Datasheet > june

2 011

Energy Efficiency in
Building Regulations and the
Use of Concrete in Housing

INTRODUCTION The term Building Code of Australia (BCA) has

Since the early 1980s there has been steady been retained in the NCC in the context of
progress towards increasing the energy efficiency Volumes One and Two. In this document, which
of building envelopes, with a view to reducing the deals only with Class 1 buildings, the references
consumption of operational heating and cooling are shown as the particular part number of BCA
>

energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 2011 Volume 2 (or BCA 2010 Volume 2 or BCA
In 2003, the Australian Building Codes 2009 Volume 2 as applicable).
Board (ABCB) published amendments to the This document outlines:
Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume 2 with n Energy Efficiency provisions of BCA 2011
the objective of reducing energy use and hence Volume 2, as it applies to Class 1 and 10a
greenhouse gas emissions. Since then the BCA buildings;
has been progressively amended, providing n each state and territory's building regulations
increased stringency. for Class 1 and 10a buildings; and
The BCA provides a national model for building n applications for use of concrete in the context
regulations. Some states have adopted the BCA of these provisions.
model for energy efficiency measures in full;
others have adopted modifications, while another
(New South Wales) has opted for alternative
regulations.
In 2011, the National Construction Code (NCC)
>

was published for the first time. The NCC is

published in three volumes:
n Volume One pertains primarily to Class 2 to 9
buildings
n Volume Two pertains primarily to Class 1 and
The Building Code of
10 buildings
n Volume Three pertains primarily to plumbing
Australia provides a
and drainage associated with all classes of
buildings.
national model for building
regulations
 DEFINITIONS THE BENEFITS OF CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
Class 1 buildings are: Passive Solar Design
Class 1a is a single dwelling being – Passive solar design is a universally accepted
(i) a detached house; or method of reducing the energy demands of heating
(ii) one of a group of two or more attached and cooling buildings. Passive solar design
dwellings, each being a building, concepts can be applied in the relatively temperate
separated by a fire-resisting wall, climates experienced in Australia as follows.
including a row house, terrace house, In southern Australia, shaded north-facing
town house or villa unit. windows with large eaves overhangs permit the
Class 1b is a boarding house, guest house, entry of winter sun and restrict the entry of summer
hostel or the like with a total area of all floors sun. Properly sealed doors and windows allow
not exceeding 300 m2 measured over the cross-ventilation in summer and restrict leakage of
enclosing walls of the Class 1b building; and warm air in winter.
in which not more than 12 persons would Conversely, in northern Australia, large eaves,
ordinarily be resident, which is not located verandas, sun-shades and heavy curtains prevent
above or below another dwelling or another sunshine from entering and overheating a building.
Class of building other than a private garage. Good ventilation and light-coloured roofs will assist
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 1.3.2.) in keeping the building cool, and will reduce the
energy needed for artificial cooling.
Class 10a buildings are non-habitable buildings
In addition, using materials that lower
being a private garage, carport, shed, or the like.
operational energy through fabric energy storage
Conditioned space is a space within a building or thermal mass, significant energy savings
that is heated or cooled by the building's domestic can be made. Concrete possesses a natural
services, excluding a non-habitable room in which advantage in heat storage capacity of thermal
a heater with a capacity of not more than 1.2 kW mass. By harnessing this natural advantage,
or 4.3 MJ/hour is installed. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 together with the heat of the sun or solar energy,
Part 3.12.) comfortable living conditions can be achieved with
reduced reliance on space heating or cooling with
R-Value is the thermal resistance (m2.K/W) of a
consequential reduced energy demands.
component calculated by dividing its thickness by
Thus the essential elements of passive solar
its thermal conductivity.
design are orientation and solar access, and
Total R-Value is the sum of the R-Values of the thermal mass, augmented by sealing, ventilation
individual component layers in a composite and insulation.
element including any building material, insulation
Heat Transfer
material, airspace and associated surface
Heat transfers through roofs, walls and floors by
resistances. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.)
a combination of conduction, convection and
Reflective insulation is a building membrane radiation.
with a reflective surface such as a reflective foil
Conduction Heat is transferred through opaque
laminate, reflective barrier, foil batt or the like
relatively airtight barriers by conduction. The
capable of reducing radiant heat flow. (BCA 2011
thermal resistance of a material, R, measures the
Volume 2 Part 3.12.)
attenuation of steady-state conduction. Thermal
Climate zones are specific locations having energy bridging occurs when heat bypasses insulating
provisions based on a range of similar climatic materials and passes through conductive
characteristics. Climate zones are defined in materials such as metal window and door frames,
Figure 1.1.4 and Table 1.1.2 of the BCA Volume 2. structural steelwork or other such items.
The relevant climate zones are reported in this Convection Heat is transferred by convection
Data Sheet for all states for completeness. through air. Air adjacent to a hot element (eg an
outside wall of a house) is heated in summer and
flows into the interior of the house where it deposits
its heat. The reverse process, also classified as
convection, occurs in winter. Convection may
become a particular problem if poor detailing
or construction leaves significant openings that
permit transfer of heat by air leakage.
Radiation Heat is transferred by radiation through
transparent or translucent media (such as glass)
exposed to direct sunlight. Large windows
exposed to direct sunlight are an advantage
during the daytime in winter, but a disadvantage

Page 2 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 in summer or during the night in winter. The Australia
conduction of heat through walls may be reduced
by incorporating materials with a high thermal Energy Efficiency Requirements –
resistance, such as insulation. However, much Roofs, walls and floors
of this benefit could be lost if thermal bridging,
radiation and convection are not controlled. There
is little point in installing insulation in walls if New South Wales page 4
the heat simply transfers elsewhere by thermal
bridging through windows and door frames, by Australian Capital Territory page 5
radiation through windows or by convection Victoria page 8
through leakage.
Queensland page 13
Heat Storage and Thermal Mass
Thermal mass (also known as thermal inertia or Western Australia page 19
thermal capacitance) is the ability of material South Australia page 25
to retain heat energy when subjected to a
temperature differential. Concrete roofs, walls Tasmania page 30
and floors have high thermal mass. If a building Northern Territory page 33
incorporating these elements is subject to
an ambient heating and cooling cycle which
crosses the comfort zone, the roof, walls and floor
(as appropriate) will retain heat energy for an
extended period. In summer, these elements will
remain relatively cool. In winter, the same building
elements will remain relatively warm.

Page 3 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 New South Wales GENERAL
New South Wales has not adopted the BCA
Energy Efficiency Requirements – Volume 2 energy provisions. The combined
Roofs, walls and floors effect of the New South Wales amendments
to the 2011, 2010 and 2009 versions of BCA
Volume 2 is that the BASIX planning regulations
145 150
operate in conjunction with the BCA. In order to
Tibooburra maintain compatibility with BASIX, the 'New South
6 2 Wales Additions' provides different Performance
Bourke Requirements from those in the body of BCA 2011
7 30
Coffs Volume 2. These Performance Requirements relate
Harbour
5
specifically to:
Dubbo
Ivanhoe 6
n NSW P2.6.1 (a) Building Fabric
4 Newcastle (Thermal insulation and thermal breaks)
Mildura
7 Sydney n NSW P2.6.1 (b) Building Sealing
Wollongong n NSW P2.6.2 Building Services.
35 BASIX is a web-based planning tool, designed
Zone 2 Albury
8 Moruya to assess the potential performance of new homes
Cooma
Zone 4 against a range of sustainability indices.
Zone 5 On 1 July 2004, BASIX was introduced,
Zone 6 covering new single dwellings and dual
occupancy dwellings; new boarding houses,
Zone 7
guest houses, hostels, lodging-houses and
Zone 8
backpacker accommodation under 300 m2 in
area. It initially applied only in the greater Sydney
NEW SOUTH WALES Climate Zones
local government areas, except Blue Mountains,
LOCATION ZONE Hawkesbury and Wollondilly. On 1 July 2005,
the scheme was extended to the whole of NSW.
Albury 4 On 1 October 2005, the scope was extended
Armidale 7 to include new residential dwellings, including
Batemans Bay 6 single dwellings, villas, townhouses and low-rise,
Bathurst 7 mid-rise and high-rise developments. On 1 July
Bega 6 2006 the BASIX energy target was increased
Bellingen Shire – Dorrigo Plateau 7 to 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Bellingen Shire – valley and seaboard 2 Residential alterations and additions were
Bourke 4 included in two stages, 1 October 2006 for works
Broken Hill 4 of $100,000 or more, and 1 July 2007 for all
Byron Bay 2 residential developments of $50,000 or more.
Cobar 4
Coffs Harbour 2 BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY INDEX (BASIX)
Dubbo 4 The BASIX planning initiative ensures that houses
Goulburn 7 and sole-occupancy units are designed to use
Grafton 2 less potable water and yield lower greenhouse gas
Griffith 4 emissions. BASIX is an online program, in which
Ivanhoe 4 house designers enter data, such as location, size,
Lismore 2 building materials, etc, into the BASIX tool. The
Lord Howe Island 2 tool analyses relevant data (including rainwater
Moree 4 tanks, water-saving fixtures, improved insulation,
Newcastle 5 passive solar orientation, natural lighting and
Nowra 6 native plants for gardens) and determines scores
Orange 7 against the Energy and Water targets. The
Perisher Smiggins 8 design must pass specific targets (which vary
Port Macquarie 5 according to location and building type) and this
Sydney – east 5 is recorded on the BASIX Certificate. This lists
Sydney – west 6 the commitments the user has agreed to, and
Tamworth 4 the Certifying Authority monitors these at various
Thredbo 8 construction stages. The BASIX Certificate must
Wagga Wagga 4 accompany the development application.
Williamtown 5 More information can be obtained from the
Wollongong 5 NSW BASIX website www.basix.nsw.gov.au/
Yass 6 information/about.jsp.

