- Regulation 129 ("r129")
Regulation 129 of the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic) requires that if a proposed building design does not meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC) for certain fire safety matters, the applicant must obtain a report and consent from the Chief Officer (Fire Rescue Victoria or Country Fire Authority) before a building permit can be issued. The regulation ensures that alternative fire safety solutions still achieve an acceptable level of fire safety.
BUILDING REGULATIONS 2018 - REG 129
Requirements for permits involving fire safety matters
(1) The report and consent of the chief officer must be obtained to an application for a building permit which involves any of the following fire safety matters if those matters do not meet the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the BCA—
(a) fire hydrants;
(b) fire control centres or fire control rooms;
(c) fire precautions during construction;
(d) fire mains;
(e) control valves;
(f) booster assemblies;
(g) open space and perimeter vehicular access to the extent it relates to emergency vehicles;
(h) fire indicator panels;
(i) fire services controls in passenger lift cars.
(2) In a report under subregulation (1), the chief officer may consent to a variation of the requirements of the BCA if the chief officer is satisfied that a satisfactory degree of fire safety is achieved.
(3) When a building permit is issued which involves the installation of fire sprinklers and the installation does not meet the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the BCA, the relevant building surveyor must forward details of the installation to the chief officer.