BCA - Energy (Section J)

In this section Bradford has simplified the selection of insulation with respect to the energy requirements of the Building code of Australia. Section J of the BCA has specific requirements for each class of building. We have spilt up Section J and summarised the requirements with respect to each class of building. This is a simplified summary of the requirements of Section J and the BCA must still be reviewed, to ensure you satisfy all requirements.

Please note, for a comprehensive summary please see DesignSmart to help you identify the BCA requirements for your project and help you select the right insulation to meet BCA minimums or your project needs.

  • Class 1a - Detached, Terrace, Town house or Villa

    Class 1a buildings are typically detached residential houses and also includes attached townhouses, row-houses and villas. A Class 1a dwelling can not be located above another dwelling or class of building.

  • Class 1b - Guesthouses

    Class 1b buildings are typically small guesthouses, boarding houses or similar. If a guest house, boarding house or similar does not meet the requirements for a Class 1b building, then they are considered a Class 3.

  • Class 2 - Two or more Sole Occupancy Units

    Class 2 buildings are typically apartment blocks for residential use, for a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 3 - Accomodation or Residence in Public Building

    Class 3 buildings are typically building where unrelated people may live such as boarding houses, motels and residential parts of hotels. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 4 - Only dwelling in Class 5,6,7,8 or 9 Building

    Class 4 buildings are typically a single dwelling in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 building such as the caretaker’s residence. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 5 - Office Type building

    Class 5 buildings are typically buildings used for commercial or professional services such as offices. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 6 - Shop type building

    Class 6 buildings are typically shops for the supply of goods and services to the public, including café’s, restaurants, hairdressers and retail tenancies. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 7a - Carpark

    Class 7a buildings are typically buildings used for carparking for any number of vehicles more than 3. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 7b - Warehouse for Storage or Display

    Class 7b buildings are typically referred to as storage warehouse buildings, and wholesale buildings for the display of goods or produce. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 8 - Laboratory or Building used for Production

    Class 8 buildings are typically buildings used as ‘factories’. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 9a - Health care building

    Class 9a buildings are typically health care buildings, including public or private hospitals, nursing homes or similar for sick or disabled people requiring full time care; and clinics and day surgeries where patients can become incapacitated during and after the treatment.

  • Class 9b - A public assembly building

    Class 9b buildings are typically buildings considered assembly buildings. These typically include public halls, theatres & churches; schools; Clubs, nightclubs, and sporting complexes; and transport buildings such as train stations, and airports.

  • Class 9c - Aged Care Building

    Class 9c buildings are ‘aged care buildings’, which are defined by the BCA as being a ‘building for residential accommodation of aged persons’, who generally require personalised care. For a more complete definition refer to Clause A3.2 of the Building Code of Australia.

  • Class 10a - Sheds & Garages

    Class 10a buildings are non-habitable buildings such as sheds, garages and carports.

  • Class 10b - Non-habitable structure

    Class 10b are non-habitable structures being a fence, mast antenna, retaining walls, swimming pools or similar.