Detailed Building Code of Australia Compliance Assessment Report

This report presents a comprehensive assessment of a residential building's compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The analysis covers a seven-story residential building with a two-story basement used for carparking. The report identifies non-compliance issues related to fire safety, including traveling exit distances, alternative exit distances, and fire-isolated exits. It highlights deficiencies in sprinkler systems, portable fire extinguishers, and fire hydrant systems. The report also addresses issues related to external wall separations and natural light provisions. Furthermore, the report provides recommended solutions, including performance-based solutions developed by fire engineers, to address the identified non-compliances and ensure the building meets BCA requirements. The report emphasizes the importance of early design considerations for performance solutions and the role of building surveyors in the compliance process. The assessment includes a review of glazing systems and their compliance with relevant Australian standards. The report is a valuable resource for understanding building code compliance and the application of alternative solutions to achieve performance-based outcomes.

Task 1
The report shows assessment of a residential building having basement of two storey meant for
carpark and above it five storey for residential. The main aim of this paper would be to identify
the non-compliance issues as per the proposed Deemed – to – satisfy (DTS). Building Code of
Australia provision and recommended compliance provided to overcome non-compliances.
The list of provided Deemed – to – Satisfy that would require to be addressed through alternative
solution, designed amended and additional of information would include:
BCA Clause Provision of Deemed-to-Satisfy that needs to be addressed
C2.6
Separation of
external walls
vertical
openings
Non-compliances locations includes:
Northern Elevation
Existence of horizontal construction at level 3 – 6 whose extension is less than
450 mm past the openings
Eastern elevation
Existence of horizontal construction at level 3 – 6 whose extension is less than
450 mm past the openings

D1.4
Traveling exit
distances
Travelling distance extended inside the carpark is 40.163 millimeters from the
corner of the right-hand carpark both in basement 1 and basement 2.
It is recommended that the fire engineers would provide suitable points in
different directions based on the reference corners adjacent carpark in respect
to basement 1 and basement 2.
Level 3
The travelling distance path to the point of exit is more than six meters, being
8.017 m, therefore fire engineer would be required to recommend on the
performance solution.

Level 4 – 6
The travelling distance path to the point of exit is more than six meters, being
7.725 m, therefore fire engineer would be required to recommend on the
performance solution
D1.5
Alternative
exits distance
The alternative exit distance in basement 2 is greater than 60 meters, being
80.09 m.

The alternative exit distance in basement 2 is greater than 60 meters, being
75.19 m.
Point to note: The alternative exit distance is measured through the selected
point.
Fire engineer would be required to recommend on the performance solution.
D1.7
Travel through
isolated fire
exits.
Discharge from isolated stairways would impose a 6 m passing at any section
of the external wall. It would proper for the wall to have FRL more than
60/60/60 and internally protected openings based to C3.4

E1.5
Sprinklers
Detailed sprinkler valve enclosure would be required on the plans of the
architecture.
E1.6
Portable Fire
Extinguishers
The architectural plans should provide portable fire extinguishers.

Task 2
The data provided reviews the building based on Building Code of Australia 2016 Amendment 1
in relation to the residential seven storey building compliance assessment having basement of
two storey meant for carpark and above it five storey for residential.
Building classification Large building
Class 2 and 7a
Building storey rise Seven
Construction type Large building
A
Limitations of floor area Class 7
Area Less than 5000 m2
Effective height 38.7 – 10.05 = 28.65 m
Egress and access
Part D1
Escape provision
D1.2
Required
number of
exit
Compliance All the buildings
At least one exit at every storey level would be required
D.13
Where fire
exit isolation
would be
required
Compliance Class 2
Every serving exit that includes ramp or stairway should be fire-
isolated lest it passes through, connects or passes by less than 3
consecutive class 2 building storey and an extra storey of any
particular classification that would be included if;
 It is meant for ancillary purposes or accommodation of
vehicles
 Existence of sprinkler system that comply to the
specification of E1.5
 The exit required does not allow egress for or access to
and separated from the additional storey by constructions
that have;
A. for a non-loadbearing, FRL of -/60/60
B. For a non-loadbearing, FRL of 90/90/90
C. Absence of opening that would allow smoke or fire
D1.4
Travelling
exit distance
Non-
compliance
Class 2
i. Entrance doorway must be less than 6m from exit of a
sole occupancy unit
ii. Points on the room floor that are not included on unit sole
occupancy would be expected to be less than 20 m from

