Sanitary Facility Requirements for Commercial Buildings

What This Requirement Covers

This requirement sets out the minimum provision, design and accessibility of sanitary facilities (toilets, washbasins, urinals, accessible unisex compartments and showers) required in buildings regulated by the National Construction Code (NCC) / Building Code of Australia (BCA). It exists to ensure health, hygiene, privacy and reasonable access for all building users, including people with disabilities, and to provide consistent minimum amenity across building types and uses.

The rules apply to new building work and relevant alterations or changes of use for buildings in Australia. The NCC Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions and Performance Requirements in Part F4 (NCC Volume One) plus Volume Three (Plumbing Code of Australia) set out the numerical fixture counts, configuration, accessibility and fixture performance requirements that designers, builders and certifiers must follow.

Key Requirements

1. Scope and governing sections
2. The primary NCC references are NCC 2022 Volume One, Part F4 (Objectives F4O1, Performance Requirements F4P1-F4P6, Deemed-to-Satisfy F4D1-F4D12). Cite: NCC 2022 Volume One, Part F4 (F4O1, F4P1-F4P6, F4D1-F4D12).
3. Plumbing and sanitary fixture performance and controls are covered in NCC 2022 Volume Three (Plumbing Code of Australia), including E1D2 and cross-volume guidance.
4. Accessible design references: AS 1428.1 (accessibility), AS 1428.2 where applicable, and other relevant Australian Standards for plumbing and sanitary installations (see AS/NZS 3500-series for plumbing/wastewater design and installation). Cite: NCC Volume Three, E1D2; AS 1428.1.
5. Number and gender split of facilities
6. For Class 3 to 9 buildings the number of facilities is determined by Tables F4D4a-F4D4l in F4D4 (Deemed-to-Satisfy). Designers must use the appropriate table for the building class and function. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D4 and Tables F4D4a-F4D4l.
7. Unless the premises are used predominantly by one sex, facilities must be provided on the basis of equal numbers of males and females. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D4(2).
8. A unisex accessible facility may be counted once for each sex when calculating numbers (except where counted under F4D12 adult change facilities). Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D4(3).
9. Minimum fixture definitions and unisex facilities
10. A unisex facility for counting purposes comprises one closet pan, one washbasin and means for disposal of sanitary products. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D4(4).
11. Accessible facilities
12. Where a building is required to be accessible, accessible unisex sanitary compartments must be provided in accordance with F4D5 and F4D6, including layout and compliance with AS 1428.1 for circulation, fixtures and fittings. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D5; F4D6; AS 1428.1.
13. Accessible requirements include: accessible unisex compartment with closet pan, washbasin, shelf/bench and sanitary product disposal; ambulant accessible compartments at each bank of toilets when an accessible unisex compartment is provided; location rules to avoid crossing an area reserved for one sex only; and matching left/right handed layouts when multiple are provided. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D5(a)-
14. (i) and F4D6.
15. Verification and performance solutions
16. Performance Requirement F4P1 can be verified by queuing modelling under F4V1, where compliance is achieved if occupant waiting time (90th percentile at maximum population) is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4P1 and F4V1.
17. Fixture controls and fittings
18. Supply taps and operational controls in sanitary facilities for people with disability must comply with AS 1428.1 (2009) generally, and AS 1428.1 and AS 1428.2 for passenger use areas of Class 9b and Class 10 public transport buildings. Cite: NCC Volume Three, E1D2.
19. Other construction and hygiene requirements
20. Construction of sanitary compartments to allow removal of an unconscious person and microbial control (including Legionella guidance) are covered by F4P5 and F4D10 respectively. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4P5; F4D10.
21. Relevant Australian Standards (examples)
22. AS 1428.1 - Design for access and mobility (accessibility of sanitary compartments and fittings).
23. AS/NZS 3500 series - Plumbing and drainage (installation of sanitary plumbing and drainage systems).
24. AS 3745 - Planning for emergencies (where sanitary facilities interface with egress/evacuation planning may be relevant).

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1 and 10)
2. For Class 1 (houses) and Class 10 (non-habitable outbuildings) the NCC Volume One Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions are limited. Class 2 sole-occupancy units and similar residential provisions are detailed in F4D2, which requires each sole-occupancy unit to contain a kitchen sink, bath or shower, closet pan and washbasin. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D2.
3. Single dwelling houses are typically not subject to the Class 3-9 fixture tables; instead the household amenity requirements apply (bath/shower, closet pan, washbasin and kitchen facilities) as set out in F4D2.
4. Commercial (Class 2-9)
5. For Class 2-9 commercial, industrial and public buildings, the detailed Tables F4D4a-F4D4l in F4D4 prescribe fixture counts by occupant numbers, function and building class. These are the primary source for commercial fixture provision and male/female splits. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D4 and Tables F4D4a-F4D4l.
6. Accessibility requirements (F4D5-F4D7) apply to Class 1b and Class 2 to 9 buildings required to be accessible, with specific counts and layouts for accessible unisex compartments and ambulant compartments. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D5-F4D7.

