BCA requirements have been in place for many years and most industry practitioners have become familiar with these requirements. However, since 2003 the BCA has contained requirements for energy efficient buildings and some of these have changed in subsequent years. In particular, the current BCA2010 has introduced significant changes to past editions.

To assist practitioners to understand and apply the BCA, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has produced two new Handbooks related to the energy efficiency provisions of BCA2010 and these will be made available on the ABCB website on Friday 3 September 2010.

The Handbooks are not regulatory documents. They contain general information provided as an aid to understanding nominated energy efficiency provisions and should not be taken as providing specific advice on any specific issue. The Handbooks do not address State and Territory variations or additions to the BCA.

1. Energy Efficiency Provisions for Electricians and Plumbers
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.

Handbook content of particular interest to electricians includes –
• amount of insulation on a ceiling, usually over electrical wiring;
• 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;
• 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.

Handbook content of particular interest to plumbers includes –
• insulation and installation of ductwork;
• insulation and installation of heating water and cooling piping;
• insulation and installation of hot water piping (through AS/NZS 3500);
• maximum power capacity of fans and pumps and impacts on duct and pipe sizes;
• restrictions on use of electric water heaters and pool heaters; and
• use of solar heaters for domestic pools.

2. BCA Section J – Assessment and Verification of an Alternative Solution
The aim of this Handbook is to provide an explanation of methods of assessment and verification of Alternative Solutions to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Section J of the BCA and addresses topics such as –
• evidence of suitability;
• comparisons with deemed-to-satisfy provisions;
• use of software; and
• Verification Method JV3.