NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings
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J8

Part J8 Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant

Part J8 Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant

Introduction to this Part

This Part contains Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for compliance with Part J1. It sets out provisions for ensuring water heaters, swimming pool and spa heaters and pump systems use energy efficiently.

Notes

From 1 May 2023 to 30 September 2023 Section J of NCC 2019 Volume One Amendment 1 may apply instead of Section J of NCC 2022 Volume One. From 1 October 2023 Section J of NCC 2022 Volume One applies.

Notes: New South Wales Section J Energy Efficiency

  1. For a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building, where a relevant development consent or an application for a complying development certificate requires compliance with a BASIX Single Dwelling or Multi Dwelling Certificate issued under Version 3.0 or earlier, NSW Section J of NCC 2019 Volume One Amendment 1 applies.
  2. For a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building, where a relevant development consent or an application for a complying development certificate requires compliance with a BASIX Single Dwelling or Multi Dwelling Certificate issued under Version 4.0 or later, Section J of NCC 2022 Volume One applies.
  3. For a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building, where a relevant development consent or an application for a complying development certificate requires compliance with a BASIX Alterations and Additions Certificate, NSW Section J of NCC 2019 Volume One Amendment 1 applies.
  4. For a Class 3 building or Class 5 to 9 building:
    1. From 1 May 2023 to 30 September 2023 NSW Section J of NCC 2019 Volume One Amendment 1 may apply instead of Section J of NCC 2022 Volume One.
    2. From 1 October 2023 Section J of NCC 2022 Volume One applies.

Notes: Tasmania Section J Energy Efficiency

In Tasmania, for a Class 2 building and Class 4 part of a building, Section J is replaced with Section J of BCA 2019 Amendment 1.

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements J1P1 to J1P4 are satisfied by complying with—

  1. J2D2; and
  2. J3D2 to J3D15; and
  3. J4D2 to J4D7; and
  4. J5D2 to J5D8; and
  5. J6D2 to J6D13; and
  6. J7D2 to J7D9; and
  7. J8D2 to J8D4; and
  8. J9D2 to J9D5.

NSW J8D1 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions2019: J7.0

Delete subclause J8D1(1) and insert J8D1(1) as follows:

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements NSW J1P1 to NSW J1P7 are satisfied by complying with—

  1. NSW J2D2; and
  1. NSW J3D2 to J3D10; and
  2. NSW J4D2 to J4D7; and
  3. NSW J5D2 to J5D8; and
  4. NSW J6D2 to J6D13; and
  5. NSW J7D2 to J7D9; and
  6. J8D2 to NSW J8D4; and
  7. J9D2 to J9D5.

(2) Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable.

To clarify that the requirements of J1P1 to J1P4 will be satisfied if a building complies with Parts J2 to J9.

Where a solution is proposed to comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, J2D1 clarifies how compliance with Parts J2 to J9 achieves compliance with J1P1 to J1P4.

Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable. (See commentary on Part A2).

The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, including those related to house energy rating software, described are limited to the most common forms of construction and the simplest forms of buildings. It is expected that the more innovative construction techniques and the more complex buildings will be designed and assessed using a performance approach.

A major consideration in developing the measures was the likelihood of a building being heated or cooled by an air- conditioning system, and whether the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions should assume this to be the case, or only apply the provisions if a heating or cooling system is installed. It is recognised that most Class 3, 5, 6 and 9 buildings and some Class 7 and 8 buildings are heated or cooled, and this is the basis of the provisions. Consideration was also given to the fact that although the first owner may be prepared to ‘manage’ their building in the appropriate manner, the next owner or tenant may not, and instead may install air-conditioning.

Because of the performance-based structure of the NCC, a Performance Solution may be proposed instead of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

A heated water supply system for food preparation and sanitary purposes must be designed and installed in accordance with Part B2 of NCC Volume Three — Plumbing Code of Australia.

To set the minimum requirements for heated water systems.

The measures for heated water supply, which existed in BCA 2013, are now contained in Part B2 of NCC Volume Three — Plumbing Code of Australia.

NCC Blurbs

(1) Heating for a swimming pool must be by—

  1. a solar heater; or
  2. a heater using reclaimed heat from another process such as reject heat from a refrigeration plant; or
  3. a geothermal heater; or
  4. a gas heater that—
    1. if rated to consume 500 MJ/hour or less, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 86%; or
    2. if rated to consume more than 500 MJ/hour, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 90%; or
  5. a heat pump; or
  6. a combination of (a) to (e).

(2) Where some or all of the heating required by (1) is by a gas heater or a heat pump, the swimming pool must have—

  1. a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
  2. a time switch to control the operation of the heater.

(3) A time switch must be provided to control the operation of a circulation pump for a swimming pool.

