01 Oct 2007
ICANZ (the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand) has published the ICANZ Insulation Handbook; Part One: Thermal Performance.
ICANZ’s handbook is the industry’s first definitive guide for architects, specifiers and builders on complying with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and of the Australian Standard for insulation AS/NZ 4859.1. The standard, which was first published in 2002 and revised in 2006, specifies best practice in building insulation to meet energy efficiency performance requirements.
The handbook contains comprehensive thermal insulation information based on 700 individual thermal calculations and tests, and lists the total R-value of common types of roof systems that use insulation. The various insulation systems presented in the handbook comply with AS/NZ 4859.1:2006. Aspects of the standard, such as estimates of reflective air space R values, bring Australian practices closely into alignment with international practices.
AS/NZS4859.1 is called up in the BCA but there is a two-year period of grace, until the 2006 revision is cited in BCA 2009 as the sole reference for compliance R-values of building systems. Compliance with AS/NZ 4859.1:2006 improves a building’s energy efficiency.
The handbook demonstrates accepted industry installation practices and clarifies the standardised value of reflective foil insulation in typical building applications. By following the handbook, architects, specifiers and builders can now simply select the right roof insulation system for their project secure in the knowledge that it will meet thermal requirements.
Ray Thompson, Marketing Manager for CSR Bradford, a member company of ICANZ, says that the handbook will make a positive contribution to the industry:
“The handbook is a great initiative from ICANZ to help guide the industry. Too many builders and designers are unsure of what insulation is required in particular buildings as there hasn’t been one document with so many configurations detailed.“
Before this handbook, there was a nationwide need for standardised information on insulation practices from which to calculate requirements to meet energy efficiency ratings that vary from state to state. This handbook provides that information.”