The ABCB have recently released NCC 2019 Volume Two which took effect on 1st May 2019.

As part of the 2019 edition of the BCA, the ABCB have included a new acceptable construction practice for deck and balcony attachment for building surveyors to be able to certify without the need for a structural engineers’ certification. As with all deemed-to-satisfy construction practices, it will need to be certified by a registered building surveyor and will need to meet the below limitations;

• The deck or balcony is not located in an alpine area.
• The height of the deck or balcony is not more than 3m measure from the uppermost finished floor surfaces of the deck or balcony at any point to the top of any supporting footing.
• The waling plate does not support more than on floor, loadbearing or non-loadbearing wall or roof loads.
• The deck or balcony does not cantilever off the external wall.
• The total imposed load on the deck or balcony does not exceed 2 kPa.
• The deck or balcony framing including member sizes, spans and spacing, bracing for racking and shear forces, fixings and structural supports complies with BCA Part 3.0
• The deck or balcony framing is constructed of steel framing to BCA 3.4.2 or timber framing to BCA 3.4.3
• The external wall supporting the decking or balcony is constructed of 190mm thick fully core-filled concrete masonry, reinforced with vertical N12 bars at not more than 600mm centres or steel framing complying with BCA 3.4.2 or timber framing complying with BCA 3.4.3
• The external wall referred to in (h) must be continuous from the uppermost surface of the deck or balcony to the supporting footing and contain no openings or lintels below the deck or balcony.
• The waling plate is fixed to the external wall in accordance with 3.10.6.2 and attached by fixing the waling plate through wall cladding complying with Part 3.5.4 or Part 3.5.5, provided the cladding directly fixed to the external wall or removing parts of the wall cladding so that the waling plate is directing fixed to the external wall with the junction of the waling plate and the external wall flashing in accordance with BCA 3.10.6.3 and the cladding restore to its original strength by installing blocking supports as necessary on completing of installation.
• The deck or balcony is braced to prevent longitudinal movement in accordance with BCA 3.10.6.4

Our Building Surveyors have reviewed the additional construction practice and are satisfied it will be a cost-effective alternative to the Australian Standards.

If you would like more information regarding this new construction practice or would like any assistance on another matter, please contact one of our Building Surveyors on 6114 9356 or admin@greenstartconsulting.com.au

Due to constantly evolving legislation the information provided within this blog may no longer be valid. The advice given on this site is general in nature and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Please email one of our building surveyors to check what is right for you.