building 1 Flashcards
orientation
Passive solar designers generally try to orient their buildings towards the equators, that is, to have them face north in the southern hemisphere, and south in the northern hemisphere.
Thermal mass
- Thermal Mass: Is the ability of a material to store heat and is a function of its specific heat and density. Heavy, dense, materials, like stone, concrete, brick or earth walls, store a lot of heat while light materials such as timber, fibro or plasterboard store little heat.
Building envelope and fenestration
The shape, fabric and dimensions of a building can have a dramatic effect on its thermal performance and that of adjacent buildings. Light colours reflect heat whereas dark colours absorb energy. In a climate with hot summers, light coloured roofs and walls can be used to enhance solar effectiveness. Glass can be used to trap heat.
Ventilation and Zoning
In hot climates, especially hot/humid climates, ventilations is critical to performance in summer whereas zoning is critical in winter. Cross ventilation to collect the prevailing breezes allows for evaporative cooling of interiors. Relatively straight line cross flows through a building are desirable for cooling and to prevent stale air pockets.
Insulation
Reduces heat flow through a building component such as a wall floor or roof. Types of ventilation include:
Bulk insulation- fibreglass, rock wool, treated paper pulp, wool, cotton wadding or expanded plastic.
Reflective insulation- foil or sarking
Landscaping
Integral part of passive solar design, for example the use of deciduous trees on the north side of a building for shade in summer while allowing the sun in during winter
Contracts, liabilities and insurances NSW
• In general, any job with labour costs over $200 must have a written contract
• The contract must show the following
The date it was signed by both the builder and the customer
The names of the builder and the customer
The contractor’s license details
A sufficient description of the works, including any plans and specifications
Any relevant warranties that are required by the Home Building ACT
Licensing
Department of Fair-trading licences all building, trade and specialist contractors working in the NSW home building industry. Individual
contractors gain a Contractor’s Licence from DFT if they show that they are fit and proper persons, they have appropriate
technical qualifications or experience and the ability and capacity to carry out contracts for which the licence is required.
Performing residential building or specialist work without an appropriate licence is against the law and carries heavy
penalties.
The Home Building Act 1989 (NSW)
Is the law that regulates the home building industry in NSW. Some of the more important provisions of the Act are:
• all building and trade contractors doing residential building work must be licenced to practise their trade
• licensing criteria include having technical competence and being a fit and proper person or otherwise of good
character
• all residential jobs worth over $200 in labour costs must have a written contract that contains certain provisions,
including the statutory warranties
• the builder or tradesperson must take out home warranty insurance if the value of the contract is more than
$12,000. The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act has been amended to ensure that commencement
of work may be refused until the Principal Certifying Authority is satisfied that home warranty insurance has
been taken out.
• a number of private insurance companies have been approved to provide home warranty insurance, and these
companies are responsible for handling claims from consumers
• the Fair Trading Tribunal has an increased role in resolving disputes, following recent legislative amendments
Insurance
The home building industry involves relatively high levels of risk, including the risks of defective or incomplete building
work, damage to materials and property, and injury to people. One of your most important responsibilities as a building
contractor or tradesperson is to arrange appropriate and adequate insurance against the various risks, and for it to be in
place before signing any contract and before starting any building work. During the course of building, builders are usually
liable for any loss or damage to property or injury to any person if the damage or injury was caused by the negligent act
or omission of the builder, the builder’s employees or sub-contractors.
Types of insurance
- Home warranty Insurance
- Builders all risk Insurance
- Public Liability Insurance
- Workers compensation Cover
Home Warranty Insurance
The DFT no longer operates any home warranty insurance scheme. Instead, home warranty is now provided by approved
private insurance companies. All builders and tradespeople need to take out home warranty insurance from an approved
private insurer for any residential building work if:
• the work requires a licence and/or
• the work costs over $12,000
Builders all-risk insurance
This type of insurance covers the builder or tradesperson against loss of or damage to work and materials, whether onsite or in storage. It should include:
• building tools
• amount of excess paid
• cover in case of “act of God”, such as flood and wind
Public liability insurance
Covers the builder or tradesperson when a member of the public (including customer and family) is injured as a result of
the building work and sues the builder or tradesperson. If this cover is not sought, the builder or tradesperson could be
personally liable for compensation for any injuries caused to others as a result of the building work
Workers compensation cover
In general, all employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. . It covers work-related personal injury to employees, including the period of travelling to and
from work. Failure to take out this cover could result in fines exceeding $20,000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment. In
addition, the builder or tradesperson could also be personally liable for an employee’s medical fees and any
compensation.
