Archicentre - Guttering Regulations are up the Spout
Summary
15/10/2009
Archicentre News Release
15
October 2009
Guttering
Regulations are up the Spout
Confusion
between government, manufacturers and industry associations over high fronted
guttering regulations could become a costly and major environmental problem
with climate change causing shorter but heavier rainfall patterns.
Guttering being installed on a renovation on a property.
Angus
Kell, ACT & NSW State Manager of Archicentre said unsuspecting home owners
of both new and renovated homes may be having many of the homes fitted
or renovated with guttering in non compliant methods which can cause major
damage if water flows back into roofing cavities onto plaster ceilings
costing thousands of dollars to fix.
"This
is a major national problem that requires a national coordinated response
from government and industry where the problem of non-compliant installation
is still the norm and not the exception."
Mr Kell
said the confusion over guidelines is a red tape nightmare. This is largely
due to manufacturers, industry associations, and government agencies issuing
circulars and guidelines which are not clear and often misleading. These
attempts to inform both the industry and the consumer often create more
uncertainty, and have in some cases contributed to ongoing non-compliance.
"The Building Code of Australia prescribes a minimum standard of works
and alternate solutions should only be sorted within the 'Deemed-to-Satisfy
Provisions' as outlined in the Building Code of Australia.
"The Building
Code of Australia calls for the roof drainage system to be connected to a stormwater
drainage system that complies with the appropriate local authority (local Councils),
and that the roof drainage system is designed so that any overflow during heavy
rain periods is prevented from flowing back into the building."
The design
eaves gutters are only required to meet average rainfall intensities of a 1:20
rainfall event, and therefore adequate overflow provision must be allowed to
meet greater rainfall events to ensure that water does not enter the building.
If water is allowed to enter the building, the roof drainage system is non-complaint
with both the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and the relevant
Building Standard of AS/NZ 3500.3.
The only
problem is that it is a bit late when water has poured into the house, Mr Kell
said.
The Building
Code of Australia nominates the rainfall intensities of the capital cities as
follows:
www.archicentre.com.au
The building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Media Enquiries:
Angus Kell,
ACT & NSW State Manager Archicentre (02) 9411 1000 Mobile: 0412 565
023 Ron
Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417
329 201