TECHNICAL BRAD ARMITAGE HIA NSW Assistant Director Building Services BCA VOLUME ONE – OUT OF CYCLE AMENDMENT Earlier this year the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a preview of amendments to BCA 2016 Volume One and the amendments took effect from 12 March 2018. The issuing of an amendment Volumes Two and Three are still in effect Construction (Class 2-9 buildings generally outside of the scheduled three-yearand there have been no changes to those greater than three storeys). cycle is the result of a request by Volumes. To fully understand the changes to the state and territory building ministersThis article provides a brief overview offire safety provisions, it is important to first and is primarily related to fire safety in high-the changes and provides some general understand the BCA fire safety requirements rise buildings and in particular in relation toinformation on the BCA Volume One fire for external walls generally. cladding on those buildings. safety provisions broadly. Below is a simple flow chart of the BCA The amendment includes the adoption Overview of the changes combustibility requirements for external walls of a new façade assembly testing standard The changes are primarily focused and cladding for buildings of Type A and B (AS 5113), changes to assist in interpretationon cladding and non-combustibility construction based on the amendment to of the NCC fire safety provisions for externalrequirements for buildings of Type A and Btake effect from 12 March 2018. walls of buildings greater than three storeys, adoption of the new sprinkler standard (AS 2118.1 which includes the provision Performance Requirement CP2 for sprinkler protection to certain covered balconies) and the inclusion of revised NCC A building must have elements which will, to the degree necessary, ‘evidence of suitability provisions – A2.2’. avoid the spread of fire- ...in a building. Compliance Paths to Satisfy CP2 THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CHANGES AND PROVIDES Performance Solution Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution SOME GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE BCA VOLUME ONE FIRE SAFETY Comply with Develop a unique “Deemed” PROVISIONS BROADLY Non-combustible non-combustible Verification Method Performance cladding CV3 which includes Solution on case cladding In conjunction with the amendment, the new AS 5113 by case basis the ABCB has released an evidence of faÇade assembly Use known testing standard and Use a product suitability/product assurance handbook additional fire safety non-combustible listed in C1.9(e) that HIA has been heavily involved in its measures products such (formerly C1.12) development. The ABCB has also issued an as brick, concrete,that may be used updated Advisory Note on fire performance glass, steel wherever the on external walls and included additional Use a product that NCC requires a commentary on the relevant clauses that has been tested non-combustible have been amended in the Guide to BCA and passed the material be used Volume One. AS1530.1 non- The changes only affect BCA Volume Combustibility test One. The current 2016 versions of BCA P18 BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 3/2018