NABERS Energy and Water For Shopping Centres Rules For Collecting and Using Data

NABERS Energy and Water for
shopping centres
Rules for collecting

and using data
VERSION 2.0
Cover photo: Stockland began the redevelopment of the Forster shopping centre in February 2006. The centre
now contains six majors,77 specialty stores, 1220 car spaces and has a Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of 33,939m2.
After a range of energy efficiency upgrades in air conditioning and lighting schedules, sensors and fittings, the
centre achieved a 6 stars NABERS Energy rating in 2012. In 2014 it continues to hold a market leading 6 star
energy rating and has also obtained a 5 stars NABERS Water rating.
Formatting conventions used in this document
Note: Text appearing with a grey tint in the background is explanatory text only.
It is not part of the Rules.
Text appearing dark green and bold is a defined term, as explained in Section 2.2.
Only the first occurrence under each heading is emphasised in this way.
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has compiled this document in good faith, exercising
all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability
of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. OEH shall not be liable for any damage
which may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication.
Readers should seek appropriate advice when applying the information to their specific needs. This
document may be subject to revision without notice and readers should ensure they are using the
latest version.
Published by
Office of Environment and Heritage
59 Goulburn Street
PO Box A290
Sydney South NSW 1232
Ph: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)

Ph: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests)
Fax: (02) 9995 5999
TTY: 133 677 then ask for 131 555
Speak and Listen users: 1300 555 727 then ask for 131 555
Email: nabers@environment.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.nabers.gov.au
OEH 2014/0778
ISBN 978 1 74359 795 8
October 2014
© 2014 State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage

Contents
1 Introduction 9
1.1 About NABERS for shopping centres ratings ............................................................9

1.1.1 NABERS Energy for shopping centres ........................................................9
1.1.2 NABERS Water for shopping centres ........................................................ 10
1.1.3 Minimum criteria to rate a shopping centre under NABERS ...................... 11
1.2 About this document ...............................................................................................11
1.2.1 Who the Rules are for ...............................................................................11
1.2.2 What’s new in this version ......................................................................... 11
1.2.3 Related documents ...................................................................................12
2 Key concepts 13
2.1 The assessment process ........................................................................................13

2.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................14
2.3 Interpretation ..........................................................................................................19
2.3.1 Current version .........................................................................................19
2.3.2 Rulings ......................................................................................................20
2.3.3 Precedence ...............................................................................................20
2.4 Proposed new methods ..........................................................................................21
2.4.1 Standard for acceptable data .................................................................... 21
2.4.2 Documentation required ............................................................................ 21
2.5 Summary of data and documentation needed......................................................... 21

2.6 The Rating Period ...................................................................................................23
2.6.1 Definitions .................................................................................................23
2.6.2 Data must cover the same period.............................................................. 23
2.6.3 Time allowed for assessment .................................................................... 23
2.6.4 Older Rating Periods .................................................................................24
2.7 Acceptable data and estimates ...............................................................................24
2.7.1 Principles ..................................................................................................24
2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates............................................ 25
2.8 Site inspection ........................................................................................................26

2.9 Documentation and record-keeping ........................................................................ 27
2.9.2 Records to be kept seven years for audit .................................................. 27
Rules for collecting and using data | VERSION 2.0 | October 2014 3
2.9.3 Records to be kept by Assessors .............................................................. 27
3 Total and Centrally Serviced Area 28
3.1 Summary ................................................................................................................28
3.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................29

3.3 Process overview....................................................................................................30
3.4 Listed area and servicing arrangements ................................................................. 31
3.4.1 Typical retail spaces..................................................................................31
3.4.2 Excluded spaces .......................................................................................31
3.5 Grouping tenancies into contiguous blocks ............................................................. 32

3.6 Confirmation of central servicing .............................................................................33
3.6.1 Central services to part of a tenancy ......................................................... 34
3.7 Confirmation of area ...............................................................................................35
3.7.1 Determining tenancy Gross Lettable Area Retail ....................................... 35
3.8 Adjusting for vacancies ...........................................................................................36
4 Hours of Service 38
4.1 Summary ................................................................................................................38

4.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................38
4.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................38
4.3 Determining Hours of Service .................................................................................39

4.3.1 Process overview ......................................................................................39
4.3.2 Shopping centre core hours of operation................................................... 39
4.3.3 Extended hours of operation ..................................................................... 40
4.4 Documentation required..........................................................................................40
5 Trading Days 41
5.1 Summary ................................................................................................................41

5.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................41
5.2 Determining the number of trading days ................................................................. 41

5.2.2 Identifying public holidays ......................................................................... 42
5.2.3 Confirming trading days ............................................................................ 42
4 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

6 Counting parking spaces 43
6.1 Summary ................................................................................................................43

6.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................43
6.2 Determining the number of parking spaces ............................................................. 43

6.2.1 Principle and definitions ............................................................................ 43
6.2.3 Conducting a site inspection ..................................................................... 44
6.2.4 Dividing car parking spaces into blocks ..................................................... 44
6.2.5 Conducting a count ...................................................................................45
7 Floor configuration 47
7.1 Summary ................................................................................................................47

7.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................47
7.2 Determining single or multi-storey........................................................................... 47
7.2.2 Examples ..................................................................................................47
8 Counting food court seats 49
8.1 Summary ................................................................................................................49

8.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................49
8.2 Determining the number of food court seats ........................................................... 49

9 Gymnasium area 51
9.1 Summary ................................................................................................................51

9.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................51
9.2 Determining the gymnasium area ........................................................................... 51
9.2.3 Determining gymnasium Gross Lettable Area Retail ................................. 52
10 Counting cinema theatrettes 53
10.1 Summary ................................................................................................................53

10.1.1 Data required ............................................................................................53
10.2 Determining the number of cinema theatrettes ....................................................... 53

11 Energy coverage 55
11.1 Interpretation of scope ............................................................................................55

11.1.1 Required minimum energy coverage ......................................................... 55
11.1.2 Exclusions .................................................................................................56
11.1.3 Vacant spaces ..........................................................................................56
11.1.4 Exterior signage ........................................................................................56
11.1.5 Car parks ..................................................................................................56
11.2 On-site generation ..................................................................................................57

11.2.1 Cogeneration and trigeneration systems ................................................... 57
11.2.2 Other on-site generation systems.............................................................. 57
11.3 GreenPower™ ........................................................................................................58

11.3.1 Application of separate purchases ............................................................ 58
11.3.2 Confirmation of separate purchases .......................................................... 59
11.3.3 On-sold GreenPower ................................................................................59
11.3.4 Bulk purchases .........................................................................................59
11.4.1 Evidence of coverage................................................................................59
11.4.2 Evidence of classification and allocation ................................................... 60
12 Water coverage 61
12.1 Interpretation of scope ............................................................................................61

12.1.1 Unmetered supplies ..................................................................................61
12.1.2 Required minimum water coverage ........................................................... 62
12.1.3 Vacant floor area .......................................................................................62
12.1.4 Fire system consumption .......................................................................... 62
12.1.5 On-site capture and recycling .................................................................... 63

13 Metering systems 64
13.1 Summary ................................................................................................................64

13.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................64
13.3 High-voltage electricity metering .............................................................................65

13.4 Non-utility meter records .........................................................................................65
13.4.1 Minimum frequency of readings ................................................................ 65
13.4.2 Measurements and formats required ......................................................... 66
13.5 Non-utility metering system validation ..................................................................... 67

13.5.1 Metering systems requiring validation ....................................................... 67
13.5.2 Non-utility Meter Management Plans ........................................................ 67
13.5.3 Checking meter system validation ............................................................. 69
13.5.4 Validating a random sample of metering systems ..................................... 70
13.5.5 Validation checks ......................................................................................71
14 Consumption data 73
14.1 Summary ................................................................................................................73

14.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................73
14.3 Measuring consumption ..........................................................................................73

14.3.1 Process overviews ....................................................................................73
14.3.2 Confirm all sources ...................................................................................74
14.3.3 Assess the accuracy of the assumptions for each source ......................... 74
14.3.4 Determine energy consumption (NABERS Energy ratings) ....................... 75
14.3.5 Determine water consumption (NABERS Water ratings) ........................... 76
14.3.6 Determine recycled water characteristics (NABERS Water ratings) .......... 77
14.4 Including or excluding consumption ........................................................................ 78
14.4.1 Exclusions based on financially reconciled utility costs ............................. 79
14.4.2 Estimating small un-metered end uses...................................................... 79
14.4.3 Thermal energy measurements................................................................. 80
14.5 Batch-delivered supplies .........................................................................................81
14.5.1 Measurement and estimation .................................................................... 81
14.6 Utility bill units and formats .....................................................................................84

14.6.1 Utility units ................................................................................................84
14.6.2 Energy bill formats ....................................................................................84
14.7 Periods covered by utility data ................................................................................84
14.7.2 Adjusting for gaps at the start or end of the Rating Period......................... 85
14.7.3 Estimating unrecorded consumption ......................................................... 86
14.7.4 Using valid meter readings before and after missing data ......................... 87
14.8 Correcting non-utility meter readings ...................................................................... 89
14.8.1 Assessments where corrections can be made .......................................... 89
14.8.2 Assessments where corrections cannot be made ..................................... 89

14.9.1 Utility metering ..........................................................................................90
14.9.2 Non-utility metering ...................................................................................90
14.9.3 Batch deliveries .........................................................................................91
15 Appendices 92
15.1 Appendix A – Information checklist for accredited ratings ....................................... 93

15.2 Appendix B – Tenancy Servicing Validation Form................................................... 98
15.3 Appendix C – Guide to non-utility metering system validation ................................. 99

15.3.1 Remote Meter Reading Systems............................................................... 99
15.3.2 Electricity meters ..................................................................................... 100
15.3.3 Gas meters ............................................................................................. 103
15.3.4 Example of a validation record for electrical non-utility meters ................ 104
15.3.5 Example of a validation record for gas non-utility meters......................... 105
15.3.6 Example of a validation record for water non-utility meters...................... 106

Introduction
1 Introduction
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is a

performance-based rating system for buildings.
A NABERS rating for a building is based on a methodical assessment of the actual
environmental impact of operating it. For a rating to be accredited by NABERS, the
assessment on which it is based must be performed by a NABERS Accredited
Assessor and comply with a quality standard that sets out principles and rules for
gathering, interpreting and using data. Assessments may be audited for
compliance.
The quality standard for an assessment is defined in the Rules for collecting and
using data (formerly titled Validation Protocol). The Rules are amended as required
by additional rulings, published on the NABERS website, which apply the principles
in the Rules to specific issues raised since the document was published.
These Rules are for assessing shopping centre buildings for accredited NABERS
Energy and Water for shopping centres performance ratings.
1.1 About NABERS for shopping centres ratings
NABERS ratings are expressed as a number of stars, for example:
NABERS rating Performance comparison

6 stars Market leading building performance
5 stars Excellent building performance
3 stars Market average building performance
1.1.1 NABERS Energy for shopping centres
The more stars in a NABERS Energy rating, the lower the greenhouse gas
emissions for the rated premises.
The NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating is calculated by first determining
the average energy consumption of a shopping centre with the same building
characteristics as the shopping centre being rated. The star rating is awarded based
on how well the actual energy consumption of the shopping centre, based on 12
months of actual data, compares to the average benchmark.
To ensure fair comparison, the average performance benchmarks are adjusted for
factors such as proportion of centrally serviced area, hours of service and trading
days. GreenPower™ purchases are taken into account but the rating without
GreenPower is also displayed.
The NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating assesses greenhouse gas
emissions associated with the energy consumed in supplying building central
services to shopping centres. This includes all facilities provided by the shopping
centre owner to retail tenants and the associated back-of-house requirements and
specifically includes:
• common-area lighting and power (for example, lift lobbies, foyers, plant rooms
and common area toilets)
• lifts and escalators
• air conditioning and ventilation, including centralised services provided to
common areas and tenants
• exterior lighting
• exterior signage
• generator fuel where it serves central services, and
• car park ventilation and lighting, where internal or external car parks within the
legal boundaries of the site are provided to service the shopping centre.
The NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating does not include tenant energy
used for light and power or tenant controlled heating, air-conditioning and
ventilation.
1.1.2 NABERS Water for shopping centres
The more stars in a NABERS Water rating, the less water used by the rated
building.
The NABERS Water for shopping centres rating is calculated by first determining
the average water consumption of a shopping centre with the same building
characteristics as the shopping centre being rated. The star rating is awarded based
on how well the actual water consumption of the shopping centre, based on 12
months of actual data, compares to the average benchmark.
To ensure fair comparison, the average performance benchmarks are adjusted for
factors such as building area, number of cinema theatrettes, number of food court
seats, gymnasium area and climate. A NABERS Water for shopping centres rating
does not count consumption of internally supplied recycled water or water from on-
site sources such as rainwater tanks.
NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings can be conducted at the same time as
a NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating.

