cpd academy

The BCA made simple – Part 3

Jerry Tyrrell concludes his three-part overview of the Building Code of
Australia (Volumes 1 and 2), and invites all readers to familiarise themselves
with this vital reference work.

C
PD Academy is a new series of
(table 1) BCA Principal Sections and contents
‘lessons in print’ for Building
BCA Section What it contains Connection readers. It is designed
SECTION A General provision Mainly classification of buildings and definitions to help you improve your trade skills and business
SECTION B Structure Relates mainly to fire safety, including safe access and escape
know-how so that you can keep your edge in
SECTION C Fire resistance today’s competitive marketplace. Well-known
SECTION D Access and egress Sydney consultant Jerry Tyrrell, co-founder of
SECTION E Services and equipment
Tyrrells Property Inspections, shares his insights
SECTION F Health and amenity Useful content about sizes and rules for healthy spaces, including
into the basic principles of building practice –
ventilation and acoustic requirements
what to do, what not to do and where to go to
SECTION G Ancillary provisions Mainly swimming pool fencing and cool rooms, fireplace safety and
building in bushfire and alpine areas find out more.
SECTION H Special use buildings Mainly about theatres and halls
The story so far …
Part 1 told you how the BCA comprises
SECTION I Maintenance Good when things get technical
two volumes and that there are 10 different
SECTION J Energy efficiency
classes of buildings.
(table 2) The building process – easy steps Part 2 explained the relevant definitions
in Volume 2, and then concentrated mainly
What you need to do BCA reference on the rules for Class 2 buildings – that is
Step 1 Identify the class of building A3 units.
Step 2 Work out the number of storeys in the building C1.2 I have received some comments from the
producers of the BCA; I will talk about
C1.1 and
Step 3 Identify the type of construction required – either Type A, B or C that later.
Table C1.1
In this final article on the BCA, I will
Identify what exits and fire safety measures are required – number of
Step 4 Section D concentrate on Volume 1 again.
exits, type of exits (fire or non-fire-protected)
Add the relevant services – fire alarm systems, hose reels, smoke
Step 5 Section E
management systems The guts of Volume 1
Add the remaining stuff. Some of this will be quite technical such as I repeat that you will only use Volume 1
sound rating between separate areas and thermal performance of Sections if you are NOT building houses. Volume
Step 6
materials. Others will usually be covered in standard design, eg: natural F, H, I & J
1 packages information into 10 main
light and ventilation
sections.
What the ABCB is doing
Trent Bourne from the Australian Building Code How the BCA ‘builds’ your building
Board (ABCB) has kindly sent me copies of When you build, you start with the
their recent educational training kits, which
they are giving to TAFEs and universities. footings, add floors and walls, blend in the
These are called Introduction to the BCA services, build the roof, etc. It’s all step
and Understanding the BCA’s Performance
by step. Believe it or not the BCA ‘builds’
Requirements. More are planned on Energy
Efficiency and Fire Safety. Can you help me your building too. It draws from modules
provide feedback to Trent? Please email me of information to allow you to find out
comments about your experiences with the
the minimum requirements you MUST
BCA and thoughts about its ease of use.
include in order to comply with the BCA.

46 • BUILDING CONNECTION SUMMER 2006

 Yes, there are other ways to comply. But
Lift motor room
you MUST achieve the same performance
as the stated rules. And you must have Mezzanine
if less than 200m2 Cooling tower/water tank
consent for the ‘alternative solution’ or less than
BEFORE you build it. 1/3 room
below
I have prepared a diagram to help you Plant room services
work out what is characterised as a floor
or ‘storey’. Once you know the number
of storeys you can work out what the
construction should be. In principle, Each storey must be
you will need to use the most fireproof less than 6m average
internal height
construction when buildings comprise
Average from
three or more storeys. underside of
ceiling to ground
The process the BCA uses to ‘build’ your is less than 1m
Ground Level
building is as follows: where ground
is lowest

Basement Storeys
Types of construction
The BCA separates construction into
3 types, known as Type A, Type B or Not a Storey
12m
Type C. The way it works is very logical.
 Buildings over 25m Structurally, tall buildings have bigger manufacturer’s specifications to the letter!
effective height have beams and columns and bracing than I have tried to tempt all of you to look
additional requirements,
eg: sprinklers, stair low-rise ones. When applying the BCA, at the BCA as the helpful reference it is
pressurisation
the higher the fire risk to the occupants, designed to be. I agree that the absence
the more vital it becomes for the building of indexing, the technical language and
Topmost floor to handle any fire. The three types of the general confusion of Volume 2 causes
Top of floor
construction all require you to achieve difficulties for most of us. However, it is
various degrees of fire resistance. The the ‘bible’ for our industry. And as such,
specific requirements are clearly set out in the information contained in my three
tables. articles should help you.
TYPE
Once you know what fire resistance level
Effective

A you must achieve, you can check what Jerry Tyrell has over 30 years’ experience
height
25m

3
TYPE system you can use with the manufacturer; as a labourer, tradesman, contractor, architect,
B
Storeys

2 for example, plasterboard can achieve a mediator, building consultant and author, and has
TYPE two-hour rating, you can get doors with been involved with the inspection and building of
B
1 a four-hour fire rating, and even some more than 60,000 properties (including 30,000
Road or
TYPE C open space sealants are fire-rated. WARNING: good timber pest inspections and 3000 disputes). Jerry
contractors will never take short cuts welcomes feedback at jwtyrrell@[Link]
Classes Classes
2, 3, 9 5, 6, 7, 8 with construction work that is required
Building Class to be fire-resistant. So please follow the Next issue: movement management.