Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Jul 19, 2014 7:38 pm Hi all, I've got a problem with my builder as they said that I could not have eaves on my side elevations simply because the eaves would obstruct the natural lights into the habitable rooms. But from my research, the BCA part 3.8.4.2 says that: Natural lighting must be provided by: (i) windows that have an aggregate light transmitting area measured exclusive of framing members, glazing bars or other obstructions of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room; and are open to the sky or face a court or other space open to the sky or an open verandah, carport or the like; or (ii) roof lights that have an aggregate light transmitting area measured exclusive of framing members, glazing bars or other obstructions of not less than 3% of the floor area of the room; and are open to the sky; or (iii) a proportional combination of Windows and roof lights required by (i) and (ii). A window required to provide natural light that faces a boundary of an adjoining allotment must not be less than a horizontal distance of 900 mm from that boundary. My window size is 20% of the floor area and the window is about 1.2m from the boundaries. Also, the BCA states nothing about the eaves at all. Could someone shed some lights on this? Many thanks Re: BCA natural light requirements 2Jul 19, 2014 8:41 pm The builder is trying to con you because they don't want to bother! The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: BCA natural light requirements 3Jul 21, 2014 9:03 am Victorian Building Regulations require 1 met 'clear to the sky'. i.e. measured from face of gutter to boundary line. Not sure of other states. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: BCA natural light requirements 4Jul 21, 2014 3:18 pm ausdesign Victorian Building Regulations require 1 met 'clear to the sky'. i.e. measured from face of gutter to boundary line. Not sure of other states. So that means if I have only 1.2m to the boundaries, I won't be able to have eaves on my side elevation? Is there any other way I could have my eaves? Re: BCA natural light requirements 5Jul 22, 2014 7:08 am One 'messy' solution would to be to have skylights in the habitable rooms, but this may have an affect on the thermal assessment. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: BCA natural light requirements 7Jul 22, 2014 2:20 pm ausdesign Victorian Building Regulations require 1 met 'clear to the sky'. i.e. measured from face of gutter to boundary line. Not sure of other states. But this has no mention of eaves as a consideration. There is consideration in this regulation for windows under a verandah or a carport. I don't believe eaves are relevant at all. If there was a verandah then the edge of the verandah can be 500mm from the boundary. I see no reason why eaves cannot be included on this house. BUILDING REGULATIONS 2006 - REG 420 Daylight to habitable room windows (1) A habitable room window of a building on an allotment must face— (a) an outdoor space or light court with a minimum area of 3m 2 and a minimum dimension of 1m clear to the sky, not including land on an adjoining allotment; or (b) a verandah on the allotment if it is open for at least one third of its perimeter; or (c) a carport on the allotment if— (i) it has 2 or more sides open; and (ii) it is open for at least one third of its perimeter. (2) For the purposes of subregulation (1), a side of a carport or verandah may be taken to be open if the roof covering of the carport or verandah adjacent to that side is not less than 500mm from another building on the allotment or the adjoining allotment boundary. (3) The report and consent of the relevant council must be obtained to an application for a building permit in relation to a design that does not comply with this regulation. Completed a knock down and rebuild in northern Melbourne. Handover completed 27/09/2013 and now moved in. Re: BCA natural light requirements 8Jul 22, 2014 5:24 pm Stewie D Who drew your plans ? This should have been discussed with you a long time ago. Stewie My builder is drawing the plans for me. But for some reasons, I wasn't informed about this matter until I went to the contract appointment, I could see they 'chop' the eaves on my bedrooms so my house have the eaves for the whole house except for a portion of the house, which they said we couldn't have eaves on those bedrooms. Hence, the result is I could have that 'strangely look' eaves or don't have the eaves at all. Re: BCA natural light requirements 9Jul 22, 2014 5:37 pm Bluesuede ausdesign Victorian Building Regulations require 1 met 'clear to the sky'. i.e. measured from face of gutter to boundary line. Not sure of other states. But this has no mention of eaves as a consideration. There is consideration in this regulation for windows under a verandah or a carport. I don't believe eaves are relevant at all. If there was a verandah then the edge of the verandah can be 500mm from the boundary. I see no reason why eaves cannot be included on this house. BUILDING REGULATIONS 2006 - REG 420 Daylight to habitable room windows (1) A habitable room window of a building on an allotment must face— (a) an outdoor space or light court with a minimum area of 3m 2 and a minimum dimension of 1m clear to the sky, not including land on an adjoining allotment; or (b) a verandah on the allotment if it is open for at least one third of its perimeter; or (c) a carport on the allotment if— (i) it has 2 or more sides open; and (ii) it is open for at least one third of its perimeter. (2) For the purposes of subregulation (1), a side of a carport or verandah may be taken to be open if the roof covering of the carport or verandah adjacent to that side is not less than 500mm from another building on the allotment or the adjoining allotment boundary. (3) The report and consent of the relevant council must be obtained to an application for a building permit in relation to a design that does not comply with this regulation. Thanks Bluesuede for the relevant regulations. I hope someone specializing in this area is able to help I am not sure whether the eaves will be relevant or not because in the definition, the word 'clear to the sky' means 'An unroofed area or an area roofed with a material that transmits at least 90% of light'. So eaves wouldn't satisfy this definition. However, it doesn't make any sense when you can't have the eaves, but you could have verandah adjacent to the windows, which means you'll get less natural lights. I am so confused... Hi, planning on using the attached stone pieces in my bathroom. I want to remove stains and gloss seal. Can I get some advice on best way to remove stains and best… 0 6709 This was on google. 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