Introduction
1.1.3 Minimum criteria to rate a shopping centre under NABERS
The NABERS for shopping centres benchmarks were developed using data from
shopping centres of area greater than 15,000m2. Whilst shopping centres of area
less than 15,000m2 can be rated, the National Administrator does not guarantee
accuracy of the resulting star rating.
1.2 About this document
1.2.1 Who the Rules are for
This document is intended for use by NABERS Accredited Assessors and

Auditors while conducting and reviewing assessments.
1.2.2 What’s new in this version
This version of the Rules has been developed to maintain consistency with the
format and plain English style of the NABERS Energy and Water for offices Rules
for collecting and using data. Sections detailing energy and water coverage,
metering systems and consumption data have been made consistent with the office
Rules wherever possible. The Rules have also been revised and updated based on
feedback from NABERS Assessors, Auditors and Trainers. Where applicable,
sections have been updated and/or clarified.
This version incorporates the rulings:
• ‘Revision of the Measurement Standard for GLAR’ issued on 17 May 2011. This
ruling allows Gross Lettable Area Retail (GLAR) noted in lease documentation to
be deemed acceptable data even if it does not specifically reference the Property
Council of Australia (PCA) March 1997 Method of Measurement. The ruling
requires the Assessor to demonstrate that the area is indeed GLAR, for example
through checks during a site visit.
• ‘Addendum to NABERS for shopping centres Validation Protocol’ issued on 26
October 2012. This ruling details improvements to the NABERS Energy for
shopping centres benchmarks to better reflect the attributes of shopping centres.
The revised benchmarks improve the accuracy of the tool and ensure that ratings
provide a fairer comparison between centres. The revised benchmarks consider
the collection of three new building operational characteristics: trading days,
hours of service and floor configuration. The ruling also provides a clearer,
consolidated methodology to conduct the servicing and area validations.
There are also new or significantly changed provisions dealing with the following
topics:
Topic Description Reference

Definitions Definitions added Section 2.2 Definitions
Topic Description Reference
Total Shopping Clarification made to the inclusion of pad Section 3
Total and Centrally
Centre Area sites.
Serviced Area
Total Shopping Clarification made to the inclusion of kiosks. Section 3
Total and Centrally
Centre Area
Serviced Area
Total Shopping Clarification made to spaces excluded from Section 3
Total and Centrally
Centre Area retail areas.
Serviced Area
Grouping Tenancies Section added. Section 3.5 Grouping
tenancies into
into Contiguous
contiguous blocks
blocks
Adjusting for Clarification of evidence required for Section 3.8 Adjusting
for vacancies
vacancies vacancies.
Hours of service New section added detailing how to Section 4
Hours of Service
determine the hours of service for the
shopping centre.
Trading days New section added detailing how to Section 5
Trading Days
determine the trading days of the shopping
centre.
Floor configuration New section added detailing how to Section 7 Floor
configuration
determine the floor configuration of the
shopping centre.
Car park energy Method added for excluding a proportion of Section 11.1.5 Car
parks
coverage car park not servicing the shopping centre.
On-site generation Clarification made as to how a grid feed Section 11.2.2 Other
on-site generation
system affects the system.
systems
1.2.3 Related documents
These Rules are part of the set of documents that govern how assessments are to
be carried out and audited for NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres
ratings. Other documents in the set cover:
• additional rulings on specific issues
• auditing procedures for performance ratings
• a Code of Practice for Accredited Assessors.

Key concepts
2 Key concepts
2.1 The assessment process
An accredited NABERS rating is awarded when the NABERS National

Administrator certifies a rating lodged and completed by an Assessor. The
National Administrator may independently audit the rating and assist in resolving
complex technical issues
Figure 1: Overview of the assessment process
The main documents and tools used in preparing a rating application are:
Document or tool Description

Rules for collecting The quality standard for accredited ratings, specifying what
and using data information is required and how it is to be treated in preparing
(including additional a rating application.
rulings)
NABERSRate A software-based tool used for entering assessment data and
performing some processing and analysis.
Online Rating An online tool accessed via the NABERS website which
Calculator calculates an actual rating score based on the data collected
during the assessment.
2.2 Definitions
This section lists the terms with particular meanings which must be used when
interpreting this document.
Defined terms appear dark green and bold the first time they occur under each
heading. Some defined terms with special meanings can also be identified by the
use of initial capitalisation (for example, Rating Period). Other defined terms are
not capitalised because the defined meaning is one of their common meanings.
For convenience, the definitions of many key terms are repeated at the start of the
relevant chapter of the Rules.
Term Definition
Acceptable data Data which meets the applicable accuracy and validity
requirements of these Rules. Acceptable data does not
include estimates.
Acceptable estimate Values derived from an estimation method specified in or
permitted by these Rules, which may be used in place of
acceptable data but only in accordance with Section 2.7
Acceptable data and estimates.
Alternative Method A method for obtaining or interpreting data for an
assessment which is not the preferred method, but which
has been approved by the National Administrator as either:
• equivalent to the preferred method in terms of its results,
accuracy and validity, or
• acceptable in place of the preferred method, subject to
the data resulting from the Alternative Method being
treated as an estimate in accordance with Section 2.7.2
Standards for acceptable data and estimates, or other
specified conditions on the use of the data.
Assessor An Accredited Assessor of the NABERS scheme, authorised
by the National Administrator to conduct assessments for
accredited ratings in accordance with these Rules and the
NABERS processes and procedures.
Assumption A hypothetical value used in place of missing data in a
procedure (such as a calculation) to produce a conditional
result.
Auditor A person contracted to the National Administrator to perform
audits of NABERS rating applications.
Average Arithmetical mean.

Key concepts
Term Definition
Centrally serviced A tenancy in a shopping centre is considered centrally
serviced if all air conditioning services provided to the
tenancy are provided by the shopping centre plant.
These services include heating, cooling, ventilation, and air
movement. Where one of more of these services are
provided by the tenant, the tenancy is considered non-
centrally serviced.
A tenancy does not need to be provided with full

airconditioning services to be considered centrally serviced.
For example, if a tenancy receives cooling, ventilation and
air movement from the shopping centre central plant but
does not receive any heating at all, either from the central
plant or from a tenant controlled system, the tenancy is
considered centrally serviced.
Cinema facility A group of cinema theatrettes operated as a single entity

with common ticketing across all theatrettes.
Cinema theatrette A single room with a screen, permanent seating and
provisions to present a movie to an audience within that
room.
Core hours The number of hours per week where most or all tenancies
in a shopping centre are open for trade, based on publicly
advertised trading hours.
These hours should reflect the centre’s normal trading hours
per week, not special sales periods such as the end of the
calendar or financial year.
The core hours for most shopping centres in Australia are

typically between 54 hours and 60 hours per week.
Data Information which depends for its accuracy on:

• measurements to a known standard of accuracy, or
• verified specifications with a given tolerance for accuracy,
or
• other objective evidence.
Term Definition
Data type A category of data used in a rating assessment. Data types
for NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres ratings
are:
• area (e.g. total and centrally serviced)
• hours
• trading days
• number of mechanically and naturally ventilated car
parking spaces
• number of cinema theatrettes
• number of food court seats
• area of gymnasium tenants
• energy consumption:
- electricity
- gas
- fuel oil
• water consumption:
- externally supplied potable water
- externally supplied recycled water
- water from on-site sources.
End use A purpose or activity (or a group of related purposes and
activities) that water or energy is used for.
Where several instances of very similar individual end uses
occur together so as to form a single collection (for example,
luminaires in a lighting grid, taps in a washroom, or
emergency lighting in a stairwell) then the collection is to be
regarded as a single end use.
Estimate Information relying on an Assessor’s subjective judgement
of the values to be used in place of incomplete or uncertain
data.
Extended hours A centrally serviced tenancy trades for extended hours if its
publicly advertised weekly trading hours are higher than the
shopping centre core hours.
The number of tenancies operating for extended hours in a

shopping centre is usually small, often limited to major
tenants and supermarkets.

Key concepts
Term Definition
Gross Lettable Area The floor area, determined in accordance with the
Retail (GLAR) Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area, of
spaces that can be used as retail tenancies within the
premises to be rated.
This is essentially the space within the permanent walls of

the building, excluding spaces for:
• public access and use (including stairs, escalators, lift
lobbies and passageways)
• building mechanical, air conditioning, electrical and other
utility services
• staff and cleaning facilities (including toilets, tea rooms
and cleaners’ cupboards)
which are not part of a tenant’s fitout. Tenant storage areas
not adjacent to the tenancy are also excluded.
Kiosk A permanent, stand-alone structure, with point of sale

facilities, located in the common mall area of a shopping
centre and leased for the duration of the Rating Period.
Retail merchandising units (i.e. moveable kiosk-type units),
vending machines, ATMs and coin operated amusement
machines are not included in the definition.
Measurement The standard used for determining the Gross Lettable Area
Standard for Retail (GLAR) of a shopping centre tenancy, as set out in
Shopping Centre the Property Council of Australia (PCA) March 1997 Method
Area of Measurement.
Metering system A metering system for an individual measurement includes:
• the meter, and
• the processes that convert the initial meter signal into an
energy reading (for example, current transformers and K
factors for electricity meters, pressure correction factors
for gas meters), and
• the interface through which the meter reading is taken (for
example, manual readings, utility software or a Building
Management System).
Metering systems Non-utility metering systems providing measurements for a
requiring validation rating assessment which include:
• an electricity meter using a current transformer (CT), or
• a gas meter, or
• a Remote Meter Reading System (RMRS).
Term Definition
National The body responsible for administering the NABERS
Administrator scheme, in particular for:
• establishing and maintaining the standards and
procedures to be followed in all aspects of the operation
of the scheme, and
• determining issues that arise during the operation of the
scheme and the making of ratings, and
• accrediting Assessors and awarding accredited ratings in
accordance with NABERS standards and procedures.
The functions of the National Administrator are undertaken
by the NSW Government through the Office of Environment
and Heritage (OEH).
Non-utility meter A meter measuring distribution of energy or water in a
building, not operated by a utility supplier.
Pad site A free standing tenancy located outside the shopping centre
walls, within the shopping centre grounds.
Pad sites are typically located at the front of the shopping
centre and leased to financial institutions or fast food
restaurants.
Potential Error The total of all estimates (including assumptions,
approximations, and un-verified data) for a data type,
entered into the Error tab in NABERSRate.
Rating Period The continuous 12-month period covered by the data used
for NABERS Energy and Water ratings.
Some allowances and adjustments are possible for data that

does not exactly coincide with the Rating Period. See
Section 14.7 Periods covered by utility data.
Reasonably A space is considered reasonably compared to a retail

compared tenancy if it is defined as GLAR, it is fit for continuous
occupation during normal retail hours, and requires adequate
lighting and ventilation of a similar or higher standard of
service to the bulk of the retail tenancies.
Rules NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres Rules for
collecting and using data (including rulings).
Source For NABERS Energy ratings: an individual fuel or energy
source type such as gas, electricity or diesel fuel.
For NABERS Water ratings: an individual water source type
such as mains water, bore water, externally reticulated grey
water or river water.

Key concepts
Term Definition
Tenancy Servicing A form completed by the Assessor to confirm a tenancy is
Validation Form centrally serviced, conducted according to Section 15.2
Appendix B – Tenancy Servicing Validation Form.
Un-validated Metering systems requiring validation without current
metering systems evidence of validation.
Utility A company recognised and regulated under legislation for
the supply of energy or water to a building and its occupants.
Utility meter A meter measuring supplies of energy or water to a building,
operated by a utility as the basis for billing its customer.
Validation When a metering system is checked, and if necessary
adjusted and re-checked, to ensure its measurements of
consumption are correct.
Verification Confirmation by examination and objective evidence that
specified requirements have been met (usually, that data is
accurate and correct), for example by:
• comparison of independent measurements or
observations, or of measurements and specifications, or
• logical or statistical analysis of data for consistency with
known requirements.
2.3 Interpretation
2.3.1 Current version
These Rules for collecting and using data are revised from time to time. Rulings on
specific cases are published as addenda when necessary, and periodically the
Rules document will be revised to incorporate the rulings.
Assessments for an accredited rating must comply with the version of the Rules for
collecting and using data (including rulings) current on the day the rating application
is submitted to NABERS, unless:
• the assessment is conducted under the terms of a NABERS Commitment
Agreement which specifies an earlier version of the Rules 1, or
• the National Administrator has specifically approved otherwise.
All rulings and new versions of the Rules are published on the NABERS
website www.nabers.gov.au in the Members Website.
1
Some earlier versions of the Rules were entitled Validation Protocol (VP).
2.3.2 Rulings
These Rules are intended to cover most shopping centres in Australia. However, it
is always possible that some aspect of a building’s design or operation raises a new
issue that is not clearly covered by the existing rules.
Whenever Assessors are unsure how to apply the Rules to a particular issue or
situation, they must contact the National Administrator for technical advice or to
request a specific ruling on the case.
Once a ruling is published on the NABERS website it is effective from that date and
becomes part of these Rules.
2.3.3 Precedence
1 Rulings
A published ruling always takes precedence if there is any conflict with any other
provision of these Rules. If there is a conflict between rulings, the most recent takes
precedence.
2 Determining applicable requirements

Specific requirements of these Rules take precedence over any other general
requirements.
3 Secondary material
These Rules include some material which is secondary to the substantive
provisions, including:
• introductions and explanations (such as summaries, flowcharts, diagrams, notes,
examples and glossaries) intended only to help readers understand its
substantive provisions
• forms and notices intended only to assist in conducting an assessment.
The substantive provisions of these Rules (including rulings) always take
precedence if there is any misunderstanding or conflict 2 with:
• any other material contained in these Rules, or
• any other documentation, forms or calculators for NABERS Energy and Water
ratings.
Note: The diagrams in this document are intended to provide an overview and
introduction to the processes they describe. They do not describe individual steps or
decision criteria in detail. Refer to the relevant substantive provisions in the text
when seeking guidance or making determinations in relation to any individual
assessment.
2
Contact the National Administrator if you believe that a section of these Rules is inconsistent with
another section or with other documentation, forms or calculators for NABERS Energy and Water
ratings. See www.nabers.gov.au for contact details.

