WET AREAS WALL TILING

DEFECT – SPOT-FIXING OF TILES

ISSUE

Spot-fixing of wall tiles in wet

areas.

This may lead to serious defects

due to water penetrating cavities
or voids.

ACTION NEEDED

AS3958.1 - 2007 Clause 5.6

requires minimum contact
coverage of 90% for wet areas.

Supervise trades onsite to

ensure they are correctly fixing
tiles. It is a serious defect and
can result in significant
rectification costs for the
developer and builder.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
STORMWATER PIT BASE TO OUTLET

DEFECT – STORMWATER PITS FAILING TO FLOW TO OUTLET

ISSUE

Stormwater pits that are not

benched to allow flow to outlet
will hold stagnant water.

This can lead to bad odours and

increased mosquito population.

ACTION NEEDED

Ensure the base of stormwater

pits are benched with concrete to
the outlet level.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
MEMBRANE HEIGHT

DEFECT – LACK OF MEMBRANE HEIGHT TOWARD TERMINATIONS

ISSUE

Insufficient height for termination of

the waterproof membrane due to
defective design and/or defective or
faulty workmanship.

This may lead to serious defects

due to water penetration.

ACTION NEEDED

Waterproofing membranes for

external above ground use must
comply with AS4564.2-2012 -
Clause 2.8.1.1 Height; Clause
2.8.1.3 Membrane termination
finishing and NCC Vol.1
performance requirements FP1.4.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
MEMBRANE HEIGHT

DEFECT – LACK OF MEMBRANE HEIGHT TOWARD TERMINATIONS

ISSUE

Waterproofing can be
compromised by fixtures, fittings
and PVC pipes.

Inadequate membrane height at

terminations can allow water to
seep below.

ACTION NEEDED

AS4564.2-2012 - 2.8.4
Penetrations specifies the
requirements for waterproofing
membranes for external above
ground use

The waterproofing membrane

should be lapped inside the floor
drain waste.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
MEMBRANE HEIGHT

DEFECT – WATER LEAKING ON THE WALLS

ISSUE

Water leaking through the wall

due to a compromised seal, with
signs of rust and corrosion.

This may lead to serious defects

in multiple building elements.

ACTION NEEDED

Any fixings that penetrate the

membrane must be sealed. The
sealant is to be compatible with
the surface material.

Where a backing rod is used in

support of the sealant, they shall
be a minimum diameter of
12mm.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
OVERFLOWS

DEFECT – MISSING OR WRONG HEIGHT OVERFLOWS

ISSUE

Balconies with concrete upturns

and floor wastes to the same
stormwater stack that are
missing or have incorrect height
or size of the overflows.

This can lead to flooding of an

apartment if the floor waste is
blocked.

ACTION NEEDED

Construct overflows lower than

the FFL of the apartment.

Overflows must big enough to

allow the flow of water as per
AS4654.2-2012.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
SPOON DRAINS

DEFECT – WATER LEAKING ON THE WALLS

ISSUE

Water ponding on the floor due to

lack of adequate falls in the drain.

This can cause serious defect to

the flooring and structural
elements. It can also cause
mould and attract mosquitoes.

ACTION NEEDED

Adequate surface and subsoil

drainage systems as per AS
3500.3 Plumbing and Drainage –
Part 3; Stormwater drainage –
Section 6.

The builder should cut open the

line of trench drain and re-form it
with sufficient fall to the drain
inlet.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
FIRE SAFETY

DEFECT – MISSING ROOFTOPS TO STORAGE CAGES

ISSUE

Storage cages with missing roof

tops allows unit occupiers to
store items to the ceiling.

This may block the fire sprinkler

or risk damaging the fire
sprinkler head.

ACTION NEEDED:

Ensure storage cages are

installed with roof tops with a
minimum of 500mm below the
sprinkler head. This may require
design coordination.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
PENETRATIONS WITHOUT COLLARS

DEFECT – UNTREATED PENETRATIONS AND MISSING FIRE COLLARS

ISSUE

No fire protection (fire collar)

installed around the pipework to
prevent the spread of fire.

ACTION NEEDED

Adequate pipe seal as per AS2032

- PVC Piping Installation Clause
6.2.2 Setting of pipes in concrete
and NCC 2019 Volume One
Clause C3.15 and CP8.

Supervise installation of fire collars

around all pipes throughout the
carpark to prevent the spread of
fire. Ensure there is no rigid
connection between slab and
service pipes.

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards
FIRE PUMP ROOM

DEFECT – MINIMUM HEIGHT AND CLEARANCE FOR FIRE PUMP ROOM

ISSUE

Fire pump enclosures require a

minimum of:
• 2.10m head clearance
• 1m clear path of travel to fire
pump
• 1m clear path of travel to manual
shut-down of diesel drivers and
other control valves.

Without accessibility to the

equipment, its maintenance and
operation will be compromised.

ACTION REQUIRED

Ensure the design and construction

of the pump room meets all
dimensions as per:
• BCA 2009 (Part E1);
• AS2941-2008 (Section 11,
Clause 11.3);
• AS2419.1-2005 (Clause 6.4;
Sub-Clause 6.4.1).

This is a guide only and to refer to relevant laws, codes and standards