BESS Tool Notes, V3

Tool notes

Overview

Management

Water

Energy

Stormwater

1.1Stormwater Treatment

IEQ

Transport

Waste

Urban Ecology

Innovation

1.1Innovation

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Sustainable building design will only lead to a truly sustainable building if the project includes a sensible and well conceived construction management approach and an ongoing building management allowance, including:

an early commitment to environmental targets
an operation waste separation strategy
regular tuning of building services
sensible use of building services, such as heating and cooling devices
preparation of a Building Users' Guide

In Management, BESS includes actions related to early consideration of ESD, such as a pre-application meeting with Council and early thermal performance modelling. BESS also includes actions related to ongoing monitoring, including metering and sub-metering strategies. And finallly, BESS includes an action that a Building Users' Guide be prepared to assist future building users to understand and operate their new building in the most efficient way.

1.1 - Pre-Application Meeting

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure appropriate sustainable design principles and strategies are considered from the preliminary design stage of each development by encouraging early involvement of a suitably qualified ESD professional.

Summary

Points are awarded where the project design team includes suitably qualified ESD professionals to provide sustainable design advice from preliminary design through to construction, AND the ESD professional has been involved in a pre-application meeting with Council. A ‘suitably qualified’ ESD professional may hold a degree in architecture, engineering or another suitable discipline, and have either additional ESD qualifications or demonstrated ESD experience with built environment projects.

Documentation & evidence required

Name and qualification of ESD professional(s) engaged.
Record of attendance at pre-application meeting. Provide date of the meeting and list of attendees.

Further Information

List of BESS trained ESD professionals

2.1 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Single Dwelling

Applies to

All residential (single dwelling) development

Objective

To encourage and recognise developments that use thermal modelling to inform passive design at the early design stage

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that the dwelling meets or exceeds the minimum required BCA star rating utilising a NatHERS accredited thermal performance model. Use building documentation and initial building fabric assumptions to undertake a thermal performance model, demonstrating that the building meets or exceeds the 6 star minimum energy rating requirement.

Note this credit is awarded for undertaking this early modelling. Demonstrating improvement above the Building Code of Australia requirements is awarded points in the Energy category.

Documentation & evidence required

Documentation that demonstrates that a minimum 6 star energy efficiency standard has been achieved or exceeded
Documentation is to include a summary of the building fabric assumptions.

Further Information

2.2 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Multi-Dwelling Residential

Applies to

All multi-residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise developments that use thermal modelling to inform passive design at the early design stage

Summary

Points are awarded where, utilising a NatHERS accredited thermal performance model, it is demonstrated that the development meets or exceeds the BCA 6 star average and that no unit falls below the 5 star minimum rating requirement. Use building documentation and initial building fabric assumptions to undertake a thermal performance model, demonstrating that the building meets or exceeds the 6 star average and 5 star minimum energy rating requirement.

Note this credit is awarded for undertaking this early modelling. Demonstrating improvement above the Building Code of Australia requirements is awarded points in the Energy category.

Documentation & evidence required

Documentation that demonstrates that a minimum 6 star energy efficiency standard has been achieved or exceeded for a representative sample of dwellings including thermally similar dwellings. If dwellings have been input as thermally similar groups, a site plan or similar drawing should be provided showing which dwellings have been grouped together. Refer to the Overview section in Toolnotes for more information about dwelling grouping.
Documentation is to include a summary of the building fabric assumptions.

Further Information

2.3 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Non-Residential

Applies to

All non-residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise developments that use thermal modelling to inform passive design at the early design stage.

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that minimum BCA Section J requirements have been met or exceeded using a preliminary JV3 (see below) model and/or preliminary Deemed-to-Satisfy requirements (DTS) (see below). Undertake a preliminary JV3 model and/or undertake completion of preliminary DTS assessment including glazing calculator. JV3 energy simulations may be more appropriate on larger or more complex buildings.

Note this credit is awarded for undertaking this early modelling / investigation. Modelling results that show an improvement on the Building Code of Australia are awarded points in the Energy category.

Documentation & evidence required

Documentation, such as a JV3 report (including assumptions) and/or a preliminary Deemed-To-Satisfy assessment including glazing calculator that demonstrates that the minimum standards have been achieved or exceeded.
Documentation is to include a summary of the building fabric assumptions.

3.1 - Metering

Applies to

Multi-unit residential development

Objective

To provide building users with information that allows monitoring of energy and water consumption

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that utility meters (electricity, water & gas if applicable) will be provided for all individual dwellings.

Documentation & evidence required

A commitment to individual dwelling metering of energy and water.

Other Considerations

Applicants are also encouraged to consider additional strategies such as the installation of in-home energy displays.

3.2 - Metering

Applies to

Non-residential development.

Objective

To provide building users with information that allows monitoring of energy and water consumption

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that utility meters (electricity, water & gas if applicable) will be provided for all individual commercial tenancies. Using the building plans, identify and list all anticipated tenancies. Use this information to develop an appropriate metering and sub-metering strategy.

Documentation & evidence required

A commitment to individual metering of energy and water based on an analysis of individual tenancies.

3.3 - Metering

Applies to

All multi-residential and non-residential development.

Objective

To provide building users with information that allows monitoring of energy and water.

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that utility sub-meters will be provided to all major common area services. Using the building plans, identify and list all anticipated major common area water and energy uses. Use this information to develop an appropriate sub-metering strategy. Ensure that meters are located in areas which are easy to access to facilitate regular monitoring. For example, plant rooms, main distribution room or control room etc.

Documentation & evidence required

A commitment to metering energy and water based on an analysis of the anticipated major common area uses.

Other Considerations

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional strategies such as the inclusion of an building management system to give users detailed information about the energy and water use across the development.

4.1 - Building Users Guide

Applies to

All multi-residential and non-residential development.

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that will help building users to use the building more efficiently.

Summary

Points are awarded where a Building Users’ Guide is developed for use by occupants and building maintenance. Review your building design and ESD commitments to identify the main sustainable design initiatives, systems and processes that building users will interact with. Collate and present information that covers the function and use of the building, using non-technical language targeted to building occupants, and where required, to Building Managers. The Building Users' Guide may be a simple booklet and/or a combination of interpretative signage throughout the building that helps facilitate more sustainable behaviour by building occupants.

Documentation & evidence required

A commitment to producing and issuing a Building Users’ Guide. Note that a Building Users’ Guide does not need to be produced prior to permit, but checking that this commitment has been fulfilled will form part of any planning enforcement check.

The average Melbourne household of four people uses approximately 240,000 litres of drinking water each year. Simple design decisions can reduce consumption of drinking water and help to conserve Victoria's precious water resources.

In the Water category, BESS includes actions regarding water efficiency fixtures, rainwater collection & reuse and water efficient landscaping. Other water efficiency considerations that are not captured in BESS but are also important include:

Locate hot water units close to the point of use to reduce heat loss through pipes.
Locate wet areas and kitchens adjacent to each other and the hot water unit.
Other alternative sources of water such as greywater.
Using an alternative source of water such as greywater to water plants while they are being established and for ongoing maintenance.

1.1 - Potable Water Use Reduction (Interior Uses)

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of water, to reduce total operating potable water use and to encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources

Summary

Points are allocated by the water calculator based upon an estimated reduction in total water consumption due to efficient fixtures and appliances. Refer to the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) to select fixtures and appliances or confirm the WELS rating for each item.

Documentation & evidence required

Notation regarding water efficient fixtures and appliances to be included on drawings.

Other Considerations

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional water saving strategies not currently included within the tool scoring, for example:

Locate hot water units close to the point of use to reduce heat loss through pipes.
Locate wet areas and kitchens adjacent to each other and the hot water unit.

Further Information

2.1 - Rainwater Collection & Reuse (Additional Uses)

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of water, to reduce total operating potable water use and to encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources

Summary

Points are allocated by the water calculator based upon an estimated reduction in potable (mains) water consumption due to rainwater collection and re-use. Design to allow for on-site harvesting and re-use of rainwater.

Documentation & evidence required

Drawings indicating rainwater tank(s), drawn at the correct size and labeled as connected to (X) number of toilets, irrigation or other re-use opportunities.
Roof catchment area identified on plans.

Further Information

Rainwater Harvesting Association of Australia

3.1 - Water Efficient Landscaping

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of water, to reduce total operating potable water use and to encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources

Summary

Points are allocated for the inclusion of water efficient landscaping in the proposal.

Documentation & evidence required

Fully detailed landscape plan.

Other Considerations

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional water saving strategies not currently included within the tool scoring, for example:

Using an alternative source of water such as greywater to water plants while they are being established and for ongoing maintenance.

Further Information

Sustainable gardening Australia

4.1 - Building Systems Water Use Reduction

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of water, to reduce total operating potable water use and to encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources

Summary

Points are allocated by the water calculator based upon an estimated reduction in potable (mains) water consumption due to the recycling of water used for fire testing.

Documentation & evidence required

Location of fire test system water tank specified on the floor plans including tank capacity and intended re-use.

Further Information

VBA Practice Note 61-2018 - Water Savings Options Available when testing Fire Safety Systems

Up to 40 per cent of the world's energy resources are used in buildings. Good building design decreases power consumption, saves money and reduces the effects of climate change. On the other hand, poor building design is uneconomical and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

In the energy category, BESS awards points for passive design and energy efficient services and appliances that deliver energy savings above a benchmark building. The benchmark building is based on minimum standards with the Building Code of Australia.

Applicants have some flexibility for achieving points, through either pursuing improvements to the building shell (passive design) and/or mechanical electrical system components. Onsite renewable energy generation can assist to reaching higher performance standards, or offset energy consumption of buildings with average performing building shell or appliances.

BESS includes an in-built energy calculator for residential developments. In the 'Dwelling Profile' section, enter information about the NatHERS rating and various appliance types, and the calculator will determine whether you have achieved points in the subsequent Energy credits.

Non-Residential Pathways

For non-residential developments, you can opt to use the Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) method (<1000sqm) or provide your own calculations for Energy credits 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2.

Deemed to Satisfy

Under the Deemed to Satisfy approach, if the user answers “Yes” to ALL the following questions, then points are awarded for the energy credits shown above.

Do all facades demonstrate a min 10% improvement in required NCC insulation level (total R-value upwards and downwards)?
Does all glazing meet a 10% improvement in required NCC glazing calculator (or better than 90% of total allowance)?
Are heating and cooling systems within one star of the best available, or coefficient of performance (CoP) / Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) 85% or better than the most efficient equivalent capacity unit?
Are water heating systems within one star of the best available, or 85% or better than the most efficient equivalent capacity unit?

Non-Residential Energy Modelling

For large non-residential projects, preliminary modelling is required to demonstrate that energy credits have been achieved. Preliminary modelling must meet all the requirements under Verification Methods, Section JV3 of the National Construction Code Volume 1.

Non-residential projects under 1000 sqm can choose to undertake modelling if desired.

Residential Energy Modelling - NatHERS ratings

For residential projects, preliminary modelling is expected wherever a claim is made that the dwelling will exceed the minimum requirements under the National Construction Code. For the purposes of sampling, dwellings can be grouped where they share similar thermal properties.

Any sample of dwellings should be representative and allow a weighted average result to be calculated. BESS allows this to be set up on the Project Details Page by entering each sample along with the number of dwellings in that thermally similar group. Alternatively, a weighted average can be taken for groups of dwellings that share the same exposure characteristics.

The total number of dwellings entered in BESS must always equal the number of dwellings in the development.

1.1 - Thermal Performance Rating - Non-Residential

Applies to

Non-residential developments

Objective

To reduce reliance on mechanical systems to achieve thermal comfort in summer and winter - improving comfort, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and maintenance costs.

Summary

Points are awarded when the building's thermal fabric reduce heating and cooling energy consumption below the reference case. (BCA Section J), as follows:

>10% reduction - 12.5% score
>20% reduction - 37.5%
>30% reduction - 50%
>40% reduction - 62.5%
>50% reduction - 75%
>60% reduction - 87.5%
>70% reduction - 100%

Documentation & evidence required

If using the DtS method, provide your insulation specifications (R-values), preliminary glazing calculation, heating and cooling system type and CoP/EER, and water heating system details.
If you are providing your own energy modelling, provide your model assumptions and results.

1.2 - Thermal Performance Rating - Residential

Applies to

All residential developments

Objective

To reduce reliance on mechanical systems to achieve thermal comfort in summer and winter - improving comfort, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and maintenance costs.

Summary

Points are awarded when the average Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating is 6.5 or higher. More points are awarded for each 0.5 improvement in the average NatHERS rating, as follows:

>6.5 stars - 16%
>7.0 stars - 50%
>7.5 stars - 66%
>8.0 stars - 83%
>8.5 stars - 100%

Documentation & evidence required

Preliminary NatHERS ratings

2.1 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Summary

Points are awarded when greenhouse gas emissions are >10% below the benchmark, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling. The calculation uses both building fabric and building services inputs.

2.2 - Peak Demand

Summary

Points are awarded when the instantaneous (peak-hour) cooling demand been reduced by >25%, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling. Peak demand is calculated based on the NatHERS cooling load figure. Reducing cooling loads (via measures such as improved insulation, glazing and shading) will deliver an improvement in the peak cooling demand.

2.3 - Electricity Consumption

Summary

Points are awarded when the annual electricity consumption is >10% below the benchmark, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling. The calculation uses both building fabric and building services inputs.

2.4 - Gas Consumption

Summary

Points are awarded when the annual gas consumption is >10% below the benchmark, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling. If no gas appliances are in use then this credit is 'N/A' and is automatically scoped out.

2.5 - Wood Consumption

Summary

Points are awarded when the annual wood consumption is >10% below the benchmark, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling. If no wood appliances are in use then this credit is 'N/A' and is automatically scoped out.

3.1 - Carpark Ventilation

Applies to

Multi-residential, non-residential and mixed-use developments

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of energy, reduce total operating greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce energy peak demand.

Summary

Points are awarded if the building has a sheltered car park that is either:

(a) fully naturally ventilated (no mechanical ventilation system), or
(b) uses Carbon Monoxide monitoring to control the operation and speed of the ventilation fans

If the development does not have a sheltered car park then this credit is 'Not applicable' and should be scoped out.

Documentation & evidence required

Provide a written explanation of either the fully natural ventilation or carbon monoxide monitoring, describing how these systems will work what specifications are required for them to be fully integrated and who is responsible for their implementation throughout the design, procurement and operational phases of the buildings life.

3.2 - Hot Water

Summary

Points are awarded when the hot water system energy consumption is >10% below the benchmark, as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling.

3.3 - External Lighting

Applies to

Single residential dwellings

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of energy, reduce total operating greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce energy peak demand.

Summary

Points are awarded when the operation of the external lighting is controlled by a motion detector. Where there are multiple external lights, at least 50% must be connected.

3.4 - Clothes Drying

Summary

Points are awarded when clothes drying energy consumption is >10% below the benchmark (due to a combination of clothes lines and efficient mechanical driers), as calculated by the in-built calculator or demonstrated via alternative modelling.

3.5 - Internal Lighting - Residential Single Dwelling

Applies to

Single residential dwellings

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of energy, reduce total operating greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce energy peak demand.

Summary

Points are awarded when the maximum illumination power density is 4W/sqm or less, which represents a 20% improvement on the current NCC requirements.

Documentation & evidence required

Provide information about the lighting type(s) to be used to achieve 4W/sqm

3.6 - Internal Lighting - Residential Multiple Dwellings

Applies to

Multi-unit residential developments

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of energy, reduce total operating greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce energy peak demand.

Summary

Points are awarded when the maximum illumination power density (W/m2) in at least 90% of the relevant Building Class is at least 20% lower than required by current NCC requirements

Documentation & evidence required

Provide a written description of the average lighting power density to be installed in the development and specify the lighting type(s) that will be used.

Further Information

NCC 2019 Vol 1 Part J6 Artificial Lighting and Power

3.7 - Internal Lighting - Non-Residential

Applies to

Non-residential developments

Objective

To ensure the efficient use of energy, reduce total operating greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce energy peak demand.

Summary

Points are awarded when the maximum illumination power density (W/m2) in at least 90% of the relevant Building Class is at least 20% lower than required by current NCC requirements

Documentation & evidence required

Provide a written description of the average lighting power density to be installed in the development and specify the lighting type(s) that will be used.

Further Information

NCC 2019 Vol 1 Part J6 Artificial Lighting and Power

4.1 - Combined Heat and Power (cogeneration / trigeneration)

Applies to

Non-residential developments

Objective

Reduce energy consumption

Summary

Points are awarded when the CHP system reduce the class of buildings GHG emissions by more than 25%

Documentation & evidence required

Location of the Combined Heat and Power system as described.
Report including details of the Combined Heat and Power system and energy calculations.

4.2 - Renewable Energy Systems - Solar

Applies to

All developments

Objective

To encourage the installation of on-site renewable energy generation

Summary

Points are awarded when the solar power system provides 5% of the building's energy consumption.

Documentation & evidence required

Specifications of the solar photovoltaic system
Floor plans showing location photovoltaic panels

4.4 - Renewable Energy Systems - Other

Applies to

All developments

Objective

To encourage the installation of on-site renewable energy generation

Summary

Points are awarded when another form of renewable energy (not solar) provides 5% of the building's energy consumption.

Documentation & evidence required

A report including specifications of the renewable energy system and energy calculations
Floor plans showing location of the renewable energy system(s) as described

Melbourne's continued urbanisation and expansion has resulted in a dramatic increase in areas of hard and impervious surfaces, such as buildings, roads and car parks. Designing buildings to reduce stormwater runoff improves the quality of our waterways.

In the Stormwater category, BESS includes actions regarding stormwater treatment. You must meet the Urban Stormwater Management Best Practice standards for water quality (CSIRO, 1999), e.g. through min 100% STORM score, or compliant MUSIC model. Other stormwater considerations that are not captured in BESS but are also important include:

For industrial developments - containing polluting activities within the canopy line or within a bunded area
Installing gross pollutant traps where hardstand paving drains to SW system
Installing pervious paving where appropriate

1.1 - Stormwater Treatment

Applies to

All development, including residential and non-residential development

Objective

To minimise negative environmental impacts of stormwater runoff and maximise onsite re-use of stormwater

Summary

Points are awarded when a STORM rating of at least 100% or equivalent modelling results (e.g. MUSIC *) has been achieved.

*Consult with the relevant council to determine which tool is most appropriate for your development.

Documentation & evidence required

Copy of STORM or MUSIC report
Drawings indicating catchment areas, slope of paved surfaces to treatment systems, construction details of proposed treatment systems, e.g. raingardens
Landscape drawings indicating appropriate planting within and adjacent to treatment systems

Other Considerations

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional Stormwater Management strategies not currently included within the tool scoring, for example:

Installing gross pollutant traps where hardstand paving drains to SW system
Installing pervious paving where appropriate
For industrial developments - contain polluting activities within the canopy line or within a bunded area

Further Information

Australians spend on average 90 percent of their time indoors, therefore the quality of the indoor environment is vital to our health and wellbeing. Building design and material choices impact on indoor environment quality and are considered during the early design stages, making IEQ a core category of BESS. Design for IEQ will also deliver other benefits such as reduced energy use for heating, cooling and lighting.

In the IEQ category, BESS includes actions regarding daylight, ventilation, solar access and thermal comfort. Information required and points available are dependent on type and scale of the project. IEQ considerations that are not captured in BESS but are also important include:

Acoustic privacy
External views
Air quality
Toxicity of materials, e.g. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, sealants and adhesives

Residential daylight pathways

For multi unit residential developments, you can opt to use the Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) method, the built in calculator or provide your own calculations for IEQ credits 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3.

Deemed to Satsify

You must satisfy ALL of the criteria below to achieve the following daylight credits:

Satisfying these criteria earns full points for these credits. Under the DtS method there is no partial compliance.

If you cannot meet the Deemed to Satisfy criteria, it may still be possible to achieve daylight credit points by using the BESS built-in daylight calculator, or by providing your own daylight modelling.

Deemed to Satisfy Criteria

Are all living areas and bedrooms less than 8m deep (5m if south facing)?
Do all living areas and bedrooms have a floor-to-ceiling height of at least 2.7m?
Does all glazing to living areas achieve at least 60% Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)?
Do all living areas have an external facing window (not into a courtyard, light well or other major obstruction)?
Does the building(s) comply with all of the requirements of the building separation tables?

Table 1. Building separation to adjacent properties

Notes:

1. Building separation is not required to the side or rear boundary where no outlook is proposed provided it does not affect the reasonable development opportunity of the adjoining site.

2. Zero building separation applies on sites where a continuous street wall is encouraged under the relevant place based planning controls.

3. Where existing dwellings have not incorporated access to daylight to habitable rooms on their own site in accordance with the building separation standards, the building separation standards will only apply to new development to the extent necessary to achieve comparable contribution (from a minimum of 1 metre and a maximum of 3 metres) of daylight into the habitable rooms of the proposed dwellings.

4. The building separation requirements commence at the first level of residential use

Table 2. Building separation to a lane

Notes:

1. The building separation requirements commence at the first level of residential use

Table 3. Building separation for buildings within sites

Notes:

1. The building separation requirements commence at the first level of residential use

Table 4. Lightwell Minimum areas and dimensions (considered a building separation table)

Notes:

1. The light court minimum areas and dimensions may need to be varied for buildings containing multiple levels of non-residential uses

2. The minimum area and dimension must be achieved for the entire depth of the light well.

Built in calculation tools

For multi unit residential developments, you can opt to use thebuilt in calculators for IEQ credits 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3.

In order to use these calculators you will need to group all habitable rooms (living areas and bedrooms) into the following categories

Living rooms that would meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy criteria provided above. These can be assigned to Auto-Pass
Bedrooms that would meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy criteria provided above. These can be assigned to Auto-Pass
Living areas of varying orientation
Bedrooms of varying orientation

For each of the groupings that are not achieving Auto Pass classification provide an average of the following:

Room Floor Area
Vertical Angle
Horizontal Angle
Window Area
Glass Type

Provide your own calculations

For multi unit residential and non-residential developments, you can opt to provide daylight modelling using third party software

In order to meet the requirements for multi-residential developments daylight modelling should be conducted to all living areas and bedrooms of varying orientation and configuration

In order to meet the requirements for non-residential developments daylight modelling should be conducted to all occupiable areas other than ancillary areas

The modelling software will need to be able to provide an output for Daylight Factor (DF) which is the ratio of the light level inside a structure to the light level outside the structure

A report of the modelling should be provided as evidence for the related credits with the BESS report and include the following:

Modelling software including version and release date
Location and co-ordinates
Time of year and time of day
Sky conditions
Orientation
Visual Light Transmission (VLT) for all glazing modelled.
Reflectance surface properties
A 3d view to indicate that the adjoining developments have been modelled.
Plan views of the assessed apartment that graphically show the extent of daylight penetration to the apartment which will support the stated figures.

1.1 - Daylight Access - Living Areas

Applies to

Multi-unit development (Apartments, aged care and hotels)

Objective

To provide a high level of amenity and energy efficiency through design for natural light.

Summary

Points are awarded where at least 80% of the total number of living rooms achieve a daylight factor greater than 1% to 90% of the floor area of each living area, including kitchens. Additional points are awarded where 100% of dwellings comply. This can be demonstrated by using the in-built BESS daylight calculator or by alternative daylight modelling where the alternative methodology is accepted by Council.

Documentation & evidence required

If using the BESS daylight calculator:

References to floor plans and elevations showing window sizes and sky angles

If using an alternative daylight modelling program:

A short report detailing assumptions used and results achieved.

Other Considerations

Daylight modelling using third party software may be more appropriate than the BESS daylight calculator where neighbouring properties are too close to allow for vertical sky angle to be calculated.
Lightly coloured materials will improve reflectivity. Consider using lightly coloured materials surfaces near windows, such as window sills and jambs.
Specify glazing with high Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) and combine this with shading systems such as blinds, overhangs or retractable awnings, rather than using heavily tinted glass.
Light shelves can increase daylight penetration by 'bouncing' light deeper into a room
The BESS daylight calculator only works for rooms which have a single aspect only (i.e 1 window to the space) as rooms with more than one aspect are deemed to have adequate daylight

Further Information

Moreland Apartment Design Code

1.2 - Daylight Access - Bedrooms

Applies to

Multi-unit development (Apartments, aged care and hotels)

Objective

To provide a high level of amenity and energy efficiency through design for natural light.

Summary

Points are awarded where at least 80% of the total number of bedrooms achieve a daylight factor greater than 0.5% to 90% of the floor area in each room. Additional points are awarded where 100% of dwellings comply. This can be demonstrated by using the in-built BESS daylight calculator or by alternative daylight modelling where the alternative methodology is accepted by Council.

Documentation & evidence required

If using the BESS daylight calculator:

References to floor plans and elevations showing window sizes and sky angles

If using an alternative daylight modelling program:

A short report detailing assumptions used and results achieved.

Other Considerations

Daylight modelling using third party software may be more appropriate than the BESS daylight calculator where neighbouring properties are too close to allow for vertical sky angle to be calculated.
Lightly coloured materials will improve reflectivity. Consider using lightly coloured materials surfaces near windows, such as window sills and jambs.
Specify glazing with high Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) and combine this with shading systems such as blinds, overhangs or retractable awnings, rather than using heavily tinted glass.
Light shelves can increase daylight penetration by 'bouncing' light deeper into a room

Further Information

Moreland Apartment Design Code

1.3 - Winter Sunlight

Applies to

Multi-unit development (Apartments, aged care and hotels)

Objective

To provide a high level of amenity and reduce need for artificial heating in winter.

Summary

Points are awarded where at least 70% of dwellings receive at least 3 hours of direct sunlight in all Living areas between 9am and 3pm in mid-winter. This can be demonstrated by using the in-built BESS daylight calculator or by alternative daylight modelling where the alternative methodology is accepted by Council.

Documentation & evidence required

If using the BESS daylight calculator:

References to floor plans and elevantions showing window sizes and sky angles

If using an alternative daylight modelling program:

A short report detailing assumptions used and results achieved.

Other Considerations

Ensure that winter and summer needs are balanced by providing shading that allows winter sunlight but blocks summer sun.

Further Information

1.4 - Daylight Access - Non-Residential

Applies to

All non-residential development

Objective

To provide a high level of amenity and energy efficiency through design for natural light.

Summary

Points are awarded where it can be demonstrated by daylight modelling that >30% of the nominated area achieves a daylight factor of at least 2%. Additional points are awarded where it is shown that >60% or >90% of the floor area achieves this daylight factor. To claim this credit, you must use daylight modelling software to show the % of floor area achieving the target daylight factor, assuming a uniform design sky of 10,000 lux.

Documentation & evidence required

A short report detailing assumptions used and results achieved.
The Green Star Hand Calculation Method is an acceptable method of demonstrating compliance

Other Considerations

Before undertaking daylight modelling, use rules of thumb to check whether the daylight factor is likely to be achieved. To achieve a 2% daylight factor, maximum room depth is approximately three times the window head height (i.e. a room depth more than 7-10 meters is unlikely to meet the daylight factor).

Green Star Daylight Hand Calculation Guide

1.5 - Daylight Access - Minimal Internal Bedrooms

Applies to

Multi-unit development (Apartments, aged care and hotels)

Objective

To provide a high level of amenity and energy efficiency through design for natural light and ventilation.

Summary

Points are awarded where at least 90% of bedrooms have an external window. The provision of sliding walls to internal bedrooms is not sufficient to demonstrate access to an external window. Internal bedrooms with sliding walls are considered to be borrowed light bedrooms.

Documentation & evidence required

Floorplans with compliant bedrooms marked, or a list of bedrooms that comply.

2.1 - Effective Natural Ventilation

Applies to

Multi-unit development (Apartments, aged care and hotels)

Objective

To provide fresh air and passive cooling opportunities.

Summary

Points are awarded where >60% of dwellings are effectively ventilated. Additional points are awarded where 100% of dwellings are naturally ventilated. To qualify, living areas and bedrooms must meet the rules for either cross ventilation or single-sided ventilation, as follows:

Cross ventilation

A breeze path between 2 ventilation openings either within the room or from one room to another.
Breeze path length less than 15m measured between ventilation openings and around internal walls, obstructions & partitions.
Ventilation openings located either in opposite or adjacent external walls or an external wall and an operable skylight.
Size of ventilation openings greater than 2% of total floor area or 1m2, whichever is greater. The opening is the maximum allowable clear open area for the window. ie if floor area of room is 55m² then clear open area of window / door must be at least 1.1m²
No more than 1 doorway or opening <2m² between the ventilation openings.
Where the breeze path travels through an internal door, that door must be provided with door catches.
If on adjacent walls, ventilation openings must be at least 3m apart at their closest point. This is to ensure the space has reasonable ventilation throughout and not just in one corner.
If relying on a courtyard adjacent to a ventilation opening the courtyard must have a minimum depth of 3m from the window or be a minimum size of 9m2

Single-sided ventilation

Maximum permissible depth of room 5m.
Separated openings high and low or split across the width of the room/facade, each 5% of the floor area are preferred.

Mechanically Assisted Natural Ventilation

Delivering fresh air rates of between 2.5 - 5 L/s/m2 (results should be supported by calculations)

Documentation & evidence required

Floorplans with compliant dwellings marked, or a list of dwellings that comply.

3.1 - Thermal comfort - Double Glazing

Applies to

Single dwellings, extensions and Multi-dwelling (dual occupancy, townhouse, villa unit etc)

Objective

To provide comfortable indoor spaces and reduce energy needed for heating and cooling

Summary

Points are awarded where double glazing (or better) is used for all living areas (including kitchens) and bedroom windows.

Documentation & evidence required

Reference to floor plans or energy modelling showing the glazing specification (U-value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, SHGC)

Other Considerations

Consider the window frame as well as the glass type. 'Thermally broken' window frames (available in timber or aluminium) reduce heat transfer through the frame itself.

A preliminary building energy rating (NatHERS / FirstRate5 assessment) will help you optimise your design for passive heating and cooling.

Further Information

3.2 - Thermal Comfort - External Shading

Applies to

Single dwellings, extensions and Multi-dwelling (dual occupancy, townhouse, villa unit etc)

Objective

To provide comfortable indoor spaces and reduce energy needed for heating and cooling

Summary

Points are awarded where appropriate external shading is provided to east, west and north facing living area and bedroom windows.

Documentation & evidence required

Reference to floor plans and elevations showing shading devices.

Other Considerations

Fixed external shading to north facing glazing, such as overhanging eaves, can reduce excessive heat gain in summer while allowing warming winter sun to reach the glazing. As a rule of thumb eaves width should measure 45% of the height from the window sill and the bottom of the eaves.

A variety of shading options are suitable for east and west facing glazing, including verticle shading structures such as adjustable louvres, as well as sliding screens, pergolas and roof overhangs, awnings and verandas.

A preliminary building energy rating (NatHERS / FirstRate5 assessment) will help you optimise your design for passive heating and cooling. A Cooling Load of 23MJ/m2 or below is a good benchmark to ensure you have optimised windows and shading systems for passive cooling (in Victorian climates).

Further Information

3.3 - Thermal Comfort - Orientation

Applies to

Single dwellings, extensions and Multi-dwelling (dual occupancy, townhouse, villa unit etc)

Objective

To provide comfortable indoor spaces and reduce energy needed for heating and cooling. Orientating living areas to the north provides the best opportunity for passive heating.

Summary

Points are awarded where living areas have been orientated to the north. 'North' includes 20°W–30°E of true (or solar) north. You can select 'Yes' for this action where you have used clerestory windows to get northern sun penetration into living areas.

Documentation & evidence required

Reference to floor plans showing living areas orientated to the north.

Other Considerations

For any north facing window, consider sun and heat penetration in both summer and winter. Use shading systems that will allow winter sun penetration and shade windows during the hot summer months.

Further Information

Quick Guide to Sustainable Design

In Australia, cars account for approximately 50 percent of our total transport greenhouse gas emissions. The other half includes emissions from trucks, buses, aviation, railways and shipping. In addition to contributing to global warming, car exhaust contains toxic pollutants that are dangerous to our health. As the population of cities increases so does traffic congestion, further multiplying the amount of exhaust pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in our air.

Simple design decisions can influence ways in which our reliance on cars can be reduced and can also incorporate alternative forms of transport into your building design.

In the Transport category, BESS includes actions regarding bicycle parking, end of trip facilities and car share schemes. Other transport considerations that are not captured in BESS but are also important include:

Walkability – Is your site pedestrian friendly?
Is your site within close proximity to public transport?
Consider submitting a Green Travel Plan

1.1 - Bicycle Parking - Residential

Applies to

All residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that facilitate cycling

Summary

Points are awarded when at least 1 secure bicycle space is provided per dwelling. The number of parking spaces required to claim points is displayed within the tool. Bicycle parking should be visible, accessible and convenient for residents, with a clear path of travel from the building entrance and including wayfaring signage when bicycle parking is located in a central room or cage. This credit is not available for mounted bicycle parking above car bonnets due to access difficulties when a car is parked in the space. Additional points are available under a separate credit where bicycle parking is located at ground level for the convenience of residents.

Documentation & evidence required

A secure bicycle parking storage space per apartment has been indicated on the floor plans indicating with notations what storage system rack will be adopted and what areas need to be allowed for clearance and access to the racks. The overall number of spaces should also be notated.

Further Information

1.2 - Bicycle Parking - Residential Visitor

Applies to

All residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that facilitate cycling

Summary

Points are awarded when at least 1 visitor bicycle parking space is provided for every 4 dwellings. The number of parking spaces required to claim points is displayed within the tool. Visitor parking should be located near site entrances.

Documentation & evidence required

Bicycle parking spaces are indicated on the floor plans, including which rack system will be adopted and what areas need to be allowed for clearance and access to the racks. The overall number of spaces should also be notated.

Further Information

1.3 - Bicycle Parking - Convenience Residential

Applies to

All residential development

Objective

To facilitate cycling by providing easily accessible parking infrastructure

Summary

This credit is available as additional points where the residential bicycle parking credit has been achieved, and these parking spaces are located at ground level for the convenience of residents. Bicycle parking located on mounted racks above car bonnets is not classified as convenient, due to access difficulties when a car is parked in the space.

Documentation & evidence required

Bicycle parking spaces (as per the residential bicycle parking spaces credit) are indicated on the floor plans on ground level

1.4 - Bicycle Parking - Non-Residential

Applies to

All non-residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that facilitate cycling

Summary

Points are awarded where planning scheme requirements for employee bicycle parking have been exceeded by at least 50%. See Clause 52.34 of the Victorian Planning Provisions to calculate the minimum requirement for your building use. To claim this credit you must provide 1.5 x Min VPP Employee/Resident requirement (rounded down to the nearest whole number)

Documentation & evidence required

Bicycle parking spaces are indicated on the floor plans, including which rack system will be adopted and what areas need to be allowed for clearance and access to the racks. The overall number of spaces should also be notated.

Further Information

1.5 - Bicycle Parking - Non-Residential Visitor

Applies to

All non-residential development

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that facilitate cycling

Summary

Points are awarded where planning scheme requirements for visitor bicycle parking have been exceeded by at least 50%. See Clause 52.34 of the Victorian Planning Provisions (http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/vpps) to calculate the minimum requirement for your building use. To claim this credit you must provide 1.5 x Min VPP Visitor/Shopper/Student requirement (rounded down to the nearest whole number)

Documentation & evidence required

Bicycle parking spaces are indicated on the floor plans, including which rack system will be adopted and what areas need to be allowed for clearance and access to the racks. The overall number of spaces should also be notated.

Further Information

1.6 - End of Trip Facilities - Non-Residential

Applies to

All non-residential development

Objective

To minimise car dependency and to ensure that the built environment is designed to promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Summary

Points are awarded when a proposal achieves the bicycle parking credits for non-residential developments and provide accessible showers (1 per 10 bicycles spaces), changing facilities adjacent to showers and one secure locker per bicycle space in the changing facilities.

Documentation & evidence required

Include on the floor plans:

Accessible showers that are within 100 metres of the building entry at a rate of 1 per 10 bicycle spaces which are located within the change facilities and are notated to dispense hot and cold water and have efficient fixtures as compliant with the water efficiency section of this tool.
Change facilities adjacent to showers which include a wash basin with efficient fixtures as compliant with the water efficiency section of this tool, a bench, and are notated to include a hook, mirror and general power outlet.
1 secure locker per bicycle space in the changing facilities with a minimum dimensions of 300mm(w) x 450mm(d) x 900mm(h)

Further Information

End of trip facilities – Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works:

2.1 - Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Applies to

All development, including residential and non residential.

Objective

To minimise car dependency and to ensure that the built environment is designed to promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Summary

Points are be awarded when facilities are provided for the charging of electric vehicles. At a minimum, one parking space should be nominated for electric vehicle charging, with appropriate signage and charging infrastructure installed.

If your development does not have any parking then this credit is N/A and can be scoped out.

Documentation & evidence required

Site or floor plans indicating location of designated electric vehicle parking bay(s) and location of charging infrastructure.

Further Information

Electric Vehicle Publications, Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure

2.2 - Car Share Scheme

Applies to

Multi-residential development of more than 10 dwellings and non-residential developments of more than 1000m².

Objective

To minimise car dependency and to ensure that the built environment is designed to promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Summary

Points are awarded when a formal car sharing scheme is integrated into the development. This credit can be scoped out in locations where car share schemes are not yet economically feasible.

Documentation & evidence required

Site or floor plans indicating designated car share vehicle space(s).

Further Information

City of Melbourne - Car share guidance material

Up to 40 per cent of the waste going to Australia’s landfills is related to the construction and demolition of buildings. Simple design decisions can influence the amount of construction waste being produced and operational waste streams being separated.

Even more waste is produced during the occupancy phase of buildings. Poor waste practices and treatment of the environment in the past have not only lead to a degradation of our water, air and land resources but also represent a big financial burden to current and future generations.

In the Waste category, BESS includes actions regarding building re-use, food & garden waste and convenience of recycling.

1.1 - Building Re-Use

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure waste avoidance, reuse and recycling during the design,

Summary

Points are awarded when the development is on a site that has been previously developed and at least 30% of the existing building been re-used.

If your site has not been previously developed, then this credit is not applicable and should be scoped out.

Documentation & evidence required

Site and floor plans showing the total existing building area prior to any changes and the existing retained area in the new proposal.
Provide calculations that demonstrate the percentage of the existing building being retained.

Further Information

Your Home - Waste Minimisation Technical Manual

2.1 - Food & Garden Waste

Applies to

All development

Objective

To ensure waste avoidance, reuse and recycling during the design,

Summary

Points are awarded when it is demonstrated that facilities will be provided for on-site management of food and garden waste. Using site plans, identify proposed site uses, such as food and beverage tenancies, domestic kitchens or garden areas, which may generate high levels of organic waste, and identify areas on the site for storage of organic waste.

Documentation & evidence required

Site plans indicating an area dedicated to on-site management of food and garden waste
Details of the organic waste system and who will be responsible for its implementation and management.

2.2 - Convenience of Recycling

Applies to

Multi-residential and non-residential

Objective

To ensure waste avoidance, reuse and recycling during the operational life of the building.

Summary

Points are awarded where it is demonstrated that recycling facilities are as conveniently located as those for general waste.

Documentation & evidence required

Floor plans showing recycling facilities at the point of disposal(i.e. kitchens)
Floor plans showing the location of separate waste and recycling chutes in multi storey developments.

Further Information

Guide to Best Practice Waste Management in Multi-Unit developments

In highly urbanised environments, it is important to maintain and enhance the health of our urban ecosystems, not only for local flora and fauna but also for ourselves.

There is much we can do in our metropolitan areas to overcome the loss of natural processes and improve liveability for people, flora and fauna. One of the easiest actions involves decreasing the areas of hard or impervious surfaces and at the same time increasing vegetation and landscaping. Research indicates that landscaping in metropolitan environments can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50%, just by providing shading. What's more, green spaces in cities have been closely linked with improved physical, social and mental well-being.

In the Urban Ecology category, BESS includes actions regarding communal spaces, vegetation, food production and green walls, roofs & facades.

1.1 - Communal Spaces

Applies to

All multi-residential development and non-residential development.

Objective

To encourage and recognise initiatives that facilitate interaction between building occupants.

Summary

Points are awarded where there is at least the following amount of common space (m2):

1m2 for each of the first 50 occupants
Additional 0.5m2 for each occupant between 51 and 250
Additional 0.25m2 for each occupant above 251

Communal spaces are places where people gather for social exchange. They can be outdoors or indoors, and can include rooftop gardens, communal courtyards with seating and bbq facilities, gyms, community rooms for use and hire within the building and other spaces where people can gather.

Documentation & evidence required

Site and/or floor plan showing the amount of common space. The floor plan drawings highlighting communal space area and calculations of size.

2.1 - Vegetation

Applies to

All development

Objective

To encourage and recognise the use of vegetation and landscaping within and around developments

Summary

Points are awarded where the site is vegetated, as follows:

>5% site area - 25%
>10% site area - 50%
>20% site area - 75%
>30% site area - 100%

Documentation & evidence required

Plans showing vegetated areas.

2.2 - Green Roofs

Applies to

All development

Objective

To encourage the appropriate use of green roofs, walls and facades to mitigate the impact of the urban heat island effect.

Summary

Points are awarded when a green roof is included in the development

Documentation & evidence required

Site plans showing the green roof area.
Preliminary investigation into plant selection, substrate materials and structural support required.

Further Information

2.3 - Green Walls and Facades

Applies to

All development

Objective

To encourage the appropriate use of green roofs, walls and facades to mitigate the impact of the urban heat island effect.

Summary

Points are awarded when a green wall or façade is included in the development.

Documentation & evidence required

Site plans showing the green wall or facade area.
Preliminary investigation into plant selection, substrate materials and structural support required.

Further Information

2.4 - Private Open Space - Balcony / Courtyard Ecology

Applies to

All development

Objective

To encourage plants in a healthy ecological context to be grown on balconies and in courtyards

Summary

Points are awarded where all balconies and courtyards have a water supply (tap) and a wastewater connection (drain).

Documentation & evidence required

Site and/or floor plans showing water supply and drainage points.

Other Considerations

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional strategies such as built in garden beds to encourage gardening.

3.1 - Food Production - Residential

Applies to

Residential development

Objective

To encourage the production of fresh food on-site

Summary

Points are awarded when there is at least 0.25m2 of space per resident dedicated to food production. An estimate of the number of residents is calculated within the tool based on the number of dwellings and the number of bedrooms within each dwelling.

Documentation & evidence required

Site and/or floor plans showing the amount of area dedicated to food production (make reference to town planning drawing numbers).

3.2 - Food Production - Non-Residential

Applies to

Non-residential development

Objective

To encourage the production of fresh food on-site

Summary

Points are awarded when there is at least 0.25m2 of space per occupant dedicated to food production. An estimate of the number of occupants is calculated within the tool based on the National Construction Code (NCC) Australian Standard 1668.2 - see the Tool Notes Overview section for occupancy rates.

Documentation & evidence required

Site and/or floor plans showing the amount of area dedicated to food production.

The objective of the Innovation category is to encourage design features and technologies that are not recognised elsewhere within BESS because they are new to Victoria, or because they go well beyond the best practice standard in BESS.

1.1 - Innovation

Up to 10 points are available, made up of individual actions worth either 1 or 2 points. As the user, self-nominate whether you think your innovation action qualifies for 1 or 2 points. Actions nominated for 2 points must demonstrate multiple social and/or environmental benefits.

Final points awarded are at the discretion of the assessing officer at your Council.

Innovation points will not be awarded for actions covered elsewhere in BESS unless it can be demonstrated that the action goes well beyond the best practice standard in BESS.

Summary

Review all sustainable development initiatives relating to the design, construction and operation of the proposed development.
Determine whether any of the initiatives proposed are design features or technologies that deliver an improved environmental performance.
Determine whether the design feature or technology is new or not commonly applied in Victoria. If not, is it “innovative” in another way?
Prepare a synopsis of the proposed design feature or technology, including how it is innovative in relation to its introduction to the built environment in Victoria, what the social and/or environmental benefit is and a measure of the benefit if applicable.

Welcome to BESS, a sustainable design assessment tool for buildings at the planning permit stage.

BESS supports the ‘Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process’ framework and the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Local Planning Policies. BESS assesses projects against a benchmark in nine environmental categories.

In many Victorian councils, planning permit applicants are asked to submit information about how the proposed development addresses sustainability, either as:

a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA), for small scale developments, or
a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP), for large scale developments

A BESS report can be used to support these submissions.

The triggers for an SDA or SMP, and the definition of small and large scale, is set by individual councils based on the local development context. Check your relevant council's website.

The BESS interface is dynamic – the questions you are asked and the information you must provide are tailored to the size and type of your development.

This means that your experience using BESS will be quite different if you are using it to assess a single home or renovation compared with a large mixed-use development (such as an apartment complex with retail and office space).

We recommend that BESS is used in Chrome or Firefox.

Getting Started

Creating your account

If you’re a first time user, the first step is to register your details and create an account. Your BESS account stores all historical projects for your access at any time.

Once you register an account, BESS emails you to confirm your registration. Once your registration is confirmed you can start using BESS. Check your spam / junk folder if you can’t find the confirmation email.

You can edit your account profile details, such as the name, email and password, by navigating to your account icon and selecting 'My profile'.

Things to keep in mind:

Registration sits with the individual email address used to create the account
Projects sit within individual accounts. Projects cannot be shared between accounts
Only the people with access to the account can modify the projects within that account.
Projects can be transferred to another account on request – contact the BESS team via the Contact form
You cannot copy or delete an account. If you would like your account deleted, contact the BESS team via the Contact form

Some organisations have set up a common account with a generic email so that multiple people from the organisation can access a single account.

Project Portfolio

When you login and access your account, your project list will automatically appear.

The most recent projects are shown. If you click on ‘view all projects’ or the ‘projects’ tab in the header, all your projects will appear.

From this page, you can create a new project. When you do this, BESS will set up a project with a unique project number.

Once you have created a project you can:

Edit it
Publish it
View an existing published version
Copy it, or
Delete it - if it hasn't been published.

Navigating BESS

When you are within a project, the left sidebar serves as a useful summary and can also be used to navigate around BESS. It shows:

The Project Name
The current BESS Score. This is determined by the category scores, factoring in the weighting of each category.
The current score in each BESS environmental category
Address of the property
The unique BESS project number
The current project status, e.g. Draft, Published
Whether the project is accessible to council.

Accessibility to council lets you choose to make your draft BESS project visible to the nominated council. This defaults to ‘No’ when a new project is established. It can be changed at any time. If you have previously selected 'Yes' and then change this to 'No', the BESS project will no longer be visible to the council.

Making a project accessible to council is not the same as submitting a BESS assessment. Always follow the planning permit application process at your nominated council. Contact council for accepted approaches to submitting documents.

When your report is published, specific council officers in the nominated council can view (but not edit) the report.

Credits may be as simple as a Yes/No question, may require simple numerical input, or may be calculated based on a number of inputs (profiling questions).

Creating a Project

Project Setup / Project Details

From the Project portfolio page, select 'New Project'.

Basic details are required to create the project, namely the address, the Council, the site area, and the site type. You are then asked to set up your dwellings and non-residential spaces, as applicable.

The details you enter here determine which questions and credits are applicable for your project.

Project Name

The Project Name defaults to the project address. You may change this manually.

Project Address

BESS uses Google Maps to locate a site. If Google cannot identify the site, select the nearest address then manually amend the street address, suburb, and postcode fields.

Council

In the Council field, only BESS subscriber councils are listed. You cannot complete a BESS report for a non- BESS subscribing council.

Site Type

To determine your site type, consider the following:

Site Type Definitions

Site Type Definitions
Site Type	Definition
Single dwelling	A new house (Class 1)
Single dwelling extension	A renovation / alteration / addition to an existing house (Class 1)
Multi dwelling (dual occupancy, townhouse, villa unit etc)	A residential development with more than one new dwelling on the site, but no shared facilities (e.g. common gardens, pool, gym etc) (Class 1)
Multi-unit development (apartment building)	A residential development with more than one new dwelling and with shared access / common areas and facilities (Class 2)
Non-residential development	Any commercial or industrial building (see below for further building classifications)
Mixed use development	A combination of any of the above

You cannot progress from the New Project page until you complete all fields labelled with an asterisk. Once you have done this select 'Create Project'.

Creating Dwellings and Non-Residential Spaces

All dwellings and non-residential spaces must be created before the correct questions and credits appear on the BESS category pages. The dwellings and spaces determine which pathways, questions and credits apply to your project.

Dwellings

To complete the Dwellings table you will need the floor plans and elevations and other supporting documentation. You will also need to identify ‘similar dwellings’ in the project.

‘Similar dwellings' can be grouped together to streamline data input. How dwellings are entered affects your input options in the Water and Energy categories.

‘Similar dwellings’ are dwellings that are both ‘thermally similar’ and share similar systems, such as heating and cooling, hot water, rainwater connections, and water fittings and fixtures.

If 'thermally similar' dwellings have different hot water, or heating and cooling systems, or different fittings and fixtures, these should be grouped separately.

Once you have determined the groupings, enter each group into BESS, with one column representing each dwelling group. If some of the details are the same, you can use the ‘Select All’ function to make bulk edits.

For a group of dwellings, enter the average dwelling area (not the combined area).

'Thermally similar' refers to the performance of the building envelope, the orientation of the dwelling and its living spaces. ‘Thermally similar’ dwellings have similar orientation, similar heating and cooling loads, are of a similar size and have a similar number of external exposed surfaces (walls, floor, and roof).

Examples of thermally similar groupings are provided in the images here.

Image shows two, 3D rectangular prisms representing two semi-detached dwellings with a shared (party) wall. The dwellings are both shaded red, indicating they are not thermally similar to each other.

Dual Occupancy (not thermally similar due to orientation) - enter as two dwellings

Image shows a row of eight, 3D rectangular prisms representing eight connected townhouses. Three dwellings are shaded red - the two dwellings at each end plus one of the middle dwellings, indicating the thermally unique dwellings.

Townhouse Development - Rate the book end houses (3 exposed sides) and 1 internal

Image shows twenty, 3D square prisms stacked two by two and five storeys high, representing an apartment building. The dwellings on the ground floor, top floor and middle floor (4 on each floor) are shaded red, indicating the thermally unique dwellings.

Medium Density (5-10 stories) - Rate Ground floor, middle floor and top floor

Image shows many 3D square prisms in layers of eleven, representing an apartment building of arbitrary height. Half the dwellings are shaded red on the ground floor, half on the third floor, half on the sixth floor, half on the14th floor and half on the top floor, indicating the thermally unique dwellings.

High Density (10+ stories) - Rate half the apartments across 5 floors including ground floor, middle floor, top floor and two others

Non-Residential Spaces

If your project has a non-residential component, you must set up the non-residential spaces. What you input here determines which non-residential questions and credits apply to your project.

The non-residential space types are:

Non-Residential Space Types

Non-Residential Space Types
Space Type	Description
Office building	Class 5
Shop	Class 6
Lab / Warehouse	Class 7 or Class 8
Unconditioned Warehouse / factory	Class 7 or Class 8 (unconditioned)
Public building	Class 9 - hospitals, schools, aged care facilities
Other building	Class 10
Unconditioned Showroom / machine shop	Class 6 or Class 8 (unconditioned)

For Class 3 spaces, please contact the relevant council planning department to discuss how it should be input into BESS. These are most commonly included as either apartments or Other building depending on the design.

Once you have determined the groupings, enter each group into BESS, with one column representing each non-residential group. If some of the details are the same, you can use the ‘Select All’ function to make bulk edits.

Default space names are provided. You may leave these as default or modify using your own naming conventions, e.g. Office1.1, Office1.2 etc.

The area input for grouped spaces is the gross floor area of one representative (averaged) space. Alternatively, enter the combined area and set quantity to one. Do not include car parks.

How the spaces are grouped and the inputs selected for each space type will affect inputs in Water and Energy.

If different spaces in the development have different hot water, or heating and cooling systems, or different water fittings and fixtures or rainwater connections, these will need to be separated out into different groupings.

The Energy section of BESS allows for a Deem to Satisfy (DTS) method or for entering JV3 modelling results. If you are using the Energy Deem to Satisfy (DTS) method then simply use similar water systems to group your spaces. If you are using JV3 modelling inputs, then group by modelling results and similar water systems – i.e. if all spaces are modelled together, then all have a similar energy approach; if some offices are modelled separate to others, then they are not similar.

Categories and Credits

Credits

Each category contains a number of credits relating to that environmental issue. Each credit contributes points toward the total score of that category. Category scores are weighted to calculate the overall BESS score.

Credits may be as simple as a Yes/No question, may require simple numerical input, or may be calculated based on a number of inputs (profiling questions).

For mixed use developments, credits may apply to the whole project, or to one or more building classes within the project.

Profiling Questions

Profiling questions are not credits – they are used for calculations that feed into credits. For example, the Energy category includes a number of profiling questions that are used to determine if the project has met a number of credits below (including GHG emissions, electricity use, hot water energy consumption etc).

Scoping Out

You can 'scope out' questions or credits that do not apply to your development.

When you select "Scope Out", you must explain why the credit is not applicable to your project. Once a credit is scoped out, the points are removed from the available points for that category. Note that scoping out credits may reduce the options available for a development to demonstrate best practice and pass the tool overall.

Examples

The credit Energy 3.3 - External Lighting could be scoped out where the development does not have any external lighting.
The credit Waste 1.1 - Construction Waste - Building Re-use could be scoped out if there are no existing buildings on the site (e.g. for a greenfield development).
It is acceptable to scope out a bath or washing machine in a retail development.
It is acceptable to scope out a urinal in a residential project.

Annotation

BESS provides the opportunity for you to add additional information about a specific credit using the annotate field.

This is an optional field that can be utilised for any credit. The notes added here will appear in the final report.

Each category also has a notes field that you can use to add information not specific to a credit

Scoring

Overall BESS Score

The overall BESS score is shown as a percentage, representing a percentage improvement over a benchmark project. The benchmark project is created from the project information that you input into BESS, and is based on minimum National Construction Code and Minimum Energy Performance Standards.

The BESS overall score is determined by the category scores, factoring in the weighting of each category.

‘Best practice’ is defined within BESS as an overall score of 50% or higher.
‘Excellence’ is defined within BESS as an overall score of 70% or higher.

Mandatory Category Scores

In addition to the overall scoring, four BESS categories have mandatory pass scores:

Water - 50%
Energy - 50%
Stormwater - 100%
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) - 50%

The mandatory category scores were developed with consideration to existing industry based standards. They are intended to demonstrate best practice and complement the current ESD Local Policies and the SDAPP Fact Sheets. The rationale behind this is to maintain flexibility within the tool while also driving users toward an improved outcome in these traditionally ‘core’ sustainability categories. Also, the other categories (Transport, Waste, Urban Ecology & Management) within the tool have a limited number of credits available, and are more likely to contain credits that are not universally applicable.

For mixed-use developments, BESS applies an area weighting to determine the relative contribution of each building class to the credit or category score.

Category Weightings

In the current version of BESS, the category weightings are as follows:

Category Weightings

Category Weightings
Category	Weighting
Management	4.5%
Water	9.0%
Energy	27.5%
Stormwater	13.5%
IEQ	16.5%
Transport	9.0%
Waste	5.5%
Urban Ecology	5.5%
Innovation	9.0%

These weightings are based on a review of other built environment assessment tools, consideration of potential environmental impact (including longevity), opportunities for improving performance and the overall ESD performance standard.

BESS Report

Once you have completed the category pages and are ready to finalise your report, use the 'View report' button to preview your results. The report contains a complete set of all data entered, so that it can be printed and endorsed as part of a planning permit.

How did this development perform in each Environmental Category?

This graph shows the score achieved in each category relative to the total points available. It also shows the relative weightings of each category. This graph can help you understand which categories to target in order to improve your score.

How does each component of the building perform?

This section contains a summary of all data entered within the tool. Expand each section to view the detail.

Items to be marked on plans

This section provides a summary of items that must be marked on the floorplans, based on the information you have entered in BESS. You must provide a drawing reference for each item to verify this. Floorplans SHOULD NOT be uploaded to BESS.

Documents and evidence

This section provides a summary of other evidence (attachments) you must provide, based on the information you have entered in BESS. You can either upload a digital version, or nominate that you will submit a printed version. Once a document is uploaded to BESS, you can use this as evidence for multiple credits. Please provide a page reference if relevant (i.e. for longer reports).

Publishing your BESS Report

Once you are satisfied and ready to publish your report, select 'Publish for submission'. Published reports are locked to editing. Publishing a report does not mean you cannot edit your report in the future. When you click ‘Publish for submission’ a read only version of the report is created. This can be submitted to council.

Printing your BESS report

Print your report to pdf for submission to Council with your other planning permit documentation.

Use the "Print Report" button on the report page. From here, use your browser print command (either control-P, right mouse click and select 'Print', or other command for your browse). In the Print dialog box select 'Print to PDF'. If you don't have this option you will need to install a pdf printer.

Changes after submission

You may need to make changes after publishing your report. If this is the case, you can edit your draft report, and then re-publish it for submission to council. Do this under the Projects tab.

Data and Privacy

Personal Information

Data entered in BESS is stored in the cloud. To protect your privacy, BESS asks for the minimum personal information needed.

You can update your personal information or change your BESS password at any time via your account profile. Check the privacy page for more detailed information about privacy including the MAV's Privacy Policy.

Project Information

BESS projects are not visible to Council staff while in draft form, unless explicitly made accessible to Council by the user. You can allow a draft project to be viewable by council, by selecting Accessible to Council = 'Yes' in the left side bar.

This may be useful if you need to discuss the project with council before it is submitted, or you need some help to improve the BESS score.

You can make a project accessible for a period of time by selecting 'Yes', and also change this back to 'No' at any time.

Once a project is published, it is able to be viewed (read only) by the council in which it is located. This action cannot be undone.

Background Information

Occupancy Rates

Occupancy rates for different building types are built into the tool. These are used for the Energy and Water calculations, and in the Urban Ecology section for the communal spaces and food production credits.

Occupant density for residential building types is derived from ABS data.

The occupancy formula is derived from the floor area. For dwellings less than 38.6 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 1 person. Over 587.5 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 5 people. In between these values, the following logarithmic formula is used, Occupancy = 1.471271*LN(Area)-4.375381.

Occupant density for non-residential building types is informed by the National Construction Code and AS1668.2 (Mechanical Ventilation of Buildings).

Occupancy rates for non-residential space types

Occupancy rates for non-residential space types
Space Type	Assumed occupancy (sqm per occupant)
Office	10
Shop, retail, café	5
Laboratory or warehouse	20
Unconditioned Warehouse / factory	50
Unconditioned Showroom / Machine Shop	20
Public building	5
Other non-residential building	20

Council Administration

Subscriber Councils can search and view all published BESS assessments within their municipal boundary. This feature is not available to general users. If you are a Council subscriber and need help with this feature please Contact Us.

Bedroom

A habitable room that is not a living room, large enough to accommodate a single bed. A study is a habitable room that is not large enough to accommodate a single bed so cannot possibly be used as a bedroom. Alternatively a study could consist of a study nook/space, which could be in the form of a recess or a corner that forms part of a larger room.

Internal bedrooms are bedrooms that are located internally on the floor plan with no external glazing. The provision of sliding walls to internal bedrooms is not sufficient to demonstrate access to an external window. Internal bedrooms with sliding walls are considered to be borrowed light bedrooms.

Building Users’ Guide

A Building Users’ Guide will provide information designed for building occupants in common language that includes information aimed at communicating how the building can be used to optimise its performance potential. Commonly a Building Users’ Guide will detail operational strategies that can result in minimising energy and water use and waste production.

Clerestory window

Clerestory windows are any high windows above eye level. Clerestory windows can be an effective way to bring light and ventilation into a space.

Common area (social node)

Places where people gather for social exchange. They can be outdoors or indoors. Indoor spaces include halls and theatres and must be readily identifiable on building plans. This assessment tool favours outdoor places because they tend to be neglected in planning for functional communities.

Daylight Factor

A measure of indoor brightness of diffuse daylight within a space. It is defined as the ratio of the luminance of a point in a building to the unobstructed outdoor illuminance under the same sky conditions. It is usually measured at the height of the horizontal work plane.

Deemed-to-Satisfy

Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions are those which meet the performance requirements identified by the BCA Section J for certain building elements.

Direct sunlight

Unobstructed sunlight that penetrates the living room space by at least 1m at any time during the day.

Effective metering for apartment /tenancies

An apartment or tenancy is considered to be effectively metered where domestic water, electricity, gas (if provided), and hot water flow (where centralised) metering is installed.

Effective ventilation

Can be demonstrated via single-sided or cross flow or mechanically assisted natural ventilation meeting the criteria below:

Single-sided

Depth of room is 5m or less
Separated openings high and low or split across the width of the room/facade, each 5% of the floor area are preferred.

Cross flow

A breeze path between 2 ventilation openings either within the room or from one room to another.
Breeze path length less than 15m measured between ventilation openings and around internal walls, obstructions & partitions.
Ventilation openings located either in opposite or adjacent external walls or an external wall and an operable skylight.
Size of ventilation openings greater than 2% of total floor area or 1m2, whichever is greater.
No more than 1 doorway or opening <2m² between the ventilation openings.
Where the breeze path travels through an internal door, that door must be provided with door catches.
If on adjacent walls, ventilation openings must be at least 3m apart at their closest point. This is to ensure the space has reasonable ventilation throughout and not just in one corner.

Mechanically Assisted Natural Ventilation

Delivering fresh air rates of between 2.5 - 5 L/s/m2 (results should be supported by modelling)

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) professional

An Architect or Engineer or similar who has qualifications in relevant tools (e.g. BESS, Greenstar, First Rate, AccuRate) and relevant experience in providing sustainable design advice to the development industry. An ESD professional will commonly have either an architectural or engineering degree and experience with Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process.

Floor occupancy above

What is above the ceiling of the dwelling in question? If more than one answer applies, choose the answer that covers the largest proportion of the ceiling area. This input is used in the estimation of energy consumption from NatHERS star rating inputs.

Floor occupancy below

What is below the floor of the dwelling in question? If more than one answer applies, choose the answer that covers the largest proportion of the ceiling area. This input is used in the estimation of energy consumption from NatHERS star rating inputs.

Floor waste

In this context, floor waste means a wastewater connection on the balcony.

Green façade

A green facade is created by growing climbing plants up and across the facade of a building, either from plants grown in garden beds at its base, or by container planting installed at different levels across the building.

Green roof

A vegetated landscape built up from a series of layers that are installed on a roof surface as ‘loose laid’ or modular (that is, installed layer by layer on the roof or as pre-prepared layers in trays). Green roofs may also include communal areas for residents / other building users such as productive garden areas, bbq facilities etc.

Green wall

A green wall is comprised of plants grown in supported vertical systems that are generally attached to an internal or external wall, although in some cases can be freestanding.

Greywater

Greywater is wastewater from a range of sources including your bath, bathroom basin, laundry and shower. It doesn't include blackwater such as wastewater from toilets. A greywater system enables you to re-use greywater from your home for uses such as toilets and gardens.

Gross Floor Area

Gross Floor Area is calculated from the outside line of walls on floor plans and are typically measured in metres squared (m²).

Harvested water

Water harvested from impervious surfaces, including roofs, collected in rainwater tanks. Harvested water may be re-used for flushing toilets, irrigation, vehicle and bin washing, hot water systems, and washing machines (subject to Council Approval)

Horizontal Sky Angle

The angle in the horizontal plane between the centre of glass of the external window to adjacent obstructions (balconies, neighbouring buildings (existing, proposed, structure plans, whichever is most relevant).

Illuminance

The amount of light falling on surface, measured in lux. The illuminance at a given point depends on the colour and reflectance of the surfaces that surround it.

Impervious surface

Surfaces which prevent the infiltration of stormwater runoff. May include roofs, paving, and driveways.

In home energy display

An in-home display lets you see what you’re using and spending on energy and to view by energy used.

JV3

JV3 is a modelling approach for non-residential buildings to meeting Section J requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

Living Area

Includes lounge rooms, dining rooms, family rooms (and similar) and kitchens but excludes bedrooms, studies, bathrooms, laundry.

Major Common Area Users

For energy (electricity and gas) these may include: car park lighting, chillers and air handling fans, lifts, common area lighting and power, centralised hot water supply, renewable energy supply.

For water these may include: evaporative heat rejection systems, fire system water, irrigation systems, rainwater supply, rainwater make – up tank, swimming pool make-up water, shared laundries, shared bathrooms and car wash facilities.

Material reflectance

The table below provides typical reflectances of various materials. Some paint manufacturers can provide tested reflectance values for all their paint colors. In the absence of tested information, a rough approximation of the reflectance of a material can be made by using a light meter to compare the amount of light incident on a surface to the amount of light one foot away that is reflected by that surface.

[Source: Skylighting Design Guidelines, Feb 2014 by Energy Design Resources, p49]

Typical Surface Reflectances

Typical Surface Reflectances
Floor	0.3
Internal Walls	0.7
Ceiling	0.8

Mid winter

Also known as the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. Usually occurs on June 21 each year, but can occur between June 20 - 22.

Passive Design

Any design strategies that have been employed to use the natural climatic conditions of the site in question to achieve thermally comfortable internal spaces. Usually includes consideration of ventilation, passive heat gain, the use of shading, thermal mass and ventilation among other things.

Roof catchment area

Area of roof from which rainwater can be collected and directed to rainwater storage tanks.

Secure bicycle space

Bicycle spaces are considered secure if access to them has been restricted to only users of the space. For example, lockable bicycle storage cages or rooms which can only be accessed by residents or staff who have applied for bicycle storage.

Smart meters

Smart meters capture energy usage information in 15min or 30min intervals and can transfer this data to the building user enabling them to make more informed choices about energy use.

STORM Rating

An assessment of stormwater runoff and on-site treatment against best practice targets, using the free STORM calculator, available online at http://storm.melbournewater.com.au/

Stormwater treatment system

May include rainwater or detention tanks, raingardens, vegetated swales, infiltration systems, or a combination.

Thermally Similar Dwellings

A group of apartments is considered thermally similar based on the following properties: Floor plan type, extent of shared walls, floors and ceilings, orientation, height - exposure to wind changes as height changes, most significant changes occur at 3 storeys and 10 storeys. A thermally similar group could contain as little as two dwellings.

Thermally similar dwellings

Thermally similar dwellings occur with variation in floor plan type (extent of glazing, shared walls, floors and ceilings), orientation and height (exposure to wind changes as height increases - most significant changes occur at 3 stories and 10 stories). Commonly this would be at least 10% of apartments including 1 apartment per principal orientation and floor, and include apartments located on significant variation to building profile and apartments with higher exposure to ambient conditions.

Uniform design sky

An artificial sky, used for daylight modelling that is uniformly bright. The commonly accepted uniform design sky is 10,000 lux for many parts of Australia.

U-value

A measure of heat transfer that is commonly used for windows. The lower the U-value, the lower the heat transfer (lower heat loss = more insulative)

Vertical Sky Angle

The angle in the vertical plane between the centre of glass of the external window to adjacent obstructions (balconies, neighbouring buildings (existing, proposed, structure plans, whichever is most relevant).

WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme)

Australia's water efficiency labelling scheme, requiring certain products to be registered and labelled in accordance with the standard set under the national Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005. See http://www.waterrating.gov.au

Xeriscape garden

Xeriscape landscapes reduce or eliminate the need for water from irrigation.

Regular use area

Any room or internal space of a non-residential building other than a bathroom, laundry, toilet, cupboard, corridor, stair, lobby, copying room, photographic darkroom, clothes drying room and other space of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.

Sign in

1.1 - Pre-Application Meeting

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Further Information

2.1 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Single Dwelling

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Further Information

2.2 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Multi-Dwelling Residential

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Further Information

2.3 - Thermal Performance Modelling - Non-Residential

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

3.1 - Metering

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Other Considerations

3.2 - Metering

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

3.3 - Metering

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Other Considerations

4.1 - Building Users Guide

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

1.1 - Potable Water Use Reduction (Interior Uses)

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Other Considerations

Further Information

2.1 - Rainwater Collection & Reuse (Additional Uses)

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Further Information

3.1 - Water Efficient Landscaping

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Other Considerations

Further Information

4.1 - Building Systems Water Use Reduction

Applies to

Objective

Summary

Documentation & evidence required

Further Information

Non-Residential Pathways

Deemed to Satisfy

Non-Residential Energy Modelling

Residential Energy Modelling - NatHERS ratings

1.1 - Thermal Performance Rating - Non-Residential

Applies to

Objective

Summary