Glazing Calculator Add-Ons Common Practice Solution

Current at: 16 May 2010 (B) 

Why Develop A Common Practice Solution?

The intent of the As-Built Learning Exchange (ABLE) Common Practice protocol is to resource work practices that deliver affordability, compliance and performance gains.

Common local practice is to use the deemed-to-satisfy assessment method to verify (Class 1 Building) Energy Efficiency compliance. This Common Practice Solution is an update of the 2006 version ABCB Glazing Calculator Add-Ons and includes BCA 2009 Energy Efficiency amendments and reporting of the WA Additions (5 Star Plus).

Where, When, and Who Can Use This Common Practice Solution?

This Common Practice Solution is recognised by Building Commission Advisory Note AN05.

It can only be used in Western Australia, only applies for the Building Code of Australia Volume 2 for Class 1 and 10 Buildings (BCA), and must be declared to the approving authority prior to the issue of a Building Licence.

Building professionals are granted Open Exchange Use rights. Users accept the Conditions of Use that apply to all ABLE material.

How Is DTS Compliance Verified?

BCA Part 3.12 Energy Efficiency describes design and construction that is Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Performance Requirement P2.6.1 Building and P2.6.2 Services. WA Additions describe DTS construction that meets the Performance Provisions WA 1.1 Hot Water Systems and WA 2.2 Water Use.

The DTS provisions prescribe the calculations required to verify design decisions and nominate options for construction. These are typically Climate Zone specific. In 2006 the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released a Class 1 Building External Glazing Calculator to automate Part 3.12.2 External Glazing calculations.

But BCA compliance also requires calculations to verify Part 3.12.1 Building Fabric (ceiling insulation penetrations, roof lights), Part 3.12.2 External Glazing (interpolated air movement), and Part 3.12.4 Air Movement (ventilation opening). The Datasheets added to the spare worksheet provided in the Glazing Calculator automate these calculations.

Datasheet calculations are linked to the Glazing Calculator. When a Climate Zone is entered for glazing assessment, the information displayed and calculations undertaken in the Datasheets default to that required for the nominated Zone. When calculations are undertaken, glazing assessment data is the default data used.

In addition to the Datasheets, the Compliance Report list DTS construction and WA Additions selections required verify compliance.

What Evidence Is Provided To Report Compliance?

Click links below to download the full text version.

Click the link below to download the Glazing Calculator_Add-Ons Excel (2003) file - Current at: 06 October 2009(C).

New User Registration or Login Required

To download the associated files you need to login to the As-Built Learning Exchange.

If you do not have login details, you will need to register as a new user.