I am making this submission on behalf of a business
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I am making this submission on behalf of an industry body
I am making this submission on behalf of a government agency
General Questions
Does the proposed NRF deliver an appropriate and proportionate response to BCR Recommendations 1 and 2?
Please select one item
Yes
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No
Unsure
If No, please provide reasons and suggestions.
No there is a dismal lack of research and consultation with industry bodies for the drafting of the recommendations
Will the NRF, if implemented, enhance confidence in the building industry by ensuring that key practitioners in the building process are registered?
Please select one item
Yes
Ticked
No
Unsure
If No, please provide reasons and suggestions.
No because appropriately key practitioners have NOT been identified.
Do you foresee any risks in implementing this proposal, noting that the states and territories are responsible for implementation of the NRF?
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Yes
No
Unsure
Please explain your reasoning.
The proposal is poor;y research and badly drafted.
Do you think the proposed NRF will improve compliance with the NCC?
Please select one item
Yes
No
Ticked
Unsure
Please explain your reasoning.
NRF Discipline Specific Comments
Please provide your comments below.
Your comment relates to:
Please select one item
(Required)
Building design
Energy efficiency design
Disability access design
Geotechnical design
Structural design
Electrical design
Mechanical design
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Hydraulic design
Plumbing design
Fire safety design
Fire systems design
Façade design
Building
Fire systems installation
Plumbing
Building surveying
Fire systems inspection
Project management
Registration levels
Mechanical and civil engineering degree do not encompasses all aspects of hydraulic design. Limiting the design, specification and certification of hydraulic services Mechanical and civil engineering to engineers is a very ill-conceived idea. No Australian university offeers a "hydraulic services engineering degree” as in the absence of a "hydraulic services engineering degree" at university level, this could fall under. These qualifications do not appropriately cover stormwater designs, backflow prevention systems, venting systems, etc. A person holding a Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design CPC50612 (or equivalent) and with the relevant experience may be more appropriately qualified to design performance based plumbing solutions
Descriptions/definitions
An appropriate hydraulic engineering degree does not exist in Australia. A mechanical or civil engineering degree does not automatically provide adequate training in backflow prevention, stormwater design, stack and vent systems and other parts of hydraulic services designs. The Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design CPC50612 in conjunction with NCC training and the relevant experience would in many cases be more appropriate to design and certify performance based solutions.
Scope of work
Technical Limited - page 82, plumbing technical design work for NCC Class 1 and 10 buildings, and for NCC Class 2 to 9 buildings to a maximum of six storeys above a storey used for the parking of vehicles. A Cert IV qualification is not sufficient for this size building as there could be multiple above ground carpark levels increasing the effective height of the building and also FPAA101D hydraulic designs required. A CertIV qualification should be limited to buildings with a rise in storey of no more than 3.
Qualification requirements
In QLD, Plumbing inspectors issue compliance certificates for designs as well as plumbing installations. A building surveyors qualification does not adequately cover hydraulic services. Plumbing installations present a specific health risk to the public and there should be a specific "inspect and certify hydraulic services" license class.
Would you like to comment on another discipline?
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(Required)
Yes
Ticked
No
Other Comments
The ABCB is specifically interested in your comments on the registration levels for building surveyors. Do you agree with the criteria used to distinguish between with the two levels of registration for building surveyors and does it adequately accommodate the different levels of risk?