| Clarification Type |
Tool Version |
Month Released |
Credit Name |
Tool Category |
Amendment/Approved Ruling |
|
V4
|
October |
|
STE
|
The TQ to award full points for STE-1 is awarded as the entire land area is under roof, and all roof stormwater is managed.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
EHC
|
The request to allow this project to claim points for EHC-3 under passive ventilation even though some ground floor windows do not have restrictors (to prevent against intruder entry) is APPROVED. This is because these windows are too small for a human intruder.
|
|
V5
|
October |
EN3 - Sustainable Materials
|
|
The NZGBC advises offsite manufactured Homestar projects seeking to claim points for using FSC timber that the final product will not hold an FSC claim because there is a break in the chain of custody from an FSC perspective. However, if the chain of custody is not broken until arriving at the manufacturing site (see below on how to provide evidence of this), the project must demonstrate how the factory manages inventory and the percentage of FSC timber used on the project. This can be achieved by providing a quality assurance process documentation or alternative to confirm that the manufacturer has been careful to use the FSC timber for the specified project. In addition, document the percentage of FSC timber used for the project. Otherwise, the project would not be eligible to claim Homestar points for using FSC timber except the factory is FSC-certified.
|
|
V4.1
|
October |
|
EHC
|
NZGBC advises to use the 6th edition of the BRANZ HIG (House Insulation Guide) to calculate the R-value for a waffle pod slab with edge and under slab insulation. Please note that all projects using the BRANZ HIG are expected to use the 6th edition. Find the link below and see the photo example.
|
| Project Specific |
V5
|
October |
EN3 - Sustainable Materials
|
|
To achieve the aim of the credit MAT-NZGBC maintains that each product to their final stage (i.e., whole assessment) needs to be evaluated to be considered sustainable. Thus, the final stage of rollforming for NZ steel’s product needs to be captured for points to be achieved in the EN-3 credit.
|
|
V4.1
|
October |
|
EHC
|
NZGBC is issuing the following guidance for mixed-use developments where residential dwellings share an intertenancy floor, wall or ceiling with a commercial, retail, hotel or other non-residential space. In mixed-use buildings where an intertenancy wall, floor or ceiling (hereafter referred to as a ‘partition’) is shared between residential dwelling and an adjacent non-residential space, that partition can be considered adiabatic if the adjacent space is conditioned, and any air gaps within the partition itself is edge sealed and not exposed to unconditioned ambient air (refer to Homestar v4 guidance on treating intertenancy walls). The adjacent space can be considered conditioned if either: a) It is not an industrial building AND it is part of a building with a Green Star rating of 4 star or above, or, b) its building envelope is insulated to meet NZ building code, clause H1.2a, H1.3, and is designed to maintain an indoor temperature of 20˚- 25˚ at least 50% of the day.
|
| Project Specific |
V4
|
October |
|
EHC
|
The TQ request to treat vertical shading in the form of a 0.6m deep inset 0.5m from a glazed door as 0.6 deep horizontal shading above the door is NOT AWARDED. However, NZGBC acknowledges that guidance already provided in the Homestar Technical Manual does not address this scenario. Therefore, NZGBC has produced guidance on how to treat vertical shading (see linked file "Shading Ratios for vertical reveals" For calculation methodology and reference tables.
|
| Project Specific |
V4.1
|
October |
|
EHC
|
The NZGBC advises that the internal slab perimeter can be excluded as the slab appears to be joined, making it continuous even though there is a set down. The internal perimeters are not exposed to external conditions. In that case, option 1 would be appropriate for slab 4. However, if there was a gap between the slabs, that would make it independent of the other slab and exposed to external conditions. Then the internal perimeter would be included in the perimeter measurement.
|
|
V5
|
October |
EN6 - Responsible Contracting
|
|
The Green Star Accredited Professional accreditation within the MAN-3 (v4.1) and EN6 (v5.0.2) Responsible Contracting credit is recognzied. Like Homestar, Green Star recognises good construction waste practice on site, rewards the use of sustainable products and are aligned in several other areas. Thus a GSAP should have a similar understanding to a Homestar Assessor in terms of environmentally responsible practice onsite requirements for green buildings and homes.
|
|
V4
|
October |
|
EHC
|
Corridors that (1) face the inside of a building i.e. communal care and/or circulation areas and (2) will be heated and cooled via a centralised HVAC system can be classified as conditioned spaces.
|
