15615 Advanced Building Regulation

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Institute for Public Policy and Governance
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 15612 Building Regulation OR 49462 Building Regulation
Anti-requisite(s): 49465 Advanced Building Regulation

Recommended studies:

15612 Building Regulation

Description

This subject deals with building regulation requirements and performance-based solutions for Class 2-9 buildings under the Building Code of Australia and NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and introduces the concept of fire safety engineering. It covers multiple dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings, and provides guidance on up-to-date theory and practice in assessment. Because the subject deals with more complex buildings and issues, students should have substantial experience in building regulation. To enable professionals involved in development control to successfully carry out their duties they must have knowledge of the technical requirements that apply to the erection of buildings. The building regulations are an integral part of the approval process and an understanding of these technical requirements is essential.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theory and practice of building regulation in NSW
2.	Demonstrate a clear understanding of the format of the Building Code of Australia
3.	Research, interpret and apply planning instruments and the Building Code of Australia for the regulation of large and complex buildings
4.	Have increased awareness and knowledge of streetscape and urban design issues involved in building regulation
5.	Appreciate the differences between performance-based and deemed-to-satisfy solutions and the requirements for fire resistance, access and egress, and fire services and equipment.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Ability to present, and invite feedback on, complex arguments and ideas (C.1)
Ability (to apply urban design principles) to develop creative merits based on solutions for the built and natural environment (I.2)
Ability to locate and understand the legislation and regulation relevant to the built and natural environment (P.2)
Ability to use evidence-based research to support and develop coherent and logically structured arguments that underpin decisions. (R.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject comprises intensive workshops run in block mode with two blocks over five days in total. Face-to-face classes incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures and peer-to-peer learning through in-class groups to encourage collegial discussion, interactive presentations, relevant and complex cases studies, expert guest practitioners, scenarios and facilitated workshops with ongoing formative feedback. The sessions are designed to increase knowledge building, provoke participatory discussions and encourage critical thinking. Pre-reading links and materials will be posted online prior to the course. The evaluative summative assessments enable the teaching staff to make administrative decisions about the effectiveness of the teaching sessions and the ability for students to achieve the learning outcomes.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided during the learning process along with group discussion, case studies and group work utilising a range of simple to complex plans furthering engagement in inquiry and the exploration of different perspectives. Because of the complexity of the BCA and what is required in this subject, the ongoing feedback gives students the opportunity to improve their questioning, research and building evaluation skills at every step of the process. Summative feedback is provided with all assessed work and is published along with indicative grades on Canvas.

Content (topics)

Over the five days the course will cover:

Module 1: Introducing the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

Background to the development of the Building Code of Australia
The concept of performance-based regulations
The difference between a Performance Solution and a Deemed to Satisfy Solution
Background to the development of fire safety engineering

Module 2: Format of the BCA Volume 1

Format, language and clause structure of BCA Volume 1
Further information on Performance Solutions and DTS Solutions
Differences between Sections, Parts, Clauses and Specifications within BCA volume 1;
Performance requirements and DTS Provisions

Module 3: General Provisions and Structure

The concept of acceptance of design and construction
Section A and Section B of the BCA
Uses of buildings
The15 separate BCA building classifications
Multiple building classification procedures

Module 4: Fire Resistance

The BCA performance requirements for fire resisting construction
The fire resistance requirements for a building using the DTS provisions in Section C

Module 5: Access and Egress

Performance requirements for egress from buildings
Specific terms relating to access and egress such as “travel distance” and “exit”
Determining the number of persons accommodated in a building
Assessing a plan and determining the egress requirements

Module 6: Services and Equipment

Concepts for services and equipment
The requirements of Section E of the BCA and their relevance deemed to satisfy Australian Standards
When fire-fighting equipment is required in a building using the deemed-to-satisfy provisions
Determining where exit signs and emergency lighting may be required in a building where the deemed-to-satisfy provisions are used.

Module 7: Health, Amenity and Ancillary Provisions

Technical requirements of Sections F and G of the Building Code of Australia 2014 Volume 1 (BCA)
Damp and weatherproofing
Sanitary and other facilities
Room heights
Light and ventilation
Noise transmission and insulation.

Module 8: Essential Fire Safety Measures

The requirements in NSW for the initial certificate and subsequent statements under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (Planning Act).
Issuing orders
Certifications issues

Module 9: Entertainment Venues

Background and relevant legislation pertaining to entertainment venues (theatres, stages and public halls)
Fire resistance and stability
Access and egress
Services and equipment
Health and amenity
Special use buildings

Module 10: Fire Safety Engineering and Fire Safety Upgrading

Fire engineering guidelines
International fire engineering guidelines
Fire safety upgrading
Promoting the safety of persons in the event of fire
Prevent the occurrence of fire
Prevent the spread of fire
Suppress fire

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Short Answer Questions on the applications of the provisions of the Building Code of Australia

Intent:

Students will be expected to demonstrate clear understanding of the relevant sections of the Building Code of Australia by providing examples, citing relevant clauses and being able to explain the process leading to their conclusion and answers. Each question deals with compliance so students must ensure they satisfy those provisions outlined in the BCA.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

I.2, P.2 and R.1

Type:

Report

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Students demonstrate a thorough understanding of the relevant legislation applicable to roles in the built and natural environment where to locate legislation	50	1	P.2
Students demonstrate the capacity to research, interpret and make informed decisions involving complex legislation pertaining to all aspects of fire safety and building upgrades.	20	3	R.1
Students have the ability to apply performance requirements and utilise evidenced based research in all aspects of legislation pertaining to fire safety.	30	5	I.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Inspection of an existing building and preparation of a full fire safety report with recommendations on a fire safety order and required upgrading of the building

Intent:

Students will be expected to demonstrate that they can determine the correct responses to a range of fire safety requirements of an existing building and compile a full safety report citing relevant clauses from Section D and E in the Building Code of Australia. Students need to provide the rationale behind their answers to support their recommendations on a fire safety order and a required building upgrade.