Insulation

AS 1134 Wool – Determination of wool base and vegetable matter base of core samples of raw wool

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AS 1366.1 Rigid cellular plastics sheets for thermal insulation Part 1: Rigid cellular polyurethane (RC/PUR)
AS 1366.2 Rigid cellular plastics sheets for thermal insulation Part 2: Rigid cellular polyisocyanurate (RC/PIR)
AS 1366.3 Rigid cellular plastics sheets for thermal insulation Part 3: Rigid cellular polystyrene Moulded (RC/PS-M)
AS 1366.4 Rigid cellular plastics sheets for thermal insulation Part 4: Rigid cellular polystyrene Extruded (RC/PS-E)

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AS 4073 Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation – In situ set foam

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AS 3999 Thermal insulation of dwellings – Bulk insulation – Installation requirements

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AS/NZS 4200.1 Pliable building membranes and underlays – Part 1: Materials
AS/NZS 4200.2 Pliable building membranes and underlays – Part 2: Installation requirements
AS/NZS 4201.1 Pliable building membranes and underlays – Methods of test Part 1: Resistance to dry lamination
AS/NZS 4201.2 Pliable building membranes and underlays – Methods of test Part 2: Resistance to wet lamination

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AS/NZS 4859.1 Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings – General criteria and technical provisions
NZS 4214 Methods of determining total thermal resistance of parts of buildings

Work shall commence as soon as practical after, but not before,
(a) The Builder has issued:

• a written order
• the relevant contract drawings, specifications and schedule of work
• written approval of any details provided by the Contractor

(b) The masonry, roof, ceiling and wall cladding have been installed.

Thermal and acoustic insulation shall be installed in accordance the Drawings, Building Regulations and relevant Standard (AS 3999 for bulk insulation, and AS 4200 for reflective foil laminate).
Care should be taken with the installation of of insulation in ceiling spaces.
AS/NZS 3000 requires a minimum air gap of around halogen lights of 200mm and 100mm around other types of lights, or installation of luminaire within a suitable fire resistant enclosure.
AS 5601 requires that insulation must never rest against any flue, and that an air gap of 25mm must be maintained adjacent to the flue.
AS/NZS 4200 requires that pliable building membranes be cut back at least 50mm from any hot flue to avoid being a fire hazard.
In addition, care should be taken when installing electrically conductive (foil) insulation in ceiling spaces. No-conductive fasteners should be utilised, and an electrician should check the ceiling space before and after installation, as well as checking and/or installing a safety switch as per AS/NZS 3000. Where the consumer mains is routed through the roof space, a minimum of 25mm separation is required between the foil insulation and the consumer mains.

General Requirements

The total thermal resistance, R, of building elements (such as roofs/ceilings, walls and/or floors) shall be not less than the following.

• The value specified in the Building Regulations for the particular location, climate and application; and
• Any value specified for purposes of enhanced comfort or energy saving.

Thermal Insulation Requirements Location              Required Thermal Resistance, R, of Added Insulation,m2.K/W Notes                                              . Roof / Ceiling External Walls Unenclosed Floors Other

Thermal Resistance Calculations

The calculated total thermal resistance of roofs/ceilings, walls and/or floors shall include allowance for:

• The thermal resistance of each component of the system;
• Heat losses due to thermal bridging;
• Internal air film thermal resistance of 0.12 m2.K/W; and
• External air film thermal resistance of 0.03 m2.K/W.

Thermal Resistance and Thermal Conductivity of Various Materials

Unless evidence to the contrary is presented, the Thermal Resistance, R, of insulating materials shall be determined using the Thermal Conductivity, k, listed in the insulation specifications below.

