NCC 2019 Volume One Amendment 1
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Section D Access and Egress
Performance Requirements
DP1 Access for people with a disability
Access must be provided, to the degree necessary, to enable—
(a)
people to—
(i)
approach the building from the road boundary and from any accessible carparking spaces associated with the building; and
(ii)
approach the building from any accessible associated building; and
(iii)
access work and public spaces, accommodation and facilities for personal hygiene; and
(b)
identification of accessways at appropriate locations which are easy to find.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DP1 does not apply to a Class 4 part of a building.
Issues — Part D3 and the relevant performance provisions
Compliance with Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
Section 23 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) makes it unlawful to discriminate against another person on the ground of the person’s disability in relation to a number of aspects of access to, or use of, premises. The DDA also provides that the relevant Minister may, by legislative instrument, formulate standards in relation to any area in which it is unlawful to discriminate against another person on the ground of a disability. The Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) were formulated following requests for improved certainty under the DDA in satisfying its requirements for non-discriminatory access to premises. The BCA provisions for access for people with a disability have been aligned with the technical provisions in the Premises Standards. This results in a uniform set of requirements that will apply both in relation to non-discriminatory access under the DDA and in relation to the requirements for access that must be complied with in order to obtain a building approval under building law.
The Premises Standards have been subject to a 5 yearly review that commenced in 2015 and was completed in May 2016. The review was undertaken by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science in consultation with the Attorney General's Department, with input provided by the ABCB.
In response to the recommendations of that review, amendments have been made to the BCA.
The Objective of this Section is to—
(a)
provide, as far as is reasonable, people with safe, equitable and dignified access to—
(i)
a building; and
(ii)
the services and facilities within a building; and
(b)
safeguard occupants from illness or injury while evacuating in an emergency.
A building is to provide, as far as is reasonable—
(a)
safe; and
(b)
equitable and dignified,
access for people to the services and facilities within.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DF1(b) does not apply to a Class 4 part of a building.
A building is to be provided with means of evacuation which allow occupants time to evacuate safely without being overcome by the effects of an emergency.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DF2 does not apply to the internal parts of a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building.
DF2 refines the intention of D01(b). A building must provide the capacity for occupants to evacuate in a safe and timely manner, without being overcome by the effects of the emergency (for example, smoke, heat or flame in the case of a fire).
DF2 does not apply to the internal parts of any sole-occupancy unit located within a Class 2 or Class 3 building or a Class 4 part. The design of the internal parts of sole-occupancy units is not regulated in regards to egress, as occupants will generally be familiar with egressing the units and the distances to travel to doors leading out of the units will generally not be excessive.
DP1 refines the intention of DO1(a). A building must, as far as is reasonable, provide safe access for people to all the services and facilities in it.
It also excludes the application of DP1 to a Class 4 part of a building.
Emphasis on access for people
The required access is for people, including people with a disability.
To the degree necessary
DP1 uses the term “to the degree necessary”. See A1.0(3)(c).
DP2 Safe movement to and within a building
So that people can move safely to and within a building, it must have—
(a)
walking surfaces with safe gradients; and
(b)
any doors installed to avoid the risk of occupants—
(i)
having their egress impeded; or
(ii)
being trapped in the building; and
(c)
any stairways and ramps with—
(i)
slip-resistant walking surfaces on—
(A)
ramps; and
(B)
stairway treads or near the edge of the nosing; and
(ii)
suitable handrails where necessary to assist and provide stability to people using the stairway or ramp; and
(iii)
suitable landings to avoid undue fatigue; and
(iv)
landings where a door opens from or onto the stairway or ramp so that the door does not create an obstruction; and
(v)
in the case of a stairway, suitable safe passage in relation to the nature, volume and frequency of likely usage.
DP2 generally sets the performance required for safe movement within a building for most people, including those with a disability.
Safe gradient—DP2(a)
The DP2(a) requirement for a safe gradient is to facilitate access and safety for all people, and refers to the crossfall as well as the longitudinal grade.
Doors—DP2(b)
DP2(b) aims to make sure people are not put at risk by doors impeding egress or causing them to be trapped.
