TECHnotes complement NATSPEC worksection Guidance text and cover a wide range of topics of interest to specification writers in 1 or 2 pages. They are general in nature and provide guidance for consideration that either relates to several worksections or does not fit into a generic worksection.
Numbering and classification of TECHnotes is based on the categories used for the AIA Environment Design Guide:
- GEN - General issues and miscellaneous
- DES – Design strategies
- PRO – Products and materials
NATSPEC worksections identify any relevant TECHnotes in Guidance text. A TECHnote will be reissued if it is significantly revised and the footer will reflect the date of reissue.
The TECHnote Index includes abstracts of NATSPEC TECHnotes which are currently available.
DES 001 Slip resistance performance (Oct 05 - Amdt Oct 16)
Raises awareness of the design and documentation requirements for optimising slip resistance of pedestrian surface materials.
DES 002 Moisture content in timber floors (Dec 05 - Amdt Apr 13)
Addresses the ways in which the natural movement of timber floors can be accommodated.
DES 003 Fire hazard properties of insulation and pliable membranes (Jun 06 - Amd
Addresses the fire hazard properties of insulation materials as dealt with in both the BCA and in NATSPEC.
DES 004 Air, moisture and condensation (Sept 05 - Amdt Oct 12)
Outlines the factors that affect the selection and detailing of vapour barriers in buildings.
DES 005 Preventing condensation on ducts and air handling plant (Dec 05 – Amdt A
Addresses the use of insulation to prevent condensation on ducts and air handling plant.
DES 006 Specifying concrete (Jul 07 - Amdt Apr 11)
Outlines the factors affecting the performance of concrete and how to specify it.
DES 007 Static control floors (May 07)
Discusses electrostatic charges and the basic types of static control floors.
DES 008 Preparation of concrete substrates (Oct 06 - Amdt Apr 15)
Discusses preparation of concrete substrates for secondary finishes.
DES 009 Limit state design (Apr 07 - Amdt Apr 11)
Introduces this method for designing and evaluating structures and for unifying structural codes and standards.
DES 010 Atmospheric corrosivity categories for ferrous products (Oct 09 - Amdt A
Recommends a method for specifying atmospheric corrosion protection systems or products by referring to standards and the Corrosion Mapping System.
DES 011 Rainwater harvesting (May 07 - Amdt Oct 16)
Suggests ways in which a NATSPEC based specification can be used to specify a rainwater harvesting system.
DES 012 Using NATSPEC to specify BMS, building IT and controls (Apr 06 - Oct 15)
Suggests ways to use NATSPEC worksections to specify Building Management Systems (BMS), building IT and automatic controls.
DES 013 BCA Energy efficiency protocol and software for housing (May 07 - Amdt O
Discusses rating software and tools to demonstrate compliance with the BCA.
DES 014 Voluntary environmental rating schemes for buildings (May 07 - Amdt Apr
Outlines the national voluntary energy efficiency schemes.
DES 015 BCA - NCC Volume One Energy efficiency provisions (May 07 - Amdt Apr 15)
Outlines BCA energy efficiency provisions for Class 2-9 buildings
DES 016 BCA - NCC Volume Two Energy efficiency provisions (May 07 - Amdt Apr 14)
Outlines BCA energy efficiency provisions for Class 1 and Class 10a buildings.
DES 017 Selection of sealants (Oct 06 - Amdt Oct 15)
Summarises sealant types and their use for different applications.
DES 018 Bushfire protection (Oct 08 - Amdt Apr 15)
Summarises the factors influencing bushfires and the planning, construction and maintenance requirements for bushfire protection.
DES 019 Pipe support spacing (Apr 09 - Amdt Oct 15)
Tabulates the pipe support spacings nominated by several Australian standards. It covers pipes of various materials and diameters and carrying a range of liquids and gases.
DES 020 Fire behaviour of building materials and assemblies (Apr 11-Amdt Oct 16)
Provides guidance on the BCA’s classification of the fire behaviour of building materials and assemblies and how the use of different classes of buildings influences classification.
