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This website contains information relating to technical standards and design criteria for projects in delivery prior to 30 March 2023 and for projects that were signed to comply with EFSG 1.0.
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Access to the EFSG 2.0 website available on the NSW Education site | Education Facilities Standards and Guidelines | Technical Standards
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From November 2024, the technology used for the EFSG 1.0 website is scheduled for end-of-life. As a result, the word search bar in the top right-hand corner and the Contact Us form will no longer be available. The content and layout of the website will remain the same.
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This legacy EFSG website has been superseded by two new EFSG websites:
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Technical Standards: education.nsw.gov.au/technical-standards
The new Education Facilities and Standards Guidelines and Technical Standards websites now feature a fresh look and feel, showcasing information on how and why schools are designed best to deliver teaching and learning.
The websites provide new content communicating School Infrastructure NSW’s standardised design approach, supporting our industry partners to implement standard hub layouts in new and upgraded schools. The websites are now mobile-responsive, making it easier for our delivery partners to access key technical information while attending site visits.
Design guide and specification guide content has been simplified and merged according to Australian Standards numbering, helping our industry partners and other website users to locate targeted information to answer their questions about designing, building and maintaining schools.
Industry partners will have access to the full range of technical and performance requirements, to support them when providing professional services on School Infrastructure NSW school projects.
Replaced copy
Updated Secondary information
Change Summary - Play equipment will be included in new primary schools as a standard procedure.
Change Summary
SG822 Hydraulic Electrical | |
SG822 Hydraulic Electrical | New SG added - Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC section 882 Hydraulic Electrical - No SINSW requirements in addition to standard Natspec - Selection Templates only are provided to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
SG816 Tanks | |
SG816 Tanks | New SG added -Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC section 816 Tanks - No SINSW requirements in addition to standard Natspec - Selection Templates only are provided to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
SG815 Drinking Water Dispensers | |
SG815 Drinking Water Dispensers | NEW SG added - Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC section 815 Drinking Water Dispensers - Selections include : Water Bottle Fillers, Wash Drinking Troughs and Chilled Water Drinking System currently in SG811 |
Change Summary
SG814 Hydraulic Pumps | |
SG814 Hydraulic Pumps | - New SG added - Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC section 814 Hydraulic Pumps - No SINSW requirements in addition to standard Natspec - Selection Templates only are provided to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
SG824 Fuel Gas | |
SG824 Fuel Gas | Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC sections No additional SINSW requirements in addition to standard NATSPEC Selections to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Chnage Summary
SG821 Stormwater | |
SG821 Stormwater | Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC sections No additional SINSW requirements in addition to standard NATSPEC Selections to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
DG52 Drainage & Trade Waste | |
DG52 Drainage & Trade Waster | Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC sections No additional SINSW requirements in addition to standard NATSPEC Selections to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
SG812 Tapware | |
SG812 Tapware | Changes to the existing SG812 content have been made including : - align Sustainability WELS rating requirements (note no WELS rating exists for Bubblers - removed) - selections schedules are reformatted to improve legibility, clarify location and type, achieve user friendly access, - product reference selections are all updated to current market available products - all product reference selections which are no longer available have been removed. - all product reference selections are coordinated to achieve the required Sustainability WELS minimum ratings - updated Australian Standards references where applicable |
Change Summary
DG12 Natural Light | |