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. Small occupancy exemption
2. Sanitary facilities need not be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is 20 or fewer (see Table Notes and accompanying text in Part F4). Cite: NCC Volume One, Table Notes (Part F4).
3. Alternative solutions / Performance Solutions
4. Where a Performance Solution is adopted, designers may depart from the Deemed-to-Satisfy fixture counts by demonstrating compliance with F4P1-F4P6 using suitable verification methods such as queuing modelling (F4V1) or other evidence. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D1(2); F4V1.
5. State schedule variations and local exemptions
6. Some states include schedule modifications that alter or add to Part F4 requirements. Always check the relevant state schedule in NCC Volume One (Schedules 4-12) for jurisdictional differences. Cite: NCC Volume One, Schedules 4-12 (state/territory schedules).

State and Territory Variations

1. General guidance
2. The NCC is a national code but each state and territory may publish schedules (Schedules 4-12 in NCC Volume One) that modify, add to or replace national provisions. Designers and certifiers must verify the requirements in the relevant state schedule for any adjustments to sanitary facility requirements.
3. Examples to check in each jurisdiction (common areas of variation)
4. Queensland: Check Schedule 7 (Queensland) for any specific alterations to accessibility or sanitary fixture counts that apply locally. Cite: NCC Volume One, Schedule 7.
5. New South Wales: Check the NSW schedule for local amendments that may affect fixture provision, accessible facilities location or ancillary requirements. Cite: NCC Volume One, Schedule (NSW schedule number as published).
6. Victoria, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT: Each has a schedule in NCC Volume One which should be reviewed for state-specific requirements or exemptions affecting sanitary facilities. Cite: NCC Volume One, Schedules 4-12.

Note: State schedules are updated from time to time. Always confirm the current schedule text for the project jurisdiction.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Check building class and function first - select the correct F4D4 table for Class 3-9 buildings before calculating fixture numbers. Using the wrong table is a common source of noncompliance.
2. Confirm maximum occupant numbers and gender split for the intended use - the fixture counts depend on occupant assumptions and whether the premises are predominantly one sex. Document your assumptions in the submission.
3. Provide accessible unisex compartments and ambulant compartments exactly as required by F4D5-F4D7 and AS 1428.1 - common mistakes include incorrect circulation space, wrong location relative to single-sex facilities, and missing fixtures (shelf/bench or sanitary product disposal). Cite: NCC Volume One, F4D5-F4D7; AS 1428.1.
4. If proposing fewer fixtures, use queuing modelling under F4V1 and demonstrate the 90th percentile waiting time is at least equivalent to Deemed-to-Satisfy performance; include assumptions, population profiles and modelling parameters. Cite: NCC Volume One, F4V1.
5. Coordinate plumbing design with AS/NZS 3500 requirements for sanitary plumbing and drainage and check Volume Three (Plumbing Code) references for tap/control requirements in accessible facilities. Cite: AS/NZS 3500; NCC Volume Three, E1D2.
6. Check the relevant state schedule in NCC Volume One for jurisdictional variations early in design to avoid late changes. Cite: NCC Volume One, Schedules 4-12.
7. Document compliance references on drawings and in the specification (quote clause numbers: e.g., “Provision of accessible unisex sanitary compartments in accordance with NCC 2022 Volume One, F4D5 and AS 1428.1”) to assist certifiers and reduce approval delays.

References (selected)

1. NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia: Part F4 (F4O1, F4P1-F4P6, F4D1-F4D12, F4V1, Tables F4D4a-F4D4l).
2. NCC 2022 Volume Three - Plumbing Code of Australia: E1D2 and cross-volume guidance on accessible sanitary facility controls.
3. AS 1428.1 - Design for access and mobility (accessibility requirements for sanitary compartments and circulation).
4. AS/NZS 3500 series - Plumbing and drainage installation standards.

Confidence and next steps: This article summarises the NCC Deemed-to-Satisfy and key referenced Standards for sanitary facilities in commercial buildings. For a project-specific compliance check, consult the exact Tables F4D4a-F4D4l and applicable state schedule in NCC Volume One, Volume Three (Plumbing Code) for detailed clause text and numeric table values, or engage a registered building certifier if the scenario requires a Performance Solution.