Page 4 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Australian Capital Territory PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
Energy Efficiency Requirements –
A building must have, to the degree necessary,
Roofs, walls and floors a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
cooling appropriate to –
(a) the function and use of the building; and
(b) the internal environment; and
(c) the geographic location of the building; and
Canberra
(d) the effects of nearby permanent features
such as topography, structures and
Queanbeyan buildings; and
(e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
7
and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
cooling; and
(f) the sealing of the building envelope against
air leakage; and
(g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
8
cooling.

DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING
The BCA provides a method of verification
based on comparison of a proposed building to
Zone 7 a reference building with the same dimensions,
Zone 8 orientation and the like, and construction specified
in this part of the BCA.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Compliance is demonstrated in Climate Zone 7
Climate Zones when the calculated heating load of the proposed
building is equal to or less than that of the
LOCATION ZONE reference building.
Canberra 7
DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
GENERAL Compliance with the performance requirements
of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse
The Australian Capital Territory government has
gas emissions is achieved through one of the two
adopted the energy efficiency measures of the
following 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as
BCA 2011 Volume 2 into the territory building
specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.
regulations. The 'Australian Capital Territory
Additions' provides additional requirements, Compliance may be demonstrated by:
including those for building alterations. n achieving a specified efficiency of the
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT using complying simulation software; or
The stated objective is 'to reduce greenhouse n adopting forms of construction which are
gas emissions'. This is further developed by 'deemed-to-satisfy' the BCA requirements.
the Functional Statement, which states that the
Simulation Calculations
building and its domestic services must be
BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.0.1 requires that
capable of efficiently using energy and should, 'to
the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed
the degree necessary', obtain the energy from a
building be not less than '6 stars', as defined in the
source of low greenhouse gas intensity, renewable
Nationwide Energy Rating Scheme.
on-site or reclaimed energy. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
The simulation calculations must be performed
Parts O2.6 and F2.6.)
using software that complies with the ABCB
Both the Objective and Functional Statement
Protocol for House Energy Rating Software.
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
AccuRATE is one software tool meeting this
Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
requirement.
requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction
In this method, various building fabric components
(eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified

Page 5 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on mass. It should be clearly understood that
the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal the 140-mm requirement should override the
mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground. 220-kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
In addition to the building fabric measures, provisions are used. When verification by
there are specified requirements for external calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
glazing, building sealing, air movement and be used provided the performance criteria
services. (BCA 2011 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.) are met.
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are
considered to be acceptable forms of construction Floors
for roofs, walls and floors are described below. Suspended concrete floors must achieve the
minimum total R-Value shown in the table below,
Roofs extracted from BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
A roof must achieve the total R-Value shown in the SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Value
table below for the direction of heat flow, extracted
Climate zone 7
from BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1a.
Direction of heat flow Down
ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Value
Minimum total R-Value (including the
Climate zone 7 underfloor airspace and enclosure
Altitude Any if the perimeter is enclosed) 2.75
Direction of heat flow Up
Minimum total R-Value for a roof with an Suspended concrete slab construction with in-slab
upper surface solar absorptance value heating or cooling system must have insulation
of not more than 0.4 4.1 with an R-Value of not less than 1.0 installed
around the edges and R2.0 on the underside.
Minimum total R-Value for a roof with an
Concrete slab-on-ground construction with
upper surface solar absorptance value
in-slab heating or cooling system must have
of more than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 4.6
insulation with an R-Value of not less than 1.0
Minimum total R-Value for a roof with an installed around the edges. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
upper surface solar absorptance value Part 3.12.1.5.)
of more than 0.6 5.1

External walls
In Climate Zone 7, external walls must achieve
a Total R-Value of 2.8. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Table 3.12.1.3(a).)
Walls with a high thermal mass, such as
concrete or masonry walls, are granted a
concession in the BCA. External walls with a
surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have
added insulation with an R-Value not less than 1.5.
Alternatively, external walls with a surface density
of 220 kg/m2 or more may be constructed with
added insulation with R-Value of not less than
1.0 or 0.5 provided there is enhanced external
glazing complying with Part 3.12.2.1. The
applicable value of Cu (conductance constant)
can then be reduced by 15% or 20% respectively.
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.3b.)
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal

Page 6 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Australian Capital Territory Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 7
Canberra

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more than 0.4
Ventilation Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Any
Shading and glazing Any
Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 0.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Glazing Enhanced glazing (Cu reduced by 20%)
Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Glazing Enhanced glazing (Cu reduced by 15%)
Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 1.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Glazing Any

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.75 (down)
In-slab heating or cooling Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.75 (down) and 1.0 around the vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements
In-slab heating or cooling Nil
Thermal resistance R1.0 around the vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present

Page 7 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Victoria GENERAL
The Victorian government has adopted the energy
Energy Efficiency Requirements – efficiency measures of the BCA 2011 Volume 2
Roofs, walls and floors into the state building regulations, although it has
amended the Objective, Functional Statement and
Performance Requirements (see below).
145
Mildura Victoria has no pertinent Additions to the
Energy Efficiency Housing Provisions of BCA
Volume 2, but has got modified Performance
4
35 Requirements.

Albury
OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Horsham The stated Objective of the Victorian variation is
8 'to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve
7
Melbourne
7 water by efficiently using energy and water'. This
Orbost 6
6 is further developed by the Functional Statement,
Sale
Warrnambool which states that the building and its domestic
services must be capable of efficiently using
Zone 4
energy and water and should, 'to the degree
Zone 6
necessary', obtain the energy from a source of
Zone 7 low greenhouse gas intensity, renewable on site or
Zone 8 reclaimed energy. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Parts O2.6
and F2.6.)
victoria Climate Zones Both the Objective and Functional Statement
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
LOCATION ZONE Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Anglesea 6
Ararat 7
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT
Bairnsdale 6
Ballarat 7 In respect of Performance Requirements for
Benalla 6 energy efficiency, the Victorian variation of BCA
Bendigo 6 2011 Volume 2 Part 2.6.1 states:
Bright 7 A building must have, to the degree necessary,
Colac 6 a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
Dandenong 6 efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
Echuca 4 cooling and a level of water use performance to
Geelong 6 facilitate the efficient use of water, appropriate to –
Hamilton 7 (a) the function and use of the building; and
Horsham 6 (b) the internal environment; and
Melbourne 6 (c) the geographic location of the building; and
Mildura 4 (d) the effects of nearby permanent features
Portland 6 such as topography, structures and
Sale 6 buildings; and
Shepparton 4 (e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
Swan hill 4 and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
Traralgon 6 cooling; and
Wangaratta 7 (f) the sealing of the building envelope against
Warrnambool 6 air leakage; and
Wodonga 6 (g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
cooling; and
(h) water resources available; and
(i) pertinent water management measures of
the responsible water authority.

