NATSPEC | BIG

Browse myBIG's collection of NATSPEC TECHReports and TECHNotes.

Name	Publisher
South Australian Housing Trust. Minimum Design and Construction Specification for Class 2 Buildings	Current SA Housing Authority	All proposals shall comply with this Minimum Design and Construction Specification (MDCS) together with any additional requirements issued by the Principal with the tender call and any encumbrances, building envelopes, Building Guidelines and Council requirements to which the proposed land is subject.
SAHT Construction Requirements For Class 1A Buildings	Current SA Housing Authority	These requirements are additional to the NATSPEC Simple Domestic specification requirements and if differences in interpretation between the two should arise then these requirements take precedence.
GEN 033 Understanding Two-Part Specifications	Current NATSPEC	NATSPEC produces a range of specification worksection templates which include technical and quality requirements for most building types.
DES 047 Specifying Air Filters	Current NATSPEC	Discusses options for specifying particulate air filters for air conditioning and ventilation.
DES 048 Chiller Schedules	Current NATSPEC	NATSPEC worksections cover a wide range of chillers including those with centrifugal, screw or scroll compressors, air or water cooling and heat recovery. Absorption chillers are also included; the chiller worksections also include options for specifying requirements such as IPLV and NPLV; this TECHnote aims to help specifiers to complete the included schedules.
GEN 032 Digital Archiving: File Naming And Project Folder Structure TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Clear and consistent file naming and folder structures will make it easier to rapidly locate files, including the latest versions of files, reducing confusion and the likelihood of potentially costly mistakes, while also facilitating the reliable retrieval of files from the project archive.
PRO 007 Refrigerants TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote discusses the background and implications of Australia's phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants and the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, in conformance with international protocols and market forces
PRO 006 Glass Types Used In Buildings TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Selecting the right glass for a project requires detailed information on the performance properties of the glass type and the manufacturing processes involved.
PRO 005 Formaldehyde – Indoor Air Quality TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Formaldehyde has been used for many years in the manufacture of building materials including adhesive resins for products such as plywood, reconstituted wood-based panels and laminated timber, as well as sheet vinyl flooring, wallpaper and paint.
PRO 004 Ceramic Tile And Adhesive Selection TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides guidance to specifiers on the selection of ceramic tiling and adhesives used for fixing the tiles.
PRO 003 Warranties For Steel Protective Paint Coatings TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote discusses the requirement for and availability of warranties for steel protective paint coatings.
PRO 002 Mineral Wool TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote deals with the manufacture, properties and safety issues related to the use of mineral wool.
PRO 001 CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate) Treated Timber TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	CCA is Australia’s most widely used wood preservative. It has been used in Australia for some 50 years.
DES 044 Weatherproofing Of External Walls TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The National Construction Code (NCC) requires that all external walls, from traditional masonry construction through to walls with high performance cladding systems, must be weatherproof to prevent dampness and unhealthy conditions for the occupants.
DES 040 Universal Design: Trip Avoidance TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Trips can occur when a person unexpectedly catches their foot on an object or surface. Common causes of tripping include low obstacles, obstructed view, poor lighting, uneven walking surfaces and poor maintenance.
DES 041 Using Design And Install Worksections TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	NATSPEC provides design and install worksections for mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fire services.
DES 042 Universal Design: Lighting TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Lighting, natural and/or artificial, can assist people to orient themselves and navigate through the built environment.
DES 043 Universal Design: Wayfinding TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Wayfinding refers to the way people get from one location to another, including their information gathering and decision-making processes for orientation and movement through space.
DES 039 Universal Design: Slip Resistance TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Slips can occur when a person's foot loses traction with the ground surface due to surface contaminants such as water or grease, poor maintenance, inappropriate footwear or flooring product's finish and innate slip resistance rating.
DES 038 Universal Design: Introduction TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Universal design is the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible and usable to all people of different ages and abilities over time, without the need for adaptation or specialised design.
DES 037 Accessible Housing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Accessible housing refers to housing that includes features which enable use by people either with a disability or transitioning through their life stages.
DES 036 Need For Subsurface Drainage On Local Roads TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The objective of this TECHnote is to assist road owners identify the need for subsurface drainage. It further discusses the various options of providing subsurface drainage types on local roads.
DES 035 Improvement And Stabilisation Of Unsealed Roads TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The required intervention levels and timing of maintenance intervention resource may not be sufficient to protect Councils duty of care to provide safe roads.
