Special Technical Committees
Building Physics
Uncontrolled air leakage and the lack of comprehensive moisture management in buildings leads to a host of energy efficiency, building durability, occupant health, and comfort problems. In Australia, industry guidance is needed to translate world’s best practices to this country’s range of climates and construction techniques.
About this topic
A holistic, systems-based approach recognising the interactions of weather and the building’s fabric, HVAC systems, and occupants is needed to address issues with energy efficiency, building durability, occupant health, and comfort problems.
To meet the performance requirements of Australia’s National Construction Code for safe, healthy, and sustainable buildings, the building envelope requires proper design detailing, construction techniques, and workmanship. Testing and verification are key tools for achieving envelope integrity in the real world.
Purpose and aims
AIRAH’s Building Physics STG provides its members with a platform for involvement in issues affecting their industry in relation to air filtration. This includes policy advice, regulation development, plus the development of (and access to) industry-leading advice.
The STG promotes a holistic, integrated view on issues related to the activities of the group and AIRAH, plus information on best-practice delivery in Australia and around the world.
The Committee aims to promote industry leadership via a whole-of-supply chain approach across the follow key focus areas:
Policy guidance
The STG will serve as a reference point for government in shaping relevant policy relating to the environmental, economic, and social impact of HVAC&R and related systems.
Advocacy and influence
The STG will make submissions on behalf of members to influence policy setting (as collectively agreed upon), and work with government at all levels to establish workable regulations, frameworks, and guidelines.
Identify and seek funding for collaborative projects
The STG will identify and seek external funding for collaborative projects that support its objectives and aims of AIRAH and its members.
Considered, integrated, and technically objective guidance
The STG will provide guidance to the HVAC&R industry to develop a considered, integrated, and technically objective approach to building physics.
The creation of special interest groups (where needed)
Where needed, the STG will create special interest groups led by industry knowledge champions. These will help to further the interests of the Committee.
More complex energy systems
More complex systems will need to be developed to cope with the popularity of on-site energy generation assets and the need to manage complex data flows, plus the calculation of custom emissions factors these require.
The Committee aims to deliver the following:
- The STG will continue to feed information and peer review content to the Australian Buildings Code Board (ABCB) for trajectory thinking to air tightness and moisture management; construction system evolution and insulation methods; water, air and, vapour control layers; indoor ventilation strategies; and air tightness targets.
- The STG will engage in conversations and opportunities for developing industry associations for façade and/or building enclosure design.
- Regulatory changes drive need for up to date and factual information. The STG would like to drive peer-reviewed content that could be open source for TAFE organisations.
Events
The Building Physics STG helps to organise the Building Physics stream as part of AIRAH's HVAC Innovation Conference.
Resources and links