The Certification of Buildings for Energy Efficiency Code Compliance (for Building Approval or Development Approval) is performed by competent and qualified Assessors to the Requirements of the Building Code of Australia and the Queensland Development Code MP4.1 Sustainable Buildings.
The Check List is a compulsory part of our ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System.
Date: Today's Date
Site Address: The street address, suburb and postcode of the building
Real Property Description: From the rates notice or survey plan
BCA Energy Efficiency Type: There are several different ways to assess a building depending on the type of building (Building Classification). If you don't know or are undecided, leave this part blank. A full assessment applies to all but Class 7, 8, 9b and 10a buildings or parts with no conditioned spaces - for these buildings only lighting is assessable.
Thermal Calculation (Residential Star Rating): This allows trading of elements to achieve compliance. Reduced wall insulation for masonry walls is usually possible for Thermal Calculation Assessments.
Residential Star Rating stringency depends on whether the building is Class 1 or Class 2, and whether it has a complying Outdoor Living Area with or without a ceiling fan (please indicate fans on plans). For more details see the Queensland Development Code MP4.1.
We use BERS Pro software for assessing residences by the Star Rating method. Residences must also comply with BCA Volume 2 Part 3.12.0 (for Class 1) and BCA Volume 1 Part J0.2 (for Class 2): general thermal construction, thermal breaks, compensating for loss of ceiling insulation, floor edge insulation and building sealing. Designs will be assumed to comply with these Requirements unless otherwise notified.
Residential Reference Building assessments (for Class 1 by Verification Method V2.6.2.2) use the Star Rating software comparing the Cooling Energy and/or the Heating Energy to a Reference Building.
Thermal Calculation (Commercial Reference Building): The Commercial Building Verification Method JV3 uses DesignBuilder™ software and BCA Specification JV comparing the design to a Reference Building. DesignBuilder™ satisfies the ABCB Protocol for Building Energy Analysis Software 2006.1 as it uses EnergyPlus™ for the calculation engine. The Reference Building is the same shape but with all elements complying with Deemed-To-Satisfy (DTS). If the design does not comply with DTS in an element (e.g. wall insulation or glazing) it must be better than DTS in other areas to compensate.
Deemed to Satisfy (Elemental): Each building element must comply separately, which when combined are "deemed to satisfy" the Code's Performance Requirement. Very little trading between elements is allowed with restricted options (e.g. Residential glazing with floor construction and ventilation, or wall thermal mass with insulation and shade). DTS is not available for Class 2 and 4 buildings.
You need to send us these things:
Site Plan (for building orientation), Floor Plans (including glazing), Roof Plan, Elevations, Sections, Lighting Plan, Floor Coverings.
For Thermal Calculations, overshadowing buildings can help in Summer for warm to hot climates. Sections help with wall and floor configurations. As the lighting allowance is calculated we need the location, number and type of lights. Floor coverings are required for Thermal Calculation assessments. We will assume carpet as the default floor covering except for wet areas (ASBA Procedure).
Airflow in Habitable Rooms: This assessment is not for Residential Health and Amenity.
For Residential assessments we assume 1200mm swept diameter ceiling fans unless otherwise indicated. Adequate coverage is one 1200mm diameter ceiling fan per 25m² floor area (one 900mm fan per 15m²).
Do the windows have Weather Seals? Sliding doors and windows usually have weather seals. Do the external swing doors have edge seals?
Are there Solar Photovoltaic Panels >1kW peak? For Commercial JV3 assessments site-generated Renewable Energy can be included.
Is there an Outdoor Living Area with a ceiling fan or roof insulation (we will determine if it complies)?
Building Fabric: What materials is the building to be made from?
Are the window and door (glass and opaque) sizes marked on the plans or is a schedule attached?
What type of glass is used? Generic glazing can be selected.
Glass details: manufacturer and product, and what frame does it have? Has the glazing been rated by WERS? The more accurate information here the better. Be specific in the Notes if performance glazing is proposed. If the NFRC values are glass+frames (window or total) please make a note.
What are the external walls made out of? Provide details of materials ito be used, including insulation and air spaces. Metal framed walls must contain a thermal break of at least R0.2 between frame and external cladding where the internal lining is directly connected to the same frame. If otherwise, please advise. What colour are they (e.g. paint brand and name)? To help with Solar Absorptance we have referenced typical colours for comparison. If the colour is undecided then select from Very-light (off white, zincalume), Light (cream to yellow), or Dark (everything else). If not specified we must assume Medium.
What is the type and thickness of added insulation in the External Walls, Internal Envelope Walls, Floor, Ceiling (on the plasterboard) and Roof (directly under the metal, tiles or suspended concrete)?
You can list generic (e.g. Rockwool 50mm) or product brand name, or the material-only R-value (NOT total R-value nor including any reflective foil). Foil insulation works if there is at least a 20mm air space, so we need to know the construction arrangement to calculate the total R-value.
An Internal Envelope Wall separates a conditioned space from a non-conditioned space (e.g. Office from Warehouse). Wall insulation must continue above uninsulated ceilings to comply with the BCA J1.2(a)(ii) and BCA 3.12.1.1(a)(ii) DTS Requirement "continuous". If colour-backed glass is not glazing (see BCA Definitions) it is therefore considered an envelope wall panel (requiring insulation).
Roof Type & Colour:
For Solar Absorptance comparisons use these typical colours. Roof tiles and concrete have to be white to be very-light colour. If the colour is undecided then select from Very-light (off white, zincalume), Light (cream to yellow), or Dark (everything else). Metal frames are assumed to have a thermal break of at least R0.2 between the frame and metal or tiles if the ceiling is also attached to the same metal frame. Skylights need to be completely specified (e.g. size, reflectivity of shaft, insulation to shaft, diffuser).
Any penetration of the roof insulation required for safe operation of recessed lights or extraction fans will affect the roof insulation required. Please be clear if there are any insulation penetrations as otherwise we will assume there are no penetrations (that is, continuous insulation).
Contact Details:
The name & address of the person and company to which you want the four original copies of the Report including Design Compliance Certificate (Form 15) sent to. For additional copies or other addresses, please advise in the notes.
The name & address of the person and company you want the Tax Invoice sent to. If this is left blank the Tax Invoice will be sent to the Report address. If the Tax Invoice address is unknown the Energy Efficiency Report will be delayed until this is notified. Include the Purchase Order Number if this is required for the Tax Invoice, or attach a copy of the Purchase Order.