01
Building Code of Australia
National Construction Code — primary regulatory instrument
NCC / BCA
National Construction Code — Building Code of Australia. The primary performance-based code governing the design, construction, and performance of buildings in Australia. All MEPX design outputs are assessed against NCC requirements from the point of configuration.
Volume One applies to multi-residential buildings (Class 2). Western Australia adopts the NCC with state-specific variations.
NCC Section J
Energy efficiency provisions for buildings — governing envelope performance, services efficiency, and verification methods. Applied to all residential and commercial elements of multi-residential developments.
AS 1170 series
Structural design actions — wind, earthquake, snow, and live loads. Referenced by the NCC as the basis for structural design requirements.
02
Mechanical Services
HVAC, ventilation, and thermal comfort
AS 1668 series
The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings. Governs mechanical ventilation requirements for multi-residential and mixed-use buildings.
AS/NZS 3666 series
Air-handling and water systems of buildings — microbial control. Applies to HVAC systems in multi-residential developments.
AS 4254 series
Ductwork for air-handling systems — construction and installation requirements.
AIRAH DA series
Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating design application guidelines — referenced for HVAC system design best practice.
03
Electrical & ELV Services
Power, lighting, data, security, fire alarm, and extra low voltage systems
AS/NZS 3000
Wiring rules — the primary standard governing electrical installations in Australia and New Zealand. Foundation standard for all LV electrical design.
MEP lead discipline — green category
AS/NZS 3008 series
Electrical installations — selection of cables. Governs cable sizing and selection for power distribution.
AS/NZS 61439 series
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. Applies to switchboards and distribution boards in multi-residential buildings.
AS/NZS 2293 series
Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings — installation and maintenance.
AS/NZS 1158 series
Lighting for roads and public spaces — also referenced for exterior and common area lighting design.
AS/NZS 3080
Telecommunications installations — generic cabling for commercial premises. Governs data and communications cabling within buildings.
AS 2201 series
Intruder alarm systems — covers detection, control, and monitoring equipment for security systems.
04
Plumbing & Fire Services
Water supply, drainage, firefighting, and gas
AS/NZS 3500 series
Plumbing and drainage — the primary standard series governing water services, sanitary plumbing, stormwater, and heated water systems.
MEP lead discipline — green category
AS 2419 series
Fire hydrant installations — system design, installation, and commissioning for multi-residential buildings.
AS 2118 series
Automatic fire sprinkler systems — design and installation. Relevant to multi-residential buildings requiring sprinkler protection under the NCC.
AS/NZS 5601 series
Gas installations — covers natural gas and LPG installations in buildings, including pipework, appliances, and ventilation requirements.
WA Plumbing Regs
Plumbing and Gas (Qualifications and Standards) Regulations 2000 — Western Australia state-specific plumbing regulatory instrument.
05
Fire & Life Safety
Detection, alarm, and passive fire protection
AS 1670 series
Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems — system design, installation, and commissioning. The primary standard for fire alarm systems in Australian buildings.
AS 4428 series
Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems — control and indicating equipment.
AS 1530 series
Methods of fire tests on building materials, components, and structures — passive fire protection testing and classification.
AS 4072 series
Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant separating elements — fire doors, windows, and penetration sealing.
06
Structural
Structural system, foundations, and precast elements
AS 3600
Concrete structures — the primary standard governing the design of concrete elements including precast panels, slabs, beams, and columns.
AS 3610 series
Formwork for concrete — design, fabrication, erection, and stripping. Relevant to precast manufacturing process.
AS 4100
Steel structures — governs the design of structural steel elements where applicable in hybrid modular systems.
AS 2159
Piling — design and installation. Governs foundation design for multi-residential buildings on varying ground conditions.
AS 1170 series
Structural design actions — governing load combinations, wind, seismic, and imposed loads on structures.
07
Architectural
Envelope, facade, accessibility, and acoustic performance
AS 1428 series
Design for access and mobility — governs accessibility requirements for multi-residential buildings including door widths, circulation, and facilities for people with disabilities.
