Remediation Design

For existing structures undergoing alteration or change of use, Form 15 certification requires assessment of actual structural capacity rather than application of prescriptive new-build standards. TRSC specializes in performance-based compliance approaches for heritage buildings and aged assets where prescriptive code requirements may not apply directly.

TRSC Form 15 Process:

• Structural investigation establishing as-built configuration and material properties
• Capacity analysis per relevant Australian Standards (AS 3600 Concrete Structures, AS 1170 Structural Design Actions)
• Compliance assessment against BCA performance requirements for proposed use
• Documentation of limitations or conditions on certification where applicable
• Coordination with building certifiers and regulatory authorities
• Professional indemnity insurance backing certification

Existing structures frequently deviate from current code provisions while still providing adequate performance. TRSC certifications rely on risk-based assessment per AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018, demonstrating equivalent structural performance through analysis rather than requiring retrospective compliance with prescriptive details.

Prince Consort Hotel Capacity Upgrade: Heritage-listed Victorian-era masonry building required capacity upgrade from 0.99 kPa to 1.45 kPa wind loading for regulatory compliance. TRSC designed minimal-intervention strengthening using Heli-Fix ties and digital tiltmeters for continuous monitoring, achieving required capacity while preserving heritage fabric. Form 15 certification documented compliance for ongoing operation. Short-term remediation budget: $49,500.

For change of use applications, Form 15 certification evaluates whether existing construction provides adequate capacity for new loading conditions. Analysis identifies where upgrades are genuinely necessary versus where existing structure already satisfies performance requirements.

TRSC’s experience with heritage buildings and complex existing structures enables certification of assets where standard approaches prove inadequate. We work collaboratively with certifiers to achieve compliant outcomes avoiding unnecessary interventions that compromise heritage values or increase costs without commensurate safety benefits.