NCC 2019 Volume Three
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Part B2 Heated water services
Introduction to this Part
This Part sets out the requirements for the design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration and maintenance of any part of a heated water service of a property that is connected to the drinking water supply. It covers from the point of connection to the points of discharge.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
OBJECTIVE
BO2
The Objective of this Part is to—
- safeguard people from illness, injury or loss (including loss of amenity) due to the failure of a heated water installation; and
- ensure that a heated water installation is suitable; and
- conserve water; and
- safeguard the environment; and
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- safeguard public and private infrastructure; and
- ensure that a heated water installation is designed and is capable of being maintained so that throughout its serviceable life it will continue to satisfy Objectives (a) to (f).
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS
BF2.1
Sanitary fixtures, sanitary appliances and supply outlets provided with heated water must have a safe and adequate piped heated water supply.
BF2.2
The heated water supply must be conveyed through plumbing installations in a way that—
- minimises any adverse impact on building occupants, the Network Utility Operator's infrastructure, property and the environment; and
- facilitates the conservation of water.
BF2.3
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to the degree necessary, a heated water service is to—
- be capable of efficiently using energy; and
- obtain its heating energy from—
- a low greenhouse gas intensity energy source; or
- an on-site renewable energy source; or
- another process as reclaimed energy.
Notes:
The greenhouse gas intensity of energy sources vary. For example, natural gas has a low greenhouse gas intensity compared with electricity generated from coal.
For the purposes of BF2.3(b), the renewable energy source must be on-site (not GreenPower) and includes, but is not limited to solar, wind, hydroelectric, wave action and geothermal.
Performance Requirements
BP2.1 Water supply
(1)
A heated water service must be connected to a drinking water supply.
Application 1:
Application 1:
BP2.1 only applies to a heated water service for human consumption, food preparation, food utensil washing or personal hygiene.
BP2.2 Temperature
(1)
Heated water supplied by a new heated water service must be delivered to fixtures and appliances at a temperature which is unlikely to scald.
Application 1:
Application 1:
BP2.2 only applies to fixtures and appliances used primarily for personal hygiene.
BP2.3 Design, construction and installation
(1)
A heated water service must ensure the following:
(a)
Heated water is provided at appropriate flow rates and temperatures for fixtures and appliances to function.
(b)
Access for maintenance of mechanical components and operational controls.
(c)
The system, appliances and devices can be isolated for testing and maintenance.
(2)
A heated water service must be designed, constructed and installed to avoid failure or uncontrolled discharge.
BP2.4 Pressure relief and temperature limitation
(1)
Containers used for producing and/or storing heated water must—
(a)
relieve excessive pressure; and
(b)
limit temperatures to avoid flash steam production in the event of rupture.
BP2.5 Legionella control
(1)
Heated water must be stored and delivered under conditions which avoid the likelihood of the growth of Legionella bacteria.
BP2.6 Energy use and source
(1)
A heated water service, including any associated distribution system and components, must ensure the efficient use of energy and water.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
Excessive 'dead water' draw-off, i.e. where cooled water from the supply pipe is drained off prior to delivery of heated water, can result in water and energy wastage.
To improve the efficiency of heated water systems, the design should consider factors such as the number of outlets, their purpose and expected typical usage, and the distance between the water heater and each of the outlets. The water heatershould be positioned nearest to the most used outlets, or installed to provide consistent coverage of the building. Where this is not viable, the use of multiple water heaters or flow and return pipe loop may need to be considered.
(2)
Features in BP2.6(1) must be appropriate to the following:
(a)
The heated water service and its usage.
(b)
The geographic location of the building.
(c)
The location of the heated water service.
(d)
The energy or water source.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
BP2.6(2) permits the energy source of the heated water service to be considered. This means that the net energy obtained from renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, and biofuels may be considered as 'free' energy in calculating the energy consumption. Similarly, heat reclaimed from another 'free' source such as a by-product from co-generation type processes as well as other industrial processes, which could otherwise be rejected from the building, could be considered as 'free' energy in calculating the energy consumption.
