What is a Critical Stage Inspection?
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 requires critical stage inspections to be undertaken by the appointed Principal Certifier (PC) before, during and at the completion of a building project to ensure that the development is constructed in accordance with the approval and that it will meet the NCC (Building Code of Australia) and other legislative requirements relating to health and safety. There are several mandatory critical stage inspections required for all types of Class 1 and 10 developments which may include:
- after excavation for, and prior to the placement of, any footings
- prior to pouring any in-situ reinforced concrete building element
- prior to the covering of any framework for any floor, wall, roof or other building element (Note: this inspection is required after installation of wall and roof cladding, after installation of electrical and plumbing fit-out, after the installation of window and door frames but prior to the installation of any insulation or internal linings)
- prior to covering waterproofing in any wet areas
- prior to pouring any in-situ reinforced concrete for the swimming pool
- in the case of a swimming pool, as soon as practicable after the barrier (pool fence) has been erected
- prior to covering any stormwater drainage connections
- after the building work has been completed and prior to any occupation certificate being issued in relation to the building.
The critical stage inspections must be carried out by the PC appointed for the building work and must be carried out by the appointed PC irrespective of whether the building work is also inspected by a structural engineer. Please Note: It is the responsibility of the builder/applicant/owner to organise the required inspections with their appointed Principal Certifier and any missed inspections may result in the inability to issue an Occupation Certificate for your building project.