Key concepts
2.4 Proposed new methods
Assessors may find they need to use a new method for obtaining or interpreting
data for an assessment. For example, they may encounter a new technology or
system design, or they may need to develop a new Alternative Method to
acceptably use available data.
Assessors who wish to use a new method must contact the National Administrator
to request approval beforehand. The request should include:
• a complete explanation of the circumstances, including the reason why an
existing method cannot be used, and
• a complete explanation of the method proposed and all calculations required, and
• an analysis of the possible error involved in use of the method.
2.4.1 Standard for acceptable data

The standard for acceptable data for a new method will be specified when the
method is approved by the National Administrator. In general, data must be
derived from measurements or records which have been independently verified and
are of a known degree of accuracy.
Note: Methods of estimation where the possible error is unknown are unlikely to be
approved.
2.4.2 Documentation required

The documentation required for a new method will be specified when the method is
approved by the National Administrator. In general, it must include copies of the
original records which the method requires for data, and documentation of all
calculations, assumptions, and interpretations involved.
2.5 Summary of data and documentation needed
The following information may be needed for a rating. Individual ratings may also
require additional information or documentation depending on the particular
circumstances of the premises.
A more detailed checklist is included as Section 10.1 Appendix A – Information
checklist for accredited ratings.
Data Type Information Required NABERS NABERS

Energy Water
Climate The building’s postcode
Data Type Information Required NABERS NABERS
Energy Water
Total Shopping Gross Lettable Area Retail (GLAR)
Centre Area of all retail tenancy areas assessed
to PCA 1997 Method of
Measurement.
Centrally Serviced The GLAR of shops that receive full
Shopping Centre air-conditioning services from the
Area centre (i.e. heating, cooling and air
movement).
Hours of service The hours of operation of centrally
serviced tenancies.
Number of trading The number of trading days per
days year.
Parking spaces Number of mechanically and
naturally ventilated parking spaces.
Floor configuration Confirmation on whether the
shopping centre is single or multi
storey.
Number of food Number of seats within the common
court seats area that are assigned to the food
court.
Number of cinema Number of separate cinema
theatrettes theatrettes within the shopping
centre.
Gyms GLAR of gymnasium tenants.
Energy use 12 months of continuous data for all

energy supplied to the shopping
centre base building systems.
Water use 12 months of data for all external
water supplied to the shopping
centre.

Key concepts
2.6 The Rating Period
2.6.1 Definitions
Rating Period
The continuous 12-month period covered by the data used
for NABERS Energy and Water ratings.
Some allowances and adjustments are possible for data
that does not exactly coincide with the Rating Period. See
14.7 Periods covered by utility data.
2.6.2 Data must cover the same period

All data from all sources used in assessing shopping centre premises for a
NABERS Energy or Water rating must either:
• cover the same Rating Period, or
• meet the requirements specified in Section 14.7 Periods covered by utility data.
Section 14.7 Periods covered by utility data allows for a rating to proceed although
some utility billing periods may not coincide with the Rating Period. Essentially,
data for up to 20% of the total consumption may apply to a period up to two months
outside the Rating Period, and data for water consumption may also apply to
periods up to two months or four months (depending on the billing period) outside
the Rating Period.
2.6.3 Time allowed for assessment

An application for an accredited NABERS rating must be submitted within four
months of the end of the Rating Period unless:
• the rating is to be an ‘old’ rating as described in Section 2.6.4 below, or
• the National Administrator allows extra time to compensate for time taken to
issue technical advice or rulings before the application could be submitted.
Where a rating application is submitted within four months of the end of the Rating
Period, or a longer period approved by the National Administrator as above, the
NABERS rating certificate based on the assessment will be valid for twelve months
from the date the rating is certified by the National Administrator.
Figure 2: Currency of ratings lodged before and after end of time allowed
2.6.4 Older Rating Periods

Ratings may be undertaken using Rating Periods which ended more than four
months before the date the rating application was lodged, but only if adequate
information is available for all input data to cover the relevant Rating Period.
Where a rating application is submitted more than four months after the end of the
Rating Period, and the National Administrator has not approved an extension of
time to compensate for delay, the NABERS rating certificate based on the
assessment will be valid for twelve months from the end of the rating period.
If the expiry date has already passed then the rating results will not be published
online, and a certificate will only be generated on request.
2.7 Acceptable data and estimates
2.7.1 Principles
1 Data and estimates must be as specified

An assessment for an accredited NABERS Energy or Water for shopping centres
rating must be based on the data or estimates specified in:
• the relevant provisions of these Rules (including applicable rulings), and then
• the relevant sections of NABERSRate, and then
• the relevant sections of the Online Rating Calculator.
2 Data and estimates must be of acceptable standard

The decision process for determining acceptable data and estimates in Section
2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates must be followed, except where
another process is specifically allowed by a provision of these Rules.

Key concepts
Note: Some sections of these Rules provide that, if specific procedures are followed
for some input data, the requirement for compliance with Section 2.7.2 Standards
for acceptable data and estimates is then deemed to be satisfied.
2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates
1 Data
If accurate and verifiable data is available, it must be used. Where a section of the
Rules allows more than one type of data source to be used, and no particular
priority is given, the following order of preference applies:
1) data obtained directly by the Assessor
2) data provided by a third party without a significant interest in the operation or

performance of the building or its equipment (such as a utility or a consultant
engaged to provide independent advice):
a) documents or other records provided by a third party which can be verified
by the source (for example, utility bills) or by the Assessor (for example,
building plans showing GLAR)
b) documents or other records which cannot be independently verified (for
example, plant operation data) but whose authenticity and accuracy is
attested to by a credible and responsible person, or
c) verbal information provided by a credible and responsible person, recorded
in writing by the Assessor with the full name, position, and contact details of
the person giving the information.
3) data provided by the building owner commissioning the rating, or a third party
with a significant interest in the operation or performance of the building or its
equipment (such as a facility manager, technical contractor or equipment
supplier):
a) documents or other records provided by a party to an agreement or
transaction which can be verified by another party to the same agreement
or transaction (for example, leases)
b) documents or other records which cannot be independently verified (for
example, plant operation data) but whose authenticity and accuracy is
attested to by a credible and responsible person, or
c) verbal information provided by a credible and responsible person, recorded
in writing by the Assessor with the full name, position, and contact details of
the person giving the information.
2 Estimates
If acceptable data is not available, or where these Rules permit otherwise,
estimates (including assumptions, approximations and un-validated data) can be
used – but only if:
• the estimates satisfy any specific requirements applied in relevant provisions of
these Rules, and
• the combined effect of all estimates is within ± 5% of the overall rating, as
calculated using the Error Calculation tab in NABERSRate.
3 Unacceptable data and estimates

If information is required for a rating but none of the requirements above in this
Section 2.7.2 can be satisfied, the premises cannot be rated.
2.8 Site inspection
Assessors are expected to inspect the premises to be rated during their

assessment, in order to:
• become familiar with the layout, services and features of the premises
• confirm that documentation provided for the assessment is accurate, complete
and up-to-date
• check that all required spaces have been included in the GLAR
• check for inclusions in and exclusions from energy and water coverage (as
appropriate)
• count mechanically and naturally ventilated car parking spaces, food court seats
and cinema theatrettes
• check floor configuration
• visit plant rooms to ensure that all relevant equipment is covered under the
meters included in the rating, and
• resolve any other issues that arise.
An Assessor’s inspection of the premises is expected to include a physical check of
the servicing arrangements provided to all tenancies sampled according to Section
3.6 Confirmation of central servicing.
There may be limited circumstances where access to all or part of the premises is
refused on safety or security grounds. In this event the Assessor must explain why
they could not access these spaces, and fully document the reasons on the rating
application. If there are known impacts on the quality of the information obtained for
the assessment (for example, an estimate must be used in the absence of verified
data) then these must also be fully described.
Only Assessors can undertake a site inspection for a NABERS rating. If the
Assessor cannot physically conduct the site inspection, they may delegate this task
to another Assessor. The Assessor submitting the rating is responsible for the
accuracy of the data and must make sure that the inspection is conducted in
agreement with this section, and must obtain and retain all the evidence required to
prove their assumptions for auditing purposes.

Key concepts
2.9 Documentation and record-keeping

It is not essential that the records that contain data used for an assessment are the
original documents, such as signed leases or original utility invoices.
While access to original documents is highly desirable, there may be practical
difficulties or delays in obtaining them. An assessment may therefore be based on
copies of utility bills, leases and other records as long as the Assessor is satisfied
that they are, or can be verified to be, true and complete records of the original
documents or files.
Note that summaries, or other derivative documents that quote the original source
documents, are not the same as verifiable copies of the originals.
2.9.2 Records to be kept seven years for audit

Assessors must keep for audit all records on which an assessment is based,
including records of assumptions made and all information and calculations used
as the basis for estimates, for seven years from the date the rating application was
lodged.
2.9.3 Records to be kept by Assessors

The records kept must be the actual documents used for the assessment, or
verifiable copies. Summaries are not acceptable.
The records kept by Assessors must be to such a standard that it would be
possible for another Assessor or an auditor to ‘reverse engineer’ or accurately
repeat the rating from only the documents provided.
3 Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
3.1 Summary
In NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres, the Total Shopping Centre
Area of a building is measured through its Gross Lettable Area Retail (GLAR).
This figure is used to adjust the figures for energy and water consumption so that a
fair comparison can be made between buildings of different sizes. This value is not
corrected for vacancies, as it is a measure of the total centre size.
For NABERS Energy for shopping centres, the Centrally Serviced Shopping
Centre Area represents the portion of the Total Shopping Centre Area that is
provided with full air conditioning services by the central plant. This figure is used to
provide a meaningful comparison among centres that provide different service
coverage to tenants, and it is corrected for vacancies.
The Total Shopping Centre Area and Centrally Serviced Shopping Centre Area are
determined through a common validation process, which includes the following four
steps:
• Obtain a list of all tenancies and their GLAR from the building owner
• Confirm servicing arrangements for centrally-serviced tenants
• Validate tenant GLAR data, and
• Confirm vacancies during rating period
NABERSRate then calculates the final Total Shopping Centre Area and Centrally
Serviced Shopping Centre Area based on the results of the validation process.

Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
3.2 Definitions
Term Definition
Centrally serviced A tenancy in a shopping centre is considered centrally
serviced if all air conditioning services provided to the
tenancy are provided by the shopping centre plant.
These services include heating, cooling, ventilation, and air
movement. Where one of more of these services is provided
by the tenant, the tenancy is considered non-centrally
serviced.
A tenancy does not need to be provided with full

airconditioning services to be considered centrally serviced.
For example, if a tenancy receives cooling, ventilation and air
movement from the shopping centre central plant but does
not receive any heating at all, either from the central plant or
from a tenant controlled system, the tenancy is considered
centrally serviced.
Gross Lettable Area The floor area, determined in accordance with the
Retail (GLAR) Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area, of
spaces that can be used as retail tenancies within the
This is essentially the space within the permanent walls of

the building, excluding spaces for:
• public access and use (including stairs, escalators, lift
lobbies, restrooms and passageways)
• building mechanical, air conditioning, electrical and other
utility services
• staff and cleaning facilities (including toilets, tea rooms
and cleaners’ cupboards)
• property management offices and maintenance rooms
which are not part of a tenant’s fitout. Tenant storage areas
not adjacent to the tenancy are also exlcuded.
Measurement The standard used for determining the GLAR of a shopping

Standard for centre tenancy, as set out in the Property Council of
Shopping Centre Australia (PCA) March 1997 Method of Measurement.
Area
Reasonably A space is considered reasonably compared to a retail
compared tenancy if it is defined as GLAR, it is fit for continuous
occupation during normal retail hours, and requires adequate
lighting and ventilation of a similar or higher standard of
service to the bulk of the retail tenancies.
Term Definition
Tenancy Servicing A form completed by the Assessor to confirm a tenancy is
Validation Form centrally serviced, conducted according to Section 15.2
Appendix B – Tenancy Servicing Validation Form.
3.3 Process overview
A list of tenancies specifying the GLAR and servicing arrangements of each tenancy
is the starting point for calculating the total and centrally serviced shopping centre
areas. The Assessor must then divide the tenancies into contiguous blocks, confirm
which tenancies are centrally serviced, confirm the tenant GLAR and assess
vacancies. This will require copies of plans, leases and a site investigation.
Step Reference
1 Obtain a list from the building owner showing Section 3.4 Listed area and
the area of each tenancy and identifying servicing arrangements
whether each tenancy is centrally serviced.
2 Divide the tenancies into contiguous blocks Section 3.5 Grouping
of centrally and non-centrally serviced tenancies into contiguous
tenancies. blocks
3 Sample not less than one in fifteen tenancies Section 3.6 Confirmation of
to confirm the servicing arrangements of central servicing
each block.
4 Confirm the GLAR of large tenancies and Section 3.7 Confirmation of
additional tenancies as required. area
5 Adjust for vacancies. Section 3.8 Adjusting for
vacancies
Figure 3: Determining the Total and Centrally Serviced Shopping Centre Area.
1. Obtain listed 2. Confirm if tenant 3. Confirm 4. Confirm

area is centrally tenant GLAR vacancies
serviced

Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
3.4 Listed area and servicing arrangements
Assessors must obtain a listing of all the tenancies in the shopping centre from the
building owner, preferably in spreadsheet format. The list must include the following
information for each tenancy in the centre:
• Tenancy name
• Floor area, and
• Confirmation, or otherwise, of central servicing.
3.4.1 Typical retail spaces

Tenanted spaces included within the definition of a shopping centre include:
• Shops, department stores, supermarkets, gymnasiums, cinemas, children’s
playgrounds, cafés, restaurants, and health service providers
• All support areas associated with the operations of such tenants of the shopping
centre, and
• All tenanted spaces that can be reasonably compared to a retail tenancy.
• Kiosks, pad sites and other stand alone tenancies located within the boundary
of the shopping centre site, including its grounds, may be included in the list.
3.4.2 Excluded spaces

The following spaces and occupancy types are not included within the definition of
retail spaces:
• Offices that exist to serve purposes unrelated to the direct activities of a retail
tenant in the shopping centre
• Non-retail occupancies, such as hotels or apartments, and
• Data centres, other than required to support the activities of tenants within the
shopping centre.
3.5 Grouping tenancies into contiguous blocks
The Assessor must prepare or obtain a plan of the shopping centre marked up with
the tenancies listed as centrally serviced. Tenancies must be divided into
contiguous blocks of tenancies that are either centrally serviced or non-centrally
serviced.
Figure 4: Example of dividing tenancies into contiguous blocks of centrally

and non-centrally serviced tenancies
Kiosks
Group all kiosk tenancies with the same listed servicing together into one block.
Kiosk tenancy blocks are permitted to span one or more levels. Other tenancies
should be grouped together only when they are in contiguous blocks.
Multi-level tenancies
Some retail tenants rent space over more than one shopping centre storey, allowing
people to move to another floor without leaving the tenancy. This configuration is
common among large anchor tenants, such as department or discount stores.
If a retail tenant leases space over two or more levels, and the store is either
completely centrally or completely non-centrally serviced, the entire tenancy should
be listed under the same block number. Tenancies that are contiguous to the multi-
level tenancy and share the same servicing arrangements should also be grouped
in the same block.

Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
Figure 5: Example of servicing blocks containing a multi-level tenancy
Block 1
Multi-level store Multi-level store
1A  1H 2A 1G
1B  1G 2B   1F
Block 2 Block 3
1C   1F
2C   1E
1D  1E  2D 
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2
If some floors in a multi-level tenancy are centrally serviced and others are not, the
Assessor must split the tenancy into centrally and non-centrally serviced blocks.
3.6 Confirmation of central servicing
Assessors must confirm all centrally serviced blocks, to ensure the servicing
information provided by the building owner is correct. For each block, a minimum of
one in fifteen tenancies must be sampled using the Tenancy Servicing Validation
Form. If a block contains less than fifteen tenancies, a minimum of one tenancy
must be sampled. The Assessor must visit each tenancy when completing the form,
it is not sufficient to rely on drawings alone.
If the sampled tenancy qualifies as being centrally serviced, then all tenancies in
that block can be assumed to be centrally serviced. However, if the sampled
tenancy does not qualify as centrally serviced, then the Assessor must either:
• separate the blocks into two or more smaller blocks, or, if this is not possible
• all tenancies in the block must be assumed to be non-centrally serviced.
Assuming all tenancies are not centrally serviced in a block that was listed as
centrally serviced may result in a lower star rating result. Assessors should justify
why an inspection of all tenancies in that block was not possible.
Compliance with this section is deemed to satisfy the accuracy requirements of
Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates.
Figure 6: Confirming the provision of central services to tenants.
 
 
Obtain a list with Group tenancies Sample one in 15
all tenancies in into centrally and tenancies to confirm block
the centre non-centrally serviced servicing arrangements
blocks
3.6.1 Central services to part of a tenancy

In some cases, the tenancy may provide some supplementary air-conditioning
services, which may consist of full or partial servicing to parts of a tenancy. In this
case, the following rules apply:
• If the space receiving the tenant supplied services is normally accessible to the
public during retail opening hours, then the tenancy must be considered non-
centrally serviced.
• If the space receiving the tenant supplied services is not normally accessible to
the public during retail opening hours, then the tenancy may be considered
centrally serviced, if all public spaces within the tenancy are centrally serviced.

Assessors must obtain the following documentation to confirm the provision of
central servicing:
• A list of all tenancies including tenancy name, floor area and identifying whether
the tenancy is centrally serviced.
• Floor plans indicating all tenancies listed as centrally serviced, and grouping
tenancies into contiguous blocks of centrally and non-centrally serviced
tenancies.
• A completed Tenancy Servicing Validation Form for each tenancy where
central servicing was validated.

Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
3.7 Confirmation of area
Assessors must obtain written evidence confirming the GLAR of the following
shopping centre tenancies:
• All tenancies greater than 10% of the total shopping centre area
• The largest tenancies in the shopping centre, with a combined total area not less
than 50% of the total shopping centre area
• All centrally serviced tenancies greater than 10% of the centrally serviced area
• Additional tenancies as required by NABERSRate
Assessors must enter the confirmed areas into NABERSRate.
A statistical calculation is incorporated into NABERSRate to ensure the statistical

uncertainty associated with not confirming the GLAR of every retail tenancy is small.
In some cases, Assessors may be required to confirm the GLAR of additional retail
tenancies to minimise the level of uncertainty.
NABERSRate provides Assessors with detailed assistance during this process, by
highlighting the tenancies that require area confirmation.
Compliance with this section is deemed to satisfy the accuracy requirements of
Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates.
Figure 7: Confirming shopping centre GLAR
Confirm tenants Confirm large Confirm tenants Confirm additional

> 10% of total tenants up to > 10% of centrally tenancies, if required
GLAR 50% of GLAR serviced area
3.7.1 Determining tenancy Gross Lettable Area Retail

The GLAR of the shopping centre must be verified by the Assessor to have been
determined in accordance with the Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre
Area, by one of the following methods:
1) reference to a third-party survey or to lease documentation that is explicitly

based on the Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area or, alternatively,
either the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) 1989 Method of
Measurement or the BOMA 1985 Method of Measurement (Net Rentable Area),
or, if not available
2) reference to a third-party survey or to lease documentation that is explicitly
based on superseded documents considered to be the equivalent of the
Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area, or, if not available
3) reference to lease documentation that does not explicitly reference the

Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area but that has been verified by
the Assessor to be GLAR, or, if not available
4) direct measurement from current plans or scaled prints, measured to the

Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area, or, if not available
5) site measurements verified by the Assessor to have been done to the

Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area.

Regardless of the method used to confirm the GLAR, the Assessor must conduct a
site inspection to confirm the currency and general accuracy of the documentation
related to the shopping centre tenancies during the Rating Period. Some information
may be out of date and must be checked to ensure the space has not been altered.
Assessors should particularly check the accuracy of the GLAR listed in leasing
documents, where there is no reference to the Measurement Standard for Shopping
Centre Area to ensure that the figure does not include any areas that are not
considered to be GLAR under the standard such as loading docks or car parks.
Compliance with Section 3.7 Confirmation of area is deemed to satisfy the accuracy
requirements of Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates.

For any tenancy where GLAR was confirmed, the Assessors must obtain the
following documentation:
• Surveys, leases, or other third-party documentation (in that order of preference)
identifying the tenancy area made to the Measurement Standard for Shopping
Centre Area, or
• Lease documentation identifying the tenancy area, with no reference to the
Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area, but that has been verified by
the Assessor to be GLAR through checks by the Assessor during a site visit or
written confirmation from a third-party, or
• Assessor’s calculations based on plans or site measurements identifying the
tenancy in question, made to the Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre
Area.
3.8 Adjusting for vacancies
Assessors must identify each centrally serviced tenancy that has been vacant for
any time during the Rating Period, and enter this information in NABERSRate. A
tenancy is defined as vacant if:
• it is not leased, or

Total and Centrally
Serviced Area
• if the shopping centre manager has been notified or is otherwise aware that the
area is not occupied and/or does not require services (whether or not they are
provided).
This information is not always readily available and written documentation, for
example, a signed statement that complies with Section 2.7.2 Standards for
acceptable data and estimates, may need to be specifically requested from the
shopping centre management. Verbal information alone is not acceptable.
4 Hours of Service
4.1 Summary
In NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings, the hours of service are the
publicly advertised trading hours for centrally serviced tenants. These are used to
determine a customised energy benchmark for each shopping centre based on the
building attributes so that a fair comparison can be made between shopping
centres, even when services are provided to tenants for different amounts of time.
4.1.1 Data required
Rating type Hours of Service

NABERS Energy for shopping centres Required
NABERS Water for shopping centres Not required
4.2 Definitions
Term Definition
Core hours The number of hours per week where most or all tenancies in
a shopping centre are open for trade, based on publicly
advertised trading hours.
These hours should reflect the centre’s normal trading hours
per week, not special sales periods such as the end of the
calendar or financial year.
The core hours for most shopping centres in Australia ranges
between 54 hours and 60 hours per week.
Extended hours A centrally-serviced tenancy trades for extended hours if its
publicly advertised weekly trading hours are higher than the
shopping centre core hours.
The number of tenancies operating for extended hours in a
shopping centre is usually small, often limited to major
tenants and supermarkets.

Hours of Service
4.3 Determining Hours of Service
The Hours of Service are the area-weighted hours of operation for all centrally
serviced tenants, calculated using the shopping centre core hours of service and
the extended hours of centrally serviced tenants.
The Assessor must enter the core hours and the extended hours into NABERSRate
which will automatically calculate the Hours of Service based on the data entered.
4.3.1 Process overview
Step Reference
1 Determine the shopping centre core hours of Section 4.3.2 Shopping
operation. centre core hours of
operation
2 Determine extended hours of operation. Section 4.3.3 Extended
hours of operation
3 Enter the number of core hours and number of
extended hours into NABERSRate.
Figure 8: Determining Hours of Service.
CH
Determine the Confirm the weekly

centre’s weekly hours of tenancies
core trading operating for extended
hours hours.
4.3.2 Shopping centre core hours of operation
The core hours of operation represent the hours in which most tenancies are open
for trading. All centrally serviced tenancies are assumed to operate during these
hours only, except where extended hours of trading can be proven.
The shopping centre core hours of operation must be obtained from publicly
available records, such as the trading hours listed on the shopping centre website or
in the shopping cente entrance. Assessors must ensure that the advertised hours
represent:
• The times when most tenancies are open for trade, as opposed to the trading
hours of individual tenants operating for extended hours, and
• A normal week of shopping centre operation, rather than special sales periods
such as the end of the calendar or financial year.
4.3.3 Extended hours of operation

A centrally serviced tenancy can be considered as operating extended hours when
its operating hours are higher than the shopping centre core hours. The extended
trading hours must be based on publicly advertised records showing the hours of
trade of the specific tenancy operating extended hours. For example,
• The shopping centre or tenancy website
• The trading hours advertised at the store entrance
• Promotional materials
Where there is no documentation to prove extended hours, the Assessor must
assume the tenancy operates during core hours only.
This section only applies to centrally serviced tenancies operating for longer than
the shopping centre core hours. The Assessor is not required to confirm whether the
operating hours of tenancies are less than the core hours. The Assessor is also not
required to determine the hours of operation of non-centrally serviced tenancies.
4.4 Documentation required
The documentation required to confirm the data used to determine the Hours of
Service includes:
• Copies of publicly available written documentation or photographic evidence
proving core hours.
• Copies of publicly available written documentation or photographic evidence
showing trading hours for each tenant with extended hours of operation.

Trading Days
5 Trading Days
5.1 Summary
For NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings, the number of trading days is
required. The maximum allowable trading days for shopping centres are legislated
by the individual states and territories and are unlikely to change on a regular basis.
Although some minor differences exist regarding trading regulations on public
holidays, the most significant variant among states and territories is Sunday trading.
The number of trading days is used, along with other factors such as hours of
service, to customise the energy consumption benchmarks for the shopping centre.
This ensures that fair comparisons can be made between ratings even though the
duration of services provided may vary between different shopping centres.
5.1.1 Data required
Rating type Trading Days

5.2 Determining the number of trading days
The Assessor must determine the number of days the shopping centre was open for
trade during the Rating Period and enter the data into NABERSRate.
Step Reference
1 Confirm the public holidays during the Rating Section 5.2.2 Identifying
Period public holidays
2 Determine whether the shopping centre traded Section 5.2.3 Confirming
during the Rating Period on Sundays and on trading days
each public holiday.
3 Enter the number of trading days into
NABERSRate.
5.2.2 Identifying public holidays
Confirmation of the public holidays that occurred during the Rating Period must be
obtained from publicly available records. The Assessor must confirm that the public
holidays relate to the specific state or territory in which the shopping centre is
located.
5.2.3 Confirming trading days

The Assessor must obtain written documentation confirming whether the shopping
centre traded during the Rating Period on:
• Sundays, and
• Each public holiday
If evidence of operation cannot be obtained for some of these days, the Assessor
must assume that the shopping centre was not open for trading.
The total number of trading days is determined by subtracting the number of days
that the centre did not trade from the number of days in the Rating Period.
Where a shopping centre traded on a public holiday for half a day, 0.5 days can be
included in the total number of trading days.
The Assessor is not required to obtain evidence of trading during other periods of
the year. The Assessor can assume that the shopping centre was open for trade for
the remainder of the Rating Period.
The documentation required to confirm shopping centre operation on Sundays and

public holidays includes:
• A signed statement from the shopping centre management, or
• Copies of written records confirming operation.