Natural light | Include benchmark for Daylight to align with Green Star. Add the following: 'Access to high levels of daylight must be ensured for at least 40% of primary occupied spaces per floor. As prescribed within Green Star, a space is considered to have high levels of daylight if: the space has minimum 160 lux due to daylight during 80% of the nominated hours OR the following requirements are met: No overshadowing – external shading should not impinge on the direct 25 degree line from centre of the window Minimum 40% Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) for building glazing' |
New Heading: 12.1 Views | Include benchmark for Views to align with Green Star. Add the following: 'Building design must ensure that at least 60% of primary occupied spaces have a clear line of sight to high quality internal or external views. The space must be within 8m from the view. High quality views include: External views - vegetaion, body of water, sky, or frequent outdoor movement (people, vehicles, animals) Internal views - landscaped area, water features, atrium' |
Change Summary
DG02 Ecologically Sustainable Development | |
2.03 Energy Conservation | Green Star also requires the building energy use to be 10% less than that of a reference building, modelled to Section J requirements of the National Construction Code 2019. Add the following: Each building's system and façade must comply with the corresponding Section J requirements in the National Construction Code. That is, the building cannot show that their façade, or any system, performs worse than the reference building. The total building’s energy consumption reduction must be achieved without including renewable energy generation in the calculation.' |
2.01 Scope | "Add: SINSW is committed to operating in a manner consistent with Sustainable Development principles (Bruntland, 1987 and UN SDGs), federal and state legislation requirements and industry best practice. For School Infrastructure, this means acting responsibly with recognition that the future matters now. It also means taking impactful steps to preserve and enhance the environments and communities in which we operate. The vision for School Infrastructure is that by 2030 it/we will be a leading provider of sustainable infrastructure that inspires students and enriches learning. In order to achieve this, it is important to set Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) targets for our projects to innovate and improve practices so projects achieve the desired ESD outcomes. All school projects in Planning phases must develop a Sustainable Development Plan including sustainability targets, initiatives and an ESD schedule detailing the relevant Green Star/EFSG pathway adopted for the project. Capital works projects must comply with all statutory requirements and government policies when identifying sustainability needs and requirements. • GREP is a mandatory NSW Government policy to reduce the NSW Government’s operating costs and lead by example in increasing resource efficiency through ESD principles. GREP requires all new projects above 1000m2 and project costs over $10 million to be designed to the following standard: o 5 Stars Green Star for projects located in metropolitan Sydney, Wollongong, and Newcastle, o 4 Stars Green Star for projects located in other areas of NSW. GREP does not require school facilities to be certified under the Green Star system, however, it prescribes new government facilities to be designed using Green Star as benchmark for best practice. SINSW reports annually against the GREP. • All SSD projects since early 2019 have had a Green Star condition. It should be expected that all future SSD projects will also have this condition and are budgeted and designed accordingly. All SSD projects in planning must certify to Green Star with the Green Building Council of Australia. • For projects already in Delivery and for which formal certification was not achievable, SINSW engaged with DPIE to develop an alternative certification pathway satisfying the requirements of Green Star, whilst using an independent verification method. The outcome of the alternative pathway is to achieve Green Star requirements by implementing EFSG requirements whilst satisfying GREP requirements. The scheme has been approved by DPIE, however, is only available to those projects that are in Delivery and for which formal certification through GBCA is not achievable. Please contact SINSW Sustainability and Statutory Planning teams to determine eligibility of your project under this scheme. " |
