NCC 2022 is now here! The ABCB has released the first stage of the 2022 edition in ‘Preview’ to get you started before it comes into effect on 1 September 2022

Below is an overview of the notable updates to the NCC:

Major Changes

Livable Housing

New livable housing requirements for Class 1a buildings (houses and townhouses) and Class 2 sole-occupancy units (individual apartments).

This change will increase the stock of accessible housing, supporting Australians with a disability, older Australians, their families and carers.

Consistent Volume Structure

NCC 2022 uses a new structure and clause referencing system to create better consistency across all volumes. Old clause numbers will continue to be listed on the right-hand side of the document as handy reference.

Housing Provisions Standard

The Housing Provisions Standard is a significant format change to the NCC. This new ABCB Standard is introduced to align the structure of the NCC Volumes. It represents the Acceptable Construction Practices’ (ACPs) content previously found in NCC 2019 Volume Two, Section 3. Like the ACPs, it’s referenced by the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions in Volume Two.

To make it easier to understand this change, a more traditional version combining NCC Volume Two and the new Housing Provisions Standard into one document can be downloaded.

Lead-free Plumbing Products

From September 1, 2023, any plumbing product containing copper alloy which comes in contact with drinking water must be lead-free.

Early Childhood Centres

There are new DTS Provisions for early childhood centres, most of which are extra requirements to address the difficulties associated with evacuating young occupants from the upper levels of multi-storey buildings.

Fire Safety of External Walls

A number of amendments to the fire safety of external walls have been implemented to clarify interpretation of concessions from non-combustibility requirements. Also included is a new provision that prevents fixing of certain bonded laminated cladding panels by adhesive only.

Waterproofing

There are new DTS Provisions in Volume Two for waterproofing of wet areas, not previously covered by an ACP.

Waterproofing in Volume One is restructured into three parts to enhance readability and accommodate future changes.

Weatherproofing

Volume One contains additional DTS Provisions, providing new solutions for weatherproofing of external walls. These include references to weatherproofing provisions in Australian Standards for masonry, autoclaved aerated concrete and metal wall sheeting.

Falls for Floor Wastes

Volumes One and Two are amended to require bathrooms and laundries, where a floor waste is installed, to have a fall of the floor in order to help drain the surface.

Number of Exits

Some minor amendments to the required number of exits are in Volume One. This includes a new concession allowing a single exit for a part of a storey in some circumstances, where previously at least two exits were required.

Quantification

The following areas have been quantified to include a range of Performance Solutions to assist practitioners and designers meet the Performance Requirements.

  • Water efficiency
  • Sanitary plumbing and drainage pipe sizing
  • Heated water temperature delivery
  • Drinking water pressure limits.

Plumbing

Volume Three contains new provisions for on-site wastewater management and a new Verification Method for sanitary plumbing and drainage pipe sizing.

Standards

The latest editions of several new Australian Standards are also adopted by reference in NCC 2022, as part of new DTS Provisions. For example, AS 3740: 2021 sets out the requirements for the materials, design and installation of waterproofing for domestic wet areas for residential buildings.

 

NCC 2022 will initially be available to download from NCC Online as a pdf only. The online version will be available shortly thereafter.

 

Information Source | ABCB