Comprehensive Review of NCC and BCA Compliance for Building Projects

This assignment comprehensively addresses various aspects of building codes and compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Building Code of Australia (BCA). It covers communication strategies for clients with limited English proficiency, the structure of NCC compliance, and the application of deemed-to-satisfy solutions and performance requirements. The assignment further delves into fire safety requirements for retail shops, structural behavior under stress, drainage pipe placement, and external wall systems. It also discusses rafter types, roof systems, and the installation of building services in ceiling spaces. Additionally, the assignment examines masonry wall systems, window clearances, truss installation, and compliance documentation for residential projects. The document concludes by comparing sectional properties of timber, offering a holistic understanding of building and construction standards.

Running head: ASSESSMENT TASK 3
ASSESSMENT TASK 3
Name
Course
Professor
University
City/state
Date

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 2
Assessment Task 3
Question 1
The following are some of the tips to use when communication with a client with limited
English-speaking ability: use simple words and simpler sentences; use less technical terms,
jargons and slang; speak slowly and avoid repeating the same words several times; summarize
and paraphrase; explain some ideas using illustrations, drawings and symbols; avoid using
idioms and acronyms; check for understanding by seeking feedback frequently from the client;
prepare short reports and presentations; ask questions; use body language appropriately and
observe the client’s body language; show some emotion; and use visual aids.
Question 2
The diagram shows the structure of the National Construction Code (NCC) compliance. It
basically means that NCC compliance can be achieved through satisfaction of the performance
requirements. These performance requirements can be satisfied by a deemed-to-satisfy solution,
performance solution or the combination of the two.
Question 3
Deemed to satisfy are provisions or methods that are considered adequate to satisfy specific or
the desired performance requirements.
Acceptable construction manual is a document giving construction guidelines to ensure that the
structures built are in compliance with the minimum requirements of Australian Standards.
Performance requirements are minimum levels of compliance stating the performance levels that
must be met by building solutions (deemed-to-satisfy solution or performance solution).

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 3
Question 4
The classification of the retail shop building is class 6.
The BCA fire safety requirements are found in NCC BCA Volume 1 Section C Fire resistance
and Section E Services and equipment.
The process of organizing for an inspection of the retail shop is as follows: assemble the team to
perform the inspection; notify the client about when the inspection will be conducted, parties to
be involved, and their roles and responsibilities; obtain relevant drawings of the building
including building plans, structural drawings, services layout, etc.; prepare an appropriate BCA
compliance checklist; conduct a site visit to the building; obtain relevant resources to be used in
the inspection; develop an inspection plan; notify all other parties to be involved and their roles
and responsibilities; and conduct the inspection.
Question 5
The clause/chapter of the BCA that identifies performance requirements for the behaviour of
structures under stress/strain is NCC BCA Volume 1, clause BP1.1-1.4 for class 2-9 buildings
(Australian Building Codes Board, 2015) and NCC BCA Volume 2, clause P2.1.1-2.1.2 for class
1 and 10 buildings (Australian Building Codes Board, 2016).
Question 6
The cover of the drainage pipe is 600 mm and the width of the footing for the garage wall is 300
mm. Therefore the minimum distance that the drainage pipe can be laid from the garage wall
footing is: 600 mm – 300 mm = 300 mm.
Question 7

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 4
The concrete block and reinforced concrete structure in the diagram is an external wall system
with a drainage pipe laid some distance from the wall.
The components are as follows:
1. Polypropylene protection board.
2. Drainage cell
3. Geo-fabric filter fabric
4. Metal aggregate used as back fill.
5. Scoria laid over aggregate cover for the drainage pipe.
6. Scoria laid over the drainage pipe cover and back fill.
7. Aggregate cover for the drainage pipe.
The missing structural elements are: cladding, sheathing, reinforcement, waterproof membrane
system, air barrier system, services distribution, internal and external finishes, thermal control,
and deflection joint and track.
Question 8
The construction process of the wall system is as follows: it starts with the construction of the
footing of the wall followed by laying the drainage pipe and placing the aggregate cover
appropriately. The next steps are as follows: installing the scoria over the drainage pipe cover;
installing the geo-fabric filter material; placing the drainage cell in place; installing the
polypropylene protection board; fixing the reinforcement; installing the waterproof membrane
system, air barrier system, services distribution system, thermal control and deflection joints and
track; laying the blocks or pouring the concrete; applying the internal and external finishes of the
wall; and placing the cladding systems of the wall.

