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QBCC Standards and Tolerances 2023
QBCC Standards and Tolerances 2023
TOLERANCES GUIDE
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QUEENSLAND / DECEMBER 2023
FOREWORD
This Guide has been compiled in response to community
and industry concerns that identified a need to collate
general building standards and tolerances into one, easy to
read document. The tolerances and standards identified in
this publication have not been created by the authors but
have been sourced and collated from existing legislative
provisions, the National Construction Code, Australian
Standards, manufacturers installation requirements and
other recognised industry standards in Queensland
(e.g. Timber Queensland Technical Data Sheets).
It is hoped that the publication will provide an impartial,
quick and easy first reference for clients and contractors
in relation to applicable standards and tolerances in
Queensland, thereby reducing the likelihood of disputation
in relation to such standards and tolerances.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The contributions and assistance provided by the following agencies,
organisations and individuals, in the preparation of this document, is
gratefully acknowledged:
The Victorian Building Authority for their permission to use the
Victorian, NSW and Tasmanian 2007 Guide to Standards and
Tolerances as a template for drafting the Queensland edition of
a similar document.
Standards Australia for their permission to print certain tables and
information from relevant Australian Standards (AS).
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) give their permission
to reference the National Construction Code (NCC) Series, which
includes the Building Code of Australia (BCA) (Volumes 1 and 2)
and the Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume 3).
The digital NCC and individual volumes can be accessed for free
from the ABCB at www.abcb.gov.au
The ABCB provides permission for the NCC to be referenced
however does not endorse the Queensland Building and
Construction Commission’s, Queensland Standards and Tolerances
Guide 2023 or provide a warranty or guarantee that the references
within this publication are correct or complete.
The numerous individuals and organisations who have contributed
their time and expertise to develop and review the Guide.
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QUEENSLAND / DECEMBER 2023
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction 6
2.0 Siteworks 12
4.0 Masonry 18
5.0 Framing 25
7.0 Roofing 31
8.0 Plumbing 37
13.0 Painting 47
15.0 Floors 49
18.0 General 53
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Authority of the Guide
The standards and tolerances identified in the applicable within the time periods specified
Guide are only applicable to “building work” in Section 1.2 of the Guide. Accordingly, unless
as defined in the Queensland Building and noted otherwise, they are not applicable to
Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act) second-hand or recycled materials or products.
and Queensland Building and Construction
This document has primarily been drafted to
Commission Regulation 2018. Accordingly,
enable builders, contractors and home owners
tolerances and standards have not been included
to reference general building standards related
for constructions such as earthworks, electrical
to domestic construction and hopefully to
work, carpet, vinyl or floating floors that are
minimise the likelihood of disputes in relation
excluded from the definition of “building work”
to the quality of building work occurring.
provided in the above mentioned legislation.
Inevitably however, some disputes in relation to
Building standards are in the main described in
quality of work will occur and in many instances
the National Construction Code Series which
will be referred to the Queensland Building
includes the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
and Construction Commission for assessment
(Volumes 1 and 2) and the Plumbing Code of
and determination.
Australia (Volume 3), which is adopted into
law by regulation. In making its determination and in particular
when deciding whether or not to issue a
The standards and tolerances documented
Direction to Rectify to a person, the Commission
in the Guide are intended to be consistent
is required by Section 72 of the QBCC Act to
with and complement other relevant Acts,
take into consideration all the circumstances it
Regulations, NCC requirements, Australian
considers are reasonably relevant. Accordingly,
Standards and manufacturer’s installation
when making its determination, the Commission
requirements. Where there is any difference or
will take into account all the circumstances it
contradiction between the Guide and an Act,
considers is reasonably relevant in determining
Regulations, the NCC, Australian Standards,
whether or not to issue a direction pursuant
manufacturer’s installation requirements; all
to section 72(3) of the QBCC Act, including
of these take precedence over the Guide.
whether it would be unfair to issue the direction
Where the contract may be inconsistent with
in accordance with section 72(5) of the QBCC
the requirements of the Guide the contract
Act. The QBCC will consider the provisions
takes precedence only to the extent that
of relevant documentation in relation to any
it is requiring a higher standard than that
matter such as:
prescribed in the Guide.
