Building Survey Australian Standards of Assessment

Task : reference file

Roofing and cladding – Tiled roofing

Reference

Subject matter covered

Monier Roofing. n.d. Installation guide.

This is an installation manual that provides technical information on how to install roof tiles. The manual is designed in compliance with both AS 2050 and NZS 4206 guidelines on installing roof tiles. The manual covered the roofing tiles installation process comprehensively from the supporting structure preparation to securing accessories after the tile installation process. In particular, the guide addresses the installation of battens, bedding and pointing, sarking and how to do it for the various parts of the roof, the laying of the tiles, securing them, and lastly securing accessories. In addition to text, the guide provides very details pictorial illustrations and details for the various environmental conditions as well as possible hazards like bush fires.

Bristle roofing. 2017. Concrete roofing tiles: technical manual. Available at https://bbp.style/PUBLIC/products/technical-information/bristileroofing/Concrete/BR-ConcreteRoofTiles-ConcreteRangeTechnicalManual-NAT.pdf [accessed 28 February 2018]

This is a manual on the installation of roofing tiles in line with the Australian Standards AS 4055 and AS 1170.2. This manual is designed to take care of other environmental factors among them wind speed(s), the terrain, cyclone vulnerability, state and local statutes. The manual covers the entire process of installing roofing tiles, which is from determination of the environmental factors prevailing in the area to maintenance of the roofing tiles. The standard specifications in the paper are made for a constant wind speed of 60m/s, at a 6m height from ground level, and the other including storm water are as per AS 3500.1.

CSR Roofing. 2015. CSR ROOFING ARCHITECTURAL MANUAL. Available at https://www.cornellengineers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/csr_roofing_archmanual_s1-s8.pdf [Accessed on 28 February 2018]

This is a company manual provided for architects, builders, and roof installers to ensure that their designs are as per the company requirements for optimum benefits. The manual provides information on how the company’s roofing tiles should be installed for maximized benefits. In particular, the manual covers the benefits the various stakeholders derived from using tiles in roofing, the considerations to make in designing, the various wind categories, terrain categories, the requirements to be meet for fixing roofing tiles, edge technology, and rafter specification to installation. In addition, the manual presents some of the information available from other industry players e.g. Monier and Wunderlich. The manual provided vital information to architects, builders, and roof installers with regard to planning, designing, and installing roofing tiles, particularly in vertical installations. The manual also provided information on how to care for the roof to ensure longevity as well as common maintenance practices to be observed.

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA. 2002. Roofing tiles. Available at https://infostore.saiglobal.com [Accessed on 28 February 2018]

This is the Standard applicable in Australia for the installation of roof tiles. The standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 and the changes applicable are indicated within the documents accordingly. The goal of the Standard is to ensure that roofing tile manufacturers have the design details and performance details for interlocking non-metallic tiles used in roofing industrial, commercial, and domestic buildings. The Standards is a mandatory compliance document that all industry players should and must ensure that their products, designs, and services satisfy the various sections of the Standard. Manufacturers are required to provide to the market roofing tiles that meet a specific pre-defined quality to be used in the Australian market.

Harmony Roofing tiles. 2000. HARMONY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS. Available at http://www.harmonyrooftiles.com.au/assets/docs/harmony-technical-brochure.pdf [Accessed on 28 February 2018]

The document, which is a technical specification for the company’s roofing tiles, covers the vital information required to successful use the products in covering a building’s roof. The document first covers the products and accessories from the company, then the Australian Standards pertaining the products, roof pitch and requirements for the installation of harmony roofing tiles, and consideration to be made for areas with high wind speeds. The other chapters are on preparation of the roof for installation, sarking, then tile and accessory fixing. This manual provides information for the various stakeholders in the construction industry e.g. the masons, plumbers, and carpenters. In addition, the manual provides information on how to install the various types of roofing tiles e.g. shingles, Alpine and, Villa.

Roofing Tile Association of Australia (RTAA). 2011. Guidance note on fixing of concrete and terracotta tiles in regions with wind category rating of C2 and C3. Available at http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/ [Accessed on 28 February 2018]

This is a guidance note by the RTAA issued after the failure of some tile roofing during cyclone that North Queensland. The note indicates revisions of tile manufacturing standards for wind categories C2 and C3 and that all tiles in these areas should not use pointing material even where it is indicated as being the sole product for fixing hip and ridge tiles, and they should instead be fixed with screw or clip, as so is all cut tiles.

Structural element – Timber

Reference

Subject matter covered

Nolan, G.B., 2011. Timber in multi-residential, commercial and industrial building: Recognizing opportunities and constraints, Project report PNA140-0809. Forest Wood Products Australia, Available from :< http://www.fwpa.com.au/rd-and-e/market-access/226-timberin-multi-residential-commercial-and-industrial-building-recognising-opportunities-andconstraints.html> (accessed 18 July 2014).