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The purpose of various elements of the external wall system is as follows: polypropylene
protection board provides impact resistance to the wall; drainage cell facilitates removal of
unwanted moisture from the wall; geo-fabric filter fabric prevents water penetration into the
wall; metal aggregate is used as back fill to improve structural strength of the wall; scoria laid
over aggregate cover for the drainage pipe provide adequate insulation against high temperature;
aggregate cover protects the drainage pipe against heat, fire, termite and other attacks; cladding
provides support to the external part of the wall; sheathing increases resistance of the wall
against external forces; reinforcement increases the tensile strength of the wall; waterproof
membrane system prevents water penetration into the wall; air barrier system prevents formation
of voids in the wall; services distribution allows installation of service pipes through the wall;
internal and external finishes increases the aesthetics and durability of the wall; thermal control
prevents excess heat transfer through the wall; and deflection joint and track ensures that
maximum allowable deflection of the wall is not exceeded.
Question 9
The type of rafter is a common rafter because t runs from the ridge board to the exterior wall of
the building. The size of the rafter is 310UB44.2 meaning that it is a universal rafter with a depth
of 310 mm and a mass of 44.2 kg/m.
The span of the roof is 38800 mm hence the run or rafter span is 38,800/2 = 19,400 mm
Maximum allowable deflection is calculated as follows: Rafter span
300 =19400 mm
300 =64.67 mm
The relevant codes and standards for the roof are NCC BCA Volume 2, Part 3.11.6, and AS
1720.1, AS 1720.5 and AS/NZS 2269.0

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 6
Question 10
The building services that can be run through the ceiling space include: heating, ventilation and
air conditioning (HVAC) services, plumbing services, electrical or wiring services, lighting
services, fire/smoke detection services, motion detector, ICT services and firefighting services.
The maximum ceiling space available is estimated as follows: 40 m x 135.4 m = 5,416 m2
Considering the intended use of the building, the ceiling grid height is 300 mm.
Therefore the ceiling space available will be sufficient for the building services. However, there
are several other factors that will determine if the available ceiling space will indeed be sufficient
for the building services. Some of these factors include: dimensions of piping, ductwork, flues
and light fixtures; installation clearance; insulation thickness; thickness of acoustic panels; and
crossovers.
Question 11
The type of roof system suitable for the project is metal roofing. This is in consideration of the
fact that the rafters to be used are metallic. The metal materials that can be used include
aluminium, stone-coated steel, stainless steel, zinc aggregates, corrugated galvanized steel, metal
tile sheets, lead, copper and tin. Protective surface layers should be added to protect the roof
from environmental dangers and also reduce heat buildup on the roof. Metal roofs are strong,
durable and more resistant to fire. However, thermoplastic roof membranes can also be used as
the roof system.
The PVC vent pipes and other penetrations would be installed through the roof as follows: the
pipe vent is positioned to the roof’s bottom at the desired location and then traced round using a

