Home›Knowledge›Australia NCC 2022 — National Construction Code Overview
📋 Codecodesbuilding-code

Australia NCC 2022 — National Construction Code Overview

Updated Mar 25, 2026
Australian building code combining BCA (buildings) and PCA (plumbing). Performance-based with deemed-to-satisfy provisions.

NCC 2022 (National Construction Code): Volume 1 — Commercial (Class 2-9 buildings). Volume 2 — Residential (Class 1 & 10). Volume 3 — Plumbing. Performance-based: compliance via Performance Solution (alternative solution assessed by fire engineer/building surveyor) or Deemed-to-Satisfy (prescriptive). Building classifications: Class 1a (house), 1b (boarding), 2 (apartments), 3 (residential other), 4 (dwelling in Class 5-9), 5 (office), 6 (retail), 7a (car park), 7b (storage), 8 (laboratory/factory), 9a (health), 9b (assembly), 9c (aged care), 10a (shed), 10b (fence), 10c (swimming pool). Key sections: Section C — Fire resistance (FRL ratings in min/min/min: structural adequacy/integrity/insulation). Section D — Access and egress. Section E — Services and equipment. Section J — Energy efficiency (J1V3 verification method, NatHERS 7-star minimum residential). State amendments: each state/territory may amend NCC via local regulations.

TAGS
NCCAustraliabuilding-codeperformance-basedBCA
DETAILS
country
AU
code system
NCC 2022
RELATED KNOWLEDGE
📋 Code
IBC 903.2.1 — Group A Occupancies (Sprinkler Requirements)
Automatic sprinkler system required throughout buildings with Group A occupancy where fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet, or overall building area exceeds 12,000 square feet, or occupant load of the fire area exceeds 300.
📋 Code
IBC 903.2.7 — Group M Occupancies (Retail Sprinkler Requirements)
Automatic sprinkler system required in Group M (mercantile) occupancies where fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet or building is more than three stories above grade.
📋 Code
IBC 903.2.11.3 — Buildings 55 Feet or More in Height
Automatic sprinkler system required throughout buildings with a floor level having an occupant load of 30 or more that is located 55 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
📋 Code
IBC 1015.1 — Exit and Exit Access Doorways Required
Two exits or exit access doorways required from any space where occupant load exceeds the table values. Spaces with occupant load exceeding 500 require a minimum of 3 exits. Spaces exceeding 1,000 require 4 exits.
📋 Code
IBC 1017.2 — Exit Access Travel Distance
Maximum travel distance from any point in a building to an exit shall not exceed 200 feet unsprinklered or 250 feet sprinklered for most occupancies. Specific occupancies have modified limits.
📋 Code
IBC Table 601 — Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements
Specifies minimum fire-resistance ratings for structural elements based on construction type (Type I through V). Type IA requires 3-hour rated structural frame, 2-hour floors, and 1.5-hour roof.
← Back to Knowledge Garden