Public record: Board Meeting 2026-1

This is a Public Record of the Australian Building Codes Board meeting held on 19 February 2026.

Meeting opening and administrative matters

• The meeting opened with Acknowledgement of Country.
• The Board noted attendance, apologies, and disclosure of interests and any potential or actual conflicts related to matters on the agenda.

NCC Modernisation update and discussion

The Board noted the Commonwealth’s update on the National Construction Code (NCC) Modernisation Project.

The Board explored and discussed various issues and questions being worked through the modernisation project, including:

• governance process:
• complexity and regulatory burden;
• useability and accessibility; and
• innovation and housing diversity.

NCC 2025 update

The Board noted NCC 2025 is on track to be published by 1 May 2026.

Fire bolts

The Office updated the Board on the progress of its work regarding the use and interpretation of National Construction Code (NCC) provisions as they apply to fire doors incorporating fire bolts. The Board agreed a work plan and methodology for assessing and testing if fire bolts potentially impede occupant egress, and noted this has been developed in close consultation with stakeholders, including fire authorities around the country. 

The Board directed this work be given a high priority. It is anticipated this work will provide a sound basis for directing NCC application to fire bolts and be the basis of providing further industry advice. This work is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The Board again acknowledges the important contributions of fire authorities, fire engineers and technical experts who have informed its ongoing consideration of matters relating to fire bolts. 

The Board recognises the NCC supports and encourages innovation in building products and their application. In this context, fire bolts are increasingly being incorporated into certain fire doors to enhance their performance when a fire compartment is overcome by fire, with the aim of enabling those doors to function effectively as barriers to prevent fire spread under elevated temperature conditions. 

The Board notes that there have been no adverse consequences from the use of fire bolts since they were introduced. 

The Board again notes Performance Solutions remain an available compliance pathway for forms of construction that do not meet all relevant Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the NCC. Where practitioners determine, based on their professional judgement, that fire bolts do not satisfy all the relevant Deemed to Satisfy requirements, a Performance Solution may be prepared to demonstrate compliance with the applicable Performance Requirements.

Education activities

• The Board noted the update on education initiatives and communication activities (1 October to 31 December 2025) and the importance of effective education and awareness initiatives in relation to the roll out of NCC 2025.

ABCB risk register

• The Board noted updates on the ABCB risk register.
• The Board agreed to review the revised risk register again at its next meeting.