View Newsletter

April 2019

Adoption of BCA 2019 in South Australia

The 2019 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) in the National Construction Code (NCC) series will be adopted in SA on 1 May 2019.

The adoption of the new fire safety verification method in Volume One is postponed until 1 May 2020. Similarly, the increased energy efficiency requirements in both volumes are subject to a 12 month transition period - allowing practitioners to use the requirements in either BCA 2016 or BCA 2019 until 1 May 2020.

Particular attention is drawn to the adoption of two new technical specifications published by the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) that apply to fire sprinkler systems. The standards specifically apply to Volume One as well as the relevant fire safety section of the Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume Three). The referenced Technical Specifications are:

FPAA101D Automatic fire sprinkler system design and installation – Drinking water supply;
FPAA101H Automatic fire sprinkler system design and installation – Hydrant water supply

In addition, South Australia has adopted a number of additions, exceptions, variations and clarifications by gazette, including:

construction in bushfire prone areas
editorial errors pertaining to farm buildings
swimming pool safety
referenced documents

BCA 2019 is adopted via notice in the Government Gazette (issue 16/2019).

An Advisory Notice has been published providing advice on the changes and SA variations.

A comprehensive list of all amendments to BCA 2019 is available from the Australian Building Codes Board website.

The Sprinkler Technical Specifications FPAA101D and FPAA101H are available from the FPAA; by completing an order form and emailing it to shop@fpaa.com.au or; by phoning (03) 8892 3184.

Regional training opportunities

The Department is hosting several training sessions in regional areas to ensure all professionals and industry representatives that need to know about the major changes in NCC are provided with the opportunity to better inform themselves.

Regional training sessions have already been held in Whyalla and Bordertown, with the final session scheduled for:

23 April 2019 - Berri Town Hall - 10:30am - 3:30pm

Please register your interest by emailing DPTI.PDBuildingBranch@sa.gov.au. Confirmation of attendance emails will be provided for those seeking to claim CPD points.

Amendment 1 to Minister's Specification SA 76

An amendment has been made to Minister's Specification SA 76 - Maintenance and testing of essential safety provisions - 2015 edition that will be adopted on 1 May 2019.

The amendment includes editorial corrections and minor amendments to align the schedule and maintenance requirements for essential safety provisions with the adoption of FPAA101D and FPAA101H in NCC 2019.

Amendment 1 is adopted via notice in the Government Gazette (issue 16/2019).

An Advisory Notice has also been published providing further detailed information on the amendment.

Accessible Housing Options Paper - Consultation Report

In September 2018, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released the Accessible Housing Options Paper for public consultation.

The Options Paper provided a preliminary options and costings on the possible inclusion of a minimum accessible standard for housing in the NCC.

Following the consultation, the ABCB has now released an Accessible Housing Options Paper Consultation Report to further improve awareness and understanding of the project. The report identifies considerations that will shape the next stage of this project, the Regulation Impact Statement, which is expected to commence soon.

For more information on the Accessible Housing project, please visit the ABCB website.

Public Consultation

Ministerial Building Standards - Reminder

A reminder to provide feedback on the first five Ministeral Building Standards that are currently on public consultation. The Standards will replace Minister's Specifications under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

The consultation period for this round of Standards closes Friday 26 April 2019. To view the Standards and to make a submission please visit the SA Planning Portal.

Additional Standards will be released for consultation in due course.

Australian Standard AS 4420.1 (2016)

Standards Australia have released an Amendment to AS 4420.1:2016 Windows, external glazed, timber and composite doors – Methods of test, Part 1: Test sequence, sampling and test methods for public comment.

AS 4420.1 is a secondary reference in AS 2047 which is a primary reference in Volumes One and Two of NCC 2019. Given that it is a testing standard, the changes will impact AS 2047. The amendments to AS 4420.1 will not come into effect under the NCC (in accordance with A4.0(5)) until the next revision of AS 2047.

To view the Amendment and to make a submission visit the Standards Australia website. Public comment closes 11 June 2019.

Quarterly reminder of statutory obligations

7% Levy return
A reminder that the 7% levy return for the first quarter of 2019 (under Schedules 6 and 7 of the Development Regulations 2008) was due 10 business days after 31 March 2019. A response should be forwarded to DPTI.PDBuildingBranch@sa.gov.au, even if the return is 'NIL'

For credit card payments, contact Planning Services on 1800 752 664 (Option #5). Cheques should be made payable to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

System indicators
Regulation 115 requires councils and private certifiers routinely provide information to the Minister for Planning in relation to prescribed planning and development matters. Information is required to be submitted within 21 days of the end of each quarter.

The collection and collation of this information contributes to a report providing a snapshot of development and the development system in South Australia.

Training opportunities for 2019

AIBS - Fire safety compliance

The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) are hosting a Fundamentals of assessing, inspecting and commissioning fire safety for compliance with the National Construction Code. The seminar will be held on Tuesday 30 April 2019 in Adelaide, South Australia.

For more information or to register, visit the AIBS website.

AIA - Changes to the NCC

The SA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) are hosting a seminar on the 2019 changes to the NCC. The seminar will be held on Thursday 2 May 2019 in Adelaide.

For more information or to register visit the eventbrite website.

Master Builders Association - Quarterly Information Seminar

Diary date!

The next Master Builders Association information seminar is scheduled for Friday 10 May 2019. More details will be provided closer to the date.

AFAC19 Conference

The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) are hosting an emergency management conference and exhibition from 27-30 August 2019 in Melbourne.

For more information or to register, visit the AFAC19 website.