FAQs Archive - Energy Compliance

Q: What are the key objectives of NCC Section J?

The Objective of NCC Section J report is to: Reduce energy use Improve t hermal comfort of occupants and their amenity. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions ; and Improve grid resilience by reducing peak energy demand

Q: What buildings are required to comply with NCC Section J?

The Section J applies to commercial buildings . According to the Building Code of Australia, the energy efficiency requirements of Section J are applicable to: Class 3 (hotels, dormitories) Class 4 (residential dwelling inside a commercial building) Class 5 (offices, therapy centres) Class 6 (restaurants, retails) Class 7 (carparks, warehouses) Class 8 (factories, laboratories) Class 9 (hospitals, community centres) The above building classes require a Section J energy report before applying for a building permit. Also, Class 2 buildings can use Section J DtS provisions under NCC 2022.

Q: How is glazing assessed in a Section J report?

The glazing thermal performance requirement is the most important part of a Section J energy report. NCC Volume 1 details the minimum requirements for glazing thermal performance in Section J, Part J4, J4D6. However, unlike NCC 2016 , the new glazing performance requirements from NCC 2019 onwards are integrated with the external wall requirements . This means NCC Vol 1.0 requires the Total System U-value of wall-glazing construction not to be above a certain U-Value detailed in J4D6. To make things easier and to try tradeoffs between glazing and wall thermal performance, the ABCB has developed the Façade calculator . Using this, the assessor can obtain the compliant thermal performance value of the project’s glazing, U-value and SHGC. These performance values will be reflected in the Section J energy report.

Q: How do climate zones affect Section J report requirements?

The outcome of a Section J report depends mainly on building classification and climate zones . In cases where a commercial building is located in a very hot or cold climate zone, the minimum requirements get more strict, for example: In Climate Zone 8, a roof needs to achieve a Total R-value of R4.8 , whereas, in Climate Zone 6, a Total R-value of R3.2 is the minimum. A ductwork within a conditioned space located in Climate Zone 8, needs to incorporate an insulation of not less than R2.0 , whereas, in other Climate Zones, the minimum insulation requirement is R1.2 .

Q: Can a Section J report expire?

No! A Section J report does not expire under normal circumstances. However, there are two occasions where a Section J energy report could lose its credibility: New Standard Adoption: In case an energy report is conducted under the requirements of an old version of the Building Code, when your council adopts a new version of the building code, you may be required to update the old report. Changes to architectural drawings: If there are new revisions available to the building drawings and the changes are significant, the energy assessor needs to update the old report for it to be in line with the new changes.

Q: What are the DtS provisions in a Section J report?

DtS provisions are several mandatory requirements outlined in the Building Code of Australia. You need to implement these prescriptive provisions to ensure that your commercial building is energy efficient. These requirements involve the following: Part J4 – Building fabric (roof, wall, floor and glazing) Part J5 – Building sealing Part J6 – Air-conditioning and ventilation Part J7 – Artificial lighting and power Part J8 – Heated water supply, swimming pool and spa pool plant Part J9 – Energy monitoring and on-site distributed energy resources

Q: What is a Section J report?

To obtain a building permit for a commercial building in Australia, councils require a Section J report. This report, prepared by a professional or ESD consultant , details the minimum requirements for the energy efficiency of building fabric and services . Section J refers to the name of Energy Efficiency section of the Building Code of Australia .

How does the NCC Section J report impact building design?

The performance requirements of NCC Section J report do not have a direct impact on the building design; however, NCC may require you to . . .

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