Wall, Roof/ceiling and Floor Materials Effective Thermal Conductivity based on external thickness, k, W/m.K Roof Cladding Concrete or terra cotta tiles 0.81 Aluminium sheeting 210.00 Steel sheeting 47.50 Gypsum plasterboard 0.17 Framing Steel 47.50 Hardwood (across the grain) 0.16 Softwood (across the grain) 0.10 Wall Cladding Steel sheeting 47.50 Aluminium sheeting 210.00 Pine weatherboards 0.10 Stringybark weatherboards 0.14 Particleboard 0.12 Plywood 0.14 Fibre-cement 0.25 Gypsum plasterboard 0.17 Cement render (1 cement : 4 sand) 0.53 Clay Brickwork Clay brick - 2.75 kg (230 x 110 x 76 mm) 0.55 Clay brick - 3.25 kg (230 x 110 x 76 mm) 0.65 Clay brick - 3.75 kg (230 x 110 x 76 mm) 0.78 Clay brick - 4.25 kg (230 x 110 x 76 mm) 0.21 Clay brick 110 mm dry-pressed 0.92 Clay brick 110 mm extruded (Western Australia) 0.73 Clay brick 110 mm extruded (eastern Australia) 0.76 Clay horizontally cored block 90 mm 0.45 Denseweight hollow concrete block 190 dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 1.04 190 dense concrete masonry unit (grout at 1500 centres) 1.06 140 dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.87 140 dense concrete masonry unit (grout at 1500 centres) 0.91 110 dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.79 110 dense concrete solid masonry unit 1.19 90 dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.76 90 dense concrete solid masonry unit 1.19 190 SOLID dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 1.19 140 SOLID dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 1.19 Lightweight hollow concrete block 190 light concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.83 190 light concrete masonry unit (grout at 1500 centres) 0.82 140 light concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.67 140 light concrete masonry unit (grout at 1500 centres) 0.68 110 light concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.58 110 light concrete solid masonry unit 0.75 90 light concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.54 90 light concrete solid masonry unit 0.75 190 solid dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.75 140 solid dense concrete masonry unit (no grout) 0.75 Concrete Solid denseweight concrete 1.44 Prestressed concrete hollowcore panels 1.09 AAC Autoclaved aerated concrete 0.13 Flooring Materials Vinyl floor tiles 0.79 Carpet underlay 0.04 Other Materials Air 0.03 Clay soil (10% moisture content) 0.06 Sand (6 % moisture content) 1.64 Notes: 1. These vales of thermal conductivity may be used (in conjunction with material thickness) to determine the thermal resistance of various components that act with insulation to provide total thermal resistance. 2. These vales of thermal conductivity are effective values based on the external thickness of the component. i.e. The fact that some components may be hollow is taken into account when determining the thermal conductivity. 3. More data is available on application from Electronic Blueprint.

Thermal Resistance of Non-Reflective Cavities and Air Spaces

The following values for thermal resistances of non-reflective cavities and air spaces may be assumed when determining the total thermal resistance of a system incorporating reflective foil. (Source: Building Code of Australia)

Description of cavities or air spaces Direction of Heat Flow Thermal resistance, R (m2.K/w) Unventilated Cavities and Air Spaces Pitched roof space Up 0.18 Pitched roof space Down 0.28 Horizontal to 5o Up 0.15 Horizontal to 5o Down 0.22 5o to 15o skillion roof Up 0.15 5o to 15o skillion roof Down 0.21 22o to 45o cathedral roof Up 0.15 22o to 45o cathedral roof Down 0.18 Vertical Horizontal 0.17 Ventilated Cavities and Air Spaces Pitched roof space Up Nil Pitched roof space Down 0.46 Horizontal to 5o Up Nil Horizontal to 5o Down 0.19 Vertical Horizontal 0.14

Thermal Resistance of Reflective Wall Cavities

The following values for thermal resistances of reflective wall cavities may be assumed when determining the total thermal resistance of a system incorporating reflective foil. (Source: Building Code of Australia)

Description of wall cavities Direction of Heat Flow __Thermal resistance, R (m2.K/W) Inner reflective surface of 0.05 emittance, 20 mm gap to wall lining Horizontal 0.48 Inner reflective surface of 0.05 emittance, 70 mm gap to wall lining Horizontal 0.43 Inner reflective surface of 0.05 emittance, 70 mm gap to wall lining, outer anti-glare reflective surface or 0.20 emittance , 25 mm airspace to wall cladding Horizontal 0.95 Outer anti-glare reflective surface or 0.20 emittance , 35 mm airspace to wall cladding Horizontal 0.50

Thermal Resistance of Reflective Air Spaces in Roofs

The following values for thermal resistances of reflective air spaces in roofs may be assumed when determining the total thermal resistance of a system incorporating reflective foil. (Source: Building Code of Australia)
INSERT TABLE HERE

Consideration of Roof and Wall Colour

When determining the requirements for insulation, consideration shall be given to the solar absorptance of the cladding surface. BCA Vol 2 Clause 3.12.1.2 - "In climate zones 1,2 and 3 have - (A) a solar absorptance value not more than 0.4 ."

