Wesbeam Tall Timber Building Systems and National Construction Code Compliance
The 2019 National Construction Code (NCC) is a performance-based code that provides two pathways or ‘solutions’ to demonstrate compliance. One is a Performance Solution and the second is a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Solution.
NCC Compliance Options Structure
All building solutions must provide documentation to demonstrate compliance with the applicable Compliance Solution. Compliance Solutions can be created that are a combination of both methods. More information can be found in Part A2 of the 2019 NCC.
Wesbeam Tall Timber Building System elements are potentially suitable for use in all Australian Buildings Classes and building heights utilising one or both Compliance Solutions. The degree of suitability should be assessed against a range of factors including capacity to efficiently conform to Australian building standards as defined in the NCC.
The following is an overview of each the NCC Buildings Classes relative to the three Types of fire-resistant construction (A, B or C) that are required subject to a building’s height for Class 2 to 9 buildings and includes a high-level assessment of the applicable Compliance Solution(s):
Class 2 (Multi-residential)
Single Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Three or more storeys:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction for buildings under four stories with a ground level podium carpark
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction as applicable in buildings up to 25m effective height utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height or where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Class 3 (Hotel or similar)
Single Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Three or more storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height
Class 5 (Office)
Single or Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Three Storeys:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Four Storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height
Class 6 (Retail)
Single or Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Three Storeys:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Four Storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height
Class 7 (Carpark or storage)
Single or Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Three Storeys:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Four Storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height
Class 8 (Factory)
Single or Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Three Storeys:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Four Storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height
Class 9 (Public building)
Single Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type C construction
Double Storey:
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type B construction
Three or more storeys (and buildings up to 25m effective height):
- DTS Solution (or Performance Solution) with Type A or B construction utilising Specification A1.1 Fire-Protected Timber as required
- Performance Solution for buildings where expressed timber columns, beams or structural walls are specified
Above 25m Effective Height:
- Performance Solution with Type A construction in buildings above 25m effective height