Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Building
Regulations 2022
Assignment 2
© WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY, 2022
Copyrighted materials reproduced herein are used under the provisions of the
Copyright Act 1968 as amended, or as a result of application to the copyright owner.
5. In regard to part (b) of question 17, please note that ABCB’s Facade
calculator has been uploaded to vUWS next to the assessment brief.
Due Date
1. This assignment must be received by the specified due date and time.
The penalty for late submission is indicated in the Learning Guide.
Instructions
3. Where a question asks you to discuss a matter, marks will be awarded for
providing a good discussion of the concepts and criteria of direct relevance
to the question, explaining in your own words how you reached your
answer. You must evidence that you have researched the topic in
questions such as these by inclusion of appropriate references where
relevant. You must also provide where necessary reference to relevant
legislative provisions, or provisions from the NCC, on which your response
is based.
4. Your responses to questions of the kind referred to above must not exceed
the indicated word limit. They do not have to reach that limit however
marks may be deducted for answers substantially less than the word limit.
5. Your referencing must be in the Harvard style. Marks will be deducted for
inadequate or incorrect referencing.
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6. Where a question asks you to identify the provisions of the law or the NCC
on which you rely to derive your answer - be specific down to the
subsection, subclause, subparagraph (as relevant).
7. Do not just copy assignments and fill in the spaces available for answers.
Present your answers as a separate document (with completed cover
sheet).
11. Your answers to each Section must commence on a fresh page in your
submitted document.
13. Indicate your name and your student number at the top of each page.
15. Unless otherwise stated, NCC type questions in this assignment relate to
compliance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions (DTS Provisions)
contained in the NCC.
16. Marks will be deducted for answers that merely regurgitate provisions from
the NCC or related legislation.
17. In this assignment terms defined under the NCC have been italicised
wherever possible.
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Assignment 2
MEANS OF ESCAPE / ACCESS / SERVICES, EQUIPMENT /
ENERGY EFFICIENCY / MAINTENANCE
SECTION 1
A clear understanding of the various terms used in Section D (and the remainder
of the NCC) is important to a proper interpretation and application of its
provisions. For example, consider the following. Match the building elements or
parts described in (i) to (viii) with the most appropriate descriptor in (a) to (f).
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Question 2 (5 marks - ie. 1 mark each)
Read each statement carefully and determine whether the statement is true or
false. If the statement is incorrect then correct it. Give justification for your
answers, including any conditions to which it is subject when relevant. That is,
your answer must, when relevant, refer to one or more NCC DTS Provisions
which support your answer.
(a) no door in a path of travel to an exit in an office building can be key locked?
(ii) Justification
(ii) Justification
(c) a 3m wide required stairway with handrails each side but no intermediate
handrail is counted as 3m wide in determining exit capacity.
(ii) Justification
(d) the entrance doorway from the street to a 250m2 suburban shop cannot be
fitted with a roller shutter? The entrance doorway is also the only exit from
the shop.
(ii) Justification
(e) all main electrical switch and distribution boards located in a path of travel
to an exit must be separated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting
construction?
(ii) Justification
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NB. Don’t forget to correct incorrect statements and focus on defined terms. They are crucial to
correct interpretations.
Question 3 – (1 mark)
The occupancy load used to determine the aggregate exit width required by
the DTS Provisions for a multi-storey commercial building is based on:
50 words
Question 4 – (3 marks)
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• 10% of the floor area of storeys 1 to 5 is set aside for lifts, stairways, ramps,
hallways, sanitary compartments, lobbies and the like. 5% of the plant
room floor area is occupied by the exit stairway.
• One exit is required from each storey to satisfy the exit travel distance
requirements.
• Storey 1 does not connect with the fire-isolated exit stairway. It relies on a
doorway to open space.
• The building is less than 25m in effective height and travel distance to the
single exit serving storeys 2 to 5 and the plant room complies with the DTS
Provisions.
