Code of Practice: Building and Construction

1 Public Safety and Amenity A Code of Good Practice at Construction Sites Contents Introduction 2. Definitions 3. Permits, Planning and Documentation 4. Hoardings 6. Gantries, hoisting Zones & Site Sheds 8. Perimeter Scaffolding and Catch Fans 22. Cranes 25. Skips and Rubbish Chutes 26. Excavations 27. Crossings 30. Barricades and Signs 33. Nuisance Abatement 34. Acknowledgements and Disclaimer Appendix A Council Boundaries Appendix B Useful Telephone Numbers Appendix C Protection of Trees Appendix D Specification for Backfilling Appendix E Stormwater Drainage Connections Appendix F Forms, Fact Sheets & Schedule of Fees Public Safety & Amenity at Construction Sites 1. One Introduction Scope Under the Activities Local Law the penalty for failing to comply with the Local Law and hence, This Code of Practice sets out requirements for this Code is up to $2,000 and, in the case of a protection of the public and Council's assets continuing failure, up to $200 per day for each day adjoining Construction sites within the City of after a conviction.

2 The Activities Local Law also Melbourne. allows an authorised officer to issue a Notice of Infringement carrying a penalty of $1,000 and/or Purpose issue a Notice to Comply (directing a person to The purpose of this Code of Practice is to comply with this Code). encourage Construction activity within the City of Compliance with this Code is not a substitute for Melbourne while at the same time: compliance with other State and Local Minimising the risk of injury to the public Government laws governing Building work or the carrying out of work on to roads. A person Protecting Council's assets carrying out Building work is responsible for Controlling nuisance around Building sites obtaining all necessary consents or permits. Improving the design quality of temporary Without, in any way narrowing the enquiry, structures in the city persons who wish to carry out Building work should familiarise themselves with the Application requirements of: The requirements set out in this Code applies to all Council's Local Laws Construction sites within the boundaries of the City Building Act 1993 and the Building of Melbourne.

3 (See appendix A'). Regulations 1994. City of Melbourne Planning Scheme Note: Whilst similar principles may apply to the Health Act protection of adjoining private property, such Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985. protection does not form part of this Code of Road Safety Act 1986. Practice. Disability Discrimination Act Relevant Australian Standards Legal implications The Code will be referred to in the implementation of the City of Melbourne's Activities Local Law in particular in the appraisal of the Works Management Plan required under the Local Law. As a result, this Code has legal force and effect and compliance with this Code is mandatory. Any variations or alternatives requiring approval should be accompanied by an Environment Management Plan or a Works Management Plan as appropriate for the consent and report of the Council or delegate. 2 Public Safety & Amenity at Construction Sites Two Definitions In these requirements: hoisting Zone means a zone of the gantry dedicated for the craning or hoisting of materials from the road to Authorised Officer means a member of Council staff the Building site.

4 Or an agent of Council, authorised either generally or in a particular case for the purpose of local laws or Kentledge means a counterweight designed to Building regulations. provide stability to a temporary structure. Barrier means a fence, hoarding, rail, traffic cone, Kerb means the raised rigid border at the end of a pedestrian control sign or barricade erected for the carriageway or footpath. exclusion of the public and/or the control of noise, Perimeter Scaffold means a temporary structure dust or debris. specifically erected to support access platforms or Building Work includes works, activities, events and working platforms and to provide overhead and side practices for or in connection with the Construction , protection around a Building . alteration, renovation, demolition or removal of a Building . Person includes a corporation, public body, trust or Catch Platform means a platform which is attached association whether incorporated or otherwise.

5 To a scaffold or perimeter of a Building to contain Registered Building Practitioner means a person unintentional falling debris. registered under Part II of the Building Act 1993. Construction Zone means a zone or space on a Road has the same meaning as in the Local carriageway dedicated to the temporary parking of Government Act and includes a street as defined in the Construction vehicles, tradesmen vehicles or material Building Regulations 1994. delivery vehicles. Shoring means timber or steel or concrete members Construction Site means a site where Building work used to support an excavation face to prevent slippage is proposed to be carried out, or is being carried out. of earth. Council or City of Melbourne means the Street Alignment means the line between a road Melbourne City Council, or any member of the Council's reserve and the adjoining land. staff to whom a delegation has been made pursuant to the Local Government Act.

