Do you need help linking Performance Requirements with solutions in the National Construction Code (NCC)? Is there an alternative solution to using the DtS Provisions? Do you know which Performance Requirements have a Verification Method? If you need answers to these questions, then this newly released document, ‘Developing a solution using the NCC’ can help you.

The NCC contains both Performance Solutions and Prescriptive Solutions. Based on using either of these approaches, ‘Developing a solution using the NCC’, identifies the three key elements to develop a solution, and is supplemented with three quick reference tables, one for each volume of the NCC.

The three key steps in developing a solution involve:

– Performance Requirements
– Developing the solution
– Documenting your solution with supporting material

The structure of the quick reference tables allow the relationship between the Part or Section in the NCC with the relevant Performance Requirements and the associated Performance Solution (Verification Methods) and Prescriptive Solution (DtS Provisions) contained within the NCC. Regardless of which solution you develop, you have a choice in how to approach it. Performance or Prescriptive, the choice is yours!

Weatherproofing example
As an example of using the document, let’s consider weatherproofing of new homes. NCC Volume Two contains the requirements for new homes.

1. THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
To identify the relevant Performance Requirement, you’d simply find the ‘Damp & Weatherproofing’ title and read across the row to the Performance Requirement column. The relevant Performance Requirement is P2.2.2 (see image 1).
The two remaining columns for that row identify solutions contained within the NCC. For weatherproofing, there is both a Performance Solution and Prescriptive Solution available in the NCC. Remember, that regardless of whether or not the NCC contains a Performance Solution, a Performance Solution may be developed using another Assessment Method (see Part 1 of NCC Volume Two).

2. DEVELOPING THE SOLUTION… IT’S YOUR CHOICE!
The Performance Solution is identified as a Verification Method which partially addresses the Performance Requirement, V2.2.1. As the Verification Method only partially addresses the Performance Requirement, another type of Performance Solution or a partial Prescriptive Solution will be needed to fully meet the Performance Requirement. The NCC contains the full Verification Method including limitations for its use.

In addition, when developing a Performance Solution, the table’s introduction also identifies that other elements from Part 1.0 of NCC Volume Two must be considered. This process identifies the impact of the solution on the Performance Requirements for other elements of the home.
The Prescriptive Solution is identified as a number of Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions contained within the NCC. These provisions are 3.3.4, 3.5.1, 3.5.3, 3.6 and 3.8.1. (see image 2). Like the Performance Solution, the NCC contains the full details of the provisions, including their application and any limitations to their use.
By satisfying these Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, the Performance Requirement, P2.2.2 would be met.3. DEVELOPING YOUR SOLUTION WITH SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Regardless of which solution you have chosen, evidence of satisfying the Performance Requirements is needed. Part 1.0 and Section A assist in identifying how this can be approached.

‘Developing a solution using the NCC’ can be used by all NCC users, regardless of experience to assist you in becoming more
familiar with the relationship between the Performance Requirements and the Performance and Prescriptive Solutions in the NCC. It is now available from the ABCB website.