NCC 2019: What Does It Mean For Me?
The National Construction Code (NCC) is a code that involves all on-site construction requirements, including minimum safety requirements, sustainability measures, and technical provisions – to name a few things. The NCC is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and is uniform throughout Australia while allowing for state-by-state variations in climate and geographic conditions.
The NCC for 2019 has been released and will come into effect for all Australian States and Territories from the 1st of May 2019. It will, therefore, affect all building permits approved after the 1st of May 2019. But what exactly has changed? In this blog, find out what’s different in the NCC for this year, and where to get NCC-compliant housewrap in Melbourne.
2 main changes – what you need to know
In terms of insulation, there is one main change to the NCC for 2019. It’s in Volume 2, where a new section titled ‘Condensation Management’ has been added. We have outlined what you need to know about each change below.
#1: Volume 2, Condensation Management, Clause 3.8.7.2, Part (a)
This clause uses the term ‘pliable building membrane’. It is important to understand this term to interpret the clause. For reference, the NCC 2019 Definitions appendix states that a pliable building membrane refers to a water barrier as classified by AS/NZS 4200.1.
Part (a) of the clause states the following:
#2: Volume 2, Condensation Management, Clause 3.8.7.2, Part (b)
Part (b) of the clause states the following:
This means that a drained cavity must be present wherever a water barrier membrane is not present. In Brick Veneer construction, a drained cavity is usually included by default, meaning you can still use a non-water barrier and be compliant with the code. However, you should note that non-water barriers can easily be breached by moisture due to wind pressure. Non-water barriers also do not help to reduce the risk of condensation or water ingress (especially in the colder climates of Victoria).
Therefore, it is still recommended to opt for a permeable water barrier membrane.
Why has the change happened?
When homes in cold climates are insulated and sealed, water vapour can accumulate inside. The build-up of water vapour can be caused by a range of day-to-day activities, such as cooking, washing and heating. Unfortunately, this build-up can eventually cause mould growth, stains and water damage to the timber structure of a building.
Therefore, condensation management is structured around reducing the effects of water vapour accumulation. The changes to the NCC for insulation-related requirements have occurred primarily to account for condensation management.
How to comply with the change
Because Victoria is generally colder than the rest of Australia, our state will be significantly affected by the changes to the NCC as the majority of our municipalities fall under the BCA climates 6, 7 and 8. You can find the full list of affected Victorian municipalities here.
As such, in these areas, if a wall wrap that is classified as a water barrier is specified in any building permits after the 1st of May 2019, it is mandatory that the wall wrap must be vapour permeable.
Buy wholesale housewrap in Melbourne
Be prepared for the changes to come into effect and purchase NCC-compliant house and wall wrap for your construction projects. Although that may sound stressful, sourcing your NCC-compliant housewrap in Melbourne doesn’t have to be hard or expensive with the right supplier for your needs.
Insulation Essentials is a Melbourne-based wholesale insulation supplier. Our team has supported the construction industry for over 30 combined years, and we are dedicated to continuing to provide the industry with quality products and advice. Our vision is to provide the Australian construction industry and local owner-builders with quality, energy-efficient solutions for any project.
At Insulation Essentials, we are prepared for the changes announced in the NCC for 2019. We have a dedicated range of compliant products at warehouse prices that are easy to order online using our cart system. We also stock a wide variety of other insulation products, including glasswool and polyester insulation. Our services also include the fast delivery of your housewrap in Melbourne and Victoria.
To explore our range of NCC-compliant house and wall wraps, browse our online store or give us a call on 03 8339 7111 today.