It is acknowledged that it is beyond the capacity of most architectural offices to maintain a complete library of all standards related to architectural work. However, architects are expected to have a working knowledge of, and should have ready access to, key standards which are regularly referenced or which significantly impact on their work. Not having access to key standards can expose architects to significant risk.
Australian Standards which impact architects
Australian Standards which impact on architectural practice include:
- Standards referenced by the National Construction Code (NCC), applicable Acts and regulations. There are over 100 referenced documents called up in the NCC as either deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) solutions or verification methods. If choosing to apply a referenced document as a DTS solution, compliance is mandatory. While a number of these relate to the manufacture and testing of materials and components, many have implications for the design and specification of buildings, components and materials. Refer to the Schedule of referenced documents within the NCC for a consolidated list of all referenced standards.
- Specialised design standards relating to a particular project type, product or installation.
- Standards, technical specifications and handbooks relating to design and construction.
- Standards relating to practice and project management eg contractual arrangements, quality management, environmental management.
Individual practices will have their own unique requirements for which Standards to access or purchase. This will depend on the size of the practice, the types of projects undertaken and the frequency of access required.
Access to Standards
To determine the relevance of a Standard it is necessary to know the title, establish that it is the current or appropriate edition and review the text.
Intertek Inform (previously SAI Global) and Techstreet provide facilities for accessing Standards in hard copy and electronically with a range of online services. A+ members have online access to Australian Standards via Intertek Inform (previously SAI Global) (see Further reading below). The major advantage of an electronic subscription is that it automatically provides the latest version of the Standard.
Details of all Standards including identification numbers, year of publication, status and a brief summary of the content can be accessed via the Intertek Inform (previously SAI Global), Techstreet or Standards Australia website and a catalogue of all Standards is published annually.
NATSPEC publishes an abstract of each standard cited in NATSPEC specification templates in its biannual document NATsource.
Architectural practices can access Standards in a number of ways, including:
- direct purchase on an as-needed basis
- purchasing a pre-determined set of standards, usually at considerable discount to purchasing them individually
- subscribing for electronic access
- from public libraries where available
- as an Institute A+ membership benefit (refer note under Further reading and resources below).
Information on changes to Standards is available through Intertek Inform's (previously SAI Global) 'Standards Watch' and other organisations such as NATSPEC. NATSPEC regularly updates subscribers on changes to referenced standards.
Retention
The publication of a new version of a Standard (AS/NZS) does not necessarily mean that the old one is obsolete.
Architects should not as a matter of course discard their old Standards, despite the publication of a new version. Both the NCC and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport reference Standards which Standards Australia may note on its website as 'superseded' or ‘available superseded’.
Standards Australia’s Aged Standards Review process involves consulting on the proposed withdrawal of Standards and other publications that are over 10 years old. The 'withdrawn' status does not impact the publication’s availability, or the public’s ability to use the publication. Also, it is still possible for a withdrawn Standard to be used within an industry or referenced by a government if they choose to do so. One reason for this may be because there are no replacement technical publications readily available.
Each organisation has its own reasons for this:
- the Australian Building Codes Board does not automatically adopt a new version of an AS/NZS Standard for reference in the NCC
- the particular version of an AS/NZS Standard nominated in any legislation remains as such until the legislation is amended by an Act of Parliament.
Further reading and resources
- Australian Building Codes Board
- Intertek Inform (previously SAI Global)
- NATSPEC
- Standards Australia
- Techstreet
Disclaimer
This content is provided by the Australian Institute of Architects for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. It is not legal, financial, insurance, or other advice and you should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in circumstances where loss or damage may result. The Institute endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. Using this website and content is subject to the Acumen User Licence.