• the Building Act
The Guide has predominately been prepared
to identify general standards and tolerances • the Queensland Development Code
applicable to domestic building work, however • the National Construction Code
where relevant, can similarly be applied to • relevant Australian Standards
non-domestic constructions. Accordingly, unless • manufacturers installation instructions
noted otherwise, references in the Guide to
the BCA refer to Volume 2 of the BCA which is • related engineering certificates
applicable to Class 1 and 10 buildings. • QBCC’s Rectification of Defective
Building Work Policy
The tolerances and standards identified in
the Guide are applicable to new work and
new materials and are only relevant and
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
Vertical surfaces
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ii)Spirit level
MEASUREMENT OF BOW Maximum deviation
iii) MEASUREMENT OF BOW (HORIZONTAL FLATNESS)
Horizontal level line
Straight edge Straight edge
Maximum deviationMaximum deviation Maximum deviation
Surface being tested
ii) MEASUREMENT
Surface being tested OF BOW Maximum deviation iii) MEASUREMENTSurface
OF BOW (HORIZONTAL
being tested FLATNESS)Maximum
Equal height deviation
Straight edge packing
Straight to
edge Maximum deviation
Maximum deviation
both ends
plumb line
plumb line
Vertical
Vertical
Vertical
iv) MEASUREMENT OF DEVIATION v) MEASUREMENT OF BOW vi) MEASUREMENT OF BOW
FROM VERTICAL PLUMB (SURFACE FLATNESS) (SURFACE FLATNESS)
Maximum Maximum
plumb line
plumb line
plumb line
deviation deviation
Vertical
Vertical
Vertical
Maximum Maximum
Spirit level deviation deviation
Surface
Maximum Maximum Surface
deviation
Being tested deviation being tested
Straight edge
Maximum Maximum
Spirit level deviation deviation
Surface Surface
Being tested being tested
Straight edge Equal HT
Spacers
Straight edge
Maximum Maximum To be centred
deviation deviation over bow
Equal HT
Spacers
Straight edge
Maximum Maximum To be centred
deviation deviation over bow
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
1.4 Viewing and inspecting distances Slight variations in the colour and finish of
materials do not constitute a defect.
Generally, variations in the surface colour, texture
and finish of walls, ceilings, floors and roofs,
and variations in glass and similar transparent 1.5 Responsibility to rectify
materials are to be viewed where possible from Contractors do not have to rectify damage
a normal viewing position. A normal viewing caused by the owner’s actions or inactions or
position is looking from a distance of 1.5m or those of other people engaged by the owner.
greater (600mm for appliances and fixtures
and 3m for glass) with the surface or material Contractors will be liable to repair any
being illuminated by “non-critical light”. “Non- consequential damage caused by, or as a
critical light” means the light that strikes the consequence of carrying out building work
surface is diffused and is not glancing or parallel on a residential building site or to a residential
to that surface. building on an adjacent site.
Ceiling
150
Wall 0m
m
1500mm
m
0m
60
m
0m
150
Floor
Glass
3000mm
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
2. SITEWORKS
2.1 Cracking in concrete paving
Cracking in concrete is common and is Within the first 12 months from completion of
not always attributable to unsatisfactory the work, cracking or movement in concrete
workmanship. Common causes of cracking verandahs, garages, carports, paving, patios,
include shrinkage stress, stress due to driveways etc., where the builder did not make
trees, commercial or heavy vehicle traffic, allowances for shrinkage or general movement
soil movement due to changes in the of the concrete (e.g. isolation joints where
moisture content due to garden watering or required around penetrations such as verandah
drainage problems. posts, pipes, expansion joints, control joints
and contraction joints), shall be assessed in
Cracking not attributable to the workmanship
accordance with Table 2.1 and is defective
of the builder (e.g. trees planted too close to
where the limits in that table are exceeded.
paving, commercial or heavy duty vehicle traffic,
excessive garden watering, etc.) is not a defect.
