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NATSPEC Resources
NATSPEC informs subscribers with a range of instructional guides, references, newsletters, guidance notes and reports on current construction related issues.
Project types
HVAC systems for projects including:
- High-rise commercial
- Health
- Educational
- Industrial
- High-rise and multi-unit residential
- Sports
Size and complexity
Large technically complex projects through to very simple installations.
Typical users
Mechanical engineers and consultants.
Inclusions
- Twice yearly update including changes to the National Construction Code and Standards.
- SPECbuilder online specification compilation software compatible with all versions of Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems.
- Editable worksection Templates in Microsoft Word *.docx format.
- Hidden text Guidance for developing project specifications for tender and contract documentation.
- Fully searchable pdf version of package with highlighted updates.
- Instructional guides and technical resources.
- Package CD.
- Branded worksections
- 0121 Tendering
- 0127 Commissioning - information
- 0131 Preliminaries
- 0133 Preliminaries (interior and alterations)
- 0138 Multiple contracts
- 0140 Preliminaries - ABIC BW-2018 C
- 0141 Preliminaries - ABIC MW-2008
- 0141 Preliminaries - ABIC MW-2011 C Qld
- 0142 Preliminaries - ABIC SW-2008
- 0142 Preliminaries - ABIC SW-C Qld
- 0143 Preliminaries - AS 2124
- 0144 Preliminaries - AS 4000
- 0145 Preliminaries - AS 4905
- 0146 Preliminaries - AS 4902
- 0148 Preliminaries - ABIC EW-1
- 0160 Quality
- 0164 Commissioning
- 0171 General requirements
- 0171b General requirements
- 0171q DHPW (Qld) - General requirements
- 0181 Adhesives, sealants and fasteners
- 0182 Fire-stopping
- 0183 Metals and prefinishes
- 0183b Metals and prefinishes
- 0184 Termite management
- 0185 Timber products, finishes and treatment
- 0191 Sundry items
- 0193 Building access safety systems
- 0201 Demolition
- 0201b Demolition
- 0202 Demolition (interior and alterations)
- 0222 Earthwork
- 0222q DHPW (Qld) - Earthwork
- 0223 Service trenching
- 0573 Fire extinguishers and blankets
- 0701 Mechanical systems
- 0702 Mechanical design and install
- 0703 Mechanical design and construct
- 0711 Chillers - combined
- 0712 Water heating boilers
- 0713 Cooling towers
- 0714 Mechanical pumps
- 0715 Tanks, vessels and heat exchangers
- 0716 Chillers - centrifugal
- 0717 Chillers - water cooled screw
- 0718 Chillers - air cooled screw and scroll
- 0719 Chillers - absorption
- 0721 Packaged air conditioning
- 0722 Room air conditioning
- 0723 Evaporative air coolers
- 0724 Air handling plant - combined
- 0725 Air handling plant - built up
- 0726 Air handling plant - minor
- 0731 Fans
- 0732 Air filters
- 0733 Air coils
- 0734 Humidifiers
- 0741 Ductwork
- 0744 Ductwork insulation
- 0745 Attenuators and acoustic louvres
- 0746 Air grilles
- 0747 Variable air volume terminals
- 0748 Chilled beams
- 0751 Mechanical piping
- 0752 Mechanical piping insulation
- 0753 Water treatment
- 0754 Liquid fuels
- 0755 Medical gas systems
- 0761 Refrigeration
- 0762 Cool rooms
- 0771 Automatic controls
- 0772 Automatic controls - minor
- 0773 Building management systems
- 0781 Mechanical electrical
- 0782 Mechanical electrical - minor
- 0784 Motors and starters
- 0791 Mechanical commissioning
- 0792 Mechanical maintenance
- 1011 Lifts design and install
0121 Tendering
This worksection Template reflects the principles of the main Australian codes of practice, including AS 4120 which is cited in a number of state government's codes of practice. The worksection assumes head-contract tendering. It is applicable to non-contractual material and so does not form part of the contract documents.
0127 Commissioning - information
This worksection Template provides non-contractual information for the contractor when the owner requires a Commissioning Authority (CxA) to oversee the commissioning process for the whole, or a defined part of a project. It is based on the commissioning process described in ASHRAE Guideline 0.
0131 Preliminaries
This worksection Template is applicable to the site requirements of the owner and allows for the selection of a contract. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, owner's site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of payment for the works, and pest eradication.
