NCC 2019 Condensation
Management - How To
Interpret the Change
BREAKING DOWN THE CLAUSE
March 2019
NCC 2019 Condensation NCC 2019 Condensation
Management Part (a) Management Part (b)
The National Construction Code 2019 Volume Two has introduced a new section titled
‘Condensation Management’ that will include a clause called 3.8.7.2 Pliable building
How To Interpret Clause 3.8.7.2 Part (b)
membrane. The new clause can be broken down into two parts, (a) and (b).
Clause 3.8.7.2 (b) states that where a water barrier membrane is not installed, there must be a
drained cavity.
What is a Pliable building membrane?
Before interpreting this clause, it is necessary to understand that the NCC 2019 Definitions
appendix states that Pliable building membrane means a water barrier as classified by
AS/NZS 4200.1.
How to Comply with Clause 3.8.7.2 Part (b)
To comply with this clause there must be a drained cavity when no water barrier membrane is
installed. As standard Brick Veneer construction includes a drained cavity by design, all Brick
Veener walls automatically comply when no water barrier membrane is installed.
How To Interpret Clause 3.8.7.2 Part (a) However, external moisture ingress can be influenced by wind pressure and easily breach
a drainage cavity to come into contact with water sensitive materials. The use of a water
Clause 3.8.7.2 (a) states that when a water barrier membrane is installed in an external wall; it must
barrier membrane with an appropriate level of permeability is always recommended,
be vapour permeable in BCA Climate Zone 6, 7 & 8. Additionally, water barrier membranes must be
particularly if the membrane is being used during construction to allow internal works to
installed in accordance with AS 4200.2 in all BCA Climate Zones.
progress as part of a reverse build program.
Bradford Product Solutions for 3.8.7.2 (b)
As Clause 3.8.7.2 has been written to specifically apply to water barrier membranes, part (b) of
the clause may be interpreted that a non-water barrier or ‘perforated breather foil’ defined by
the NCC 2019 as a sarking-type material or reflective insulation may still be installed.
It should be noted that perforated foil products do not provide water hold-out or air control and
CSR Bradford highly recommends the use of Enviroseal RW vapour permeable products in all
construction to provide high water hold-out, air and vapour control to minimise risk of
condensation.
How to Comply with Clause 3.8.7.2 Part (a) BCA Climate Zones 2 to 8: Brick Veneer Only - Thermoseal Wall Breather
See over the page for more detail on this product.
Compliance with this clause is achieved with the installation of a membrane as follows:
(i) classified as a water barrier in accordance with ASNZS4200.1; (ii) installed in accordance
with AS4200.2 in all climate zones; and (iii) vapour permeable in climate zones 6/7/8.
Bradford Product Solutions for 3.8.7.2 Part (a)
BCA Climate Zone 1 to 5: Brick Veneer Only - Thermoseal Wall Wrap
BCA Climate Zone 2 to 8: Brick Veneer and/or Lightweight Clad - Enviroseal RW
See over the page for more detail on these products.
Thermoseal Wall Wrap
Bradford Thermoseal Wall Wrap is a tough weather barrier with high water hold out that provides additional weather
protection for the external frame and insulation. Thermoseal Wall Wrap is considered a pliable building membrane
that can be installed behind Brick Veneer in BCA Climate Zones 1 to 5 when complying with NCC 2019 clause 3.8.7.2 (a).
BCA CLIMATE ZONES 1 - 5
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: BRICK VENEER ONLY
PRODUCT NAME WIDTH (mm) LENGTH (m) M2 PER ROLL WEIGHT PRODUCT CODE
Wall Wrap 1350 30 40.5 6.6 40483
Wall Wrap 1350 60 81 13 15128
Wall Wrap 1500 30 45 7.4 40514
Enviroseal RW
Bradford Enviroseal RW is a true vapour permeable wall wrap that combines high water hold out properties with high
permeability to minimise risk of condensation in the wall envelope. It also minimises air flow that enters the home
through the drained cavity improving energy efficiency and building durability. Enviroseal RW is considered a pliable
building membrane that can be installed behind Brick Veneer and Lightweight Clad in BCA Climate Zones 2 to 8 and
complies with NCC 2019 clause 3.8.7.2 (a).
BCA CLIMATE ZONES 2 - 8
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: BRICK VENEER AND LIGHTWEIGHT CLAD
PRODUCT NAME WIDTH (mm) LENGTH (m) M2 PER ROLL WEIGHT PRODUCT CODE
Enviroseal RW 1500 30 45 4.6 167641
Enviroseal RW 1500 50 75 7.9 118153
Enviroseal RW-IT* 1500 50 75 7.9 165532
Enviroseal RW 2750 25 68.75 8.5 138628
Enviroseal RW 3000 25 75 9.5 155884
*RW-IT is a variant of RW that includes integrated tape release liners
Thermoseal Wall Breather
Wall Breather is a non-water barrier perforated foil wall wrap that can be installed behind Brick Veneer as a sarking-type
material or reflective insulation when complying with NCC 2019 clause 3.8.7.2 (b). Further advice should be taken from
your local building surveyor to confirm that a non water barrier sarking complies to the intent of Condensation
Management objectives for your state.
Note: Perforated foil products do not provide water hold out or provide air control. In BCA Climate Zones 7 & 8 in
conjunction with R2.5 and R2.7 batts perforated foil is not recommended for condensation control. Bradford highly
recommends the use of Enviroseal RW vapour permeable products in Brick Veneer construction for water hold out, and
air/vapour control to minimise risk of condensation.
BCA CLIMATE ZONES 2 - 8
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: BRICK VENEER ONLY
PRODUCT NAME WIDTH (mm) LENGTH (m) M2 PER ROLL WEIGHT PRODUCT CODE
Wall Breather 1350 30 40.5 6.6 101254
Wall Breather 1350 60 81 13 15123
Wall Breather 1500 30 45 7.4 154446
Note: Always check with the cladding manufacturers warranty before use
The contents of this brochure are copyright protected and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of CSR Bradford.
Recommendations and advice regarding the use of the products described in this brochure are to be taken as a guide only, and are given without
liability on the part of the company or its employees. We reserve the right to change product specifications without prior notification, please refer
B0294 March 2019
to the CSR Bradford website for the latest revision of this document prior to use. The purchaser should independently determine the suitability of the
product for the intended use and application.
CSR Bradford Locked Bag 1345, North Ryde BC, NSW 1670
bradfordinsulation.com.au
CSR Bradford is a business division of CSR Building Products Limited ABN 55 008 631 356