Design profile Variation between actual surface profile and design profiles ≤ 15mm
Subsidence Offset under 1.5m length of the design profile (see Note 3) ≤ 5mm
1
Reproduced with permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
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3.4 External building dimensions stairways, are defects if they exceed L/100 or
5mm, whichever is the greater, where L is the
Within the first 12 months from completion of documented dimension and such deviation
the work, departures from documented external adversely affects the safe use or reasonable
dimensions of buildings are defects if they amenity of the building.
exceed L/200 where L is the documented overall
length of wall, or 5mm, whichever is the greater Within 12 months from completion of the
and such deviation adversely affects the safe use work, departures from documented set out for
or reasonable amenity of the building. external elements such as garages, carports,
verandahs, decks, patios etc. are defects if they
exceed L/100 or 5mm, whichever is the greater,
3.5 Measuring internal
where L is the documented dimension and
building dimensions such deviation adversely affects the safe use or
Unless shown otherwise, dimensions shown reasonable amenity of the building.
on drawings for internal walls always refer to Within 12 months from completion of the work,
the structure’s dimensions. Structure means the set out is defective where a specific fixture
masonry and timber framing and does not or feature is required to be accommodated, and
include finishes such as plasterboard, render and such documented dimensions to accommodate
skirtings. The internal room sizes will be different that fixture or feature are not provided and
when thicknesses of internal finish materials are such deviation adversely affects the safe use or
taken into account. reasonable amenity of the building.
Ceiling height dimensions are defective if they
do not comply with the requirements of the 3.7 Finished floor levels
BCA. Within the first 12 months from completion
of the work, ceiling height dimensions are Finished Floor Levels (FFL) or Reduced Levels
defective if they do not comply with any greater (RL) are defective where they do not comply
height (in excess of BCA requirements) specified with planning and building requirements, for
in the contract and such deviation adversely example minimum levels in flood prone areas.
affects the safe use or reasonable amenity of Within the first 12 months from completion
the building. of the work, Finished Floor Levels (FFL) or
Reduced Levels (RL) are defective where:
3.6 Building dimensions • they depart from the documented FFL or
Within 12 months from completion of the work, RL by more than 40mm and such deviation
departures from the documented set out for adversely affects the safe use or reasonable
service rooms such as bathrooms, toilets, amenity of the building; or
laundries, kitchens etc. are defects if they • floors that are documented to be on the
exceed L/200 or 5mm, whichever is the greater, same plane are constructed on different
where L is the documented dimension and planes and such deviation adversely affects
such deviation adversely affects the safe use the safe use or reasonable amenity of the
or reasonable amenity of the building. building; or
Within 12 months from completion of the • the building work is an extension or
work, departures from the documented set addition and new floor levels do not match
out for habitable rooms and areas, such as the existing building floor levels and such
bedrooms, dining rooms, lounge and living deviation adversely affects the safe use or
rooms, family rooms, studies, halls, entries and reasonable amenity of the building.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
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3.14 Slab edge dampness The work is not defective if such water
penetration is caused by actions or inactions by
The performance requirements of the NCC the owner, or others outside of the contractor’s
require, amongst other things, that buildings control including such things as landscaping
safeguard occupants from illness and injury that directs water towards the building or
and protect buildings from damage caused restricts the free flow of water away from the
by surface water, external moisture entering building, excessive garden watering adjacent to
a building and the accumulation of internal the building and the subsequent construction of
moisture in a building. paving adjacent to the building that compromises
The Slab and footing system is defective, if it the ability of the water to drain away from
permits surface water, sub-surface water and the building.
other external moisture to enter a building to the
extent that it compromises the health and safety
of occupants or has the potential to damage
the building or its contents. (e.g. permits mould
growth or damages floor finishes, carpets etc.).
