The National Construction Code (NCC) is a performance-based code. In this blog entry we briefly look at the principal differences between a performance based and a Deemed to Satisfy solution using one example of each to demonstrate.
There are primarily two methods of compliance with the NCC (Bailey, 2018);
Performance Solutions
A solution which permits innovation by achieving the intent and performance standard.
Must be proven by methods such as, calculation and testing.
Fire engineering is a common field that adopts alternate performance solutions, for instance the use of sprinklers as a performance solution to demonstrate compliance in the event of excessive fire exit distances.
Deemed to Satisfy (DTS)
A prescribed method of compliance
Materials, components and design methods, that, if used are deemed to comply with the performance requirements.
Figure 1 NCC Compliance Solutions (Australian Building Codes Board, 2021)
Performance Solutions
Assessment of an alternate (performance) solution can be determined by any combination of the following four methods. (Code Compliance | Australian Building Codes Board, 2021);
Evidence of suitability (or Documentary Evidence)
Verification methods.
Comparison with DTS provisions.
Expert judgement.
Figure 2 Assessment Methods (Australian Building Codes Board, 2021)
Deemed to Satisfy
Evidence of suitability must be provided and be appropriate to the material, form of construction or plumbing product to demonstrate Deemed to Satisfy compliance.
For instance, a plumbing product that comes into contact with drinking water must have either a test report from an accredited certification body or testing laboratory or, have a Water Mark Licence. Both these accreditations would qualify as Evidence of Suitability. (Australian Building Codes Board, 2021)
REFERENCES
Bailey, I., 2018. Construction Law in Australia. 4th ed. Sydney: Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Pty Limited.
Ncc.abcb.gov.au. 2021. Code Compliance | Australian Building Codes Board. [online] Available at: <https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/How-it-works/Code-Compliance> [Accessed 18 March 2022].
Australian Building Codes Board, 2021. Assessment Methods. [image] Available at: <https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/-/media/Images/Content/Fourassessmentmethods.jpg> [Accessed 18 March 2022].
2018. Understanding the NCC. Commonwealth of Australia and States and Territories Australia.