The Australian National Construction Code NCC (2022) and Australian Standards AS3959:2018 and AS1530.8.1:2018 are concerned with improving the quality of Australian buildings and the health and safety of their occupants. In the weep hole niche, the important issues are adequate ventilation of the wall cavity and the ability to withstand attack from bushfire.

Basic Weephole Compliance
National Construction Code (2022)

The NCC (2022) provides direction relating to weephole requirements such as size, spacing and location of weepholes for drainage and ventilation in the construction of masonry buildings.  It is important to note that requirements can change depending on the specific characteristics of each building.  For example, requirements can differ between different building classifications, bushfire-prone areas and so on.  The following are the basic requirements described within the NCC (2022) and the associated Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Housing Provisions that are often referred to.  However please consult with your Building Certifier for the requirements that are specific to your building.

"Weepholes
(1) Except where excluded by (2), open perpend joints (weepholes) must be created in the course immediately above any flashing (including above any damp-proof course acting as a flashing) and be—
(a) a minimum of 50 mm in height, by the width of the vertical mortar joint; and
(b) at not more than 1.2 m centres; and
(2) Weepholes are not required in the following locations:
(a) Where head openings are less than 1.2 m wide.
(b) Beneath window and door sills less than 1.2 m wide.
(c) Where the level of the external impervious surface is elevated for the purpose of providing step-free access required by H8P1"
(NCC (2022), ABCB Housing Provisions Section 5.7.5)
DSC 9318

All products in the Weepa range, when correctly installed, according to Specifiers' plans and approved by a Building Certifier, can be used to meet these requirements.

Bushfire Compliance
NCC (2022) Australian National Construction Code 

The NCC (2022) spells out performance requirements for acceptable construction materials in bushfire-prone areas, referencing compliance with Australian Standard AS3959:2018 as one means of meeting this requirement.

"Construction in bushfire prone areas
(1) The requirements of (2) only apply in a designated bushfire prone area.
(2) Performance Requirement H7P5 is satisfied for a Class 1 building, or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building, if it is constructed in accordance with— 
(a) AS 3959; or
(b) NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas."
(NCC (2022) Volume Two Section H7D4)  

Weepa relies on AS3959:2018 and its associated testing standard AS1580.8.1 or AS1530.8.2 as a means of compliance for our bushfire range.

Bushfire Compliance
AS3959:2018 - Australian Standard for construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas

This standard is important because it shows you how to work out which BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) applies to your project.  

Once this is established, it defines the particular requirements you will need to meet for your weepholes for that BAL level, for example, what metal material the weep hole needs to be screened with and the aperture size of the screen. 

For innovative products like ours, AS3959:2018 refers you to the Testing Standard AS1530.8.1:2018 or AS1530.8.2:2018 for compliance based on performance based criteria (see below).

Bushfire Compliance 
AS1530.8.1:2018 and AS1530.8.2:2018 - Australian Standard for Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures

This standard sits alongside AS3959:2018 and sets out testing methods which simulate different levels of bushfire attack (BAL). Innovative products such as ours need to pass testing to AS1530.8.1:2018 or AS1530.8.2:2018 at a certified fire testing laboratory and are compliant by performance based testing.

For installation during construction:

The New Generation Bushfire Weepa (23-NGBW) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.1:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-A40. Certificate Number FP11420-001-C1
(If you have installed another Weepa since 1st May, 2019 and need to meet BAL-A29 and BAL-A40, please contact our friendly Customer Service Team on 07 3844 3744 for help with a solution.)

The High Performance Bushfire Weepa (11-HPBW) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.1:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-A19. Certificate Number FP11420-002-C1

The 70mm Bushfire Weepa (15-NABW) is an identical but shortened version of the High Performance Bushfire Weepa which has been tested by BRANZ, and accredited AS1530.8.1:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-A19 when used in masonry construction. (Please consult your certifier.) Certificate Number FP11420-001-C1

The Stainless Steel Weepa (19-TSSW) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.2:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-FZ. Certificate Number FP13836-02-C1

The 50mm Stainless Steel Weepa (20-SSSW) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.2:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-FZ. Certificate Number FP13836-04-C1

For retrofit to existing homes:

The Protector Weep Hole Screen (21-SSWS) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.2:2018 laboratory, to meet all BAL levels up to BAL-FZ. Certificate Number FP13836-03-C1

The Protector Weep Hole Screen (21-SSWS) when installed together with the Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen (22-TPWS) has been tested by BRANZ, an accredited AS1530.8.1:2018 laboratory, to meet BAL levels up to BAL-40. Certificate Number FP11420003—C1

This information is a guide for the different construction requirements for weepholes in each level. It is not a replacement for NCC (2022), AS3959:2018, AS1530.8.1:2018 or AS1530.8.2:2018 which should be referred to directly and in their entirety. For specific project advice always consult your Building Certifier.