Page 688 - Week 02 - Thursday, 16 February 2017

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The performance standard for water heaters is based on the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent produced in the operation of the water heater, rather than the energy efficiency of the water heater or whole hot water system. There are additional standards for insulating pipework to minimise heat losses from the hot water system that apply to new pipework.

The water heater standard applies to all relevant buildings regardless of where they are located. However, there is an exemption from the water heater standard for solid-fuel burning water heaters in new class 1 buildings located in an area of non-urban land.

(2) The NCC provides water heater options that are ‘deemed-to-satisfy’ the performance standard. The options include certain solar, heat pump, gas instantaneous, gas storage and wood- or direct-fired water heaters. Each option must meet relevant standards and solar and heat pumps must meet standards for the maximum amount of energy that can be sourced from the public electricity supply to heat water. Electric resistance water heaters with a maximum storage capacity of 50L may also be installed in limited circumstances. The Minister may also determine other suitable water heaters for the standard. None have been declared to date.

The full standard including these options is available free online from www.abcb.gov.au.

None of the ‘deemed-to-satisfy’ options or water heaters determined by the Minister is mandatory.

(3) If any of the ‘deemed-to-satisfy’ or determined options are not considered suitable by the resident, the resident may propose an alternative solution demonstrating that the water heater they would like to install meets the overarching performance standard. The proposed solution must be approved by a building certifier.

Work safety—commissioner
(Question No 25)

Mr Coe asked the Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 16 December 2016:

Can the Minister list all the roles and delegations currently held by the ACT Work Safety Commissioner, together with the expiry date, if relevant, for those roles and delegations.

Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

Mr Greg Jones, Work Safety Commissioner, holds a number of appointments listed below:

Director, Construction, Environment and Workplace Protection – Access Canberra (expiry date 18 July 2021);

Works Safety Commissioner (expiry date 18 July 2021);

Construction Occupations Registrar (expiry date 28 July 2019);

Environment Protection Authority (No expiry date);

Clinical Waste Controller (No expiry date);


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