Notes
1. The straight edge is centred over the defect, usually, and supported at its ends by equal height spacers.
The change in offset is then measured relative to this straight edge, which is not necessarily horizontal.
2. Local deviation of slope, from the horizontal or vertical, of more than 1:100 will normally be clearly visible.
Overall deviations in excess of 1:150 are undesirable.
3. Account should be taken of the past history of damage in order to assess whether it is stable or likely to increase.
2
Reproduced with permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
4. MASONRY
4.1 Masonry types Tolerances for face work for aesthetic reasons
must be to the manufacturer’s requirements.
This section includes structural tolerances for
the following generally-used types of masonry,
including:
4.2 Damage to masonry walls
• clay and concrete brick construction Refer to Table 4.2 for descriptions of categories
of damage. Category 3 or greater damage to
• clay and concrete brick veneer construction
walls is a defect and requires investigation,
• concrete block construction. stabilisation, monitoring and rectification work,
The structural tolerances for the above may not which may include breaking out and replacing
always be appropriate for some types of masonry sections of the wall. Category 0, 1 and 2 cracks
construction, such as pre-fabricated masonry to walls are not defects. Category 2 damage is
panels, aerated concrete blocks, irregular cut stone, a defect if identified within 12 months from date
rustic finish masonry with irregular edges and of completion and requires minor repair work
appearance etc. In these cases, the manufacturer’s such as repointing.
requirements must be followed.
APPROX. CRACK
DESCRIPTION OF TYPICAL DAMAGE
WIDTH LIMIT
DAMAGE AND REQUIRED REPAIR CATEGORY
(SEE NOTE 1)
Fine cracks that do not need repair < 1mm 1 Very Slight
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ITEM TOLERANCE
f. Deviation of bed joint from horizontal, or from the level ±10mm in any 10m length, ±15mm
specified or shown in elevation in total (Refer Figure 4.4 E)
g. Deviation from specified thickness of bed joint ±3mm (Refer Figure 4.4 F)
4
Reproduced with permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
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DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM
A A DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM
B B
FLOORFLOOR
LEVELLEVEL
CEILING LEVELLEVEL
CEILING 10 mm10maximum
mm maximum
deviation relative
deviation relative
displacement between
displacement between
load bearing
load bearing walls walls
GROUND
GROUND
LEVEL LEVEL
25 mm25 mm
maximum
maximum
10 mm10 mm
deviation
deviation
maximum
maximum deviation
deviation
TOP
TOP OF OF WALL
WALL
CEILING LEVELLEVEL
CEILING CL CL
H Storey heightheight
H Storey
withinwithin
any storey
any storey
BASE MEMBER
BASE MEMBER
FLOORFLOOR
LEVELLEVEL
FLOORFLOOR
LEVELLEVEL FL FL
CEILING
CEILING LEVELLEVEL
GROUND
GROUND
LEVELLEVEL
Building
Building may be may be H H
a single
a single or several
or several Total height
Total height of of
storeysstoreys
high high masonary wall wall
masonary
VERTICAL
VERTICAL SECTION
SECTION
THROUGH
THROUGH WALLWALL FLOORFLOOR
LEVELLEVEL
T T Thickness of leafof leaf
Thickness
CEILING
CEILING LEVELLEVEL
FORMULA:
FORMULA:
Maximum deviation
Maximum from plumb
deviation withinwithin
from plumb any storey
any storey
STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURAL LESSER LESSER
OF OF
( ( (
10H 10H
3
OR 0.05T
3
OR 0.05T
FLOORFLOOR
LEVELLEVEL
BASE OF
BASE OF
MEMBER
MEMBER
H measured in metres
H measured (m) (m)
in metres
T measured in millimetres
T measured (mm) (mm)
in millimetres
GROUND
GROUND LEVELLEVEL GL GL
For example if a storey
For example height,height,
if a storey h=4000 mm and
h=4000 mmleaf
andthickness, t=190 mm.
leaf thickness, t=190 mm.