the point of exit
Compliance of the building
Class 7 building
Points on the room floor would be expected to be less than 20 m
from the point of exit
Travelling distance extended inside the carpark is 40.163
millimeters from the corner of the right-hand carpark both in
basement 1 and basement 2.
It is recommended that the fire engineers would provide suitable
points in different directions based on the reference corners
adjacent carpark in respect to basement 1 and basement 2.
Level 3
The travelling distance path to the point of exit is more than six
meters, being 8.017 m, therefore fire engineer would be required
to recommend on the performance solution.
Level 4 – 6

The travelling distance path to the point of exit is more than six
meters, being 7.725 m, therefore fire engineer would be required
to recommend on the performance solution
D1.5
Alternative
distance of
exist
between
Non-
compliance
Alternative distance of exist would require egress that must be;
a. More than 9 m apart
b. Uniformly distributed and practicable around or within
the served storey.
c. Less than
i. 45 m apart for class 2 and 3 building
ii. 60 m apart for other cases
d. Maintaining 6 m apart and avoiding convergence of
alternative paths
The alternative exit distance in basement 2 is greater than 60
meters, being 80.09 m.
The alternative exit distance in basement 2 is greater than 60
meters, being 75.19 m.

Point to note: The alternative exit distance is measured through
the selected point.
Fire engineer would be required to recommend on the
performance solution.
D1.6
Exits
dimensions
and exit
paths of
travel
Require
compliance
a. The unobstructed height should be more than 2 m except
doorway height which may be reduced to more than 1980
mm
b. The unobstructed width of every exit or path except
doorway which must not be less than;
i. 1 m
ii. 1.8 m for corridors, passageway or ramp
D1.7
Travel
through
isolated fire
exits.
Non
compliance
Discharge from isolated stairways would impose a 6 m passing
at any section of the external wall. It would proper for the wall to
have FRL more than 60/60/60 and internally protected openings
based to C3.4

D1.13
Accommodat
ed number of
persons
Informational The number of people that would be accommodated in the
storey, mezzanine or rooms would be determined through
considering the purpose the building would be used and floor
layout;
a. Calculation of the sum of numbers through division of
floor area of every storey part by the number of square
meter per individual based on table D1.13 and according
to the use while not including spaces that are set apart;
i. Stairways, escalators, lifts, corridors and lobbies
ii. Service duct and other ancillary uses
iii. Seating capacity in the room

Services and equipment
Equipment for fire fighting
E1.3
Fire hydrants
Non compliance The system of hydrant provided would comply with
AS 2419.1-2005 in order to serve the building that has
a floor area more 500 m2
Booster
The booster would be required to be;
i. Within sight
and placed on
the building
main entrance
Compliance
ii. Constructed
with a fire
resistance
rating that is
more than FRL
90/90/90 for a
distance more
than 2 m each
side to separate
it from the
building.
Construction
of fire
resistance
was not
provided
Fire
engineer
would be
required to
recommend
on the
performance
solution.
E1.4
Fire hose reel
Compliance It would be provided to serve ground floor and
basement carpark where hydrants are installed or
where there is no installation of internal hydrants
E1.5
Sprinklers
Non-compliance It would be provided to serve basement carpark.
Detailed sprinkler valve enclosure would be required
on the plans of the architecture
E1.6
Portable Fire
Extinguishers
Non-compliance Require to serve class A fire risks for class 2 building
The architectural plans should provide portable fire
extinguishers.

Part E2
Management of smoke hazard
E2.2
General requirement
Compliance required The management would
require air handling system
that would not form part of
management of smoke hazard
based on table E2.2a and
E2.2b and is also able to
recycle air from fire
compartments that may
contribute to smoke
distribution within the fire
compartment which must;
i. Installed and designed
to operate as a control
system of smoke
ii.
A. As a smoke
damper
B. Shutting down
system of air
handling while
activating smoke
damper that would
be closed
automatically by
the detectors of
smoke
Class 2 (residential)
Automatic detection of smoke
and system of alarm that
comply with E2.2a