(4) Where required, a time switch must be capable of switching electric power on and off at variable pre-programmed times and on variable pre-programmed days.

(5) Pipework carrying heated or chilled water for a swimming pool must comply with the insulation requirements of J6D9.

(6) For the purpose of J8D3, a swimming pool does not include a spa pool.

Applications

NSW J8D3 does not apply to a Class 2 building and a Class 4 part of a building.

NCC Title
Swimming pool heating and pumping
NCC State
NSW
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Swimming pool heating and pumping

(1) Heating for a swimming pool must be by—

  1. a solar heater; or
  2. a heater using reclaimed heat from another process such as reject heat from a refrigeration plant; or
  3. a geothermal heater; or
  4. a gas heater that—
    1. if rated to consume 500 MJ/hour or less, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 86%; or
    2. if rated to consume more than 500 MJ/hour, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 90%; or
  5. a heat pump; or
  6. a combination of (a) to (e).

(2) Where some or all of the heating required by (1) is by a gas heater or a heat pump, the swimming pool must have—

  1. a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
  2. a time switch to control the operation of the heater.

(3) A time switch must be provided to control the operation of a circulation pump for a swimming pool.

(4) Where required, a time switch must be capable of switching electric power on and off at variable pre-programmed times and on variable pre-programmed days.

(5) Pipework carrying heated or chilled water for a swimming pool must comply with the insulation requirements of J6D9.

(6) For the purpose of J8D3, a swimming pool does not include a spa pool.

To set the minimum requirements for swimming pool heating and pump control.

This provision states what energy source may be used to heat a swimming pool, and how efficient it must be if it is a gas heater. It is to meet the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also requires a swimming pool to have —

  • if heated by gas or heat pump —
    • a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
    • time switch operation for the heater; and
  • a time switch to control the operation of a circulation pump.

A BMS or other digital controller that has a timer control function may serve as a time switch. Some jurisdictions may have Performance Requirements for a pool cover under the Smart Approved Water Mark Scheme.

J8D4 has specific requirements for spa heating and pumping. Therefore, for the purpose of this provision, a swimming pool does not include a spa.

NCC Blurbs

(1) Heating for a spa pool that shares a water recirculation system with a swimming pool must be by—

  1. a solar heater; or
  2. a heater using reclaimed heat from another process such as reject heat from a refrigeration plant; or
  3. a geothermal heater; or
  4. a gas heater that—
    1. if rated to consume 500 MJ/hour or less, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 86%; or
    2. if rated to consume more than 500 MJ/hour, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 90%; or
  5. a heat pump; or
  6. a combination of (a) to (e).

(2) Where some or all of the heating required by (1) is by a gas heater or a heat pump, the spa pool must have—

  1. a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
  2. a push button and a time switch to control the operation of the heater.

(3) A time switch must be provided to control the operation of a circulation pump for a spa pool having a capacity of 680 L or more.

(4) Where required, a time switch must be capable of switching electric power on and off at variable pre-programmed times and on variable pre-programmed days.

(5) Pipework carrying heated or chilled water for a spa pool must comply with the insulation requirements of J6D9.

Applications

J8D4 does not apply to a Class 2 building and a Class 4 part of a building.

NCC Title
Spa pool heating and pumping
NCC State
NSW
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Spa pool heating and pumping

(1) Heating for a spa pool that shares a water recirculation system with a swimming pool must be by—

  1. a solar heater; or
  2. a heater using reclaimed heat from another process such as reject heat from a refrigeration plant; or
  3. a geothermal heater; or
  4. a gas heater that—
    1. if rated to consume 500 MJ/hour or less, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 86%; or
    2. if rated to consume more than 500 MJ/hour, achieves a minimum gross thermal efficiency of 90%; or
  5. a heat pump; or
  6. a combination of (a) to (e).

(2) Where some or all of the heating required by (1) is by a gas heater or a heat pump, the spa pool must have—

  1. a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
  2. a push button and a time switch to control the operation of the heater.

(3) A time switch must be provided to control the operation of a circulation pump for a spa pool having a capacity of 680 L or more.

(4) Where required, a time switch must be capable of switching electric power on and off at variable pre-programmed times and on variable pre-programmed days.

(5) Pipework carrying heated or chilled water for a spa pool must comply with the insulation requirements of J6D9.

To set the minimum requirements for spa pool heater efficiency and pump control.

As for swimming pools, this provision states what energy source may be used to heat a spa. It also requires a spa which is heated by gas or a heat pump to have —

  • a cover with a minimum R-Value of 0.05; and
  • a push button and time switch operation for the heater. A BMS or other digital controller that has a timer control function may serve as a time switch.

680 L is generally accepted as the capacity of when a spa bath becomes a spa pool.