A building certifier gets involved during the design of the project and will provide two key deliverables:
Preliminary Building Certification Report: This is a review of the building design in accordance with the Building Code of Australia. Any non-conforming elements of the design will be highlighted in this report for the design consultants to review and incorporate into the design.
The building certifier also joins the project team in design meetings so that if any of the design consultants have questions in relation to Building Code and Compliance issues they can be answered as the design progresses.
Building Approval: This is the approval required to commence construction.
In order for the certifier to provide a building approval they will give the project team a checklist of items that need to be provided. Items that may be included in this checklist include:
Design Documentation ‘For Building Approval’ stage issued by all design consultants. This includes architect, structural engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, hydraulic engineer, etc.
On a typical residential project, the building certifier will want to see:
- Complete architectural plans.
- Complete structural plans by a registered professional Engineer.
- Hydraulic plans that include, roof storm water, water and sanitary design, fire hydrants compliance, fire hose reel compliance.
- Electrical plans that include exits signs, emergency lighting, energy efficiency compliance.
- Mechanical plans that include ventilation designs, kitchen exhaust and smoke ventilation designs if required.
- Fire Engineering Report (if required).
All Form 15s (QLD) / design conformity statements (NSW) associated with the design. These are forms that confirm the design is in accordance with Building Code of Australia and the specific Australian Standards that the design relates to.
Required authority approvals to commence construction. Approvals may include:
- Fire brigade.
- Payment of long service levy.
- Any Build over Asset approvals.
- Plumbing and drainage.
- Compliance permits (ie: infrastructure, civil, landscaping etc).
- Confirmation of any preconditions for construction mentioned in the Development Approval.
