Energy Efficiency of the Design of Buildings - Assignment Example

Managing the building process to make sure the dwelling is built in accordance with the approved plans is important to ensure effective outcomes. Engaging the most appropriate ‘expert’ with required qualifications, experience and licensing/accreditation is important. (a) Research how you become trained and accredited in energy auditing software in your State/Territory and find the contact details for someone who is qualified and accredited/licensed to rate a proposed house using such software of these in your State/Territory. There are some mandatory qualifications which are required for individuals seeking accreditation for being assessors. The aspiring assessors are supposed to have competence in several areas. a. It is a requirement for the assessor to have a thorough understanding of the residential building designs, the documentation and also the construction practices. b. The assessor need to have a good understanding of the thermal performance of residential building which is inclusive of the following Climate zone Understanding of thermal mass and thermal resistance for the roofs, walls and the floor Solar absorptivity for the residential house Glazing and wall shading The orientation of the residential houses The sealing of the residential building Internal movement of air in the residential building c. There is need for assessor to be highly competent in the use of the software they are seeking accreditation. In Queensland an assessor need Bers Pro Training and Accurate Training d. The person seeking accreditation need to be able to interpret he applicable building regulations e. The assessor has to be competent in interpreting the relevant assessment procedures. The registering training organization (RTO) that delivers the statement of attainment in the building thermal performance assessment is able to award qualification on the basis of recognized prior learning (RPL) which is in accordance with the Australian Qualification Framework. It is a requirement of the Accrediting organization to include a statement of a current RPL policy and practice when making an application and in the annual report which must be satisfactory to the national administrator. If the RPL policy or practices of the accrediting organization are declined unsatisfactory the national administrator may request for some changes or even revoke the accrediting organization status. It is also a requirement for the assessor accrediting organization to include a statement on the current trainer qualification policy and practice in the application and in the annual reports. After the assessor has attained the required qualification, they can seek for accreditation from the accrediting organization. The accreditation is based on confirmation of required qualification and the agreement of the assessor to abide by laid down protocol. The protocol includes a code of professional practice and quality assurance that is in practice. Before confirming an assessor an accrediting organization has to recognize a minimum qualification that has been attained and this should be as described earlier. There is a possibility of accrediting organization having additional membership requirement that must be consistent with the protocol. If the assessor has qualified for the accreditation, it is a requirement for the accrediting organization to notify the assessor in writing about the accreditation. The notification from the accrediting organization include: the unique accreditation number for the assessor, the version of the software the assessor is accredited to use and the building regulations to which the accreditation of the software applies that may include JV1 for BCA Volume one V2.6.2.1 for BCA Volume Two V2.6.2.2 for BCA Volume Two The BASIX Thermal comfort Index The mandatory disclosure legislation In Queensland ABSA certificate is issued to approve qualification as assessor on completion of Short Course in Building Thermal Performance Assessment. (b) What quality assurance processes would you have in place to evaluate and implement the building of a dwelling – with regard to the ‘energy efficiency’ requirements in the BCA? Use the relevant part of the BCA as a guide. Be sure to state what needs checking and the stage of constructions the check is undertaken. The construction process should be done according to the specification on the architectural drawings. The building should have the right orientation relative to the sun. The door and windows should be of the required dimensions and should be fixed at the right position in the required side of the house. The size, type and number of windows should be checked on delivery to site of construction by the supplier. Checking the type of windows will ensure that they conform to the energy codes. The screens should be checked to ensure that they match the size of the window. The windows and doors should be installed as per manufacturer’s instruction. The windows frame should be well secure on the building and the gap between the window frames should be uniform in all sides. Windows and doors should be installed in a way to ensure that the can be opened smoothly. Site inspection is also mandatory before permission is granted for construction of a dwelling. The inspection involves the location of the sewage system, power line and other amenities. There is need for obtaining a registered survey plan which gives information about restriction about sites. As a way of quality control, the equipment should be checked to ensure that they are in good working condition. This is owing to the fact the most qualified and experienced personnel may not be able to deliver quality work with equipment that is in poor working condition. With competent employees having been engaged, the equipment that is not in good working condition will either be replaced or be repaired so as to ensure that the right quality work is done. BCA personnel are also in charge of inspecting equipment at the site and give a recommendation on status of the equipment. BCA recognizes the important role it plays in ensuring that building meet the required standard. It is a requirement for the Assessor certificate to accompany Development Applications in order to show that the building meets the minimum building thermal requirement. The certificate issued has Assessor’s 5 digit Accreditation number and this makes it possible for Authorities and applicants to confirm that the Assessor is accredited. The certificate includes a Thermal Performance Specifications Sheet that gives the details of building materials and building features upon which the assessment is based. This is used later by both the clients and the certifying authorities to check whether a building has been constructed according to the thermal performance assessment. (c) Use the internet to provide a minimum of definitions of the term ‘life cycle costs’ (as it relates to buildings) and explain why a building owner should know about this term The life cost of a building is the costs incurred in the lifecycle of the building as it fulfills its performance. The life cycle cost is important when it comes to the selection of the materials to be used in building and choosing the design of the building. The analysis is vital in accounting for the expenditures that are incurred for the lifetime of the structure. Knowledge of life cycle cost is important for a building owner as it helps in making informed decisions on the type material to use in construction. With the current emphasis on the constructions of energy efficient buildings consumers are informed on how to choose the house in terms of energy efficiency. The building owner who has knowledge of life cycle costs will construct a house that will be appealing to the customers due to high energy efficiency and this could mean that the house could have a high market value. For example, when choosing material the building frame can either be steel or wood. Considering the cost incurred in using each material wood will be preferred because of its good workability and has good energy efficiency properties. The building owner will also see the need of spending much more money to construct building that is energy efficient because of the fact that the owner will save costs associated with energy requirement of the house. Knowledge of life cycle cost for a building owner can be thought as being part of business case evaluation and helps in working out if one can afford to build a structure a certain specification and the ability to run it. It is an option appraisal exercise that helps one to make a decision on what is the most economic decision throughout the life span of the building. Life cycle cost knowledge helps the home owner in controlling design development to ensure that they fall in running costs and capital cost budgeted for. This helps in setting the right instruction and a budget for the personnel in charge of facility management. References Chen, L., Zhao, S., Romanis, P. and Lim, P.P. (2004), Exploring Methods for Constructing a Housing Price Index, Australian Bureau of Statistics Research Paper, cat. no. 1352.055.067. Hansen, J. (2006), Australian House Prices: A Comparison of Hedonic and Repeat-Sales Measures, Reserved Bank of Australia Research Discussion Paper 2006-03, May 2006. Hill, R. and Melser, D. (2006), The Anatomy of a Housing Boom: Sydney 2001-2003, Draft paper, 21 November 2006. Read More