Tolerance is lesser
Tolerance of 10 xof
is lesser 4.0
10÷x34.0
= 13.3
÷ 3 mm ormm
= 13.3 0.05orx0.05
190 =x 9.5
190mm= 9.5 mm
ie. 9.5 ie.
mm 9.5 mm
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
Spirit level
DIAGRAM E 15 mm maximum in total
Surface
being tested
DIAGRAM F Maximum or
documented
13 mm thickness +3 mm
Nominal thickness
10 mm of bed joint or
as documented
7 mm Maximum or
documented
thickness -3 mm
GROUND LEVEL
Documented Documented
width of cavity width of cavity
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4.12 Cleaning, mortar smears and stains 4.15 Horizontal alignment of bed joints
Within the first 12 months from completion of Within the first 12 months from completion of
the work, stains, mortar smears and damage the work, bed joints in walls including adjacent
caused by cleaning are defects if they are visible isolated piers and either side of openings and
from a normal viewing position. control joints are defective if they are not on the
same horizontal plane, or do not comply with
4.13 Masonry inside garages and similar Table 4.4 of this Guide.
spaces and under applied finishes
4.16 Base bed joint and base row
Within the first 12 months from completion
of masonry
of the work, structural masonry that is visible
inside a garage or similar space or through an Within the first 12 months from completion
applied finish is defective if it does not comply of the work, exposed base bed joints above
with the tolerances in Table 4.4, however, these the finished ground level are defective if they
tolerances do not apply to the non-face side of exceed 20mm in thickness. Base bed joints that
single skin masonry. are not exposed above the finished ground level
are defective if they are greater than 40mm
Within 6 years and 6 months from completion
in thickness.
of the work, structural and non-structural
masonry is defective if it exceeds the tolerances Within 6 years and 6 months from completion
set out in Table 4.4 and as a result compromises of the work, the base bed joint and base row
the structural adequacy of the wall or building, of masonry is defective if it exceeds 40mm
allows water penetration into the building or in thickness and as a result compromises the
compromises the health and safety of those structural adequacy of the wall or building,
who use the building. allows water penetration into the building or
compromises the health and safety of those
When there is an applied finish such as render,
who use the building.
where the joints are not intended to be visible,
masonry need not be saw cut and 1/4 or 3/4
units may be used in lieu of full masonry units.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
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5. FRAMING
5.1 Verticality or plumbness 5.2 Verticality or plumbness of timber
of stumps or piles frames and exposed posts
Within the first 12 months from completion of Within the first 12 months from completion of
the work, stumps or piles are defective if they the work, posts and wall frames are defective if
deviate from vertical by more than 10mm in they deviate from vertical by more than 4mm
the first 1m or more than 20mm in total length, within any 2m height. Refer to Figure 1.3 B in this
measured from ground level. Refer to Figure 5.1 Guide for method of measurement.
in this Guide.
Within 6 years and 6 months from completion
Within 6 years and 6 months from the of the work, posts and wall frames are defective
completion of the work, stumps and piles are if they deviate from vertical by more than
defective if they deviate from vertical by more 4mm within any 2m height and as a result
than 10mm in the first 1m or more than 20mm in compromises the structural adequacy of the wall
total length, measured from the ground and as or building, allows water penetration into the
a result compromises the structural adequacy building or compromises the health and safety
of the stumps or piles, allows water penetration of those who use the building.
into the building, or compromises the health and
safety of those who use the building. 5.3 Straightness of timber
frame surfaces
FIGURE 5.1 VERTICALITY OF STUMPS,
Within the first 12 months from completion of
POSTS OR PILES
the work, frames are defective if they deviate
from plane (horizontal or vertical bow) by more
Vertical plumb line
Ground level
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
FIGURE 5.3 DEVIATION IN THE POSITION OF THE BEARING SURFACE OF THE FINISHED
FRAMING: DAMAGE WITH REFERENCE TO WALLS
5
Reproduced with permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
5.4 Steel wall frames Within the first 12 months from completion of
the work, walls that are specified as straight are
Steel wall framing is defective if it does not comply defective if they deviate by more than 5mm over
with the NCC and one of the following: AS 4100 a 3 metre wall length and where wall panels join
– Steel structures, AS/NZS 4600 – Cold Formed to form a continuous wall, the critical face or
Steel Structures, or NASH – Residential and Low- faces of the panel are defective if they deviate by
rise Steel Framing – Part 1 Design Criteria. more than 2mm at the joint.
