Building

WaterMark Tapware

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In the market for new tapware?

Have you been considering renovating your bathroom? Or finally fixing that leaking tap in the laundry? Or maybe you want to upgrade the mixer tap in the kitchen?

These days it seems like the opportunities are endless when it comes to choosing a new tap. With so many varieties and designs available, as well as the world of online shopping, your dream bathroom is set to become a reality!

While the look and style of a tap may be an important factor in what you choose, it’s important to know that it should not be the only purchasing decision you make when you are in the market for new plumbing products.

Picture this: You’ve finally got your new shiny bathroom finished, complete with a gleaming tap, and although you’ve spent more on it then you thought possible for a bathroom, it looks exactly how you had envisioned on your mood board all those years ago.

Or you spent the best part of the weekend visiting your local hardware store to stock up on supplies to fix that dripping tap. It kept you up all night, and even though it’s not up there on your list of ‘fun things to do’ on a Saturday, it’s done now and you can finally get some solid sleep.

Or you‘ve been meaning to call a plumber to fix the kitchen mixer tap, but instead, after a quick online search, you managed to fix it yourself and saved a lot of cash.

Now, picture this: When you turn on that tap you paid a small fortune for, it sounds like someone is banging down your door; the dripping tap you spent your weekend fixing is now endlessly leaking (again); and the kitchen mixer tap you installed yourself to save money, is now contaminating your family’s drinking water.

Unfortunately, despite their glossy features and impressive style, not all tapware products are up to the standard that they should be, and therefore may not be fit for purpose. Further, even if you had the right intentions and purchased from a recognised supplier, or from a reputable online store, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are purchasing reliable and safe products – it pays to do your research before purchasing.

In Australia, most plumbing and drainage products must be WaterMark certified and installed by a licensed plumber.


But what does this mean?

WaterMark is a mandatory national scheme for
plumbing and drainage products to ensure they are fit
for purpose and appropriately authorised for use in
plumbing and drainage installations. This means, that a
material or product has been tested and evaluated to
an approved product specification and certified by an
accredited organisation.

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly easy
for Australians to purchase plumbing products, like
taps, from local sources as well as international
manufacturers. However, this doesn’t always mean
that the product is WaterMark certified. Many plumbing
product suppliers, especially those overseas, may not
be aware of the need, or the requirements, for
WaterMark certification in Australia.

So, how can you tell if your product has been
WaterMark certified?

Easy! Just Look for the WaterMark! All WaterMark
certified products will have the WaterMark certification
trademark or logo somewhere on the product or its
packaging. Each certified product also has a licence
number which allows you to look up that product on
the WaterMark Product Database. By purchasing and
using a WaterMark certified product, you can be sure
that it has been evaluated to an appropriate product
specification and is therefore safe and fit for purpose.
It’s less likely to break or cause damage and end up
costing you more money later on.

So, next time you are thinking of upgrading the
bathroom, fixing the leaky tap or replacing the kitchen
mixer tap, make sure you spend a little time early on to
find the right product. This will save you a lot of
inconvenience and money down the track. And always
remember to Look for the WaterMark!

For more information visit: watermark.abcb.gov.au/look

NCC 2022 preview and adoption dates

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Please see below from the ABCB.
Construction of Brick Veneer town houses in Melbourne Vic

NCC 2022 preview and adoption dates

We would like practitioners to be aware of important dates for the release of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, which include:

  • 9 May 2022 –  Preview available at ncc.abcb.gov.au (excluding energy efficiency and condensation)
  • 1 September 2022 – Adoption by states and territories

Building Ministers have agreed to delay the adoption of NCC 2022 in recognition of the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impacts to industry during a difficult economic time. We hope the delayed adoption date will make it easier for industry to adjust, and the extended preview period provide time for users to become familiar with the changes before NCC 2022 is made mandatory under state and territory legislation.

The May preview of NCC 2022 will not include energy efficiency and condensation amendments as these have not yet been endorsed by Building Ministers. Practitioners can still expect a preview of these amendments prior to adoption – and we will provide more information on that timing as it becomes available.
Business Conference and Presentation. Audience at the conference hall.

2022 NCC Seminars – Volumes One and Two

Please join us in your capital city, through July and August 2022, as we present the key changes for NCC 2022 Volumes One and Two.

This is an important event for you to learn about what’s changed and what it means to you and your industry, before NCC 2022 comes into effect.

  • Canberra – 20 July, National Museum of Australia
  • Melbourne – 26 & 27 July, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
  • Hobart – 28 July, Hobart Function & Convention Centre
  • Brisbane – 2 & 3 August, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
  • Darwin – 4 August, Darwin Convention Centre
  • Sydney – 9 & 10 August, Sydney Masonic Centre
  • [NEW] Webinar – 16 August, Online
  • Adelaide – 23 August, Adelaide Convention Centre
  • Perth – 25 August, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre

For those interested, we will also be hosting, for the first time, a live webinar session of the seminar content online. The webinar will follow the same agenda as the face-to-face session, and include the ability for attendees to ask questions about NCC 2022 changes.

Booking information for all sessions will be available in April 2022.

