards must be maintained or
followed while undertaking any activities in the specified way (Daly, Cooper and Ma 2014). For
instance, test methods and product standards in relation to the doors, roofing and windows;
product standards and installation of smoke detectors; design standards that is necessary to
ensure accessibility of the disabled; external and internal waterproofing of the residences.
NCC- A Performance based Code
The performance based National Construction Code (NCC) includes compliance
solutions, which enables a plumbing, drainage and building installations to comply with the
compliance level. The performance requirements lay down the minimum level of performance
for all the drainage, plumbing and building installations. It further includes components, relevant
materials, construction methods and design methods (Roetzel, Tsangrassoulis and Dietrich
2014). The requirements mentioned as the performance requirements calls for mandatory
compliance.
There are three options for compliance set out under the Performance based Code which are as
follows:
 Performance based solution: It requires using of approved tools such as calculators,
rating tools, etc, as per the intent of the BCA. This solution refers to any solution that
fulfills the Performance requirements except the deemed-to-satisfy solutions. A

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performance solution may either differ wholly or partly from the deemed-to-satisfy
provisions.
 Deemed to satisfy solution: it is the use of any deemed-to-satisfy solutions or any
referenced documents that is stipulated in the NCC. These provisions comprise the
instances of products, designs factors, components, and installation and construction
methods (Kibert 2016 ). If these requirements are followed and the building related works
have been carried out in compliance with such requirements, it shall be deemed to be in
compliance with the performance requirements of the NCC.
 Verification method: the experts who are recognized consider that the approach satisfies
the intent of the BCA but owing to its innovative nature, it cannot adequately be
evaluated under the remaining methods.
The theory of performance-based design permits a designer to develop a single design
solution that meets the requirements of individual building codes in any location, thus, satisfying
the approved authorities. The underlying principle for introducing the performance-based codes
is to enjoy all the benefits that the code prescribes for instance, the certainty of the techniques
and the building materials along with flexibility by using the established performance
requirements (Berardi 2017). The performance based code system requires that the society acts
in agreement with the methods to assess the performance and the objectives for the built
environment.
Rating tools to evaluate the compliance to NCC
Rating tools are used to comply with the provisions stipulated under the BCA with a view
to ensure the clients with best possible outcomes. Sometimes, these rating tools developed for

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voluntary purposes are often used in contracts. For instance, the local and state governments
require to give Green star ratings in respect of certain buildings.
The implementation of performance based building aims at enhancing the consumer-
orientation within then construction and building industry as while carrying out the building
works it is the user requirements explained in the performance–based codes shall form the basis
for all communication (Iyer-Raniga, Moore and Wasiluk 2014). The implementation of the
performance-based code design environment enhances the in innovation in building designs and
the associated products. In Australia, the BCA based on the performance-based code was drafted
using several international models including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden and the
Netherlands.
In case of Residential buildings, the NCC applies to new buildings and any additions or
alterations, the building size threshold shall be determined by the individual jurisdictions. The
BCA Volume 2 stipulates requirements for constructing and designing domestic buildings that is,
the Class 1 and 10 buildings and in addition, class 10 structures. In case of buildings that already
exist, the building size threshold shall be determined by the individual jurisdictions and shall use
the deemed –to-satisfy solutions hall in case of both alterations and additions.
In case of new commercial buildings, BCA volume 1 shall stipulate requirements for design
and construction of commercial buildings that is, class 2-9 buildings including class 10
structures. In case of existing commercial buildings, major renovation is required and although
several states have included the requirements for existing buildings but such requirements varies
based on jurisdictions (Watson, Gad and Pham 2016). Since the NCC contains the certain
requirements which when adopted by various territories and states of Australia, it is mandatory

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to comply with such requirements. The requirements are both enforceable locally or regionally
with respect to construction and design with the assistance from the third parties. The NCC
covers the following areas with respect to the construction and building industry:
 HVAC Envelope Maintenance Thermal Comfort Lighting Option for performance-based solution Service water heating
Tools used for assessing compliance
In Australia, the building certifier is authorized to settle the type of calculation method
that is acceptable and there are other simulation tools are available that enables compliance path
for the entire building. The star rating that is used for regulating the thermal performance of
homes can be measured by using the certain computer software packages such as FirstRate,
BASIX, AccuRate, etc. In case of ensuring the compliance with respect to the Commercial
building, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) strictly performs
similar function as that of the mentioned systems.
The star rating is provided based on the actual performance of the building after it is
certified. The governments or the licensed operators maintain all these compliance-checking
tools. In order to implement the compliance tools for checking compliance level with respect to
the residential buildings, the software compliance tools must be in accordance with the standards

