Update to Practice Direction 10 – Temporary Occupation of Multi-Storey Buildings

On 12 June 2026, the State Planning Commission amended Practice Direction 10 pursuant to section 42(1) of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA). Practice Direction 10 – Temporary occupation of multi-storey buildings (PD10) now supersedes Practice Direction 10 – Staged occupation of multi-storey buildings 2020, published on 31 July 2020. 

The amendments broaden the scope of PD10 to apply not only to partially completed new multi-storey buildings, but also to existing buildings undergoing fit-out or construction works. The amended practice direction also introduces, among other things, more detailed fire safety requirements that must be satisfied before staged occupation of a partially completed building may be approved.

PD10 version 2 is available on the PlanSA website and can be accessed here.

Key Amendments

Application to existing building fit-outs

A significant amendment is the extension of the scheme to existing buildings undergoing certain forms of construction works, including extensions, floor additions, rectification works or other forms of fit-out. This broadens the circumstances in which temporary occupation may be permitted under PD10. 

Stakeholder Agreements

Under the amended clause 1(2)(a) of PD10, temporary occupation of the lower floors of a partially completed multistorey building may only occur where all relevant stakeholders have agreed. Stakeholders are defined in PD10 to include the owner, developer, builder, Relevant Authority, Fire Authority, designer and design engineers (structural/services). Accordingly, temporary occupation of a partially constructed or otherwise affected multi-storey building may only proceed once agreement has been obtained from all relevant stakeholders. This introduces a broader approval requirement than under the previous practice direction, which required agreement only from the relevant council or building certifier. 

Enhanced fire safety requirements – 

A key feature of the amended PD10 is the introduction of more comprehensive fire safety requirements. In addition to the requirements that applied under the previous scheme, further fire safety measures must now be operational and verified before temporary occupation may be approved. 

Some of the amended requirements include:

• The introduction of base building fire safety systems, being fundamental fire protection measures installed as part of the core building structure, which remain fully operational to support safe occupation, regardless of any ongoing construction, staging or tenancy fit out works. 
• The introduction of safe zones, being designated and controlled areas outside the building to enable public access while construction works are occurring, and areas inside the building that adequately protect occupied floors below;
• Fire safety provisions that distinguish between occupied and non-occupied construction levels, with additional requirements applying to occupied floors (i.e. sprinklers, emergency lighting etc.);
• Additional separation requirements between occupied and non-occupied areas or floors; and
• The requirement that the Fire Authority test and validate the base building fire safety systems serving the occupied floors and safe zones, including evidence of clear delineation between occupied and non-occupied areas, prior to temporary occupancy.

Continuation of certain construction works during temporary occupation 

Another notable amendment is that certain construction works, which were previously required to be completed before staged occupation could occur, may now continue while temporary occupation is in place, provided prescribed conditions are met. For example, under clause 1(2)(d), the lifting of heavy equipment external to the building is now permitted where all safety requirements are met and the works are endorsed by the design engineer. PD10 also no longer requires all in-situ concrete, precast concrete, steelwork, plant and machinery to be installed before temporary occupation may occur.

For more specific information in relation to any of the material discussed in this article, please contact Gavin Leydon on +61 8 8210 1225 or gleydon@normans.com.au