Farm buildings and vehicle storage farm sheds

The Queensland Development Code (QDC) Mandatory Part 3.7 – Farm buildings and vehicle storage farm sheds (QDC MP 3.7) (PDF, 375KB) commenced on 1 June 2015 and was amended on 8 December 2023.

QDC MP 3.7 reduces red tape and costs for the primary industry sector. It provides practical concessions for farm buildings and vehicle storage farm sheds while maintaining a high fire safety standard and protecting first responders in Queensland.

How QDC MP 3.7 varies the Building Code

QDC MP 3.7 replaces Part I3, volume 1 of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA definitions for a 'farm building' and 'farm shed' do not apply in Queensland. Instead, QDC MP 3.7 provides alternative definitions for 'farm building' and 'vehicle storage farm shed' which apply in Queensland.

QDC MP 3.7 provides some flexibility to apply either the concessions prescribed in the QDC part or the relevant part of the BCA in full.

Any BCA requirements not varied by QDC MP 3.7 still apply.

When QDC MP 3.7 applies

QDC MP 3.7 applies to building work for particular Class 7 and Class 8 farm buildings (low occupancy farm buildings, high occupancy farm buildings, and vehicle storage farm buildings) and vehicle storage farm sheds as defined in the QDC part.

QDC MP 3.7 provides concessions for:

• access and egress
• fire safety systems
• equipment and water supply
• emergency lighting
• exit signs
• artificial lighting.

The table below outlines the applicable concessions for both farm buildings and vehicle storage farm sheds.

When QDC MP 3.7 does not apply

QDC MP 3.7 does not apply to farm buildings where a sprinkler system is required under the BCA.

A building certifier may also need to consider section 79 of the Building Act 1975 for hazardous buildings.

On-site water storage or supply

Acceptable solution A3 of QDC MP 3.7 enables farm buildings to have an on-site water tank, 2 or more on-site water tanks or additional water supply options rather than a fire hydrant system for dedicated firefighting purposes.

A3(2) outlines the requirements that need to be met if an on-site water storage tank is provided for the farm building.

A3(3) outlines the requirements that need to be met if two or more on-site water storage tanks are provided for the farm building.

A3(4) outlines the requirements that need to be met if additional on-site water supply options are used such as dams, reservoirs, rivers, lakes, bores or seas.

A3(5) outlines the requirements that need to be met for the adequacy and quality of the water supply (for all water storage or supply).

Referral agency advice

The Planning Regulation 2017 (PR) prescribes Queensland Fire Department (QFD) as the referral/advice agency for referrals under QDC MP 3.7.

Referrals are needed when the proposed work does not comply with the acceptable solutions of QDC MP 3.7 for access and egress, or water supply.

QDC MP 3.7 does not alter other referral processes under the PR for building work that may apply to a farm building (e.g. special fire services).

Schedule 9, part 3, division 3, table 3, item 1, column 2, paragraph (b)(i) of the PR has been amended to capture the new additional water supply options before the referral requirements to QFD are triggered.

Notice to QFD

Section 88 of the Building Regulation 2021 prescribes that the assessment manager must, within 5 business days after approving the building development application, give QFDa notice in the approved form—Form 33: Notice to QFD of an on-site water storage or supply under Queensland Development Code Mandatory Part 3.7 – Farm buildings and vehicle storage farm sheds (PDF, 194KB).

Its purpose is to ensure QFD (as a referral agency under the PR) has a record, and is aware of, the location of approved dedicated firefighting water storage or supply in accordance with QDC MP 3.7.

Form 33 notifies QFD that the approved building work for a farm building has an on-site water storage or supply, being either an on-site water storage tank in accordance with acceptable solution A3(2) or A3(3) of the QDC part or an additional water supply in accordance with acceptable solution A3(4) of the QDC part.

QFD can then keep records of both the types of water storage or supply available for ongoing inspection and auditing activities.

More information

• View the Building and Other Legislation (Queensland Development Code Update) Amendment Regulation 2023.
• Learn about the QDC MP 3.7.