Changes in the National Construction Code (NCC) have produced new provisions relating to waterproofing wet areas, particularly as they relate to residential applications.
KBDi, Australia’s kitchen and bathroom authority, shares an overview of the defining terms of the new ABCB Housing Provisions standard.
The National Construction Code (NCC) Volume 2 sets out the following ‘Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions’ for Class 1 dwellings:
Compliance with AS 3740 or Part 10.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions satisfies Performance Requirement H4P1 for wet areas, provided the wet areas are protected in accordance with the appropriate requirements of 10.2.1 to 10.2.6 and 10.2.12 of the ABCB Housing Provisions.
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The ABCB Housing Provisions determines that building elements in wet areas within a building must be protected with a waterproofing system. This system must be either waterproof or water-resistant in accordance with clauses 10.2.2 to 10.2.6.
Note for SA Members South Australia has state variations related to the opening clause (10.2.1 Wet Areas). Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office to learn more.
What’s the difference between ‘waterproof’ and ‘water resistant’?
Waterproof means the property of a material that does not allow moisture to penetrate through it. The following materials used in waterproofing systems are deemed to be waterproof:
Water Resistant means the property of a system or material that restricts moisture movement and will not degrade under conditions of moisture.
Typically, a wet area surface will consist of a water-resistant surface installed over a water-resistant substrate. Types of water-resistant substrates include:
WALLS
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FLOORS
Water-resistant surface materials include:
WALLS
FLOORS (when used in conjunction with a substrate listed above)
Prior to the NCC 2022 update, the Code indicated that shower walls should be water-resistant. It should be noted that the revisions now stipulate that the shower area walls must be waterproof not less than 1800 mm above the floor substrate.
With respect to Shower Areas, the Housing Provisions document sets out the following.
For a shower area with a hob, step-down or level threshold, the following applies:
A shower with a preformed shower base must comply with (b) to (e) above.
Where a shower is located above a bath or spa, the requirements for a shower should be used.
For more information, visit kbdimembers.com.au
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