2.06 Ecological Conservation | Add the following: 'An Ecological Assessment Report must be developed for the site to document the following: ecological values (current, future, and past) identified for the site and their protection measures ecological impacts from light and noise pollution and water quality and their mitigation requirements existing vegetated areas and biodiversity values being retained how biodiversity has been considered within the project’s material supply chain list of management strategies to protect the integrity of ecological values throughout project planning, construction, and occupancy community and local stakeholder expectations including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander groups and environmental groups Adequate due diligence must be conducted where an area of biodiversity or high ecological value is identified on the site, where at least 50% of this area must be retained. ' |
2.08 Climate Change Adaptation | Add the following: 'Both historic and future data should be accounted for in the initial assessment.' 'The assessment must report on at least two different timescales (2050 and 2070) and consider high emissions scenarios consistent with 2C and 4C for each timescale. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) endorsed emissions scenarios should be used to dictate the assessed scenarios. ' |
Suggested New Heading: 2.10 Views | Include benchmark for Views to align with Green Star. Add the following: 'Building design must ensure that at least 60% of primary occupied spaces have a clear line of sight to high quality internal or external views. The space must be within 8m from the view. High quality views include: External views - vegetaion, body of water, sky, or frequent outdoor movement (people, vehicles, animals) Internal views - landscaped area, water features, atrium' |
2.3.1 Lighting | Include benchmark for Daylight to align with Green Star. Add the following: 'Access to high levels of daylight must be ensured for at least 40% of primary occupied spaces per floor. As prescribed within Green Star, a space is considered to have high levels of daylight if: the space has minimum 160 lux due to daylight during 80% of the nominated hours OR the following requirements are met: No overshadowing – external shading should not impinge on the direct 25 degree line from centre of the window Minimum 40% Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) for building glazing' |
2.4.1 Water Efficient Appliances | Change urinals WELS rating from '4 Stars' to '5 Stars' |
2.4.3 Stormwater Management | Change 'Stromwater' to 'Stormwater' |
2.5.2 Low VOC | Requirements for paints VOC limits to align with Green Star Change 'table13.1.1B/13.1.2B Green Star - Design & As Built v1.3' to 'Green Star Buildings' Remove the following: 'In terms of surface coatings, the Australian Paint Approval Scheme’s (APAS) VOC limits for Low VOC paints or lower are to be used. Paints must meet the limits stipulated in the Australian Paint Approval Scheme’s (APAS) VOC limits for low VOC paints.' Add the following: 'Paints, adhesives and sealants must not exceed the maximum VOC limits stipulated in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.' 'The engineered wood products must not exceed the emissions limits stipulated in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.' |
2.7.1 Construction and Demolition Waste | Change waste diversion target rate from '60%' to '90%' 'Targets must be established to increase diversion of waste sent to landfill, with a minimum diversion rate target of 90%.' |
2.09 Sustainability Benchmarking | Include GSAP engagement to align with Green Star. Add the following: 'A GSAP must be enagaged on the project to provide ongoing advice across all project elements related to Green Star.' |
2.4.2 Roof water harvesting and tank storage | Rainwater tanks must be incorporated where there is a locally identified end use such as irrigation or toilet flushing systems. The rainwater tank must be connected to irrigation systems for adjacent landscape/gardens with the major preference being for gravity fed supply to minimise ongoing maintenance.Where feasible, the rainwater tank must be connected to toilets for toilet flushing. |
Change Summary
SG933 Schedule of PV Solar Power System | |
1.1 Solar Modules warranty | ‘Modules must come with a minimum 13 year product warranty documented in the modules standard warranty statement or brochure. This warranty is in addition to any performance warranty offered.’ |
1.7 System Commissioning and Maintenance Specification- Inclusion of link to new Solar Asset Data Capture Form | Replace the existing file with the new and simplified Solar Asset Capture File |
Change Summary
DG53 Water | |
53.02 WELS Rating For Fixtures | Change urinals WELS rating from '4 Stars' to '5 Stars' |
53.14 Water Tanks | Rainwater collection It is DoE policy to include Roof water harvesting and tank storage must be included in new schools and to encourage it where practical in existing schools, to reduce the demand on drinking water supplies. The rainwater tank must be connected to irrigation systems for adjacent landscape/gardens with the major preference being for gravity fed supply to minimise ongoing maintenance. The rainwater tanks must be connected to toilets for toilet flushing. If this is not feasible, approval must be granted by SINSW. |