Stairways and ramps—DP2(c)
Slip-resistant walking surfaces—DP2(c)(i)
People moving on stairways and ramps should not slip and fall. This is a particular issue during an emergency.
Handrails—DP2(c)(ii)
Handrails may be necessary to assist people using stairways and ramps, particularly in helping them maintain their stability.
Landings for ramps—DP2(c)(iii) and (iv)
Under DP2(c)(iii) and (iv), it is necessary to provide landings for ramps as well as stairways. As with stairways, the landings on a ramp are used as a place to rest when necessary. Landings at doorways provide a level plane from which doors may be safely opened.
Safe passage on stairways—DP2(c)(v)
DP2(c)(v) requires that a stairway must be suitable for the safe passage of people, and appropriate to the nature, volume and frequency of use. This is a reference to the riser and going of the treads, and the width of the stairway. Hence the rise, going and width may differ between buildings as long as a safe passage is provided.
DP3 Fall prevention barriers
Where people could fall—
(a)
1 m or more—
(i)
from a floor or roof or through an opening (other than through an openable window) in the external wall of a building; or
(ii)
due to a sudden change of level within or associated with a building; or
(b)
2 m or more from a floor through an openable window—
(i)
in a bedroom in a Class 2 or 3 building or a Class 4 part of a building; or
(ii)
in a Class 9b early childhood centre; or
(c)
4 m or more from a floor through an openable window not covered by (b),
a barrier must be provided which must be—
(d)
continuous and extend for the full extent of the hazard; and
(e)
of a height to protect people from accidentally falling from the floor or roof or through the opening or openable window; and
(f)
constructed to prevent people from falling through the barrier; and
(g)
capable of restricting the passage of children; and
(h)
of strength and rigidity to withstand—
(i)
the foreseeable impact of people; and
(ii)
where appropriate, the static pressure of people pressing against it.
Limitations:
Limitations:
DP3 does not apply where such a barrier would be incompatible with the intended use of an area such as a stage, loading dock or the like.
DP3(g) does not apply to—
- fire-isolated stairways, fire-isolated ramps, and other areas used primarily for emergency purposes, excluding external stairways and external ramps; and
- Class 7 (other than carparks) and Class 8 buildings and parts of buildings containing those classes.
DP3 principally relates to barriers which are meant to prevent people accidentally falling through an opening, etc.
Barriers and children
Children are at particular risk of falling off, over or through ineffectively designed or constructed barriers. Accordingly, DP3 aims to make sure a barrier does not facilitate climbing to reduce the likelihood of children being able to climb over a barrier or fall through a barrier.
Use of windows as barriers
Provided it achieves the requirements of DP3 (such as having the required strength and not opening far enough to permit the passage of children), a window can act as a barrier. In other words, it will stop people, including children, from accidentally falling.
DP3 limitations
Areas where barriers may interfere with use
DP3 does not apply where the use of a barrier or the like would be inconsistent with the use of the area.
Examples
Examples
Loading docks, where a barrier would inhibit the unloading of trucks or other vehicles.
The stage of a theatre, where a barrier would interfere with the viewing of the performance. Railway platforms, where a barrier would result in people not being able to get on or off a train.
Fire-isolated stairways or ramps
Fire-isolated stairways or ramps and the like are exempted from DP3(g) because unsupervised children are unlikely to have access to such areas.
Class 7 and Class 8 buildings
Class 7 (other than carparks) and Class 8 buildings are exempted from DP3(g). This is for two primary reasons:
- unsupervised children are unlikely to have access to such buildings; and
- large numbers of people, particularly members of the general public unfamiliar with the building or its environs, are unlikely to have access to such buildings.
Carparks are not included in this exemption from compliance with DP3(g) as they are often public in nature.
DP4 Exits
Exits must be provided from a building to allow occupants to evacuate safely, with their number, location and dimensions being appropriate to—
(a)
the travel distance; and
(b)
the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants; and
(c)
the function or use of the building; and
(d)
the height of the building; and
(e)
whether the exit is from above or below ground level.
Number, dimensions and distribution of exits
DP4 is the Performance Requirement for the number, dimensions and distribution of exits.