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QUEENSLAND / DECEMBER 2023
Diagram a. Diagram b.
Deviation in adjacent risers Deviations over a flight
Landing
C
B
A - B ˜ 5mm
Nominated
riser A
C - D ˜ 10mm
height
D
Landing
Notes: Notes:
1. A = larger riser of two adjacent risers. 1. C = largest riser of the flight.
2. B = smaller riser of two adjacent risers. 2. D = smallest riser of the flight.
3. This diagram only shows deviations in risers, 3. This diagram only shows deviations in risers, however
however the same principle can apply for goings. the same principle can apply for goings.
The allowable tolerances have two concurrent 5.11 Bottom plates that overhang
requirements: concrete slabs
• adjacent risers or adjacent goings must be Bottom plates that are at least 90mm wide
within 5mm of each other; and and overhang concrete slabs by in excess of
• the largest and smallest riser, or the largest 15mm are defective and bottom plates that
and smallest going within a flight must be are 70mm wide and overhang slabs by in
within 10mm of each other. excess of 10mm are defective, refer to
Figure 5.11. In each instance, these permissible
These tolerances shall not be applied to overhangs, are subject to the minimum edge
allow for poor construction practice. distance for both the bottom plate and the
concrete slab fixing locations being satisfied
and minimum cavity widths as required by the
NCC also being maintained.
FIGURE 5.11
BOTTOM PLATES THAT OVERHANG
CONCRETE SLABS
Stud
Fastener’s
minimum edge
distance from Masonry
edge of the wall skin
bottom plate
15mm
Concrete slab
maximum
brick
overhang
as per
NCC
10mm maximum
Fastener’s minimum for 70mm studs
edge distance from
concrete edge 15mm maximum
requirements for 90mm studs
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
6. WALL CLADDING
6.1 Leaks in wall cladding
Completed wall cladding and accessories are
defective if they leak under weather conditions
anticipated by the NCC.
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7. ROOFING
7.1 Flashings and accessories Where a membrane system is used on parapet
walls these systems are defective if they are
Completed flashings and accessories are not installed in accordance with AS 4654 –
defective if they leak under weather conditions Waterproofing Membranes for External Above-
anticipated by the NCC. ground Use.
Inadequate construction of roof flashings such
as cavity flashings, stepped flashings, parapet 7.2 Leaks in roofing
flashings, apron flashings and hip and valley
Roofing and accessories are defective if they
flashings are a major cause of leaking roofs.
leak under weather conditions anticipated by
Some recommended flashings details sourced the NCC.
from the NCC, AS Handbook HB39 – Installation
Code for Metal Roofing and Wall Cladding and
manufacturer’s installation recommendations,
are provided in Figures 7.1 (A–F).
Parapet capping
Fall 3° minimum
Capping
Parapet wall
Cleat
Extract from AS Handbook HB39 - Installation Code for Metal Roofing and Wall Cladding6
6
Reproduced with permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
FIGURE 7.1B PARAPET FLASHING SET INTO BRICKWORK OR ROOF TO WALL FLASHING
(SOURCE NCC)
75 mm
minimum
Anticapillary break
Over flashing
Weep hole
75 mm lap
Weep hole
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COVER FLASHING
MASONRY DETAIL A
Mortar Wedge
and sealant
See detail A x
x
x
xx
x
Apron/cover
flashings
22 mm (min)
10 mm / 30º
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
3°
90° Facia
10 mm 30°
10 mm
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
35 mm minimum 50 mm minimum
65 mm maximum 65 mm maximum
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8. PLUMBING
8.1 Plumbing general 8.6 Flashings
Any plumbing work is defective if it does not Flashings are defective if they are not provided
comply with relevant provisions of the NCC, in accordance with the requirements of the
Plumbing Drainage Act 2018 & Regulations. NCC. Wall and step flashings, and sloping
flashings cut into walls are defective if they do
8.2 Design of gutters and downpipes not incorporate weathering folds, anti-capillary
breaks and sealing.
