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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
Compliance for using Design Energy Modelling Report at Built DABv1 November 2020 15 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Approved Ruling:

At As Built, can I use the same energy modelling report that was submitted and awarded at Design Review?

Yes, conditionally. 

At As Built, the same energy modelling report may be submitted for this credit, if it was submitted and awarded at Design Review and no changes have been made to the design, on the following conditions: 

The energy modelling report is to be accompanied by a confirmation letter stating that no changes have occurred between the design and as built stages of the project that may affect the outcome of the energy modelling report;

Any comments that were raised by the Certified Assessor(s) at Design Review must be addressed at As Built to be awarded the point(s). 

As Built Documentation Requirements:

  • Energy modelling report that was submitted and awarded at Design Review. 
  • A letter of confirmation from the relevant consultant confirming that the design of the building has not been altered between Design Review and As Built submissions. 
  • All other documentation requirements are as per the submission guidelines, including recommended documentation such as: 
    • Extract(s) from the Specification(s) demonstrating that all inputs used in the energy simulation are reflected in the current design. 
    • Extract(s) from the Commissioning Report demonstrating (through supporting evidence) that the building has been commissioned and operates as intended
  • As built drawings demonstrating that the facade details and materials are the same as described in the energy modelling report. by the design (i.e. as described in the energy modelling report).