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Prescribed temporary structures application guidelines

These guidelines provide detailed requirements for prescribed temporary structure occupancy permit applications.

1. Application

  1. The structures in the application must be consistent with the definition of a 'prescribed temporary structure' under the Building Regulations 2018.
  2. If any of the structures are attached to, erected on or within another permanent building that can be classified under the version of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) applicable at the time, the structures are not prescribed temporary structures.

2. Fees

  1. If there is more than one type of structure or structure configuration in a submission, the application fee of $364 must be paid for each structure.
  2. A marquee with 2 different spans (e.g. 10m and 15m) must have the fee paid for each configuration.
  3. A circus tent and seating stand is considered 2 structures and the fee must be paid for each structure.

3. Drawings

  1. The plans must be fully dimensioned and include the length, width and height of the structure. The plans must be in A3 format as a minimum.
  2. Section drawings must be provided where connection details are required.
  3. The plans must match the description of the structure in the application form. Where there is an inconsistency, either the application form or the drawings need to be amended by the applicant.

4. Certificate of Compliance

  1. An r126 Certificate of Compliance for proposed building work (certificate) must be provided for the structural design of temporary structures.
  2. The certificate must be in the form (PDF, 158.25 KB) approved by the VBA.
  3. The certificate must be consistent with the application form and plans.
  4. The certificate must be fully completed, including being signed and dated by the endorsed building engineer providing the certificate.
  5. The VBA will give consideration to the complexity of the design in accordance with Ministers Guideline 04 (MG-04) in deciding whether to rely on a certificate.
  6. The VBA may request a second certificate from an independent endorsed building engineer where the design is complex as determined in accordance with MG-04.
  7. Where a design complies with the requirements of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015 it would generally not be considered complex.
  8. As a general rule, a peer review is not required for applications involving reduced wind speeds. A reduced wind speed does not necessarily indicate that a design is complex, as long as the procedures in AS/NZS 1170.2 are followed.

5. Computations

  1. Key inputs and outputs must be clearly identifiable in the engineering calculations.
  2. The computations must be consistent with the architectural drawings; however, minor variations are acceptable where they are a close approximation or more conservative (i.e. a cross section being slightly smaller in the computations).
  3. For analysis of wind loading, all key inputs must be considered including the importance level, annual probability or exceedance and any applied reduction factor in accordance with Part 3 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  4. The inputs used for the combinations of actions must be in accordance with AS 1170.0:2002 Structural Design Actions, General Principles, including dead loads, live loads (floors and barriers), rigging loads and wind loads. Relevant loading combinations in AS 1170.0 must be considered.
  5. The computations must consider all critical members and connections, i.e. members that are essential for the structure to maintain its stability.
  6. The computations must consider bracing (if required).
  7. The computations must consider all beams, columns and rafters, and all awnings and similar components.
  8. Where floors are above ground level, the computations must consider the floor design.
  9. Where floors are located greater than 1m above the surface beneath, the computations must consider stairs and barriers for vertical and horizontal live loads for the appropriate use of the structure.
  10. The computations must consider the method of hold down (ballast/pegs with strap, cable or baseplate), including how it will be connected to the structure.
  11. The computations must consider the ground bearing capacity and associated sole plates.
  12. Where an engineering design from first principles is used for a structural matter (i.e. reduced wind speed or live loads), a prescribed temporary structures alternative method report must be completed using the Alternative method report (DOCX, 83.93 KB) template. Any limitations will be placed as a condition on the occupancy permit.

6. Fire hazard properties

  1. All fire test reports must be from an Accredited Testing Laboratory (ATL) as defined in Schedule 1 of the National Construction Code (NCC), Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume One.
  2. Fire test reports for fabric roof and wall coverings must be in accordance with Clause 4.1.2 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  3. If a structure proposes hard board wall cladding, fire test reports that demonstrate compliance with S7C4 of the BCA for 'Specific Areas' in a Class 9b un-sprinklered building must be provided.
  4. If a single-storey structure proposes Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP), the panels must be either FR or A2 types. Fire test reports that demonstrate compliance with S7C4 of the BCA for 'Specific Areas' in a Class 9b un-sprinklered building must also be provided.
  5. Where any wall cladding is proposed on two- and three-storey structures, the cladding must comply with Clause C2D10 of the BCA.
  6. The Minister for Planning announced a prohibition (PDF, 489.95 KB) on the use of the external wall cladding products ACP and EPS for any building work in connection with buildings of Type A and Type B construction, effective 1 February 2021. Therefore, ACP and EPS cannot be used for 2 storey (or greater) prescribed temporary structures.
  7. If fire hazard properties do not comply with Sections 6.1 to 6.5, the applicant may provide a fire engineering report and a r126 Certificate of Compliance in accordance with Section 4 from an endorsed fire safety engineer who did not prepare the design.

7. Separation and firefighting equipment

  1. Separation between temporary structures, other temporary structures and permanent buildings must be in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  2. Where the separation distances under Section 7.1 of this document have not been provided, fire-fighting equipment in accordance with Part 4.2.2 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015 must be provided.

8. Egress provisions

  1. The number and points of egress must be in accordance with Part 4.3.2 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  2. The dimensions of points of egress and paths of travel must be in accordance with Part 4.3.3 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  3. Egress travel distances must be in accordance with Part 4.3.4 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  4. Egress doors and curtains must be in accordance with Part 4.3.5 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.

9. Emergency lighting

  1. Emergency lighting must be provided in enclosed structures in accordance with Part 4.4 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  2. Exit and direction signs must be provided in accordance with Part 4.4 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.

10. Safe movement and access

  1. Pedestrian ramps must be in accordance with Part 5.1.2 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  2. Stairways and handrails must be in accordance with Part 5.1.3 and 5.1.6 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  3. Barriers to prevent falls must be in accordance with Part 5.1.4 and 5.1.5 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  4. Where the height of a seating stand at the rear is more than 4 m from the surface beneath, there must be no horizontal climbable elements between 150 mm and 760 mm from the rear seat base. The barrier must comply in all other respects with Section 10.3.
  5. Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders serving spaces that are not accessible by the public may comply with AS 1657:2018 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation in lieu of complying with Sections 10.1 to 10.4 of this guideline.
  6. Tiered seating structures must comply with Part 5.1.9 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015 or Clause I1D4 and VIC I5D3 of the BCA.

11. Ancillary provisions

  1. If a structure has a refrigerated or cooling chamber of a sufficient size for a person to enter, it must comply with Part 6.2 of the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015.

12. Alternative methods

  1. An alternative method has the same meaning as the ABCB Prescribed Temporary Structures Standard 2015.
  2. Where an alternative method relates to a structural matter, refer to Section 5.12 and the Alternative method report template (DOCX, 83.93 KB).
  3. Where an alternative method relates to a fire safety matter referred to in Sections 6.1 to 6.6, the applicant must provide a performance solution final report in accordance with A2G2 of the BCA and an r126 Certificate of Compliance in accordance with Section 4 of this guideline from an endorsed fire safety engineer who did not prepare the design.