Colour Typical Values for Solar Absorptance Slate (dark grey) 0.90 Red, Green 0.75 Yellow, buff 0.60 Zinc aluminium, dull 0.55 Galvanised steel, dull 0.55 Light grey 0.45 Off white 0.35 Light cream 0.30

Emissivity High (dull) = 0.82, Low (shiny) = 0.03 Source: AS 2627.1 AccuRATE Default Values Solar Absorptance Emissivity Dark 0.85 0.90 Medium 0.50 0.90 Light 0.30 0.90 Brick - Red pressed clay 0.79 0.90 Concrete - dry 0.62 0.90 Copper aged 0.57 0.90 Fibro-cement - Weathered 0.65 0.90 Galvanised Iron - New 0.32 0.90 Galvanised iron - Weathered 0.75 0.90 Paint - Black 0.96 0.90 Paint - Light cream 0.30 0.90 Paint - Light green 0.50 0.90 Paint - Light grey 0.75 0.90 Paint - Pink 0.49 0.90 Paint - White 0.23 0.90 Tiles - Clay - Light Red 0.66 0.90 Tiles - Clay - Dark purple 0.81 0.90 Tiles - Concrete - Black 0.91 0.90 Tiles - Concrete - Brown 0.85 0.90 Tiles - Concrete - Uncoloured 0.69 0.90

NSW BASIX Information

NSW BASIX Default Values Solar Absorptance Dark > 0.70 Medium 0.475 < < 0.70 Light < 0.475

Insulation - Sustainability Specification Systems involving insulation shall provide higher thermal resistance than commonly used alternatives.

Reflective Pliable Building Membranes With At Least One Reflective Surface

Single Sheet Segmented Reflective Pliable Membrane for Installation Between Structural Members

Multiple Layered Segmented Reflective Pliable Membrane with Multiple Reflective Airspaces

Reflective Material Bonded to Rigid Insulation or Support to Form a Sheet

Reflective Material Bonded to Pliable Non-reflective Insulation

Reflective Material Bonded to the Inside of Wall Cladding Sheets

Reflective Material Bonded to the Underside of Metal Wall or Roof Sheets

Sheeps Wool Fibre Loose Fill Thermal Insulation

Sheeps Wool or Wool Blend Batts and Blanket Thermal Insulation

Cellulose Fibre Thermal Insulation

Rockwool Batts and Blanket

Fibreglass Batts and Blanket

Polyester Batts and Blanket Insulation

Expanded Polystyrene Board

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Insulation

In-situ Set Urea-formaldehyde Foam Insulation

Lightweight Aggregate Hollow Concrete Block Wall Systems Incorporating Polystyrene Insulation

Thermal Paints and Coatings with Low Solar Absorptance and or Significant Thermal Resistance

Customised Wall Roof or Floor Systems Incorporating Insulation

Acoustic Insulation

The following inspections shall be performed.

Item or Product	Inspection Required	Accept Criteria	Hold / Witness
Drawings & Specifications	Inspect controlled documents	Controlled copy of latest issue on site	Hold
Insulation materials	Visual check of: Brand Type Thickness R rating	As specified	Hold
Depth of insulation	Visual check of depth at a sample of locations Check theoretical thickness, by dividing volume by area covered	Depth must be as specified + 50, -0 mm	Witness
Coverage of insulation	Visual check of coverage at a sample of locations	No visible gaps	Witness

Background

Since the early 1980’s there has been steady progress towards increasing the energy efficiency of the building envelope, with a view to reducing the consumption of operational heating and cooling energy and the consequential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The BCA (Building Code of Australia), prepared by the ABCB (Australian Building Codes Board), provides a national model for building regulations. Each State Government legislates any proposed regulations into law. Some states have adopted the BCA model for energy efficiency measures, in some cases with modification, while others (Victoria, New South Wales and ACT) have opted for alternative regulations.
These notes and specifications outline the Energy Efficiency provisions of BCA Vol 2, Parts 2.6 and 3.12 and the various state building regulations for Class 12 housing and 10a 3 buildings with a conditioned4 space. These notes do not deal with Class 2 to 9 residential, commercial and industrial buildings, which are covered by the BCA Volume 2.

Building Code of Australia Class 1 and 10 Buildings – Housing Provisions - Volume 2

Class 1 buildings are as follows;
Class 1a is a single dwelling, being a detached house; or
One or more attached dwellings, each being a building, separated by a fire-resisting wall, including a row house, terrace house, town house or villa unit.
Class 1b is a boarding house, guest house, hostel or the like with a total floor area not exceeding 300 m2 and in which not more than 12 persons would ordinarily be resident, which is not located above or below another dwelling or another Class of building other than a private dwelling. (Ref BCA Vol 2 Clause 1.3.2)

Class 10a buildings are non-habitable buildings, being a private garage, carport, shed or the like.

