Sets out the requirements for the classification of a site and the design and construction of a footing system for a single dwelling house, town house or the like which may be detached or separated by a party wall or common wall but not situated vertically above or below another dwelling. The Standard may also apply to other forms of construction including some light commercial and institutional buildings if they are similar to houses in size, loading and superstructure flexibility. The footing systems for which designs are given include slab-on ground, stiffened rafts, waffle rafts, strip footings, pad footings and pitted footings. The designs in This Standard do not apply to industrial buildings.

This Standard sets out the requirements for the classification of a site and the design and construction of a footing system for a single dwelling house, townhouse or the like which may be detached or separated by a party wall or common wall, but not situated vertically above or below another dwelling. Such houses include buildings classified as Class 1 and 10a under the Building Code of Australia.The Standard may also apply to other forms of construction including some light industrial, commercial and institutional buildings if they are similar to houses in size, loading and superstructure flexibility. The footing systems for which designs are given include slab-on-ground, stiffened rafts, waffle rafts, strip footings, pad footings and piled footings. This Standard gives no advice on detailing of the connection of superstructures to the footing systems for wind loads or earthquake loads.This Standard shall not be interpreted so as to prevent the use of materials or methods of design not referred to herein. Specifically, this Standard shall not be used to prevent the use of locally proven designs, or alternative designs in accordance with engineering principles.NOTE: This Standard does not include design details for Class P sites. Some advisory material is included in the commentary.The Standard requires that all sites shall be classified in accordance with Section 2 and that footing system designs shall be prepared either by prescribing a standard design in accordance with Section 3, or by the engineering principles described in Section 4. In either case, all construction shall comply with Sections 5 and 6.Residential footing system design and construction shall comply with AS 3600 except that, where in conflict, this Standard shall take precedence.NOTE: The functions of the various parties involved in the design and construction of residential slabs and footings are normally as described in Appendix A.

First published as AS 2870-1986.
Revised and redesignated AS 2870.1-1988 and AS 2870.2-1990.
Revised, amalgamated and redesignated AS 2870-1996.