Building Code of Australia (BCA)

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) contains technical provisions for the design and construction of buildings and other structures.

The BCA covers matters such as

• structure, fire resistance, access and egress, services and equipment and energy efficiency as well as certain aspects of health and amenity in buildings.

The Building Act 2000 references the BCA as the technical standard for all building work in Tasmania. The BCA is published in two volumes

• Volume 1 (commercial buildings)
• Volume 2 (domestic buildings)

The BCA is produced annually and

• a new edition of the BCA comes into effect on 1 May every year and will remain current until 30 April of the next year
• each edition is referred to by its year e.g. BCA 2008
• each new edition of the BCA contains changes from previous editions
• notes are prepared by the publishers, the Australian Building Codes Board, to assist BCA users in identifying changes incorporated in BCA Volumes One and Two. The notes provide a description of major changes from the previous edition of the BCA. These notes can be found on the Australian Building Codes Board website

The BCA is available in three formats, a web based version, a CD version and a hard bound book. Hard copies of the BCA can be viewed at main council offices and at State Library of Tasmania city libraries. For all enquiries about ABCB publication sales please ring 1300 857 522 or e-mail bca@abcb.gov.au

BCA energy efficiency laws applicable in Tasmania

• 5 Star housing standards and energy assessors 
• Commercial building energy efficiency standards 
• Energy efficiency standards for domestic hot water heaters

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Standards

What standards apply in Tasmania for commercial buildings after May 2010?

The Appendix published with the BCA 2010 stipulates that for Part J and Part I2 of Volume 1 of the BCA, the provisions of BCA 2009 continue to apply in Tasmania.

Tasmania has not adopted

• Part J of BCA 2010 (commercial building energy efficiency provisions) or
• Part I2 of BCA 2010 (energy efficiency installation provisions)

Energy efficiency standards for domestic hot water heaters

Are there new energy efficiency standards for domestic hot water heaters in Tasmania after May 2010?

No, there was no change with the introduction of BCA 2010 as a Tasmanian variation to BCA 2010 replaces Part 3.12 with BCA 2009 Part 3.12.