Introduction
This course provides guidance and understanding of National Construction Code (NCC) requirements and associated design principles relevant to the design of buildings in designated bushfire prone areas and covers content in the 2019 (current) version of the NCC.
Course outline
Australia contains some of the most bushfire prone land in the world and concern over loss of life and property led to the development of bushfire provisions in the NCC.
This one hour course consists of 4 chapters which cover:
- Bushfire behaviour.
- Mechanisms of bushfire attack on buildings.
- Principles for assessment of the bushfire attack level (BAL).
- General and specific construction requirements.
- Relevant NCC Performance Solutions and Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) solutions
- An overview of AS 3959:2018.
- Wider considerations for design in bushfire prone areas.
Who should take this course?
The course has been prepared for design practitioners including architects, building designers and other specialist practitioners.
The course may also serve as general introduction for other building practitioners including engineers, project managers responsible for coordination of design and stakeholders participating in the design of buildings in designated bushfire prone areas.
Are there any pre-requisites?
Practitioners taking part in the course should have some prior knowledge, understanding and experience in the practical application of the NCC in their field.
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
- Describe the principles of bushfire behaviour and how it impacts design.
- Explain the NCC bushfire provisions in Volumes One and Two.
- Outline the steps in the bushfire Verification Methods to develop Performance Solutions for bushfire protection.
- Determine a BAL using Method 1 of AS 3959:2018 and select required construction.
- Recognise how designs for bushfire construction impact on vegetation and condensation management in buildings.
AIA Refuel Recognition
This one hour course has been recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects as Formal CPD through its Refuel CPD Program. CPD enhances the professional knowledge and personal skills needed for the advancement of architecture, building design, society and the environment.
The content for this online CPD course has been developed by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) in consultation with industry, government and subject matter experts. The subject areas explore topics, industry issues, and challenges found in the Building Confidence Report. Experts from relevant disciplines have contributed to developing the course content and supporting materials, to ensure NCC CPD courses are practical and relevant to your everyday work. The courses support and supplement other CPD courses provided by industry, government, and existing accreditation schemes.
This course meets the following competencies as defined by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA):
- Design 3.3 – Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues.
- Design 3.4 – Design response incorporates assessment of relevant legislation, codes and industry standards.
- Documentation 5.3 – Evaluation and integration of regulatory requirements.
