National Construction Code (NCC) Commercial Buildings

Last updated: 5 November 2017
Applicable Building Type(s)


New non-residential, New residential



Policy Requirement Level


Mandatory



Governance


Development Authority: Australian Building Codes Board
Implementation Authority: State and Territory Governments (and local governments)
Verification Authority: Registered Building Certifiers (private and public)
Enforcement Authority: State and Territory Governments (and local governments)



Prescriptive Compliance path



NCC Volume One (Section J) -Commercial Buildings


Energy Requirements:

Insulation

J1.2 Thermal construction €” general
(a) Where required, insulation must comply with AS/NZS 4859.1 and be installed so that it €”
(i) abuts or overlaps adjoining insulation other than at supporting members such as studs, noggings, joists, furring channels and the like where the insulation must be against the member; and
(ii) forms a continuous barrier with ceilings, walls, bulkheads, floors or the like that inherently contribute to the thermal barrier; and
(iii) does not affect the safe or effective operation of a service or fitting.
(b) Where required, reflective insulation must be installed with €”
(i) the necessary airspace to achieve the required R-Value between a reflective side of the reflective insulation and a building lining or cladding; and
(ii) the reflective insulation closely fitted against any penetration, door or window opening; and
(iii) the reflective insulation adequately supported by framing members; and
(iv) each adjoining sheet of roll membrane being €”
(A) overlapped not less than 50 mm; or
(B) taped together.
(c) Where required, bulk insulation must be installed so that €”
(i) it maintains its position and thickness, other than where it is compressed between cladding and supporting members, water pipes, electrical cabling or the like; and
(ii) in a ceiling, where there is no bulk insulation or reflective insulation in the wall beneath, it overlaps the wall by not less than 50 mm.
(d) Roof, ceiling, wall and floor materials, and associated surfaces are deemed to have the thermal properties listed in Specification J1.2.

Windows

J2.4 Glazing
(b) The aggregate air-conditioning energy value attributable to the glazing must not exceed the allowance obtained by multiplying the facade area that is exposed to the conditioned space for the orientation by the energy index in Table J2.4a.

Application
Energy Index Option
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Glazing in Class 3 building
A
0.067
0.132
0.091
0.086
0.092
0.090
0.059
0.027
B
0.060
0.124
0.078
0.063
0.071
0.061
0.037
N/A

Glazing in Class 9c building
A
0.080
0.158
0.109
0.103
0.110
0.108
0.071
0.032
B
0.072
0.149
0.094
0.076
0.085
0.073
0.044
N/A
Display glazing in a shop or showroom

A
0.180
0.217
0.221
0.227
0.257
0.220
0.170
0.046
B
0.173
0.209
0.208
0.204
0.236
0.191
0.148
N/A

Glazing in Other
A
0.130
.0181
0.172
0.142
0.175
0.116
0.083
0.023
B
0.123
0.173
0.159
0.113
0.145
0.082
0.058
N/A
Note: Option A applies to all glazing other than where compliance B is required by Table J1.5a


Doors

Doors must be sealed.

Skylights

Skylights are considered as part of the glazing requirements shown in the windows section.

Air Leakage

J3.4 Windows and doors
(a) A seal to restrict air infiltration must be fitted to each edge of a door, openable window or the like forming part of €”
(i) the envelope of a conditioned space; or
(ii) the external fabric of a habitable room or public area in climate zones 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
(b) The requirements of (a) do not apply to €”
(i) a window complyin