0133 Preliminaries (interior and alterations)
This worksection Template is applicable to the site requirements of the owner for interior fitout projects and allows for the selection of a contract. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, and some aspects of payment for the works.
0138 Multiple contracts
This worksection Template is applicable to projects to be let as several prime contract packages, also known as separate contracts and trade package contracts. It deals with the interfaces between the contracts and provides a framework for scheduling the boundaries of responsibility between the contractor and the principal or other contractors, on behalf of the principal. It is recommended to read NATSPEC TECHnote GEN 003 for Guidance and information before using this worksection.
0141 Preliminaries - ABIC MW-2008
This worksection Template is applicable to the ABIC MW-2008 contract for major non-housing work. It can be adapted for use with the various state and territory specific contracts for housing work. It is relevant to site requirements of the owner. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, owner’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0141 Preliminaries - ABIC MW-2011 C Qld
This worksection Template is applicable to the ABIC MW-2011 C QLD contract for major non-housing work. Major housing work in Queensland is covered by ABIC MW-2011 H QLD. It is relevant to site requirements of the owner. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, owner’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0142 Preliminaries - ABIC SW-2008
This worksection Template is applicable to the ABIC SW-2008 simple works contract for non-housing work. It can be adapted for use with the various state and territory specific contracts, for housing work. It is relevant to the site requirements of the owner. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, owner’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0142 Preliminaries - ABIC SW-C Qld
This worksection Template is applicable to the ABIC MW-2011 C QLD simple works contract for non-housing work. Simple works for housing in Queensland is covered by ABIC MW-2011 H QLD. It is relevant to the site requirements of the owner. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, owner’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, owner-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0143 Preliminaries - AS 2124
This worksection Template is applicable to the AS 2124 building contract for major works. It is relevant to the site requirements of the principal. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, principal’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, principal-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0144 Preliminaries - AS 4000
This worksection Template is applicable to the AS 4000 building contract for major works. It is relevant to the site requirements of the principal. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, principal’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, principal-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0145 Preliminaries - AS 4905
This worksection Template is applicable to the AS 4905 building contract for minor works. It is relevant to the site requirements of the principal. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, principal’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, principal-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0146 Preliminaries - AS 4902
This worksection Template is applicable to the AS 4902 building contract for design and construct. It is relevant to the site requirements of the principal. The project specific version may include site security arrangements, occupancy constraints, adjoining properties constraints, principal’s site office and other temporary facilities, project signage, provisional sums, requirements for progress photographs, authority requirements, survey requirements, principal-supplied items, separate contracts, some aspects of cost adjustment, and pest eradication.
0160 Quality
This worksection Template applies to the selection and implementation of a project Quality Management System based on AS/NZS ISO 9001. It includes the submission of a Quality Plan from a contractor having an approved Quality Manual.
0164 Commissioning
This worksection Template is applicable to projects in which the owner requires a Commissioning Authority (CxA) to oversee a commissioning process for the whole of the project. It details minimum requirements for the commissioning process during the construction phase without focusing upon specific building types, systems or assemblies, or on specific project sizes. It is based on the commissioning process described in ASHRAE Guideline 0. Commissioning requirements for individual components and systems are documented in their respective worksections, for example, commissioning of HVAC systems is dealt with in Mechanical commissioning.
0171 General requirements
This worksection Template draws together administrative material which is common to the technical worksections for new work, interiors and for alterations and additions, including services. It should therefore be brought to the attention of subcontractors and others using that material. Each technical worksection includes a cross reference to that effect. General requirements cover topics such as referenced documents, interpretation, inspection and tests, samples and contractor’s submissions, materials and components, bushfire resistance, installation, marking and completion.
0171b General requirements
This worksection Template draws together administrative material which is common to the technical worksections for new work, interiors and for alterations and additions, including services. It should therefore be brought to the attention of subcontractors and others using that material. Each technical worksection includes a cross reference to that effect. General requirements cover topics such as referenced documents, interpretation, inspection and tests, samples and contractor’s submissions, materials and components, bushfire resistance, installation, marking and completion.
0171q DHPW (Qld) - General requirements
This worksection Template draws together administrative material which is common to the technical worksections for new work, interiors and for alterations and additions, including services for DHPW (Qld). It should therefore be brought to the attention of subcontractors and others using that material. Each technical worksection includes a cross reference to that effect. General requirements cover topics such as referenced documents, interpretation, inspection and tests, samples and contractor’s submissions, materials and components, bushfire resistance, installation, marking and completion.
