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 Green Star Technical Clarification Rulings

Technical Clarifications for Green Star represent our answers to Technical Questions submitted by projects, and provide further guidance and reference to others. The list is regularly updated.  

There are two types of Technical Clarifications listed in the table below:

General Clarifications

These are extensions to the guidance provided in the Submission Guidelines. They clarify and sometimes supersede the original Credit Criteria or 
Compliance Requirements. General Clarifications set precedent for future project teams to follow. Should a project team wish to apply a general clarification to its project, there is no requirement for further Technical Questions to be submitted. NZGBC Assessors will also use them as precedents to assess submissions.

Project Specific Clarifications

These are published as references for other projects but, unlike General Clarifications, they do not set precedent. They often relate to special 
situations where multiple prerequisites exist for a particular project and are less likely to reoccur to another project. Therefore, rulings set for Project Specific Clarifications are often conditional and will likely vary for other projects. Each project still needs to submit its own Technical Questions and provides evidence relating to its own building in order to have a similar ruling approved for that specific building. 

Should you wish to apply any Technical Clarification for legacy rating tools to your projects, please submit a Technical Question to the NZGBC to 
explain why and how it applies. You can access the online Technical Question form here

Technical Question Title Tool Version Date Released Credit Name Sub-credit Name TC Link
Alternative Metrics for Flicker-Free Lighting DABv1 April 2021 11 - Lighting Comfort Minimum Lighting Comfort
Approved Ruling:

Can project teams use alternative metrics to demonstrate compliance with flicker free LED lighting?

Yes. Project teams may use the following metrics for both analogue and digital forms of dimmable and non-dimmable LED lighting to demonstrate that LED fittings within the project are flicker-free. 

Acceptable flicker metrics:

  • Short Term Light Modulation (PstLM) <= 1.0
  • Stroboscopic Visibility Measure (SVM) <= 0.4

These metrics have been deemed appropriate at this time for residential and commercial office projects, with the understanding that ongoing research into acceptability levels may result in a more stringent limit being recommended in the future.

Documentation Requirements:

Please provide the following in your submission:

  • Evidence demonstrating the above metrics have been achieved
  • In speculative or cold shell projects: A Tenancy Fitout Guide outlining all procured LED lights need to meet the above flicker metrics.
  • In speculative or cold shell projects: Co-signed agreement between the building owner and tenant committing to the conditions of the Tenant Fitout Guide.
  • All other documentation requirements as per the submission guidelines.
  • A copy of this response.