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Livable Housing Design Registered Assessor Guidance Notes Issue 3: May 2014

Guidance Notes are provided by Livable Housing Australia to help address the common questions asked by Registered Assessors. They are updated from time to time and emailed to all Registered Assessors.

Q1. With reference to Internal Doors and Circulation how are corridor widths measured? Is that going to be measured from wall surface to wall surface or will it be to architraves/ skirtings as per AS1428.1:2009 Fig 2.

A1. Corridor widths should be measured as described in Clause 6.3 of AS 1428.1 – 2009, which states:

6.3 Width of a continuous accessible path of travel

Unless otherwise specified (such as at doors, curved ramps and similar), the minimum unobstructed width (see Figure 2) of a continuous accessible path of travel shall be 1000 mm and the following shall not intrude into the minimum unobstructed width of a continuous accessible path of travel:

(a) Fixtures and fittings such as lights, awnings, windows that, when open, intrude into the circulation space, telephones, skirtings and similar objects.

(b) Essential fixtures and fittings such as fire hose reels, fire extinguishers and switchboards.

(c) Door handles less than 900 mm above the finished floor level.

AS 1428.1 Figure 2 shows the clear width of a passage being 1000 mm excluding skirting etc.

Q2. How is slip resistance determined?

A2. Slip Resistance is referenced in the National Construction Code and ultimately, Livable Housing Australia would like to defer to the NCC and the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) for rulings related to slip resistance. Standards Australia publish a number of standards as well as a handbook that address slip resistance of surfaces.

Table 3 of HB197 – An Introductory Guide to the Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surface Materials provides the most appropriate reference for the performance requirements of different surfaces. This table nominates the performance requirements for different test methods and should be referenced for the minimum requirements for the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

Registered Assessors should note the limitations of slip resistance test methods and the inherent inaccuracies of specific testing. HB197 provides specific guidance related to this.

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Livable Housing Design Registered Assessor Guidance Notes Issue 3: May 2014

Q3. How can a Registered Assessor test that wall reinforcement can withstand 1100N in any direction without dismantling the wall?

A3. When it comes to assessing the existence of wall reinforcing, the Registered Assessor Handbook provides information on a Wall Scanning device that can be used to verify that reinforcement exists behind wall sheeting. This information along with evidence such as details and drawings collected from the builder may be sufficient to satisfy an assessor.

It is also possible that an inspection of the walls prior to sheeting is needed. Registered Assessors should determine the inspection requirements for As Built inspections with their client and builder as early in the construction process as possible. Often asking the builder to photograph the wall before the sheeting is applied is sufficient.

Q4. With the Door and Tap hardware, should the handle clearances for D-pull style door hardware be the same as AS1428.1?

A4. Yes. AS 1428.1 is the most relevant set of specifications aimed at providing the greatest access to the greatest number of people and as such is an appropriate standard to reference for this Element.

Q5. How can an assessor determine whether floor coverings have been run completely under cupboards?

A5. A Registered Assessor should ask the builder / client if he/she can confirm that flooring runs completely under cupboards. Sometimes it is relatively easy to confirm that floor coverings have been applied after cupboards have been installed and sometimes it is not so easy. If relying on advice from a third party, Registered Assessors are advised to provide a note in the notes column of the Assessment form.

Q6. With the Door and Tap hardware, should the handles of shower taps be required to comply?

A6. Yes. The requirement for lever or capstan style tap hardware for Platinum level compliance should include taps in the shower.

Q7. What type of Switches and Powerpoints meet the Platinum Level requirements?

A7. The Clipsal Prestige range is featured in the Livable Housing Design Guidelines and is commonly seen in certified projects. Other ranges include Clipsal’s Matise and the HPM Como range. Others are also available.

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Livable Housing Design Registered Assessor Guidance Notes Issue 3: May 2014

Q8. How much space should be allocated for the bed in a room where there is no bed installed?

A7. It should be assumed that a bed with dimensions 1500mm x 2000mm (as shown on the sketch on page 51 in the Livable Housing Design Guidelines) is present. This will mean that the minimum clear dimensions of a room would need to be 3000mm x 4040mm to meet the Platinum level requirements. Where a bed is present (in the case of an As Built Inspection), the clearance should be measured to the edges of the bed for beds smaller than 1500mm x 2000mm. If the bed provided is larger than 1500mm x 2000mm compliance should be determined based upon a bed with dimensions 1500mm x 2000mm.

Acknowledgements

Livable Housing Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.