NCC 2016 Volume Two
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Part 3.12 Energy Efficiency

Part 3.12 Energy Efficiency

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Appropriate :

Where an alternative energy efficiency design is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.12, that proposal must comply with—

  1. P2.6.1; and
  2. P2.6.2; and
  3. the relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with 1.0.7.

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

  1. In New South Wales, Part 3.12 does not apply.

    Note: The New South Wales Additions contain energy efficiency measures that apply in New South Wales to support and complement BASIX.

  2. In the Northern Territory, Part 3.12 is replaced with BCA 2009 Part 3.12.
  3. In South Australia, for the purposes of this Part, a sunroom or the like is deemed to be a Class 10a building and must comply with 3.12.1.6.

Acceptable construction practice

3.12.0 Application of Part 3.12

(a)

for the thermal performance of the building is satisfied by—

(i)

complying with—

(A)

, for reducing the heating or cooling loads; and

(B)

, for building fabric thermal insulation; and

(C)

and 3.12.1.4(b), for thermal breaks; and

(D)

, for compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation, other than where the house energy rating software used can automatically compensate for a loss of ceiling insulation; and

(E)

and 3.12.1.5(d), for floor edge insulation; and

(F)

, for building sealing; or

(ii)

complying with—

(A)

, for the building fabric; and

(B)

, for the external glazing and shading; and

(C)

, for building sealing; and

(D)

, for air movement.

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATION

3.12.0(a) is replaced in Victoria as follows:

(a)

for the thermal performance of the building is satisfied by—

(i)

complying with—

(A)

3.12.0.1, for reducing the heating or cooling loads; and

(B)

, for building fabric thermal insulation; and

(C)

3.12.1.2(c) and 3.12.1.4(b), for thermal breaks; and

(D)

3.12.1.2(e), for compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation; and

(E)

3.12.1.5(c) and 3.12.1.5(d), for floor edge insulation; and

(F)

Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and

in the case of a new Class 1 building, having either a rainwater tank connected to all sanitary flushing systems, or a solar water heater system, installed in accordance with the Plumbing Regulations 2008; or

(ii)

complying with—

(A)

Part 3.12.1, for the building fabric; and

(B)

Part 3.12.2, for the external glazing and shading; and

(C)

Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and

(D)

Part 3.12.4, for air movement; and

in the case of a new Class 1 building, having either a rainwater tank connected to all sanitary flushing systems, or a solar water heater system, installed in accordance with the Plumbing Regulations 2008; or

(b)

for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is satisfied by complying with Part 3.12.5.

Explanatory information

Explanatory information:

There are two options for complying with the energy efficiency Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions 3.12.1 to 3.12.4:

Option 1 Energy Rating — 3.12.0(a)(i) to achieve the required energy rating and comply with (B) to (F) for energy-saving features such as the testing and installation of insulation, thermal breaks, compensation for downlights other than where the house energy rating software used can automatically compensate for a loss of ceiling insulation, floor edge insulation and detailed provisions for building sealing.

Option 2 Elemental Provisions — 3.12.0(a)(ii) to satisfy all the detailed provisions including meeting the Total R-Values of roofs, walls and floors, the glazing allowances and the air movement requirements. These detailed provisions also include the testing and installation of insulation, thermal breaks, compensation for downlights, floor edge insulation and detailed provisions for building sealing.

This is explained in the flow chart.

v2_Fig31201_2012.svg

3.12.0.1 Heating and cooling loads

(a)

To reduce heating or cooling loads, a building must achieve an energy rating using house energy rating software, of not less than—

(i)

6 stars; or

(ii)

for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 5.5 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (b) if the outdoor living area—

(A)

is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value of at least 1.5 (for downward heat flow); or

(B)

has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan; or

(iii)

for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 5 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (b) if the outdoor living area—

(A)

is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value of at least 1.5 (for downward heat flow); and

(B)

has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan.

Explanatory information

Explanatory information:
  1. To comply with (a)(ii), either insulate the roof of the outdoor living area, or provide a ceiling fan.
  2. To comply with (a)(iii), insulate the roof of the outdoor living area and provide a ceiling fan.

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATION

In South Australia delete 3.12.0.1(a) and insert SA 3.12.0.1(a) as follows:

(a)

To reduce heating and cooling loads, a building must—

(i)

achieve an energy rating using house energy rating software of not less than 6 stars; or

(ii)

for an elevated building with a lightweight flooring system that has a floor area not more than 60 m² – achieve an energy rating using house energy rating software of not less than 5 stars; or

(iii)

for an elevated building with a lightweight flooring system located in areas listed in (b) – achieve an energy rating using house energy rating software of not less than 5 stars and comply with Minister's Specification SA 3.12.0.1(a).

(b)

The areas where the requirements of (iii) apply are—

(i)

climate zone 4; and

(ii)

one of the following local government areas—

Ceduna Council

Cleve Council

The Coorong District Council

Elliston Council

Flinders Ranges Council

Franklin Harbour Council

Goyder Council

Kangaroo Island Council

Karoonda East Murray Council

Kimba Council

Lower Eyre Peninsula Council

Mid Murray Council

Mount Remarkable Council

Orroroo Carrieton Council

Peterborough Council

Southern Mallee Council

Streaky Bay Council

Tatiara Council

Tumby Bay Council

Wudinna Council; and

(iii)

land not within a local government council area.

(b)

An outdoor living area in (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) is a space that—

(i)

is directly adjoining, and directly accessible from, a general purpose living area of a Class 1 building such as a lounge, kitchen, dining or family room, which is not a room for sleeping or specialist tasks such as a study or home theatre; and

(ii)

has a floor area of not less than 12.0 m2; and

(iii)

has length and width dimensions of not less than 2.5 m each; and

(iv)

has an opening height above floor level of not less than 2.1 m; and

(v)

has one side permanently open with a second side either—

(A)

permanently open; or

(B)

readily openable.

(c)

The sides referred to in (b)(v) must be not less than 900 mm from an allotment boundary or 900 mm from an obstruction to the breeze path such as a building, fence or other structure.

Explanatory information

Explanatory information:
  1. The opening height in (b)(iv) is to provide a breeze path and is likely to be the measurement from the floor to the underside of a perimeter beam. It is not a ceiling height measurement. It is also not a height for mounting a ceiling fan or the height of ceiling fan blades above the floor. These dimensions need to be determined considering the activities in the space, the safety of occupants of the space and any appropriate safety standards.
  2. There is some survey evidence that suggests the majority of home owners turn off their air-conditioners when using an outdoor living area. Another cost effective option is to install a reed switch or other micro switch on the door leading to the outdoor living area in order to automatically deactivate an air-conditioning unit when the door is left open for a period which allows occupants to enter and leave the air-conditioned space but does not affect the operation of the air-conditioner.
  3. A side referred to in (b)(v) may contain some obstructions such as columns and barriers. Where an open side is required to have a 1 m barrier, consideration as to the type (wire, solid or other) should be made with regard to the overall opening area of the two sides.
(d)

Where a ceiling fan is required as part of compliance with (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), the fan must comply with 3.12.4.3.