17 May 2019
Master Builders, through consultation with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), has completed a review of the QBCC Standards and Tolerances Guide.
Various changes have been made to the guide, including:
- Removing the duplicated references to codes and standards that already exist within the 2019 National Construction Code
- A new three metre viewing distance criteria for the inspection of glass
- Clarification of the requirements for structural and non-structural masonry
- Aligned the tolerances for stairs with the NCC requirements.
The 2019 version of the guide is now available on the QBCC website.
Key changes
The normal viewing positions in the guide are not relevant for the inspection of glass.
Master Builders recommended that a reference is made to AS4667 – 2000 Quality Requirements Cut to Size Glass. This would provide a viewing distance of three metres for defects on glass.
A reference to AS 4667 and a viewing distance of three metres has now been included in the 2019 guide.
Master Builders reviewed the changes to the masonry standards and confirmed that no non-structural face brick work tolerances exist anymore within AS3700 or AS4773.
The standards now imply that non-structural tolerances are to be nominated by the manufacturers. The manufacturer’s requirements (Think Brick Manual – Construction Guidelines) is actually based upon the non-structural tolerances column that was removed from the Australian Standards. That reference is satisfactory for face brick work.
To ensure that the guide reflects the information in the Australian Standards, the guide has been changed to include Master Builders' recommended wording.
Masonry types
This section includes structural tolerances for the following generally-used types of masonry, including:
- Clay and concrete brick construction
- Clay and concrete brick veneer construction
- Concrete block construction.
The structural tolerances for the above may not always be appropriate for some types of masonry construction, such as pre-fabricated masonry panels, aerated concrete blocks, irregular cut stone, rustic finish masonry with irregular edges and appearance etc. In these cases, the manufacturer’s requirements must be followed.
Tolerances for face work for aesthetic reasons must be to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Non-Compliant internal floor
Master Builders has been requested by a member in Far North Queensland to help draft a performance solution for a shot edge floor that has been installed to an internal part of a dwelling.
Committee recommendation is required.
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