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pencil; the roofing material is cut through using a reciprocating saw or jigsaw and by following
the pipe vent outline marked; the roof shoe length is measured using a tape measure; the shingles
around the cut hole are loosened, removed and roof shoe is slid under the shingles; the vent pipe
is pushed from below through the roof shoe; the roof shoe and shingles are nailed or bolted to the
rafter or purlin; amber guards are filled to the vents; then the vent pipe is connected to the
designated piping system.
The applicable section and clause of NCC is BCA Volume 1, clauses 5.6.5, 6.6.5, 7.6.5, 8.6.5,
9.6.3 of BAL and BCA Volume 2, section 3.5.1 clause 3.5.1.3 and section 3.5.1
The relevant standards are 1562.1, AS/NZS 3500.3, AS/NZS 3500.5, AS 2665 and AS 3959
Question 12
a) The wall system in the diagram is a double masonry wall made of bricks. The structural
system of this window differs from that in project no. 43324 because it does not contain
the numerous elements of a mass wall, such as exterior cladding, air barrier system, vapor
retarders, insulating elements, distribution of services, and other structural elements.
b) Some of the missing components include: interior and exterior finishes to make the wall
more attractive and also protect it against harsh environmental conditions; distribution of
services to facilitate installation of necessary building services; exterior cladding to
improve impact resistance of the wall; air barrier system to control movement of air into
and from the building; vapour retarders to control flow of moisture into and from the
building; and insulation elements to regulate heat flow into and from the building.
c) The applicable code for the masonry wall system is NCC BCA Volume 1 section F5.2 for
class 2-9 buildings and NCC BCA Volume 2 Part 3.3.1 for class 1 and 10 buildings. The

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relevant Australian Standards for the masonry wall construction are AS 3700, AS/NZS
4455 and AS 4773.2.
Question 13
The clearance is basically the void that is left between the brick of the wall and the insulation.
The minimum clearance of the window is 25 mm all-round the window frame to prevent binding,
allow for proper alignment of the window, allow for insulation installation and allow for
drainage. The window shall be fixed on a frame at the designated wall opening. Installation
process will start by fixing the window frame in place and checking and adjusting the frame’s
horizontal and vertical orientation using washers accompanied with it. After installing the sealing
successfully, the mounting holes would be drilled in, mounting screws secured in, followed by
foaming the gaps between the wall and window frame’s insulation and attaching the internal
insulation sheet to the window. The next step would be to insert the casement carefully, re-attach
the fastening pin and then close the casement.
Question 14
The truss should be installed such that no part of it is out of plumb by greater than the smaller of
height/50 or 50 mm (Pryda Australia, 2016). So height/50 = 1750 mm
50 =35 mm. Hence the truss
can be out of plumb by 35 mm. This means that the truss should not be out of being vertical by
more than 35 mm. Generally, trusses are supposed to be vertically straight i.e. at 90 degrees to
the ground, but the out of plumb tolerance is also acceptable. Out of plumb is basically the
horizontal distance between the expected vertical position of the truss and the actual position of
the truss, as shown in Figure 1 below.

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 9
Figure 1: Illustration of out of plumb (Timber Queensland, 2014)
Question 15
NCC BCA Volume 1, Part G5 for class 2 to 9 buildings and NCC BCA Volume 2, Part 3.7.4 for
class 1 and 10 buildings.
AS 3959-2009 (construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas) and NASH Standards (steel
framed construction in bushfire areas).
The compliance documentation needed before issuance of a building permit for a residential
project include: building plan, sections and elevations of the project; structural drawings; door
and window schedules; proof of entitlement; specifications document describing building
materials and construction methods to be used; alternative solutions details; energy efficiency
details; and general references (Victorian Building Authority, 2014).
Question 16
Since the two lengths of timber are of the same size (i.e. 90 mm wide and 45 mm high), the
sectional property that is the same for both the MGP10 and MGP12 timber is section modulus.
This property is calculated as follows:
Area of section = 90mm x 45mm = 4,050 mm2

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 10
Moment of inertia, I
Ixx = bd ³
12 = 45 x 90³
12 =2.73 x 106 mm4
Where Ixx is the moment of inertia along x-axis, b and d are the depth and width of the timber
piece respectively.
Iyy = bd ³
12 = 90 x 45³
12 =0.68 x 106 mm4
Where Iyy is the moment of inertia along y-axis, b and d are the depth and width of the timber
piece respectively.
Section modulus, S
Sxx = Ixx
w /2 = 2.73 x 106 mm4
45 =60.67 x 103 mm3
Where Sxx is the section modulus along x-axis, Ixx is the moment of inertia along x-axis and w is
the width of the timber piece.
Syy = Iyy
d /2 =0.68 x 106 mm4
22.5 =30.22 x 103 mm3
Where Syy is the section modulus along y-axis, Iyy is the moment of inertia along y-axis and d is
the depth of the timber piece.
Question 17
Fixed price or lump sum contract – this is a type of contract where a client agrees to pay a
fixed price for the project and the contractor or builder agrees to complete the project at the fixed
price agreed upon with the client.