Page 8 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY Roofs
COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value
The BCA provides a method of verification, shown in the table below, extracted from BCA 2011
based on comparison of a proposed building Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1a.
to a reference building, which has the same
ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Values
dimensions, orientation and the like, and
construction specified in this part of the BCA. Climate zone 4 6 7

Compliance is demonstrated: Altitude Any Any Any

n in Climate Zones 4 and 6 when the calculated Direction of heat flow Up Up Up

heating and cooling loads of the proposed Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an
building are equal to or less than those of the upper surface solar absorptance value
reference building; and of not more than 0.4 4.1 4.1 4.1
n in Climate Zone 7 when the calculated heating
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an upper
load of the proposed building is equal to or
surface solar absorptance value of more than
less than that of the reference building.
0.4 but not more than 0.6 4.6 4.6 4.6

DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an

ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE upper surface solar absorptance value
of more than 0.6 5.1 5.1 5.1
Compliance with the performance requirements
of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse
gas emissions is achieved through one of the two In Climate Zone 4, the required Total R-Value
following 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as specified above may be reduced by 0.5, provided
specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12. the required insulation is laid on the ceiling, and
the roof space is ventilated as specified in BCA
Compliance may be demonstrated by:
2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(b).
n achieving a specified efficiency of the Where exhaust fans, flues, downlights and
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme the like reduce the area of roof and ceiling
using complying simulation software; or insulation, the BCA provides rules for increasing
n adopting forms of construction which are the required Total R-Value over the values given
'deemed-to-satisfy' the BCA requirements. above. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(e) and
Table 3.12.1.1b.)
Simulation Calculations
BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.0.1 requires that
External Walls
the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed
building be not less than '6 stars', as defined in the In Climate Zones 4 and 6 external walls must
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. achieve a Total R-Value of 2.8.
The simulation calculations must be performed In Climate Zone 4, the Total R-Value is
using software that complies with the ABCB reduced to 2.4 when the wall is shaded. Shading
Protocol for House Energy Rating Software. is considered to be effective when a veranda,
AccuRATE is one software tool meeting this balcony, eaves, carport or the like (including any
requirement. attached guttering) projects horizontally from the
external face of the building to the outer edge
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction of the projection not less than 15° (1 / 3.7 of the
In this method, various building fabric components wall height). The wall height is measured from
(eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified the internal floor level to the underside of the
levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on projection. This may result in a need for eaves
the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal that are wider than normal. For example, if the
mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground. height from the internal floor to the underside of a
In addition to the building fabric measures, 125‑mm‑wide gutter is 2.4 m, the required eaves
there are specified requirements for external width (from wall to fascia) is 475 mm.
glazing, building sealing, air movement and Walls with a high thermal mass, such as
services. (BCA 2011 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.) concrete or masonry walls, are granted a
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are concession in the BCA.
considered to be acceptable forms of construction External walls with a surface density of
for roofs, walls and floors are described below. 220 kg/m2 or more, must have added insulation
with an R-Value not less than 0.5, provided:
n there is enhanced external glazing complying
with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
Cu reduced by 15%; and

Page 9 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms Floors
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or Suspended concrete floors must achieve the
masonry internal walls minimum Total R-Value shown in the table below,
Alternatively, external walls with a surface extracted from BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
density of 220 kg/m2 or more, may be constructed
SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Values
without added insulation, provided there is
enhanced external glazing complying with Climate zone 4 6 7
Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of Cu Direction of heat flow Down Down Down
reduced by 20%.
Alternatively, external walls with a surface Minimum Total R-Value (including
density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have added the underfloor airspace and
insulation with an R-Value not less than 1.0, enclosure if the perimeter
provided the lowest storey containing habitable is enclosed) 2.25 2.25 2.75
rooms has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor
or masonry internal walls. Suspended concrete slab construction with in-slab
In Climate Zone 7, external walls must achieve heating or cooling system must have insulation
Total R-Value of 2.8. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 with an R-Value of not less than 1.0 installed
Table 3.12.1.3(a).) around the edges and R2.0 on the underside.
Walls with a high thermal mass, such as Concrete slab-on-ground construction with
concrete or masonry walls, are granted a in-slab heating or cooling system must have
concession in the BCA. insulation with an R-Value of not less than 1.0
External walls with a surface density of installed around the edges. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
220 kg/m2 or more, must have added insulation Part 3.12.1.5.)
with an R-Value not less than 1.5. Alternatively,
external walls with a surface density of 220 kg/m2
or more may be constructed with added insulation
with R-Value of not less than 1.0 or 0.5 provided
there is enhanced external glazing complying
with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of Cu
reduced by 15% or 20% respectively. (BCA 2011
Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.3(b).)
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
mass. It should be clearly understood that
the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
provisions are used. When verification by
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
be used provided the performance criteria
are met.

Page 10 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Victoria Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 4 Zone 6 Zone 7

Echuca, Mildura, Anglesea, Bairnsdale, Ararat, Ballarat, Bright,
Shepparton, Swan Hill Benalla, Bendigo, Colac, Hamilton, Wangaratta
Dandenong, Geelong,
Horsham, Melbourne,
Portland, Sale, Traralgon,
Warrnambool, Wodonga

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorp- Upper surface solar absorp- Upper surface solar absorp-
tance not more than 0.4 tance not more than 0.4 tance not more than 0.4
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.4 absorptance more than 0.4 absorptance more than 0.4
but not more than 0.6 but not more than 0.6 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.6 absorptance more than 0.6 absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 3.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorp-
tance not more than 0.4
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with
aggregate fixed open area
at least 1.0% of ceiling area;
or Two wind-driven roof
ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2,
and fixed ventilation with
aggregate fixed open area
at least 0.2% of ceiling area.
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.4
but not more than 0.6
Ventilation As above
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation As above

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Total R-Value 2.8
Any Any
Shading and glazing Any
Any Any
Any

continues page 12

Page 11 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Victoria Summary continued
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 4 Zone 6 Zone 7

Echuca, Mildura, Anglesea, Bairnsdale, Ararat, Ballarat, Bright,
Shepparton, Swan Hill Benalla, Bendigo, Colac, Hamilton, Wangaratta
Dandenong, Geelong,
Horsham, Melbourne,
Portland, Sale, Traralgon,
Warrnambool, Wodonga

External Walls continued

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4 Added insulation with Added insulation with
R-Value 0.5 R-Value 0.5
Surface density Any > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Shade the external wall of Storeys below the top storey Enhanced glazing
the storey with a verandah, with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by 20%)
balcony, eaves, carport and (CSHGC reduced by 15%);
the like, which projects a and The lowest storey has
minimum angle of 15° concrete slab-on-ground
floor or masonry internal
walls
Thermal resistance Added insulation with Added insulation with Added insulation with
R-Value 0.5 R-Value 1.0 R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Enhanced external glazing The lowest storey has Enhanced glazing
(Cu reduced by 15%) and concrete slab-on-ground (CSHGC reduced by 15%)
The lowest storey has concrete floor or masonry internal
slab-on-ground floor or walls
masonry internal walls
Thermal resistance No added insulation Added insulation with
required R-Value 1.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Enhanced external glazing Any
(Cu reduced by 20%)
Thermal resistance Added insulation with
R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing The lowest storey has concrete
slab-on-ground floor or
masonry internal walls

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 2.75 (down)
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 2.75 (down)
and 1.0 around the vertical and 1.0 around the vertical and 1.0 around the vertical
edges edges edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements No requirements No requirements
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance R1.0 around the vertical R1.0 around the vertical R1.0 around the vertical
edges edges edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present

Page 12 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Queensland GENERAL
The Queensland government has adopted the
Energy Efficiency Requirements – energy efficiency measures of the BCA 2011
Roofs, walls and floors Volume 2 into the state building regulations.

OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

140 145 150
The stated Objective is 'to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions'. This is further developed by
Weipa the Functional Statement, which states that the
building and its domestic services must be
capable of efficiently using energy and should,
Kowanyma 'to the degree necessary', obtain the energy from a
Cooktown
15 source of low greenhouse gas intensity, renewable
1
Cairns on site or reclaimed energy. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Normanton Innisfail Parts O2.6 and F2.6.)
Latitude 20 Both the Objective and Functional Statement
referred to in
Clause 3.12.2.2 provide guidance only. It is the Performance
Mt Isa Torrens Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
Creek 20
Mackay requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Boulia 2
Longreach PERFORMANCE Requirement
Rockhampton
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
Bundaberg
3 25
A building must have, to the degree necessary,
Taroom
Charleville a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
Bollon 5 Brisbane
cooling appropriate to –
(a) the function and use of the building; and
Zone 1 (b) the internal environment; and
Zone 2 (c) the geographic location of the building; and
Zone 3
(d) the effects of nearby permanent features
such as topography, structures and
Zone 5
buildings; and
(e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
QUEENSLAND Climate Zones
and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
LOCATION ZONE cooling; and
(f) the sealing of the building envelope against
Birdsville 3 air leakage; and
Brisbane 2 (g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
Bundaberg 2 cooling.
Cairns 1
Cooktown 1
DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
Cunnamulla 3
COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING
Longreach 3
Gladstone 2 The BCA provides a method of verification,
Labrador 2 based on comparison of a proposed building
Mackay 2 to a reference building, which has the same
Maryborough 2 dimensions, orientation and the like, and
Mount Isa 3 construction specified in this part of the BCA.
Normanton 1 Compliance is demonstrated when:
Rockhampton 2 n in Climate Zones 1 and 2, the calculated
Roma 3 cooling load of the proposed building is equal
Toowoomba 5 to or less than that of the reference building;
Torrens Creek 3 and
Townsville 1
n in Climate Zones 3 and 5, the calculated
Warwick 5
heating and cooling loads of the proposed
Weipa 1
building are equal to or less than those of the
reference building.

