Need suggestions for BCA private certification
Not sure about the below issue, the private building certifier that has been engaged has discussed that the media room has an issue possible not complying with BCA for the following reason:-
the Building Code of Australia (BCA) states that you must have windows that are equal in size to at least 10% of the floor space, for the purpose of natural light - or 3%, for rooflights (or a proportional combination of windows and rooflights). When we talk about ventilaion it's worth remembering that skylights don't necessarily open to allow ventilation.
The 5% ventilation requirement
For the purpose of ventilation, an openable window or similar aperture is required to be at least 5% of the floor space in that particular area. The area itself may be defined just as one particular room, or a combined set of adjoining spaces. Also, in a room where there is no ceiling fan, the BCA states that you must achieve effective cross ventilation.
I have 2 suggestions that can be a work around to resolve this issue?
1. I am suggesting to remove the bifold door and install a fan and use the windows located near the staircase to beam natural lighting would this make the room complying or
2. install a feature class above the couch into the dining which will allow light to beam from the dining area into the media room, i also will make this into a retreat room or quiet area.?
Has anyone had experience with this issue? Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions as i don't want to re-configure the layout as this is functional for our family.
Comments (14)
georgi02
8 years ago
LouieT
8 years agoRelated Discussions
How do I improve the kerb appeal of this apartment block?
Comments (17)I really like this building, and I love the railing... I would not change the railing. Is the railing the same thing as balustrade? (sorry I am not familiar with that term.... if it is, I think that I agree that I would do my best to maintain the character of it when I am trying to meet building code requirements). I think that it is reflective of the period that this house was built. I think that some nice landscaping of the property would add to its street appeal. I would love some hedging, and perhaps some flowers. I would remove the white railings that are next to the parking area (I am not speaking about the staircase railing, which I like.) The railings that are next to parking area, and entry into parking area are not very appealing... some hedges here would definitely add to the appeal. I would also remove all of the straggly looking plants and opt for something slightly more formal. The parking garage next to the building is unattractive. I think that this is much less appealing than the apartment building itself. The area definitely needs to be paved and I would explore the costs of improving this area. I think that while people like car spaces, this whole area detracts from the apartment complex which is actually quite nice. Also, is the paved area that is outside the stairs for visitor parking? I think that could be improved as well. If you do not need visitor parking, I would put a grass area here, and possibly a gate or formal hedging at the boundary of the property. I might even add something for tenants to use. Perhaps a bench or picnic table. I am not certain what the horizontal bar is that is between the windows on the upper floor. Can you have something more decorative there? (perhaps the street name 32 Hill Street (or whatever the street number is) ... written out in a decorative font that is in keeping with the time period of the building. I have seen this on some buildings in Sydney, and it actually looks nice. I think that I might change the red color on the end of the stairs. Is the seemingly paved area outside of the stairs a parking area? In one of the pictures I see a set of blue curtains in the upper window. I would replace this with something like a roman blind, so that all window treatments are the same. (I think that it has more appeal from the outside.) Good Luck!...See MoreFloorplan help
Comments (41)I'm sorry to say that I have only negative input also. This floor plan does not look as though the house would flow at all. Have studied Interior Design & have been involved in a lot of house plans, but sorry to say I don't think you will be happy in the long run. You have a Laundry right at your front door. This is where all your visitors will be entering. You have no external door from your laundry , so will you be carrying clothes outside through the house or will be there be a door in the garage to the outside? Bedrooms 3 & 4 need to go through the rumpus room to get to the toilet and bathroom. You dont want bathrooms & toilets to be seen from your front door, its not a good look. Your bedroom quarters should all be grouped together with access to bathroom & toilet, so you dont need to go through other rooms to get to them. Your area of your kitchen and breakfast bar seems to be too narrow if you are intending to have bar stools across there with doors opening out to a deck. If your most beautiful views are along the south & west I would consider flipping the design. Try to get your designer to put all 4 bedrooms, bathroom & toilet on the East side and make that the bedroom wing. Make the rumpus room from the internal garage wall towards the west. Move your balcony from that same point and wrap it around your rumpus room with big bifold doors that open to one side. This will give you the views and entertaining space in & out. Move the laundry door from the front entry to where the cupboard is at the moment. Leave the garage/Laundry door where it is and seen if you could get cupboards for storage along that garage/laundry wall. In your kitchen area I would extend the doors on that balcony out which will give you more room for stools along the breakfast bench. Move your toilet to the back wall of your living room near the stairs. I know that wall is long but your designer should be able to fit in a toilet and basin comfortably and what ever area remains you could either make it into a wet bar for entertaining or inbuilt shelving and cupboards below? or maybe even the piano, which will not be in a walk way now but in nook overlooking the living area; where it can be used on special occasions. I would also do the same with the balcony as below and wrap it around the living room with big bifolds opening to one side which will give you that indoor/outdoor living space especially if you have the wonderful views you say towards the south/west. Get rid of you french doors leading into the living room and open up all the space so it feel airy and roomy. With the toilet gone from where it is, the piano moved and the balcony moved out a little, your walk way is opened up, there will be a better flow into your dining and library areas without walls and obstacles. You will get a much better view out from your kitchen area, (which lets face it is where you will spend a lot of time) as you will be able to see the views to the south and west whilst standing at the sink. Where as it stands now you have a toilet and french doors blocking the view from your kitchen....See MoreExtension floor plan - Help needed :)
Comments (41)Hi Bec, I said it was coming, My idea is to open up the kitchen against the back wall with large Island and access to the verandah. This would need a full height wall or one the same height as the cabinets which could allow light in to the hallway and not interfere with the ceiling, I think there's already a wall included with the existing kitchen. Meme suggested using the family room which would save on adding more rooms, this would work really well with full height pocket doors between it and the kitchen, great for theater snaks. If you were to use this space you would have to go to the ceiling on the walkway end of the room as well as between the kitchen and new media room cheers...See MoreNeed to extend a granny flat that's on acreage, SE Qld
Comments (6)I am going through Granny Flat issues at the moment. First of all I agree with oklouise, avoid calling it a granny flat. Was it built as a Secondary dwelling ? I am seeking certification for my 'granny flat" which was originally built as a 'pool house" on the block. It was subsequently added onto on two sides, but the additions were never approved by the council. A secondary dwelling classification means you can rent that dwelling separately. We have no desire to rent ours, so we are going for an extension to our main dwelling. Ours is under the 80sqm, so no probs there. Council is taking a dim view of classing it as a habital dwelling, so on plans we have called the bedroom a 'storeroom' and the kitchenette is an extension to the existing pool shed. I think you should seek advice from a Private Certifier, your local council may be one that requires you to go through a Private Certifier anyway....See MoreLouieT
8 years agoAnother thought is dependent on floor plan & design preferences...internal cavity sliding or barn door that open each way on a corner & then the formula may be able to be applied to include the surrounding space i.e the hallway which may satisfy the light & air flow requirements.
My input is non professional advice...though worth considering?
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