0181 Adhesives, sealants and fasteners
This worksection Template is applicable to the commonly used adhesives, sealants and fasteners and provides basic defaults for projects requiring adhesives, sealants and fasteners, as part of general construction.
0182 Fire-stopping
This worksection Template is applicable to the fire-stopping requirements of BCA deemed-to-satisfy clauses BCA C3.15 and BCA C3.16.
0183 Metals and prefinishes
This worksection Template is applicable to common metals and metal alloys, and prefinishes.
0183b Metals and prefinishes
This worksection Template is applicable to common metals and metal alloys, and prefinishes.
0184 Termite management
This worksection Template is applicable to various chemical and non-chemical systems which may be used, alone or in combination, for termite management. The various systems are located together in the one worksection as their effectiveness relies on the integration of the chosen systems. They may have impact on the Earthwork, Concrete in situ, Brick and block construction and other worksections. The core standard is AS 3660.1.
0185 Timber products, finishes and treatment
This worksection Template is applicable to the certification, durability and quality conformance of timber products. It includes preservative treatments to the AS 1604 series, moisture content and fire-resistance. State legislation will override some of the provisions of this worksection.
0191 Sundry items
This worksection Template is applicable to building components that may not obviously belong to a particular worksection or alternatively, could reasonably belong to a number of worksections. They are generally small scale proprietary components made from a range of materials, and can be installed in a range of interior or exterior locations. Custom-made items are better located in the appropriate worksection, e.g. Metalwork – fabricated for predominantly metal items, or items to be made by a metal fabricator.
0193 Building access safety systems
This worksection Template is applicable to the design, supply, installation and maintenance of building access safety systems comprising industrial fall arrest and rope access systems. It includes anchors and accessories for rope access and ladders for roof safety systems.
0201 Demolition
This worksection Template is applicable to demolition of existing buildings, structures and services. It includes planning and execution of the work, protection and support of adjacent structures and removal of demolished material.
0201b Demolition
This worksection Template is applicable to demolition of existing buildings, structures and services. It includes planning and execution of the work, protection and support of adjacent structures and removal of demolished material.
0202 Demolition (interior and alterations)
This worksection Template is applicable to the demolition and removal of internal building elements and services from within an existing building.
0222 Earthwork
This worksection Template is applicable to topsoil removal, excavation, filling and compaction as required for building operations. The worksection contains technical content which must be customised by a professional engineer for inclusion in a project specification.
0222q DHPW (Qld) - Earthwork
This worksection Template is applicable to topsoil removal, excavation, filling and compaction as required for building operations for DHPW (Qld). The worksection contains technical content which must be customised by a professional engineer for inclusion in a project specification.
0223 Service trenching
This worksection Template is applicable to trenching for underground services within a building site. It covers fill materials, existing services, existing surfaces, excavating, trench back fill and surface restoration.
0573 Fire extinguishers and blankets
This worksection Template is applicable to fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Products used must be on the ActivFire Register of Fire Protection Equipment. The specification should reflect any extra requirements of local statutory authorities. The principal product standards are the AS/NZS 1841 series and AS 2444.
0701 Mechanical systems
This worksection Template covers mechanical services systems, performance requirements and standards. It includes a summary of the systems, design parameters relating to the mechanical systems and details common to more than one mechanical worksection.
0702 Mechanical design and install
This worksection Template is applicable to simple mechanical installations for which the specification will be prepared by the architect because the principal has not engaged a specialist mechanical consultant; the mechanical design will be done by the contractor. It deals with packaged air conditioning systems (ducted and non-ducted) and straightforward mechanical ventilation.
0703 Mechanical design and construct
This worksection Template is applicable to the design component of mechanical services projects in which the design will be undertaken by the mechanical contractor. It covers the design process relating to design and construct with the design parameters covered in the respective worksections.
0711 Chillers - combined
This worksection Template is applicable to factory assembled proprietary electric motor driven reciprocating, centrifugal, screw and scroll chiller sets including air cooled and water cooled, conventional and heat recovery types.
0712 Water heating boilers
This worksection Template is applicable to boilers not intended to produce steam, in which water is heated to less than its normal atmospheric boiling temperature. Water heating boilers are used in space heating systems, indirect potable heated water and similar applications.
