DG20

Fabric

Title

Compliance Level

20.01

Introduction

Mandatory

The fabric of a building is the general term to describe the external façade, that provides protection from the environment, as well as the main internal dividing walls.

This section of the design guide provides information on the important criteria that should be considered in the design of the building fabric and the selection of appropriate materials.

20.02

Generally

Mandatory

A Whole of Life approach is to be used in the selection of the appropriate materials to the individual fabric elements, to ensure that the most appropriate Value for Money material is used.

Designers should consider:

Ecological sustainable solutions
Maintenance
Life Cycle Costing
Durability
Vandalism
Safety

Refer to:

DG / ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

DG / WHOLE OF LIFE

DG / SAFETY (ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE) & GENERAL SECURITY

20.03

Design/Detailing

Mandatory

DG / CIRCULATION / FINISHES

DG / SAFETY (ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE) & GENERAL SECURITY

DG / MATERIALS AND FINISHES

DG / BIRD NUISANCE

Detailing of the design should be undertaken, appropriate to the location and individual situation. Generally the following criteria will need to be considered:

Design should use traditional construction techniques and where possible “off-the-shelf” materials and standard colours that are tried and proven, representing building best practice.
Detailing should allow for differential movement, thermal stress, ultraviolet degradation, trade tolerances and robust use, in simple uncomplicated format. Excessive complicated detailing is often misunderstood by general construction staff, which will lead to poor execution and excessive costs.
Water tightness is an essential criteria and must be guaranteed. Reliance on silicone sealant at junctions between structure and metal sheeting is unacceptable as over time and because of inevitable differential movement, joints will fail.
Air Tightness is an important design element that leads to better building performance. An appropriately detailed airtight façade in conjunction with adequately designed and operated controlled ventilation will lead to improved ventilation, lower rates of heat loss, greater thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption
Building forms and elements that rely on highly detailed steelwork to achieve user comfort conditions or decoration, such as sun and weather screens, to achieve user comfort conditions or decoration, have generally been found to represent poor value for money and are to be avoided.
Increasing the thermal performance beyond the minimum requirements of BCA Section J to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption is encouraged and should be considered as part of the Whole of Life analysis of heating/cooling options.
Use materials with a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) to reduce heat loss/gain and to reduce the heat island effect (unless local glare issues dictate otherwise).

20.04

External Finishes and Surfaces

Mandatory

Key considerations in materials selection and detailing are:

High durability, impact resistance & low maintenance materials are required at levels accessible to pupils.
Pre-finished materials are preferred to minimise future maintenance.
Concrete structural elements, walls and soffits to be unpainted.
Steelwork below 2100mm above the ground should not be painted so as reduce maintenance requirements.
Within 3km of the ocean, 1km from bays or in highly industrialised areas with corrosive atmospheres, avoid unnecessary use of steelwork. Where use of steel is considered necessary, design for the location, taking into account maintenance provisions.

Refer DG / STRUCTURE / STEELWORK / CORROSION PROTECTION

Termite resistant materials are to be used.
Bird Nuisance: Avoid structural struts or ledges in details that could provide bird perches.
Glare: is a major issue in schools, particularly from paving and roofs. Select materials, finishes/textures and colours to address this.
Paving: Ensure surfaces comply with access requirements of the relevant AS.

Safety

Avoid the following:

Structural struts which can be swung or climbed on
Structures or protruding features below 2100mm above ground level, such as walkway beams or sun shades Toxic or hazardous materials
Toxic or hazardous materials
Surfaces with sharp edges below 2100mm in height

20.05

Walls

Mandatory

External materials and finishes should be chosen from a “Whole of Life” perspective using a select range of preferably sustainable materials designed to provide:

Value for Money
Aesthetic appeal
Long term durability
Low maintenance costs
Functionality, including an appropriate level of insulation for acoustic and thermal purposes

Specifically:

Use products with a long life span
Avoid products or materials that require frequent and costly maintenance
Use products with recycling potential on disposal, and/or include recycled content.

Selection of appropriate surface finishes must proceed with a knowledge of the activities to be conducted in the area. Visible surfaces should be capable of being easily cleaned and repaired if damaged.