Page 13 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Values
Climate zone 1 2 3 5
Altitude Any Less than 300 m Any Any
300 m or more
Direction of heat flow Down Down Down Down Up
and up and up
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an
upper surface solar absorptance value
of not more than 0.4 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an upper
surface solar absorptance value of more than
0.4 but not more than 0.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an
upper surface solar absorptance value
of more than 0.6 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1

DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction

ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE In this method, various building fabric components
Compliance with the performance requirements (eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified
of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on
gas emissions is achieved through one of the two the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal
following 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground.
specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12. In addition to the building fabric measures,
there are specified requirements for external
Compliance may be demonstrated by:
glazing, building sealing, air movement and
n achieving a specified efficiency of the services. (BCA 2011 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.)
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are
using complying simulation software; or considered to be acceptable forms of construction
n adopting forms of construction which are for roofs, walls and floors are described below.
'deemed-to-satisfy' the BCA requirements.
Roofs
Simulation Calculations
BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.0.1 requires that Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value
the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed shown in the table above, extracted from BCA
building be not less than '6 stars', as defined in the 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1. Where a pitched
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. roof has a flat ceiling, at least 50% of the added
In Climate Zones 1 and 2, this may be insulation must be laid on the ceiling.
reduced to '5.5 stars' if the building has either a In Climate Zones 1, 2, 3 and 5, the required
complying outdoor living area (BCA 2011 Volume Total R-Value specified above may be reduced
2 Part 3.12.0.1(b)) which is fully covered with an by 0.5, provided the required insulation is laid on
impervious roof of total thermal resistance of at the ceiling; and the roof space is ventilated as
least R1.5 for downward heat flow; or has at least specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2 (b).
one permanent ceiling fan. Where exhaust fans, flues, downlights and the
This may be further reduced in Climate like reduce the area of roof and ceiling insulation,
Zones 1 and 2 to '5 stars' if the building has both a the BCA provides rules for increasing the required
complying outdoor living area (described above) Total R-Value over the values given above (BCA
with a fully covered impervious roof of total thermal 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(e)).
resistance at least R1.5 for downward heat flow;
and at least one permanent ceiling fan. External Walls
The simulation calculations must be performed In Climate Zones 1, 2, 3 and 5, external walls
using software that complies with the ABCB must achieve Total R-Value of 2.8, OR external
Protocol for House Energy Rating Software. walls must achieve Total R-Value of 2.4 when the
AccuRATE is one software tool meeting this wall is shaded (see Shading below).
requirement. Walls with a high thermal mass, such as
concrete or masonry wall, are granted a concession
in the BCA. External walls with a surface density
of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have added insulation
with an R-Value not less than 0.5, provided:

Page 14 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 n the top storey is shaded, as described below; Floors
and Suspended concrete floors must achieve the
n storeys below the top storey, although not minimum Total R-Value shown in the table below,
shaded, have enhanced external glazing extracted from BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
(complying with Part 3.12.2.1 with the
SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Values
applicable value of CSHGC reduced by 20% for
Climate Zones 1, 2 and 3 and 15% for Climate Climate zone 1 2 3 5
Zone 5); and Direction of heat flow Up Up Up Down
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or Minimum Total R-Value
masonry internal walls. (including the underfloor
airspace and enclosure
In Climate Zone 5, external walls with a surface
if the perimeter is
density of 220 kg/m2 or more, may be constructed
enclosed) 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.0
without added insulation, provided:
n the external walls (of all storeys) are shaded,
as described below; and Suspended concrete slab construction with in-slab
n there is enhanced external glazing (complying heating or cooling system must have insulation
with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of with an R-Value of not less than 1.0 installed
CSHGC reduced by 15%); and around the edges and R2.0 on the underside.
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms Concrete slab-on-ground construction with
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or in-slab heating or cooling system must have
masonry internal walls. insulation with an R-Value of not less than 1.0
installed around the edges. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Shading Part 3.12.1.5.)
Shading is considered to be effective when
a veranda, balcony, eaves, carport or the like
(including any attached guttering) projects
horizontally from the external face of the
building to the outer edge of the projection not
less than 15° (1 / 3.7 of the wall height). The
wall height is measured from the internal floor
level to the underside of the projection. This
may result in a need for eaves that are wider
than normal. For example, if the height from
the internal floor to the underside of a 125 mm
wide gutter is 2.4 m, the required eaves width
(from wall to fascia) is 475 mm.
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
mass. It should be clearly understood that
the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
provisions are used. When verification by
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
be used provided the performance criteria
are met.

Page 15 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Queensland Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 1 Zone 2
Cairns, Cooktown, Normanton, Townsville, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Labrador,
Weipa Mackay, Maryborough, Rockhampton

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down) Total R-Value 4.1 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down) Total R-Value 4.6 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more than
than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (down) Total R-Value 5.1 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 3.6 (down) Total R-Value 3.6 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open
area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two
wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed
ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at
least 0.2% of ceiling area least 0.2% of ceiling area
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down) Total R-Value 4.1 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more
than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 than 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down) Total R-Value 4.6 ('down' if at altitude under
300 m, 'down and up' if higher than 300 m)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Any Any
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4 Total R-Value 2.4
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Shade the external wall of the storey with a Shade the external wall of the storey with a
verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like, verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like,
which projects a minimum angle of 15° which projects a minimum angle of 15°
Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 0.5 Added insulation with R-Value 0.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey
with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by
20%); and The lowest storey has concrete 20%); and The lowest storey has concrete
continues page 18 slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal walls slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal walls

Page 16 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Zone 3 Zone 5
Birdsville, Cunnamulla, Longreach, Mount Isa, Toowoomba, Warwick
Roma, Torrens Creek

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down and up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down and up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than Upper surface solar absorptance more than
0.4 but not more than 0.6 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (down and up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 3.6 (down and up) Total R-Value 3.6 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open
area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or
Two wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate Two wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed
ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at
least 0.2% of ceiling area least 0.2% of ceiling area
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down and up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than Upper surface solar absorptance more than
0.4 but not more than 0.6 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down and up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)

Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Any Any
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4 Total R-Value 2.4
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Shade the external wall of the storey with a Shade the external wall of the storey with a
verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like, verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like,
which projects a minimum angle of 15° which projects a minimum angle of 15°
Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 0.5 Added insulation with R-Value 0.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey
with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by 20%); with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by
and The lowest storey has concrete slab-on- 20%); and The lowest storey has concrete
continues page 18 ground floor or masonry internal walls slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal walls

Page 17 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Queensland Summary continued
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 5

Cairns, Cooktown, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Birdsville, Cunnamulla, Toowoomba, Warwick
Normanton, Townsville, Gladstone, Labrador, Longreach, Mount Isa,
Weipa Mackay, Maryborough, Roma, Torrens Creek
Rockhampton

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 1.5 (up) Total R-Value 1.0 (up) Total R-Value 1.5 (up) Total R-Value 1.0 (down)
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.0 (up) Total R-Value 2.0 (up) Total R-Value 2.0 (up) Total R-Value 2.0 (up)
and 1.0 around the and 1.0 around the and 1.0 around the and 1.0 around the
vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present Present

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements No requirements No requirements No requirements
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance R1.0 around the R1.0 around the R1.0 around the R1.0 around the
vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present Present

Page 18 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Western Australia GENERAL
The Western Australian government has adopted
Energy Efficiency Requirements – the energy efficiency measures of the BCA 2011
Roofs, walls and floors Volume 2 into the state building regulations.

OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

115 120 125
The stated Objective is 'to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions'. This is further developed by
15
Wyndham the Functional Statement, which states that the
building and its domestic services must be
capable of efficiently using energy and should,
Derby
Broome
'to the degree necessary', obtain the energy from a
Latitude 20 Halls source of low greenhouse gas intensity, renewable
referred to in 1 Creek
20 on site or reclaimed energy. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Clause 3.12.2.2
Balgo Parts O2.6 and F2.6.)
Port Headland Hills
Karratha Both the Objective and Functional Statement
Telfer
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
3 Newman Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
Giles requirements for compliance with the BCA.
25
Carnarvon Three Rivers
PERFORMANCE Requirement
Denham Wiluna (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
Meekatharra
A building must have, to the degree necessary,
4 Laverton
a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
Geraldton Morawa 30 efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
Kalgoolie-Boulder cooling appropriate to –
5
(a) the function and use of the building; and
Perth Balladonia
(b) the internal environment; and
Wagin (c) the geographic location of the building; and
Esperance 35 (d) the effects of nearby permanent features
6
Pemberton such as topography, structures and
Albany
buildings; and
Zone 1 Zone 5 (e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
Zone 3 Zone 6 and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
Zone 4
cooling; and
(f) the sealing of the building envelope against
air leakage; and
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Climate Zones
(g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
LOCATION ZONE cooling.
Albany 6
Balladonia 4 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
Broome 1 ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
Bunbury 5 Compliance with the performance requirements
Carnarvon 3 of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse
Christmas Island 1 gas emissions is achieved through one of the two
Cocos Island 1 following 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as
Derby 1 specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.
Esperance 5 Compliance may be demonstrated by:
Exmouth 1
n achieving a specified efficiency of the
Geraldton 5
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
Halls Creek 3
using complying simulation software; or
Kalgoorlie-Boulder 4
Karratha 1 n adopting forms of construction which are
Meekatharra 4 'deemed-to-satisfy' the BCA requirements.
Northam 4 Simulation Calculations
Pemberton 6 BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.0.1 requires that
Perth 5 the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed
Port Hedland 1 building be not less than '6 stars', as defined in the
Wagin 4 Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
Wyndham 1

Page 19 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 In Climate Zone 1, this may be reduced to the ceiling; and the roof space is ventilated as
'5.5 stars' if the building has either a complying specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(b).
outdoor living area (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Where exhaust fans, flues, downlights and the
part 3.12.0.1(b)) which is fully covered with an like reduce the area of roof and ceiling insulation,
impervious roof of total thermal resistance of at the BCA provides rules for increasing the required
least R1.5 for downward heat flow; or has at least Total R-Value over the values given above
one permanent ceiling fan. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(e)).
This may be further reduced in Climate Zone 1
to '5 stars' if the building has both a complying External Walls
outdoor living area (described above) with a fully In Climate Zones 1, 3, 4 and 5 external walls must
covered impervious roof of total thermal resistance achieve Total R-Value of 2.8, OR external walls
at least R1.5 for downward heat flow; and at least must achieve Total R-Value of 2.4 when the wall is
one permanent ceiling fan. shaded (see Shading below).
The simulation calculations must be performed Walls with a high thermal mass, such concrete
using software that complies with the ABCB or masonry wall, are granted a concession in the
Protocol for House Energy Rating Software. BCA.
AccuRATE is one software tool meeting this In Climate Zones 1, 3 and 5, external walls with
requirement. a surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have
added insulation with an R-Value not less than 0.5,
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction
provided:
In this method, various building fabric components
(eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified n the top storey is shaded, as described below;
levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on and
the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal n storeys below the top storey, although not
mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground. shaded, have enhanced external glazing
In addition to the building fabric measures, (complying with Part 3.12.2.1 with the
there are specified requirements for external applicable value of CSHGC reduced by 20% for
glazing, building sealing, air movement and Climate Zones 1 and 3 and 15% for Climate
services. (BCA 2011 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.) Zone 5); and
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
considered to be acceptable forms of construction has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
for roofs, walls and floors are described below. masonry internal walls.
Alternatively, in Climate Zone 5, external walls
Roofs with a surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, may
Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value be constructed without added insulation, provided:
shown in the table below, extracted from BCA 2011 n the external walls (of all storeys) are shaded,
Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1. Where a pitched roof has as described below; and
a flat ceiling, at least 50% of the added insulation n there is enhanced external glazing (complying
must be laid on the ceiling. (BCA 2011 Volume 2 with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
Part 3.12.1.2 (a)). CSHGC reduced by 15%); and
In Climate Zones 1, 3, 4 and 5, the required n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
Total R-Value specified above may be reduced has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
by 0.5, provided the required insulation is laid on masonry internal walls.

ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Values

Climate zone 1 3 4 5 6
Altitude Any Any Any Any Any
Direction of heat flow Down Down Up Up Up
and up
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an
upper surface solar absorptance value
of not more than 0.4 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an upper
surface solar absorptance value of more than
0.4 but not more than 0.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an
upper surface solar absorptance value
of more than 0.6 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1

Page 20 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 In Climate Zones 4 and 6, external walls with a Floors
surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have Suspended concrete floors must achieve the
added insulation with an R-Value not less than 0.5, minimum Total R-Value shown in the table
provided: below, extracted from BCA 2011 Volume 2
n there is enhanced external glazing (complying Table 3.12.1.4.
with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Values
Cu reduced by 15%; and
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms Climate zone 1 3 4 5 6
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or Direction of
masonry internal walls; heat flow Up Up Down Down Down
OR
Minimum Total R-Value
External walls with a surface density of 220 kg/m2
(including the underfloor
or more, may be constructed without added
airspace and enclosure
insulation, provided:
if the perimeter is
n there is enhanced external glazing (complying enclosed) 1.5 1.5 2.25 1.0 2.25
with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
Cu reduced by 20%);
OR Suspended concrete slab construction with in-slab
heating or cooling system must have insulation
External walls with a surface density of 220 kg/m2
with an R-Value of not less than 1.0 installed
or more, must have added insulation with an
around the edges and R2.0 on the underside.
R-Value not less than 1.0, provided:
Concrete slab-on-ground construction with
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
in-slab heating or cooling system must have
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
insulation with an R-Value of not less than 1.0
masonry internal walls.
installed around the edges. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Shading Part 3.12.1.5.)
Shading is considered to be effective when
a veranda, balcony, eaves, carport or the like
(including any attached guttering) projects
horizontally from the external face of the
building to the outer edge of the projection not
less than 15° (1 / 3.7 of the wall height). The
wall height is measured from the internal floor
level to the underside of the projection. This
may result in a need for eaves that are wider
than normal. For example, if the height from
the internal floor to the underside of a 125 mm
wide gutter is 2.4 m, the required eaves width
(from wall to fascia) is 475 mm.
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
mass. It should be clearly understood that
the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
provisions are used. When verification by
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
be used provided the performance criteria
are met.

Page 21 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Western Australia Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 1 Zone 3
Broome, Christmas Island, Cocos Island, Derby, Carnarvon, Halls Creek
Exmouth, Karratha, Port Hedland, Wyndham

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down) Total R-Value 4.1 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down) Total R-Value 4.6 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more
than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 than 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (down) Total R-Value 5.1 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6

Ventilation Nil Nil

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 3.6 (down) Total R-Value 3.6 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open
area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two
wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed
ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at ventilation with aggregate fixed open area at
least 0.2% of ceiling area least 0.2% of ceiling area
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (down) Total R-Value 4.1 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than Upper surface solar absorptance more than
0.4 but not more than 0.6 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (down) Total R-Value 4.6 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6 Upper surface solar absorptance more than 0.6

Ventilation As above As above

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Any Any
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4 Total R-Value 2.4
Surface density Any Any
Shading and glazing Shade the external wall of the storey with a Shade the external wall of the storey with a
verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like, verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the like,
which projects a minimum angle of 15° which projects a minimum angle of 15°

Thermal resistance Added insulation with R-Value 0.5 Added insulation with R-Value 0.5
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey Top storey; and Storeys below the top storey
with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by with enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced by
20%); and The lowest storey has concrete 20%); and The lowest storey has concrete
slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal walls slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal walls

continues page 24

Page 22 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6
Balladonia, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Bunbury, Esperance, Geraldton, Perth Albany, Pemberton
Meekatharra, Northam, Wagin

Roof
Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance
than 0.4 than 0.4 not more than 0.4
Nil Nil Nil
Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance
than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 more than 0.4 but not more than 0.6
Nil Nil Nil
Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance
than 0.6 than 0.6 more than 0.6
Nil Nil Nil
Total R-Value 3.6 (up) Total R-Value 3.6 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance not more Upper surface solar absorptance not more
than 0.4 than 0.4
Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open
area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two
wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed
ventilation with aggregate fixed open area ventilation with aggregate fixed open area
at least 0.2% of ceiling area at least 0.2% of ceiling area
Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more
than 0.4 but not more than 0.6 than 0.4 but not more than 0.6
As above As above
Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more
than 0.6 than 0.6
As above As above

