The NCC is intended to be a performance-based building code, although many of the requirements have previously been vague, unquantified, prone to legal challenge and subject to difference of opinion by various expert witnesses. While this does not (necessarily) represent a problem for those parts of the building design that are covered by NCC-referenced DTS (Deemed-to-Satisfy) documents, including some Australian Standards, it is a very big problem for innovative design, new building components and common details that fall outside the DTS provisions.
Quantified Performance Requirements are essential for Australian manufacturers and innovators to operate on a “level playing field”. Without the protection of quantified Performance Requirements, our manufacturers and innovators will have to constantly argue the case for performance over price … as they currently must.
Australia now has seized the once-in-a-generation opportunity to validate the NCC “performance code” concept by effectively quantifying the Structural Performance Requirements. Failure to adopt the Structural Performance Requirements in NCC 2025, would result in the NCC remaining prescriptive and limited, with innovation (particularly Australian innovation) effectively “killed off”.
The majority of design and construction is (and will remain) deemed-to-satisfy in accordance with existing Australian Standards and their derivative documents such as manuals, standard designs etc.
There is also an opportunity for a lesser number of particular buildings to be designed as performance solutions, but this is a bonus, not the principal driver of the changes.
Most important, quantified Structural Performance Requirements permit the consistent and logical filling of the gaps in the DTS documents. There are many new products, innovative construction and even some common details that are not covered by DTS documents. These gaps will be filled by manufacturers, importers and industry associations, BUT these solutions must be on a level playing field …. hence the need for quantified Performance Requirements that are common across a number of properties.
Read #QueensPawnToD4 by #RodJohnston