External walls should be of impact resistant materials, generally masonry, to a minimum height above ground level of 2100mm (door head height). Masonry can continue beyond this height however, lightweight cladding is an acceptable alternative.

Externally, pre-finished surfaces should be used. External painting should be minimised and restricted to secure areas.

Avoid articulated forms that significantly increase wall areas.

Where corrugated steel wall sheeting is used run ribs vertically to minimise dirt collection.

Building regulations such as the BCA will require that some external walls to have fire rated characteristics, which are to be complied with.

20.06

Roof /Ceiling

Mandatory

DG / ROOFING

The roofing materials selected should be chosen to suit the individual application.

Roof materials and finishes should be chosen from a “Whole of Life” perspective using a select range of preferably sustainable materials designed to provide:

Value for Money
Long term durability
Low maintenance costs
Functionality, including an appropriate level of insulation for acoustic and thermal purposes.

Specifically:

Use products with a long life span
Avoid products or materials that require frequent and costly maintenance
Allow for access to maintain the serviceability of the asset
Use products with recycling potential on disposal and /or includes recycled content

The roof form will also have an impact on the overall performance of the roof, therefore the following should be considered:

Roofs should contain minimum envelopes and be supported by simple structures.
Curved roofs tend to be more expensive than straight roofs of the same volume, irrespective of the ingenuity of detailing. The clear benefit of the design for end users and external aesthetics needs to justify the extra cost.
When curved roofs are used, the manufacturer’s specifications are to be closely followed, particularly with regard to maximum and minimum curve and overlaps.
The use of hot rolled steel is to be restricted to special instances and will require approval of Manager DoE Schools.
Curved ceilings also require careful consideration and should only be used where they follow the line of the roof purlins.
Roof guttering should be outside the line of the external walls (i.e. no box gutters) so that any overflow will be outside the envelope of the external walls.
All roofing must be of continuous sheets wherever possible, complying with the minimum pitch requirements noted in the ROOFING section.
Built up bituminous flat or membrane roofs should not be used.
Provide access to roof areas to maintain the serviceability of the asset.

For guidence on Roof Sheeting Colours to mitigate heat island effect refer to DG27 Roofing

20.07

Internally

Mandatory

The selection of appropriate surface finishes and materials is to be undertaken based on the individual location and the use of the areas surrounding the finish material.

Internal lining materials and finishes should be selected based on a “Whole of Life” approach, to ensure that the selected material will provide:

Value for Money
Appropriate aesthetic appeal
High durability where materials and surfaces are in close proximity to users.
Low maintenance costs - avoid products or materials that require frequent and costly maintenance
Functionality, including an appropriate level of insulation for acoustic and thermal purposes
Recycling potential at the end of usable life, and/or include recycled content.

The design of internal walls and linings should include the following considerations:

Provide fire compartmentation and fire ratings as required by the BCA.
Structural requirements: Walls, ceilings and roof will often be required to support various fixtures and equipment.
Pin Boards are used extensively as wall linings up to door head height. Set out stud wall framing to suit pin boards accordingly.
All finishes including skirting, should be continuous behind all fittings except fixtures unlikely to be moved due to size or connection to services.
Surface areas receiving high pupil contact will require greater robustness and could be separated from areas of less contact, by dados, datum lines etc., to allow less frequent maintenance to these areas.
Colour which is significant in creating an appropriate learning ambience must be selected accordingly.
All surface coatings and other volatile organic compound emitting products, including adhesives and sealants, must have low emission limits that do not exceed the limits stipulated in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.

Refer EFSG Design Guide for Colours & Finishes Schemes for Schools \

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / ADMINISTRATION

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / COMMUNAL HALL AND CANTEEN

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / HOME BASE, LIBRARY & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / TOILET BLOCK

Refer EFSG Design Guide for Colours & Finishes Schemes for Schools

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / ADMINISTRATION

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / COMMUNAL HALL AND CANTEEN

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / HOME BASE, LIBRARY & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

DG / COLOURS & FINISHES / TOILET BLOCK