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  • Discussion paper: Involvement of fire authorities in building design

    The Building Confidence Report (BCR), published in 2018, identified issues with the regulatory oversight of the construction of Class 2 - 9 buildings in Australia. It noted that fire authorities lack confidence that buildings will comply with the minimum fire safety requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). Recommendation 8 of the BCR is: That, consistent with the International Fire Engineering Guidelines, each jurisdiction requires developers, architects,... More
    Closed 7 July 2021

  • WMTS-532 Pre-packaged wastewater pumping wells

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This new WaterMark technical specification sets out requirements for pre-packaged wastewater pumping wells to convey wastewater from multiple fixtures from a single dwelling to the gravity sewer invert level. The pre-packaged wastewater pumping well may be installed above or below ground with a working volume depending on tank capacity and manufactured complete with pumps, associated... More
    Closed 7 July 2021

  • Discussion paper: Draft National Building Product Assurance Framework - A Response to the Building Confidence Report

    In 2017, Building Ministers commissioned an independent expert examination of systemic problems affecting compliance with the National Construction Code(NCC). The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) made 24 recommendations for a best practice model for compliance and enforcement, to strengthen effective application of the NCC. Recommendation 21 of the BCR is that: Building Ministers agree a position on the establishment of a compulsory product certification... More
    Closed 6 June 2021

  • Discussion paper: Building Manuals - A Response to the Building Confidence Report

    The Building Confidence Report (BCR), published in 2018, identified issues with the regulatory oversight of the construction of Class 2 - 9 buildings in Australia. It noted that owners of Class 2 - 9 buildings do not always receive complete information about their buildings, which affects their ability to properly maintain their buildings and make informed decisions about their use. This may impact the safety of building users. Recommendation 20 of the BCR is: That each jurisdiction... More
    Closed 17 May 2021

  • Discussion Paper: Integrity of private building surveyors and their role in enforcement - a response to the Building Confidence Report

    In 2017, Building Minsters authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) made 24 recommendations for a best practice model for compliance and enforcement, to strengthen the effective implementation of the National Construction Code (NCC). To varying degrees, all jurisdictions rely on... More
    Closed 27 April 2021

  • Special Public Comment - DR AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 Plumbing and drainage, Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage

    Standards Australia WS-014 Committee has released a draft of AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 for third round comment on one particular clause. The draft will be for Combined Procedure (Ballot and PC Round 3 to run concurrently) for 2 weeks Comment will only be invited on the reinstatement of ‘accessible and’ into Clause 6.11.3 No other comments will be discussed/resolved that are outside of this change or that relate to any other text in the draft Links to the... More
    Closed 23 April 2021

  • Consultation RIS: Lead in plumbing products in contact with drinking water

    A small amount of lead is currently used in the manufacture of some plumbing products and is permitted by Australian Standards. The exact lead content of products varies by component, although some products in contact with drinking water contain up to 6% lead as a proportion of raw material. As part of the ABCB’s Lead in Plumbing Products Project , the ABCB commissioned a literature review in 2018 on the extent plumbing products and materials may... More
    Closed 1 March 2021

  • Discussion paper: Mandatory Inspections - A response to the Building Confidence Report

    Building Ministers authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) notes that there are significant differences across jurisdictions in the number of inspections required and the notification stages. This ranges from no mandatory inspections to very few inspections for domestic buildings. For commercial buildings many jurisdictions rely on the... More
    Closed 28 February 2021

  • Discussion paper: Building Design Acceptance - A response to the Building Confidence Report

    In 2017, Building Minsters authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. Amongst other recommendations t he resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) recommended that there be a statutory duty on design practitioners to prepare documentation that demonstrates compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC). It also recommended a more robust approach to third party review of designs,... More
    Closed 28 February 2021

  • Discussion paper: Independent Third Party Review - A response to the Building Confidence Report