Conditioned space means a space within a building – that is heated or cooled by the building’s domestic services; but excludes a heater with a capacity of not more than 1.2 kW installed in a non-habitable room.

Development of Energy Efficiency Building Regulations

Set out below are the principal developments in Australia leading to the introduction of energy efficiency measures in building regulations for houses.

• In the early 1980’s, Standards Australia published AS 2627.1 recommending insulation in the ceilings of some dwellings.
• In the 1980’s, the Victorian Government required ceilings to have R 2.2 added insulation and walls to have R 1.3 added insulation (if the ground floor had R 1.0) or R 1.7 added insulation (if the ground floor had R 0.7). Concrete and masonry of thickness 180 mm on concrete slabs was exempted.
• The South Australian government required wall insulation of at least R 0.8.
• In 1992, the ACT government required insulation of in Class 1, 2 and 3 residential buildings to 4 Star NatHERS performance. The current insulation requirements are for R 3.0 in ceiling spaces, R 2.0 in exposed raked ceilings and R 1.5 in walls, except for masonry of thickness 180 mm.
• In 1993, Standards Australia published the revised version of AS 2627.1, recommending insulation in the ceilings and walls of some dwellings.
• During the 1990s, Standards Australia unsuccessfully undertook the writing of a Commercial Building Energy Code and standardisation of the protocols for House Energy Rating software.
• Development of Energy Efficiency Building Regulations (Continued)
• In 2003, the ABCB (Australian Building Codes Board) published amendments to the BCA Volume 2 to reduce energy use and greenhouse has emissions.
• The BCA Volume 2 Energy Efficiency Amendment (with some modifications for local requirements) has been adopted in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
• New South Wales worked towards the adoption of the recommendations in early 2004, amending some details of the BCA model, but subsequently has changed its position. It now requires the use the BASIX package, which includes use of either computer simulation or deemed-to-satisfy construction. This requirement commenced on 1st July 2004 in selected local government areas in Sydney, and extended to the rest of the state within twelve months.
• Victoria did not adopt the amendment, opting instead for 5 Star Rating using the First Rate computer package, or, in some cases, NatHERS. This was implemented 1st July 2004.
• ACT did not adopt the amendment, opting instead for 4 Star Rating.
• Development of Energy Efficiency Building Regulations (Continued)
• In February 2004, Protocols for Energy Rating Software were drafted. It will be published, with some modification, later in 2004.
• The ABCB is currently undertaking the production of the following:
• Completion of the amendment to BCA Vol 1Class 2, 3 & 4 (residential parts of commercial buildings), based on 4 star performance with DTS (deemed-to-satisfy) provisions, to be adopted in May 2005.
• An amendment to BCA Vol 2 (Housing), based on 5 star performance with DTS (deemed-to-satisfy) provisions, to be adopted in May 2006.
• An amendment to BCA Vol 1Class 5 to 9 (commercial and industrial buildings) based on 5 star performance with DTS (deemed-to-satisfy) provisions, to be adopted in May 2006.
• Further refinement of a Protocol for software suitable for use with the BCA. This would lead to the writing of various programs, complying with the Protocol

Over the next five years, the BCA and State Building (or Planning) Regulations will mandate:

• 5 Star performance
• Verification by either computer simulation using AccuRATE or equivalent
• Provide for some limited range of Deemed-To-Satisfy construction details.

The amendments involve the inclusion of insulation in roof/ceiling spaces and in some types of walls, improvements in the effectiveness of glazing, specification of sealing and ventilation and the consideration of shading. Commercially available software assists in the determination of energy efficiency.
Alternatively, deemed-to-satisfy forms of construction are available (in some states) . The designer must specify the appropriate thermal resistance (R value) of any required insulation, together with the position in the building.

Batts Versus Sprayed Insulation

Whilst there are good technical arguments on the relative performance of batts and sprayed insulation, construction questions should also be considered.

• It may be difficult to monitor the thickness of sprayed insulation in inaccessible parts of the roof space.
• Some sprayed insulation may be lost down cavity walls unless the cavity is closed off.
• Batts may be difficult to position in inaccessible parts of the roof space.

Flammability

Consideration must be given to the flammability of the various insulating systems. It is recommended that designers seek the advice of the manufacture.