Determine the aggregate width required for the doorways serving as exits from a
building with the following characteristics:
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Required aggregate widths for the 3 doorways
serving as exits
Question 6 (2 marks)
• if your response is no, stating why and specifying any conditions that must be
satisfied for your answer to be correct.
NB. Any applicable conditions must be sourced from the relevant DTS Provisions.
(a)
(ii) Justification
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(b)
NB. All levels of the carpark are interconnected by open vehicle ramps, and
all storeys are sprinkler protected.
(iv) Justification
The residential upper storeys of the building will be served by a single internal
open stairway which leads to the ground floor lobby. Within the lobby will be a
flight of stairs with a stairway platform lift alongside. Egress from the lobby leads
to a landing with awning over. A ramp is provided from the landing to the ground
and then there is a path to the street.
The only means of escape from the carpark that will be provided to satisfy the
NCC will be via the internal non-fire isolated stairway which leads to the lobby
and then to outside.
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(a) Based on the information provided answer the following questions. You
must justify your responses by specifying the DTS Provision(s) you rely
upon to determine your answers.
(i) Travel distance from the uppermost levels of the building is measured
from what point?
(ii) The nearest part of an exit from the upper levels is at what point?
(iv) The maximum permissible overall distance of travel to open space via
the stairway that connects all storeys is?
(v) The maximum permissible distance between the base of the non-fire-
isolated stairway and the doorway that provides egress to open space
is?
(vi) The maximum permissible distance of travel from point H to the exit
serving the ground floor storey is?
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(viii) The minimum required width of the stairway between points E and F
is?
NB. The stairway platform lift is to be provided for access for persons with a
disability. The stairway platform lift will occupy a width of 650mm when unfolded and
300mm when folded.
(x) The minimum height above floor level for required barriers below
openable windows in external walls to restrict falling is?
(b) Determine whether the following statements are generally true or false:
(i) The entrance doors to each apartment (SOU) must swing in the
direction of egress?
(B) Justification
(ii) The stairways within the upper level two storey sole-occupancy units
(SOUs) must have a minimum unobstructed width of at least 1m?
(B) Justification
(B) Justification
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Question 8 – (6 marks)
The above diagram illustrates the floor plan for the top storey of a 5 storey office
building. The building is required to be served by 2 fire-isolated exits as shown.
The DTS Provisions impose distance limitations on some of the paths of travel
shown in broken lines above. They also impose other geometric limitations
relating to provision for escape.
Specify the limitations (if any) for the following. Justify your responses by
reference to the relevant DTS Provisions:
(a) A?
(b) A+B+C
(c) A + D + E?
(d) F?
(e) E + D + B + C?
(f) G
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Question 9 – (1.5 marks)
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SECTION 2
There are two types of laws that regulate access to buildings and the facilities
therein for persons with a disability namely: anti-discrimination laws such as the
Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA); and the NCC.
The DDA specifies what it considers acceptable access standards under the
Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 (the Premises
Standards). The Premises Standards and the NCC generally align (but not fully).
Compare and contrast in brief the Premises Standards and the NCC. Note, there
is no need to make any reference to the requirements for transport buildings.
• Application - That is: in general terms what triggers application of the Premises
Standards and what application of the NCC? What kinds of buildings does
each apply to - and, what is their required scope of application when an
existing building is being extended or modified?
• Persons responsible for ensuring compliance?
• Exceptions and concessions
• Which prevails should an inconsistency between the 2 controls be identified
(and why)? - and give one example of an inconsistency.
NB. You can refer to relevant laws in your jurisdiction as appropriate to support your answers.
Keep comments high level and succinct. Do not provide an overly detailed
response. Responses must simply demonstrate an understanding of primary
differences and where relevant include references which justify your statements.
Present your responses to each of the above in the following tabular format:
Which prevails should an inconsistency between the two be identified (and why?)