Counting parking
spaces
6 Counting parking spaces
6.1 Summary
For NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings, the number of mechanically and
naturally ventilated parking spaces is required. This means that a physical count on
site is required.
The number of car parking spaces is used, along with other factors such as hours of
service and climate, to customise the energy consumption benchmarks for the
shopping centre. This ensures that fair comparisons can be made between ratings
even though the level of services provided may vary between different shopping
centres.
6.1.1 Data required
Rating type Count of parking spaces

6.2 Determining the number of parking spaces
6.2.1 Principle and definitions

The Assessor is required to separately count the number of mechanically and
naturally ventilated parking spaces that service the shopping centre.
Mechanically ventilated parking spaces

To be considered mechanically ventilated, a parking space must be either:
• In an enclosed space where there are no, or limited, natural ventilation openings
and where mechanical ventilation (either supply and/or exhaust) is provided, or
• In a space where there are natural ventilation openings but the space still
requires mechanical ventilation to be provided (either supply and/or exhaust)
under Section 4.3 of AS1668.4-2012.
Naturally ventilated parking spaces

A naturally ventilated parking space is any parking space that is not assessed as
being mechanically ventilated.
Step Reference
1 Obtain plan of the car park and conduct an Section 6.2.3 Conducting
inspection to identify the type of services a site inspection
provided.
2 Divide parking spaces into blocks of spaces with Section 6.2.4 Dividing car
same servicing arrangements. parking spaces into
blocks
2 Conduct a count of parking spaces and identify Section 6.2.5 Conducting
any spaces that were unavailable for more than a count
four weeks.
3 Enter the number of naturally and mechanically
ventilated parking spaces into NABERSRate.
6.2.3 Conducting a site inspection

The Assessor must either obtain a plan of the shopping centre car park, identifying
all car parking spaces, or prepare a plan or schedule on site. The Assessor must
conduct a site inspection to:
• Ensure that the schedule or plan is current and accurate and mark revisions
where necessary
• Identify any parking spaces that do not service the shopping centre
• Identify whether parking spaces are naturally or mechanically ventilated
6.2.4 Dividing car parking spaces into blocks

The Assessor must divide parking spaces into blocks of spaces that are either
naturally ventilated or mechanically ventilated.
The Assessor should separate the car park into reasonably well delineated blocks,
such as a floor of a multi-level car park or a block of external parking spaces.
Separate blocks should be used for naturally and mechanically ventilated parking
spaces.

Counting parking
spaces
Figure 9: Example of dividing car parking spaces into blocks
6.2.5 Conducting a count

The Assessor must count the number of parking spaces in each block and enter the
data into NABERSRate. The number of parking spaces must be based on an actual
site count of parking spaces.
Parking spaces not servicing the shopping centre

The Assessor must identify any parking spaces that do not service the shopping
centre. These spaces must not be included in the car parking space count.
Any parking space that is physically separated from the shopping centre car park by
a gate or similar that prevents use by shopping centre visitors should not be
included in the parking space count.
Where spaces are not physically separated but the Assessor is able to obtain
written confirmation that the spaces are not provided to service the shopping centre,
for example, as part of an agreement associated with a lease, these spaces should
not be included in the count.
Spaces not in use for more than four weeks

For each block of parking spaces, the Assessor must identify any spaces that were
unavailable for use for a period of more that 4 weeks during the Rating Period. The
number of spaces affected and the number of weeks that the spaces were not in
use must be entered into NABERSRate.
Loading Docks
Car parking spaces within loading docks should not be included in the car parking
space count.

The documentation required for a parking space count is:
• Car park drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, identifying whether a space is
naturally or mechanically ventilated and showing the parking space count, or
• A plan or schedule of parking spaces, prepared by the Assessor, that identifies
blocks of naturally and mechanically ventilated parking spaces and records the
number of spaces in each block, and
• Written confirmation detailing any periods when car parking spaces were out of
use for more than 4 weeks of the Rating Period.
• Written confirmation, for example lease documentation, confirming the number of
spaces that do not service the shopping centre.

Floor configuration
7 Floor configuration
7.1 Summary
In NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings, the Assessor must determine
whether the floor configuration of the shopping centre is single storey or multi-
storey.
The floor configuration is used to account for differences between single and multi-
storey shopping centres, to customise the energy consumption benchmarks for the
shopping centre. This ensures that fair comparisons can be made between ratings
even though the services provided may vary between different shopping centres.
7.1.1 Data required
Rating type Floor configuration

7.2 Determining single or multi-storey

For a shopping centre to be considered multi-storey, two or more of its floors must
comply with the following two conditions:
• Floors must be located directly above each other, and
• Each floor must have a GLAR of at least 5% of the total shopping centre area.
If a shopping centre does not meet all of the above conditions, it is considered
single storey for the purposes of a NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating.
7.2.2 Examples
Example Floor configuration Reason
30% Multi-storey Floors are directly above each

other and meet the minimum
70% area floor size requirements.
Example Floor configuration Reason
30% Multi-storey Floors are directly above each

other and meet the minimum
L1 70% floor size requirements.
G
Single storey Floors are not directly above

L1 each other.
G
2% Single storey Only one floor meets the

minimum size requirement of
4% 5% of the total shopping centre
94% area.
The documentation required to demonstrate that a shopping centre is multi-storey

is:
• Marked-up floor plans of the shopping centre, or Assessor site notes showing the
shopping centre floor area configuration.
• The aggregated GLAR of each retail floor that complies with the requirements of
Section 3.7 Confirmation of area.

Counting food court
seats
8 Counting food court seats
8.1 Summary
For NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings, the number of food court seats is
required. This means that a physical count on site is required.
The number of food court seats is used to index the scale of catering facilities in the
shopping centre, to customise the water consumption benchmarks. This ensures
that fair comparisons can be made between ratings even though the level of
services provided may vary between different shopping centres.
8.1.1 Data required
Rating type Count of foot court seats

NABERS Energy for shopping centres Not required
NABERS Water for shopping centres Required
8.2 Determining the number of food court seats

The Assessor is required to identify all food courts within the shopping centre and
count the number of seats within each food court.
A seat is counted as a food court seat if it is:
• Located within an area adjacent to more than one food outlet, and
• Neither part of the GLAR of an individual tenancy nor reserved for the customers
of an individual tenant, and
• Provided with seats, tables or benches to eat from, and
• Intended for use by the customers of multiple food outlets, and
• Not intended as general circulation seating.
If the seating is a bench, rather than a specific seat, then a food court seat can be
counted for every 0.5 metres of bench length.
Step Reference
1 Obtain or prepare a schedule or plan of all food Section 8.2.3 Conducting
court seats and conduct an inspection. a site inspection
2 Conduct a count of food court seats and identify Section 8.2.4 Conducting
any seats that were unavailable for more than a count
four weeks.
3 Enter the number of food court seats in each
food court into NABERSRate.

The Assessor must either obtain a plan of the shopping centre food courts,
identifying all food court seats, or prepare a plan or schedule on site. The Assessor
must conduct a site inspection to:
• Ensure that the schedule or plan is current and accurate and mark revisions
where necessary
• Confirm whether seats shown on the plan meet the interpretation of a food court
seat defined in Section 8.2.1.

The Assessor must count the number of food court seats in each food court and
enter the data into NABERSRate. The number of food court seats must be based on
an actual site count of food court seats.
Seats not in use for more than four weeks

For each food court, the Assessor must identify any seats that were unavailable for
use for a period of more than 4 weeks during the Rating Period. The number of
seats affected and the number of weeks that the seats were not in use must be
entered into NABERSRate.

The documentation required for a food court seat count is:
• Food court drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, identifying all food court seats
and showing the food court seat count, or
• If drawings are not available, a plan or schedule of food court seats, prepared by
the Assessor, that identifies all food court seats and records the number of seats
in each block.
• Written confirmation detailing any periods when food court seats were out of use
for more than 4 weeks of the Rating Period.

Gymnasium area
9 Gymnasium area
9.1 Summary
For NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings, the GLAR of all gymnasiums in
the shopping centre is required.
The gymnasium area is used to index the level of showering facilities in the
shopping centre, to customise the water consumption benchmarks. This ensures
that fair comparisons can be made between ratings even though the level of
services provided may vary between different shopping centres.
9.1.1 Data required
Rating type Gymnasium area

9.2 Determining the gymnasium area

The Assessor is required to identify all public gymnasiums located in the shopping
centre and determine their GLAR.
“Public gymnasium” includes gyms and swimming pools that are open to the public
that provide showering facilities to attendees.
Step Reference
1 Identify all public gymnasiums within the Section 9.2.1 Principle
shopping centre. and definitions
2 Determine the GLAR of all public gymnasiums Section 9.2.3 Determining
and identify any periods where the gymnasium gymnasium Gross
was not open to the public for more than four Lettable Area Retail
weeks.
Step Reference
3 Enter the GLAR of each gymnasium into
NABERSRate.
9.2.3 Determining gymnasium Gross Lettable Area Retail

The GLAR of the public gymnasiums must be verified by the Assessor to have
been measured in compliance with the Measurement Standard for Shopping
Centre Area, using one of the methods outlined in Section 3.7.1 Determining
tenancy Gross Lettable Area Retail.
Gymnasiums not in use for more than four weeks

For each public gymnasium, the Assessor must identify any periods of more than 4
weeks for which the gymnasium was not open to the public during the Rating
Period. The number of weeks that the gymnasium was not in use must be entered
into NABERSRate.

Regardless of the method used to confirm the gymnasium GLAR, the Assessor
must conduct a site inspection to confirm the currency and general accuracy of the
documentation related to the gymnasiums during the Rating Period. Some
information may be out of date and must be checked to ensure the space has not
been altered.

The documentation required to confirm the gymnasium area is the same as the
documentation required to verify the GLAR of other tenancies as outlined in Section
3.7.3 Documentation required.

Counting cinema
theatrettes
10 Counting cinema
theatrettes
10.1 Summary
For NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings, the number of cinema theatrettes
is required. This means that a physical count on site is required.
The number of cinema theatrettes is used as a measure of the scale of cinema
facilities in the shopping centre, to customise the water consumption benchmarks.
This ensures that fair comparisons can be made between ratings even though the
level of services provided may vary between different shopping centres.
10.1.1 Data required
Rating type Count of cinema theatrettes

10.2 Determining the number of cinema theatrettes

The Assessor is required to identify all cinema facilities within the shopping centre
and count the number of cinema theatrettes within each facility.
Step Reference
1 Identify all cinema facilities within the shopping Section 8.2.3 Conducting
centre. a site inspection
2 Determine the number of cinema theatrettes Section 5.2.3 Conducting
within each cinema facility and identify any a count
periods where any cinema theatrette was not
open to the public for more than four weeks.
Step Reference
3 Enter the number of cinema theatrettes in each
cinema facility into NABERSRate.

The Assessor must either obtain a plan of the shopping centre cinemas, identifying
all cinema theatrettes, or prepare a plan or schedule on site. The Assessor must
conduct a site inspection to ensure that the schedule or plan is current and accurate
and mark revisions where necessary.

The Assessor must count the number of cinema theatrettes in each cinema facility
and enter the data into NABERSRate. The number of cinema theatrettes must be
based on an actual site count of cinema theatrettes in each cinema facility.
Cinema theatrettes not in use for more than four weeks

For each cinema facility, the Assessor must identify any cinema theatrettes that
were unavailable for use for a period of more than 4 weeks during the Rating
Period. The number of cinema theatrettes affected and the number of weeks that
the cinema theatrettes were not in use must be entered into NABERSRate.

The documentation required for a cinema theatrette count is:
• Shopping centre drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, identifying all cinema
theatrettes and showing the cinema theatrette count, or
• If drawings are not available, a plan or schedule of cinema theatrettes, prepared
by the Assessor, that identifies all cinema theatrettes and records the number of
cinema theatrettes in each block.
• Written confirmation detailing any periods when cinema theatrettes were out of
use for more than 4 weeks of the Rating Period.

Energy coverage
11 Energy coverage
Correctly interpreting the scope of energy supply and consumption data is essential
to the accuracy of a NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating. The key principles
are:
• An assessment for an accredited rating must include all sources of external
energy supplied to the rated premises, and must cover all of the energy
end uses specified for the rating type in Section 11.1.1 Required minimum
energy coverage.
• Utility and non-utility meters that meet the requirements of Section 13 Metering
systems may be used in any combination to achieve the required coverage,
subject to the accuracy requirements of Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable
data and estimates.
11.1 Interpretation of scope
Assessors must ensure that an assessment for an accredited rating covers, within
the scope of the rating type:
• the consumption of every external energy source supplied to the rated premises,
and
• every end use of energy, including as a minimum the services listed in Section
11.1.1 Required minimum energy coverage.
The scope is not necessarily restricted to spaces included in the total and centrally
serviced shopping centre area calculation.
The Assessor must examine available single-line diagrams and electrical circuit
schedules, and visit the plant rooms to ensure that all relevant equipment is covered
under the meters included in the rating.
Any exclusion must only cover the specific item being excluded. This means that
every item to be excluded must be assessed separately, and the justification for its
exclusion included in the documentation.
11.1.1 Required minimum energy coverage

Energy consumed in supplying building central services to shopping centre
tenancies and common spaces during the Rating Period, including:
• common-area lighting and power (for example lift lobbies, food courts, plant
rooms and common-area toilets)
• lifts and escalators in common areas
• air conditioning and ventilation, including:
− centralised services provided to common areas
− centralised services provided to tenancies and pad sites
• exterior lighting
• exterior signage
• generator fuel where it serves central services
• car park ventilation and lighting, where internal or external car parks within the
legal boundaries of the site are provided to service the shopping centre
• energy associated with centre management or back-of-house areas not included
in the GLAR.
11.1.2 Exclusions
Energy use may only be excluded from a rating if permitted by a provision of these
Rules and either:
• quantified by a method of measurement or estimation specified in that provision,
or
• separately metered (or otherwise measured in the case of batch deliveries) from
all energy uses to be included in the rating.
11.1.3 Vacant spaces

The energy use (within the scope of the minimum energy coverage of the rating) of
vacant spaces must always be included, even though the space may have been
excluded from or discounted in the calculation of centrally serviced area under
Section 3.6 Confirmation of central servicing.
Tenant lighting and power of a vacant space does not need to be included in the
rating, as these services are not part of the minimum energy coverage.
11.1.4 Exterior signage

Energy use for exterior signage must be included in the rating unless is does not
relate to the function, tenants, ownership or management of the shopping centre.
11.1.5 Car parks

The energy use of lighting and ventilation in car parks servicing the the shopping
centre must be included in the rating. This applies whether the energy use is
separately metered or not.
Where parking is not available to shopping centre visitors, for example spaces are
leased to office tenants under a separate agreement then it is not servicing the
shopping centre and is not included.

