| PCXtra |
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| Focusing on Philip Chun |
Christmas 2014 |
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Welcome to the December edition of PCXtra.
In this issue you’ll find updates on the National Construction Code’s new accessibility and learn about our Disability Access to Premises training sessions, which are offered nationwide. Our West Australian clients and colleagues will be interested in news on the state’s regulation for the maintenance of buildings.
As with each edition, we’ve provided updates on a range of Philip Chun projects, including our Building Code team’s work on what is set to become an iconic Sydney Harbour landmark; our Access team’s involvement in a $95 million education precinct; and our Essential Services team’s longstanding relationship with a key education client.
As 2014 draws to a close, we’d like to thank all our clients for their continued support throughout the year.
On behalf of all the team, we wish our clients and colleagues a safe and happy festive season.
Robert Marinelli
Managing Director
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Access training for members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Philip Chun is providing Disability Access to Premises training for members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors across Australia.
It is estimated that one in five Australians have a disability (4 million people). The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 have been established to protect the rights of these people, within the built environment.
The legislation and standards around accessibility are complex and can have a significant impact on property design, construction, management and refurbishment.
The training sessions, presented by Philip Chun’s Senior Access Consultant Lindsay Perry, provide a practical overview on how accessibility issues can impact decisions made by professionals within the construction industry, specific to key property asset types, throughout the property life-cycle.
Training session outline:
- introduction to disability
- the DDA, Premises Standard and the Building Code
- impact of the standards on various stages in the property life cycle:
design/building/management/refurbishment - typical impact on different key property assets
- common problems/pitfalls/challenges and how to overcome them.
For further information on our training sessions offered in your state, contact Lindsay Perry on 02 9412 2322.
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National Construction Code to be free online
The National Construction Code (NCC) and future editions of the NCC will be available free online from February 2015, which is set to reduce the burden of building regulation and improve access to the Code.
The free online availability will eliminate the NCC’s purchase price (almost $400) and is expected to increase the number of building and plumbing practitioners using the NCC from 12,000 to around 200,000 across Australia.
As of 2015, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will no longer produce hard copy versions of the NCC. Instead, users have the option of printing the complete NCC set or individual volumes from the digital download files in A4 format.
Pre-registration for online access will be available for users from 1 December 2014. Access and pre-registration will be available via the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au, with pre-registration providing password access details. For further information click here.
Other information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can also be found here.
The NCC provides model regulations for buildings and plumbing and is given effect through state and territory legislation. It sets minimum requirements for the design, construction and performance of buildings throughout Australia.
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WA legislation changes to ESM maintenance
Western Australia’s Building Regulation 48A. Maintenance of Buildings now requires owners to ensure safety measures are capable of performing as they were installed.
‘Safety measures’ means measures relating to:
- building fire integrity;
- means of egress;
- signs;
- lighting;
- fire fighting services and equipment;
- air handing systems;
- automatic fire detection and alarm;
- occupant warning systems;
- lifts;
- standby power supply systems;
- building clearance and fire appliances;
- glazed assemblies, balconies, balustrades, refrigerated chambers, strong rooms, vaults;
- bushfire protection measures;
- building use and application.
The owner of an existing building that is a Class 2 to Class 9 building must ensure that:
- the safety measures in each part of the building are capable of performing to a standard set out in the relevant building standards for the part; and
- the mechanical ventilation, hot water, warm water and cooling water systems are adequately maintained to safeguard people from illness or injury; and
- the building’s services in each part of the building continue to perform to a standard of energy efficiency that is equal to or greater than the standard in the relevant building standards for the part.
Regulation offenders could receive a fine of up to $5,000.
In order to help clients meet this regulation, Philip Chun’s Essential Services team can provide tailored fire safety schedules and contractor maintenance manuals (including a list of safety measures, performance levels and relevant testing parameters applicable to the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards).
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Image courtesy of Barangaroo Delivery Authority |
BCA consulting services for major Sydney Harbour development
Barangaroo's Headland Park, located on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD, will complete the transformation of a sprawling six-hectare Sydney Harbour foreshore park. The park will feature bush walks, grassed areas, tidal rock pools, lookouts, walking and cycle paths, and a new harbour cove and vantage point. It will also include a cultural centre and an underground 300-space car park.
Philip Chun’s role in this major development began in 2010 during the preliminary planning and development phases, where we provided Building Code of Australia (BCA) advice to the design and consulting teams. Following this phase, we issued Crown Certification on behalf of the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
More recently, our role has included regular inspections of works to ensure compliance with BCA and various Australian Standards. Over the next few months, our consulting services will be utilised to ensure occupancy certificates can be issued, prior to the use and occupation of Headland Park, including the public car park.
During the initial design development phase, Philip Chun provided the architectural team with proactive BCA advice, allowing the architects to design differently, with a new perspective. This resulted in Philip Chun supporting various fire engineered alternative solutions in the cultural centre, resulting in large open spaces that will accommodate future cultural events.
See more at: www.barangaroo.com/discover-barangaroo/headland-park
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Image courtesy of Federation University Australia |
Safety certification in regional Victoria
Philip Chun provides annual certification of Essential Safety Measures for Federation University Australia (formerly the University of Ballarat and Monash University Churchill campus), located across regional Victoria.
Our role includes quarterly meetings, site inspections, liaising with contractors and providing ongoing technical advice to operations staff and contractors relating to fire systems, fire engineering and Building Code matters.
Our Essential Services team has had a long association with Federation University Australia, providing building certification for over 14 years.
This long standing partnership is testament to our focus on the client’s needs and their desired outcomes, as well as our commitment to promptly responding to client queries.
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Image courtesy of Lyons/EJE Architecture
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Newcastle uni development receives Access support
NeW Space is a $95 million landmark education precinct under development by the University of Newcastle in the heart of Newcastle's CBD. With more than 10,000 square metres of usable floor space over ten levels, it will offer state-of-the-art facilities for the University’s business and law programs, including collaborative learning and research spaces and a digital library service.
Philip Chun’s involvement with the NeW Space project began in the early design stages and is continuing during the construction of the building. Being engaged from an early stage has allowed our Access team to work with architects in order to provide an inclusive environment for all building users, taking into consideration factors such as way finding and joinery design.
We’ve adopted a best practice approach to the project and have provided recommendations far beyond minimum standards, to ensure the maximum level of accessibility possible.
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Contacts
Melbourne
Sydney
Brisbane
Canberra
Perth
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T: +61 3 9662 2200
T: +61 2 9412 2322
T: +61 7 3839 3499
T: +61 2 6230 7204
T: +61 8 6160 5960
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For more information about how Philip
Chun can support your project or
company please contact:
Michelle Orellana on (02) 9412 2322
or email:
marketing@philipchun.com
www.philipchun.com |
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