6 Street Furniture are elements placed in a streetscape including benches, bollards, signage, Crane means any lifting or hoisting device including lighting, tree grates, telephone booths, rubbish bins, tower cranes, mobile cranes, travel towers, cherry sculptures and the like. pickers or the like. Temporary Structure means a removable structure Crossing means the portion of a driveway or that has been erected for a limited period of time only at vehicular accessway between the carriageway of the an authorised location to provide protection for the public road and the property boundary. and enable the safe carrying out of Building works. engineer means a registered Building practitioner in User means the person with eventual responsibility the category of Civil engineer . for use of the temporary structure on the road;. Gantry means a structure, which covers a public way usually the main contractor responsible for the and provides protection from both the side and overhead.

7 Associated Building works. Hoarding means a high temporary fence or structure Victoria WorkCover or WorkCover means the enclosing a demolition site or a Building site during Victorian WorkCover Authority. Building works, to restrict access and provide side protection to the public. Public Safety & Amenity at Construction Sites 3. Three Permits, Planning & Documentation Permits Pedestrian access including disabled access and pram access Pursuant to Council's local laws a person must not Truck wheel cleansing facilities without first obtaining a permit from the Council: Obstructions such as street furniture, trees, bus Erect a hoarding, gantry, scaffolding or site shed and tram stops and tram safety zones, including if on or over a road necessary any temporary relocation proposed. Install a temporary or permanent crossing Signage, lighting, pedestrian barriers Occupy or fence off part of a road Dust, noise and dirt control Operate a crane, hoist, lift or tackle on or above a Duration of protection required road Hours of site operations, material delivery times Make a hole in or adjacent to a road or public etc.

8 And frequency of deliveries space Signage, displays of business or adjoining Carry out Building works outside permitted hours properties required to be unobstructed Visibility, aesthetics Permits are generally issued for a maximum period Electrical hazards of 3 months. Renewal is not automatic and Fire protection including spread to adjoining depends upon compliance with the permit properties requirements in each preceding period. Slipping or tripping hazards (See Appendix B' for a Council directory) Provision of temporary services, concrete pump lines, water supply etc. Planning Structural strength and stability of temporary structures proposed When planning for precautions to be erected over Waterproofing of overhead decks the road, the user should consider factors such Location of site sheds as: Is the structure free standing or to be tied to an Details of how the Building is designed to be existing Building erected or demolished Visibility of traffic signals Width of footpath and extent of hoarding intrusion Location of crossings and Construction ramps required Catch platforms, safety nets or the like to trap Site security and crime prevention falling debris near source in multistorey Nature of public protection required Construction Location of services and access to service Building Practitioners to be involved in hatches, hydrants etc.

9 Protection works Location of tower crane and hoisting zone Effect on amenity of adjoining properties if required Any other hazards and likely associated risks 4 Public Safety & Amenity at Construction Sites Documentation Evidence of a Public liability policy indemnifying the City of Melbourne and/or completion of an An application for a permit to erect a temporary indemnity in favour of the Council structure over the road should be submitted with A check survey of the footpath if there is a potential sufficient information to show compliance with the for damage ( if there is an excavation greater design requirements of this code of practice. This than 3000mm deep on or over the street alignment). should include the following where applicable: Survey monitoring points and periodic readings for Site plan, showing all footpath or roadway details movement adjoining deep excavations if required Location of service hatches, fire hydrants, trees, by Council booths, street furniture, public transport stops and Building or site access should be marked on the plan Display Boards Architectural and Structural plans, sections and At all sites a contact board must be displayed street elevation to a scale of 1:100 including all prominently on the hoarding or gantry and include necessary dimensions as a minimum.

10 Construction and structural details, including structural connections and footings Name and address of site Duration of temporary work The name of the main contractor or builder Purpose of temporary structure Name of Building surveyor responsible for Waterproofing, lighting and general protection works public amenity Name of company responsible for structures over A services map detailing all services that could be the street influenced or hindered by the erection of Emergency contact telephone numbers precautions A copy of the Council permit for the erection of the Location and details of advertising display boards structures over the road Duration of proposed temporary works The Council may require further information as necessary to consider the permit application. This The contact board may also be incorporated into may include all of the following: a project advertising panel affixed to the hoarding or gantry.