Class 8 Buildings

Overview

This article outlines what defines a Class 8 building under the National Construction Code (NCC), including examples and distinctions for specific use cases like farming facilities.

Why This Is Important

Helps identify which buildings fall under Class 8 for quoting and engineering.
Ensures structures meet NCC compliance, especially for industrial and fire-risk settings.
Supports clear classification of farm buildings, workshops, and labs.

What Are Class 8 Buildings?

A factory is the most common way to describe a Class 8 building.

It is a building in which a process (or handicraft) is carried out for trade, sale, or gain.

These buildings can be used for:

Production
Assembling
Altering
Repairing
Finishing
Packing
Cleaning of goods or produce

Examples include:

A mechanic’s workshop
A food manufacturing facility (e.g. abattoir)
A laboratory, even if small, due to the high potential for fire hazards

Are Farm Buildings Class 7, 8, or 10a?

It depends on the occupancy, use, and size. Farm-type buildings are diverse, and the classification depends on how they’re used.

Examples:

A shed for parking a single tractor may be a Class 10a.
A shed for multiple tractors and other farm machinery may be Class 7a.
If mechanics are employed to work on the machinery inside, the building may be classified as Class 8.

The NCC also defines a difference between a farm shed and a farm building.

Tips, Best Practices & Troubleshooting

Consider both activity and fire risk when classifying a building.
Don’t assume based on size—laboratories are Class 8 regardless of floor area.
For farm buildings, always clarify:
- Number of machines housed
- Purpose of the structure
- Whether maintenance is conducted inside

Class 10 Buildings or Structures

Site Specific Engineering

Request Engineering (Site Check)