53.01 General | A rainwater tank must be provided to enable rainwater harvesting from roofs. The tank must be connected to irrigation systems and where practical, to toilets for toilet flushing. Where feasible, the rainwater tank must be connected to toilets for toilet flushing. |
DG53 Water | Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC sections No additional SINSW requirements in addition to standard NATSPEC Selections to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change Summary
SG811 Sanitary Fixtures | |
SG811 Sanitary Fixtures | Changes to the existing SG811 content have been made including : - align Sustainability WELS rating requirement for urinal Flushers to 5 star - selections schedules are reformatted to improve legibility, clarify each application, achieve user friendly access, - product reference selections are all updated to current market available products - all product reference selections which are no longer available have been removed. - all product reference selections are coordinated to achieve the required Sustainability WELS minimum ratings - updated Australian Standards references where applicable |
Change Summary
SG191 Sundry Items | |
SG191.22 Dispensers for Paper Towel | Add Guide Note: Dispensers for Paper towel are for disabled toilets only. However, consideration must be given where necessary. Paper towels are not recyclable and generates waste Add location: Disabled Toilets |
Change Summary
DG66 Photovoltaic Solar Power Generator | |
DG 66.6.2 Reference to updated Solar Asset Data Capture Sheet V1 | Replace the existing file with the new and simplified Asset Data Capture Sheet V1 |
Change Summary
DG61 Electrical Services | |
DG61.04 Electricity Contract and Metering | All schools are eligible to purchase electricity using the NSW Procurement Electricity Contracts 777 & 776. |
DG61.04 Electricity Contract and Metering | NSW Procurement has a meter contract where DNSP provides metering for Comms 4D Meters if standard meters or Comms 4C if CT Meters Only the incumbent retailer can request a metering change so this should be coming through the electricity retailer as part of the new connection/contract process.All new schools and projects are to include a data cable outlet and power outlet installed near electricity meter. It should also include a telephone line for metering communication. The meter is panel-mounted and requires provision for voltage and current connection, either directly or via current transformers as for standard metering. |
DG61.04 Electricity Contract and Metering | The procedure is: • Request a network connection from the local Distribution Network Service Provider advising estimated loads. The local DNSP will also install a standard meter to record energy use during the construction phase. • Please note Ausgrid will provide the NMI upfront as part of their Permission to Connect. Endeavour and Essential will only provide the NMI once the retailer raises the Allocate NMI Service Order and there is a retail contract in place • A tariff cost comparison must be undertaken assessing all available tariff options, considering the franchise tariffs and the contract options available. The calculations and the recommendation must be presented to the Project Manager for transmission to the client. For Commercial and Industrial clients- the network will determine the tariff based on the connection application • Apply to the electricity retailer currently holding the NSW Procurement Electricity Contracts . Include the estimated annual consumption where past accounts are not available to provide a consumption history. The appropriate contract application form is available from NSW Procurement. The contract needs to be executed by a representative of DoE. • The electricity retailer will arrange the installation of the |
Change Summary
DG27 Roofing | |
27.12 Coloured Roof Sheeting | Include SRI requirements for roof colour Add the following: 'The product selected must meet the following three-year Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements: For roof pitch < 15, minimum SRI of 64 For roof pitch > 15, minimum SRI of 34 Where a three-year SRI is not available, the following requirements must be met: For roof pitch < 15, minimum SRI of 82 For roof pitch > 15, minimum SRI of 39' |
Change Summary
DG11 Acoustics | |
11.02 Internal Noise Levels | Add the following: 'An internal noise level assessment must be carried out for all new buildings to ensure comfortable acoustic conditions for the spaces occupied. The internal noise levels within the space must meet the limits stipulated in Table 11.06.1 of Section 11.06 Acoustic Performance Guidelines or be within the range stipulated in Table 1 of the AS/NZS 2107:2016 standard. The more stringent of the two should be met. Noise measurements conducted for at least 10% of the spaces will be required to demonstrate compliance with the noise levels criteria. The spaces considered for onsite testing shall be the ones most susceptible to internal and external noise sources as a conservative measure.' |
