All new buildings, and new work in existing buildings, must comply with The National Construction Code (NCC). This code was formerly known as the Building Code of Australia (BCA). It sets the minimum technical requirements for the construction of new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings).

Building Certificates Australia staff are experts in the application, interpretation and assessment against the NCC.

We can prepare NCC (BCA) compliance reports to assist a Council assess your development application (DA), or provide NCC (BCA) Consulting Services at any stage of a development.

We have unrestricted accreditation to assess and type of class 1-9 building against the requirements of the NCC

Fire and Rescue NSW SubmissionS

BCA can prepare submissions to go to Fire & Rescue NSW on your behalf. Services include:  

  • Where required, preparation and submission of Clause 145 BCA Report to the Fire Engineer for the preparation of the Fire Engineering Brief leading to the Fire Engineering Report.

  • Reviewing recommendations pre and post Fire Engineering Brief Consultation and undertake further review of the amended Fire Engineering Report.

  • Upon completion of the Fire Engineering Report by your Fire Engineer, undertaking a review and provide commentary where necessary.

  • Attendance at the Fire Engineering Brief Consultation if requested,

  • Preparation and submission of the Clause 144 application to NSW Fire and Rescue.

  • Preparation and submission of the Clause 152 application to NSW Fire and Rescue, including attendance at on-site meeting

FIRE AND RESCUE NSW SUBMISSIONS (Clause 152A

Following recent legislative updates, where works to Class 2 or 3 buildings involve the installing, extending or modifying of a relevant fire safety system, BCA’s services include the preparation and submission of mandatory Clause 152A Application to Fire & Rescue NSW. This involves: 

  • Preparation of Clause 152A Application, including review and collation of documentation prior to submission.

  • Submission of the Clause 152A Application to Fire and Rescue NSW, including attendance at on-site meeting, where required.

  • Liaising directly with Fire and Rescue NSW to coordinate the application process.

  • Reviewing of recommendations contained within any Final Fire Safety System Report furnished by Fire & Rescue NSW and provide commentary where necessary, to assist in achieving compliance with any recommendations/requirements contained in the report.

BCA Compliance Capability ReportS for Development Application (DA) LodgEment

Our Accredited Certifiers are experts in interpretation of the National Construction Code of Australia (BCA) and can readily provide advice to assist clients with lodgement of Development Approvals. We can assist you by:   

  • We will undertake an assessment of the proposed development pursuant to the provisions of Clause 145 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2000 (EP&A Reg. 2000), and against the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the National Construction Code of Australia (BCA) as relevant to the development.

  • The report will be prepared for DA lodgement purposes, to assist the consent authority in its determination of the Development Application (DA)

  • Attending project co-ordination meetings with the consultant team, as required.

  • Providing advice up to determination of DA.

 

Building Regulatory, BCA and Fire Safety Audit ReportS

 Our highly qualified team is dedicated to providing our clients with helpful advice to ensure the appropriate levels of Fire and Life Safety are available in any building. We can help our clients reach this level of Fire and Life Safety by: 

  • Identifying or reporting upon selected building stock.

  • Attending site and undertaking a detailed inspection of the existing building in order to establish familiarisation of the building.

  • Ascertaining existing levels of public health and safety through review of available documentation, including architectural plans, Annual Fire Safety Statements etc., in order to establish familiarisation of the existing building and determine the level of compliance with the fire & life safety provisions of the National Construction Code of Australia (BCA), namely Sections A, C, D, E, F and G.

  • Attendance at meetings to discuss compliance issues where required.

  • Preparing a Building Regulatory, BCA and Fire Safety Audit Report for each selected building for review by the client.

  • The report will set out the buildings BCA characteristics and include a Scope of Works and Recommendations in order to provide the premises with adequate means of fire safety to prevent fire, suppress fire, prevent the spread of fire and ensure or promote the safety of persons in the event of fire as requested via the applicant or in response to a Council request.

 

To further assist our clients we also offer long term assistance following our initial review. We can provide this by:

  • Providing or assisting in a 3 - 5 year Upgrade Strategy to submit to Council for their assessment and approval;

  • On an Annual basis, preparing a final Fire Safety Letter of Opinion to be review by the client and this letter is to be submitted to Council as a supporting item as required under Council’s Order. The letter will set out a Scope of Works and Recommendations and/or confirmation as to the progress or completion of upgrade items in order to provide the premises with adequate means of fire safety to prevent fire, suppress fire, prevent the spread of fire and ensure or promote the safety of persons in the event of fire as requested via the applicant or in response to a Council request.

  • Preparing a final Fire Safety Letter of Opinion to be review by the client and this letter is to be submitted to Council as a supporting item as required under Councils Order. The letter will set out a Scope of Works and Recommendations and/or confirmation as to the progress or completion of upgrade items in order to provide the premises with adequate means of fire safety to prevent fire, suppress fire, prevent the spread of fire and ensure or promote the safety of persons in the event of fire as requested via the applicant or in response to a Council request.

Annual Fire Safety StatementS

All buildings of Class 2-9 require Annual Fire Safety Statements. BCA offers our clients the ability to outsource this task by: 

  • Carrying out a visual inspection of all accessible parts of all building/s which form part of the subject facility, including all common areas, tenanted areas, plant-rooms, storage areas and the like, our services include.

  • If required engage a consultant to quote for the required maintenance and testing current Fire Safety Measures within the building for your approval, detailing cost associated with maintenance of the building fire safety measures,

  • Assisting where possible to liaise with service contractors who are required to test individual Fire Safety Measures throughout the year as listed on the building Fire Safety Schedule,

  • Witnessing a final test to confirm the buildings performance in emergency mode,

  • Upon completion of a successful test, all required rectification works completed and satisfactory submission of all required certification from individual contractors of each identified fire safety measure, acting as the agent of the building owner issue, an Annual Fire safety Statement in accordance with Clauses 175 to 177 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000

  • Attendance at meetings to discuss compliance issues where required.

Building Regulatory and BCA advice for Crown Developments

This involves our undertaking of a BCA assessment of the proposal. We will also provide ongoing building regulatory and BCA advice during the construction period and our services include:

  • Attending project coordination meetings with the consultant team, as required.

  • Undertake a Final Inspection of the completed project and provide a Final Compliance Report relating to Crown Certification.

Preparation of a Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 repoRTS

Access Requirements are detailed and require expert knowledge to ensure  compliance with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, which is mandatory in Australia. In order to assist our clients we can undertake an Access to Premises assessment of their proposal including an assessment of the existing building, paths of travel and toilet facilities as appropriate to the definition of ‘New Part or New Building’ under the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010. This includes:

  • Preparing an Access to Premises Compliance Report based on the architectural documentation pursuant to Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010. The Compliance Report will identify any areas of non-compliance with the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the Access to Premises standards specifically Part D3, E3.6, F2.2, F2.4 and Part H of the Access Code for Public transport buildings.

  • If site adjustments or an alternative solution can’t be achieved to demonstrate full compliance with the BCA or Access to Premises Standards 2010, we can prepare and submit an Unjustifiable Hardship application to the BPB for assessment by the Access Advisory Committee assessment under Part 4.1 of the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) or to modify an existing assessment of unjustifiable hardship.