DP4(a)—the travel distance will affect the time taken to evacuate the building. Greater distances will require greater evacuation times.
DP4(b)—the number of occupants can affect the evacuation time. A greater number of people will require a greater evacuation time through a single exit. This time can be reduced by such means as:
- increasing the number and/or width of the exits, or
- reducing the travel distance to the exits by utilising other options for their location.
DP4(b)—the mobility and other characteristics of occupants will have a direct effect on the evacuation time. Matters to be considered include whether the occupants are likely to have limited mobility or capacity to find their way unassisted, and the type and the extent of that limitation. For example, people may be in beds or have some kind of ambulatory-related disability, or may be asleep or anaesthetised, or may be under the influence of drugs or otherwise confused.
DP4(c)—the function or use of the building will have an effect on the building’s fire load.
DP4(d)—the height of the building will affect the distance a person escaping from the building would have to travel. The height therefore has an impact on the evacuation time.
DP4(e)—to ensure the safety of occupants, an exit from a level below ground level needs to satisfy different criteria to that of an exit from levels above ground. For example, an exit from a basement must take account of criteria such as:
- the difficulty in naturally venting smoke from a fire because of the lack of windows; and
- the need for occupants to evacuate in the direction of smoke travel (which will be upwards). This is the opposite to upper storeys, where people would be evacuating downwards and the smoke would be travelling upwards.
DP5 Fire-isolated exits
To protect evacuating occupants from a fire in the building exits must be fire-isolated, to the degree necessary, appropriate to—
(b)
the fire safety system installed in the building; and
(c)
the function or use of the building; and
(e)
fire brigade intervention.
DP5 is the Performance Requirement for determining when fire-isolated exits are necessary to provide protection for evacuating occupants.
Use of fire-isolated exits
Fire-isolated exits are used in multi-storey buildings to:
- enable people to evacuate safely past a storey on fire;
- facilitate fire brigade access to carry out operations such as search and rescue and fire-fighting; and
- minimise the distance people need to travel in a fire affected area before they are able to access a “safe place”, such as a fire-isolated stairway.
Criteria for fire-isolated exits
Fire-isolated exits must be installed when necessary, and must be appropriate to a number of factors.
DP5(a)—the number of storeys connected by the exit will affect the distance a person has to travel while escaping from the building, and, therefore, will also affect the evacuation time.
DP5(b)—fire safety systems are expected to reduce the rate of fire spread (eg if a sprinkler system is installed, it will either extinguish the fire or reduce its growth rate), therefore allowing greater evacuation times.
DP5(c)—the function or use of the building will have an effect on the building’s fire load.
DP5(d)—the number of storeys passed through by the exits will affect the distance a person escaping from the building would have to travel, and therefore has an impact on the evacuation time.
DP5(e)—“fire brigade intervention” is the terminology used in the BCA to determine the time taken by the brigade to arrive at the building (presuming that the building is in an area served by a fire brigade) and any likely action of its officers (eg whether they will undertake a search and rescue operation, and the likely time for that operation).
DP6 Paths of travel to exits
So that occupants can safely evacuate the building, paths of travel to exits must have dimensions appropriate to—
(a)
the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants; and
(b)
the function or use of the building.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DP6 does not apply to the internal parts of a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building.
DP6 is the Performance Requirement for paths of travel to an exit. It is separate from DP4 because the needs for paths of travel are often different from the needs for exits.
Class 2 or Class 3 buildings or Class 4 parts
The limitation attached to DP6 indicates that it does not apply within a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 or Class 3 building or Class 4 part. The design of the internal parts of sole-occupancy units is not regulated in regards to egress, as occupants will generally be familiar with egressing the units and the distances to travel to doors leading out of the units will generally not be excessive.
The exception to the general rule concerning the path of travel to the door leading out of a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 or Class 3 building or Class 4 part is when smoke hazard management matters are being considered. For more information on the reason for this exception, refer to Part E2.