11.03 Room Acoustics | Add the following: 'The reverberation time within a room must be within the range stipulated in table Table 11.06.1 of Section 11.6 Acoustic Performance Guidelines or Table 1 of the AS/NZS 2107:2016 standard. The more stringent of the two should be met.' |
11.06 Acoustic Performance Guidelines | Change internal noise level in table 11.06.1 for the following: Engineering Workshops - from '50db' to '45db' Change the reverberation time in table 11.06.1 for the following:. office areas - from '<0.8' to '<0.7' study rooms - from '<0.8' to '<0.6' |
Change Summary
DG07 Sun Control | |
7.01 Sun Exclusion - Glare Control | Include 'tinted glazing' & 'screens' as glare control measures Add the following: 'Sun exclusion and glare control can be achieved by the use of elements such as sun shades, eave extensions, tinted glazing, screens, vertical blades and the like.' |
Change Summary
DG01 Whole of Life | |
DG01.03 Whole of Life - General Design Considerations | Life cycle assessment (environmental) Environmental impacts of products and materials has been assessed and inform material selection. Materiality, building design and delivery method should be informed by life cycle assessment to reduce enviromental footprint. An LCA is not necessary to be conducted for each project. |
Change Summary
DG63 Lighting | |
63.3.1 Design Considerations | Add the following: 'The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) for light sources must be minimum 80 or higher ' |
63.3.3 Illuminance | Add the following to ensure illuminance outcome aligns with Green Star: 'The maintained illuminance levels must meet the recommended levels as specified in the AS/NZS 1680 standard., and the maintained illuminance values achieve a uniformity of no less than the values given in Table 3.2 of AS 1680.1:2006, with an assumed standard maintenance factor of 0.8.' Change the maintenance factor from '0.7' to '0.8' |
63.3.4 Uniformity | Add the following: 'The uniformity values achieved must be no less than the values stipulated in Table 3.2 of the AS/NZS 1680 standard.' |
63.3.5 Glare | Add the following: 'The UGR rating must be calculated in accordance with the procedure outlined in Clause 8.3.3 of AS/NZS 1680.1:2006 standard, and the calculated value must not exceed the maximum values specified in Table 8.2 of the standard.' |
63.04 Luminaire Considerations | Add the following: 'To ensure flicker-free lighting, the following luminaire requirements should be considered: st LED lighting – electronic drivers with 12-bit or greater resolution' |
Change Summary
DG20 Fabric | |
20.06 Roof/Ceiling | Include SRI requirements for roof colour Add the following: 'The roof colour will also have an impact on the thermal performance of the roof, therefore the product’s Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) should be considered to mitigate the heat island effect. The product selected must meet the following three-year Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements: For roof pitch < 15, minimum SRI of 64 For roof pitch > 15, minimum SRI of 34 Where a three-year SRI is not available, the following requirements must be met: For roof pitch < 15, minimum SRI of 82 For roof pitch > 15, minimum SRI of 39' |
20.07 Internally | Add the following on VOC limits: '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. ' |
Change Summary
SG813 Water Heaters | |
SG813 Water Heaters | - New SG added - Content aligns with the standard NATSPEC section 813 Water Heaters - No added SINSW requirements over and above - Selection Templates only are provided to be completed by the design team (no reference products) |
Change summary
DG03 Site factors | |
03.02 Site Investigations | Change from 'Negotiable' to 'Mandatory' |
03.05 Site Clearance | Remove the following: 'This will also be beneficial to Green Star Credit Eco-1 |
Change Summary
DG55 Cooling Policy | |
DG55.1 Indoor Air Quality Policy | Revised policy |
DG55.2 Indoor Air Quality performance brief | Revised policy |
DG55.3 Cooler Classroom Guideliness | Revised policy |
Change Summary
SG652 Carpets | |
Carpet tiles | Update to prioritise the use of carpet tile in school for sustainability , easier to repair and maintenance. |
Change Summary
DG64 Communications | ||
