Performance / Alternative Solutions vs Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) Provisions
In the context of the National Construction Code (NCC), there are two primary ways to demonstrate that a building complies with the mandatory Performance Requirements:
1. Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions
A Deemed-to-Satisfy solution is essentially the prescriptive path to compliance. It means following a set of pre-defined rules, materials, measurements, and construction methods laid out in the NCC. If every part of your design and construction strictly follows these provisions, compliance with the Performance Requirements is assumed.
2. Performance (Alternative) Solutions
A Performance Solution (formerly known as an Alternative Solution) is a performance-based compliance pathway. Instead of using the standard prescriptive DtS methods, a Performance Solution demonstrates compliance by showing that the design outcome meets or exceeds the Performance Requirements through other means. This approach is especially useful when:
- The project uses innovative design or new technologies not covered by prescriptive rules.
- There are site constraints or existing conditions that make strict DtS compliance impractical.
- A bespoke design achieves at least equivalent performance compared to what the DtS path would deliver.
In other words, a Performance Solution is a tailored compliance strategy that meets the same safety, health, amenity and sustainability outcomes required by the NCC, without being constrained by the exact steps of the DTS provisions
How a Performance Solution is Evaluated
To demonstrate that a Performance Solution complies with the NCC’s Performance Requirements, one or more of the following Assessment Methods can be used:
- Evidence of Suitability – documented proof (test results, certificates, reports) showing that materials, systems or methods perform as required.
- Verification Methods – technical analysis, modelling, calculations or other systematic testing.
- Comparison with DtS Provisions – showing that the proposed solution performs at least as well as the DtS alternative.
- Expert Judgement – informed professional evaluation used as part of the overall assessment.
These methods ensure that the alternative approach is not arbitrary, but well documented, verified and independently justifiable.
Why Choose a Performance Solution?
Performance Solutions are ideal for projects where:
- There’s design innovation beyond traditional building methods.
- You want flexibility to optimise building performance holistically rather than through strict component-by-component rules.
- Site conditions, existing structures, sustainability goals or specialised use cases make the DtS route impractical.
At SDA Building Surveyor, we can develop or assess Performance Solutions that help clients achieve compliant, cost-effective, and innovative building outcomes — where the standard DtS provisions may not be the best fit.