Criteria for paths of travel to exits
As set out in DP6, paths of travel to exits must have dimensions appropriate to a number of factors, including:
- DP6(a)—the number of occupants can affect the evacuation time—the greater the number of people the greater the evacuation time required (this time can be reduced by increasing the number and/or width of (exits) and paths of travel to exits);
- DP6(a)—the mobility and other characteristics of occupants will have a direct impact on the evacuation time—matters to be considered include whether the occupants are likely to have limited mobility or capacity to find their way unassisted, and the type and the extent of that limitation (for example, people may be in beds or have some kind of ambulatory-related disability, or may be asleep or anaesthetised, or may be under the influence of drugs or otherwise confused); and
- DP6(b)—the function or use of the building takes account of any special provisions such as movement of beds in hospitals.
DP7 Evacuation lifts
Where a lift is intended to be used in addition to the required exits to assist occupants to evacuate a building safely, the type, number, location and fire-isolation must be appropriate to—
(a)
the travel distance to the lift; and
(b)
the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants; and
(c)
the function or use of the building; and
(d)
the number of storeys connected by the lift; and
(e)
the fire safety system installed in the building; and
(f)
the waiting time, travel time and capacity of the lift; and
(g)
the reliability and availability of the lift; and
(h)
the emergency procedures for the building.
DP7 lists those issues which must be considered when it is intended a lift be used in addition to the existing required exits as a means of assisting people in the evacuation of building occupants including those with a disability or other health conditions in an emergency.
DP7(a) to (d) require similar consideration to that required by DP4, but are additional specific requirements where a lift is proposed to assist in evacuation.
The intent of DP7(e) to (h) is to ensure a high level of safety and engineering reliability in a solution which includes a lift and requires that appropriate consideration be given to a lift's reliability, interaction with other fire safety systems of the building, and building evacuation procedures under evacuation conditions.
A solution would more commonly utilise a passenger lift, however it may include a goods lift as the primary intent is that compliance is achieved with the safety aspects required by DP7(a) to (h).
DP8 Carparking for people with a disability
Carparking spaces for use by people with a disability must be—
(a)
provided, to the degree necessary, to give equitable access for carparking; and
(b)
designated and easy to find.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DP8 does not apply to a building where—
- a parking service is provided; and
- direct access to any carparking spaces by the general public or occupants is not available.
DP8 is the Performance Requirement for carparking spaces for people with a disability.
If carparking is provided in or around a building, suitable carparking spaces must be provided for people with a disability. These spaces are required to be larger than a conventional space. This facilitates a person transferring from a vehicle to a wheelchair or other mobility aid positioned between vehicles.
DP9 Communication systems for people with hearing impairment
An inbuilt communication system for entry, information, entertainment, or for the provision of a service, must be suitable for occupants who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Limitation:
Limitation:
DP9 does not apply to—
- a Class 4 part of a building; or
- an inbuilt communication system used only for emergency warning purposes.
DP9 is the Performance Requirement for hearing augmentation and refines the intention of DO1(a). A building must, as far as is reasonable, provide safe access for people to all the services, facilities and features. DP9 relates to the inclusion of hearing augmentation systems where an inbuilt audible communication system is used for entry, information, entertainment, or provision of a service. This requirement is not intended to apply to equipment such as televisions, music systems etc that are provided for the purposes of improving an occupant’s general comforts and ambience but which are not associated with the specific functioning of the building or specific services or entertainment provided.
It does not apply to a Class 4 part of a building.
It is also important to note that it does not apply to an inbuilt communication system used only for emergency warning purposes.
Verification Methods
DV1 Wire barriers
Compliance with DP3(f) and (g) for wire barriers is verified when the wire barrier passes the test described below:
(a)
Application
The test must be carried out on either—
(i)
a prototype of a wire barrier that is identical to that proposed to be installed on-site; or
(ii)
a wire barrier installed on-site.
(b)
Test equipment
The test equipment must consist of the following:
(i)
A horizontally suspended 125 mm diameter, 405 mm long cylinder of 1 mm thick steel having a highly polished 105 mm long cone at one end with a 20 mm diameter flat leading edge to which an eye bolt is fixed.
