We are in the process of designing a new home. We are in rural WA.
We're looking for information around energy efficiency reports and fire rating considerations.
Energy rating:
If the new home has no energy consuming heating or cooling (ie; entirely passive), does the design still require an energy report? I ask this because we recently had a shed (class 10a building) that we converted into a public studio (class 9b building) and because we had no airconditioning installed (entirely passive design) an energy report was not required.
Fire rating requirements:
The rating of the site is BAL40 from 2 sides and BAL29 on the other 2 sides. I recall reading somewhere (think it was the Australian Standards, but can no longer recall) that if an approved fire bunker is installed (to approved standards) then the house does not need to comply with fire rating requirements. I have contacted two fire bunker manufacturers and had two differing answers. Does anyone have any more information?
We will be owner-building and will of course take energy consumption and fire rating very seriously but would prefer not to be dictated to by legislation.
Thanks.