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Energy Efficiency Provisions for Multi-Residential and Commercial Buildings
Page 1 of 3
BCA 2005/2006
Development of the BCA energy efficiency provisions for multi-residential and commercial buildings proceeded in two stages. Firstly, provisions for Class 2, 3 and 4 buildings (eg – apartments, hotels etc.) were included in BCA 2005. Secondly, provisions for Class 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings (eg - offices, shops, warehouses, factories, health care buildings, auditoriums, schools etc.) were included in BCA 2006.
The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions vary depending upon the climate zone in which the building is to be located.
Class 2 to 4 buildings
An RD outlining the proposed BCA energy efficiency provisions for Class 2, 3, and 4 buildings was released for public comment in September 2003. A draft RIS on the impact of the proposed provisions was released for public comment in February 2004 and finalised in August 2004.
Following these processes, the provisions were included in BCA 2005. The provisions included coverage of the following:
- The ability of the roof, walls and floor to resist heat transfer
- The resistance to heat flow and solar radiation of the glazing
- Sealing of the building
- The provision of air movement for free cooling, in terms of openings and breeze paths
- The efficiency and energy saving features of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and hot water supply
- Power allowances for lighting and electric power saving features
- Access to certain energy efficiency equipment for maintenance purpose
Class 5 to 9 buildings
An RD outlining the proposed energy efficiency provisions for Class 5 to 9 buildings was released for public comment in November 2004. A draft RIS setting out the costs and benefits of the proposed provisions was released for public comment in March 2005 and was finalised in February 2006.
As a result of the public consultation and regulation review processes, the energy efficiency provisions for Class 5 to 9 buildings were included in BCA 2006.
These provisions extended the provisions that already existed in BCA Sections I and J for Class 2 to 4 buildings, to class 5 to 9 buildings. This also meant that the Verification Methods were extended to allow thermal calculation methods, including building energy analysis software, to be used to determine the compliance of certain buildings. The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions were also extended and include significant changes to the building fabric, external glazing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and lighting and power requirements. The new provisions are briefly explained on the following pages.