To assist practitioners in understanding and applying the BCA, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has produced two new handbooks related to the energy efficiency provisions of BCA2010 titled:

• Energy Efficiency Provisions for Electricians and Plumbers

• BCA Section J – Assessment and Verification of an Alternative Solution

In consideration of the scope of recent changes to the BCA, the ABCB saw a need for a handbook to inform electricians and plumbers of the energy efficiency provisions of BCA2010 and to explain how these provisions may affect them.

In particular, the handbook looks at the amount of insulation on a ceiling, usually over electrical wiring; the implications for insulation when installing downlights; switching and controls for lighting, fans, garage exhaust systems, pumps, space heaters, swimming pool heaters and boiling and chilling water appliances; the maximum power capacity of lights, fans, pumps and other air-conditioning plant; energy monitoring and metering facilities; restrictions on use of electric heaters; and specifications for a range of control gear.

The changes coincide with the Victorian State Government’s plan to establish a $5 million Building a Green Future fund to support sustainability-related skills for tradespeople.

Through the program, new green training courses and support resources available for use by industry are expected to be released in early 2011 to support post trade training for wind power, LED lighting, new fire sprinkler testing, solar heating and cooling control systems, ventilation and air-conditioning.

“One of our key strategies is the $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan to stimulate new technologies and green skills,” says Victorian premier John Brumby. “It contains 18 priority actions to create, support and sustain thousands of jobs now and into the future through new investment, new projects, new skills and new industries.

“The Plan will accelerate innovation and the uptake of green technologies, and build the skills needed not only in green industries, but also in industries such as construction and trade services which utilise or install green technologies.”

To support the changes to the BCA, NECA Victoria will be conducting a series of training courses and seminars commencing in early 2011 to educate Victorian contractors on how best to leverage them into their businesses. The training, funded by the Victorian Government’s Green Skills for Trades program, will be free to participants.

“The training aims to teach electricians everything they need to know about the new requirements,” says NECA Victoria member services and education officer Rod Lovett.

“It will give them the knowledge of how to best install lighting in line with the new rules and how to provide optimum results for their clients while educating them on the various options available.”

The course provides electricians a lighting calculator and simulator, which will allow them to show their clients exactly what they are signing up for, before the installation begins.

“This will be a very hands-on course; day one will feature a lot of theory but day two will allow attendees to interact with the programs and learn how to specify the best solution while adhering to the new rules.

“It will also show the cost to run a particular system, as well as produce a suggested design.

“The ultimate goal is to give attendees an understanding of the rules, how to use them and why they have been introduced, and that’s important. Your client is going to want to know why they are restricted in what they can do and you need to be able to explain it.

“This course will get you to think about what you’re doing, and to think outside the box of traditional residential wiring.”

Rod says that the course is designed to help a contractor to build up their own intellectual resource, to gain an advantage in the market.

“We are teaching these guys to ask questions, the right questions. It is much more than a typical training course; it is designed to provide knowledge and tools in a practical environment.

“After all, sustainability is no longer a word, it’s a practice.”

For more information, contact NECA on 03 9645 5533 or www.necacourses.com to register your interest.

NECA Victoria www.vic.neca.asn.au