DES 021 Site electricity supply (Apr 13)
Highlights design and construction issues for consideration and suggests suitable NATSPEC worksections for the documentation of electricity supplies.
DES 022 Microbial control (Oct 10 - Amdt Apr 14)
Describes the benefits of using AUS-SPEC in providing a documentation system for the delivery of assets, to meet essential services required by the community.
DES 023 Mechanical services pipe and vessel insulation (Oct 10 - Amdt Apr 16)
Addresses the selection of appropriate levels of insulation for piping, vessels and heat exchangers with curved surfaces.
DES 024 Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) (Oct 10 - Amdt Oct 12)
Outlines the objectives and application of water sensitive urban design principles and suggests where they can be implemented in AUS-SPEC.
DES 025 Mechanical design and install HVAC checklist (Apr 11)
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 026 Living walls and roofs (Apr 12 - Amdt Apr 15)
Highlights design and construction issues and suggests suitable NATSPEC worksections for the documentation of living walls and roofs.
DES 027 Impact sound insulation (Oct 12 - Amdt Apr 16)
Addresses the use of impact sound insulation in floor systems.
DES 028 Grass seeding and turfing (Oct 12)
Provides guidance on the selection of grass seed mixes and turf species for general landscaping.
DES 029 Native grass lawns (Apr 13)
Discusses several of the native grass species suitable for lawn applications.
DES 030 Seismic design actions on non-structural components (Apr 14)
Discusses the requirements of AS 1170.4 for seismic restraint to the non-structural components of a building.
DES 031 Specifying R-Values (Apr 14 - Amdt Apr 15)
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 req
DES 032 Airborne sound insulation (Oct 14)
Addresses the use of insulation to reduce the transmission of airborne sound between habitable rooms.
DES 033 Duct leakage and leakage testing (Oct 14)
Discusses testing of duct systems to AS 4254.2 to reduce energy consumption and improve the quality of the service delivered.
DES 034 Pavement stabilisation for unsealed roads (Oct 15)
Discusses testing of duct systems to AS 4254.2 to reduce energy consumption and improve the quality of the service delivered.
GEN 001 Getting help (Sept 05 - Amdt Oct 15)
Summarises the ways in which NATSPEC provides help to specification writers.
GEN 002 NATSPEC’s use of standards (Oct 07 - Amdt Oct 15)
Discusses use of Australian and other standards in specification writing.
GEN 003 Multiple contracts and ‘work by others’ (Oct 08)
Suggests ways in which NATSPEC can be used for projects procured using multiple contracts, also called packaged contracts or multiple prime contracts.
GEN 004 Shop drawings and samples (Oct 12 - Amdt 15)
Addresses the need for shop drawings and samples, their management and the documentation of requirements in a construction contract.
GEN 005 Specifications (Jul 07 - Amdt Oct 12)
Discusses the roles, forms and importance of specifications.
GEN 006 Product specifying and substitution (Oct 07 - Amdt Oct 15)
Reviews generic and proprietary specification and NATSPEC’s procedure for substitution of specified products.
GEN 007 Making sure your specification is up-to-date (Dec 07 - Amdt Oct 16)
Offers updating strategies relating to NATSPEC information.
GEN 008 Branded versus generic worksections (Jul 08)
Defines both types of worksection and outlines their advantages.
GEN 009 Hold points and witness points (Apr 09 - Amdt Apr 12)
Defines hold points and witness points and explains their contractual implications in the context of both NATSPEC and AUS-SPEC worksections.
GEN 010 Mechanical commissioning strategies (Oct 09 - Amdt Apr 12)
Discusses alternative mechanical balancing and commissioning strategies, which have a significant impact on the performance of mechanical services.
GEN 011 Specifying NCC requirements (Apr 10 – Amdt Apr 16)
Discusses specifying NCC compliance based on deemed-to-satisfy provisions or by using an alternative solution.