Gutters and pipes that are not designed
and installed in accordance with the NCC
8.7 Water hammer
are defective.
Within the first 12 months from completion of
Downpipes are inadequate and defective if
the work, water hammer is a defect unless it is
they serve more than 12m of gutter length for
caused by the use of solenoid or ceramic valves
each downpipe.
in appliances.
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
Within the first 12 months of completion of Door leaves are defective if they allow water
the work, handles, locks and latches are penetration into the building under weather
defective if they do not operate as intended conditions anticipated by the NCC.
by the manufacturer.
9.6 Sealing of door edges
Within the first 12 months from completion
of the work, door leaves are defective if they
do not have all sides, top and bottom edges
sealed in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations.
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Type of protection
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
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STANDARDS AND TOLERANCES GUIDE
LEVEL OF FINISH
A Level 4 finish shall be the default level for gypsum lining, unless specified otherwise. Flat or low sheen
paints shall be used for this Level 4.
All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in jointing cement/jointing compound and a
minimum of two separate coats of jointing cement/jointing compound applied over all joints, angles,
fastener heads and accessories.
All jointing compound shall be finished evenly and be free of tool marks and ridges in preparation for
decoration.
NOTES:
1. In critical lighting conditions, surface imperfections may still be apparent in a Level 4 surface finish.
2. Where gloss, semi-gloss and deep tone paints are used, surface imperfections will be more evident.
*
[AS/NZS 2589 Gypsum linings - Application and Finishing - Clause 3.1.4 - Level 4] - Reproduced with
permission from Standards Australia under licence CLT1123qbc.
Within the first 12 months from completion Cracking after the initial 12 month period shall
of the work, cracking in recessed and butt be assessed in accordance with Table 4.2.
joints is a defect if it is visible from a normal Category 0, 1 and 2 cracks are not defects.
viewing position. Category 3 and 4 cracks are defects.
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13. PAINTING
13.1 Standard of painting 13.3 Nail and screw fixings
Coatings used are to be suitable for the Within the first 12 months from completion of
relevant conditions and relevant wear and tear. the work, fixings or unfilled depressions caused
Unless documented otherwise, within the first by fixings are defects in painted or stained
12 months from completion of the work, painting surfaces if they can be seen from a normal
is defective if it does not comply with the viewing position.
manufacturer’s installation instructions or AS/
NZS 2311 - Guide to the Painting of Buildings. 13.4 Mechanical damage and natural
defects in surfaces
13.2 Surface finish of paintwork
Within the first 12 months from completion
Within the first 12 months from completion of of the work, holes and any other unfilled
the work, paintwork is defective if application depressions in painted or stained timber such as
defects or blemishes such as paint runs, paint surface defects caused by mechanical damage,
sags, wrinkling, dust, bare or starved painted natural characteristics such as gum pockets or
areas, colour variations, surface cracks, irregular surface splits are defects if they can be seen
and coarse brush marks, sanding marks, from a normal viewing position.
blistering, uniformity of gloss level and other
irregularities are visible in the surface from a
normal viewing position.
13.5 Paint durability
With the exception of exterior semi-transparent
Within the first 12 months from completion of
and exterior clear finishes and unless
the work, excessive over-painting of fittings,
documented otherwise, coatings are defective
trims, skirtings, architraves, glazing and other
if a large proportion (in excess of 10%) of the
finished edges is a defect.
painted area fails by lifting, blistering, flaking or
allows water penetration into the building.