2022 NCC Seminars – Volume Three

We will also be co-hosting separate seminar sessions for amendments relating to NCC 2022 Volume Three with your local jurisdiction through 2022.

Further information about when these sessions will be held, and how to secure your place, will be available on our website soon.

Ensure that your NCC communications preferences are up-to-date to receive further information relating to these announcements.

A new look for NCC 2022

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Please see the following statement from the ABCB

As part of the Australian Building Codes Board’s (ABCB) commitment to delivering a National Construction Code (NCC) that is user-friendly and modern, important changes are being implemented for the 2022 edition of the code.

In moving from what was historically a print-based publication, to what will become an innovative and agile digital product, the next phase of improvements are primarily to the code’s structure and format. These improvements are being implemented following considerable analysis, research and consultation with key industry groups, and do not change the intent of the code in any way.

The changes form part of the ABCB’s overall long-term strategy to improve useability of the code, and have been designed with NCC users in mind. This needs to have regard to those who are relatively new to the industry and becoming familiar with the NCC as a technical regulatory instrument, those who are using it in their studies and will therefore be future users of the product, as well as those who have been in the business for some time and are therefore familiar with how things have been done up to this point.

To guide users through the changes, the ABCB has developed a range of supporting material, which will be released in stages leading up to the release of the NCC 2022 Public Comment Draft (PCD) on 10 May 2021.

The first stage of supporting materials are being released (see below), which cover NCC 2022’s:

These changes are essential to ensure the NCC:

  • Is easily digested and comprehended by users, encouraging greater adoption across industry. Higher rates of use and comprehension will help lift compliance and improve building outcomes.
  • Can be converted into a range of digital formats, enabling features such as personalised filtering of content.
  • Encourages digital innovation such as integration with commonly used industry software and digital systems.
  • Facilitates contemporary education and training opportunities, incentivising new entrants to the building and plumbing industries to familiarise themselves with the NCC.

What will result is an NCC that is more usable and accessible to as many practitioners as possible, knowing that it will require some adjustment for those who have used it in its current form for many years.

The ABCB will be releasing a range of supporting material and useful resources prior to the NCC 2022 PCD. To ensure that you are kept up to date with these important changes please ensure you are subscribed to ‘ABCB Connect’ in your NCC profile.

https://www.abcb.gov.au/Connect

NCC 2019 Amendment 1 is now in effect!

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Please see the following statement from the ABCB

From today, 1 July 2020, the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 Amendment 1 has been adopted.

This means the amendment is now given legal effect by relevant legislation in each State and Territory.

Key changes

The key changes for NCC 2019 Amendment 1 include:

  • A new provision, A2.2(4), in the Governing Requirements to require (from 1 July 2021) that a process be followed when creating and documenting Performance Solutions.
  • A new provision, A5.7, in the Governing Requirements to require labelling of Aluminum Composite Panels.
  • A new provision in Volume One, D1.18, regarding egress from early childhood centres.
  • Clarification amendments in Specification C1.1 of Volume One regarding concessions that permit the use of timber framing for low-rise Class 2 and 3 buildings.
  • Amendment to 3.5.2.5 in Volume Two to clarify that anti-ponding boards are not required in roofs where sarking is not installed.
  • Correction of minor errors.

You can ‘view’ or ‘download’ NCC 2019 Amendment 1 from the NCC Suite.

Please note: the adopted version of NCC 2019 Amendment 1 differs from and replaces the preview made available on our website earlier this year. Therefore, the preview should no longer be used.

Transition period

The process for documenting Performance Solutions set out in A2.2(4) of NCC 2019 Amendment 1 will not come into effect until 1 July 2021. It should be noted, however, that appropriate documentation for Performance Solutions should be occurring now, and that the process outlined in Amendment 1 can be used to achieve this outcome.

Supporting materials

You can download the Summary and Instructions for each NCC volume from our Resource Library to assist with identifying the changes.

To support the process for documenting Performance Solutions, we have updated our Development of Performance Solutions guidance document.

Staying Informed

Ensure that you have updated your profile, including your ‘Areas of Interest’, to stay up to date with key announcements, resource releases and important information.

The next edition of the NCC is scheduled for adoption in 2022.

NCC 2019 Amendment 1 proposed changes update

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Please see the following statement from the ABCB

Decisions have been made on the inclusion of the definition of building complexity and the process for documenting Performance Solutions.

The preview of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 Amendment 1 noted that two proposed changes were still to be confirmed. These were:

  • a new defined term, building complexity, that may be used in the future to identify buildings for which additional oversight is appropriate; and
  • a new provision to require that a process be followed to improve the documentation for Performance Solutions.

At recent meetings of the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) and the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the status of the proposed changes has been determined. The outcomes are outlined below.

Definition for building complexity

The defined term ‘building complexity’ will not be included in NCC 2019 Amendment 1.

The BMF has determined that the ABCB publish the definition for building complexity on its website. A consultation period will be open for a six-months, during which time further work will be undertaken by the ABCB on the related regulatory interventions, in consultation with states, territories and industry stakeholders.

A copy of the Exposure Draft can be downloaded and any comments provided via the ABCB website.

