Achieving Compliance with Regulation XA
Compliance Route options:
To comply with the XA Energy Usage Regulations, either the Prescriptive or deemed-to-satisfy path to compliance, is followed or a Rational Design is performed which will involve either the Performance Route or The Reference building method which are outlined below:
Option 1: Prescriptive Route
Prescriptive route is often used by Architects to generate specification for building that will ensure compliance with Regulation XA.
The architect first produces the building design concept in accordance with the requirements of the client.
Calculations are done for the fenestration. If the first concept design does not comply, the following may be implemented to bring the design to compliance:
- reduce glazing ratio
- specify double glazing and performance glass
- implement horizontal shading devices
Insulation levels must be met for the roof, prescribed by the climate zone.
Shading provided by surrounding buildings may not be accounted for, and space use and the efficiency of energy systems may not be considered to show compliance.
Once the prescriptive boxes have been ticked, forms may be signed and submitted to council alongside building plans.
Option 2 : Performance Route
The Perfomance Route is available for Commercial and Institutional buildings and involves Energy modeling to demonstrate that the building will perform better than the requirements set out in Tables 3 & 4 of SAN10400XA
Option 3: Reference Building Method
The Reference Building Method requires that the building as to be build is made hypothetical by substituting in all aspects of the Prescriptive Route at which stage it is the subject of an Energy Modeling exercise.
The Energy Intensity and the Demand Intensity results from the Energy Modeling become the baseline against which improvement measures are evaluated.
If the improved building shows lower Energy Usage and Demand than the baseline Reference building, then the improved building can be said to be in compliance with Regulation XA.
SP Energy Pty Ltd are experts and specialise in carrying out RATIONAL DESIGN and ENERGY MODELLING services countrywide.
Please contact us for further information.