External Walls
Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Any Any Any
Any Any Any

Total R-Value 2.4 Total R-Value 2.4 Added insulation with R-Value 0.5
Any Any > 220 kg/m2
Shade the external wall of the storey with a Shade the external wall of the storey with a Storeys below the top storey with
verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the verandah, balcony, eaves, carport and the enhanced glazing (CSHGC reduced
like, which projects a minimum angle of 15° like, which projects a minimum angle of 15° by 15%); and The lowest storey
has concrete slab-on-ground floor
or masonry internal walls

Added insulation with R-Value 0.5 Added insulation with R-Value 0.5 Added insulation with R-Value 1.0
> 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Enhanced external glazing (Cu reduced by Top storey; and Storeys below the top The lowest storey has concrete
15%) AND The lowest storey has concrete storey with enhanced glazing (CSHGC slab-on-ground floor or masonry
slab-on-ground floor or masonry internal reduced by 15%); and The lowest storey internal walls
walls has concrete slab-on-ground floor or
masonry internal walls
continues page 24

Page 23 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Western Australia Summary continued
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 1 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6

Broome, Carnarvon, Balladonia, Bunbury, Albany,
Christmas Island, Halls Creek Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Esperance, Pemberton
Cocos Island, Meekatharra, Geraldton,
Derby, Northam, Perth
Exmouth, Wagin
Karratha,
Port Hedland,
Wyndham

External Walls continued

Thermal resistance No added No added
insulation thermal insulation
required required
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Enhanced external Shade all walls;
glazing (Cu and Enhanced
reduced by 20%) glazing (CSHGC
reduced by 15%);
and The lowest
storey has
concrete slab-on-
ground floor or
masonry internal
walls
Thermal resistance Added insulation
with R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing The lowest storey
has concrete slab-
on-ground floor or
masonry internal
walls

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value
1.5 (up) 1.5 (up) 2.25 (down) 1.0 (down) 2.25 (down)
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value Total R-Value
2.0 (up) and 2.0 (up) and 2.25 (down) and 2.0 (up) and 2.25 (down) and
1.0 around the 1.0 around the 1.0 around the 1.0 around the 1.0 around the
vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present Present Present

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No No No No No
requirements requirements requirements requirements requirements
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance R1.0 around the R1.0 around the R1.0 around the R1.0 around the R1.0 around the
vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges vertical edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present Present Present

Page 24 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 South Australia OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
The stated Objective is 'to reduce greenhouse
Energy Efficiency Requirements – gas emissions'. This is further developed by
Roofs, walls and floors the Functional Statement, which states that the
building and its domestic services must be
capable of efficiently using energy and should,
130 135 140
'to the degree necessary', obtain the energy from a
source of low greenhouse gas intensity, renewable
on site or reclaimed energy. (BCA 2011 Volume 2
Oodnadatta Parts O2.6 and F2.6.)
4
Both the Objective and Functional Statement
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
30
Cook Tarcoola Leigh requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Creek
PERFORMANCE Requirement
Port Augusta
Ceduna 5 (BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
Whyalla
Elliston 5 6 A building must have, to the degree necessary,
a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
Port Adelaide
efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
Lincoln 35
cooling appropriate to –
6
(a) the function and use of the building; and
(b) the internal environment; and
(c) the geographic location of the building; and
(d) the effects of nearby permanent features
Zone 4
such as topography, structures and
Zone 5 buildings; and
Zone 6 (e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
south AUSTRALIA Climate Zones cooling; and
(f) the sealing of the building envelope against
LOCATION ZONE air leakage; and
Adelaide 5 (g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
Bordertown 6 cooling.
Ceduna 5
Cook 4 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
Elliston 5 COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING
Kingscote 6 The BCA provides a method of verification,
Leigh Creek 5 based on comparison of a proposed building
Lobethal 6 to a reference building, which has the same
Loxton 5 dimensions, orientation and the like, and
Marree 4 construction specified in this part of the BCA.
Mount Gambier 6 Compliance is demonstrated in Climate Zones
Murray Bridge 6 4, 5 and 6 when the calculated heating and
Naracoorte 6 cooling loads of the proposed building are equal
Oodnadatta 4 to or less than those of the reference building.
Port Augusta 4
Port Lincoln 5 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
Renmark 5 ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
Tarcoola 4 Compliance with the performance requirements
Victor Harbour 6 of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse
Whyalla 4 gas emissions is achieved through one of the two
following 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as
specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.
GENERAL Compliance may be demonstrated by:
The South Australian government has adopted n achieving a specified efficiency of the
the energy efficiency measures of the BCA 2011 Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
Volume 2 into the state building regulations. using complying simulation software; or
n adopting forms of construction which are
'deemed to satisfy' the BCA requirements.

Page 25 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Simulation Calculations External Walls
BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.0.1 requires that In Climate Zones 4 and 5 external walls must
the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed achieve Total R-Value of 2.8, OR external walls
building be not less than '6 stars', as defined in the must achieve Total R-Value of 2.4 when the wall is
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. shaded (see Shading below).
The simulation calculations must be performed Walls with a high thermal mass, such
using software that complies with the ABCB as concrete or masonry wall, are granted a
Protocol for House Energy Rating Software. concession in the BCA.
AccuRATE is one software tool meeting this In Climate Zone 5, external walls with a surface
requirement. density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have added
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction insulation with an R-Value not less than 0.5,
In this method, various building fabric components provided:
(eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified n the top storey is shaded, as described below;
levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on and
the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal n storeys below the top storey, although not
mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground. shaded, have enhanced external glazing
In addition to the building fabric measures, (complying with Part 3.12.2.1 and a value of
there are specified requirements for external CSHGC reduced by 15%; and
glazing, building sealing, air movement and n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
services. (BCA 2011 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.) has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are masonry internal walls.
considered to be acceptable forms of construction OR
for roofs, walls and floors are described below. In Climate Zone 5, external walls with a surface
density of 220 kg/m2 or more, may be constructed
Roofs without added insulation, provided:
Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value n the external walls (of all storeys) are shaded,
shown in the table below, extracted from BCA 2011 as described below; and
Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4. n there is enhanced external glazing (complying
ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Values with Part 3.12.2.1 and a value of CSHGC
reduced by 15%); and
Climate zone 4 5 6
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
Altitude Any Any Any
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
Direction of heat flow Up Up Up masonry internal walls.
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an In Climate Zone 6 external walls must achieve a
upper surface solar absorptance value minimum Total R-Value of 2.8.
of not more than 0.4 4.1 4.1 4.1 In Climate Zones 4 and 6, external walls with a
surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, must have
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an upper
added insulation with an R-Value not less than 0.5,
surface solar absorptance value of more than
provided:
0.4 but not more than 0.6 4.6 4.6 4.6
n there is enhanced external glazing complying
Minimum Total R-Value for a roof with an with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
upper surface solar absorptance value Cu reduced by 15%; and
of more than 0.6 5.1 5.1 5.1 n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
In Climate Zones 4 and 5, the required Total masonry internal walls.
R-Value specified above may be reduced by OR
0.5, provided the required insulation is laid on In Climate Zones 4 and 6, external walls with a
the ceiling; and the roof space is ventilated as surface density of 220 kg/m2 or more, may be
specified in BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(b). constructed without added insulation, provided:
Where exhaust fans, flues, downlights and the n there is enhanced external glazing complying
like reduce the area of roof and ceiling insulation, with Part 3.12.2.1 with the applicable value of
the BCA provides rules for increasing the required Cu reduced by 20%;
Total R-Value over the values given above
OR
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(e)).
External walls with a surface density of 220 kg/m2
or more, must have added insulation with an
R-Value not less than 1.0, provided:
n the lowest storey containing habitable rooms
has either a concrete slab-on-ground floor or
masonry internal walls.

Page 26 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Shading
Shading is considered to be effective when
a veranda, balcony, eaves, carport or the like
(including any attached guttering) projects
horizontally from the external face of the
building to the outer edge of the projection not
less than 15° (1 / 3.7 of the wall height). The
wall height is measured from the internal floor
level to the underside of the projection. This
may result in a need for eaves that are wider
than normal. For example, if the height from
the internal floor to the underside of a 125 mm
wide gutter is 2.4 m, the required eaves width
(from wall to fascia) is 475 mm.
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140-mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
mass. It should be clearly understood that
the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
provisions are used. When verification by
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
be used provided the performance criteria
are met.

