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JV3

Nearly everything you need to know...

About Obtaining a JV3 Report For Your Project

 

Apr-23-2020 12-21-53

 

Stuck with an undesirable solution from a Section J DTS report? We use thermal modelling software to allow for innovative and flexible design solutions for your project. Prefer single glazing? No problem! We can add additional insulation in either your walls or ceiling to compensate.

 

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What is a JV3 exactly? 

 
JV3 is the alternative assessment method for non-residential buildings which uses a reference building to compare the overall assumed energy consumption of new buildings with respect to their location and climate. There are a number of reasons why a JV3 alternative assessment should be part of your new design. In our world there are no identical buildings when we assess energy consumption. A building with the exact same design, layout, and building materials, can have a different energy use than its twin that may be many kilometres away. Due to factors like its location and specific weather conditions the annual energy consumption can be significantly different.

 

Image of building for JV3 modelling

 

When is a JV3 Assessment required?

JV3 can be used as an alternative solution when a section J report is required. This applies when a building’s complex design does not meet the Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) requirements under the National Construction Code (NCC).  JV3 allows much more flexibility with regards to design choices, as architects and designers can create as they see fit as long as it does not exceed the reference buildings energy usage targets. JV3 is much like a non-residential equivalent of NatHERS modelling, allowing flexibility to choose glazing and building elements as long as it stays within the annual energy consumption of the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) building.

The JV3 Assessment requires a detailed assessment of the building’s design. The feedback that is given from the JV3 model should be a consideration in the detailed design’s development.

 

What are some benefits of a JV3:

  • Provides greater design flexibility
  • Can allow for designs that are unattainable with DtS requirements to be implemented
  • Supersedes the requirement of floor insulation and the glazing calculator.  
  • Results in a more rational design that costs less to construct
  • Design improvements include increased energy performance, aesthetics, and reduced complexity in design.

 

 

Modelling

 

DtS Solutions

A DtS Solution requires at least one of the Assessment Methods under the NCC to be used. These include an Evidence of Suitability and Expert Judgement.

 

JV3 Building Classes

JV3 applies to all buildings of Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and is not application to buildings of Class 2 and 4. The energy used by services in a Performance Solution are related to the energy used the services used in a DtS Solution.
 
JV3 is generally more expensive than Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) Section J compliance as it takes much more time to assess. This process involves the comparison of a proposed design with a DtS reference building whilst also taking into account the specific location and weather data of the proposed building. The proposed building must not exceed the annual energy consumption of the DtS reference building, this allowing much more flexibility when design, with building elements being able to be chosen as long as the sum of the whole building does not exceed the maximum annual consumption. JV3 is much like a non-residential equivalent of NatHERS modelling allowing flexibility to choose glazing and building elements as long as it stays within the annual energy consumption of the DTS building

 

How is JV3 Assessed?

This process involves the comparison of a proposed design with a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) reference building whilst also taking into account the specific location and weather data of the proposed building. The proposed building must not exceed the annual energy consumption of the DtS building, this allowing much more flexibility when designing, with building elements being able to be chosen as long as the sum of the whole building does not exceed the maximum annual consumption. The JV3 alternative assessment can be used to attain certain flexibility when designing, such as glazed elements (e.g. the amount, orientation and quality), the building fabric (e.g. the envelope, facades, floors, walls, and roof) and when planning the services (e.g. air conditioning, lighting and heating) as opposed to just a DtS Section J report.

 

JV3 Verification Method

The proposed building’s annual energy consumption is not to be greater than the annual energy consumption allowance.

The subject building’s annual energy consumption is assessed in:

  • MJ/m² per annum or
  • kWh/m² per annum

The energy consumption is compared with a reference building’s theoretical annual energy consumption. The reference building assumes that it complies with the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) requirements. 

 

Image of building exterior for JV3

 

Steps in using the JV3 Verification Method

  1. Determine the consumption of annual energy allowance by using a reference building with DtS provisions to model the criteria in JV3.
  2. Calculate the theoretical amount of annual energy consumption of the proposed Performance Solution through the building criteria of the subject or the criteria in Specification JV.
  3. Calculate the theoretical amount of annual energy consumption of the proposed Performance Solution by modelling the services with that of the reference building.
  4. Compare the output of steps 2 and 3 (theoretical annual energy consumption) to the output of step 1 (annual energy consumption allowance). This ensures that the annual energy consumption is not greater than the allowance 

 

Image of building interior for JV3

 

 

Requirements

What do you need?

 

A JV3 assessment requires an accurate 3D model of the proposed building with the correct location, orientation and climate information imputed into the software. Lighting, occupancy and external heat loads are also required to assess the overall operational usage of the building, which is then assessed for every hour throughout the year and compared against a reference building.

 

The JV3 Verification Method uses a thermal model of the building’s design. There are three main facets involved in the JV3 process, these being the inputs, outputs and calculations:

 

Inputs
  • The design documentation of the Development Application (DA) that is used to conduct the preliminary assessment.
Outputs
  • The preliminary DtS assessment of Section J
  • The preliminary JV3 Report
  • Feedback with the client and the designers
  • The final JV3 Report
Calculations
  • Reference building model
  • Proposed building model
  • Simulation of the thermal model
  • Revise the model after analysis results

 

 
 
jv3 modelling done correctly
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JV3 Report Sample

Download a sample report today. 

 

Time

How long does it take?

Jv3 models can be generated using government specified commercial modelling software such as Design Builder or IES. Our turnaround for these reports is usually 5-10 business days as they are formulated on Section J Deemed to Satisfy reports. NCC 2019 Section J / JV3 reports typically take 25% longer than their 2016 predecessors due to the increased focus on PMV and Thermal Comfort parameters and the increased inputs required for compliance 

 

Cost

How much does it cost?

JV3 reports range from $2500 for small projects, through to $6000 for larger commercial / mixed use office buildings. 

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CODE CALCULATOR

 

The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 has brought in a raft of changes including a facade calculator which will assist in providing compliance for wall and glazing provisions. This will make the process for JV3 reports amongst other certifications to continue to reduce the carbon footprint for future building plans.
As Volume 1 of the Building Code of Australia, changes have constantly being made ever since the introduction of the National Construction Code when it was introduced in 2000. This is to reduce the carbon footprint that buildings emit, and these changes have been gradual as there have been more innovative sustainable designs on offer.
Now, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) have introduced the facade calculator to help builders, engineers, urban planners and similar professionals estimate wall and glazing provisions.
The process is designed in eight steps to simplify and speed up future building developments nationwide. Previous to this builders and urban planners would "eyeball" this, now the calculator provides an estimate that can assist them based on the climate zone provided. In it's current version, the Facade Calculator will not be perfect, however future iterations are likely to correct this.
The first step is to provide generic information about a building like so:
 
Sample information for national construction code calculator to assess JV3
Source: Australian Building Codes Board
 
The second step will be to provide glazing information, the user needs to create a unique glazing type and unique glazing reference:
 
Sample information for national construction code calculator to assess JV3

 

The third step is to enter spandrel (opaque) information to calculate its thermal resistance and the impact of thermal bridging for walls:

 

sample information for national construction code calculator to assess JV3

 

Steps four to eight are a variety of design requirements, revised design requirements and reducing spandrel thermal bridging. All of this is to ensure that builders, developers and other professionals meet new NCC compliance standards.

 

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