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stipulated by the Nationwide Home Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) Software Accreditation
Protocol (Pianella et al. 2016). In respect of the commercial buildings, the software tools must
comply with the requirements accredited by the ABCB.
Change in the environment of the Building Codes of Australia
The BCA stipulates the national standards to ensure safety, amenity and sustainability
while carry out the building works in the current and future communities. It stipulates the
technical requirements with respect to the construction and design of the building and other
structures (Ching and Winkel 2016). The matters covered by the BCA include fire resistance,
structural soundness, energy efficiency, access related services and other provisions related to
health and safety.
The majority of the amendments included in the BCA 2012 include the following factors:
 changes in facilities relating to the early childhood education and care in alignment with
the BCA;
 exemptions from certain BCA requirements in respect of the class 8 elcetrical network
substations;
 requirement for handrails in relation to private stairs;
 structural software provisions;
 changes required with respect to wet areas in the buildings;
 update of referenced documents;
 other minor technical changes;
Essential amendments made in relation to national BCA provisions for both the volumes:

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 The provision related to the use of software in computer for designing the structural
framing systems of the building must comply with the ABCB Protocol for Structural
Software;
 With respect to slips, trips and falls changes the new requirements made in the BCA
provisions, handrails must be present to private ramps and stairs which would prevent
falls;
 In the wet areas of the buildings, provisions must be incorporated that would decide
which areas of the building should be waterproof or water resistant;
 Minor changes have been introduced for the purpose of expansion, refinement,
clarification and alignment;
The changes made in the Volume one of the BCA provisions in 2012:
 new verification method has been incorporated to verify whether an emergency lighting
system satisfies the safe illumination level that is stipulated under the Performance
Requirement;
 Class 8 electrical network substations have been exempted from the BCA requirements
for a range of installations and facilities based on the control systems applied to the
construction and design of the building through the state-based and national network
provider legislation (Porter 2015).
 Amendments include the requirements for a atmospheric contaminant monitoring system
to be installed in a carpark.
 In addition to the changes made in the both the volumes of the BCA provisions, a change
has been made in the in Volume two with respect to the changes in the Australian
Government’s Renewable Energy Target Scheme (Ching 2014). This change would

9CODES AND COMPLIANCE
result in the replacement of the term ‘Renewable Energy Certificate’ with ‘Small-scale
Technology Certificate’.
There are certain amendments made in both the volumes of BCA provision in NSW hich are as
follows:
 The Swimming Pools Regulations, the Swimming Pools Act, the Environmental Planning
and Assessment Act, the Rural Fires Act and the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Regulation have been incorporated in the referenced documents of the NSW
Tables owing to the variations in the NSW references (Evans, Roshchanka and Graham
2017).
 There have been changes made in respect of the Fire hazard properties by introducing
provisions that would enable the identification of any materials that should treated as
retardants;
 The changes made with respect to the special fire protection where the definition has
been updated to demonstrate the changes made in the referenced NSW State
Environmental Planning policies;
 There have been amendments with respect to various other clauses with a view to
maintain consistency.
Essential amendments made in the Building Code of Australia 2015
Most of the changes made to the BCA in 2015 have been made relating to the following
elements:
 the introduction of verification methods with respect to weatherproofing and structural
reliability;

10CODES AND COMPLIANCE
 expanding the sprinkler facilities for all new aged care facilities;
 necessary changes made with respect to barrier provisions to improve useability;
 New references and editions have been adopted in volumes One and two volumes which
have included Windows in buildings-selection and installation. There has been inclusion
of Termite Management- New Building work and Smoke Alarms as well.
 Construction of Barriers have been introduced to prevent falls;
 The incorporation of Residential and Low-rise Steel Framing has been introduced as an
additional deemed-to-satisfy compliance for low-rise steel framing.
 Other minor technical changes have been made which includes incorporation of openable
windows, open spectator stands, necessary access to maintain all parts of the building
(Ronchi and Nilsson 2014);
The present policy formulated by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) aims at the
following objectives:
 Obtaining compliance with the present performance requirements which is more
important than raising the firmness of the energy efficiency provisions;
 To assess or review the rating software for its implementation in tropical northern
climates of the country as the modeling in those areas result in sub-optimal consequences.
 To incorporate qualified measures into the performance requirements with a view o
increase the certainty and clarity regarding what is required to do to act in compliance
with the Building codes of Australia (Grondzik and Kwok 2014).

