EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANCE LEVEL BUILDING TYPES
Section B1.2 of the NCC 2019 Guide to Volume 1 goes on to give more specific examples.
A generic description of building types has been provided to which Importance Levels have been assigned. The “Importance Level” concept is applicable to building structural safety only. More specific examples are provided below. The examples are not exhaustive.
Importance Level 1:
- Farm buildings and farm sheds
- Isolated minor storage facilities
- Minor temporary facilities
Importance Level 2:
- Low rise residential construction
- Buildings and facilities below the limits set for Importance Level 3
Importance Level 3:
- Buildings and facilities where more than 300 people can congregate in one area
- Buildings and facilities with a primary school, a secondary school or day care facilities with a capacity greater than 250
- Buildings and facilities with a capacity greater than 500 for colleges or adult educational facilities
- Health care facilities with a capacity of 50 or more residents but not having surgery or emergency treatment facilities
- Jails and detention facilities
- Any occupancy with an occupant load greater than 5000
- Power generating facilities, water treatment and waste water treatment facilities, any other public utilities not included in Importance Level 4
- Buildings and facilities not included in Importance Level 4 containing hazardous materials capable of causing
hazardous conditions that do not extend beyond property boundaries
Importance Level 4
- Buildings and facilities designated as essential facilities
- Buildings and facilities with special post disaster functions
- Medical emergency oral surgery facilities
- Emergency service facilities: fire, rescue, police station and emergency vehicle garages
- Utilities required as backup for buildings and facilities of Importance Level 4
- Designated emergency shelters
- Designated emergency centres and ancillary facilities
- Buildings and facilities containing hazardous materials capable of causing hazardous conditions that extend beyond property boundaries.
Importance Levels must be assigned on a case by case basis.
Example:
A Hospital may be of Importance Level 4 if it is the only hospital in an area. The same hospital may be of Importance Level 3 if it is one of many in an area.
A general method for the determination of the Importance Level of any building is to assess the hazard to human life and the impact on the public in the event of building failure as follows:
