TECHNICAL FACT SHEET:
GUIDE TO BUILDING
CLASSIFICATIONS
Version 1 Released June 2019
Are you supplying the right window for the right Class 2: a building containing 2 or more sole occupancy
building? units each being a separate dwelling.
It is important to understand the class of building Class 3: a residential building, other than a building
into which your products are going to be installed. of Class 1 or 2, which is a common place of long term
One of the main causes of failures of windows is the or transient living for a number of unrelated persons,
wrong window being used in the wrong place. This key including
message is a guide to and explanation of the different
(a) a boarding-house, guest house, hostel, lodging
building classes and an explanation of the references
house or backpackers accommodation; or
to Housing, Residential and Commercial windows in AS
2047. (b) a residential part of a hotel or motel; or
(c) a residential part of a school; or
How do you determine the building class to ensure use
(d) accommodation for the aged, children or people
of the correct window?
with disabilities; or
Following is the description of building classifications (e) a residential part of a health-care building which
and a table that relates those classifications to Housing, accommodates members of staff; or
Residential and Commercial as per AS 2047.
(f) a residential part of a detention centre.
Buildings are classified in the National Construction Class 4: a dwelling in a building that is Class 5, 6, 7, 8
Code as follows: or 9 if it is the only dwelling in the building.
Class 1: one or more buildings which in association Class 5: an office building used for professional or
constitute commercial purposes, excluding buildings of Class 6, 7,
8 or 9.
(a) Class 1a — a single dwelling being
(i) a detached house; or Class 6: a shop or other building for the sale of goods
(ii) one of a group of two or more attached by retail or the supply of services direct to the public,
dwellings, each being a building, separated by a including
fire-resisting wall, including a row house, terrace
(a) an eating room, cafe, restaurant, milk or soft-drink
house, town house or villa unit; or
bar; or
(b) Class 1b — a boarding house, guest house, hostel
(b) a dining room, bar area that is not an assembly
or the like
building, shop or kiosk part of a hotel or motel; or
(i) with a total area of all floors not exceeding 300
(c) a hairdresser’s or barber’s shop, public laundry, or
m2 measured over the enclosing walls of the
undertaker’s establishment; or
Class 1b; and
(d) market or sale room, showroom, or service station.
(ii) in which not more than 12 persons would
ordinarily be resident, which is not located Class 7: a building which is
above or below another dwelling or another
(a) Class 7a — a carpark; or
Class of building other than a private garage.
(b) Class 7b — for storage, or display of goods or
produce for sale by wholesale.
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TECHNICAL FACT SHEET:
GUIDE TO BUILDING
CLASSIFICATIONS
Class 8: a laboratory, or a building in which a handicraft (a) a trade workshop, laboratory or the like in a primary
or process for the production, assembling, altering, or secondary school, but excluding any other parts
repairing, packing, finishing, or cleaning of goods or of the building that are of another Class; or
produce is carried on for trade, sale, or gain. (b) Class 9c — an aged care building.
Class 9: a building of a public nature— Class 10: a non-habitable building or structure—
(a) Class 9a — a health-care building, including those (a) Class 10a — a non-habitable building being a
parts of the building set aside as a laboratory; or private garage, carport, shed, or the like; or
(b) Class 9b — an assembly building, including (b) Class 10b — a structure being a fence, mast,
antenna, retaining or free-standing wall, swimming
pool, or the like.
Table 1 Showing NCC building class type and reference to each AS 2047 classifications
NCC Classification AS 2047 Classification
Housing if within the limitations of AS 4055. (Refer figure 1.1)
Class 1 a - b
Residential if outside limitations of AS 4055. (Refer figure 1.1)
Class 2
Class 3 a - f Residential
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6 a - d
Class 7 a - b Commercial
Class 8
Class 9 a - c
Housing if within the limitations of AS 4055. (Refer figure 1.1)
Class 10 a - b
Residential if outside limitations of AS 4055. (Refer figure 1.1)
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TECHNICAL FACT SHEET:
GUIDE TO BUILDING
CLASSIFICATIONS
Figure 1.1 If a house is built outside the size limitations of AS 4055, it should be treated as a residential building in
AS 2047.
• The distance from ground level to the underside of eaves shall not exceed 6.0 m, from ground level to the
highest point of the roof, neglecting chimneys, shall not exceed 8.5 m.
• The width (W) including roofed verandas, excluding eaves, shall not exceed 16.0 m, and the length (L)shall not
exceed five times the width.
• The roof pitch shall not exceed 35°.
REMEMBER: This is an area where many windows are incorrectly supplied and failures may occur. There are some
important steps to take before quoting a project.
1. Consider the class of building. 1. If residential or commercial calculate the required
2. If it is a house, does it fit inside the limitations of water penetration resistance pressure.
housing in AS4055? 2. Select a window suite to suit; one that has been
3. Get an N rating for housing or SLS (Serviceability) tested to achieve the required wind loads and water
and ULS (Ultimate) pressures for non housing penetration resistance of the site, for the required
(residential and commercial). building type - Housing, Residential or Commercial.
Disclaimer: This key message has been developed to provide general guidance, awareness and education to AGWA members only. It should not be
viewed as a definitive guide and should be read in conjunction with the requirements of the National Construction Code (Visit [Link]). While
every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate the AGWA expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person for anything done in
reliance on this publication. No responsibility is accepted by the AGWA for any mistakes, errors or omissions in this publication.
Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA)
a: Pymble Corporate Centre, Suite 1, Level 1, Building 1, 20 Bridge Street, Pymble NSW 2073
t: +61 2 9498 2768 f: +61 2 9498 3816 e: info@[Link] w: [Link] 3