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Reasons behind the changes in the Building code of Australia
The main reason for the constant changes made in the building codes of the Australia is
based on the developmental in the factors such as environment, technology, culture, economic
relationships that competes for recognition. With the advancement in the technology and the
living standards of the Australian people, it has become necessary to enhance safety, amenity,
health and sustainability of the society and the individuals residing within the society. The
building codes of Australia or the building regulations has been set up to outline the minimum
level of safety with respect to the constructed objects that were designed to safeguard public
health, safety and welfare of the community in relation to the occupancy and construction of the
building and structures (Coyle et al. 2016).
The National Construction Code has been brought to regulation by adopting Territory,
state and commonwealth legislations. It is subject to annual revision and the modified version
comes into effect every year in May. With the establishment of the building codes since 1964 till
the present code, there have been changes which led to the inclusion of new requirements for
energy sufficiency. It further includes new provisions related to the incorporation of the
requirements for health, safety and amenity. The processes and policy used by the Australian
Building Code to make changes in the building codes or to facilitate any development in the
building laws of the country (Clarke and Hensen 2015).
International Building Code
The International Building Code (IBC) is a model code that has been developed by the
International Code Council (ICC). The IBC aims at addressing the concerns related to health and
safety for buildings on the basis of performance a prescriptive related requirements. The

12CODES AND COMPLIANCE
statutory provisions stipulated under the Code aims at safeguarding the safety and health of the
public on one hand, and on the other hand, it aims at averting both the preferential treatment and
costs that is incurred on the methods of construction or the specified material required for the
construction. The International Building Code is primarily concerned with fire prevention with
respect to the construction and design of a occupied and completed building. It further requires
the design of the building to incorporate proper accessibility of the structural and disabled
stability. The IBC often refer to other codes such as the Plumbing Code, International
Mechanical Code, the National Fire Protection Association and the National Electric Code.
Hence, in case any municipal laws adopt the provisions of the IBC, it adopts the other parts that
are referred to by the IBC as well. For instance, most often counties that adopts such IBC
provisions tend to mechanical, plumbing and electric codes along with the adoption of the
statutory provisions of the IBC (Kabak et al. 2014).
The essential provisions stipulated in the IBC codes with respect to the design and
construction of the building includes means of egress, existing structures, and accessibility.
Means of egress – this phrase refers to the capability to exit the structure in the event, any form
of emergency takes place such as fire. The means of egress is divided into three parts, namely,
the exit itself, the path of travel to an exit and the path that leads to the safe exit outside the
building structure. There are requirements related to possible hazards like industries that deals
with toxic and flammable chemicals.
Accessibility- it refers to the accommodation of people who are physically challenged. It includes
effective planning relating to the building entry, parking spaces, elevators, transportation and
restrooms.

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Existing structures- the requirements specified in the building code becomes applicable to the
construction of new buildings. It also includes any additions or alterations; changes in the use of
the buildings; demolition of buildings or parts of the building which ceases to have any
economic use. In case of any alterations and additional construction to any building shall be done
in compliance with the provisions stipulated under section 101.2 of the IBC. The existing
buildings are not exempted from the application of the provisions stipulated under the IBC. This
ensures that any new addition or alterations made in the existing building has been done in
compliance with the requirements mentioned under the code and that such alterations or
additions made have complied with the safety levels stipulated by the law.
Inadequacy and challenges arising from the National Construction Codes
As discussed earlier, the changes made in the building codes attribute to the factors like
environmental, technologies, cultural and economic relationship that competes for recognition.
According to the Australia Building Codes Board (ABCB), a policy of consultation was
developed as it was considered essential to introduce a relevant and contemporary construction
code, which would aim at delivering better and improved societal results in terms of health,
safety, sustainability and amenity within the built environment (Chauvin, Pauls and Strobl 2016).
According to the ABCB, the development of the consultation policy leads to the modification
and review of the initial recommendations related to the construction and design of the structure,
thus, ensuring to produce better and improved results.
However, this policy had been subject to several criticism in that consultation from
parties who represents broad interests is often outnumbered owing to the inappropriate influence
from the interests group, under such circumstances, the consultation policy may create better

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outcomes but at the same time, it can give rise to partiality or biasness. As per the National
Construction Code, it engages in consultation with the industry stakeholders and the government
with a view to draw input from such authorities. It further seeks assistance and advice from the
building professionals, local governments, research communities, special interest groups and the
community.
Analysis of the International Building Code against recently adopted Building Codes of
Australia ensuring consistence of the Australian codes with that of the International
building codes
In the global context, it is imperative for every country to work together with a view to
share the advanced technology and the best practices. International development bodies such as
the International building code, which includes, Plumbing Code, International Mechanical
Code, the National Fire Protection Association and the National Electric Code have been
established to bring together people from across the world for the purpose of setting out certain
essential building standards with respect to building and construction (Chauvin, Pauls and Strobl
2016).
As discussed earlier that the essential provisions that are stipulated under the IBC include
fire prevention, accessibility and electric prevention, means of egress and making facilities for
the people who are physically challenged. In the Building Code of Australia volume 1, the
Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) have incorporated provisions related to fire resistance
that aims at safeguarding people from sustaining any injury due to fire in the building. The fire
resistance provisions stipulate that the construction of the building must maintain structural

