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NRNC FAQs

NON-RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION (NRNC) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.	Q	NRNC EQ1 – Minimum IAQ Will compliance with UBBL minimum air change meet this credit?
	A	NO, ASHRAE 62.1 is more stringent than the UBBL.

2.	Q	NRNC EQ7 – Air Change Effectiveness Will VAV system with ‘induction’ diffusers meet this credit? If not, what air-side strategy will be applicable?
	A	NO, unless air-side strategy is by means of direct tempered fresh air supply to workstation; low level displacement or UFAD.

NRNC EQ8 – Daylighting
Why are areas with DF > 3.5% not considered as areas with good daylighting?

The MS 1525 lists DF of >6% as undesirable. In recent updated presentations given on MS 1525 there is a correction to the values of Daylighting. The MS1525 is based on temperate Northern values.

The correct values are as follows (GBIF to note):

Very Bright	DF > 6.0%
Bright	DF 3-6 %	Not so Good
Average	DF 1-3 %	Good
Dark	DF 0-1 %	Poor*

4.	Q	NRNC EQ8 – Daylighting How can daylighting be applicable to Retail Malls?
	A	Retail malls need to consider use of atrium skylighting and/or perimeter wall daylighting. Area calculation includes retail space, public area and BOH office. For multi storey malls the required percentage value is halved.

5.	Q	NRNC EQ10 – Electric Lighting Level This credit relates to office lighting level, what about other applications?
	A	Refer to MS 1525 for other applications.

6.	Q	NRNC EQ12 – External Views How do you apply external views to Malls which have no external windows?
	A	Innovative design is required, e.g. consider opening up and introducing windows in foodcourts. especially to seating areas, and introduce some windows to retail units located at the perimeters of ground floor. For Mall design external views include views to the sky for skylights.

7.	Q	NRNC EQ14 Our project has smoke spill system for the entire building. Can we make use of this system as permanent flushing system?
	A	Yes, this item is clearly presented in the GBI facilitator course.

8.	Q	NRNC SM6 – QLASSIC Construction Can CONQUAS be used in lieu of QLASSIC?
	A	NO, QLASSIC can still be applied for, after completion of the project.

9.	Q	NRNC SM9 How to define 5% of Full-Time Equivalent occupants ? Eg. if we comply to DBKL for X nos. of car parks, can we provide 5% of X nos. as complying to SM9?
	A	Yes, your calculation may be based on Statutory requirements and /or take 5% of the total number of carparks provided to comply with SM9, whichever is the lesser.

10.	Q	NRNC EE1 According to MS 1525:2007, we need to meet OTTV 50W/m2 and Visible Light Transmittance shall be more than 50% for daylight. According to facade consultants, it is difficult to achieve low SC and at the same time comply to more than 50% VLT. Can we score EE1 with OTTV < 50W/m2 but VLT < 50% ?
	A	Yes. The OTTV does not make reference to VLT values. If the question is related to daylighting in EQ8 and in reference to MS 1525, then the VLT has a function in relation to the daylight factor. VLT is not a compulsory component in the GBI rating tool. Note that MS 1525 Section 5.4 Daylighting, 5.4.2 states; “In order to take advantage of daylighting, the visible transmittance of the fenestration system should not be less than 50 %”.

11.	Q	NRNC EE3 We have electrical sub meter for a) plant room b) car park c) lift d) common area lighting e) common area power f) tenancy. Do we need another separate lighting & power sub-meter for tenancy ?
	A	The requirement is clearly stated in the GBI rating criteria.

12.

NRNC EE5 – BEI
What is the equivalent BEI for:
1) Retail areas and Malls?
2) Hotel and Service Apartments?
3) Hospital?
4) Other categories?

