1. Identify which spaces may be, or will be, mechanically heated or cooled.
2. Identify existing wall types. Identify proposed wall types as either :
- fully masonry pre-cast panel/blockwork/brick or
- lightweight.
If masonry identify if insulation is to be polystyrene foam board and battens or contained in a stud wall.
If lightweight identify if your preference is for battens fixed to studs or cladding directly fixed to studs.
3. Identify where roof/ceiling insulation is proposed to be located ie across rafters/purlins as is usual in non domestic style construction, between the rafters, or on the ceiling as is common in domestic type construction.
Confirm if a suspended ceiling is proposed.
Also confirm if lighting is proposed as ceiling mounted or recessed.
4. In climate zone 6 (Melbourne) – generally:
- All new non residential roofs should achieve a total R value of 3.2 measured for heat ingress.
- All external building envelope walls should generally achieve a total R value of 2.8 (some exemptions exist).
- Internal envelope walls are required to achieve R1.0 or R1.8 depending on different conditions.
5. Skylights – should be no greater in area than 5% of the floor area of the room they serve (limited exemptions exist).
6. Glazing – large areas of unprotected glazing may have difficulty complying. In order to reduce the need for expensive glazing solutions or re-design, we recommend undertaking the glazing assessment in the early design phase rather than just prior to seeking the building permit.
7. Lighting – a lighting plan indicating proposed lamp wattages and whether or not fittings are recessed or ceiling mounted will be required to show compliance – but can be completed after the Section J report.