Roof Glazing Building Codes & Rules

- Roof Glazing Tools™ simplifies the National Construction Code (NCC) with interactive graphics, including deemed to comply & best practices.

Roof Windows & Skylights

Ventilation

Non-vented
Passive
Openable
Electric (Skylight & Dome Fans)
Solar

Rooflight Ventilation TYPES

NCC 2022 V1

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Non-vented
Passive
Openable
Electric (Skylight & Dome Fans)
Solar

Maintenance

Check base components every^[1]
12 months clean debris, wash coating
6 months if leaf risk
Access for maintenance to have Safety Label & not located in trafficable areas

Rooflight MAINTENANCE

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 S5C16, J4D5, J5D4, HP13.2.4, & HP13.4.3

[2019 Spec C1.1:3.6, J1.4, J3.3, 3.12.1.3, 3.12.3.2]

May 2023

Rooflights to be energy-efficient, fire-resistant, sealed or capable of being sealed, and constructed to the NCC
Do not use window cleaning fluid on polymers
Use scratch-proof cleaning materials
Clean glass / polymers with mild or natural detergent
Use warm water & rinse well
Base Components
Inspect periodically
Remove leaf & rubbish build-up
Glazing, Timber, & Mechanical Accessories
Check every 12 months
Lubricate mechanical parts

AS 4285:2019, F

Check base components every^{AS 4285:2019, F}
12 months clean debris, wash coating
6 months if leaf risk
Access for maintenance to have Safety Label & not located in trafficable areas

Fire Resisting Construction

Type A Construction^[1]
Non-combustible materials

Roof Light FRL

NCC 2022 V2

Class 2 to 9

NCC 2022 S5C16 [2019 Spec C1.1: 3.6]

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (i)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (iii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (iv)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (c)

Where Roof FRL is required, Roof Light to be

≤ 20% aggregate area of Roof Surface^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (a)}
≥ 3m from^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b)}
Any perimeter of the plot, excluding boundary with a road or public place^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (i)}
Another roof light in an adjoining SOU or fire-separated part of the building^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (iii)NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (iv)}
Any part of the building that projects above the roof, except^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (b) (ii)}
If building element has FRL required for firewall
Wall openings 6m above Roof Light having - /60/ - FRL
Ceiling resistance to incipient spread of fire
Must maintain protection level to the roof space^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C16 (c)}

NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C11 (1)

Type A Construction^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, S5C11 (1)}
Non-combustible materials

Shafts & Lightwell

Flat, smooth, clean, & reflective surface^[1]
Surface must hinder the collection of dust
Maximise light throughput

Rooflight Shaft TYPES

NCC 2022 V1

Splayed or Flared
Shaftless
Straight
Flexible
Tubular
Specular or semi-specular lightwells
≥ 85% Specular Reflectance
> 2m long, highly specular

AS 4285:2019, C

Flat, smooth, clean, & reflective surface^{AS 4285:2019, C}
Surface must hinder the collection of dust
Maximise light throughput

Typical Sizes

Derived from^[1]
Lightwell specular reflectivity, Tubular Skylights
Diffuse, other Skylights
Consider^[2]
Site's geographic location
Rooflight location on the roof
Shape of shaft and its reflectivity

Rooflight SIZES

NCC 2022 V1

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AS 4285:2019, D

Derived from^{AS 4285:2019, D}
Lightwell specular reflectivity, Tubular Skylights
Diffuse, other Skylights
Consider^{AS 4285:2019, D}
Site's geographic location
Rooflight location on the roof
Shape of shaft and its reflectivity

Energy Efficiency

Required to be weatherproof & sealed^[1]
Installed with ceiling diffusers^[2]
Has a shutter system^[3]

Roof Light Building Sealing Energy Efficiency

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP13.2.4 & 13.4.3 [2019: 3.12.1.3 & 3.12.3.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)

Comply with thermal performance requirements
Area ≤ 5% of the minimum area required for ventilation in the room served^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)}
Transparent or translucent elements
≤ U3.9 U-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)}
Total System SHGC, see Table below^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)}

Thermal Performance (for NSW)

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 S5C16, J4D5, J5D4, HP13.2.4, & HP13.4.3

[2019 Spec C1.1:3.6, J1.4, J3.3, 3.12.1.3, 3.12.3.2]

May 2023

Rooflights to be energy-efficient, fire-resistant, sealed or capable of being sealed, and constructed to the NCC
DIY Method
≤ 300m² conditioned floor area
Glazing to be 10 to 40% of conditioned floor area
≤ 3m² cumulative area of Rooflights & Roof Windows
1 to 2 storeys high for single dwellings
≤ 25m² Open Mezzanine

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (1)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (2) (c)

Required to be weatherproof & sealed^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (1)}
Installed with ceiling diffusers^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (2) (a)}
Has a shutter system^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (2) (c)}

AS/NZS 2589:2017, B3

AS/NZS 2589:2017, B4

Glancing Light^{AS/NZS 2589:2017, B3AS/NZS 2589:2017, B4}

Emphasises surface variations
Level 5 Plasterboard Finish to minimise Glancing Light issues

Fall

Bushfire Construction

Seal openings including gaps & vents^[1]

Roof Penetration Bushfire CONSTRUCTION

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5 & H7D4 [2019 Part G5 & 3.10.5]

May 2023

Buildings located in Bushfire Prone Areas to address bushfire attack risks and be constructed to the NCC

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5O1 (b)

Seal openings including gaps & vents^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5O1 (b)}

Glass Roofing

Types of Rooflight

Deck Mounted
Curb Mounted

Rooflight TYPES

NCC 2022 V1

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Deck Mounted
Curb Mounted