This is a report that examines the possibility of increasing wood and timber use in building construction with a major focus on class 2 and 9 multi-residential, commercial, and public buildings. The paper covers performance of timber as per standard specifications, accepted standards, and market expectations, building procurement, suppliers of wood products in building construction, the nature of the Australian timber market, and opportunities and constraints of using timber and wood. Lastly, the paper provides recommendations for using timber in structural building.

Australian Standards. 2011. Timber Structures. Part 1: Design Methods. Available at https://vicash.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AS-1720.1-2010-Timber-structures.pdf [Accessed 28 February 2018]

This is an Australian standard that provides limits for state design methods for timber used in structural construction. The limits are set in line with mechanical of structure and research data. The standard provides data for designing sawn timber, pole timber, laminated timber, plywood, laminated veneer, and other types of fastenings. Moreover, the standard provides methods under which components assembled through unconventional design can be tested. Based on the standard, design consideration for structural timber will depend on load, design method, the type of timber being used, and the environmental conditions.

Wood Solutions. n.d. Timber Maintenance. Available at https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/articles/timber-maintenance [Accessed on 28 February 2018]

This is web page that offers technical advice on how to maintain the various aspects of a timber built-structure. One of the most vital areas for a structure built with timber is maintenance a timber is susceptible to decay, attack by termites, high temperature, and other environmental conditions. Based on the information available on the site, the most important practice towards ensuring durability of timber structures is keeping it dry. In addition to keeping the timber dry, periodic inspection is essential for example, inspection for termite attack is required on an annually basis as a Standard requirement under AS3660.

Services – Water heating

Reference

Subject matter covered

sa.gov.au. 2017. Water heater requirements. Government of South Australia. Available at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/energy-efficient-home-design/water-heater-requirements [Accessed 28 February 2018]

This is web page by the South Australian government on water heater requirements that may impact on the type of water heater that can be used in homes. The goals of these requirements are to lower greenhouse gas emissions from water heaters by using low emissions water heaters are installed e.g. solar health pump water heaters and to ensure that shower outlets that are connected to water heaters have efficient shower head or have a flow restrictor. The webpage also provides a resource where users can check the water heater to be installed by selecting on the type of building the water heater will service.

Australian Building Codes Board. 2015. PLUMBING CODE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH REPORT: Warm Water Systems. Australian Government and States and Territories of Australia

This is the plumbing code for water heating system is Australia. It is a report that is based on research information from publications on warm water, regulatory frameworks in existence in states and territories, and information from national construction code. The report presents design for warm water systems, the process of installing warm water systems, maintenance, and a summary of the regulatory framework that governs warm water in the various Australian states and territories.

Office of the Technical Regulator. 2014. Plumbing Advisory Note: New South Australian residential water heater requirement. Government of South Australia.

This is an advisory note that is meant to help people understand the type of water heaters that can be installed in homes. In south Australia, rules on domestic water heaters have been in place since mid-2008, but this advisory note provides a simpler new rule that seeks to help lower energy used and greenhouse gas emission from a household as a result of the water heater installed.

Task 2.

Carport 1

Carport 2

Australian standard for carport construction

Various Australian Standards come into play in the construction of a carport. These include AS 1170.1-1989 and the AS 1170-2 SAA with regard to the metal beams to be used in the structure. These Standards specify the loading Code for the metal beams. Part 1 of the SAA Loading Code AS 1170.1 is an indication of the dead load, live load, and load combination. SAA Code AS 4055 ensures compliance with wind speed for housing structures and Australian Standard AS 4600 which is Code for Cold Formed Steel structures (Australian Building Codes Board 1996). Additionally, AS 2179 and AS 2180 which regulate metal rainwater goods are applicable for the management of the water collected by the roof.

Materials used

Carport 1

Carport 2

Vertical metal beams – these are used to elevate and support the ensure structure and the roofing. Metal beams are perfectly suited for the function because of their strength, durability, and ability to withstand majority of the environmental conditions.

Horizontal metal beams – these are used to form and hold the roofing materials in place. These are also suited for their function because of their strength, durability, and resistance against harsh environmental conditions.

Concrete deck – this serve to create a firm base and ensure smooth use of the structure as compared to earth or wood.

Gutter – gutter helps to collect rain water and ensure it is drained away from the structure. The gutter is a suitable element of the carport for it helps in the management of rain runoff water.

Downpipe – a circular downpipe is connected to the gutter which helps to drain rain runoff water from the roof to the grow level.

Vertical metal beams – these are used for the support and elevations. The use of metal beams is suited for the function of the structure as they provide strength and integrity against lower pressure e.g. pressing with an automobile.

Horizontal wooden beams – these are used to carry and form the frame of the roof. Even though they are functional, they are not suited for the task as metal beams would have been better suited.

Concrete deck – this form the base of the structure, carries the entire structure, and ensures suited usability and easy maintenance e.g. cleaning.

