Release of ABCB Guidelines

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has recently released two guideline documents.  One relates to upgrading of existing buildings and the other relates to indoor air quality and can be accessed using these links.

ABCB advise that “upgrading Existing Buildings has been identified as an issue that requires consistent uniform guidance. It has been developed in response to government and industry request for guidance on the potential application of the NCC in relation to upgrading existing buildings, specifically buildings classified as Class 2 to 9 in Part A3 of NCC Volume One. The Upgrading Existing Buildings Handbook has been developed to assist a range of stakeholders in comprehending the application of the performance based NCC, as well as the relationship between the NCC and respective State and Territory legislative systems. Typically, legislative systems require compliance with the NCC for construction of new buildings and new work to be undertaken on existing buildings. This Handbook addresses the issues covered in generic terms, and is not a document that sets out approaches that may be taken in dealing with specific building issues. It is expected that this Handbook will be used to develop solutions relevant to specific situations in accordance with the generic principles and criteria contained herein. It should also be noted that this Handbook represents the views of the ABCB and that alternative means of developing proposals for upgrading existing buildings may achieve, at least, an equivalent outcome.”

If you are interested, the South Australian government has also released a draft of a document dealing with work on existing buildings which is out for public comment.  This document can be accessed via clicking here.

ABCB also advise that “the application of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Verification Methods has been identified as an issue that requires consistent uniform guidance. The Indoor Air Quality Handbook has been developed to foster a greater understanding of the IAQ Verification Methods that are contained within the National Construction Code (NCC) Volumes One and Two, i.e. Verification Methods FV4.1 and FV4.2 of NCC 2016 Volume One and Verification Method V2.4.5 of NCC 2016 Volume Two. This Handbook addresses the issues covered in generic terms, and is not a document that sets out a specific process of using the IAQ Verification Methods. It is expected that this Handbook will be used to develop solutions relevant to specific situations in accordance with the generic principles and criteria contained herein.”

ABCB have also announced their annual training seminar series, the details for which can be found by clicking here.