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SECTION 3
Question 11 – (8 marks)
(a) describe in brief, and in your own words, the reason for the DTS Provisions
requiring the measure ie what is the measure’s purpose? and
(b) specify the applicable DTS Provision, relevant NCC referenced document
(including its edition) and/or NCC Specification that sets the technical
standards each must comply with. NB. You may need to refer to a
combination of these provisions (in relevant order) to provide a
comprehensive answer. Do not repeat the requirements of the provisions.
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Question 12 – (8 marks)
True or false? Justify your answer (whether true or false). Include in your
response reference to the relevant DTS Provision(s). Correct the statement if it
is incorrect.
(ii) Justification -
(b) A fire hose reel system need not be provided to serve an apartment building
comprising 3 storeys above ground and a basement carpark storey. Each
storey has a floor area of 550m2. Apartments do not exceed 250m2 in floor
area.
(ii) Justification
(ii) Justification
(ii) Justification
(e) Two emergency lifts must be provided in every building greater than 25m in
effective height?
(ii) Justification
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(f) An emergency lighting system is required to the internal common area of
the multi-unit residential building illustrated in Question 7 of this
assignment?
(ii) Justification
(ii) Justification
(h) A fire hydrant system must be provided to serve a single storey industrial
building comprising 4 equally sized factory units and a total building floor
area of 950m2. The building is divided centrally by a fire wall that extends
vertically uninterrupted from footing to underside of roof level? Otherwise
the factory units are separated by concrete panel walls with an unknown
FRL.
(ii) Justification
Question 13 – (3 marks)
(a) A 2 storey shopping centre with the storeys connected by an atrium. The
ground floor storey has a floor area of 1900m2 and the upper storey has a
floor area of 1500m2. The height of each storey is 7m.
(iii) Yes No
(iv) Justification
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(b) An open-deck carpark that occupies 2 storeys near street level of a high
rise building (taller than 25m in effective height). Each storey is 3m high.
The carpark accommodates in excess of 100 motor vehicles.
(i) Yes No
(ii) Justification
The building stores motor vehicle spare parts in cardboard cartons. 4400m2 of
the building contains racks 2m high. Another part of the building contains
500m2 of racks 5m high.
(v) Yes No
(vi) Justification
Question 14 - (3 marks)
The developer wishes to know what additional fire safety measures pursuant to
Section E of the DTS Provisions are required for the building with 9 storeys
above ground compared to that required for the building with 8 storeys above
ground.
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Question 15 (5 marks)
Where options are provided you need only specify one acceptable option -
however, the option specified must be suitable for the building described in
terms of achieving the intent of the NCC.
2. State whether the measures must be provided to only a part of the building
or the entire building. Where a part only specify the part (using the
descriptors in Part E2).
3. State whether:
(i) the measure you list must be connected to a fire alarm monitoring
system connected to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre (ie.
monitored); and/or
(ii) the measure you list, or smoke detectors provided to activate the
measure you list, must activate a building occupant warning system
(BOWS).
(a) An aged care building with subterranean carpark. The building contains 4
storeys (3 above ground and 1 below ground).
Each storey has a floor area of 1200m2 and a height of 3m. The residential
sole-occupancy units are individually air-conditioned. Common rooms are
served by ducted air-conditioning. The basement carpark is mechanically
ventilated in accordance with AS 1668.2.
YES/NO YES/NO
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(b) A single storey, single fire compartment, retail building with a floor area of
6000m2 and a ceiling height of 4m.
The building contains 2 shops with a floor area of 2100m2 each, and 10
shops with a floor area of 120m2 each. The remainder of the building is
occupied by an internal mall, service corridors, plant room and sanitary
facilities.
Each shop opens onto the internal mall. The two large shops also open
directly to open space.
YES/NO YES/NO
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SECTION 4 – SANITARY FACILITIES
Question 16 - (6 marks)
It is proposed to construct a new library building for the public. You are acting as a
consultant for the architect who is designing the building. The plans for the building are
shown in question 17. There will be a total of 4 staff working in the library at any one
time. The architect has proposed to provide the following toilet facilities:
Entry – 10 m2
Carpark – 150 m2
Stair – 10 m2
The architect would like to know whether the proposal will comply with the requirements
of Part F2 of the NCC. Your answer must provide a step-by-step detail as to how you
came your conclusion and must reference all applicable clauses of the NCC.