DG64.02 | DG64 - Structured Cabling System, with new version of Structured Cabling Systems Specification 2020 (v1.2) document | Addition of new document – DOE Structured Cabling Systems Specification 2020 v1.2 to EFSG DG64.02. Changes and addition have been made to the DOE Structured Cabling Systems Specification document, including: • Change from F/UTP to U/FTP for horizontal cabling. • Racks in the MCR/BCR changed from 42RU to 45RU and also changed from 900mm to 800mm deep for the BCR racks • Rack layout in MCR changed with the BD/School Server and Security/Telephone cabinets swapping locations • Added a section on exceptions • FOBOT in MCR changed from minimum 72 to 48 port capacity • Modified wording for WAP outlets in ceilings i.e. not permitted • Added/Updated diagrams • Updated standards reference where applicable |
DG64.04 | DG64.04 - Responsibilities | Update DG64.04 – Responsibilities including: - Added links to referenced documents, including SCSS other design guide sections - Inserted general reference to checklists, and to ensure all checklists related to EFSG requirements (including, but not limited to the action and check sheet/sheets) are completed and forwarded as required. - Removed fax requirements from action and check sheets - Added Foundations.T4L PMs as contacts and process contacts - Added ITD School Network Solution Design Authority (SNSDA) as contact and process contact - Added action and check sheets 1, 2a and 2b. |
DG64.13 | DG64.13 Telephony | Update DG64.13 – Telephony including: - Wording and link updates to DG 64.13.01, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 - Addition of DG.64.13.11 – Table of required telephone lines (Mislabelled as 63.13.11) - Addition of DG64:13.12 Backup mobile phone solutions Additionally, references to DG64.04 – Responsibilities have been added, including action and check sheets 1, 2a and 2b. |
DG64.15 | EFSG 64.15 AV Device | Addition of two (2) documents to EFSG 64.15 – AV Device: 1. NSW DoE School AV for Learning Displays Standard and; 2. NSW DoE AV Standards for School Communal Halls and Gymnasiums. Additions were made to NSW DoE Schools AV for Learning Displays Standard document, including: - Added recommendations (throughout the document), that if using a “fixed MLD, it is recommended that screens be mounted with controllable, height adjustable screen mounts.” - Added top of screen to floor screen height recommendation to appendix A (In addition to screen mounting from floor to bottom of screen recommendations). - Adjusted for accessibility. Additionally, a new standard document, NSW DoE AV Standards for School Communal Halls and Gymnasiums, has been produced to provide a minimum standard for AV installations in school communal halls and gymnasiums. |
DG64.18 | DG64.18 Upgrade brief | It is proposed to: • Update EFSG DG64.05 (Existing schools being upgraded) with updated content (attached) from DG64.18 (Provision of communications in existing schools). • Remove DG64.18 (Provision of communication in existing schools) as this information will be presented in DG64.05 (Existing schools being upgraded). Changes made to DG64.18 (Provision of communication in existing schools) include: • Clarified language • Clarified that process only applicable to existing schools • Added project brief template to assist with integrating new communications equipment into an existing site • Wording and link updates to DG64.13.01, 2, 3, 4, |
Change summary
SG631 Ceramic Tiling |
1.1 Wet area walls Ceramic tiles to wet area walls must extend full height of the wall. Maximum tiling height is to be limited to 2400mm (expected average ceiling height in standardized toilet blocks and wet areas) |
Change summary
DG04 Heat Loss Gain |
Minor wording updates and removed unnecessary content |
Change summary
DG57 Ventilation |
Minor wording updates and introduction of fitness for purpose requirement for learning areas |
Change summary
DG56 Heating |
Minor wording updates and introduced provisions for gas heating requiring approval by sustainability |
Change summary
SG454 Overhead Doors |
2.1 Sectional Overhead Doors – External Linings
|
Change summary
DG65 Special Electrical System |
Language updated throughout the document to clearly describe ‘students who are deaf or hard of hearing’ and ‘hearing augmentation system’. 65.14 Hearing Augmentation Systems
Add new content to describe the wireless soundfield system requirements Minor wording updates and removed outdated references |
Change summary
Reference to Mandatory DOE Prequalified scheme (DoE525688877) is expired and has been removed from EFSG. Suppliers would need to meet or exceed standards in EFSG.
Change Summary
Summary of changes
Change Summary
Room Type | Revision date 7 Nov 2012 | Revision date 25 Feb 2020 |
PS401.21 | Room width 2100 | Room width 2500 |
Room length 4600 | Room length 3900 | |
Technical Data Area | Planning – Area m^2 9m2 for 2 homesbases | Planning – Area m^2 9m2 for 1 homesbases |
PS401.33 - Additional notes has been added for practical activities areas to clarify the entitlement
PS401.31 - Additional notes has been added for practical activities areas to clarify the entitlement.
PS401.22 - Additional notes has been added for withdraw rooms areas to clarify the entitlement.