Process for the documentation of Performance Solutions The Board has agreed to include the new provision for the process to document Performance Solutions in NCC 2019 Amendment 1. A copy of the Final Regulation Impact Statement can be downloaded from the Resource Library.

The Board also determined that the process for documenting Performance Solutions set out in NCC 2019 Amendment 1 not come into effect until 1 July 2021. It should be noted, however, that appropriate documentation for Performance Solutions should be occurring now and that the process outlined in Amendment 1 can be used for this purpose.

Adoption of NCC 2019 Amendment 1

NCC 2019 Amendment 1 will be adopted by the States and Territories from 1 July 2020.

The ABCB will not be issuing an updated preview of NCC 2019 Amendment 1. The final version will be available, via the NCC Suite, from 1 July 2020.

NCC Energy efficiency transition period ends today!

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See below message from the ABCB

NCC 2019 energy efficiency requirements are no longer voluntary.

In 2019, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) agreed to significant changes to the energy efficiency requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC), including a 12 month transition period during which either these or the 2016 provisions could be applied. The changes affect all buildings, but are particularly significant for commercial buildings.

Noting that individual states and territories may apply the provisions differently and in some cases delay their introduction, from 1 May 2020, practitioners will be required to use only the NCC 2019 provisions. The new requirements, particularly for commercial buildings, mark a shift in how energy efficiency is considered as part of the process of design and construction.

It is imperative that these new energy efficiency requirements are well understood by all those involved in designing and constructing new and refurbished buildings to ensure that buildings perform better and use less energy.

Please note: The application of the new energy efficiency provisions may be treated differently by the States and Territories. If you are unsure, please contact your local Building Administration to confirm how they apply in your jurisdiction.

Resources to support you

To assist in understanding the new and updated energy efficiency provisions, the ABCB has released a number of supporting resources:

You can access more resources or find out what is expected to be released soon from the energy efficiency initiative.

Need support or assistance?

If you need help or assistance with understanding or implementing the NCC 2019 provisions, we recommend you can contact your member association.

https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/

NSW changes Act to exclude Cladding from Professional Indemnity Contracts

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The “Building Professionals Amendment (Insurance) Regulation 2019” Introduced 28.6.2019

14A Exclusion for accredited certifiers
(1) A professional indemnity contract may provide that the indemnity
provided by the contract does not apply to any claim made against the
insured in relation to:
(a) cladding that does not comply with the requirements of the
Building Code of Australia, an Australian Standard or an Act or
other law of the Commonwealth, this State or any other State or
Territory to the extent that it applies to cladding, or
(b) cladding that is used, installed or applied to a building in a
manner that does not comply with the requirements of the
Building Code of Australia, an Australian Standard or an Act or
other law of the Commonwealth, this State or any other State or
Territory to the extent that it applies to the use, installation or
application of cladding.
(2) This clause applies only in respect of a professional indemnity contract
providing indemnity for a period, not exceeding 12 months,
commencing on or before 30 June 2020.
(3) In this clause:
Australian Standard means a standard published by Standards
Australia.
cladding means cladding or a cladding system (including, but not
limited to, the panels, lining, attachment or finishes of any cladding or
cladding system), whether or not insulated or made of composite
materials, that is applied to any of a building’s external walls or to
another external area of a building.

Links: NSW_Building_Insurance_Regulations_1562047653.pdf
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/

Industry at tipping point over PI insurance crisis

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Please see below statement from Troy Olds (AIBS President) and Brett Mace (Chief Executive Officer) of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors

“The Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance crisis we have been warning governments about for almost three years has finally hit.

Over the past two weeks, AIBS has received notifications from building surveying firms all over Australia that are facing closure or have already closed because they cannot secure workable PI insurance policies.

As a result, building and construction projects in some jurisdictions are under threat now. The entire industry nationally – including consumer protection for building owners throughout Australia – is perilously close to collapse.

Despite this, our political leaders continue to make the issue into a partisan political football. Federal Minister Karen Andrews has publicly blamed Ministers in the various jurisdictions for the crisis saying it is their responsibility to administer building regulations in their own States and Territories. At the same time, the Ministers are saying they had hoped for a national solution and they have limited powers to act. As a result, State and Territory governments are developing their own solutions to what should be a uniform national approach.

AIBS expects the political blamestorming to come to a head at next month’s meeting of the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF).

But we are not waiting for that and have continued to advocate to all levels of government for an urgent solution. From the outset we have wanted a national solution across all jurisdictions, not the piecemeal approach we now have.”

For the full statement from Australian Institute of Building Surveyors open the following link;
Member_Statement-Industry_at_tipping_point.pdf

QFES Building Application Position Statement – Combustible Cladding

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The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have put out a position statement,

“To inform stakeholders involved in the development of Class 2 – 9 buildings of Type A or Type B construction in Queensland of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) expectations with respect to the fire safety performance of buildings affected by combustible cladding.

This position statement is intended to be a readily identifiable policy applied by QFES as a Referral Agency for the purposes of Section 22(2)(b) of the Planning Regulation 2017.”

For the full position statement please see https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/buildingsafety/cladding/Pages/Cladding-Position-Statement.aspx