Understanding the NCC 2022 Changes

Key amendments associated with windows and doors include the following:

Effective 1 May 2023*

• Installation of windows and doors
• Glazing of windows and doors

Effective 1 October 2023*

• Livable Housing Australia silver level for accessibility including:
  • Clear openings for doorways
  • At least one step-free threshold to enter the home
• Increased energy efficiency requirements
• Condensation management requirements

The Livable Housing Australia provisions are based in principle on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (silver level). As part of the ABCB’s conversion of the guideline to the NCC provision, minor adjustments have been made to ensure requirements are prescriptive and consistent with other sections of the NCC.

* There are state based variations to the adoption dates, visit the ABCB for the latest transition arrangements.

Clause 2.1 and 3.1 – Livable Housing Design
Mandated clear opening width for entrance doors and internal doors.

A minimum clear opening of 820mm wide is required for at least one external doorway (designated entrance door which is used in conjunction with the step-free access path), as well as internal doorways on ground floor or split level ground floors to designated room types. Therefore, when a hinged door is opened to its maximum, there must be a clearance of at least 820mm wide, excluding the door handle.

As a result, 820mm wide doors will no longer be suitable for use in these instances. An 870mm wide door will achieve the minimum clear opening for internal applications and a 920mm wide door will achieve the minimum clear opening for external applications, subject to the doors stops and hinges used.

Sliding doors, bi-fold doors and other types of doors can be considered as an entrance door to the dwelling provided that the door connects to the continuous step free access path to the dwelling. Double doors, bi-fold doors, stacking doors, multiple sliding door panels and other types of hinged doors can use a smaller leaf provided that the overall clear opening when fully opened is not less than 820mm.

In February 2019, the COAG Energy Council (state and territory energy ministers) met and agreed on a forward program for increases to the NCC energy efficiency provisions over the next decade and beyond.

For Class 1 and Class 2 buildings, the agreed trajectory recommends a significant increase in stringency for NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 and further increases every three years until a target of ‘zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings’ is achieved.

For Class 1 buildings the changes pertaining to energy efficiency include:

• A seven star rating requirement for the building fabric.
• A significant re-write of the DTS provisions, set at a seven star equivalent.
• Introducing new requirements for thermal bridging of steel framing.
• New whole of house provisions, including other elements of the home such as solar power, lighting and heating / cooling appliances.

Work is believed to be underway to upgrade energy rating tools that currently assess the building fabric only (e.g. Accurate, First Rate5, BERS Pro and HERO) to reflect these updates.

With the energy-efficiency provisions in the NCC ramping up and buildings being more tightly sealed with less ability to breathe, condensation has become a real concern.

NCC 2019 introduced requirements for vapour permeable membranes in certain climates, mandatory ducting and/or roof space ventilation and a new condensation risk management Verification Method.

For NCC 2022 the more substantive measures include:

• Changes to wall sarking requirements to more vapour permeable type equivalent to Class 3 or Class 4 membrane.
• Ventilation roof spaces – including providing air spaces for roofs, changes to  roof sarking installation and roof sarking vapour permeability requirements, and additional roof space ventilation via installation of whirlybirds, ridge or eave vents or similar.
• Exhaust systems changes including:
  • Minimum flow rate for exhaust fans.
  • Mandatory exhaust and ducting for rangehoods.
  • No recirculating rangehoods permitted.
  • Bathrooms not naturally ventilated have exhausts with 10-minute run-off timer.