The BEI for Retail areas and Malls will be based on 84 operational hours/week instead of 52 (for Office).
BEI for Hotel and Service Apartments & Hospital will be based on 24/7 operational but rationalized for Diversity & Storage Factors.
BEI for Other Categories will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
The table below lists the corresponding BEI values and credit points;

EE5 pts	Office	Retail	Hotel	Hospital
2	150	240	200	200
3	140	225	190	190
5	130	210	175	175
8	120	195	160	160
10	110	180	150	150
12	100	160	135	135
15	90	145	120	120

13.	Q	Refer to EE5, does the BEI calculation include the power consumption of machine/equipment in a factory ?
	A	The intent of EE5 is very clearly stated i.e. enhancement of building EE performance in conjunction with providing thermally comfortable environment. There's no mention of any other machinery or equipment not pertaining to building EE performance. Please note that the NRNC tool is not applicable for factories. GBI Factory tool will be developed in the future. Meanwhile, only the separate office building of a factory development can be submitted for GBI NRNC rating but even this will be determined on a case to case basis to confirm suitability.

14.	Q	NRNC EE6 Our client intend to engage a CxS, can GBI recommend some company to us?
	A	In the absence of a list of approved CxS, the client can submit your nomination for approval on a case by case basis. It is to be emphasised that the CxS must fulfil all the scope of services as detailed in the rating criteria. Note that GBI has posted a list of registered CxS on its website.

15.	Q	NRNC IN2 For our project, there is a central pneumatic waste collection system design. However, the whole project is separated into 4 phases. We will install all necessary risers and accessories but the central plant room will only be installed in another phase which will be completed in 2013. Can we still score this point?
	A	No point will be given if the system is not operational.

16.	Q	NRNC WE 4 The client would like to clarify on the definition of 'annual potable water consumption'. Does this include (i) all fittings or (ii) those that they replace with water efficient fittings for the base condition?
	A	The savings are based on your total consumption.

17.	Q	Referring to GBI Design Reference Guide Page 28 (regarding VOC free), what is the “International labelling schemes recognized by GBI”
	A	All labelling schemes recognised by GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network). Please refer to the following website: www.gen.gr.jp

18.	Q	Can we apply the NRNC tool for the industrial sector, e.g. manufacturing plant?
	A	NRNC tool is not applicable for factories. GBI Factory tool will be developed in the future. Meanwhile, only the separate office building of a factory development can be submitted for GBI NRNC rating but even this will need to be determined on case to case basis to confirm suitability.

19.

We are the facilitator for a project in KL which is under construction now. Our client has decided to register for GBI certified rating for his building. The building construction reached the 3rd floor for this 50 storey building. In order to score 1 point for QLASSIC, what are the documents we need to furnish for Design Assessment?

The requirements to qualify for the QLASSIC point:

1.	Contract to state clearly that construction quality shall be not less than a QLASSIC score of 70 and specifications shall follow tolerances as stated in CIS7
2.	Type of construction method statement. e.g Precast concrete structure, hollow core slabs, etc
3.	Letter in advance to apply to CIDB to inform them that this project will be applying for QLASSIC assessment and the areas of assessment.
4.	Project Quality Plan to be submitted.
5.	Method statement to clearly state that all materials, components, fixtures and fittings to comply to relevant Malaysian Standards in the specifications

20.	Q	We will be using stamped concrete pavement in our building perimeter driveway & ramp but unfortunately our contractor is unable to provide the SRI value as there is no test done for this material. Please advise how or where can this be tested?
	A	SRI is a measure of the solar reflectivity of the product. If a material chosen has no SRI, we can generally accept the SRI of a similar material and finishes/colour. Concrete does a very good job of reflecting solar energy. For the stamped concrete, and assuming it is also coloured, you may use the SRI value of 0.4 to 0.5, depending on colour. The lighter the colour, the higher the figure.

21.	Q	Low-E glass: Our building is using this type of glazing and does it qualify for any point? If so which category is it classified under?
	A	Low-E glass is a type of insulated glazing that helps to reduce the OTTV value through reduced solar heat gain, which in turn helps to reduce energy required for cooling. Please consult your Facilitator to explain the resultant points scored in the relevant categories.