Downpipe – this helps to drain rain water collected by the roof. The downpipe is well placed – against one of the vertical metal beams – and its best suited in management of storm water collected by the roof.

Stability against wind

The roofing materials, iron sheet, are fitted to the wooden parts of the roof using standard nails. The wooden parts of the roof are then attached to the metal support beams using screws. The downpipes are attached to the corresponding support structure (the brick wall in carport 1 and the vertical metal beam in carport 2) using metal straps. The firm fittings ensure the structure is stable for winds up at 60m/s speeds (Ching 2014). In addition, the use of four-rectangular support-vertical metal beams serve to increase the stability of the structure to withstand the average wind speeds.

Storm water management

AS/NZS 3500.3:2015 on plumbing and drainage requires that storm water be carried to the level of street water then it should be connected to an established storm water easement of it should be captured and directed in to rainwater storage tanks. In case the latter is the law as per state or territory, then the overflow is to be directed into storm water drainage systems (Water 2005). The standard requires that storm water should not be directed into neighborhoods.

In the above two carports scenarios, the rainwater runoff from the roof has been captured and brought to the street level using downpipes. The rainwater runoff is then directed to storm water runway for the rest of the compound.

Fire safety

The Standard Building Regulation (SBR) 1993 and the Building Code for Australia (BCA) provide regulations on carports with regards to the risk of fire. According to Section 3.7.1.6 (d) of BCA volume 2, a carport should be open – at least two sides – and not less than a third of the perimeter should be open (City of Botany Bay 2013). In addition, BCA requires that these concessions typically apply for carports situated between a house and a house. NOTE: a carport is a class 10 structure while a residential house is a class 1; the various applicable fire safety requirements are significantly divergent.

For the two case scenarios, the concessions required has been meet as at least two sides for both of the carports are open. Moreover, the two carports have if any, very minimal fire load, in the event the carport catches fire. However, for both cases, there is no separation between the carport and the house, which puts the house at risk in case the carport catches fire.

Task 3

Relevant Australian Standard

AS 2870-2011 establishes specific designs and performance requirements for the common conditions in foundation and provides guidelines for the designing of footing systems based on principles of engineering.

AS 1170.2:2002 which provides designers with wind actions for use in the designing of building structures in areas with high wind speed, and requires more dynamic response in more sensitive areas.

Other Australian Standards applicable include;

AS 3000 – 2007, standard which provides new rules on wiring for electrical work in a structure. The current design is for a residential house which is obviously to the wired for electricity use.

AS 1684 – this standard regulates timber framing. According to the designs, window and sliding frames as well as the garage door will be made of timber, thus this standard is applicable.

AS 2870 regulates residential footings and slabs.

AS 2870-1993 which regulates geotechnical investigations of the site.

AS 3500 covers plumbing and drainage (Foliente 2000).

Building materials for Melbourne

Reinforced concrete

Concrete is suited for use in flooring and slab construction because it is a firm product that is not compromised by moisture in the long term. A mixture of gravel, sand, and bounded with cement and water, it is highly durable.

Concrete promotes the structural integrity of the building by preventing any crack.

Metal beams

These will be used in roofing underlay. They are suited for the job because they are firm and able to withstand the high wind speed

Metal beams serve to improve and guarantee the structural integrity of the building by not breaking in high winds.

Timber

Timber will be used in making fascia boards, in the roof underlay, window and door frames. Wood is light as compared to metal and it provides visual aesthetics as compared to plastic.

Timber, when adequately fixed with screws, bolts, and metal straps whenever appropriate, it makes the structure firm whole at the same time helping to reduce the load weight resting on the foundation.

BCA vol. 2 section 3.7.1.6 requires that storm water be captured, bright to the street level, and directed to the general flow of the storm water for the area. In the Melbourne area, the law requires that storm water be managed through the water sensitive urban design. This will be done by harvesting storm water as one of the options available, and the overflow directed into the council’s storm water management systems (Roy et al. 2008; Maheepala and Blackmore 2008).

To withstand the rather reactive category M clay soil, basement walls will the strengthened with steel-reinforced concrete columns placed at the corners and at the mid-section of the wall.

The basement will have water removal system as well as a system to prevent water from entering. Below the basement flow, there will be drainage tubing done to remove any water from the basement. However, focus will be in preventing water from entering through waterproofing strategies. These will include floor edging, installing 6 mm polythene below the concrete flow, and application of a waterproofing coat on the interior of the basement.

Electricity requires the installation of an effective wiring system, a mater, and bulbs. Gas and water require plumbing services to install the required pipes and to connect to the supply system provided by the authorities, i.e. water and natural gas respectively. Heating and cooling system will require the installation of a mechanical Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system.

Fire safety aspects to be considered include fire prevention and firefighting aspects. The structure should be built with non-inflammable materials and in case there is a fire; the building should be effectively designed to ensure the fire is extinguished before it can spread.