0713 Cooling towers
This worksection Template is applicable to cooling towers normally used in commercial buildings. It is not intended for large specialised towers for heavy industrial plant. Evaporative condensers and closed circuit fluid coolers are included in this worksection and fall within the meaning of cooling tower as defined in AS/NZS 3666.1.
0714 Mechanical pumps
This worksection Template is applicable to end-suction centrifugal, inline circulating and submersible pumps. There are no comprehensive reference standards.
0715 Tanks, vessels and heat exchangers
This worksection Template is applicable to pressurised vessels and non-pressurised tanks. It includes head tanks (open and closed), water storage tanks for chilled and heating water, calorifiers and ice tanks. It also covers plate heat exchangers.
0716 Chillers - centrifugal
This worksection Template is applicable to factory assembled proprietary electric motor driven water cooled centrifugal chiller sets.
0717 Chillers - water cooled screw
This worksection Template is applicable to factory assembled proprietary electric motor driven water cooled chiller sets with screw compressors.
0718 Chillers - air cooled screw and scroll
This worksection Template is applicable to factory assembled proprietary electric motor driven air cooled chiller sets with screw or scroll compressors.
0719 Chillers - absorption
This worksection Template is applicable to factory assembled proprietary single stage and two stage, water cooled, lithium bromide absorption chillers. This worksection is oriented to absorption chillers as part of systems which typically use relatively low temperature hot water as a heat source.
0721 Packaged air conditioning
This worksection Template is applicable to one piece and split, direct expansion (DX) packaged air conditioning plant with nominal cooling capacities greater than 8 kW(r). It includes air cooled and water cooled types, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems as well as close control packaged plant.
0722 Room air conditioning
This worksection Template is applicable to one piece and split direct expansion (DX), air cooled room air conditioning plant with nominal cooling capacities less than 8 kW(r).
0723 Evaporative air coolers
This worksection Template is applicable to proprietary, non-refrigerated evaporative air coolers intended for ducted and free discharge applications. The reference standard is AS 2913.
0724 Air handling plant - combined
This worksection Template is applicable to all types of air handling plant from small room fan coil units to large built-up air handlers. It deals with proprietary air handling plant, site erected air handling units and site erected plenums associated with proprietary air handling plant.
0725 Air handling plant - built up
This worksection Template is applicable to site erected air handling units and site erected plenums.
0726 Air handling plant - minor
This worksection Template is applicable to small room fan coil units.
0731 Fans
This worksection Template is applicable to centrifugal, axial flow, mixed flow and propeller fans, roof mounted fans and window/wall mounted fans of the type commonly used in air conditioning and ventilation systems.
0732 Air filters
This worksection Template is applicable to air filters commonly used in mechanical systems. It includes dry media dust filters (including HEPA, viscous impingement and electrostatic), grease filters and gas phase absorbers (e.g. activated carbon). It is based on AS 1324.1, AS 1324.2 (general air conditioning filters) and AS 4260 (HEPA and MEPA types).
0733 Air coils
This worksection Template is applicable to coils used in heating and cooling systems and includes water and refrigerant coils.
0734 Humidifiers
This worksection Template is applicable to proprietary self-generating electric steam humidifiers that produce steam at atmospheric pressure. It may also be applied to humidifiers in packaged computer room air conditioning units. It does not apply to humidifiers that use a boiler as defined in AS 1228.
0741 Ductwork
This worksection Template is applicable to ductwork fabricated from galvanised steel, stainless steel and aluminium. It includes ductwork ancillaries such as flexible duct, duct fire-resistance rating, dampers, fabricated hoods and canopies. The reference standards are AS 4254.1 (flexible duct) and AS 4254.2 (rigid duct). PVC-U ductwork, which is not covered by AS 4254.2, is also included.
0744 Ductwork insulation
This worksection Template is applicable to acoustic and thermal insulation and sheathing of ductwork. Insulating materials include glass wool, rock wool, polyester fibre, polyolefin foam and elastomeric foam. Facing materials include aluminium foil laminate and sheet metal. The worksection references AS 4254.1 and AS 4254.2.
0745 Attenuators and acoustic louvres
This worksection Template is applicable to duct mounted sound attenuators, wall mounted acoustic louvres and cross-talk attenuators.
0746 Air grilles
This worksection Template is applicable to fixed and adjustable air grilles, used in air conditioning and ventilation systems. The term air grille is used generically and includes diffusers, registers and weatherproof (exterior) louvres. The reference standard is AS 4254.2.