DES 034 Pavement Stabilisation For Unsealed Roads TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Stabilisation is a process by which the intrinsic properties of a pavement material are altered by the addition of a stabilisation binder and/or granular material to meet performance expectations in its operating, geological and climatic environment.
DES 033 Duct Leakage And Leakage Testing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The leakage of air out of and into air handling supply, return and exhaust ducts can have a significant effect on energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
DES 032 Airborne Sound Insulation TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses the use of insulation to reduce the transmission of airborne sound between habitable rooms.
DES 028 Grass Seeding And Turfing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides guidance on the selection of grass seed mixes and turf species for general landscaping for use in 0252 Landscape – natural grass surfaces.
DES 029 Native Grass Lawns TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote discusses several of the native grass species suitable for lawn applications.
DES 030 Seismic Design Actions On Non-Structural Components TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote examines the statutory requirements for seismic restraint which must be considered for non-structural components and internal fixings, and the relevant provisions within NATSPEC.
DES 031 Specifying R-Values TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote describes the various meanings of R-Value, its use in the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume One - Building Code of Australia (BCA) Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings, and the ways in which designers and specifiers can document compliance with statutory requirements.
DES 027 Impact Sound Insulation TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses the use of impact sound insulation in floor systems.
DES 026 Living Walls And Roofs TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote highlights design and construction issues for consideration and suggests suitable NATSPEC worksections for the documentation of living walls and roofs.
DES 025 Mechanical Design And Install HVAC Checklist TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides a checklist intended to assist the architect or building designer in the assessment of proposals for the design and installation of HVAC systems.
DES 024 Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) integrates planning and design of the urban water cycle, water supply, waste water, stormwater and groundwater management, urban design and environmental protection.
DES 023 Mechanical Services Pipe And Vessel Insulation TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses the selection of appropriate levels of insulation for piping, vessels and heat exchangers with curved surfaces.
DES 022 Microbial Control TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote discusses the requirements for microbial control in buildings and how these are addressed in NATSPEC.
DES 021 Site Electricity Supply TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote highlights design and construction issues for consideration and suggests suitable NATSPEC worksections for the documentation of electricity supply.
GEN 020 Fire Behaviour Of Building Materials And Assemblies TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides guidance on the National Construction Code (NCC) classification of the fire behaviour of building materials and assemblies. Classification is generally based on the level of risk associated with different classes of buildings and how they will be used.
DES 019 Pipe Support Spacing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Pipe supports are required in various applications, many of which are governed by Australian and other standards.
DES 018 Bushfire Protection TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Bushfires are a feature of the Australian environment. The impact of bushfire on life and property can be reduced with responsible preparation and bushfire management plans. Bushfire hazards exist not only in rural areas but also at the rural and urban interface, for example areas adjacent to parks, public reserves and golf courses.
DES 017 Selection Of Sealants TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote summarises typical sealant types used for different applications in construction.
DES 016 NCC - BCA Volume Two: Energy Efficiency Provisions TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote includes information useful in satisfying the NCC energy efficiency provisions for Class1 buildings and Class 10a buildings.
DES 105 NCC - BCA Volume One: Energy Efficiency Provisions TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote includes information useful in satisfying the NCC Energy efficiency provisions for Class 2 to 9 buildings. The NCC objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. Operational energy is currently the focus of the NCC. Embodied energy may be considered in the future for sustainability controls.
DES 014 Environmental Rating Schemes For Buildings TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	There are a number of national environmental rating schemes in place in Australia that can be used to understand how efficiently a building is operating as well as measure and reduce its impact on the environment.
DES 013 NCC Energy Efficiency Protocol And Software For Housing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Compliance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy energy efficiency provisions of the NCC can be achieved using thermal modeling software and load limits for the climate zone specified in the ABCB standard NatHERS heating and cooling load limits. The NatHERS compliance pathway requires a building to achieve a minimum star rating and satisfy corresponding heating and cooling load limits.
DES 012 Using NATSPEC To Specify BMS And Automatic Controls TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote suggests some ways to use NATSPEC worksections to specify Building Management Systems (BMS) and automatic controls.
DES 011 Rainwater Harvesting TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The collection, storage and use of rainwater has potential for considerable reduction in the requirement for potable (mains) water supply. This TECHnote suggests ways that a NATSPEC based specification can be used to specify a rainwater harvesting system.
DES 010 Atmospheric Corrosivity Categories TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Atmospheric corrosivity categories are a standardised rating of the corrosivity of the atmosphere in relation to the corrosion rate of certain metals.
DES 009 Limit State Design TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	During recent decades, the emphasis in structural design has been moving from permissible stress design to limit state design since the latter approach makes possible rigorously designed, yet economical, structures by considering relevant modes of failure directly.
DES 008 Preparation Of Concrete Substrates TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Substrate is the surface to which a material or product is applied.
DES 007 Static Control Floors TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote highlights the different types of static control floors and their application.
DES 006 Specifying Concrete TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Specifying concrete defines the properties of concrete, and its expected performance.
DES 005 Preventing Condensation On Ducts And Air Handling Plant TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Condensation on mechanical ducts and plant can lead to corrosion, damage to building materials and microbial growth. This TECHnote deals with the use of insulation to prevent condensation on ducts and air handling plant.
DES 004 Air, Moisture And Condensation TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Condensation can damage finishes and materials (e.g. by causing timber to rot), and be a health hazard by promoting mould growth. Moisture entry into buildings also increases air conditioning energy consumption. Higher R-Values and tighter building sealing increase condensation risk.
DES 003 Fire Hazard Properties Of Insulation And Pliable Membranes TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses fire hazard properties of insulation and sarking materials as dealt with in both the National Construction Code (NCC) and in NATSPEC.
DES 002 Moisture Content In Timber Floors TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The moisture content of timber varies with changes in humidity and temperature in the surrounding air. The effect is for timber to swell with the uptake of atmospheric moisture, or to shrink with moisture loss. Natural movement that occurs must be accommodated by the installation and finishing processes.
DES 001 Slip Resistance Performance TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Standards and relevance for slip resistance performance.
GEN 032 Digital Archiving: File Naming And Project Folder Structure TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Develop simple and flexible guiding principles that work within the context of the practice.
GEN 031 Digital Archiving: Glossary TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Digital Archiving Glossary
GEN 030 Digital Archiving: Introduction TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Archival records are administrative or project records which are no longer in current use but are retained to satisfy legal requirements, for promotional or reuse value, or for their potential historical significance.
GEN 029 Design And Specification Guidance Text In NATSPEC TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Discusses NATSPEC worksection Templates include guidance in the form of ‘hidden’ Guidance text to help specifiers select the most appropriate worksections and edit Template content to create a project specification.
GEN 028 Specifying Recycled Materials For Road Works Using AUS-SPEC TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The objective of this TECHnote is to assist local road authorities implement the use of recycled materials by including it in their policies, construction specifications and approval processes.
GEN 027 Maintenance Of Unsealed Roads TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The objective of this TECHnote is to assist local road authorities to maintain low volume unsealed gravel roads.
GEN 026 Otta Seal - A Different Approach For Road Sealing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The objective of this TECHnote is to increase road owners’ understanding of the feasibility of using Otta seal for low traffic volume unsealed gravel roads.
GEN 025 Sprayed Preservation Surfacing Treatments TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The objective of this TECHnote is to assist road owners to determine when and where to apply the most appropriate sprayed preservation surfacing to obtain the maximum benefit to their sealed road network.
GEN 024 Using NATSPEC Selections Schedules TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Schedules summarise information about a related group of items in a tabular form, in NATSPEC, they are used to document a selection of products or systems by their distinguishing characteristics or properties.
GEN 023 Using AUS-SPEC For Management Of Unsealed Roads TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides guidance on using the AUS-SPEC specification system for the design, construction and maintenance of unsealed roads.
GEN 022 Using AUS-SPEC For Asset Delivery TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Local government plays an important role in land use planning, development approval and construction of infrastructure in all Australian states.
GEN 021 Scope Of Work Clauses TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Scope of Works clauses are commonly used to summarise the work included in a contract, particularly for complex engineering systems and for additions and alterations to existing work.
GEN 020 Building Commissioning TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Carried out competently, commissioning will reduce contractors' on-site costs and reduce the costs of rectifying defects.
GEN 019 Using AUS-SPEC For Contract Documentation TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides an overview on using AUS-SPEC for standard and period supply and service contract documentation for the life cycle management of assets.
GEN 018 Using AUS-SPEC For Asset Maintenance TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote describes the philosophy and components of the AUS-SPEC maintenance system for urban and open spaces, buildings and facilities, road reserves, bridges and public utilities.
GEN 017 Using AUS-SPEC For Asset Management TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Ongoing planned maintenance of physical assets reduces life cycle costs and increases asset life. This TECHnote provides guidance on using the AUS-SPEC specification system for asset management.
GEN 016 Preliminaries And Contract Schedules TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote aims to clarify items which are sometimes overlapping in the General conditions of contract and the specification’s Preliminaries.
GEN 015 Using The NATSPEC Classification Systems To Organise Information TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The NATSPEC National classification system was designed for organising the content of specifications. However, it is also useful for organising building product and technical information needed during design and construction processes.
GEN 014 Submissions And Testing TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses the specification of submissions and tests by the contractor which may be required during the construction process.
GEN 013 Specifying Quality TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Communicating the requirements for quality is the main technical function of the specification. This TECHnote outlines how the NATSPEC specification system may be used to promote quality in construction projects.
GEN 012 Door Hardware Scheduling TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote outlines the two alternative approaches to specifying door hardware that have been provided for in SELECTIONS in NATSPEC’s 0455 Door hardware worksection: two stage scheduling and proprietary scheduling.
GEN 011 Specifying NCC Requirements TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote explains how the requirements of the National Construction Code Series (NCC) are incorporated in NATSPEC worksection specification Templates.
GEN 009 Hold Points And Witness Points TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Hold points and Witness points are construction stages which may need additional inspection, verification and documentation.
GEN 008 Branded vs Generic Worksections TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote defines the alternatives between a generic and branded workstation, and outlines their advantages.
GEN 007 Making Sure Your Specifications Are Up-To-Date TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote outlines some approaches to making sure your specifications are up-to-date using the NATSPEC system
GEN 006 Product Specifying And Substitution TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	NATSPEC has provisions for specifying particular requirements for submissions. Provision is also made for specifying time and program constraints for submissions.
GEN 005 Specifications TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	The primary function of the drawings and specification is to give effect to design decisions. Many design decisions cannot be expressed in graphic form and therefore rely on words for their expression.
GEN 004 Shop Drawings And Samples TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote addresses the need for shop drawings and samples, their management and the documentation of requirements in a construction contract.
GEN 003 Multiple Contracts And 'Work By Others' TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote provides information on the use of NATSPEC for projects where the procurement method involves multiple-prime contracts, also known as trade package contracts or separate contracts.
GEN 002 NATSPEC'S Use Of Standards TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	NATSPEC, with research and feedback from subscribers and industry, fills gaps that the consensus approach can leave out of standards.
GEN 001 Getting Help TECHnote	Latest NATSPEC	Summarises the various ways that NATSPEC provides help to specification writers.
DES 045 Corrosion Protection of Building Services TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote aims to provide specifiers with guidance in deciding the required protection to prevent excessive corrosion.
DES 046 Universal Design: Acoustics TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	Acoustic design can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing, communication and productivity; good acoustic design allows for speech intelligibility and helps promote human interaction and knowledge transfer.
TR 01 Specifying ESD TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) and their application to building specifications; includes guidance for incorporating ESD provisions into each NATSPEC worksection.
TR 02 Information classification systems and the Australian construction industry TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This NATSPEC TECHreport provides an overview of the use of classification systems for organising construction information for various purposes.
TR 03 Specifying Design And Construct For Mechanical Services TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines how NATSPEC may be used to prepare Design and Construct mechanical specifications.
TR 04 NATSPEC For Refurbishment, Retrofitting And Adaptive Re-Use TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines how the NATSPEC specification system may be used for refurbishment, retrofit and adaptive re-use projects; key upgrade options are summarised and refurbishment related items in NATSPEC worksections are highlighted.
TR 05 Selection And Design Of Building IT Systems TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines how NATSPEC can be used to document Building IT (information technology) systems; provides an overview of the selection and design of Building IT systems and components, and presents a range of approaches for preparing the specification.
TR 06 Procurement: Past And Present TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines the major procurement systems used in the construction industry today, and the basic principles and reasoning behind these methods; includes an outline of how procurement has evolved from past methods and the directions it is heading.
TR 07 Providing Access For Maintenance TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport outlines the basic principles of providing access for maintenance, current requirements in Australian legislation and standards, and good practice; draws together relevant information from a variety of sources that designers and specifiers can pursue for more detail.
TR 08 Management Of Council Gravel Pits In Country Areas – A Case Study TECHreport	Current NATSPEC	This TECHreport can be used by Councils who operate licensed gravel pits to comply with their duty of care and be compliant with the legal framework required by the State Governments.
GEN 010 Mechanical Commissioning Strategies TECHnote	Current NATSPEC	This TECHnote discusses alternative mechanical balancing and commissioning strategies.