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May
14th

Managing impacts of COVID-19 on NABERS Ratings

By Joe Scholz, Director

NABERS released v2.0 of Managing the Impacts of COVID19 on NABERS Ratings on 5 May

The main points are:

  • monthly data for March-June to be substituted from the prior year – applies to Energy and Water consumption metrics, and Indoor Environment temperature.  This may not apply if occupancy is at normal levels
  • rating lodgement times have been increased from 120 to 180 Days
  • site audits and walkthroughs may now be completed by another NABERS Assessor, or appropriately qualified non-Assessor.  Other conditions also apply
  • NABERS Indoor Environment spot testing may be conducted on alternative floors if nominated floors have low occupancy. Other conditions also apply.

For NABERS indoor Environment ratings, it is business as usual with some key points to note below.

  • continuously collect building occupancy data.  Weekly occupancy rates per tenancy per floor will be adequate
  • retain communication from tenants describing floor and HVAC shutdowns (for future audits)
  • BMS temperature data: continue to monitor and aim for 100% compliance of temperatures (21.0° to 24.9°, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), especially for floors that have not been closed, and may be only partly occupied.

A further consultation paper has since been released by NABERS, with the aim of building consensus for several further clarifications to the rules, culminating in v3.0 of its COVID19 response by the end of May. So stay tuned.

For more information and to access the latest NABERS documentation click here.

This post was edited on 21 May for clarity and to incorporate information released by NABERS after initial publication


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