(3)
A heated water service, including any associated distribution system and components, must obtain heating energy from one, or a combination, of the following:
(a)
A source that has a greenhouse gas intensity up to and including 100 g CO2-e/MJ of thermal energy load.
(b)
An on-site renewable energy source.
(c)
Another process as reclaimed energy.
Application 1
Application 1
BP2.6(3) only applies to a heated water service in the following:
- New Class 1 buildings.
- New Class 10 buildings.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
- The intent of BP2.6(3) is to constrain the use of a high greenhouse gas intensity source of energy. It does not prevent the use of electricity because the greenhouse gas intensity is related to the thermal load rather than the energy consumption which is covered by BP2.6(2).
- For the purposes of BP2.6(3) the renewable energy must be on-site (not GreenPower) and includes, but is not limited to, solar, wind, hydroelectric, wave action, and geothermal.
Verification Methods
BV2.1 Greenhouse gas intensity of a water heater
(1)
Compliance with BP2.6(3) for a water heater in a heated water supply system is verified when the annual greenhouse gas intensity of the water heater does not exceed 100 g CO2-e/MJ of thermal energy load determined in accordance with AS/NZS 4234.
(2)
The annual greenhouse gas intensity of the water heater in BV2.1(1) is the sum of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from each energy source in g CO2-e divided by the annual thermal energy load of the water heater.
(3)
The annual greenhouse gas emissions from each energy source in BV2.1(2) is the product of the—
(a)
annual amount of energy consumed from that energy source; and
(b)
emission factor of—
(i)
if the energy source is electricity, 253 g CO2-e/MJ; or
(ii)
if the energy source is liquefied petroleum gas, 65 g CO2-e/MJ; or
(iii)
if the energy source is natural gas, 61 g CO2-e/MJ; or
(iv)
if the energy source is wood or biomass, 4 g CO2-e/MJ.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
In BV2.1, the symbol "g CO2-e/MJ" means "grams of Carbon Dioxide equivalent per megajoule/s".
BV2.2 Heated water storage temperature
(1)
Compliance with BP2.5 is verified for each heated water storage system when the water heater is designed such that all water is subjected to a temperature-dependent minimum exposure period as specified in Table BV2.2 within 7 days before passing through the water-heating appliance's heated water outlet.
Table BV2.2 Heated water storage minimum exposure period
Temperature
Minimum exposure period
70°C or greater
1 s
66°C
2 min
60°C
32 min
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
B2.1 Application
(1)
Performance RequirementBP2.1 is satisfied if heated water is supplied by—
(a)
the Network Utility Operator's drinking water supply; or
(b)
an alternative drinking water supply.
(2)
Performance RequirementBP2.2 to BP2.6 are satisfied by complying with B2.2 to B2.9.
B2.2 Water heater in a heated water supply system
(1)
In a new Class 1 or Class 10 building—
(a)
a water heater in a heated water supply system must be—
(i)
a solar water heater complying with B2.2(1)(b); or
(ii)
a heat pump water heater complying with B2.2(1)(b); or
(iii)
a gas water heater complying with B2.2(1)(c); or
(iv)
an electric resistance water heater only in the circumstances described in B2.2(1)(d); or
(v)
a wood fired thermosiphon water heater or direct fired water heater each complying with AS/NZS 3500.4; and
(b)
a solar water heater and a heat pump water heater must have—
(i)
for a building with 1 or 2 bedrooms—
(A)
at least 14 Small-scale Technology Certificates for the zone where it is being installed; or
(B)
an energy saving of not less than 40% in accordance with AS/NZS 4234 for a "small" load system; and
(ii)
for a building with 3 or 4 bedrooms—
(A)
at least 22 Small-scale Technology Certificates for the zone where it is being installed; or
(B)
an energy saving of not less than 60% in accordance with AS/NZS 4234 for a "medium" load system; and
(iii)
for a building with more than 4 bedrooms
(A)
at least 28 Small-scale Technology Certificates for the zone where it is being installed; or
(B)
an energy saving of not less than 60% in accordance with AS/NZS 4234 for a "large" load system; and
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
In colder climates the performance of some heat pumps may diminish.