(ii)
A sufficiently flexible horizontal cable with mechanisms capable of applying and measuring a tension of 150 N (or a 15.3 kg weight suspended over a low friction pulley) is to be attached to the eye bolt (see Figure DV1).
(iii)
A mechanism capable of measuring the tension force applied to each wire.
Figure DV1 Apparatus for testing wire barriers
(c)
Test procedure
The test procedure must be as follows:
(i)
Tension the wires, within their safe load, to the same tension in all wires and measure the tensions with a strain indicator.
(ii)
For—
(A)
horizontal or near horizontal wires, position the cone against a pair of wires at the mid-span between supports, then apply the 150 N tension force to the cone; and
(B)
vertical wires, position the cone against a pair of wires at the mid-span between supporting rails, then apply the 150 N tension force to the cone; and
(C)
near-vertical wires, position the cone against a pair of wires at the widest opening between the wires, then apply the 150 N tension force to the cone.
(iii)
(iv)
When the cone is just prevented from pulling through the gap, the wires are at the correct tension in which case the cone is withdrawn and the tension recorded.
(v)
(vi)
For prototype tests of horizontal or near horizontal wires, record the deflection of each wire at the average tension calculated in accordance with (v) when a 2 kg mass is hung at mid-span between supports.
(d)
Test report
The test report must include the following information:
(i)
The name and address of the person supervising the test.
(ii)
The test report number.
(iii)
The date of the test.
(iv)
The wire manufacturer's name and address, and specifications of the wires used in the test including the safe load limit of the wires.
(v)
The construction details of the test specimen, including a description and drawings and details of the components including supports, post or railing spacings and wire spacings.
(vii)
For prototype tests of horizontal or near horizontal wires, the deflection measured in accordance with (c)(vi).
DV1 is a means to verify whether or not a proposed wire barrier achieves the requirements of DP3(f) and (g), in other words whether the wire barrier is—
- constructed to prevent people from falling through the barrier; and
- capable of restricting the passage of children.
DV1 cannot be used to verify compliance with the other provisions of DP3.
It is not compulsory for a designer to use DV1. The designer has the choice of using—
- DV1 to verify that the proposal achieves DP3(f) and (g); or
- the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions in D2.16(d).
As set out in DV1(a), the Verification Method may be carried out on—
- a prototype that is identical to that proposed to be installed; or
- a wire barrier installed on site.
The meaning of the phrase "prototype that is identical to that proposed to be installed" is similar to that for the testing of prototypes for fire resistance. That is, it must be identical with respect to the type of wire, the wire diameter, the number of lays, the wire tension, the post spacing and size, etc.
The test procedure is slightly different for barriers with horizontal or near horizontal wires and vertical wires or near vertical wires (see the test procedures set out in DV1(c)(ii)).
If DV1 is to be used for horizontal or near horizontal wire barriers, DV1(c)(vi), whereby the deflection of the tensioned wires is measured as part of the prototype test, allows a simple method of checking that the barrier wires installed on site have been installed at the required tension if a tension gauge is not available.
DV2 Access to and within a building
Compliance with DP1, DP2, DP6, EP3.4 and/or FP2.1, for access, is verified when it is determined that the proposed building provides an equivalent level of access as a reference building when using the following process:
(a)
A performance-based design brief is completed to define the following:
(i)
The occupant profile and characteristics based on the type and use of the building.
(ii)
The appropriate method for determining the level of access.
(iii)
The appropriate modelling method and tool.
(iv)
The measurable acceptance criteria.
(b)
Using the appropriate method, the level of access required is determined by first modelling a reference building using the relevant Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Sections D, E and F and the occupant profile and characteristics to determine the—
(i)
needs of the occupants that the reference building addresses; and
(ii)
facilities required to be accessed by each occupant profile; and
(iii)
baseline measurable acceptance criteria.
(c)
The proposed building and access solution must be modelled using a modelling method and approach consistent with that used for the reference building, and the same critical features including the following:
(i)
Occupant profile and characteristics.
(ii)
Building location and orientation.
(iii)
Locations of all entrances and exits.
(iv)
Locations of facilities important to the solution, including sanitary facilities, lifts, stairwells, etc.