0747 Variable air volume terminals
This worksection Template is applicable to variable air volume (VAV) terminals (also called VAV boxes). It covers series and parallel fan assisted types and non-fan, pressure independent terminals. Also included are hot water and electric heating associated with VAV terminals.
0748 Chilled beams
This worksection Template is applicable to chilled beam terminals. It covers active and passive type terminals.
0751 Mechanical piping
This worksection Template is applicable to piping, valves, fittings and accessories commonly used for mechanical systems including chilled, condenser and heating water, steam, condensate, and liquid fuels. It covers piping in a variety of materials including steel, copper and plastic, and includes valves, fittings, supports, and accessories. The worksection is based on AS 4041. The worksection also covers strainers and isolating, non-return, throttling, level control, pressure relief, air relief, and pressure-reducing valves. It does not include thermostatic, solenoid, motorised modulating, or refrigerant valves.
0752 Mechanical piping insulation
This worksection Template is applicable to the insulation and sheathing of piping, tanks, vessels and flues. It covers a variety of materials including FBS-1 Glass Wool and rock wool, polyester, polyolefin, polystyrene foam and elastomeric foam.
0753 Water treatment
This worksection Template is applicable to water treatment for open and closed water systems and is intended for use in conjunction with AS/NZS 3666.1. The clauses for sand filters and water softener may be used for boiler feed water treatment. Cathodic protection for condenser water systems is also included.
0754 Liquid fuels
This worksection Template is applicable to fuel oil systems. It is intended for use in conjunction with AS 1940 which sets out the requirements and recommendations for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. The worksection covers components normally used in a fuel oil system including the storage tanks, pumps, piping, valves and accessories.
0755 Medical gas systems
This worksection Template covers non-flammable medical gas systems including medical breathing air, medical suction, oxygen, nitrous oxide, surgical tool gas and carbon dioxide. The reference standard is AS 2896. There are many instances where AS 2896 includes recommendations that are not Normative (e.g. expressed as should rather than shall). This worksection includes text to mandate the many instances.
0761 Refrigeration
This worksection Template is applicable to built-up refrigeration systems. It is intended for use in conjunction with AS/NZS 1677.2 and SAA HB 40.1, and covers the equipment and components including piping, accessories, evaporators, condensers and compressors.
0762 Cool rooms
This worksection Template is applicable to refrigerated cool rooms with a room operating temperature below 5°C including those operating below freezing. It includes the construction of the room and its associated refrigeration system and controls.
0771 Automatic controls
This worksection Template is applicable to large automatic control systems for mechanical services and includes hardware, software and cabling material. If used in conjunction with Building management systems and related worksections it can provide a complete building management system (BMS) for building management, monitoring and control.
0772 Automatic controls - minor
This worksection Template is applicable to small stand-alone automatic control systems for mechanical services. Typical applications are small packaged unit air conditioning installations, simple ventilations systems and fan coil unit extensions to existing chilled and heating water systems.
0773 Building management systems
This worksection Template is applicable to Building Management Systems (BMS) which provide the facility to monitor, control and manage building services systems which may include mechanical services, power systems, lighting, fire detection and alarms, electronic security, hydraulic services and medical gas services. BMS operates through a system of discrete stand-alone controllers which are networked together using a common, open, communications protocol.
0781 Mechanical electrical
This worksection Template is applicable to electrical work associated with medium to large mechanical projects where the specification and selections will be prepared by a mechanical engineer.
0782 Mechanical electrical - minor
This worksection Template is applicable to the electrical work associated with minor mechanical projects using packaged plant and smaller ventilation systems. It is a simplified design and install type specification without selection schedules.
0784 Motors and starters
This worksection Template is applicable to alternating current electric motors, their starters and associated motor protection equipment. It includes a range of starter types including direct-on-line, star delta, semi-conductor and variable speed drives.
0791 Mechanical commissioning
This worksection Template is applicable to balancing, commissioning and testing of mechanical services including control systems. This worksection is written on the basis that a Commissioning Authority has not been engaged. If the principal requires a Commissioning Authority to oversee a commissioning process for the whole of the project, the worksection will require amendment under Commissioning Authority’s direction. Use the Commissioning worksection in conjunction with this and other worksections to document the commissioning process on a project-wide basis.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS
