This information is an extract from the National Construction Code 2019 (NCC) and is valid until September 2022. Clients should satisfy themselves with the provisions of the NCC. The NCC can be downloaded for free HERE.
Please note that buildings in bushfire prone areas have special requirements and expert advice should be sought. Similarly some states and territories have special requirements and again expert advice should be sought. Your building certifier should be able to assist you with this.
The NCC2019 Volume 1 describes Importance Levels as follows:
*Other property means all or any of the following -
(a) any building on the same or an adjoining allotment; and
(b) any adjoining allotment; and
(c) a road.
Note: ShedSafe nominates a 200 metre radius.
Section B1.2 of the NCC 2019 Guide to Volume 1 goes on to give more specific examples.
A generic description of building types has been provided to which Importance Levels have been assigned. The “Importance Level” concept is applicable to building structural safety only. More specific examples are provided below. The examples are not exhaustive.
Importance Levels must be assigned on a case by case basis.
Example:
A Hospital may be of Importance Level 4 if it is the only hospital in an area. The same hospital may be of Importance Level 3 if it is one of many in an area.
A general method for the determination of the Importance Level of any building is to assess the hazard to human life and the impact on the public in the event of building failure as follows:
