Part 13.2 Building fabric

ABCB Housing Provisions

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13.2

Part 13.2 Building fabric

NT Part 13.2 Building fabric

TAS Part 13.2 Building fabric

13.2.1

Application of Part 13.2

2019: 3.12.1

(1) The provisions of 13.2.2 to 13.2.6 apply to—

a Class 1 building; and
a Class 10a building with a conditioned space.

(2) The provisions of 13.2.7 apply to a Class 1 building with an attached Class 10a building.

(3) Part 13.2 must be applied as directed in H6D2(1)(a) or (b).

2019: 3.12.1

State variations

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13.2.2

Building fabric thermal insulation

2019: 3.12.1.1

(1) Where required, insulation must comply with AS/NZS 4859.1 and be installed so that it—

abuts or overlaps adjoining insulation other than at supporting members such as columns, studs, noggings, joists, furring channels and the like where the insulation must butt against the member; and
forms a continuous barrier with ceilings, walls, bulkheads, floors or the like that inherently contribute to the thermal barrier; and
does not affect the safe or effective operation of a domestic service or fitting.

(2) Where required, reflective insulation must be installed with—

the necessary airspace, to achieve the required R-Value between a reflective side of the reflective insulation and a building lining or cladding; and
the reflective insulation closely fitted against any penetration, door or window opening; and
the reflective insulation adequately supported by framing members; and
each adjoining sheet of roll membrane being—
1. overlapped greater than or equal to 150 mm; or
2. taped together.

(3) Where required, bulk insulation must be installed so that—

it maintains its position and thickness, other than where it crosses roof battens, water pipes, electrical cabling or the like; and
in a ceiling, where there is no bulk insulation or reflective insulation in the external wall beneath, it overlaps the external wall by greater than or equal to 50 mm.

Explanatory information: Example

In a two storey house with the second storey set back, the insulation in the first storey wall, the second storey wall and the roof over the set-back must be continuous. Therefore if the roof over the set-back has insulation on a horizontal ceiling, then insulation is also needed on the vertical in any ceiling space in order to connect the ceiling insulation to the second storey wall.
To form a continuous barrier, insulation should be placed in gaps between window and door jambs, heads and sills, and the adjoining wall framing unless a gap is otherwise required. This may need to be compressible to allow for movement between members.

Explanatory information: Safety of domestic services

Care should be taken when installing insulation to ensure that it does not interfere with the safety or performance of domestic services and fittings such as heating flues, recessed light fittings, light transformers, gas appliances and general plumbing and electrical components. This includes providing appropriate clearance as detailed in relevant legislation and referenced standards such as for electrical, gas and fuel oil installations.

Explanatory information: Compression of insulation

The R-Value of insulation, including insulation used to mitigate thermal bridging, is reduced if it is compressed. The allocated space for insulation must therefore allow the insulation to be installed so that it maintains its correct thickness to achieve the product’s stated R-Value. Otherwise the R-Value needs to be reduced to account for any compression. This is particularly relevant to wall and cathedral ceiling framing whose members can only accommodate a limited thickness of insulation. In some instances, larger framing members or thinner insulation material, such as rigid boards, may be necessary to ensure that the insulation achieves its required R-Value.

Explanatory information: Installation of reflective insulation

For reflective insulation and the adjoining airspace to achieve its tested R-Value, the airspace needs to be a certain width. This width varies depending on the particular type of reflective insulation. The R-Value also depends on the orientation of the insulation.

Where reflective insulation also acts as a vapour barrier or sarking, both a minimum overlap and taping may be necessary.

2019: 3.12.1.1

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13.2.3

Roofs and ceilings

2019: 3.12.1.2

(1) Roof and ceiling insulation must achieve the minimum R-Value—

in climate zone 1, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3a, 13.2.3b, 13.2.3j and 13.2.3k as applicable; and
in climate zone 2, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3c and 13.2.3l as applicable; and
in climate zone 3, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3d and 13.2.3m as applicable; and
in climate zone 4, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3e and 13.2.3n as applicable; and
in climate zone 5, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3f and 13.2.3o as applicable; and
in climate zone 6, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3g and 13.2.3p as applicable; and
in climate zone 7, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3h and 13.2.3q as applicable; and
in climate zone 8, in accordance with Tables 13.2.3i and 13.2.3r as applicable.

(2) Reflective insulation installed to comply with (1) must—

have a surface emittance of not more than 0.05; and
be adjacent to a roof space of not less than 20 mm; and
in climate zones 3 to 8, be downward facing.

(3) The thermal bridging in a metal-framed roof must be addressed as follows—

for a pitched roof with a horizontal ceiling—
1. achieving the Total R-Value in Table 13.2.3s, calculated using a method that accounts for the effects of thermal bridging; or
2. increasing the R-Value of the insulation between the ceiling frames by R0.5 more than the R-Value derived from (1); or
3. adding a continuous ceiling insulation layer with a minimum R-Value of R0.13 above or below the ceiling joists or the bottom chords of the trusses; or
4. achieving the required ceiling R-Value derived from (1) by stacking two layers of insulation immediately on top of each other, such that the top layer is orientated to cover the ceiling joists or bottom chords of the trusses and has an R-Value of at least R0.5; or
for a flat, skillion or cathedral roof—
1. achieving the Total R-Value in Table 13.2.3t, calculated using a method that accounts for the effects of thermal bridging; or
2. complying with Table 13.2.3u.

(4) Where 10.8.3(1) of the ABCB Housing Provisions applies, continuous insulation placed above the primary insulation layer to mitigate thermal bridging must have a vapour permeance of not less than that of the primary insulation layer.

(5) Where, for operational or safety reasons, the area of ceiling insulation required is reduced, the loss of insulation must be compensated for in accordance with Table 13.2.3w.

(6) Where the ceiling insulation required by (1) to (5) has an R-Value—

greater than R3.0 and less than or equal to R4.5, it may be reduced to R3.0 within 450 mm of an external wall; or
greater than R4.5, it may be reduced to R3.0 within 450 mm of an external wall, provided all other required ceiling insulation is increased by R0.5.

(7) A roof that—

has metal sheet roofing directly fixed to metal purlins, metal rafters or metal battens; and
does not have a ceiling lining or has a ceiling lining fixed directly to those metal purlins, metal rafters or metal battens,

must have a thermal break, consisting of a material with an R-Value of greater than or equal to 0.2, installed between the metal sheet roofing and its supporting metal purlins, metal rafters or metal battens.

(8) The requirements of (1) to (7) do not apply to roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels.

(9) Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels must achieve the minimum Total R-Value in Table 13.2.3x.

(10) In climate zones 1 to 5, the solar absorptance of the upper surface of a roof must not be more than 0.64.

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤0 .64
Vented	Yes	< 1.0	1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0	3.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0
≥ 1.5	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
No	< 1.0	2.5	4.5	X	X	X
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.0	3.0	4.0	5.0	X
≥ 1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0	4.0	5.0
Standard	Yes	< 1.0	1.5	2.0	2.5	4.0	X
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	3.0	4.0
≥ 1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0
No	< 1.0	3.5	X	X	X	X
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.0	3.5	5.5	X	X
≥ 1.5	2.0	2.0	3.5	4.0	6.0

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA≤ 0.23	0.23< SA≤0.32	0.32< SA≤0.42	0.42< SA≤0.53	0.53< SA≤0.64
Vented	Yes	< 1.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
≥ 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.0
No	< 1.0	2.0	2.5	4.0	5.0	X
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.0
≥ 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Standard	Yes	< 1.0	1.5	1.5	2.0	3.0	4.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
≥ 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
No	< 1.0	2.5	4.0	6.0	X	X
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	4.0
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
≥ 2.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.64
Vented	Yes	Any	2.5
No	< 0.5	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.5
≥ 0.5	2.5
Standard	Yes	Any	2.5
No	< 0.5	3.0	3.0	3.5	4.0
≥ 0.5 to < 1.0	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.0
≥ 1.0	2.5

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64
Vented	Yes	< 0.5	2.5
≥ 0.5 to < 1.0	2.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
≥ 2.0	2.5	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.0
No	< 0.5	3.5	4.0	4.5	5.0	X
≥ 0.5 to < 1.0	3.0	3.5	3.5	4.0	4.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
≥ 2.0	2.5	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.0
Standard	Yes	< 0.5	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
≥ 0.5 to < 1.0	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.0
≥ 2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
No	< 0.5	3.5	4.0	5.0	X	X
≥ 0.5 to < 1.0	3.0	3.0	3.5	4.0	5.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	2.5	2.5	3.0	3.0	3.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
≥ 2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.64
Vented	Yes	< 0.5	3.0	3.5
≥ 0.5	3.0
No	Any	3.5
Standard	Yes	Any	3.0
No	≤ 0.5	3.5
> 0.5	3.0

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.64
Vented	Yes	< 0.5	3.0	2.5
≥ 0.5	2.5
No	< 2.0	3.0
≥ 2.0	2.5
Standard	Yes	Any	2.5
No	≤ 0.5	3.0
> 0.5 to < 2.0	2.5
≥ 2.0	3.0

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	0.23 ≤ SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.96
Vented	Yes	< 1.0	4.0	3.5
≥ 1.0	3.5
No	< 1.0	4.0
≥ 1.0	3.5
Standard	Yes	< 1.0	3.5
≥ 1.0	3.0
No	< 1.0	4.0
≥ 1.0	3.5

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.73	0.73 < SA ≤ 0.85	0.85 < SA ≤ 0.96
Vented	Yes	< 1.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥ 1.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
No	< 1.0	5.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥ 1.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0
Standard	Yes	< 1.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥ 1.0	4.0
No	< 1.0	5.0	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	4.0
≥ 2.0	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5

Roof ventilation	Reflective insulation under-roof	Under-roof insulation R-Value	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.73	0.73 < SA ≤ 0.85	0.85 < SA ≤ 0.96
Vented	Yes	< 1.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥ 2.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
No	< 1.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
≥1.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Standard	Yes	< 1.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5
≥ 2.0	4.0
No	< 1.0	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.0	3.0	3.0
≥ 1.0 to < 1.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
≥ 1.5 to < 2.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5
≥ 2.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	1.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	4.0
No	1.0	3.5	X	X	X

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	1.5	1.5	2.0	3.0	4.0
No	1.5	3.5	5.0	X	X

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
No	3.0	3.0	3.5	4.0	4.0

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	2.0	2.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
No	3.5	4.0	5.0	X	X

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	3.0
No	3.5

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.64
Yes	2.5
No	3.0

Reflective insulation under-roof	0.23 ≤ SA < 0.64	SA = 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.96
Yes	4.0	3.5	4.0
No	4.0	4.0	4.0

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.73	0.73 < SA ≤ 0.85	0.85 < SA ≤ 0.96
Yes	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
No	5.0	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5

Reflective insulation under-roof	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.73	0.73 < SA ≤ 0.85	0.85 < SA ≤ 0.96
Yes	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.5
No	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	3.0	3.0	3.0

Minimum ceiling insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.3a to 13.2.3i as applicable	Minimum ceiling Total R-Value
1.5	1.38
2.0	1.74
2.5	2.09
3.0	2.43
3.5	2.63
4.0	2.95
4.5	3.27
5.0	3.59
5.5	3.91
6.0	4.23

Minimum ceiling insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.3j to 13.2.3r	Minimum Total R-Value to account for thermal bridging – heat flow down	Minimum Total R-Value to account for thermal bridging – heat flow up
1.0	1.40	1.32
1.5	1.86	1.78
2.0	2.29	2.21
2.5	2.71	2.63
3.0	3.11	3.02
3.5	3.31	3.22
4.0	3.66	3.57
4.5	3.98	3.90
5.0	4.32	4.22
5.5	4.63	4.53
6.0	4.93	4.82

Minimum ceiling insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.3j to 13.2.3r	Option 1 – increase insulation between roof frame members to specified minimum R-Value	Option 2 – add a layer of continuous insulation with specified minimum R-Value above or below the roof frame members
1.0	1.5	0.13
1.5	2.5	0.30
2.0	3.5	0.30
2.5	5.0	0.40
3.0	6.0	0.60
3.5	X	0.60
4.0	X	0.60
4.5	X	0.60
5.0	X	0.60
5.5	X	0.60
6.0	X	0.60

Climate zone	Direction of heat flow
1	Down
2 (altitude less than 300 m)	Down
2 (altitude 300 m or more)	Down and up
3	Down and up
4	Up
5	Up
6	Up
7	Up
8	Up

Percentage of ceiling area uninsulated	Minimum R-Value of ceiling insulation required to satisfy 13.2.3(1) and (3)
0.5 to less than 1.0%	1.0	1.6	2.2	2.8	3.4	4.0	4.7	5.4	6.2	6.9
1.0% to less than 1.5%	1.1	1.7	2.3	2.9	3.6	4.4	5.2	6.1	7.0	x
1.5% to less than 2.0%	1.1	1.7	2.4	3.1	3.9	4.8	5.8	6.8	x	x
2.0% to less than 2.5%	1.1	1.8	2.5	3.3	4.2	5.3	6.5	x	x	x
2.5% to less than 3.0%	1.2	1.9	2.6	3.6	4.6	5.9	x	x	x	x
3.0% to less than 4.0%	1.2	2.0	3.0	4.2	5.7	x	x	x	x	x
4.0% to less than 5.0%	1.3	2.2	3.4	5.0	x	x	x	x	x	x

Climate zone	SA ≤ 0.23	0.23 < SA ≤ 0.32	0.32 < SA ≤ 0.42	0.42 < SA ≤ 0.53	0.53 < SA ≤ 0.64	0.64 < SA ≤ 0.73	0.73 < SA ≤ 0.85	0.85 < SA ≤ 0.96
1 (single storey dwelling)	1.40	3.31	X	X	X	X	X	X
1 (two or more storey dwelling)	1.86	3.31	4.32	X	X	X	X	X
2 (heat flow down)	3.11	3.11	3.31	3.66	3.66	X	X	X
2 (heat flow up)	3.02	3.02	3.22	3.57	3.57	X	X	X
3 (heat flow down)	3.31	3.66	4.32	X	X	X	X	X
3 (heat flow up)	3.22	3.57	4.22	X	X	X	X	X
4	3.22	3.22	3.22	3.22	3.22	X	X	X
5	3.02	3.02	3.02	3.02	3.02	X	X	X
6	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57
7	4.22	3.90	3.90	3.57	3.57	3.22	3.22	3.22
8	3.90	3.57	3.57	3.22	3.22	3.02	3.02	3.02

Explanatory information: Table 13.2.3w

When considering the reduction of insulation because of exhaust fans, flues or recessed downlights, 0.5% of the ceiling area for a 200 m² house would permit 2 bathroom heater-light assemblies, a laundry exhaust fan, a kitchen exhaust fan and either approximately 20 recessed down-lights with 50 mm clearance to insulation, 10 recessed downlights with 100 mm clearance to insulation or only 3 recessed downlights with 200 mm clearance to insulation.
Note that 13.2.3(5) does not require an increase in ceiling insulation for roof lights.
Placing some of the required insulation at the roof level may result in a more practical outcome. Insulation at the roof level is effective in warm climates and significantly moderates the roof space extremes and condensation risk in cold climates. Note that Part 10.8 contains specific provisions for condensation.

Explanatory information: Thermal bridging calculation methods

The effect of thermal bridging through repeating framing elements such as ceiling joists and the bottom chord of ceiling trusses must be considered when calculating the Total R-Value of metal-framed roofs. Other types of thermal bridges may be calculated if considered significant.

2019: 3.12.1.2

State variations

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13.2.4

Roof lights

2019: 3.12.1.3

Roof lights (including any associated shaft and diffuser) serving a habitable room or an interconnecting space such as a corridor, hallway, stairway or the like must have—

a total area of not more than 5% of the floor area of the room or space served; and
transparent and translucent elements, including any imperforate ceiling diffuser, with a combined performance of—
1. for Total System SHGC, in accordance with Table 13.2.4; and
2. for Total System U-Value, not more than U3.9.

Roof light shaft index ^{Note 1}	Total area of roof lights up to 3.5% of the floor area of the room or space	Total area of roof lights more than 3.5% and up to 5% of the floor area of the room or space
< 1.0	≤ 0.45	≤ 0.29
≥ 1.0 to < 2.5	≤ 0.51	≤ 0.33
≥ 2.5	≤ 0.76	≤ 0.49

Explanatory information

The Total System SHGC and Total System U-Values are expressed as Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC) values.

2019: 3.12.1.3

State variations

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13.2.5

External walls

2019: 3.12.1.4

NCC Blurbs

(1) A metal-framed wall that forms part of the building envelope must have a thermal break, consisting of a material with an R-Value of not less than R0.2, installed at all points of contact between the external cladding and the metal frame if the wall—

does not have a wall lining or has a wall lining that is fixed directly to the metal frame; and
is clad with weatherboards, fibre-cement or the like, or metal sheeting fixed to the metal frame.

(2) The requirements of (1) do not apply to walls constructed using insulated sandwich panels.

Explanatory information

A lightweight wall has no high thermal mass cladding on the outside or lining on the inside. Typically, this would represent a framed wall, clad externally with timber weatherboards, fibre-cement sheet, metal or autoclaved aerated concrete.
Because of the high thermal conductance of metal, a thermal break is needed when a metal framing member directly connects the external cladding to the internal lining or the internal environment. For the purposes of NSW 13.2.5(1)(b), expanded polystyrene strips greater than or equal to 12 mm thickness and timber greater than or equal to 20 mm thickness are deemed to achieve an R-Value greater than or equal to 0.2.
Continuous insulation placed outside the primary insulation layer, including reflective insulation, may also be subject to vapour permeance requirements of 10.8.1(2). Many continuous insulation products and foils have a low vapour permeance. Some reflective insulation products have perforations to increase their vapour permeance. Many perforated reflective insulation products are not classified as a water barrier by AS 4200.1. Accordingly, these products are not suitable for use as a water control layer.
Many reflective insulation products that use perforations to increase their vapour permeance are not suitable for use behind vertical or diagonally orientated timber cladding boards, where required by clause 7.5.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, or behind open jointed or unsealed cladding systems.

NCC Title

External walls

NCC State

NSW

NCC Variation Type

Replacement

NCC SPTC Current

External walls

(1) Except for the external wall of a sub-floor space below a suspended floor and lightweight wall construction, wall insulation must have a minimum R-Value—

in climate zone 1, in accordance with Table 13.2.5a; and
in climate zone 2, in accordance with Tables 13.2.5c and 13.2.5d as applicable; and
in climate zone 3, in accordance with Table 13.2.5e; and
in climate zone 4, in accordance with Tables 13.2.5g and 13.2.5h as applicable; and
in climate zone 5, in accordance with Tables 13.2.5i and 13.2.5j as applicable; and
in climate zone 6, in accordance with Tables 13.2.5k and 13.2.5l as applicable; and
In climate zone 7, in accordance with Tables 13.2.5m and 13.2.5n as applicable.

(2) For lightweight wall construction, wall insulation must have a minimum R-Value—

in climate zone 1, in accordance with Table 13.2.5b; and
in climate zone 2, in accordance with Table 13.2.5c, with R0.3 added; and
in climate zone 3, in accordance with Table 13.2.5f; and
in climate zone 4, in accordance with Table 13.2.5g, with R0.3 added; and
in climate zone 5, in accordance with Table 13.2.5i, with R0.3 added; and
in climate zone 6, in accordance with Table 13.2.5k, with R0.3 added; and
in climate zone 7, in accordance with Table 13.2.5m, with R0.3 added; and
in climate zone 8, in accordance with Table 13.2.5o.

(3) In climate zones 1 to 5, the solar absorptance of the outer surface of a wall used in (1) or (2) must be not more than 0.7.

(4) The thermal bridging in a metal-framed wall must be addressed by—

achieving the Total R-Value in Tables 13.2.5p, 13.2.5q and 13.2.5r, calculated in accordance with AS/NZS 4859.2; or
complying with one of the options in Tables 13.2.5s, 13.2.5t and 13.2.5u.

(5) A metal-framed wall that forms part of the building envelope must have a thermal break, consisting of a material with an R-Value of not less than R0.2, installed at all points of contact between the external cladding and the metal frame if the wall—

does not have a wall lining or has a wall lining that is fixed directly to the metal frame; and
is clad with weatherboards, fibre-cement or the like, or metal sheeting fixed to the metal frame.

(6) The requirements of (5) do not apply to walls constructed using insulated sandwich panels.

Table 13.2.5a Concrete block walls – minimum insulation R-Value: climate zone 1

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
SA	Overhang (mm)	≤ 2.4	> 2.4 to ≤ 2.7	> 2.7 to ≤ 3.0	> 3.0 to ≤ 3.6
≤ 0.3	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	Reflective	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	Reflective	1.5	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	0.0	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	0.0	Reflective	2.0
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
> 0.3 to ≤ 0.4	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	1.0	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	1.0	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	Reflective	2.0	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.5
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	0.0	Reflective	Reflective
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
> 0.4 to ≤ 0.5	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 ≤ 300	1.0	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	1.5	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	1.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	2.0
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.0	Reflective	Reflective
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	0.0	Reflective
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.6	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	1.5	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	Reflective	1.5	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	Reflective
> 0.6 to ≤ 0.7	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	X	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	2.0
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.0
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	Reflective

Table Notes

SA = solar absorptance.
R-Values listed are for the labelled, declared R-Value of insulation.
X = not permitted.
Reflective = reflective insulation with an airspace with a minimum width of at least 20 mm. The surface emittance of the reflective surface facing the airspace must be a maximum of 0.1, where the airspace is exposed to the sun during construction to reduce glare (an outward facing surface), or 0.05 if not exposed to the sun (an inward facing surface).
This table shows wall heights for single storey dwellings. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height up to 2.4 m, add R0.5 to the R-Values given in this Table. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height greater than 2.4 m, add R1.0.

Table 13.2.5b Lightweight walls – minimum insulation R-Value: climate zone 1

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
SA	Overhang (mm)	≤ 2.4	> 2.4 to ≤ 2.7	> 2.7 to ≤ 3.0	> 3.0 to ≤ 3.6
≤ 0.3	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	2.5	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	Reflective	Reflective	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
> 0.3 to ≤ 0.4	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	>1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	Reflective	Reflective	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
> 0.4 to ≤ 0.5	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	Reflective	Reflective	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.6	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	Reflective	Reflective	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0
> 0.6 to ≤ 0.7	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	Reflective	2.0	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	Reflective	1.0	2.0	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	Reflective	Reflective	1.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	Reflective	Reflective	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	Reflective	Reflective	1.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	0.0	0.0	Reflective	1.0

Table Notes

SA = solar absorptance.
R-Values listed are for the labelled, declared R-Value of insulation.
X = not permitted.
Reflective = reflective insulation with an airspace with a minimum width of at least 20 mm. The surface emittance of the reflective surface facing the airspace must be a maximum of 0.1 where the airspace is exposed to the sun during construction to reduce glare (an outward facing surface), or 0.05 of not exposed to the sun (an inward facing surface).
This Table shows wall heights for single storey dwellings. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height up to 2.4 m, add R0.5 to R-Values from this Table. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height greater than 2.4 m, add R1.0.

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	X	X	X	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	X	X	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	X	X	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.0	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.5
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	X	X	X	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	X	X	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	X	X	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.5	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.5
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	X	X	X	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	X	X	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	X	X	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.0	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.25
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.25	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.51
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.51
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.25
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.25
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25

SA	R-Value
≤ 0.7	1.5

Table 13.2.5f Lightweight wall – minimum insulation R-Value: climate zone 3

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
SA	Overhang (mm)	≤ 2.4	> 2.4 to ≤ 2.7	> 2.7 to ≤ 3.0	> 3.0 to ≤ 3.6
≤ 0.3	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	2.5	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.5	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.5
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.0
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	Reflective	Reflective	1.5	1.5
> 0.3 to ≤ 0.4	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	2.5	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.5	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	2.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.7
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.0
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	Reflective	Reflective	1.5	1.5
> 0.4 to ≤ 0.5	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	X	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	2.0	2.7	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	2.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	Reflective	Reflective	1.5	1.5
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.6	0	X	X	X	X
	> to ≤ 300	X	X	X	x
	> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	X	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	2.0	X	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	2.0	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	1.5	X
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.5
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0.6 to ≤ 0.7	0	X	X	X	X
	> 0 to ≤ 300	X	X	X	X
	> 300 to ≤ 450	2.5	X	X	X
	> 450 to ≤ 600	2.0	X	X	X
	> 600 to ≤ 900	1.5	2.0	X	X
	> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.5	1.5	2.5	X
	> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.5	1.5	2.0	X
	> 1500 to ≤ 1800	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.7
	> 1800 to ≤ 2400	Reflective	1.5	1.5	2.0

Table Notes

SA = solar absorptance.
R-Values listed are for the labelled, declared R-Value for insulation.
X = not permitted.
Reflective = reflective insulation with an airspace with a minimum width of at least 20 mm. The surface emittance of the reflective surface facing the airspace must be a maximum 0.1, where the airspace is exposed to the sun during construction to reduce glare (an outward facing surface), or 0.05 if not exposed to the sun (an inward facing surface).
This Table shows wall heights for single storey dwellings. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height up to 2.4 m, add R1.0 to the R-Values given in this Table. For two storey (or more) dwellings with a wall height greater than 2.4 m, add R1.5.

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	2.0	2.5	2.5	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.5	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.0	2.5	2.5	3.0
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.0
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	3.0	3.0	3.0
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	X	3.0	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	2.0	2.5	2.5	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.5	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.0
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	2.5	2.5	3.0
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	X	3.0	3.0
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	2.0	2.5	2.5	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.5	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.0
> 900 to ≤ 1200	3.0	2.5	2.5	3.0
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	3.0	2.5	3.0

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.75
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.75
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.51	0.51	0,51	0.75
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.75
> 600 to ≤ 900	1.08	0.75	0.75	1.08
> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.44	1.08	1.08	1.08
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	1.44	1.44	1.08
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	X	X	X	1.44
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.62
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.62
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.62
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.75
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.75	0.62	0.62	0.75
> 900 to ≤ 1200	1.08	1.08	0.75	1.08
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	1.44	1.08	1.08
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	X	X	1.44	1.44
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.51
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.25	0.25	0.51	0.51
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.25	0.51	0.51	0.62
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.51	0.62	0.62	0.75
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	1.08	1.08	1.08	1.08
> 1500 to ≤ 1800	1.44	1.44	1.08	1.08

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 900 to ≤ 1200	3.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	3.0	2.5	2.5
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 900 to ≤ 1200	2.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	3.0	2.5	2.5	2.5
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	1.5	2.0	2.0	3.0
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	2.0	2.0	3.0
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.5
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 600 to ≤ 900	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 900 to ≤ 1200	2.5	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	X	3.0	2.5	2.5

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.51
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.62	0.51	0.51	0.51
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.51	0.25	0.25	0.51
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.62	0.51	0.51	0.51
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.25
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 300 to ≤ 450	0.0	0.0	0.25	0.25
> 450 to ≤ 600	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 600 to ≤ 900	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 900 to ≤ 1200	0.51	0.25	0.25	0.25
> 1200 to ≤ 1500	0.51	0.51	0.51	0.51

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	2.0	2.4	X	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.4	2.4	X	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.5	X	X	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	X	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	2.0	2.4	2.5	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.4	2.5	X	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	X	X	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	X	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	2.0	2.0	2.4	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.4	2.5	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	2.4	2.5	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.5	2.5	X	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 0.7 to ≤ 0.85	0	1.5	2.0	2.4	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.4	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	2.4	2.4	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.4	2.4	2.4	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	0.51	0.62	1.08	1.44
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.08	1.08	1.08	1.44
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.44	1.08	1.08	1.44
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.44	1.44	1.08	1.44
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	1.44	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	0.51	0.62	0.75	1.08
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.75	0.75	1.08	1.44
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.08	1.08	1.08	1.44
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.44	1.08	1.08	1.44
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	1.44	1.44
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	0.25	0.51	0.62	1.08
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.62	0.62	0.75	1.08
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.08	0.75	1.08	1.08
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.44	1.08	1.08	1.08
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	1.44	1.44	1.44
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	1.44
> 0.7 to ≤ 0.85	0	0.25	0.51	0.51	1.08
> 0 to ≤ 300	0.62	0.51	0.75	1.08
> 300 to ≤ 450	1.08	0.62	0.75	1.08
> 450 to ≤ 600	1.08	1.08	1.08	1.08
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	1.44	1.08	1.44
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	1.44	1.44

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.4
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	1.5	2.0	2.4
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	2.0	2.0	2.4
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	2.4	2.0	2.4
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.4
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	2.0	2.0	2.4
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	2.0	2.0	2.4
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	2.5	2.4
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.5	2.0	2.0	2.0
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	2.4	2.4
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.7 to ≤ 0.85	0	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.0	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 450 to ≤ 600	2.4	2.0	2.0	2.0
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	2.4	2.0
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	2.4

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	1.08	1.44	X	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	1.08	1.44	X	X
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	0.75	1.44	1.44	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.44	X	X	X
> 0.7 to ≤ 0.85	0	0.75	1.08	1.44	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	1.44	1.44	X	X

SA	Overhang (mm)	Wall height (m)
≤ 0.35	0	1.5	2.0	2.0	X
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.4	X
> 300 to ≤ 450	X	2.4	2.4	X
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	X	2.5	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.35 to ≤ 0.5	0	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.4
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.5
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.5	2.0	2.4	2.5
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	2.5	2.4	X
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.5 to ≤ 0.7	0	1.5	1.5	2.0	2.7
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.7
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.7	2.0	2.0	2.7
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	2.7	2.5	2.5
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X
> 0.7 to ≤ 0.85	0	1.5	1.5	1.5	2.0
> 0 to ≤ 300	2.0	1.5	2.0	2.4
> 300 to ≤ 450	2.4	2.0	2.0	2.4
> 450 to ≤ 600	X	2.4	2.0	2.4
> 600 to ≤ 900	X	X	X	X
> 900 to ≤ 1200	X	X	X	X

Wall insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.5a and 13.2.5e	Minimum Total R-Value to account for thermal bridging
0.5	0.94
1.0	1.15
1.5	1.66
2.0	2.04
2.5	2.24
2.8	2.38
3.0	2.48

Wall insulation R-Value required in accordance with 13.2.5(2)	Minimum Total R-Value to account for thermal bridging
1.0	1.32
1.5	1.64
2.0	1.89
2.5	2.06
2.7	2.15
≥3.0	2.27

Wall insulation from Tables 13.2.5c, 13.2.5g, 13.2.5i, 13.2.5k and 13.2.5m	Minimum Total R-Valu e to account for thermal bridging
1.5	1.79
2.0	2.08
2.5	2.34
2.7	2.44
≥3.0	2.57

Wall insulation R-Values from Tables 13.2.5a to 13.2.5e	Option 1 – increase insulation between wall framing to specified minimum R-Value	Option 2 – add a layer of continuous insulation with specified minimum R-Value on the inside or outside of the wall framing
0 or reflective	Not required	Not required
0.5 or 1.0	1.5	0.13
1.5, 2.0 or 2.5	X	0.30

Wall insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.5a to 13.2.5o	Thermal bridging mitigation
0 or reflective	Not required
>0 to ≤1.5	Either install reflective insulation outside the frame to create a minimum 20 mm reflective airspace between frame and cladding, or increase insulation between frames by R0.5.
>1.5	Either install reflective insulation outside the frame to create a minimum 20 mm reflective airspace between frame and cladding, or add a layer of continuous insulation with an R-Value of at least R0.30 on the inside or the outside of the frame.

Wall insulation R-Value from Tables 13.2.5c, 13.2.5g, 13.2.5i, 13.2.5k and 13.2.5m	Thermal bridging mitigation options
> 0	Either install reflective insulation outside the frame to a minimum 20 mm reflective airspace between the frame and veneer, or add a layer of continuous insulation with an R-Value of at least R0.30 on the inside or the outside of the frame.

Explanatory information

A lightweight wall has no high thermal mass cladding on the outside or lining on the inside. Typically, this would represent a framed wall, clad externally with timber weatherboards, fibre-cement sheet, metal or autoclaved aerated concrete.
Because of the high thermal conductance of metal, a thermal break is needed when a metal framing member directly connects the external cladding to the internal lining or the internal environment. For the purposes of 13.2.5(5)(b), expanded polystyrene strips greater than or equal to 12 mm thickness and timber greater than or equal to 20 mm thickness are deemed to achieve an R-Value greater than or equal to 0.2.
Continuous insulation placed outside the primary insulation layer, including reflective insulation, may also be subject to vapour permeance requirements of 10.8.1(2). Many continuous insulation products and foils have a low vapour permeance. Some reflective insulation products have perforations to increase their vapour permeance. Many perforated reflective insulation products are not classified as a water barrier by AS 4200.1. Accordingly, these products are not suitable for use as a water control layer.
Many reflective insulation products that use perforations to increase their vapour permeance are not suitable for use behind vertical or diagonally orientated timber cladding boards, where required by clause 7.5.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions, or behind open jointed or unsealed cladding systems.

2019: 3.12.1.4

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13.2.6

Floors and subfloor walls

2019: 3.12.1.5

(1) Floor insulation, where the floor is over an unenclosed space, must achieve the minimum R-Value in accordance with Table 13.2.6a.

(2) Floor and subfloor insulation, where the floor is over an enclosed subfloor space, must—

in climate zone 1, be subfloor wall insulation with an R-Value of R1.5; and
in climate zone 2, be subfloor wall insulation in accordance with Table 13.2.6b; and
in climate zone 3, be subfloor wall insulation in accordance with Table 13.2.6c; and
in climate zone 4, be in accordance with Table 13.2.6d; and
in climate zone 5, be in accordance with Table 13.2.6e; and
in climate zone 6, be in accordance with Table 13.2.6f; and
in climate zone 7, be in accordance with Table 13.2.6g; and
in climate zone 8, be in accordance with Table 13.2.6h.

(3) The thermal bridging in a metal-framed floor must be addressed by—

achieving the Total R-Value in Table 13.2.6i, calculated by—
1. using a method that accounts for the effect of thermal bridging in a suspended floor above an enclosed subfloor space; or
2. using AS/NZS 4859.2 for all other floors; or
complying with one of the options in Table 13.2.6j.

(4) A concrete slab-on-ground with an in-slab or in-screed heating or cooling system, must have insulation with an R-Value greater than or equal to 1.0, installed around the vertical edge of its perimeter.

(5) Except for a waffle-pod slab—

in climate zones 6 and 7—
1. insulation with R-Value greater than or equal to 0.64 must be installed around the vertical edge of its perimeter; and
2. insulation with an R-Value greater than or equal to 0.64 must be installed underneath the slab; and
in climate zone 8—
1. insulation with an R-Value greater than or equal to 1.0 must be installed around the vertical edge of its perimeter; and
2. insulation with an R-Value greater than or equal to 2.0 must be installed underneath the slab.

(6) Insulation required by (4), (5)(a)(i) and (5)(b)(i) must—

be water resistant; and
be continuous from the adjacent finished ground level—
1. to a depth of greater than or equal to 300 mm; or
2. for at least the full depth of the vertical edge of the concrete slab-on-ground (see Figure 13.2.6).

(7) The requirements of (4) do not apply to an in-screed heating or cooling system used solely in a bathroom, amenity area or the like.

Climate zone	R-Value
1	2.0
2	2.0
3	1.5
4	X
5	X
6	4.0, or 3.5 if used in conjunction with a reflective airspace
7
8

Subfloor wall height (mm)	Minimum subfloor wall insulation R-Value
≤600	0.5
>600 to ≤900	1.0
>900 to ≤1200	1.5
>1200 to ≤1500	1.5
>1500 to ≤1800	1.5

Subfloor wall height (mm)	Minimum subfloor wall insulation R-Value
≤600	0.5
>600 to ≤900	0.5
>900 to ≤1200	0.5
>1200 to ≤1500	0.5
>1500 to ≤1800	0.5

Subfloor wall height (mm)	Reflective insulation facing down over the subfloor space	Minimum subfloor wall insulation R-Value	Minimum suspended floor insulation R-Value
≤600	No	0.5	1.0
≤600	No	1.0	0.5
≤600	Yes	0.0	1.5
≤600	Yes	0.5	1.0
≤600	Yes	2.0	0.5
>600 to ≤900	No	0.0	1.5
>600 to ≤900	No	1.5	0.5
>600 to ≤900	Yes	0.0	1.5
>600 to ≤900	Yes	0.5	1.0
>900 to ≤1200	No	0.0	1.5
>900 to ≤1200	No	0.5	1.0
>900 to ≤1200	Yes	0.5	1.0
>900 to ≤1200	Yes	2.0	0.5
>1200 to ≤1500	No	0.0	1.5
>1200 to ≤1500	Yes	0.0	1.5
>1200 to ≤1500	Yes	0.5	1.0
>1500 to ≤1800	No	0.5	1.5
>1500 to ≤1800	No	1.0	1.0
>1500 to ≤1800	Yes	0.0	2.0

Explanatory information

For 13.2.6(3) the effect of thermal bridging through repeating framing elements must be considered when calculating the Total R-Value of metal-framed floors. Other types of thermal bridges may be calculated if considered significant.
13.2.6(7) provides an exemption for an in-screed heating or cooling system used solely in bathrooms, amenity areas and the like, as these are typically small areas.
Care should be taken to ensure that the type of termite management system selected is compatible with the slab edge insulation.

2019: 3.12.1.5

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13.2.7

Attached Class 10a buildings

2019: 3.12.1.6

A Class 10a building attached to a Class 1 building must—

have an external fabric that achieves the required level of thermal performance for a Class 1 building; or
be separated from the Class 1 building with construction having the required level of thermal performance for the Class 1 building.

Explanatory information

The attachment of a Class 10a building, such as a garage, glasshouse, solarium, pool enclosure or the like should not compromise the thermal performance of the Class 1 building. In addition, the Class 10a building may be insulated and so assist the Class 1 building achieve the required thermal performance.

Explanatory Figure 13.2.7 below depicts examples of a Class 1 building with an attached Class 10a garage.

2019: 3.12.1.6

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Table 10.8.3 Roof space ventilation requirements

Roof pitch	Ventilation openings
< 10°	25,000 mm²/m provided at each of two opposing ends
≥ 10° and < 15°	25,000 mm²/m provided at the eaves and 5,000 mm²/m at high level
≥ 15° and < 75°	7,000 mm²/m provided at the eaves and 5,000 mm²/m at high level, plus an additional 18,000 mm²/m at the eaves if the roof has a cathedral ceiling

Table Notes

Ventilation openings are specified as a minimum free open area per metre length of the longest horizontal dimension of the roof.
For the purposes of this Table, high level openings are openings provided at the ridge or not more than 900 mm below the ridge or highest point of the roof space, measured vertically.

Floor insulation from Tables 13.2.6a and 13.2.6d to 13.2.6h as applicable	Floor covering	Minimum Total R-Value of floor
0.0	Carpet	0.36
0.0	Other	0.22
0.5	Carpet	0.86
0.5	Other	0.71
1.0	Carpet	1.30
1.0	Other	1.15
1.5	Carpet	1.65
1.5	Other	1.50
2.0	Carpet	1.97
2.0	Other	1.83
2.5	Carpet	2.27
2.5	Other	2.11
3.0	Carpet	2.52
3.0	Other	2.37
3.5	Carpet	2.59
3.5	Other	2.47
4.0	Carpet	2.79
4.0	Other	2.65

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Part 13.2 Building fabric

13.2.1 Application of Part 13.2 2019: 3.12.1

State variations

13.2.2 Building fabric thermal insulation 2019: 3.12.1.1

State variations

13.2.3 Roofs and ceilings 2019: 3.12.1.2

State variations

13.2.4 Roof lights 2019: 3.12.1.3

State variations

13.2.5 External walls 2019: 3.12.1.4

State variations

13.2.6 Floors and subfloor walls 2019: 3.12.1.5

State variations

13.2.7 Attached Class 10a buildings 2019: 3.12.1.6

State variations

13.2.1

Application of Part 13.2

2019: 3.12.1

13.2.2

Building fabric thermal insulation

2019: 3.12.1.1

13.2.3

Roofs and ceilings

2019: 3.12.1.2

13.2.4

Roof lights

2019: 3.12.1.3

13.2.5

External walls

2019: 3.12.1.4

13.2.6

Floors and subfloor walls

2019: 3.12.1.5

13.2.7

Attached Class 10a buildings

2019: 3.12.1.6