A regulation evaluation system: A decision support system for the building code of Australia

Building regulations have historically been developed and drafted relying on groups of experts and their particular perceptions of what was an acceptable level of risk and what costs can be afforded by the community for improved health, safety or amenity. New technology, particularly in the areas of building design and material sciences, and the development of performance-based standards and codes are demanding major changes to the way in which regulations are developed and how they are assessed to ensure that any changes are in the community’s interest. The regulation evaluation system described here provides a computer-based framework on which proposed changes to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) may be systematically assessed. The system requires any proposal to amend the BCA to be clearly identified together with all alternatives which achieve the desired objective. Direct costs and benefits are identified and quantified, making use of internal and external data. Where there is inefficient data, stochastic modelling is employed. The system not only aids decision makers by providing all available information, it also provides a transparency to the decision making and regulation development process.