Energy coverage
1 Proportional exclusion of energy use

Where the Assessor has identified under Section 6.2.5 Conducting a count that car
parking spaces do not service the shopping centre, a proportion of the energy use
associated with the non shopping centre car spaces may be excluded from the
rating in accordance with the following rules:
1) Proportional exclusion of car park energy use is only permitted where there is a
separate meter (or group of meters) that covers the entire energy use
associated with the car park, but does not cover any other aspect of the
building’s central services energy use that must be included in the assessment.
For example, it is not uncommon for car park metering to include other
basement services such as hydraulic pumping. In such cases proportioning is
not permitted.
2) Where lease documents assign a proportion of the measured car park energy
use, then the share(s) specified in the documentation must be used in the
assessment.
3) If no specific allocation of the energy use is given in lease documentation, the

relevant proportion is calculated by dividing the number of parking spaces
included in the parking space count by the total number of parking spaces.
The Assessor must fully document both the method and all data used to proportion
car park energy usage.
2 Standard for acceptable data

Compliance with this Section 11.1.5 on car parks is deemed to satisfy the accuracy
requirements of Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates.
11.2 On-site generation
11.2.1 Cogeneration and trigeneration systems

Refer to the current information available on the NABERS website regarding how to
treat these systems, or contact the National Administrator if you require further
information.
11.2.2 Other on-site generation systems

Where energy is generated for use in the rated premises and is either:
• connected on the user side of the consumption meter which records the relevant
external energy supply to the premises, or
• used on site independently of utility-supplied systems
then it will reduce the amount of utility-supplied energy required.
By definition such on-site electricity generation is not included in the external
sources covered by a NABERS Energy for shopping centres rating, and will
therefore improve the rating when low-emission or renewable energy technologies
are used. This is permitted.
No adjustment is required. In effect this means that utility billing data must be used
without modification.
Externally supplied energy sources (such as gas, fuel oil, or electricity used by heat
pumps) used to generate on-site energy must be included within the energy
assessment.
Electricity generated inside the rated premises but exported to an external user
(such as a nearby building or the electricity grid) does not improve the energy
performance of the rated premises. The exported energy cannot be subtracted from
the utility-supplied consumption as it has no impact on the energy consumption of
the premises being rated.
11.3 GreenPower™
The GreenPower 3 program aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated

with electricity generation and facilitate the installation of new renewable energy
generators across Australia, beyond compulsory renewable requirements. As such,
the purchase of GreenPower, accredited under the National GreenPower
Accreditation Program, is considered to be the purchase of a zero greenhouse
emission energy source.
GreenPower may be purchased at the time of consumption, or retrospectively as a
separate purchase from the energy consumed. This process ensures that an
equivalent amount of accredited GreenPower is purchased and added to the
electricity grid. Visit www.greenpower.gov.au for further information.
11.3.1 Application of separate purchases

The purchase of any GreenPower bought separately to offset actual energy
consumption must:
• have occurred before the date the rating application was submitted, and
• not be greater than the measured energy consumption of the period to which it
applies.
3
GreenPower™ is a trademark held by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the National
GreenPower Accreditation Program, a joint initiative of ACT, NSW, SA, QLD, VIC and WA
government agencies.

Energy coverage
11.3.2 Confirmation of separate purchases

The Assessor must verify that the GreenPower was used in the shopping centre to
be rated. For assessments where a separate GreenPower purchase was made, the
building owner must provide written confirmation that the GreenPower purchase
was used for the shopping centre in question only.
11.3.3 On-sold GreenPower

In buildings where the utility supply is distributed to shopping centre tenants
through landlord-owned non-utility meters, it is possible to on-sell the GreenPower
to tenants. On-sold GreenPower cannot be included in the calculations for the
rating.
In this situation the Assessor must assume that no GreenPower was used in the
shopping centre unless written evidence demonstrates otherwise.
11.3.4 Bulk purchases

Where a bulk GreenPower purchase must be divided between a number of
properties, the Assessor must obtain documentation from the building owner
indicating the exact amount of GreenPower (in kWh) allocated to each property.
This information must also be replicated and retained on each rating to allow for
cross-checking during an audit. Proof of the GreenPower purchase must also be
retained.

In all cases the actual percentage or actual amount of GreenPower supplied must
be explicitly assessed from the bills or as advised in writing by the GreenPower
provider.
1 Capped purchases
Assessors must check to see whether a GreenPower purchase was capped to a
specific amount, and if it was capped they must then check that the correct figure
has been used.
11.4.1 Evidence of coverage
1 Utility metering
Where the data for an energy source is based on utility metering only, the
Assessor must:
• check to ensure that the utility metering covers each of the required end uses for
the rating type as specified in Section 11.1.1 Required minimum energy
coverage, and
• retain evidence of these checks for audit.
2 Non-utility metering
Where the data for an energy source includes data from non-utility metering, the
Assessor must obtain current single-line diagrams or electrical circuit schedules for
the source that show:
• the location and identifier (meter number) of:
− each non-utility meter used for an inclusion in the rating, and
− each utility meter used in the rating, and
• the location of each of the major uses identified in Section 11.1.1 Required
minimum energy coverage.
Where no current single-line diagram is available for a source, the Assessor must
document, to the best of their knowledge, the different energy sources under the
various meters to ensure all energy sources are covered in the rating assessment.
The basis of this understanding must be documented, and the documentation
retained as a record for audit.
It is recommended that building owners update their single-line diagrams as part of

the Non-utility Meter Management Plan under Section 13.5.2.
11.4.2 Evidence of classification and allocation

Where applicable, the Assessor must obtain documentation of:
• GreenPower purchases, including confirmation of the allocation of bulk
purchases, and
• any agreements by the building owner and shopping centre tenants, or between
the building owner and third parties, concerning:
− car park usage
− apportionment of utility costs for common or shared facilities.

Water coverage
12 Water coverage
Correctly interpreting the scope of water supply and consumption data is essential
to the accuracy of a NABERS Water for shopping centres rating. The key principles
are:
• An assessment for an accredited rating must include all sources of external
water supplied to the rated premises, and must cover all of the water end uses
specified in Section 12.1.2 Required minimum water coverage. This includes
potable water and externally supplied recycled water.
• Two NABERS water ratings are calculated – one that recognises the use of
externally supplied recycled water (with recycled water) and one that treats all
externally supplied water as mains water (without recycled water).
• Utility and non-utility meters that meet the requirements of Section 13
Metering systems may be used in any combination to achieve the required
coverage, subject to the accuracy requirements of Section 2.7.2 Standards for
acceptable data and estimates.
12.1 Interpretation of scope
Assessors must ensure that an assessment for an accredited rating covers:

• the consumption of every external water source supplied to the premises to be
rated, including ground water from the site, external surface water (not internal
rainwater capture), and externally supplied recycled water sources whether
potable or not, and
• every end use of water, including as a minimum the services listed in Section
12.1.2 Required minimum water coverage.
The Assessor must examine reticulation diagrams or visit plant rooms to ensure that
all relevant equipment is covered under the meters included in the rating.
Any exclusion must only cover the specific item being excluded. This means that
every item to be excluded must be assessed separately, and the justification for its
exclusion included in the documentation.
12.1.1 Unmetered supplies

Premises with consumption of water from un-metered sources (for example, river,
bore or well water) for end uses other than fire systems cannot be rated until
metering compliant with the Rules has been installed and 12 months of acceptable
data obtained.
12.1.2 Required minimum water coverage
All water uses within the shopping centre used to support the shopping centre and
its tenants during the Rating Period, including use in:
• taps and sinks
• air conditioning and other central services (for example, general cleaning, façade
cleaning, etc.)
• all services supplied to the shopping centre, such as showers, swimming pools,
etc.
• fire services
• water features and irrigation associated with the shopping centre (including areas
outside the building not considered GLAR, but within site boundaries), unless
primarily associated with non-shopping centre facilities such as hotels, and
• toilets and washing facilities
• water associated with centre management or back-of-house areas not included in
the GLAR.
12.1.3 Vacant floor area

The water use of vacant floor area must always be included, even though the space
may have been excluded from or discounted in the centrally serviced area
calculation under Section 3.6 Confirmation of central servicing.
12.1.4 Fire system consumption

Water consumption from the operation of a building’s fire system, whether
consumed in an emergency or during testing, is considered a cost of operating a
building and must be included in the calculation of water consumption if it is
metered. If it is not metered, fire system consumption need not be included.
Metered fire system consumption that is re-used within the building will tend to
improve the rating.

Water coverage
12.1.5 On-site capture and recycling

Where water is collected or recycled at the premises to be rated (for example, by
rainwater harvesting or treatment of on-site waste water) and is either:
• connected on the user side of the meter which records the relevant external
water supply to the premises, or
• used on site independently of utility-supplied systems
then it will reduce the amount of externally supplied water needed.
By definition such on-site collection and recycling are not included in the external
sources covered by a NABERS Water for shopping centres rating, and will
therefore improve the rating. This is permitted.
No adjustment is required. In effect this means that supplier billing data must be
used without modification.
No discount of on-site water use is allowed against water exported from the site,
under any circumstances.
• Evidence of coverage, water consumption data and associated documentation

as required under Section 14.9 Documentation required.
• Documentation of the source, quantities and any non-recycled component of
externally supplied recycled water.
• Documentation of any agreements by the builder owner and shopping centre
tenants, or between tenants, to apportion water costs for common or shared
facilities.
13 Metering systems
13.1 Summary
This section deals with ensuring the accuracy and correctness of metering
systems which provide data to be used in rating assessments.
13.2 Definitions
Term Definition
Metering system A metering system for an individual measurement includes:
• the meter
• the processes that convert the initial meter signal into an
energy reading (for example current transformers and k
factors for electricity meters, pressure correction factors for
gas meters), and
• the interface through which the meter reading is taken (for
example manual readings, utility software or a Building
Management System).
Note: Assessors must ensure that the accuracy of each

overall metering system is within the allowable accuracy
limits. The most common errors with metering systems occur
with manual misreading, incorrect conversion factors, and
failures between the meter and meter reading system.
Metering systems Non-utility metering systems providing measurements for a

requiring validation rating assessment which include:
• an electricity meter using a current transformer (CT), or
• a gas meter, or
• a Remote Meter Reading System (RMRS).
Un-validated Metering systems requiring validation without current
metering systems evidence of validation

Metering systems
Term Definition
Validation When a metering system is checked, and if necessary
adjusted and re-checked, to ensure its measurements of
consumption are correct.
Note: Validation requirements for non-utility meters are

specified in Section 13.5.5 Validation checks and Appendix D
– Guide to non-utility metering system validation.
13.3 High-voltage electricity metering
NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings are based on low-voltage metering. If
a building’s main electricity utility meters are situated on the high voltage (HV) side
of the transformers for the site, it is acceptable to use non-utility meters on the low
voltage (LV) side as the basis for the energy use measurements, provided that:
• those meters satisfy the documentation requirements of Sections 14.3 Measuring
consumption and 13.4 Non-utility meter records, and the accuracy and
validation requirements of Sections 13.4 Non-utility meter records and 13.5 Non-
utility metering system validation, and
• there are no connections to energy uses within the building between the
transformer and the LV meters that will bypass these meters – i.e. the meters
must cover 100% of building electricity end uses.
In addition, the Assessor must reconcile the LV metering against the HV metering
to ensure that no meters are missing or reading incorrectly. As a guideline,
transformer losses are expected to be less than 10%. Any apparent losses above
this figure should be re-investigated to find the source of the discrepancy.
If these requirements cannot be met then the premises cannot be rated.
13.4 Non-utility meter records
13.4.1 Minimum frequency of readings

All non-utility meters used to provide data for energy or water consumption
inclusions or exclusions must have a record of readings that is:
• at least as frequent as the utility meter under which the non-utility meter lies,
and
• at least quarterly (i.e. four readings with an average gap between readings of at
least 10 weeks).
The Assessor must retain this record of readings for audit.
13.4.2 Measurements and formats required
The following non-utility meter data must be recorded and retained for audit:
Data required Acceptable record Examples of

or format unacceptable records
All meters
Date of reading Day/month/year Month/year; day/month; month
Meter Meter number or label that No identification; label not
identification can be directly cross- clearly identifiable on single-line
referenced to the single-line diagram
diagram
Meter reading Meter reading, either direct No meter reading; ‘units used’
from the meter or from the without the actual meter reading
metering interface
Electricity meters
K factor Meter K factor No K factor
Calculated Calculated consumption Any figure that cannot be
electricity figure in kWh, based on derived from the meter reading
reading meter readings and k-factor and k-factor; any figure without
units
Gas meters
Meter pressure Meter pressure, with units No meter pressure; no units
Meter pressure Meter pressure correction No meter pressure correction
correction factor factor factor
Monthly energy Energy density of gas No energy density data; no
density (MJ/m³) from utility bill units on energy density data;
energy density data not
supported by evidence from
utility
Calculated Calculated gas consumption Any figure that cannot be
gas reading figure in MJ derived from the gas meter
reading, pressure correction
factor and monthly energy
density; any figure without units
Water meters
Meter multiplier Meter multiplier to convert No meter multiplier
readings to kL or m³
Calculated Calculated water Any figure that cannot be
water reading consumption figure in derived from a meter reading or
kL or m³ meter multiplier; any figure
without units

