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New Building Code of Australia (BCA) lighting regulations – let Beacon Lighting Commercial make it simple
Do your projects include residential constructions or renovations?
If yes, you may need to comply with the new Building Code of Australia (BCA) regulations relating to lighting, designed to make buildings more energy efficient.
Read on for more detail about the BCA changes, and how Beacon Lighting Commercial can work with you to design a suitable lighting plan for your project.
New Building Code of Australia (BCA) lighting regulations
Effective 1st May 2011, there have been some significant changes to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) that will directly affect the way you specify lighting for residential structures.
What are the changes?
A section in Volume 2 of the BCA has changed and directly affects lighting applications.
Volume 2. Residential. Clause 3.12.5.5 Artificial lighting
The lamp power density of artificial lighting must not exceed:
• 5 watts/m2 for internal areas
• 4 watts/m2 for exterior areas such as a verandah or balcony
• 3 watts/m2 for garages
When is this effective?
The amendments to the BCA came into effect 1st May 2011 for Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. (The regulations have been in place in South Australia and the ACT since 1st May 2010.)
However, there is no national approach to implementing the new BCA regulations. States and councils have the power to introduce them over the coming year, although some are already enforcing the new regulations. Many councils are providing a grace or transitional period for those who already hold a planning permit.
The Lighting Council of Australia is of the opinion that if a state decides to enforce the regulations, the entire state (including councils) is obliged to comply.
If you are not sure whether you need to adhere to the new BCA lighting regulations, check with the council.
Who will this affect?
This will affect any client who is undertaking a residential construction that requires a planning permit. This includes new homes and major renovations that will be requiring the Certificate of Occupancy after the 1st May 2011. If the client’s council is already enforcing the regulations, you will need to comply.
When will this be assessed?
Compliance with the provisions of the BCA is determined at the commissioning or building occupancy stage. For residential properties, this will be signed off by the Council Building Inspector or Private Certifier.
What lighting will it include?
The BCA regulations include all hard wired fittings.
What lighting will it exclude?
• Heaters including IXL heating globes and our range of Thermalites
• Ceiling fans without lights
• Floor and wall fans wired to a 3 pin plug
• Exhaust or extraction fans without lights
• Table, floor, task or desk lamps
How will homes be assessed?
Homes will be assessed on the lighting plan that has been provided to the Building Inspector or Private Certifier.
How can Beacon Lighting Commercial help?
Whether or not your state/council is enforcing the new BCA regulations from the 1st May 2011, this is a fantastic opportunity to design homes to be energy efficient, which will benefit your client by reducing their power bills as well.
Beacon Lighting Commercial can create a comprehensive Lighting Design Schedule which ensures the correct light fittings and globes are specified to meet the BCA's new standards. It is then the home owner and builder/electrician's responsibility that this design schedule is met. If your council is enforcing the regulations and you fail to follow the Lighting Design Schedule that is provided to you by Beacon Lighting Commercial then your client may not be granted their Certificate of Occupancy.
How does the Lighting Design Schedule work?
At Beacon Lighting Commercial, our consultants will design a Lighting Design Schedule and quote that meets the new regulations, and still achieves the look your client wants for their home.
Beacon Lighting Commercial has an extensive range of energy saving fittings and globes, including flush mounts, LED downlights and CFL downlights.
How is the wattage allowance calculated?
The wattage allowance is calculated on the entire house. For example, if the home is 25 squares, this equates to 231 square metres. The total wattage allowed for the house is 1,156 watts. The total wattage does not have to be split evenly across the house. Your client can choose to have a light fitting such as a large chandelier in the dining room, however you may just need to economise the energy use for other rooms in the home such as the laundry.
The BCA requires the wattage to be based on the Lighting Design Schedule and not on the maximum wattage of a light fitting. For example, for a light pendant that has a maximum wattage of 60 watts, the Lighting Design Schedule can suggest that this fitting uses an 11 watt CFL globe and this is what the fitting will be assessed on.
For expert advice on energy saving lighting and the BCA regulations, speak to one of our commercial representatives. |
