Jargon Dictionary

Current at: 10 May 2010 (C)

The BCA, Australian Standards and ABLE local practice information and resources use technical terms to describe design and construction practice. These and other terms are also used in specifications, addenda’s, drawings and sub-contract agreements to describe what is expected.

This is the Jargon of the building and construction professional. Having a common understanding of what terms mean is the first step to better managing expectations.

Jargon is listed alphabetically. Each entry has four parts:

Heading - if typically an acronym, this is noted first
Also see - suggestion for related Jargon (when applicable)
Ref - where Jargon is defined or referenced (when applicable)
Explanation - a brief description of the Jargon

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Use the alphabet above to search the Jargon Dictionary

A

ACP – Acceptable Construction Practice
Also see: ACM
Ref: BCA Vol 2 1.07 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

The DTS design and construction descriptions actually printed in Section 3 of the BCA. ACP is one of two descriptions usually provided in the BCA for DTS design and construction. When ACP and ACM options are provided, both are deemed equivalent, but ACP is more likely to provide a closed, definitive description.

ACM – Acceptable Construction Manual
Also see: ACP
Ref: BCA Vol 2 1.07 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

At the start of each Part in Section 3 of the BCA, two options are usually provided for DTS construction. The ACM option requires that design and construction be as described in the Australian Standard referenced in that BCA Part. If your Specification uses "as per the BCA" descriptions and there is a dispute, you may find this more onerous standard will be used to judge the expected performance.

Alternative Solution
Also see: ACP, ACM
Ref: BCA Vol 2 (Defined term) 1.0 Application, 1.1 Interpretation (Building Solution)

A building solution that is fully or partially outside the scope of ACP and outside the scope of what can be verified using an ACM(s).

ANEF – The Australian Noise Forecast (ANEF) System
Also see: WAPC
Ref: WAPC Aircraft Noise Insulation for Residential Development in the Vicinity of Perth Airport - Final Report February 2004

The ANEF system is a land use planning tool aimed to manage the noise sensitive buildings in the vicinity of airport. The system underpins Australian Standard AS2021 'Acoustics - Aircraft noise intrusion - Building siting and construction'. The Standard contains advice on the acceptability of building sites based on ANEF zones.

B

BCA – Building Code of Australia
Also see: Building Regulations 1989, Transition Provisions, Common Practice Solution

A uniform set of technical descriptions for the design and construction of buildings in Australia that is amended as of 1 May each year. The BCA provisions that apply are those in force as of the date of application for the building licence. BCA provisions vary by climate, geological or geographic conditions. But for Western Australia, they often do not describe construction that is relevant to local practice. Common Practice Solutions are intended to fill these local practice gaps.

Building Regulations 1989
Also see: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960

In Western Australia, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960 references the Building Regulations 1989, and it is this Regulation that invokes the use of the BCA.

Building Solution
Also see: Performance Requirement
Ref: BCA Vol 2 (Defined term) 1.0 Application, 1.1 Interpretation

Design and construction that is an Alternative Solution, DTS compliant, or a combination of both.

C

Chain of Evidence
Ref: BCA Vol 2 1.09 Assessment Methods

Common Practice Solution
Also see: Common Practice Template, BCA

A description of local practice, verified by expert opinion or the like, and recognised by regulators as being equivalent to BCA design and/or construction. A Common Practice Solution is prescriptive and is to be used as published.

Common Practice Template
Also see: Common Practice Solution, BCA

A suggested documentation format that can be tailored to suit individual work practices and processes to better describe how regulations will be met and standards of work practice will be achieved. A Common Practice Template is intended to be adapted to suit specific needs.

Common Practice Supporter
Also see Common Practice Solution, Common Practice Template

As-Built Learning Exchange (ABLE) chooses to invite leading suppliers, government bodies, experts, and building companies to support the development of Common Practice Solutions. Those who accept the invitation are recognised as Common Practice Supporters. They participate in ABLE because it offers an opportunity to learn about emerging industry needs and how they can best respond. They understand that industry benefit is the foundation upon which commercial benefit is sustained. And they know that informed actions reduce the likelihood of the errors and/or disputes that lead to reduced productivity and diminished product and service reputations.

D

Deemed-to-Comply Specification

Used in the WAPC Aircraft Noise Insulation in the Vicinity of Perth Airport - Final Report 2004 to describe a schedule of construction that, if complied with, was deemed to meet the intent of the Report.

DTS – Deemed-to-Satisfy
Also see: BCA, ACP, ACM
Ref: BCA Vol 2 (Defined term) 1.07 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, 1.1 Interpretation

Design and construction practice that is described in a Part of the BCA and is deemed-to-satisfy the Performance Requirement(s) that apply to the building work being undertaken.

DTS Equivalent
Also see: DTS, ACP

A description of design and construction practice that, whilst it differs from the ACP, has been been verified (typically by expert judgement) as being equivalent to what is intended by the DTS interpretation of the Performance Requirement(s) that apply to the nominated design and construction practice.

DTS Solution
Also see: BCA, ACM

A description developed by a suitably qualified person using a BCA referenced ACM(s) to fully describe DTS compliant design and construction such that, unless referenced in the DTS Solution, any further reference to any Australian Standard is explicitly outside of the scope of the described work.

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960
Also see: Building Regulations 1989

M

N

O

P

Performance Requirements
Also see: BCA, DTS
Ref: BCA (Defined term) 1.0 Application, 1.1 Interpretation, Section 2 (Performance Provisions)

The structural, safety, health and amenity, and environmental performance level that a building must achieve for it to be BCA compliant.

Q

R

S

T

Transition Provisions (Transition Period)
Also see: Building Regulations 1989, BCA

The Building Regulations 1989 contain Transition Provisions that allow Local Government, when there is reasonable cause, to assess a building against the BCA provisions that were in force up to 12 months prior to the date of building licence application.

U

V

W

WAPC – Western Australian Planning Commission
Also see: ANEF

The peak representative body of land use planning and development in Western Australia.

X

Y

Z

Common Practice explains what jargon is and how it is used.