Floors
Suspended concrete floors must achieve the
minimum Total R-Value shown in the table below,
extracted from BCA 2011 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Values
Climate zone 4 5 6
Direction of heat flow Down Down Down
Minimum Total R-Value (including
the underfloor airspace and
enclosure if the perimeter
is enclosed) 2.25 1.0 2.25

Suspended concrete slab construction with in-slab

heating or cooling system must have insulation
with an R-Value of not less than 1.0 installed
around the edges and R2.0 on the underside.
Concrete slab-on-ground construction with
in-slab heating or cooling system must have
insulation with an R-Value of not less than 1.0
installed around the vertical edge of its perimeter.
(BCA 2011 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.5.)

Page 27 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
South Australia Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6

Cook, Marree, Oodnadatta, Adelaide, Ceduna, Elliston, Bordertown, Kingscote,
Port Augusta, Tarcoola, Leigh Creek, Loxton, Lobethal, Mount Gambier,
Whyalla Port Lincoln, Renmark Murray Bridge, Naracoorte,
Victor Harbour

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorp- Upper surface solar absorp- Upper surface solar absorp-
tance not more than 0.4 tance not more than 0.4 tance not more than 0.4
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.4 absorptance more than 0.4 absorptance more than 0.4
but not more than 0.6 but not more than 0.6 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up) Total R-Value 5.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.6 absorptance more than 0.6 absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 3.6 (up) Total R-Value 3.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorp- Upper surface solar absorp-
tance not more than 0.4 tance not more than 0.4
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with Fixed ventilation with
aggregate fixed open area aggregate fixed open area
at least 1.0% of ceiling area; at least 1.0% of ceiling area;
or Two wind-driven roof or Two wind-driven roof
ventilators with aggregate ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, opening area at least 0.14 m2,
and fixed ventilation with and fixed ventilation with
aggregate fixed open area at aggregate fixed open area at
least 0.2% of ceiling area least 0.2% of ceiling area
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.1 (up) Total R-Value 4.1 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.4 absorptance more than 0.4
but not more than 0.6 but not more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.6 (up) Total R-Value 4.6 (up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar Upper surface solar
absorptance more than 0.6 absorptance more than 0.6
Ventilation As above As above

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8 Total R-Value 2.8
Surface density Any Any Any
Shading and glazing Any Any Any
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4 Total R-Value 2.4 Added insulation with
R-Value 0.5
Surface density Any Any > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Shade the external wall of Shade the external wall of Storeys below the top storey
the storey with a verandah, the storey with a verandah, with enhanced glazing
balcony, eaves, carport and balcony, eaves, carport and (CSHGC reduced by 15%);
the like, which projects a the like, which projects a and The lowest storey has
minimum angle of 15° minimum angle of 15° concrete slab-on-ground
continues page 29 floor or masonry internal walls
Page 28 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
South Australia Summary continued
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6

Cook, Marree, Oodnadatta, Adelaide, Ceduna, Elliston, Bordertown, Kingscote,
Port Augusta, Tarcoola, Leigh Creek, Loxton, Lobethal, Mount Gambier,
Whyalla Port Lincoln, Renmark Murray Bridge, Naracoorte,
Victor Harbour

External Walls continued

Thermal resistance Added insulation with Added insulation with Added insulation with
R-Value 0.5 R-Value 0.5 R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Enhanced external glazing Top storey; and Storeys The lowest storey has
(Cu reduced by 15%) AND below the top storey with concrete slab-on-ground
The lowest storey has enhanced glazing (CSHGC floor or masonry internal
concrete slab-on-ground reduced by 15%); and The walls
floor or masonry internal lowest storey has concrete
walls slab-on-ground floor or
masonry internal walls
Thermal resistance No added insulation No added thermal
required insulation required
Surface density > 220 kg/m2 > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing Enhanced external glazing Shade all walls; and
(Cu reduced by 20%) Enhanced glazing (CSHGC
reduced by 15%); and The
lowest storey has concrete
slab-on-ground floor or
masonry internal walls
Thermal resistance Added insulation with
R-Value 1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Shading and glazing The lowest storey has
concrete slab-on-ground floor
or masonry internal walls

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 1.0 (down) Total R-Value 2.25 (down)
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.25 (down) Total R-Value 2.0 (down) Total R-Value 2.25 (down)
and 1.0 around the vertical and 1.0 around the vertical and 1.0 around the vertical
edges edges edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements No requirements No requirements
In-slab heating or cooling Nil Nil Nil
Thermal resistance R1.0 around the vertical R1.0 around the vertical R1.0 around the vertical
edges edges edges
In-slab heating or cooling Present Present Present

Page 29 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Tasmania GENERAL
The Tasmanian government has continued to
Energy Efficiency Requirements – adopt the energy efficiency measures of the BCA
Roofs, walls and floors 2009 Volume 2 into the state building regulations.

OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

145
King The stated Objective is 'to reduce greenhouse
Island gas emissions by efficiently using energy'. This
Flinders Island is further developed by the Functional Statement,
40 which states that the building and its domestic
services must be capable of efficiently using
Cape Grim
energy. (BCA 2009 Volume 2 Parts O2.6 and F2.6.)
Burnie
Both the Objective and Functional Statement
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
7
St Helens Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
8 requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Strahan
Swansea PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT
(BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
Strathgordon
Hobart A building must have, to the degree necessary,
7 a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
cooling appropriate to –
Zone 7 (a) the function and use of the building; and
Zone 8 (b) the internal environment; and
(c) the geographic location of the building; and
(d) the effects of nearby permanent features
tasmanIA Climate Zones such as topography, structures and
buildings; and
LOCATION ZONE
(e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
Burnie 7 and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
Bicheno 7 cooling; and
Deloraine 7 (f) the sealing of the building envelope against
Devonport 7 air leakage; and
Flinders Island 7 (g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
Hobart 7 cooling.
Huonville 7
King Island 7 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY STATED
Launceston 7 VALUES
New Norfolk 7 BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part V2.6.1 requires that
Oatlands 7 the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed
Orford 7 building be not less than '5 stars', as defined in the
Rossarden 7 Nationwide Energy Rating Scheme. The simulation
Smithton 7 calculations must be performed using software
St Marys 7 that complies with the ABCB Protocol for House
Zeehan 7 Energy Rating Software. AccuRATE is one software
tool meeting this requirement.

DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING
BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part V2.6.2.2 provides a
method of verification, based on comparison of a
proposed building to a reference building, which
has the same dimensions, orientation and the like,
and construction specified in this part of the BCA.

Page 30 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY Floors
ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE The only requirement for concrete slab-on-ground
Compliance with the performance requirements is that, if there is an in-slab heating or cooling
of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse system, insulation with an R-value of not less than
gas emissions is achieved through the following 1.0 must be installed around the vertical edge of its
'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as specified perimeter.
in BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part 3.12. Suspended floors must achieve the minimum
Total R-Value shown in the table below, extracted
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction
from BCA 2009 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
In this method, various building fabric components
(eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Value
levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on Climate zone 7
the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal
Direction of heat flow Down
mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground.
In addition to the building fabric measures, Minimum total R-Value
there are specified requirements for external Enclosed airspace 1.5
glazing, building sealing, air movement and Minimum total R-Value
services. (BCA 2009 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5) Unenclosed airspace 2.5
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are
considered to be acceptable forms of construction
for roofs, walls and floors are described below.

Roofs
Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value
shown in the table below, extracted from BCA
2009 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1.
ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Value
Climate zone 7
Altitude Any
Direction of heat flow Up
Minimum Total R-Value 4.3

External walls
In Climate Zone 7 external walls must achieve
Total R-Value of 2.4 (BCA 2009 Volume 2
Table 3.12.1.3).
Walls with a high thermal mass, such as
concrete or masonry walls, are granted a concession
in the BCA. External walls with a surface density
of 220 kg/m2 or more must have added insulation
with an R-Value of not less than 1.0.
Surface density of concrete walls
Reinforced concrete has a density of
approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
panels' with the examples of typical wall
constructions that achieve a surface density of
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
mass. It should be clearly understood that
the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
provisions are used. When verification by
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
be used provided the performance criteria
are met.

