Australia is among the highest per capita greenhouse gas emitting countries in the world, with buildings contributing approximately 25 per cent of Australia’s total emissions.
In 2019, the NCC incorporated changes to Section J to help curb rising greenhouse gas emissions and raise the efficiency of Australian buildings. Under JP1, the NCC requires buildings to have features that facilitate the efficient use of energy for sealing the building envelope against air leakage and, conversely, for utilising air movement to assist heating and cooling whenever appropriate.
Window automation allows this transition to occur seamlessly by increasing natural air flow whenever and wherever possible. This improves energy performance by enabling natural cooling of a building during warmer months. High quality window systems also prevent uncontrolled air leakage and heat loss, which otherwise lead to excess energy consumption due to the increased dependency on mechanical heating and cooling to moderate indoor temperatures.
Window automation can go further and enable a natural ventilation system which is capable of delivering either passive or mixed mode ventilation, space cooling and other advanced functions.
An effective ventilation system can include an automatic window combined with rain and wind sensors. This design can be expanded with indoor air quality and external temperature sensors.
These services can be programmed to automatically shut windows when mechanical heating or cooling is enabled. Alternatively, these services can automatically open windows when mechanical heating or cooling is switched off, allowing outdoor air flow to naturally regulate indoor temperatures.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY’S IMPACT ON HEALTH, WELLBEING AND PRODUCTIVITY
Australians spend 90 per cent of their time indoors whether in offices, schools, or at home. Poor indoor air quality can result in adverse impacts on occupant health and the environment, which become a significant burden to the Australian economy.
PROFILE
Ventilation requirements for suitable indoor air quality are found in FV4 of the NCC. This provision requires buildings to have suitable openings to provide natural light and means of ventilation to maintain adequate air quality. Natural ventilation systems improve indoor air quality by cycling out stale air and indoor pollutants. The movement of air through open windows prevents the accumulation of moisture that contributes to bacteria, mould, and fungi growth. Increasing the outdoor ventilation rate in a building also helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduces indoor humidity, both of which contribute to occupant comfort. Most mechanical heating and cooling systems introduce only a small percentage of fresh outdoor air into a building.
Research has established the impact of indoor air quality on health, wellbeing, and productivity. It is accepted that poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues including sensory and skin irritation, neurotoxic symptoms, hypersensitivity, and odour and taste symptoms. An excess of these symptoms is sometimes referred to as “sick building syndrome”. Long-term exposure to indoor contaminants like formaldehydeand asbestos can lead to serious health issues such as cancer and respiratory disease.
In commercial and academic settings, poor indoor air quality has been demonstrated to cause reduced cognitive performance and productivity. An American study showed employees working in environmentswith improved ventilation performed 61 per centbetter on cognitive tasks than in standard office conditions.
In the academic context, studies have found that ventilation rates corresponded with academic performance – as ventilation rates increased, so did the proportion of students passing standardised tests.
In the ever-evolving landscape of architectural innovation, EBSA, a proudly Australian-owned company, stands as a beacon of excellence. EBSA
specialises in operable façades, delivering worldclass window automation, overhead glazing, and glass louvre systems, setting a new standard for sustainable design.
To continue reading the white paper please contact EBSA on 1300 327200 or visit the website