Metering systems
13.5 Non-utility metering system validation
This section deals with non-utility meter reliability, especially electricity meters with
current transformers (CTs), and the correctness of Remote Meter Reading Systems
(RMRS).
Non-utility electricity meters can vary significantly in their ability to correctly measure
energy consumption, especially due to incorrect wiring of the meter and incorrect
meter multipliers (CT ratios). Remote Meter Reading Systems, such as a Building
Management System (BMS), can vary significantly in how they interpret the
measured consumption of a non-utility meter.
13.5.1 Metering systems requiring validation

All non-utility metering systems require validation if they include:
• a meter with a current transformer (CT), or
• a gas meter, or
• a Remote Meter Reading System (including an interface to a Building
Management System (BMS) used to transmit meter data).
Direct connect meters with no RMRS, and pulse meters with an on-board counting
device and no RMRS, are exempt from these requirements.
1 Pulse meters
Consumption measurements from a pulse meter can only be used in a NABERS
rating assessment if the pulse meter has an on-board counting mechanism which
provides an absolute count (rather than a pulse to an external device) and is then
read manually or remotely.
Where a Remote Meter Reading System is used to record the pulse meter reading,
this must be validated in accordance with the non-utility meter validation
requirements in this section to ensure it is recording the measured consumption
correctly.
Where the pulse meter is manually read, validation is not required.
13.5.2 Non-utility Meter Management Plans

Where a rating assessment uses readings from non-utility metering systems
requiring validation, the owner of the premises to be rated must implement a Non-
utility Meter Management Plan to ensure that these metering systems correctly
record consumption.
There are two possible stages in a Non-utility Meter Management Plan, as
described below:
Initial validation This is a program to validate all un-validated metering

stage systems for the premises.
The time allowed to complete this stage depends on meter type
and on whether any of the metering systems included in a
random sample under Section 13.5.4 Validating a random
sample of metering systems are found to require correction.
• If any corrections are required, this stage must be completed
as soon as possible so that 12 months of correct data can
be made available for the next rating.
• If no corrections are required, then this stage must be
completed within three years.
If there are no un-validated metering systems for the premises

to be rated, this stage of the Plan is not required.
Ongoing re- This is a rolling program to re-validate all non-utility metering

validation stage systems requiring validation for the premises. This program
must ensure that every non-utility metering system requiring
validation is re-validated whenever it is altered, or otherwise at
least every 10 years.
As part of this validation, it is recommended that the manager
responsible for the premises should have all single-line
diagrams verified and updated to reflect the current meter
coverage and locations.
All validation checks undertaken as part of a Non-utility Meter
Management Plan must, as a minimum, comply with the
requirements specified in Section 13.5.5 Validation checks.
1 Standard for acceptable data

The Assessor may only accept evidence of validation of a non-utility metering
system in the form of a certificate of currency or other written evidence that:
• confirms that a metering system requiring validation has been checked in
accordance with Section 13.5.5 Validation checks and Appendix D – Guide to
non-utility metering system validation, and found to be correctly recording
consumption, and
• confirms that the check took place within the last 10 years, and
• applies to the present condition and configuration of the metering system without
any alteration.
2 Documentation required
As a minimum, a Non-utility Meter Management Plan must:
• uniquely identify each applicable metering system, and
• show the details of the last validation check for that metering system, if any, and

Metering systems
• nominate the date by which the next regular validation check for that metering
system must be completed, and
• record the validation of any altered non-utility metering systems.
As part of this validation, it is recommended that the manager responsible for the
premises should have all single-line diagrams updated and verified to reflect the
current meter coverage locations.
13.5.3 Checking meter system validation
Where data used in a rating assessment includes readings from non-utility

metering systems covered by the validation requirements, the Assessor must
ensure that the applicable validation requirements have been met.
1 Checking compliance with a Non-utility Meter Management Plan

If the premises to be rated are already covered by a Non-utility Meter Management
Plan as specified in Section 13.5.2 Non-utility Meter Management Plans, then the
Assessor must:
• seek evidence of validation for all metering systems that, under the Plan, were
due to be validated since the last rating assessment, and
• identify any metering systems that have been altered since the previous rating
assessment, and seek evidence of validation for them, and
• for each meter that required adjustment as a result of the validation checks,
follow the procedure in Section 14.8 Correcting non-utility meter readings to
obtain acceptable corrected data or estimates where possible. If this is not
possible, the rating cannot proceed.
The Assessor must also check that 12 months of acceptable data is available for
the spaces covered by any altered non-utility metering systems.
2 Instituting a Non-utility Meter Management Plan

If there is no Non-utility Meter Management Plan for the premises to be rated, or if a
Plan exists but the Assessor has not been provided with acceptable evidence of
compliance, then:
• the procedure for validating a random sample of non-utility metering systems as
specified in Section 13.5.4 Validating a random sample of metering systems
must be followed, and
• a new Non-utility Meter Management Plan as specified in Section 13.5.2 Non-
utility Meter Management Plans must be prepared and put into effect for the
Figure 10: Validating non-utility metering systems
Note: Examples of acceptable certificates of currency are included in Appendix D –

Guide to non-utility metering system validation.
13.5.4 Validating a random sample of metering systems
1 Selecting a random sample

All metering systems covered by the rating that require validation but do not have
evidence of validation (‘un-validated metering systems’) must be comprehensively
listed and categorised by meter type (such as pulse water meter, CT electrical
meter, or gas meter).
A random sample of at least 10% of each listed meter type must then be chosen
from the list, and the selected metering systems validated as specified in Section
13.5.5 Validation checks.
The Assessor must oversee or review the selection process and ensure that the
sample was randomly chosen. The Assessor must document for audit:
• the list of non-utility meters from which the sample was chosen, and
• the sampling method used, and
• which metering systems were selected, and
• the results of the validation checks for each meter checked.

Metering systems
2 Results of validation
Where all the randomly selected non-utility metering systems meet the validation
requirements, then:
• the rating can proceed, and
• the building owner applying for the rating must implement a program to validate
(and correct if necessary) the remaining un-validated metering systems within
the next three years, as part of a Non-utility Meter Management Plan as
specified in Section 13.5.2 Non-utility Meter Management Plans.
However, where one or more of the randomly selected non-utility metering systems
are found to require adjustment before they can meet the validation requirements,
then:
• all un-validated metering systems for the premises covered by the rating must be
validated so as to ensure that correct data is collected in the 12-month period
before the next NABERS Energy or Water for shopping centres rating (as
appropriate), and
• the Assessor must determine any correction to be applied to the data collected
from the metering systems found to be incorrect, as specified in Section 14.8
Correcting non-utility meter readings.
13.5.5 Validation checks

All metering systems requiring validation must be checked, and if necessary
adjusted and then checked again, as specified in this section and in Appendix D –
Guide to non-utility metering system validation.
If a metering system requires adjustment then this must be done by appropriately
qualified and licensed persons according to the applicable standards and
procedures for the equipment.
1 Remote Meter Reading Systems

All Remote Meter Reading Systems (RMRS) used to record the measurements from
non-utility meters require validation by a competent person 4 with an
understanding of the meters and the RMRS, to ensure that they interpret the meter
data correctly.
The competent person must validate that a unit of consumption shown on the
Remote Meter Reading System corresponds to a unit of consumption as measured
at the meter. At least two readings of the non-utility meter and corresponding
Remote Meter Reading System should be undertaken at the same two time periods,
and the results documented.
2 Non-utility electricity meters

All non-utility meters with CTs require validation, and adjustment if necessary, by a
licensed electrician or electrical engineer to ensure that the CT ratio (meter
multiplication factor) and wiring are correctly configured.
4
A ‘competent person’ could be an Assessor with an understanding of the meter in question.
3 Non-utility gas meters
All non-utility gas meters require validation, and adjustment if necessary, by a
competent person with an understanding of gas meters to ensure that the pressure
correction factor corrects the measured volume of the non-utility meter to the same
pressure conditions used by the utility meter.
The pressure correction factor can be calculated using the following equation:
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 =
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
When processing gas data, the Assessor must also correct for variations in the
energy content of gas by multiplying the pressure-corrected gas volume by the gas
utility’s energy per unit volume for each reading period. The relevant energy per unit
volume figures must be obtained from the utility if not documented on the gas
invoices.

Consumption data
14 Consumption data
14.1 Summary
This section deals with the measurement, processing and use of data on energy
and water consumption. It includes provisions to allow estimates to be made and
used in limited circumstances when actual measurements are not available.
14.2 Definitions
Term Definition
End use A purpose or activity (or a group of related purposes or
activities) that water or energy is used for.
Source For NABERS Energy ratings: an individual fuel or energy
source type such as gas, electricity or diesel fuel.
For NABERS Water ratings: an individual water source
type such as mains water, bore water, externally reticulated
grey water or river water.
14.3 Measuring consumption
14.3.1 Process overviews

Assessors must comply with the following processes:
1 NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings
Step Reference
1 Confirm all energy sources entering the site. Section 14.3.2 Confirm all
sources
2 Assess the accuracy of the assumptions Section 14.3.3 Assess the
for each source. accuracy of the assumptions
for each source
3 Determine energy consumption. Section 14.3.4 Determine
energy consumption
2 NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings
Step Reference
1 Confirm all water sources entering the site. Section 14.3.2 Confirm all
sources
2 Assess the accuracy of the assumptions Section 14.3.3 Assess the
for each source. accuracy of the assumptions
for each source
3 Determine water consumption. Section 14.3.5 Determine
water consumption
4 Determine the characteristics of externally Section 14.3.6 Determine
supplied recycled sources. recycled water
characteristics
14.3.2 Confirm all sources

1) Ask the building manager to identify all the energy/water supplies for the site,
including batch-delivered supplies.
2) Review service drawings, where available, to identify all supply points.
3) Review the site to check for equipment requiring different types of energy/water.
4) Review metering arrangements to ensure that all relevant utility and non-utility
meters have been included in the assessment.
Where a utility meter and non-utility meter could be used interchangeably, the
utility meter must be used in preference. However, if utility meter readings require
adjustment but are too infrequent to provide acceptable estimates (such as six-
monthly readings that do not coincide with the Rating Period), monthly readings
from non-utility meters that comply with all requirements of these Rules may be
used instead. Ensure that consumption data sufficient to cover the Rating Period
has been provided for each separate meter for each identified source.
14.3.3 Assess the accuracy of the assumptions for each source

1) Check if any of the bills for that source were estimated.
Consumption from utility-estimated bills is not considered acceptable data and
may not be used for NABERS Energy or Water for shopping centres ratings. If a
utility bill is estimated the Assessor must use Section 14.7.4 Using valid meter
readings before and after missing data to calculate or estimate the consumption.
2) Check whether the source includes any non-utility meters for inclusion or
exclusion of energy or water.

Consumption data
If non-utility meters are used in the assessment, the Assessor must check that
all necessary validation (and correction of data, if applicable) has been carried
out as specified in Sections 13.5 Non-utility metering system validation and 14.8
Correcting non-utility meter readings.
If a non-utility meter has been found to require adjustment and acceptable

corrected data or estimates cannot be obtained for the relevant consumption over
the entire Rating Period, then the rating cannot proceed.
3) Check if any other assumptions were made about consumption.
If they were, the Assessor must calculate the total amount of consumption
affected by each assumption, and add it to the relevant Potential Error.
4) For the rating to be permitted, the total Potential Error must not exceed the limits
given in Section 2.7 Acceptable data and estimates.
14.3.4 Determine energy consumption (NABERS Energy ratings)

1) Check the data format and units for each energy source, and if necessary
convert to units compatible with NABERS Energy for shopping centres input
formats as specified in Sections 14.6.1 Utility units and 14.6.2 Energy bill
formats.
2) Check whether any fuel was batch-delivered.

Where fuel was batch-delivered, calculate the energy consumption using the
method specified in Section 14.5 Batch-delivered supplies.
3) If the energy source is electricity, check to see whether accredited GreenPower

was used.
Where GreenPower is used, confirm the total percentage of GreenPower in
accordance with Section 11.3 GreenPower.
4) For each source, ensure that acceptable energy use data is available to cover
the 12 months of the Rating Period, as specified in Section 14.7 Periods
covered by utility data.
a) If necessary, allow for missing data as specified in Sections 14.7.2
Adjusting for gaps at the start or end of the Rating Period and 14.7.3
Estimating unrecorded consumption.
b) If acceptable data is not available to cover the Rating Period, the
premises cannot be rated.
Figure 11: Determining the energy use for each energy source
14.3.5 Determine water consumption (NABERS Water ratings)

1) Confirm the data format and units for each water source, and if necessary
convert to units compatible with NABERS Water input formats as specified in
Section 14.6.1 Utility units.
2) Check that the data is from meter readings or capacity measurements for batch
deliveries, and does not rely on estimates by the supplier.
If the bill is not based on actual measurements, they must be sought. Estimated
consumption figures are unacceptable (refer to Section 14.7.4 Using valid meter
readings before and after missing data).
3) For each source, ensure that acceptable water use data is available to cover
the 12-months of the Rating Period, as specified in Section 14.7 Periods
covered by utility data.