15CODES AND COMPLIANCE
stability to enable the occupant to evacuate safely in the event of fire emergency an allow fire
brigade intervention.
The performance requirements in the context of fire resistance include elements that maintain
structural stability that is appropriate during a fire emergency such as the fire hazard, fire load,
and height of the building, evacuation time and fire brigade intervention. In case the building
solution is to act in compliance with the Deemed-to-satisfy provisions, the performance
requirements that should be satisfied must include C1.1to C1.12 and C3.1 to C3.17 of the
performance requirements.
In regards to the accessibility and egress, the provisions stipulated under DF1 of the BCA
VOL 1, the provision endows the occupant with equitable, safe and dignified access to a building
or have access to use the facilities and services within a building. The building must be safe so
far, it is reasonable to keep it safe and provide the occupants sufficient time to evacuate safely in
case of any emergency (Clarke and Hensen 2015).
The performance requirements provided with respect to the access and egress shall
include provisions stipulating that people should have access to the building from the road
boundary and have easy access to any public or work spaces; it requires enabling people to use
the accommodation and facilities for the purpose of the personal hygiene. The provision enables
the people to move safely within the building and the walking surface must have safe gradients.
The doors were installed to avert the risk of the egress being impeded or the risk of being trapped
in the building (Grondzik and Kwok 2014).
The changes made in the BCA in 2012 and 2015 incorporated provisions to provide
handrails to prevent falls, thus, assisting people with stability while using the stairways and

16CODES AND COMPLIANCE
ramps. A barrier was provided to prevent people from falling of the roofs or through any open
windows. Further, exits must be provided within building that would allow the occupants to
evacuate safely, in case of emergency. The height of the building and the storey of the building
should be taken into consideration while evacuating the occupants in case of fire emergency in
the building.
The changes made in the BCA with respect to damp and weatherproofing stipulates that the
occupants must be safeguarded from injury or illness or any damage caused by the surface water
or by any external moisture entering into a building. The performance requirements for
safeguarding the people from such damages include the prevention of water penetration through
external walls, which must be complied with while constructing the building.
Conclusion
The objectives of the BCA are to maintain acceptable standards to achieve safety,
structural sufficiency, amenity and health of the occupants within the building for the benefit of
the community at present and in the future. The objectives and goals of the BCA extends to the
extent so long such goals purports to serve public interest and is cost-effective. The objectives
must be easily comprehended and must be convenient in its application, thus, the provisions act
in compliance with the statutory provisions stipulated under the International Building Codes.

17CODES AND COMPLIANCE
References
Board, A.B.C., 2015. National Construction Code. ABCB.
Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R., 2013. Automated Building Code Compliance Checking–Where is it
at. Proceedings of CIB WBC, pp.172-185.
Daly, D., Cooper, P. and Ma, Z., 2014. Understanding the risks and uncertainties introduced by
common assumptions in energy simulations for Australian commercial buildings. Energy and
Buildings, 75, pp.382-393.
Roetzel, A., Tsangrassoulis, A. and Dietrich, U., 2014. Impact of building design and occupancy
on office comfort and energy performance in different climates. Building and environment, 71,
pp.165-175.
Kibert, C.J., 2016. Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery. John Wiley &
Sons.

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Berardi, U., 2017. A cross-country comparison of the building energy consumptions and their
trends. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 123, pp.230-241.
Board, A.B.C., 2013. National Construction Code Series Volume 1, Building Code of Australia
2013, Class 2 to 9 Buildings. Canberra: Australian Building Codes Board, 163.
Iyer-Raniga, U., Moore, T. and Wasiluk, K., 2014. Residential building sustainability rating tools
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Watson, K., Gad, E. and Pham, L., 2016. Reliability assessment of tests for determining
structural performance. In Australasian Structural Engineering Conference: ASEC 2016 (p.
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Pianella, A., Bush, J., Chen, Z., Williams, N.S. and Aye, L., 2016, December. Green roofs in
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Science Association Conference 2016.
Ching, F.D. and Winkel, S.R., 2016. Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the
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Porter, K.A., 2015. Safe enough? A building code to protect our cities as well as our
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Ching, F.D., 2014. Building construction illustrated. John Wiley & Sons.
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Ronchi, E. and Nilsson, D., 2014, February. Modelling total evacuation strategies for high-rise
buildings. In Building Simulation (Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 73-87). Springer.
Grondzik, W.T. and Kwok, A.G., 2014. Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings. John
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Chauvin, J., Pauls, J. and Strobl, L., 2016. Building codes: An often overlooked determinant of
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