    In 2017, Building Ministers authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) noted that building surveyors are not always competent to review and confirm compliance of all building design documentation, particularly for complex and high risk fire safety and structural designs. In the case where the building surveyor doesn’t have the required level... More
    Closed 28 February 2021

  • Auditing and Compliance Publication Framework

    The Building Confidence Report (BCR), published in 2018, identified there were regulatory and compliance deficiencies in the regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial buildings in Australia. Note the BCR defined commercial buildings as Class 2 – 9 buildings and we have continued to use this definition in this consultation. Recommendation 7 of the BCR is: That each jurisdiction makes public its audit strategy for regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial... More
    Closed 31 January 2021

  • WMTS:051-2020 Bidet douche seats

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme WaterMark Technical Specification WMTS-051:2020 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products, Bidet douche seats, incorporates amendments to the labelling and marking requirements for bidet douche seats. The objective of this revision is to align the product specification with the PCA in relation to backflow prevention requirements for bidet douche seats. A download... More
    Closed 2 December 2020

  • Definition for building complexity

    The defined term for 'Building complexity' has been developed in response to a decision of the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) that a definition be prepared regarding the design, construction and certification of complex buildings. This work has been undertaken by the Building Confidence Report (BCR) Implementation Team in addition to delivering the Building Confidence National Framework . The definition has been developed as a risk-based classification system for the purpose of... More
    Closed 1 November 2020

  • WMTS-522:2020

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme WMTS-522:2020,incorporates amendments to allow an addition of similar products of alternate design to obtain certification. The amendments have also aligned with requirements of existing standards in the WaterMark Scheme for applications such as flow rate, sealing test and thermal cycling test. A download link to the public comment draft and the form preview is provided below.... More
    Closed 28 October 2020

  • WMTS:101-2020 Appliances (low hazard rating)

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme The proposed amendments to WaterMark Technical Specification, WMTS-101:2020 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products, Appliances (low hazard rating), include amendments to Clause 8.2, Table A1 and minor editorials. A download link to the public comment draft and the form preview is provided below. NOTE: Clicking on the download link may exit the... More
    Closed 28 October 2020

  • WMTS:530 - Water meters with integral shut off valve

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This Technical Specification sets out requirements for water meters with integral shut off valve for installation into existing property service valves. The meters covered by this Technical Specification are intended to be used for the measurement of the actual volume of drinking water flowing through a property service pipe. The meters are for installation at a location within the plumbing system... More
    Closed 9 September 2020

  • WaterMark Complement to AS 4775

    For Public Comment Complement for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This WaterMark Complement is for use under the WaterMark Certification Scheme and is to be used in addition to the requirements of AS 4775 Emergency eyewash and shower equipment. This WaterMark Complement specifies the additional minimum requirements for eyewash and shower equipment permanently connected to the drinking water supply and for the emergency treatment of the eyes or body of a person who has been... More
    Closed 2 September 2020

  • Consultation RIS: Proposal to include minimum accessibility standards for housing in the NCC

    Ways to provide your feedback You can provide your feedback on the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) by either: Completing the online consultation form and answering the questions outlined within, or by uploading a separate submission via Question 36 (within the 'Estimating the benefits' section); OR Providing your submission, or personal story, via email at abcbris@abcb.gov.au . Please ensure that you accompany your submission, or personal storty, with the ... More
    Closed 31 August 2020

  • Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

    The Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) highlighted shortcomings in the implementation of the National Construction Code (NCC) and made 24 recommendations to address these issues. The predominant goal of the BCR recommendations is to enhance public trust and confidence in the building industry,... More
    Closed 23 August 2020

  • WMTS:040-2020 (Round 3) Public Consultation

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme In undertaking resolution of the previous public comments substantial changes were identified which required redrafting. The ABCB wishes to consult again on the proposed changes to WMTS-040 prior to final publication. A download link to the public comment draft and the form preview is provided below. NOTE: Clicking on the download link may exit the consultation and send... More
    Closed 5 August 2020

  • WMTS-528 - Plate heat exchangers | Public Comment (Round 2)

