The Building Commission is investigating a number of complaints regarding work being certified by building surveyors that may not show compliance with the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

Building surveyors are reminded that ensuring compliance with the building standards is their fundamental role and that serious consequences can result should they fail to meet their responsibilities. These consequences may include disciplinary or prosecution action by the Building Services Board or worse, the serious injury or death of others.

The Building Commission carefully assesses all complaints it receives and action may be taken in cases where a building surveyor is found to be negligent or incompetent, or has engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct in representing that designs comply with standards when they do not.

Building surveyors can fulfil their obligations and help to ensure the buildings Western Australians live in, work in and visit are safe by keeping up to date and ensuring compliance with the current standards.

Building surveyors may be interested in the following educational opportunities currently being offered.

Building Commission BCA 2015 regional roadshows

The Building Commission will be conducting regional seminars throughout Western Australia on the changes to the BCA 2015 that will come into effect on 1 May 2015. These seminars will also cover upcoming changes and proposed amendments to the Building Regulations 2012.

For more information and to register visit the Events and seminars webpage.

ABCB metro BCA 2015 seminars

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) in conjunction with the Building Commission is holding industry information seminars regarding changes to the BCA, being Volume One and Volume Two of the NCC.. As members of the building and construction industry you need to know what changes are coming into effect.

For more information and to register visit the Australian Building Codes Board website.

Free access to the National Construction Code

Users can now register for free access to the 2015 edition of the NCC, which was made available online and as a PDF on 1 February 2015 in readiness for when it takes effect on 1 May 2015.

To register, go to the home page of the Australian Building Codes Board website. Upon pre-registering you will be provided with a password and access details.

Coming soon: Building surveyor audit program

The Building Commission is continuing to develop its new audit program for building surveyors. The audits will examine administrative and technical aspects of building surveying processes undertaken by registered building surveyors.

The audits will provide an added opportunity to ask questions about any legislative or technical issues. The Building Commission is working with the industry to fine tune the audit tool, including through the conducting of live testing to ensure its effectiveness.