Construction Standards

This is the role of industry Standards. Standards are documents which codify technical requirements and best practices. Generally, Standards are produced by technical committees made up of relevant industry stakeholders and other bodies of expertise. The goal of these committees is to reach a consensus on the content to be included in Standards documents. Standards are not government documents or legislation, though government bodies may be involved in the consultation process and, in many cases, the content of industry Standards has been used as the basis for legislation. 

Standards in the construction industry - as in other industries - cater to specific purposes and techniques. For instance, Standard AS 1657:2018 covers platforms, walkways and ladders, while AS 3959:2018 covers construction in bushfire-prone areas. Standards may be domestically-focused (such as the AS Standards listed), but ISO Standards for building construction are intended for global use.

What is the Purpose of Construction Standards?

The purpose of Standards is to provide one central touchpoint for industry members when it comes to the techniques and concepts behind the work that they perform. The construction industry performs work which is often highly technical, challenging, and embedded with certain risks. These risks may be to the health of workers, the community, or the environment. Construction industry Standards seek to provide guidelines which remove such risks. 

Construction Standards are niche documents relating to specific practices within an industry. They include areas such as how a building is accessed, how wind should be considered during construction, and the use of piping in refineries and production facilities. Standards are not broadly-applicable techniques, they are used to prevent specific issues from occurring.

Standards are not designed as legislation and they are not enforced by law. However, Standards are referenced within the law and, in this way, influence legislation. For example, the National Construction Code sets out minimum requirements for construction of buildings, including design, materials, and sustainability. The code itself references construction Standards as a means for the industry to achieve these minimum legal requirements.

Different Types of Construction Standards

Read on for examples of some common Standards. View the full Australian Standards construction list here.

Design for access and mobility General requirements for access - New building work (AS 1428.1:2021) 

Standard AS 1428.1:2021 provides construction considerations and technical procedures for building designers with regards to disability access. The National Construction Code and Disability Standards (Access to Premises: Buildings) provide minimum requirements for building access for people with disabilities. Standard AS 1428.1:2021 is a reference text to aid in compliance with these codes. 

This Standard includes specific guidance with regards to the height and width of access paths, construction tolerances, materials, and the use of symbols to indicate points of access. The document is designed to be used as a reference for a range of construction industry stakeholders, including architects, property owners, and regulators.

Fixed Platforms, Walkways Standard (AS 1657:2018)

This Standard (AS 1657:2018) refers to platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders, providing requirements for their design, construction, and installation. This Standard is intended to be used by operating, inspection, maintenance, and servicing personnel who use these structures for building access. In the absence of specific Standards, this document is also applicable to those accessing wind turbine towers, telecommunications towers, and sewage facilities. This is a revision of a previous version of the Standard (AS 1657:2013), which was revised to provide greater clarity.

The content of this Standard covers topics such as means of access (including how to make a selection), design and fabrication (covering materials and general design requirements) and platforms (including load capacity, guard rails and safety below platforms).

Structural design actions Wind actions (AS/NZS 1170.2:2021)

The purpose of Standard AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 is to provide guidance for structures which may be affected by wind, and is part of a broader series of Standards dealing with adverse weather. The Standard covers a range of different wind scenarios, ranging from mild to severe. This can include weather events such as cyclones. This Standard provides recommendations for different structure types, including lowrise, highrise, and variously shaped buildings. 

Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS 3959:2018) 

Buildings in bushfire-prone areas require specific construction considerations to be safe. Standard AS 3959:2018 provides requirements for buildings in these areas, including resistance to burning embers, flame contact, and radiant heat. It is not a guarantee of bushfire resistance, but rather a collection of best practices which can help to reduce risks. The Standard also makes note of other considerations that are not specifically covered here, such as fencing and perimeter protection.

Specifically, this Standard covers topics such as determining the likelihood of bushfires, glazing, roof construction, wall materials, and the unique considerations of different building heights. The Standard breaks down these considerations based on the likelihood of the building being exposed to bushfires.

Concrete Structures Standard (AS 3600:2018)

The concrete structures Standard AS 3600:2018 sets out requirements for buildings made of concrete and concrete that contains reinforcing steel or tendons. The Standard covers areas such as earthquake resistance, strength tests, strength Standards for steel reinforcement and fire-related considerations. This revision of the previous AS 3600:2009 includes a greater level of detail with regards to material quality testing and areas of concern such shrinkage, creep, and deflections.

Managing Your Construction Standards

Standards are living documents. Legal requirements can change, while advancements in techniques, technology, and working conditions may also shift over time. Keeping your Standards current and up to date is vital to ensure that the greatest care is taken for employees and the community. Intertek Inform offers a powerful, cloud-based system of Standards Management which collates Standards, provides the most recent version, and allows easy access to over 1.6 million Standards.

Secure the Standard For you Today!

Building and construction is a heavily regulated industry. To successfully navigate its requirements, keep employees safe and care for the community, it's important to have access to the breadth of construction Standards. Whatever your work requires, you'll find a corresponding industry Standard on Intertek Inform.

If you have any further questions about construction Standards or wish to make a sales enquiry, please get in contact with our friendly team today.