Page 31 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Tasmania Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 7

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 4.3 (up)
Solar absorptance Any
Ventilation Nil

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.4
Surface density Any
Other construction Any
Thermal resistance Added R1.0
Surface density > 220 kg/m2
Other construction Concrete slab-on-ground

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Total R-Value 1.5
Other construction Enclosed floors
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.5
Other construction Unenclosed floors

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements, except when there is in-slab heating or cooling

Page 32 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 Northern Territory Both the Objective and Functional Statement
provide guidance only. It is the Performance
Energy Efficiency Requirements – Requirement (below) that sets out the specific
requirements for compliance with the BCA.
Roofs, walls and floors
PERFORMANCE Requirement
130 135
(BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part P2.6.1)
A building must have, to the degree necessary,
a level of thermal performance to facilitate the
Nhulunbuy efficient use of energy for artificial heating and
Darwin cooling appropriate to –
1 Alyangula (a) the function and use of the building; and
(b) the internal environment; and
Katherine (c) the geographic location of the building; and
15 (d) the effects of nearby permanent features
such as topography, structures and
Borroloola
buildings; and
(e) solar radiation being (i) utilised for heating;
Elliott and (ii) controlled to minimise energy for
cooling; and
Latitude 20 (f) the sealing of the building envelope against
referred to in air leakage; and
Tennant Creek Clause 3.12.2.2 (g) the utilisation of air movement to assist
20
cooling.

3 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY STATED

VALUES
BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part V2.6.1 requires that
Alice Springs the calculated energy efficiency of a proposed
building be not less than '5 stars', as defined in the
Nationwide Energy Rating Scheme. The simulation
Yulara 25
calculations must be performed using software
Kulgera
that complies with the ABCB Protocol for House
Energy Rating Software. AccuRATE is one software
Zone 1
tool meeting this requirement.
Zone 3
DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
NORTHERN TERRITORY Climate Zones COMPARISON TO A REFERENCE BUILDING
BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part V2.6.2.2 provides a
LOCATION ZONE
method of verification, based on comparison of a
Alice Springs 3 proposed building to a reference building, which
Darwin 1 has the same dimensions, orientation and the like,
Elliot 3 and construction specified in this part of the BCA.
Katherine 1
Renner Springs 3 DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE BY
Tennant Creek 3 ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
Compliance with the performance requirements
GENERAL of energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse
The Northern Territory government has adopted emissions is achieved though the following
the energy efficiency measures of the BCA 2009 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' (DTS) provisions, as specified
Volume 2 into the territory building regulations. in BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part 3.12.
Deemed-to-Satisfy Construction
OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT In this method, various building fabric components
The stated Objective is 'to reduce greenhouse (eg roofs, walls and floors) must achieve specified
gas emissions by efficiently using energy'. This levels of thermal resistance (R), depending on
is further developed by the Functional Statement the climate zone and, in some cases, the thermal
which states that the building and its domestic mass of the walls and concrete slab-on-ground.
services must be capable of efficiently using In addition to the building fabric measures,
energy. (BCA 2009 Volume 2 Parts O2.6 and F2.6.) there are specified requirements for external

Page 33 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
 glazing, building sealing, air movement and less than 15° (1 / 3.7 of the wall height). The
services. (BCA 2009 Parts 3.12.2 to 3.12.5.) wall height is measured from the internal floor
The 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions that are level to the underside of the projection. This
considered to be acceptable forms of construction may result in a need for eaves that are wider
for roofs, walls and floors are described below. than normal. For example, if the height from
the internal floor to the underside of a 125 mm
Roofs wide gutter is 2.4 m, the required eaves width
Roofs must achieve the minimum Total R-Value (from wall to fascia) is 475 mm.
shown in the table below, extracted from In Climate Zone 1, a shaded external wall
BCA 2009 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.1. facing north-east, east, south-east, south-
west, west and north-west require a shading
ROOFS – Minimum Total R-Value projection of 45°.
Climate zone 1 3
Surface density of concrete walls
Altitude Any Any Reinforced concrete has a density of
Direction of heat flow Down Down and up approximately 2400 kg/m3. Therefore, a solid
Minimum Total R-Value 2.7 2.7 concrete wall with a thickness of 100 mm will
have a surface density of 240 kg/m3. However,
the BCA lists '140 mm thick or greater concrete
In Climate Zones 1 and 3 the required Total R-Value
panels' with the examples of typical wall
specified above may be reduced by 0.5 if the
constructions that achieve a surface density of
roof upper surface has a solar absorptance of not
220 kg/m3. 140 mm thick, not 100 mm thick, is
more than 0.55; or the roof space is ventilated as
nominated in order to achieve the appropriate
specified in BCA 2009 Volume 2 Part 3.12.1.2(b) or
combination of thermal resistance and thermal
the roof is tiled and without sarking.
mass. It should be clearly understood that
External Walls the 140-mm requirement should override the
220 kg/m3 limit if Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)
Walls and floors with a high thermal mass are
provisions are used. When verification by
granted concessions in the BCA. This includes
calculation is adopted, any wall thickness may
concrete-slab-on ground, concrete or masonry
be used provided the performance criteria
external walls and masonry internal walls. Shading
are met.
is also granted a concession.
In Climate Zone 1 the requirements shown below Floors
do not apply to any building storey that has a The only requirement for concrete slab-on-ground
surface density ≥ 220 kg/m2, the external surfaces is that, if there is an in-slab heating or cooling
have a solar absorptance not more than 0.45, and system, insulation with an R-value of not less than
the external glazing has enhanced performance 1.0 must be installed around the edges.
(CSHGC in accordance with Table 3.12.1.1 is reduced Suspended floors must achieve the minimum
by 15% where the external walls are shaded and Total R-Value shown in the table below, extracted
25% when the external walls are not shaded), and from BCA 2009 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.4.
the habitable rooms contain ceiling fans.
SUSPENDED FLOORS – Minimum Total R-Value
Shading
Climate zone 1 3
Shading is considered to be effective when
a veranda, balcony, eaves, carport or the like Minimum total R-Value
(including any attached guttering) projects Enclosed airspace Nil Nil
horizontally from the external face of the Minimum total R-Value
building to the outer edge of the projection not Unenclosed airspace Nil Nil

External Walls BCA 2009 Volume 2 Table 3.12.1.3

Wall type or Is there a concrete Is there effective Insulation required in particular
surface density kg/m2 slab-on-ground shading? climate zones
Zone 1 – Total R-Value 1.9
Any – –
Zone 3 – Total R-Value 1.9
Zone 1 – Total R-Value 1.4
Any Yes –
Zone 3 – Total R-Value 1.4
> 220 kg/m2 – Yes Zone 1 – Nil
External weatherboard, – Yes Zone 1 – Reflective insulation
sheet clad or masonry (emittance not more than 0.05)
veneer walls inwards

Page 34 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
Northern Territory Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENT ACCEPTABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Zone 1 Zone 3
Darwin, Katherine Alice Springs, Elliot, Renner Springs,
Tennant Creek

Roof
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.7 (down) Total R-Value 2.7 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Any Any
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistancet Total R-Value 2.2 (down) Total R-Value 2.2 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Upper surface solar absorptance more Upper surface solar absorptance more
than 0.55 than 0.55
Ventilation Nil Nil
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 2.2 (down) Total R-Value 2.2 (down and up)
Solar absorptance Any Any
Ventilation Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open Fixed ventilation with aggregate fixed open
area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two area at least 1.0% of ceiling area; or Two
wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate wind-driven roof ventilators with aggregate
opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed opening area at least 0.14 m2, and fixed
ventilation with aggregate fixed open area ventilation with aggregate fixed open area
at least 0.2% of ceiling area; or The roof is at least 0.2% of ceiling area; or The roof is
tiled without sarking tiled without sarking

External Walls
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 1.9 Total R-Value 1.9
Surface density Any Any
Other construction Any Any
Thermal resistance Total R-Value 1.4 Total R-Value 1.4
Surface density Any Any
Other construction Concrete slab-on-ground Concrete slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance Nil
Surface density Any
Other construction Shaded
Thermal resistance Reflective insulation (emittance not more
than 0.05) inwards
Surface density Any
Other construction External weatherboard, sheet clad or
masonry veneer walls, shaded

Suspended Concrete Floors

Thermal resistance Nil Nil
Other construction Enclosed floors Enclosed floors
Thermal resistance Nil Nil
Other construction Unenclosed floors Unenclosed floors

Concrete Slab-on-ground
Thermal resistance No requirements, except when there is No requirements, except when there is
in-slab heating or cooling in-slab heating or cooling

Page 35 of 36 > Energy Efficiency in Building Regulations and the Use of Concrete in Housing
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