(c)
a gas water heater must be rated not less than 5 stars in accordance with AS 4552; and
(d)
an electric resistance water heater with no storage or a heated water delivery of not more than 50 litres in accordance with AS 1056.1 may be installed when—
(i)
the building has—
(A)
not more than 1 bedroom; and
(B)
not more than 1 electric resistance water heater installed; or
(ii)
the building has—
(A)
a water heater that complies with B2.2(1)(b) or B2.2(1)(c); and
(B)
not more than 1 electric resistance water heater installed; or
(iii)
the greenhouse gas emission intensity of the public electricity supply is low.
B2.3 Layout of taps
(1)
Where both a heated water tap and a cold water tap are installed, the heated water tap must be installed to the left of, or above, the cold water tap if—
(a)
each tap controls a separate outlet; or
(b)
both taps control a combined flow of water delivered through a single outlet.
B2.4 Maximum flow rates for heated water outlets
(1)
The outlet of a shower, basin, kitchen sink, or laundry trough must have a maximum flow rate of not more than 9 litres per minute.
Explanatory information:
Explanatory information:
A heated water outlet includes an outlet which delivers any combination of heated water and cold water.
Exemption 1:
Exemption 1:
The requirements of B2.4 do not apply to a shower intended to provide rapid drenching of a person for emergency purposes, such as chemical removal.
B2.5 Maximum delivery temperature
(1)
The delivery temperature of heated water at the outlet of each sanitary fixture must be—
(a)
not more than 45°C in any—
(i)
residential part of an aged care building; or
(ii)
patient care area in a health-care building; or
(iii)
part of an early childhood centre, or primary or secondary school, that is used by children; or
(iv)
designated accessible facility in a common area of Class 2 building, or in any part of a Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 9b, 9c or 10 building; or
(b)
not more than 50° C in all other cases.
Application 1:
Application 1:
B2.5 only applies to new heated water installations for personal hygiene purposes.
B2.6 Temperature control devices
(1)
A temperature control device used to deliver heated water in accordance with B2.5(1)(a) must be a—
(a)
thermostatic mixing valve; or
(b)
thermostatically controlled tap.
(2)
A temperature control device used to deliver heated water in accordance with B2.5(1)(b) must be a—
(a)
thermostatic mixing valve; or
(b)
thermostatically controlled tap; or
(c)
tempering valve; or
(3)
The required maximum delivery temperature must be achieved in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
Explanatory information
Application 1:
B2.6 only applies to new heated water installations.
B2.7 Heated water storage
(1)
Containers used for producing and/or storing heated water must be provided with temperature and pressure relief devices in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
B2.8 Legionella control
(1)
Legionella control for water heaters must be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
B2.9 General requirements
(1)
The design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration and maintenance of a heated water service must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
Note 1:
Note 1:
There are no Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for warm water systems.
(2)
A solar heated water supply system for food preparation and sanitary purposes, where installed in a new building in climate zones 1, 2 or 3, is not required to comply with Section 8 of AS/NZS 3500.4.
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
NCC Volumes One and Two deal with a number of areas of on-site construction which are relevant to a heated water service. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:
Item
NCC Volume One Class 2 to 9 buildings
NCC Volume Two Class 1 and 10 buildings
Excavations for pipework adjacent to a building and footings
Termite management for attachments to buildings and penetrations through a slab
Penetrations for pipework through a vapour barrier
Pipework in timber bearers and joists of solid timber or engineered wood products
Fittings, fixtures and pipework installations in steel framed construction
Penetrations through a fire-resisting wall or floor
C3 Protection of openings3.7.3 Fire protection of separating walls and floors
Fixtures or fittings in a wet area
F1 Damp and weather proofing3.8.1 Wet areas and external weatherproofing
Service pipework external to the building and penetrations through roof cladding in a bushfire prone area
G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas
3.10.5 Construction in bushfire prone areas
Pipework sound insulation
F5 Sound transmission and insulation
Central heating pipework
J5 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems
Pool and spa heating and pumping – energy efficiency
J7 Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant
Energy consumption monitoring for water heaters
J8 Facilities for energy monitoring
Not applicable