(v)
The number and range of facilities.
(d)
The proposed solution's level of access is assessed by modelling occupant performance using characteristics, whereby the proposed building provides for equivalent access appropriate to the needs of each occupant profile.
This Verification Method allows for a design based on occupant needs and characteristics by using a reference building to verify that the proposed building provides at least equivalent access to and within a building (DP1), as well as specific areas of a building (DP2, DP6, EP3.4 and/or FP2.1).
The basis of this Verification Method is that these Performance Requirements are dependent on "the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants". As a fully developed set of occupant characteristics, as covered by the NCC, is not currently available, the Verification Method uses the reference building approach to show equivalent access has been provided by the proposed building.
Further information on the use of the Verification Method, as well as the overlap with the Disability (Access to Premises—Buildings) Standards 2012 is available in the ABCB's Access to and Within a Building Handbook.
DV3 Ramp gradient, crossfall, surface profile and slip resistance for ramps used by wheelchairs
(a)
Compliance with Performance Requirement DP2, relating to gradient, crossfall, surface profile and slip resistance of a ramp for the use of wheelchairs is verified when—
(i)
the ramp has a gradient that is not steeper than 1:8; and
(ii)
the pushing force required to accelerate a wheelchair and user during ascent is in accordance with (b); and
(iii)
the required braking force for a wheelchair and user during descent is in accordance with (c); and
(iv)
the projected ascent time is in accordance with (d); and
(v)
the ramp crossfall, surface profile and slip resistance is in accordance with (e).
(b)
The pushing force during ascent must be in accordance with the formula:
where—
Fp = the maximum force during ascent, equal to 40 N for ramps required to be usable by the general public; and
m = the design mass of the wheelchair and wheelchair user, equal to 127 kg for ramps required to be usable by the general public; and
g = the gravitational constant, equal to 9.8 m/s2; and
α = the angle of incline of the ramp; and
Cπ1, Cπ2 = the coefficient of rolling resistance between the wheelchair wheel and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively; and
N1, N2 = the normal force between the wheelchair wheels and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively.
(c)
The braking force during descent must be less than 9 N when calculated in accordance with the formula:
where—
Fb = the braking force during descent; and
m = the design mass of the wheelchair and wheelchair user, equal to 127 kg for ramps required to be usable by the general public; and
g = the gravitational constant, equal to 9.8 m/s2; and
α = the angle of incline of the ramp; and
Cπ1, Cπ2 = the coefficient of rolling resistance between the wheelchair wheel and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively; and
N1, N2 = the normal force between the wheelchair wheels and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively.
(d)
The time taken to ascend the ramp must be less than 17 s when calculated in accordance with the formula:
where—
T = the time taken to ascend the ramp in seconds; and
L = the length of the ramp in metres; and
m = the design mass of the wheelchair and wheelchair user, equal to 127 kg for ramps required to be usable by the general public; and
t = the time taken for the wheelchair to achieve maximum velocity, equal to 0.8 s; and
FP = the maximum pushing force during ascent, equal to 40 N for ramps required to be usable by the general public; and
g = the gravitational constant, equal to 9.8 m/s2; and
α = the angle of incline of the ramp; and
Cπ1, Cπ2 = the coefficient of rolling resistance between the wheelchair wheel and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively; and
N1, N2 = the normal force between the wheelchair wheels and ramp surface, for the rear wheels and front wheels respectively.
(e)
The crossfall must be no steeper than, the surface profile must be no rougher than, and the slip resistance must be no less than, the values nominated in Table DV3 for the gradient of the ramp.
Table DV3 Ramp crossfall, surface profile and slip resistance
Gradient |
Crossfall |
Surface profile (mm) |
Slip resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
1:14 |
1:40 |
2 |
P4/R11 |
1:12 |
1:50 |
2 |
P5/R12 |
1:10 |
1:100 |
1 |
P5/R12 |
1:8 |
1:100 |
0.5 |
P5/R12 |
DV3 is a means to verify wheelchair rolling resistance and ramp design in order to meet the requirements of DP2. For further guidance, refer to the ABCB's Ramps Verification Method Handbook.