NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS
– SANS 10400-XA: 2021

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Energy Efficiency Regulations were promulgated in November 2011. The owner of the building is ultimately responsible for the energy performance of the building. It is now mandatory to specify thermal insulation in certain building occupancy classes in accordance with Regulation XA1, XA2 and XA3. Recently the application of the National Building Regulations SANS 10400-XA: 2021 Ed 2 Energy usage in buildings, was updated and published.

TIPSASA Thermal Specification Guide (Click to download)

Deemed-To Satisfy Option Examples to Satisfy Regulation Pertaining to Thermal Insulation.

The Regulation is applicable to all new buildings and extensions in the following occupancy classes:

Energy Zones

The climate zone map has been replaced with the energy zone map. The map indicates graphically the areas and boundaries of the 7 energy zones throughout South Africa.

The energy zones was determined by the amount of heating and cooling energy required to bring the internal temperatures of buildings into thermal comfort levels. The legend on the map indicates the level of heating and cooling energy needed in accordance with the Energy Zone is as follows:

1. Zone 1 = Medium heating and medium cooling energy
2. Zone 2 = Medium heating and low cooling energy
3. Zone 3 = low heating and high cooling energy
4. Zone 4 = Low heating and low cooling energy
5. Zone 5 = Low heating and medium cooling energy (Zone 5H – 85% humidity area)
6. Zone 6 = High heating and low cooling energy
7. Zone 7 = High heating and medium cooling energy

The first step in determining compliance is to identify the energy zone for the building location. This is done by referring to the energy zone map or to the energy zone tables. Zone 5H high humidity to be taken into account.