3 ways to sort a dispute between contractor and customer
- Role of the NSW Civil Administration Tribunal (ex Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT))
- Fair Trading obligations for builders
- Building Professionals Board of NSW
Importance of DAs
The development application allows the council to determine whether your project will adhere to local and state
building requirements,
• Consider your project environmental impact and
• Ensure that your project won’t be a nuisance to immediate neighbours or other nearby properties.
To get development consent you must lodge a DA.
Depending on the scope of your proposed development there are different requirements for different categories:
- Small scale residential
- small scale commercial
- small bars
- street art
small scale residential
The form for small-scale residential developments can be used for:
• alterations and additions to existing dwellings (less than 3 storeys)
• single new dwellings (less than 3 storeys)
• dual occupancy dwellings
• granny flats
• garages and carports
• ancillary outbuildings
minor alterations to residential units that do not add height or floor space.
Small scale commercial
The form for small scale commercial developments can be used for:
• commercial office fit-outs
• changes to commercial shopfronts
• signage and advertising structures.
This form cannot be used for excavation, residential properties, licensed premises, restricted premises or changes of use
where operating hours are after 10pm.
Small bars
To reactivate parts of the city centre, and to build a diverse, eclectic and unique night time culture, the City of Sydney
encourages a varied mix of venues such as small bars.
Before you can open a small bar, you must first find out if development consent is needed for the proposed premises. If
consent is not required because there is an existing development approval and there are no changes required to the
conditions of consent, you can apply for a liquor licence directly with Liquor & Gaming NSW.
However, if development consent is required for the premises, you will need to lodge a development application (DA)
Street Art
The artistic and social value of street art is recognised by the City. It is a highly accessible form with increasing
acceptance in public areas. Museums around the world exhibit street art.
We support creative practices and aim to make creativity visible and accessible. Street art is a visible and accessible art
form and we support lawfully created works in appropriate locations.
Supporting information required for DAs:
• Completed DA form
• Owner’s consent: You will need to include verified consent from all registered owners of the property.
• Description of proposed development: You must include a detailed description of what you intend to build, renovate or
demolish.
• Estimated cost of works: The development application fee is based on the estimated cost of development, so you must
include this information in your application. In some cases, a cost summary report must be prepared by a
suitably qualified person such as a licensed builder or registered architect.
• Plans and sketches: You’ll likely need to prepare a number of scaled drawings for your proposed development,
including a site or floor plan showing where you intend to build and plans showing where the site is in relation to
any adjoining premises.
• Environmental impact statement: Depending on the type of building work you intend to carry out, you may need to
include an environmental impact statement, which will look at the expected impact of your proposed
development on the environment, adjoining premises or the public.
Required fees: The required fees will vary depending on the type of work you intend to carry out. If you’re not sure what
fees you’ll need to pay, you’ll likely be able to find a schedule of fees and charges on your local council website or contact
the council directly for specific information.
• The design and construction of buildings in Australia is governed by legislation and regulation at the 3 levels of government-
federal, state and local.
The benefits of controlling building development
through regulation include the promotion of:
Public health and safety • Social equity • Consistency • Amenity • Economic benefit • Environmental protection
Local environmental plans (commonly referred to as LEPs)
A local environmental plan (LEP) is a legal document that provides controls and guidelines for development in an area. It
determines what can be built, where it can be built, and what activities can occur on land.
LEPs contain both a written instrument and maps. These should be viewed together to provide an understanding of
zoning and building controls across the area or for a particular property.
LEPs are made by Local Councils but are approved by the minister representing NSWDP. In this process, the state
government can also exercise control over the environmental planning policies of the Council and will generally not
approve any LEP that contradicts a relevant SEPP or the Act itself. LEPs may apply to land located throughout a Council
area, a portion of the area or an individual site. In some cases, adjoining Councils may combine to prepare a LEP to apply
to both local areas. While the Act provides a detailed legal framework for the making of LEPs which must be followed,
LEPs broadly contain planning strategies and controls relevant to the objectives of the LEP itself. Land use zoning and
permissible uses are included, development controls relating to heritage, protection of the environment, amenity may also
be specified.