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Cost plus contract – this s a type of contract where the client pays the contractor the
actual costs of purchases and construction plus a pre-negotiated fee. The fee covers the
contractor’s profit and overhead, and can either be a fixed amount or a percentage of the costs. In
cost plus contracts, the guaranteed maximum price is usually specified.
Time and material contract – this is a type of contract where the client pays for the actual
cost of construction materials and the time spent by the contractor and subcontractors on the
project. The client usually specifies the maximum price of the project and the project duration so
that the contractor can bear the risks if they are exceeded (Rodriguez, 2018).
Question 18
The requirements include:
i) Put in place measures aimed at reducing heating and cooling loads.
ii) Integration of thermal insulation in walls, floors and roofs.
iii) Ensure adequate glazing performance.
iv) Ensure that the building is sealed appropriately and protected against draught.
v) Adequate air movement, ventilation and artificial lighting.
vi) Proper performance of natural ventilation, natural daylighting and natural air
conditioning.
Question 19
a) Factors contributing to a 6 star rated dwelling include:
i) Design and materials of building envelope including the walls, floor, roof and
windows (roof ventilation, roof and wall ventilation, wider eaves, proper design and
location of windows, etc.) (Building Codes Queensland, 2014).

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ii) Layout of rooms and placement of living areas in northern orientation.
iii) Design of outdoor living areas and landscaping.
b) Varying building requirements in Brisbane and Melbourne
This is because the two cities are located in different climate zones hence their performance
requirements are also different. For instance, buildings in Brisbane are more likely to be prone to
bushfires than buildings in Melbourne hence those in Brisbane should meet specific performance
requirements that will reduce their bushfire risks. On the other hand, buildings in Melbourne are
more prone to floods than buildings in Brisbane hence those in Melbourne should have features
that will improve their performance or resistance against floods. The difference in climate
between the two cities also means differences in heating and cooling loads at different times of
the year. For instance, the average annual temperature of Brisbane and Melbourne is 20.3 °C and
14.8 °C respectively meaning that buildings in Brisbane has higher annual cooling load and
lower annual heating load than those in Melbourne.
Question 20
First is to establish the use and function of the building so as to determine the relevant
performance requirements in accordance with the Australian Standards. Second is to identify the
climate zone of the building. This helps in estimating the heating and cooling loads of the
building during different times of the year. Third is to review various passive and active design
solutions that will meet the client’s needs. Fourth is to select designs that will meet the client’s
needs without budget overruns or project delays. Fifth is to discuss the selected designs with the
client and his representatives for the purposes of negotiations and selecting the most appropriate
designs.

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Question 21
1. Convection
Convection can be used to improve thermal comfort of a residence by installing heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems such as baseboard heaters, steam radiators, hot
water radiations, etc. These systems transfer heat in building spaces through convection. The
heaters provide heat energy to room air causing the hot air to rise in the building space and be
distributed to other parts of the building either naturally or using artificial systems such as fans.
2. Conduction
The comfort of a residence can be improved through choice of materials such as wall,
floor and furniture materials. This is because materials have different thermal resistance values
(R-values) that determine their ability to absorb, store, release or resist transfer or distribution of
temperature. This is also known as thermal mass.
Window components – heat from the outside comes in contact with the external surface
of the window before it gets transferred to the interior finish materials. The amount of heat the
reaches the internal finish material can be regulated by a thermal break material, which is a poor
heat conductor.
Insulation is another way of using conduction to improve thermal comfort of a residence.
Insulating materials have higher thermal resistance hence they minimize heat transfer to and
from the building.
Question 22
Use of models or prototypes – this strategy involves creating models or prototypes of the energy
efficiency options so as to demonstrate how they work and use them to simulate overall energy
efficiency of the client’s building. The models/prototypes will give the client an idea on how the

