Standards Linkages to a Performance-Based Regulatory Framework.
Standards Linkages to a Performance-Based Regulatory
Framework.
(38 K)
Bukowski, R. W.
Performance in Product and Practice. CIB (International
Council for Innovation and Research in Building and
Construction) World Building Congress. Paper 262.
Proceedings. April 2-6, 2001, Wellington, New Zealand,
1-9 pp, 2001 AND Building Tomorrow's Future (BTF)
Conference 2001. Proceedings. Australian Building Codes
Board (ABCB). Sponsored by: Standards Australia, BRANZ,
Australian Window Association, Australian Greenhouse
Office, Building Center of Japan, Plantation Timber
Association, Master Builders, Australian Building Energy
Council, Quantas, IRCC. April 9-11, 2000, Australia, 1-9
pp, 2001, 2001.
Keywords:
building codes; performance based codes; regulations;
standards; performance evaluation
Abstract:
Much of the world is developing or has in place,
performance-based regulatory systems for the regulation
of building safety. While the concept of
performance-based regulation is not new, only in the
last two decades has the development of engineering
methods that can verify performance against goals,
objectives and specific criteria provided the means ofr
enforcement. Most of these systems follow a similar
framework and cite common performance metrics and
engineering methods. The initial focus of the
organizations developing performance-based regulatory
systems has been the codes themselves, but now more
attention is being paid to the infrastructure needed to
administer such systems, and particularly on standards.
In 1999 the Australian Buildings Codes Board published
preparation of Standards Referenced in the Building Code
of Australia. ISO committees such as TC59 and TC92 are
also turning their attention to the issue of
performance-related standards and their linkages to
performance -based codes. This paper discusses the
linkage between performance-based regulations and the
standards that form a crucial part of the overall
performance-based regulatory system/PBRS. There are many
ways in which codes and standards may be linked, but
generally performance-related standards should employ a
structure that is complementary to that of the code.
Traditionally codes have made direct references to
standards that then provide a greater level of detail on
how a function is to be accomplished or verified. In a
PBRS that does not require specific approaches it is not
clear if direct reference to standards in the regulation
is appropriate or whether these would be in the
"Acceptable Solutions." What then is the scope of a
performance-related standrd and would the standard be
different if it supports the functional requirement or
performance criterion as opposed to only acceptable
solutions? In the Performance Codes that have been
developed by various countries there are many similar
objectives, functional requirements, and performance
requirements. To what extent will it be possible to
develop and agree on common standards on a regional or
International scale? And finally, how will the standards
affect the development and application of the
performance codes themselves? In particular, standards
have a significant role in the regulatory acceptance of
compliance with code provisions, and the same would be
expected under a performance system. These issues will
be discussed from the International perspective of the
authors and their direct involvement in the development
and use of performance codes and standards in their own
countries.
