Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Department of Trade and Industry: Energy Compliant Buildings Now the Rule!

















Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has published amendments to energy efficiency regulations which make it compulsory for all new buildings to be designed to a standard that minimises energy use along stipulated lines. The regulations are applicable to all new "residential and commercial buildings, places of learning and worship, certain medical clinics and other categories of buildings", the department of trade and industry (DTI) said in a statement. The DTI said that the regulations would form “part of the deliverables of the National Energy Strategy that were identified in the Industrial Policy Action Plan to strengthen South African standards and regulations for energy efficiency, and would be finalised by the end of 2010.”
The new rules will make it compulsory for all new buildings to be designed and constructed to a standard that will make it possible for the user to minimise the energy required to meet the functional requirements," the statement said. DTI stated that different elements of the building "envelope", such as roofs and ceilings, walls and windows, would have to meet minimum requirements for preventing heat loss in winter, or heat gain in summer, to meet energy efficient targets.
The regulation* reads:
1. Buildings shall be designed and constructed so that buildings:
a. are capable of using energy efficiently while fulfilling the user needs in relation to vertical transport, if any, thermal comfort, lighting and hot water; or
b. have features and services which facilitate the efficient use of energy appropriate to their function and use, internal environment and geographical location
2. At least 50% by volume of the annual average hot water heating requirement shall be provided by means other than electrical resistance heating including but not limited to solar heating, pumps, heat recovery from other systems or processes and renewable combustible fuel.
3. The requirements of sub-regulation 1 shall be deemed to be satisfied when such building is designed and constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
a. Has an orientation, shading, services and building envelope in accordance with SANS 10400 Part XA; or
b. Is the subject of a rational design by a competent person, which demonstrates that the energy usage of such building is equivalent to or better than which would have been achieved by compliance with the requirements of SANS10400 XA, or
c. Has a theoretical energy usage performance determined using certified thermal calculation software, less than or equal to that of a reference building in accordance with SANS 10400 XA.
You can request a copy of the SANS 10400 XA draft here
*Government Gazette no. 33265 as published on 11 June 2010

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