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sustainability statement report Contents Wall assembly2 Description2 Thermal performance3 Bushfire attack level3 Recommendations3 Part B Product4 Description4 Regulations4 Environmental sustainability4 Use stage4 End of life stage4 Social sustainability4 Economic sustainability4 Eco-labels, third party certifications4 Recommendations4 References4 Wall assembly Description *figure 1: insulation of framed walls with external cladding CSR, 2021 The selected wall assembly is a timber frame wall with weatherboard cladding, 90 by 45 timber will be used as the studs, the insulation will fit between the studs and therefore be 90mm thick. The height of the insulation will be variable as the changing noggin height. Component Thickness Gyprock plus plasterboard 10mm Timber frame 90mm Insulation 90mm Bradford thermofoil 10mm Weatherboards 16mm Total 126mm Thermal performance The dwelling is located in Mallacoota, which is allocated to a climate zone 6. Under section 3.12.1.4 external walls of the NCC in climate zone 6 they must achieve a minimum total R-value of 2.8. According to the NCC in 3.12.1.3 (a) of the NCC (2019) weatherboard external wall construction should have an R-value of 0.48. Therefore, the insulation will need to have increase the R value by 1.32 at a minimum Bradford gold wall batts provide an 2 value of 2.7 so will easily be enough to reach this requirement. As specified in NCC 2019 volume 2 part 3.12.0.1 , compliance may also be demonstrated by achieving a minimum 6 starr efficiency rating, using a compliant softeware (firstrate5). The specified design has given a rating of 0.9 stars. Therefore the star rating of the design given does not comply with the national construction code or Australia. With the addition of the insulation it does increase the rating however still not enough to satisfy the NCCA. The recommended wall assembly improves the heating and cooling demand. Although the values are still below where they need to be, there is still improvement with the added insulation. Bushfire attack level The wall of the design of a timber structure wall was assessed against the Australian standard 3959:2018 construction of buildings in bush-fire prone areas. The Bushfire attack level for the property is 12.5. this means that specific requirements must be taken, especially as the exterior of the house is weatherboard which means that the house is enclosed in combustible material as a result as stated in 5.4.1 (b) of the Australian standard ‘timber logsof a density of 680 kg/m3 or greater at 12% moister content; of minimal nominal overall thickness of 90mm and a minimum thickness of 70mm. or bushfire resisting timber must be used such as sycon linea weatherboards . Recommendations A wall assembly with insulation and with sycon linea weatherboards, is the recommendation. This both improves the energy efficiency of the building but it also improves the bush fire resistance of the building too, this is important as the home is located in Mallacoota a bushfire prone area. Part B Product Description Photo Figure 2, classic weatherboards 200mm, Subiaco 2021 Description “weathertex is suitable for use in …. BAL-12.5 … construction levels” https://www.weathertex.com.au/know-your-facts-on-our-safety/. Weathertex is made from hardwood timber and natural wax, some of their products are made from a range of other materials, the material works similarly to standard hardwood weatherboards, they do have specific joiners that must be used with the weather boards to allow for expansion and contraction as well as to provide waterproofing for the cladding. Production process Weathertex’s production process begins with the timber, all resources except for the farming of the timber is done by weathertex, the process begins by mulching native hardwood trees. Once the timber is mulched it gets injected with high pressure steam, this works to prevent possible termite damage. This timber mulch is then refined further. Wheathertex then uses natural lignin to bond the fibers, making it have similar composition and durability to the original timber. These hard boards are then re-humidified to 8% moisture and planned down to 9.5 mm thinkeness. They can then be used for all of weathertex products - https://www.sustainablebuildingawards.com.au/news/intelligent-manufacturing-weathertex-and-the-production-of-natural-timber-panels/#:~:text=The%20manufacturing%20process%20begins%20with,peace%20of%20mind%20for%20consumers. Regulations The National Code NCC 2019 Building Code of Australia – Volume Two references timber weatherboard cladding, detailing the requirements for application of this particular cladding. These references are detailed in Figure 3. Clause/Table/Section Page 3.5.2.3 Diagram b Flashing abutting a weatherboard wall or similar cladding. 193 3.5.4.2 Application of wall cladding for timber cladding, including weatherboards and profiled boards. 207 Table 3.5.4.1 Fixing requirements – Splayed and profiled timber weatherboards. 208 3.12.1.4 External wall construction 376 Figure 3.12.1.3(a) Weatherboard external wall construction – Total R-Value of 0.48. 379 Referenced Documents. AS 3959 2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Volume One: G5.2. Volume Two: 3.10.5.0. 530 Figure 3: Clauses in NCC 2019 Volume Two which are relevant to Timber weatherboard There are no standards on installation of external timber walls, however regulations and guidelines on external walls and their protection against fire hazards are covered in the following Australian Standards: · AS 5113 - 2016 Classification of external walls of buildings based on reaction-to-fire performance · AS 3959 – 2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas – “Provides essential information on construction methods for buildings that may be, or are subjected to, very low, low, moderate, high, very high and extreme bushfire attack level (BAL) categories” (SAI Global, 2011) · AS 1530.8.1 – 2018 “Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures – Tests on elements of construction in buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack – Radiant heat and small flaming sources” (SAI Global, 2011) Weatherboard cladding is covered in the following Australian Industry publications: · CPCCCA3017A Install exterior cladding 2012, Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations,
· Improving timber cladding for builders and designers 2007, Australian Government Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation, Environmental sustainability Environmental impacts of production Timber is a renewable resource and widely used in the construction industry, in particular the domestic construction industry due to its ability to be able to be repurposed. Weathertex is incredibly renewable being made from this reusable resource, having a combination of “97% hardwood and 3% paraffin wax” (Weathertex, 2020). As mentioned in ‘Improving timber cladding for builders and designers (2007)’, chemical usage in the weatherboard making process can be an exercise which makes weatherboard a less sustainable option. Weathertex ensures “polluting chemicals are required when making Weathertex products”, making for a sustainable production process with no toxic chemicals being utilised. this is one of reasons Weathertex is Greentag certified. Environmental impacts of packaging Weathertex furthers it’s renewable reputation by utilising resource recovery systems. This allows for “creating compost, using the offcut board as fuel, creating briquettes and using it as packaging” (Weathertex, 2020). This recycled packaging can be placed into recycling bins, minimising waste disposal. Use stage Maintenance The most common maintenance issue of weatherboard walls is that every 10-15 years, typically anew coat of paint is required to keep it’s external façade. However, paint professional such as Resene suggest paint re-application for timber weatherboard every “7-10 years” (Resene.com.au). However, Weathertex claim there weatherboard requires paint re-application every 15 years. Durability Weatherboard is typically required to be maintained more so than other cladding types or external materials used for house, such as brick. Temperature changes often cause expansion and contraction in the timber, resulting in chipping or cracking. However, Weathertex’s timber is “warranty tried and tested not to rot, split or crack for up to 25 years” (Weathertex, 2020). A 10-year warranty on their natural range of timber is provided to customers, further proving their belief in the durability of their product. Environmental related impacts As discussed, timber weatherboard requires potential washing with a hose. This requires little to moderate amounts of water. Especially considering, washing is only required once boards are visibly and clearly dirty which usually occurs every few years. Timber has to typically be sourced from harvesters, Weathertex ensures that their sourced timber is sourced in Australia so that carbon emissions are reduced through transportation, as opposed to if their raw materials were to be sourced from overseas. Also, each harvester that is used for attaining raw materials must be “PEFC-certified” (Weathertex Sustainable Checklist, 2020). This makes certain that there is miniscule environmental impact and depletion of resources, as policies such as exclusion of old growth hardwood being used. End of life stage Closely related to environmental related impacts as formerly discussed, is the ability of products to reduce their damage on the environment at the end of their life cycle. This is vital in producing an environmentally friendly product. Weathertex products can be dissembled for maintenance as required to ensure that the product’s life cycle is not shortened if alterations are required to maintain the product (Weathertex checklist). Additionally, Weathertex products can be recycled, reused or repurposed in different forms such as being recycled into packaging or turned into compost. Moreover, if the product were to eventuate in landfill it will not breakdown or rot meaning the carbon that exists within it will stay contained indefinitely (Weathertex checklist). Social sustainability Health-related impacts during production Weatherboard production involves the process of sourcing raw materials with the potential of containing harmful toxins as well as painting or staining the timber. Weathertex makes it clear to their customers that their production process in sourcing timber and staining materials is “s free from toxins and chemicals such as silicas, glues, resins and formaldehydes” (Weathertex Sustainable Checklist, 2020). Health-related impacts during installation The ability of the packaging to be reused is an important factor in this product being installed in a sustainable and renewable way as already detailed in this report. Also, the toxin and chemical free process in producing the product is applied to the install process as well, ensuring installers and nearby people are not exposed to hazardous chemicals. NCC standards apply to installation of timber walls as mentioned in this report, and Weathertex vouches that they remain within the standards regarding safe installation guidelines (Weathertex Sustainable Checklist, 2020). Health-related impacts during use phase Research indicates that external walling is the most important variable element in residential construction (Treloar and Fay 2000) and can have a tremendous effect on a dwelling’s environmental impact. Weatherboard was proven to withstand substantially better over other hardwood timbers when tested against termite infiltration (Weathertex information booklet). Thus, reducing the potential for termites to infiltrate a dwelling. This can partially be attributed to the removal of sugars and starch from the timber. Weathertex timber complies with NCC 2019 Volume 2 and AS 3959-2018 regarding protection against fire-prone areas and upholds the necessary standards for the