AS/NZS 4284
Testing of building facades — performance testing of curtain wall and facade systems for water penetration, structural, and air infiltration.
AS/NZS 2208
Safety glazing materials in buildings — governs glass selection for facades, windows, and internal glazed elements.
AS/NZS 1269 series
Occupational noise management — referenced for acoustic design in multi-residential buildings, particularly inter-tenancy sound transmission.
08
Energy & Sustainability
Thermal performance, energy rating, and environmental compliance
NatHERS
National House Energy Rating Scheme — Australia's residential building energy rating framework. MEPX designs are assessed for NatHERS star ratings as part of the automated design process, not as a post-design check.
NCC Section J
Energy efficiency requirements — building fabric, services, and on-site energy generation. Applied to all residential and common-area elements.
OpenStudio / EnergyPlus
Open-source whole-building energy simulation engines developed by the US Department of Energy and used globally by research institutions, government bodies, and design practices. Used by MEPX for energy load analysis and performance optimisation.
AS/NZS 4234
Heated water systems — thermal performance of solar and heat pump systems. Referenced for hot water system design in multi-residential buildings.
09
Modular & Precast Construction
Off-site manufacturing, tolerances, and assembly
AS 3850 series
Tilt-up concrete construction — covers the manufacture, handling, and erection of precast concrete panels. Primary standard for precast panel design and construction in Australia.
AS 3600
Concrete structures — governs the structural design of all precast concrete elements including panels, slabs, beams, and connections.
AS 3610 series
Formwork for concrete — governs the design and construction of formwork used in precast manufacturing.
NATSPEC Precast
NATSPEC specification guidance for precast concrete — covers specification language, tolerances, finishes, and quality management for precast elements.
10
Authorities Having Jurisdiction
Western Australia — pilot jurisdiction
Western Power
Electricity network connection, metering, and supply authority for the South West Interconnected System. Governs all grid-connected electrical installations and embedded generation.
ATCO Gas Australia
Natural gas network operator and distributor in Western Australia. Governs gas connection, metering, and reticulation standards for new developments.
Water Corporation
Primary water and wastewater utility in Western Australia. Governs water supply connections, sewer connections, and stormwater requirements for new developments.
DFES — WA
Department of Fire and Emergency Services — Western Australia. Governs fire safety system requirements, building approvals involving fire systems, and occupant safety in multi-residential buildings.
DMIRS — WA
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Administers the Building Act, Plumbing and Gas licensing, electrical licensing, and occupational safety regulation in Western Australia.
Local Government Authorities
Local councils administer development approvals, building permits, and planning scheme compliance. Requirements vary by local government area. MEPX designs are assessed against the relevant LGA planning scheme as a configured input.
WAPC
Western Australian Planning Commission — sets state planning policy, structure plans, and strategic land use decisions affecting multi-residential development.
Energy Policy WA
Governs energy efficiency policy, renewable energy requirements, and building energy rating compliance in Western Australia.
11
International References
Where applicable — informing best practice beyond Australian standards
ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
ASHRAE standards and guidelines are referenced for HVAC design methodology, energy modelling protocols, and thermal comfort criteria — particularly ASHRAE 55 (Thermal Comfort) and ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings).
NFPA
National Fire Protection Association
NFPA codes are referenced for fire system design methodology where Australian standards have gaps or where international project benchmarking is required. Includes NFPA 13 (Sprinkler Systems) and NFPA 72 (Fire Alarm and Signalling Code).
CIBSE
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
CIBSE Guides are referenced for building services engineering design methodology, particularly Guide A (Environmental Design), Guide B (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), and Guide F (Energy Efficiency).
BISRA / BSRIA
Building Services Research and Information Association
BSRIA guides are referenced for commissioning, handover, and operational performance methodology — particularly relevant to the quality assurance of MEP services in modular and precast construction.
This page references standards series and regulatory frameworks applicable to MEPX's design scope. Specific edition dates and version numbers are maintained in MEPX's internal compliance register, which is updated as standards are revised. Where Australian standards and international references conflict, Australian standards and the National Construction Code take precedence. This page is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or professional advice.