Inspection Glossary

Annual Fire Safety Statement. Required in NSW under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation. Confirms each essential fire safety measure has been assessed by an accredited Competent Fire Safety Practitioner.

The Australian Standards for termite management. AS 3660.1 covers new construction, AS 3660.2 covers existing buildings, AS 3660.3 sets assessment criteria for products and systems.

The Australian Standard for waterproofing of domestic wet areas. Defines the required waterproof areas, falls, junctions, hobs, and floor wastes in bathrooms, laundries, and toilets.

The Australian Standard for wind loads for housing. Defines wind region classifications (A, B, C, D) and the corresponding tie-down and structural requirements for residential buildings.

The Australian Standard for pre-purchase inspections of residential buildings, published in 2007. Defines the minimum scope, methodology, and report format for visual non-invasive inspections of houses, units, and townhouses.

The Australian Standard for timber pest inspections, published in 2010. Covers visual inspection for subterranean termites, borers, and wood-decaying fungi. Usually bundled with AS 4349.1 as a "building and pest" report.

The Australian Standard for external above-ground waterproofing membranes, used on balconies, planter boxes, and roof terraces.

The Australian Standard for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples, published in 2004. Defines how a sample of suspect material is taken, prepared, and analysed by a laboratory.

Building Code of Australia, now part of the National Construction Code. Published by the Australian Building Codes Board and adopted state by state. Sets the technical baseline for all construction in Australia.

The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997. Queensland’s legislative framework for community titles schemes (the equivalent of NSW strata schemes).

Comissão Interna de Prevenção de Acidentes na Mineração, the internal accident prevention committee required at most Brazilian mining operations under NR-22.

In a strata scheme, the parts of the building managed by the owners corporation rather than individual lot owners. Typically includes structural elements, common services, and shared areas. The exact line is defined by the strata plan and state legislation.

Under JORC, a member or fellow of AusIMM, AIG, or a recognised overseas professional body with at least five years of relevant experience for the style of mineralisation being reported. Required to sign off on public mineral reporting.

In timber pest inspection terminology, the building or site features that make termite infestation more likely, moisture, soil contact, concealed timbers, poor ventilation. Documented in pest reports even when no active infestation is found.

The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW). Created a statutory duty of care owed by anyone carrying out construction work to all owners (including subsequent owners), required registration of designers and engineers, and introduced declared design certification.

Deemed-to-Satisfy and Performance Solutions are the two compliance pathways under the National Construction Code. DTS provisions are prescriptive recipes; Performance Solutions are alternative methods that must be explicitly verified.

Engineer of Record. Under GISTM, a qualified engineer accountable for the design, construction, and ongoing surveillance of a tailings storage facility.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The federal Australian environment law covering matters of national environmental significance, listed threatened species, world heritage areas, Ramsar wetlands, etc.

Essential Safety Measures. Building services and features that protect occupants in fire or other emergencies. In Victoria, the Building Regulations 2018 require building owners to maintain and report on ESM annually.

Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. Published August 2020 by ICMM, UNEP, and PRI in response to the Brumadinho tailings dam collapse. 15 principles, 77 requirements covering tailings facility design, surveillance, and disclosure.

Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool. Operated by Equifax in partnership with the NSW Building Commission. Rates construction industry participants on a star scale based on financial stability, track record, and capability.

International Council on Mining and Metals. CEO-led organisation representing many of the world’s largest mining and metals companies. Members commit to the Mining Principles, 10 principles and 39 Performance Expectations.

Independent Tailings Review Board. Under GISTM, a panel of expert practitioners independent of the operating company that provides external review of tailings facility design, surveillance, and risk management for higher-consequence facilities.

The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Published by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee. JORC 2012 is the current binding edition for ASX-listed miners and explorers.

In a strata scheme, the registered owner of an individual lot (apartment, unit, townhouse). Distinct from the owners corporation which manages common property.

The most destructive termite species in the world. Endemic to northern Australia. Year-round activity in the NT and tropical Queensland. Capable of hollowing out structural timbers within months of infestation.

National Australian Built Environment Rating System. Energy efficiency benchmarking framework for commercial buildings. NABERS ratings affect leasing decisions, asset value, and capital expenditure planning.

National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (revised 2013). The technical baseline for assessing contaminated land in Australia.

Canadian Securities Administrators’ instrument for disclosure of mineral project information. Despite being Canadian, NI 43-101 has become the de facto international standard for mineral disclosure on TSX, TSXV, and CSE.

Norma Regulamentadora 22. Brazil’s federal mining safety standard. Issued by the Ministry of Labour. Covers surface and underground mining operations.

OECD framework for responsible mineral supply chains in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Five-step process including on-the-ground assessment. Underlies US Dodd-Frank Section 1502 and EU Conflict Minerals Regulation.

The legal entity formed by the lot owners in a strata or community titles scheme. Manages common property, sets rules, levies contributions, and is the primary defendant in defects claims.

Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking. Under the Model WHS Act, the broad category that catches employers, principal contractors, landlords, and others who owe duties of care to workers and other affected persons.

Practical Completion Inspection. The stage in HIA and MBA standard residential building contracts where the owner inspects the new build and identifies defects to be rectified before final progress payment.

Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan. Queensland regime requiring mining operators to plan and execute rehabilitation as the mine progresses, not just at closure. The most prescriptive mining environmental framework in Australia.

The Disability (Access to Premises. Buildings) Standards 2010, made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Define minimum accessibility requirements for new and significantly altered commercial buildings.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Issues building practitioner licences including the completed residential building inspection licence class. Administers the QBCC home warranty insurance scheme.

Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme. NSW scheme requiring developers of class 2 buildings 4+ storeys to lodge a 2% bond against defects. Independent inspectors from the NSW Fair Trading panel produce interim and final defect reports.

The registered plan that defines the boundaries of lots and common property in a strata scheme. Authoritative reference for any common property vs lot owner dispute.

In cyclone region housing, the structural connection from roof framing through wall framing to footings. Must be continuous from roof to footing to resist cyclonic wind loads. Pre-1980 housing in Region C and D often lacks current detailing.

Tailings Storage Facility. The engineered structure that contains the slurry and solids by-product of mineral processing. The subject of GISTM and the focus of mining safety scrutiny since Brumadinho.

Victorian Building Authority. Registers building practitioners across multiple categories in Victoria. Investigates complaints and disciplinary matters.

Under AS 3740, an area within a Class 1 or Class 2 building where water is present in normal use, bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, toilet rooms. Subject to specific waterproofing requirements.

The Model Work Health and Safety Act, harmonised across most Australian jurisdictions. Establishes the PCBU concept and the duty of care framework for workplace safety. Victoria continues to use its Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.