Condensation in Buildings, Handbook; 2nd Ed. 2014

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Condensation in Buildings, Handbook; 2nd Ed. 2014; Australian Building Codes Board.

Condensation in buildings has been identified as an issue that requires consistent uniform guidance because the National Construction Code Series (NCC) provisions dealing with damp and weatherproofing, ventilation, bushfire safety and energy efficiency can affect its risks and consequences. These measures appear in the Building Code of Australia (BCA), Volume One and Volume Two of the NCC.

This Handbook elaborates on the condensation risks mentioned in limited detail by non-mandatory advice in the Guide for Volume One and Explanatory Information in Volume Two. Such explanatory notes accompanied the initial energy efficiency measures for housing introduced in January 2003 (through BCA 96 Amendment 12). Similar information appeared in the Guide with the introduction of energy efficiency provisions for commercial buildings in BCA 2006. This non-regulatory approach recognised the complexity of the environmental, building construction and behavioural factors which contribute to condensation risk and its effective management. The advisory approach is maintained in the BCA and was extended with the publication of the first edition of the Condensation in Buildings Handbook in 2011.

Like its predecessor, this second edition of the Handbook addresses the issues in generic terms. Examples of climate analysis, configurations of roof, wall or floor assemblies and the like are provided only to illustrate general principles. It is expected that practitioners will consider the suitability of those principles before adapting or applying them to particular circumstances and purposes.