Clause 3.7.5.5 – Installation of smoke alarms is a new clause that has been introduced to the residential Fire Safety provisions of the 2019 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA 2019), Volume Two of the National Construction Code. Clause 3.7.5.5 Installation of smoke alarms Smoke alarms required by 3.7.5.3 and 3.7.5.4 must be installed on or near the ceiling, in accordance with the...

On 17 February 2020, Standards Australia and the Commonwealth Government announced they will make AS 3959:2018 - Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas accessible to all Australians at no cost to the public until 30 June 2021. AS 3959:2018 provides guidance to professionals in the building and construction industry and is primarily concerned with improving the ability of buildings in...

Did you know that a pool gate must open away from the swimming pool area and that pool gate hinges need to be installed at certain locations and meet the relevant Australian Standard? Statistically, pool gates are considered to be a high-risk area and are largely identified as being the most common: entry point for young children that drown in pools; and element of non-compliance picked up during...

The Building Commissioner is warning consumers about a company that is entering into home building contracts without a current and valid home indemnity insurance (HII) policy, putting WA home buyers at risk. Building Commissioner Kristin Berger is investigating claims that registered building contractor Western Australian Construction Pty Ltd (BC102149) , despite its eligibility for HII being...