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energy efficiency options are developed, how they operate, how they improve energy efficiency
of the building and their economic, environmental and social benefits.
Use of case studies – this strategy involves using similar past projects to show the client how
various energy efficiency options work and their benefits. When using this strategy, further
explanations are provided on how the energy efficiency options can be modified so as to meet
the specific needs of the client. The case studies can be prepared in form of a booklet, poster,
report, etc. or be communicated in form of a presentation.
Question 23
The process for finalizing the thermal performance requirements of a building is to perform a
comprehensive assessment of various features that have been selected or put in place to improve
thermal efficiency of the building so as to determine if they meet the minimum thermal
performance requirements specified in the relevant Australian Standards such as NCC with
minimum energy consumption. The process should be conducted by certified thermal
performance assessors. It mainly involves calculating the cooling and heating loads of the
building and the ability, energy consumption and efficiency of the artificial heating and cooling
systems, in consideration of the natural heating, cooling and air conditioning.
Question 24
The sections of the NCC that outlines energy efficiency are BCA Volume 1, Section J for class
2-9 buildings and BCA Volume 2, Part 3.12 for class 1 and 10 buildings.
Question 25

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Double glazing windows comprise of two glass panels with a gap in between them that creates
an insulating barrier for preventing loss of heat from the building during winter and stop entry of
excess heat into the building during summer (Desi, 2011). Therefore double glazing reduces
heating and cooling load or requirements thus improving thermal efficiency of the building.
Timber windows can come with high quality triple or double glazing designs that make them
able to retain heat inside the building or prevent entry of excess heat into the building depending
on the season. As a result, timber windows are able to minimize cooling and heating load of the
building all year round.
Eaves act as passive solar building designs that control solar penetration i.e. they are designed to
adjust solar gain of the building so as to suit the building’s orientation, latitude and local climate.
The eaves provide shading to the windows and other external parts of the building thus keeping
the interior of the building at a desired temperature. They protect excess heat gain especially
during summer thus reducing cooling load of the building.
Question 26
Energy rating to a housing design can be provided by a certified building energy rating assessor
such as Green Star accredited professional. The required qualifications for these professionals
are: expertise in appropriate building energy rating systems such as Green Star; training in the
applicable building energy rating software and tools; understanding of applicable building
regulations; qualification in interpretation and inspection of onsite and offsite building plans;
adequate knowledge of building energy use, energy efficiency and impact of design materials
and climate change on building energy performance; adequate understanding of building
construction; completion of building thermal performance assessment course; competencies in

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physical identification of different building materials, methods of construction and faults
applicable to energy efficiency ratings; understanding of the impacts of building design, building
materials, construction method and climate change on building energy efficiency; understanding
of building sustainability issues; and analytical skills.
Question 27
The building should have features that are designed to facilitate thermal efficiency based on the
use and function of the building – NCC BCA Volume 1, Section J, clause JP1 (a) and NCC BCA
Volume 2, P2.6.1 (a).
The building envelope should be sealed appropriately to prevent air leakage – NCC BCA
Volume 1, Section J, clause JP1 (f) and NCC BCA Volume 2, P2.6.1 (f).
Works Cited
Australian Building Codes Board. (2015). NCC 2015 Building Code of Australia - Volume One. Canberra:
Australian Building Codes Board.
Australian Building Codes Board. (2016). NCC 2016 Building Code of Australia - Volume Two. Canberra:
Australian Building Codes Board.
Building Codes Queensland. (2014). 6-star energy efficiency rating for new houses and townhouses.
Brisbane: Queensland Government.
Desi, A. (2011, August 30). Benefits of double glazed windows. Retrieved from Property24:
https://www.property24.com/articles/benefits-of-double-glazed-windows/14002
Pryda Australia. (2016). Installation Guidelines for Timber Roof Trusses. Melbourne: Pryda Australia.
Rodriguez, J. (2018, October 22). 4 Common Types of Construction Contracts. Retrieved from The
Balance Small Business: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/common-types-of-construction-
contracts-844483
Timber Queensland. (2014). Truss Installation. Brisbane: Timber Queensland.
Victorian Building Authority. (2014). Practice Note 2014-62. Melbourne: Victorian Building Authority.