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Environmental Planning and Assessment Act

The act under which local governments set land use zoning and control aspects like building size and stormwater management.

Principal Certifying Authorities (PCAs)

Authorities responsible for issuing construction and compliance certificates and ensuring adherence to the National Construction Code (NCC).

National Construction Code (NCC)

Australia's mandatory building regulation that outlines performance outcomes across 10 building classes.

Strata ownership

A type of property ownership where individuals own a unit in a shared property with common areas.

Compartmentalisation

The use of party walls and floors to provide fire and noise separation in multi-residential structures.

Dewatering

The process of removing water from soils, often necessary for stabilizing ground conditions during excavation.

VENM (Virgin Excavated Natural Material)

Soil that can be reused anywhere without restrictions, as it contains no contaminants.

Piling

The method of driving long, slender columns into the ground to support structures.

Control Joints

Designed to prevent cracking in concrete due to shrinkage, thermal movement, or settling.

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

A type of engineered wood panel made from layers of timber arranged crosswise for added strength.

Cavity Walls

Construction method comprising two wall skins with an air gap, improving insulation and moisture resistance.

Reinforced concrete piles

Piles that are strengthened with steel reinforcement and used to support buildings or retaining walls.

Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions

Prescriptive standards outlined in the NCC that specify how to meet performance requirements.

Mortar Joints

Spaces filled with mortar between bricks that provide bedding, bond strength, and load transfer.

Hydrostatic pressure

The pressure exerted by water in the ground, significant for design considerations in basements.

Sound Insulation Strategies

Methods to reduce sound transmission between rooms, including adding mass, isolating sides, and using sound-absorbing materials.

Fire Resistance Level (FRL)

A rating that indicates the duration a building element can withstand fire exposure.

Waterproofing

The process of making a structure resistant to water ingress, especially important in basement construction.

Self-Adhesive Sheet Membranes

Waterproofing membranes that adhere to surfaces without the need for heating, providing consistent application.

Punching Shear

Failure at a column where the slab fails locally due to excessive load, preventable by adding reinforcement.

Balustrade

A barrier at the edge of stairs or balconies that prevents falls, with specific height requirements.