Demolition and assembly work is often required to carry out large scale building modifications. Demolition is the complete or partial dismantling of a building structure by controlled measures. Whereas, assembly work is the complete or partial assembly of building structures by controlled measures.
Building Code of Australia (BCA) outlines the technical requirements relevant to the design and construction of buildings or related structures, and takes into consideration the Australian Standards. The Australian Building Codes Board monitors the building codes and operates on behalf of the Federal, State and Territory Governments of Australia, who have statuary responsibility for building within their jurisdiction. The BCA applies to work on new or existing building and contains specific considerations for people with disability. It must be noted that compliance with the BCA does not necessarily ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
It is essential that all demolition and assembly work be completed considering the DDA, BCA and Australian Stardards to ensure the building is safe and accessible.
Australian Standard 2601 - The demolition of structures, sets out the planning and procedures for demolition by contractors, engineers, builders etc. There are various State and Territory regulating authorities, and it is the responsibility of the demolition contractor to ensure they are aware of the relevant authority requirements and to ensure their qualifications are appropriate and current.
All assembly works should consider the following Australian Standards:
- AS 1428.1- Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access- New building work
- AS 1428.2- Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements- Building and facilities.
Access consultants and building surveyors may be employed to provide additional information regarding access and building modifications.
(Standards Australia 1992; Standards Australia 2001; HREOC 2007; ACAA 2007; WorkSafe Victoria 2007; Australian Building Codes Board 2007)
References
Standards Australia 2001, AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access – New building work, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Standards Australia 1992, AS 1428.2, Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced & additional requirements- Building facilities, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and information, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to premises, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007.
Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc. 2007, Policies, Acts & Regulations, Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007.
WorkSafe Victoria 2007, Demolition (Code of Practice No.14, 1991), Victorian WorkCover Authority, Melbourne, viewed 19 November 2007.
Australian Building Codes Board 2007, Access for People with a Disability, Australian Building Codes Board, Canberra, viewed 19 November 2007.
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