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SECTION 5 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The project
Illustrated over page is a proposed library for construction in Orange NSW. The
building is to be constructed on a sloping site and will contain 2 storeys. The
upper storey will have pedestrian access from the street via its entry. The lower
storey (a carpark) will have pedestrian and vehicle access from outside. The
building has overall floor plan dimensions as shown.
The external walls to the upper storey and the internal upper storey walls
surrounding the stairway are proposed to be constructed using precast reinforced
concrete panels 125mm thick. These walls will be lined internally with 10mm
thick plasterboard on steel furring channels (40mm deep). Internal walls on the
upper storey will be steel framed walls lined with plasterboard. Lower storey walls
will be reinforced concrete block walls 200mm thick.
The roof comprises steel trusses (20 degree pitch) with a plasterboard ceiling
affixed on battens to the underside, and a colour bonded steel roof covering
affixed atop metal purlins. The roof will be ventilated. The roof covering will
have an upper surface solar absorptance value of not more than 0.4. Eave width
is shown on the sections.
Floors will be reinforced concrete. The suspended floor over the lower storey
carpark will be 150mm thick.
Glazing
It is proposed that glazing in external walls (ie windows and glazed doors) be of
double pane clear glass in thermally improved aluminium frames with a SHGC of
0.36 and a Total System U-Value of 4.4. Other than the glass doors the glazing
will be fixed.
Lighting
All internal spaces will have recessed fluorescent lights installed throughout.
Daylight sensors and a dynamic control device for lights within the library general
area adjacent to windows W1, W2 and W3 for a distance from the windows equal
to the depth of the floor to window head height will be used.
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Air-conditioning and ventilation
The upper storey will be heated and cooled by a low pressure air-cooled direct
expansion package unit air-conditioning and mechanical system of 25kWr
capacity. The air-conditioning air-flow rate is 1650L/s and the sensible heat load
is 120W/m2.
The mechanical ventilation serving the amenities will have an air-flow rate of
100L/s.
The air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation system designer will provide for
three thermal zones, one for the parts facing south and two for the library general
area due to the size of the space.
Based on this information, and the information in the drawings, provide answers
to the following -
(a) In relation to the opaque building elements that are a part of the envelope
determine:
(ii) Whether or not insulation must be added to the element to achieve the
required minimum Total R-Value, and if yes, what R-Value the added
insulation must possess. State 'nil' if you determine no insulation must
be added.
4 marks
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(b) Using the ABCB’s facade calculator assess the proposed
glazing for compliance with the DTS Provisions of Part J1.
7 marks
3 marks
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Window Size (HXW) G
W1, W2 & 3mX6m 0.2m
W3
W4 & W9 2.8mx3m 0.2m
W5 3mX0.6m 0.2m
W6 0.6mX6m 0.2m
W7 0.6mx4m 0.2m
W8 3mX4m 0.2m
WINDOW SCHEDULE
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SECTION 5 - MAINTENANCE
The actual words used in clause 182 of the EPAR are as follows:
(a) in the case of an essential fire safety measure applicable by virtue of a fire safety schedule,
to a standard no less than that specified in the schedule, or
(b) in the case of an essential fire safety measure applicable otherwise than by virtue of a fire
safety schedule, to a standard no less than that to which the measure was originally
designed and implemented.
The standard (or level) of performance capability of a fire protection system can
be influenced by several factors including the characteristics of the system itself,
the building, and the occupancy (or use).
(b) Describe how these factors can be encapsulated and recorded in a fire
safety schedule (see Module 10 and the EPAR for information about fire
safety schedules). NB. The fire safety schedule must describe the standard
of performance of the measure.
(c) Discuss the role of testing and commissioning of fire protection systems in
relation to maintenance regulation and auditing.
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