| Clarification Type |
Tool Version |
Month Released |
Credit Name |
Tool Category |
Amendment/Approved Ruling |
|
V4
|
October |
|
MAN
|
A shared driveway serving multiple dwellings could be treated as a street for the purposes of MAN-1(Street Surveillance), on a case by case basis. The project team that would like to use this compliance method must submit a TQ and supply photos showing that at least one window/glass door of each dwelling is visible from other dwellings.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
MAT
|
The intention of the MAT-1 credit is to ensure that building materials are sourced and produced responsibly with a low impact on the environment over their lifetime. The intention of MAT-2 is to minimise use of VOCs. The use of eco labels as a reference is a way of ensuring that this is the case with materials used on a project. Therefore, where a manufacturer of products that have an eco-label produces another model in the same range without official certification but using the same materials and under the same conditions as the product with an eco-label, it is likely to have as low an environmental or health impact. Therefore, if the manufacturer can confirm that a product is made with the same materials and under the same conditions as another product in the same range with an eco-label, this product will be awarded the same points.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
MAT
|
The COLORSTEEL® EPDs for long-run steel roofing are considered product specific because they cover the specific processes relating to a specific product.
|
| Project Inquiry |
V5
|
October |
LV3 - Eco-Friendly Transport
|
|
From the outlook of sustainability, and to discourage possible excessive pick up frequency whilst encouraging resilient communities. The bins need to be appropriate sized per the Homestar guidelines. So, having a smaller sized waste facility would not comply even though pick up is increased
|
| General |
V4.1
|
October |
|
EHC
|
The NZGBC advises that the R-value for various assemblies can be calculated using a variety of methods and information sources, depending on the Homestar version of the assessment. See the accompanying table for a summary of approved methods and sources. Projects registered after the issue of this TC would need to comply
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
STE
|
The TQ to use a swale set up in the council owned unused public land adjacent to the project site to achieve compliance with STE-1 is granted. This is because; (1) this achieves the credit intent of local stormwater management without entering and burdening the council reticulated network, even if this is not done on within the boundaries of the project property itself (2) the land is currently unutilised, and the project owner is taking on the cost of developing the swale through agreement with the local authority (3) developing the swale would not reduce the ecological value of the land (and may in fact improve it) (4) the swale combined with the tank system within the project site meet the performance requirement for the points being targeted.
|
|
V5
|
October |
EF3 - Water Use
|
|
The NZGBC advises that Hydraloop water recycling system should not be entered in the rainwater portion of the Water calculator as it is not a rainwater system. However, we acknowledge that the Hydraloop system can offset water demand by recycling grey water. Therefore, the percentage offset should be calculated based on the total water demand (as below) and the calculation provided to the NZGBC during submission to award points. Also, the project can apply for innovation point for using the system.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
EHC
|
When calculating the % coverage of carpets or acoustic ceiling tiles with respect to habitable space area, the Homestar Assessor may exclude the kitchen wet areas of open plan kitchen/living spaces. This is because (a) these wet areas should not have carpet, and (b) separate kitchens are already excluded from habitable space therefore it would be inappropriate to penalise dwellings with open plan kitchen living areas.
|
| General |
V5
|
October |
HC4 - Moisture Control
|
|
NZGBC exempts the internal wall between an apartment and communal corridor(s) from the credit HC4 fRSI requirements provided the external envelope of the corridor is ‘fully insulated’. This is typical of Passive House practice in the warmer climates of New Zealand as the corridor is now inside the thermal envelope (but not inside the Conditioned Floor Area). An envelope would be considered ‘fully insulated’ provided it meets the minimum, of the schedule R-values in the 2008 H1. This applies to homes up to 8 Star for climate zones 1-5, but with 9 and 10 Star homes proper fRsi analysis would be required to establish if the junctions need to be thermally broken. In climate zone 6 it applies to only 6 and 7 Star homes.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
EHC
|
The reference dwelling glazing area used in the heat loss calculation method for terraces and apartments would be 30% of the internal conditioned floor area of the actual dwelling. The wall area would be the total external façade area of the actual dwelling minus this glazing area. Where the glazing area is higher than the actual façade area, the glazing area will be the façade area (100% glazing) For standalone dwellings this reference dwelling glazing area would remain 30% of total façade area as per NZS4218 and guidance to date.
|
