New building, metal roof. Pick your state and work through every step from planning to the maintenance log — with the standards linked, state differences called out and the fixings that need certifying made clear.
Showing notes for Queensland. An amber note means QLD differs from the national baseline. Items tagged Suggested are additions we recommend on top of the original checklist. Your ticks stay on this device until you sign in.
Check planning / development approval needs for rooftop plant (height, visual screening, noise) before building approval.
Confirm building class, importance level and which NCC edition applies at the date of application.
Determine wind region and terrain category, seismic hazard, snow (alpine sites) and corrosion environment for the site.
Safe-design review: eliminate or minimise fall risk by design (guardrails over harness, plant set back from edges, clear access route, fragile surfaces).
Guardrails are added automatically wherever the deck sits more than 300 mm above the roof, and the clash zone keeps units off screened edges.
Classify the site's atmospheric corrosivity and pick coatings and materials to suit; keep dissimilar metals (steel, aluminium, stainless fixings) isolated from each other and from the roof sheet.
Check rooftop plant noise and the acoustic screen's performance against the state's environmental noise limits at the nearest receiver.
Engage a suitably qualified engineer (CPEng / NER as a minimum benchmark) and confirm any statutory registration needed to certify.
Structural design of the platform: imposed loads (typically 2.5 or 5 kPa plus equipment weight), wind uplift / sliding / overturning, earthquake connections, deflection limits, materials.
Every unit is checked against its footprint × deck rating (2.5 kPa = 250 kg/m², 5.0 kPa = 500 kg/m²), with total capacity and overload warnings.
Check the metal roof structure (purlins, rafters, primary frame) can carry platform and equipment reactions, and that load transfers to primary structure rather than sheeting.
Access and fall-prevention design: stairs, ladders, walkways, guardrails, toe boards, openings, edge protection.
Stairs, 300 mm steps, rung and step ladders, gates and guardrails are placed by edge and shown in 3D, plan and elevation.
If a proprietary platform system is used: obtain supplier engineering and test evidence and check it against site wind region, roof pitch, height and load limits.
Allow for roof access and construction loads: foot traffic, point loads on sheeting during install, and set-down of equipment before it reaches the platform.
Cyclonic regions: design equipment tie-downs and platform hold-downs for cyclic wind, and check screens and louvres for debris impact.
Fire: check roof penetrations and screen / acoustic wall materials against the NCC fire-resistance and non-combustibility requirements for the building class.
Service clearances: keep manufacturer clearances, refrigerant safety and maintenance access around each unit inside the guarded area.
The clash zone around each unit shows the keep-clear area and can be adjusted per unit.
Vibration isolation and fatigue: isolate running plant and check frame members and connections for cyclic loading and resonance.
Lightning protection and earthing: bond the metal platform and plant, and confirm whether a lightning protection system is required.
Lodge the building approval application with a certifier / permit authority and ensure the platform is in the approved documents.
Engineer's design compliance certificate that the platform design meets the NCC and referenced standards.
Review shop drawings and material submissions (fixings, aluminium / steel grades, finishes, connections) against the engineer's design.
Draft S01–S10 shop drawings, cut list and BOQ come straight from the model for the engineer to review.
Fabrication and erection to a nominated construction category; keep material certificates and weld records.
Safe work method statement and site safety plan for roof work (edge protection, fragile surfaces, rescue).
Roof waterproofing: penetrations and flashings to the roofing maker's details so the sheeting warranty is kept, with no ponding behind supports.
Engineer's inspection of the as-built platform and structural elements, and certification that it matches the design.
Install and commission the HVAC equipment on the platform (supports, isolation, refrigerant and electrical connections).
Final building certification / occupancy approval covering the building work.
Set the inspection regime: periodic inspection of the access system and platform fixings.
Periodic inspection and maintenance of the platform, guardrails, fixings and roof penetrations.
Every fixing that holds the platform, the plant or the access system is part of the platform certification — signed off by the engineer or covered by the installer's compliance statement.
| Topic | QLD |
|---|---|
| Planning law | Planning Act 2016 |
| Building law | Building Act 1975; Building Regulation 2021 |
| NCC edition for building work (as researched Oct 2026) | NCC 2022 until 30 Apr 2027; NCC 2025 from 1 May 2027 |
| Engineer registration | RPEQ (Professional Engineers Act 2002) |
| Design certificate (typical) | Form 15 |
| Construction / inspection certificate (typical) | Form 16 |
| Final certificate (typical) | Form 21 Final inspection certificate |
| WHS law | WHS Act 2011 (model) |
| WHS regulator | WorkSafe Queensland |
| Falls guidance | Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practice |
| Wind / site hazard notes | Cyclonic Region C in parts of the north |
| State-specific code overlay | Queensland Development Code |
Links open the Standards Australia store, the NCC (free with registration) or Safe Work Australia. Confirm the edition cited by the NCC in force.
Web research, 23 Oct 2026. Sources conflict on Tasmania, NT and ACT.
Confidence: Medium · Confirm with: Building certifier / state building regulator before lodging
Web research for Qld, NSW, Vic, ACT, NT, WA. SA and Tas not confirmed.
Confidence: Medium · Confirm with: State registration body; Engineers Australia
General knowledge of each state's building system; not individually verified.
Confidence: Low to medium · Confirm with: Local certifier / building surveyor
Forms 15, 16 and Form 73 named in Qld Government newsflash list; Form 21 from general knowledge.
Confidence: Medium · Confirm with: Queensland certifier
Web research and general knowledge; code titles and section references not checked.
Confidence: Medium · Confirm with: WorkSafe Victoria; WorkSafe WA
General knowledge; the engineer must determine the actual region, terrain category and hazard factors for the site.
Confidence: Low (indicative only) · Confirm with: Structural engineer
Editions seen in supplier and industry sources; confirm current editions cited by the NCC edition in force.
Confidence: Medium · Confirm with: Structural engineer
Draw it, place the HVAC units, check loads and guardrails, and hand your engineer a 3D model, BOQ and draft shop drawings.