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15. FLOORS
15.1 Solid timber flooring 15.4 Swelling in solid timber, plywood
Timber flooring will shrink or swell according to and particleboard flooring
its internal moisture content, timber species used Within the first 12 months from completion of
and the installation environment. The internal the work, joints in plywood and particleboard
moisture content will adjust to the surrounding floors are defective if they can be detected
atmosphere after the timber is installed and this through normal floor coverings.
may lead to permanent or seasonal swelling or
shrinkage gaps at board edges. Within 6 years and 6 months of the completion
of the work, swelling in tongue and groove strip
Care should be taken to adjust the moisture timber flooring is a defect if it causes boards
content of the timber, as far as practical, to the or subfloor to be dislodged or movement of
likely in-service conditions before installation in perimeter restraints such as walls.
accordance with the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Even so, some minor movement is
to be expected.
15.5 Nail popping in solid timber,
plywood and particleboard floors
Exposure to sunlight, cooling, heating or other
heat generating appliances is likely to cause Within the first 12 months from completion
localised shrinkage of timber that cannot be of the work, nail heads that can be detected
allowed for at the time of construction. This is to through floor coverings or nail popping that is
be taken into consideration when determining if clearly visible in exposed flooring are defects.
there is defective workmanship. Nail heads or popped screws are defects for
6 years and 6 months from completion of the
15.2 Structural timber flooring generally work if they compromise the health and safety
of occupants or visitors to the residence.
Flooring, including tongue and groove strip
flooring; structural plywood and particleboard
sheet flooring, is defective if it is not installed 15.6 Squeaking structural floors
to joists in according to AS 1684 – Residential Within the first 12 months from completion
Timber Framed Construction and the of the work, floors that squeak excessively in
manufacturer’s installation instructions. trafficable areas are defective.
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18. GENERAL
18.1 Appliances and fittings 18.3 Glazing
The owner is responsible for organising Within the first 12 months from completion of
warranty service for faults in appliances the work, scratches, fractures, chips or other
and fittings supplied as part of the building blemishes on glazing and mirrors are defects
contract where the contractor has provided if they are caused by the contractor and can
the warranty documents to the owner. be seen from a normal viewing position as per
Service outside the warranty period is the Figure 1.4.
responsibility of the owner.
Glass shall be inspected in a vertical position
Within the first 12 months, damages to at an angle perpendicular (90 degrees) to the
appliances and fittings supplied as part of the surface under natural day lighting conditions,
building contract are defects if it is due to the the glass shall not be in direct sunlight during
contractor’s workmanship. the inspection.
Imperfections such as scratches, scars and
18.2 Condensation rubs shall not be visible from a distance
Condensation is a common problem in of 3 metres and the maximum allowable
buildings, particularly in bathrooms and imperfections shall be in accordance with
laundries, and can occur on windows, AS 4667 Quality Requirements for Cut-to-size
under unlined roofs or elsewhere. and Processed Glass.
Where the requirements of the NCC have
been complied with, the responsibility for 18.4 Lyctus borer
controlling condensation by maintaining
Within the first 12 months from completion of
adequate ventilation through the installation
the work, timber is defective if it shows evidence
and use of exhaust fans or other means is
of lyctus borer attack.
the responsibility of the owner.
Condensation is a defect if the contractor 18.5 Water leaks
has not complied with the relevant clauses
of the NCC. Roofs, gutters, flashings, skylights, window and
door frame joints or seals are defective if they
leak under weather conditions anticipated by
the NCC, providing they have been properly
maintained by the owner.
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APPENDIX A
History of Editions
The Standards and Tolerances Guide dated
May 2014 published on 1 May 2014 to
3 February 2016.
The Standards & Tolerances Guide dated
February 2016 published on 4 February 2016
to 30 April 2019.
This edition of the Standards & Tolerances Guide
published December 2023.
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TECHNICAL LINKS
Australian Buiding Codes Board
www.abcb.gov.au/
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Need more information?
Visit qbcc.qld.gov.au or call us on 139 333.
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