GEN 012 Door hardware scheduling (Oct 10 - Amdt Apr 11)
Outlines the two alternative approaches to specifying door hardware provided for in SELECTIONS in NATSPEC’s 0455 Door hardware worksection.
GEN 013 Specifying quality (Jan 12 - Amdt Apr 12)
Communicating the requirements for quality is the main technical function of the specification. This TECHnote outlines how NATSPEC is used to achieve quality in construction projects.
GEN 014 Submissions and testing (Oct 12 - Amdt Apr 16)
Addresses the specification of the various contractor’s submissions and tests that may be required during the construction process.
GEN 015 Using the NATSPEC classification system to organise information (Apr 13)
Discusses how the NATSPEC National classification system can be a useful means of organising construction information other than specification content.
GEN 016 Preliminaries and contract schedules (Oct 12)
Aims to clarify items which are sometimes overlapping in the General conditions of contract and the specification’s Preliminaries.
GEN 017 Using AUS-SPEC for asset management (Oct 12 – Amdt Apr 16))
Provides guidance on using the AUS-SPEC specification system for asset management.
GEN 018 Using AUS-SPEC for asset maintenance (Oct 12 – Amdt Oct 13)
Aims to describe the philosophy and components of the AUS-SPEC maintenance system for urban and open spaces, buildings and facilities, roadways, bridges and public utilities.
GEN 019 Using AUS-SPEC for contract documentation (Oct 14)
Provides an overview on using AUS-SPEC for standard and period supply and service contract documentation for the life cycle management of assets.
GEN 020 Building commissioning (Apr 13)
Provides information on the process of whole-building commissioning and the role of a Commissioning Authority on a project, discussing how NATSPEC can be used for whole-building commissioning.
GEN 023 Using AUS-SPEC for management of unsealed roads (Oct 14)
Provides guidance on using the AUS-SPEC specification system for the design, construction and maintenance of unsealed roads.
GEN 024 Using NATSPEC SELECTIONS schedules (Apr 15)
Provides guidance on using NATSPEC SELECTIONS schedules to document a selection of products or systems of one type, e.g. doors, partitions.
PRO 001 CCA (copper chrome arsenate) treated timber (Oct 05 - Amdt Oct 15)
Discusses the issues and alternatives to this form of timber treatment.
PRO 002 Mineral wool (Jun 06 - Amdt Oct 12)
Discusses the manufacture, properties and safety issues related to the use of mineral wool.
PRO 003 Warranties for steel protective paint coatings (Apr 12 - Amdt Oct 15)
Discusses the requirements for and availability of warranties for steel protective coatings.
PRO 004 Ceramic tile and adhesive selection (Oct 12 - Amdt Oct 14)
Provides guidance to specifiers on the selection of ceramic tiling and adhesives used for fixing the tiles.
PRO 005 Formaldehyde - indoor air quality (Apr 13 - Amdt Oct 15)
Discusses the effects and control of formaldehyde emissions within a building and how NATSPEC can be used to meet the mandatory requirements for formaldehyde emissions.
PRO 006 Glass types used in buildings (Oct 16)
Provides guidance on the types of glass used in buildings, their properties and the manufacturing processes involved.
GEN 022 Using AUS-SPEC for asset delivery (Oct 16)
Describes the benefits of using AUS-SPEC in providing a documentation system for the delivery of assets, to meet essential services required by the community.
PRO 007 Refrigerant options
Discusses the background and implications of Australia\'s phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants and the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, in conformance with proposed international protocols
GEN 021 Scope of works clauses
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. A Scope of Works clause is useful but carries risks which can be mitiga
GEN 025 Sprayed preservation surfacing treatment
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. A proactive Road Asset Management strategy utilise
DES 035 Unsealed roads improvement and stabilisation
Preservation of existing unsealed gravel roads can be an economical and effective alternative to: · Frequent grading maintenance intervention. · Frequent gravel resheeting. · Full construction of a sealed road. The required intervention levels and timing
DES 036 Need for subsurface drainage on local roads
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.