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This proposed new Technical Specification, WMTS-528 Plate heat exchangers, sets out requirements for plate heat exchangers which are used in heated water supply systems. These heat exchangers may be used as stand-alone water heating systems or as components of water heating systems. Plate heat exchangers are designed in various configurations including the number of plates, plate design and size in... More
    Closed 24 July 2020

  • Reporting on the auditing of commercial buildings

    The Building Confidence Report (BCR), published in 2018, identified there were regulatory and compliance deficiencies in the regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial buildings (Class 2 – 9 buildings) in Australia. Recommendation 7 of the BCR is: That each jurisdiction makes public its audit strategy for regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial buildings, with annual reporting on audit findings and outcomes. This survey relates to auditing of... More
    Closed 14 July 2020

  • Discussion paper: Model Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors

    Recommendation 10 of the Building Confidence Report (BCR) by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir recommended the establishment of a nationally consistent code of conduct for Building Surveyors. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has agreed to the release of a draft Model Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors (draft model code of conduct). This draft model code of conduct is supported by a draft explanatory statement and draft compliance policy, which set out how the draft... More
    Closed 24 April 2020

  • Consultation RIS: Process for the development of Performance Solutions

    In September 2019 the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) sought views from stakeholders on how Performance Solutions are currently prepared and if they are consistent with the intent and objectives of the National Construction Code (NCC). The feedback from this survey has been used to inform the development of draft NCC provisions and a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). The Consultation RIS is now available for public consultation. It examines a proposal that seeks to... More
    Closed 22 March 2020

  • NCC 2019 Section J Stakeholder Survey

    In 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) consulted with industry on changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 for the Section J energy efficiency requirements of commercial buildings. Through the public comment period the ABCB tested a number of communication tools and resources to help practitioners and businesses understand their obligations, how to comply with the requirements in practice, as well as the benefits of the changes. With the transition... More
    Closed 16 February 2020

  • ABCB website user experience

    The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website is an effective tool in enabling communication, facilitating engagement and consultation activities, and sharing industry information. It also acts as an access channel to the National Construction Code (NCC), the WaterMark and CodeMark Australia Certification Schemes, and related education and support materials. Throughout 2020, the ABCB will be investigating improvements to the information architecture, user experience and interface... More
    Closed 11 February 2020

  • WMTS:469 - Waterless or limited flush urinals – With an integral sealing device

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme The proposed amendments to Technical Specification, WMTS-469 Waterless or limited flush urinals – With an integral sealing device, includes additional requirements for urinals that incorporate a function to dose the waste pipework system with water at periodic intervals without flushing the surface of the fixture. A download link to the public comment draft and the form preview... More
    Closed 31 January 2020

  • WMTS:529 - Integral re-circulation loop kits for use in heated water systems

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This proposed new Technical Specification, WMTS-529 Integral re-circulation loop kits for use in heated water systems, specifies the requirements for copper piping systems with an integral re-circulating loop, for use in heated water systems. The systems have a size range from DN 25 to DN 40, a maximum operating temperature of 70ºC and a maximum operating pressure of 1000 kPa. The copper... More
    Closed 31 January 2020

  • WMTS:037.1 - Flow controllers – For controlling flows in cold or heated water systems

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme The proposed amendments to Technical Specification, WMTS-037 Flow controllers – For controlling flows in cold or heated water systems, include amendments to Clause 9.1 scaling factor as determined within AS/NZS 4020 as applied to either ‘end-of-line’ or ‘in-line’ products A download link to the public comment draft and the form preview is provided below. NOTE: Clicking... More
    Closed 30 January 2020

  • WMTS:528 - Plate heat exchangers

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This proposed new Technical Specification, WMTS-528 Plate heat exchangers, sets out requirements for plate heat exchangers which are used in heated water supply systems. These heat exchangers may be used as stand-alone water heating systems or as components of water heating systems. Plate heat exchangers are designed in various configurations including the number of plates, plate design and size in... More
    Closed 16 January 2020
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