Consumption data
a) If necessary, allow for missing data as specified in Sections 14.7.2

Adjusting for gaps at the start or end of the Rating Period and 14.7.3
Estimating unrecorded consumption.
b) If acceptable data is not available to cover the Rating Period, the
premises cannot be rated.
Figure 12: Determining consumption for each externally supplied water

source
14.3.6 Determine recycled water characteristics (NABERS Water ratings)

1) Check whether the source contains any non-recycled components.
− If it does not, the entire source can be counted as recycled.
− If there is a known non-recycled component, only the remainder may be
treated as being recycled.
− If there is an unknown non-recycled component, the entire source must be
treated as non-recycled.
Figure 13: Determining the characteristics of externally supplied recycled
water sources
14.4 Including or excluding consumption
The energy or water consumption measured for an assessment must include the
relevant minimum end uses identified in Sections 11.1.1 Required minimum energy
coverage and 12.1.2 Required minimum water coverage.
In achieving this, only the following methods of measurement for inclusion and
exclusion are permitted:
• use of a utility meter
• use of a non-utility meter meeting the requirements of Section 13.5 Non-utility
metering system validation
• batch delivery supply bills in which the supplier states the quantity supplied
• any combination of inclusion or exclusion of the above three items
• exclusions as described in Section 14.4.1 Exclusions based on financially
reconciled utility costs
• estimates as described in Section 14.4.2 Estimating small un-metered end uses
• data and estimates as described in Section 14.5 Batch-delivered supplies
• data and estimates as described in Section 14.4.3 Thermal energy
measurements.

Consumption data
14.4.1 Exclusions based on financially reconciled utility costs

Where:
• a utility meter measures the aggregate consumption for a variety of water or
energy end uses, some inside the coverage of a rating but others outside it, and
• there is no non-utility meter which only measures those end uses inside or
those outside the scope of coverage, and
• the utility costs associated with the meter are allocated to the various end uses
according to a fixed proportion of the meter readings, as specified under
Determining the fixed proportion below
then the Assessor may estimate the consumption for the end uses outside the
coverage by applying the fixed proportion to the metered consumption. The
estimated consumption may be excluded from the assessment if it is added to the
relevant Potential Error 5.
1 Determining the fixed proportion

If lease documentation allocates a proportion of the relevant energy or water use,
then this proportion must be used in calculating the exclusion. Otherwise, it is
acceptable to determine the proportion from documentation, signed by the shopping
centre tenants affected by the end uses in question, that identifies the end uses and
the proportion of allocation.
If the fixed proportion cannot be determined from acceptable documentation, then
no exclusion is allowed and the entire consumption measured by the meter covering
the end uses in question must be included in the assessment.
14.4.2 Estimating small un-metered end uses
The following methodology is intended to allow Assessors to estimate and include

a small amount of un-metered end use to enable a rating to proceed. Where large
end uses or a high number of small end uses are included through this
methodology, the rating may not comply with the accuracy requirements of Section
2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates. In such cases the rating cannot
proceed until appropriate metering is installed and 12 months of acceptable
consumption data is available to cover the Rating Period.
This rule does not apply to exclusions, or where acceptable metered data is
available for the end uses concerned.
If no metered measurement is available for an end use 6, the Assessor may
estimate the energy consumption for that end use by applying the following
methodology:
1) Identify all equipment or plant involved in the consumption to be estimated.
5
Where necessary, the estimate may be reduced so that the accuracy requirements of Section
2.7.2 Standards for acceptable data and estimates are still met. However, under no
circumstances is it ever permissible to increase an estimate to these limits.
6
Note that where several instances of very similar individual end uses occur together so as to form
a single collection (for example, luminaires in a lighting grid, taps in a washroom, or emergency
lighting in a stairwell) then the collection is regarded as a single end use.
2) Determine the power consumption at maximum capacity from nameplate data or
equipment specifications, for example 10 kW for an air conditioner.
3) Determine an appropriate duty cycle for the plant (as a percentage) from
equipment specifications, records of use, or records of availability (for example,
manually operated equipment such as washroom hand dryers cannot be used
when a space is unoccupied). If there are no suitable specifications or records,
use 100%.
It is not permissible to simply estimate a duty cycle without reference to verifiable

specifications or records.
If the small end use cannot operate when there are no occupants in the building,
then calculate the annual hours as the Hours of Service of the building multiplied
by 52 weeks (e.g. 50 hours a week x 52 weeks = 2600 hours a year). Otherwise,
assume 8760 hours a year (24/7 operation).
Estimate the annual consumption as:
consumption = name plate power x duty cycle x annual hours.
The Assessor must add the estimated consumption to the relevant Potential Error.
For example, a 2 kW hand dryer is un-metered and no suitable specifications or

records are available to determine the duty cycle however it is reasonable to
assume that it will only operate while the building is occupied. The Hours of Service
for the building are 45 hours a week. The estimated annual consumption would be:
Consumption = 2 x 100% x (45 x 52) = 4680 [kWh]
1) Documentation required
The documentation retained for audit must include a clear explanation of the method
used to calculate the duty cycle, justification of the annual hours used and the
consumption for the end use, including documentation of the values used.
14.4.3 Thermal energy measurements

Some buildings export or import energy by means such as thermal-energy-in-water
systems. An example is chilled water being pumped from one building to another.
These systems are complex, and it is difficult to measure the thermal energy in the
water, relate that back to energy input to the thermal plant, and then calculate
greenhouse gas emissions.
Due to this complexity and because such systems are uncommon, they are treated
in a separate document to these Rules entitled Validation Protocol for Thermal
Energy Exclusions.

Consumption data
14.5 Batch-delivered supplies
Energy or water supplies delivered in batches, such as diesel fuel, bottled gas, coal,
or tank-delivered water, must be included within an assessment if they are within the
scope defined in Sections 11 Energy coverage or 12 Water coverage, as
appropriate.
14.5.1 Measurement and estimation
In general, quantity data for batch deliveries must be taken from supplier invoices or
similar documentation, or from measurement systems (such as meters, scales or
unit counting) at the point of delivery. The documentation required for batch-
delivered supplies includes details of measurement methods.
To ensure that all applicable deliveries during the Rating Period are included in the
assessment for a rating, the Assessor must identify the supervisors or managers
responsible for each batch-delivered source and obtain from them:
• a written statement of what deliveries were received during the Rating Period,
and
• copies of the bills from suppliers, showing the details of the deliveries, and
• descriptions of the measurement or estimation methods used.
1 Estimating from a sample of bills

It is acceptable to estimate delivered quantities of batch-delivered supplies from a
sample of bills. A suitable person must be asked if there were deliveries, and a
written response received from them together with bills for each batch-supplied
source.
The minimum number of bills acceptable as evidence of delivered quantities
depends on what proportion the batch-delivered supply represents of the total
greenhouse gas emissions or water consumption for the premises to be rated.
These numbers are shown in the following table:
% of total emissions or Minimum number

water consumption of bills required
0–5% 2
6–15% 4
16–25% 8
26–50% 12
51–75% 18
76–100% 24
If insufficient bills from the Rating Period are available to satisfy the minimum
requirements above, then:
• the Assessor may also gather all of the billing data for the 12 months preceding
the Rating Period, and if there are then sufficient bills an estimate can be made
• otherwise, an estimate from capacity measurements must be made as specified
below.
The delivery quantities shown on the bills must be converted to an annual
consumption estimate: either by averaging, for non-seasonal uses, or by use of a
climate-based correlation of deliveries against relevant climate data for the Rating
Period.
If a climate-based correlation is used, the Assessor must provide details of the
correlation method and the climate data used, and explain why the correlation
method was chosen.
2 Estimating from capacity measurements

It is acceptable to estimate the quantity of a batch-delivered supply from capacity
measurements of on-site storage tanks if:
• there have been no recorded deliveries, or the minimum number of bills specified
in Section 14.5.1.1 above is not available, and
• the batch-delivered supply represents less than 5% of the total greenhouse gas
emissions or water consumption for the premises to be rated.
Acceptable methods are, in order of preference:
1) the use of regular capacity readings to determine consumption, or
2) if there are no regular readings, then one reading may be taken (by dip-stick or
sight gauges or other method) and the entire consumption (from full tank to
current level) is then allocated to the Rating Period, or
3) if a reading cannot be taken, the consumption for the Rating Period must be
taken as the total capacity of the tanks.
The Assessor must ensure that all tanks used for the source in the premises to be
rated are included in the capacity measurements (for example, ready-use, bulk and
reserve tanks).
If there have been any deliveries during the year then these must be added to the
estimate derived from the capacity readings or tank capacity.
3 Batch-delivered recycled water (NABERS Water ratings only)

Where recycled water is delivered to on-site storage tanks, the quantity of water
must be measured at the delivery to the on-site tank and not at discharge from it, as
otherwise the top-up water will be potentially be double-counted in the rating. The
Assessor must ensure that only delivered recycled water has been counted.

Consumption data
4 Batch-delivered water for direct uses (NABERS Water ratings only)

Where batch-delivered water is used on site without being stored in a storage tank
(for example, applied directly to landscaping or used for testing or direct filling of
sprinkler systems, cooling systems etc.) then all such water deliveries to the site
during the Rating Period must be included without averaging.

If the method of measurement or estimation complies with the requirements of this
section then the consumption measurement for the source will be deemed to
comply with the accuracy requirements of these Rules.
Otherwise, the Assessor must add the entire consumption to the Potential Error
for water as an estimate.

When an assessment includes batch-delivered supplies, the Assessor must make
a note of the method of measurement or estimation for each source in
NABERSRate.
The documentation to be retained for audit must include for each source:
• the statements of what deliveries occurred during the Rating Period, including
contact details for the responsible person who supplied the information
• a description of the measurement or estimation method(s) used
• all data used to calculate the measurements or estimates, and
• details of all calculations.
1 Batch-delivered recycled water (NABERS Water ratings only)

Where some or all of the batch-delivered water is from a recycled or reclaimed
source, whether potable or not, the following documentation is also required:
• written confirmation from the supplier that states:
− that the water supplied is recycled or reused, including the percentage of
recycled or reclaimed water within the supply, and
− the source of the water (such as the location of the supplier), and
− that the identified supply has been delivered to the rated site, and
• written confirmation of delivered quantities to the site being rated (i.e. bills) and
the measurement methods used to determine these quantities.
14.6 Utility bill units and formats
14.6.1 Utility units

The units of consumption that Assessors should seek on utility bills are:
Utility Units
NABERS Energy for shopping centres ratings:
Electricity kWh (kilowatt hours) or MWh (megawatt hours); GJ
(Gigajoules)
Coal t (tonnes); GJ
Natural Gas m3 (cubic metres) at standard temperature and pressure;
MJ (Megajoules) or GJ
LPG LPG 7 must be entered into the Online Rating Calculator in
MJ, not in litres or cubic metres.
Fuel oil (diesel, L (litres); GJ
heating oil, etc.)
NABERS Water for shopping centres ratings:
Water, all sources kL (kilolitres) (=m³)
14.6.2 Energy bill formats

Some electrical energy bills are presented in the following format:
Total Energy = Energy (kWh) + Losses (%)
In this case the losses are actually the equivalent of network distribution charges
expressed as an additional consumption instead of an additional cost. The amount
of energy to be used in the rating is the energy excluding losses, which is in effect
the raw energy consumption.
14.7 Periods covered by utility data

Utility consumption figures must cover one complete and continuous year, allowing
for missing data as specified in Sections 14.7.2 Adjusting for gaps at the start or
end of the Rating Period and 14.7.3 Estimating unrecorded consumption.
1 Stand-alone NABERS Energy or Water for shopping centres ratings

Where it is not possible to gather data for exactly the same period for different utility
supplies, the following provisions apply:
7
LPG is entered into the calculator as Gas.

Consumption data
• The utility bills that account for at least 80% of the rating result (in kg/m² or kL/m²)
must be adjusted to exactly match the Rating Period, and
• The utility bills that account for the balance of a NABERS Energy rating must
together cover one continuous 12-month period that is displaced from the Rating
Period by no more than two months, and
• The utility bills that account for the balance of a NABERS Water for shopping
centres rating must, for each source of supply, cover a continuous 12-month
period that is displaced from the Rating Period by no more than:
− two months for water supplies that are billed monthly or quarterly (three
monthly), and
− four months for water supplies that are billed biannually (six monthly).
2 Combined NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres ratings

When an assessment is being undertaken for both NABERS Energy and Water for
shopping centres ratings, the same Rating Period must apply to both ratings. If it is
not possible to gather utility data for exactly the same period for both ratings, the
Rating Period should be the data-gathering period for the NABERS Energy rating.
The following provisions apply:
• The energy utility data must meet the same criteria as given above for a stand-
alone NABERS Energy rating, and
• The utility data for each water source must cover a continuous 12-month period
that is displaced from the Rating Period by no more than:
− two months for water supplies that are billed monthly or quarterly (three
monthly), and
− four months for water supplies that are billed biannually (six monthly).
14.7.2 Adjusting for gaps at the start or end of the Rating Period
If an energy or water source is missing a valid meter reading by the utility at the
start or end of the Rating Period (for example, because the bill is missing or the
reading was estimated), the consumption for the full Rating Period cannot be
calculated from the 12 months of utility billing data alone.
If accurate bills are available from before or after the Rating Period, the Assessor
may use the meter readings in these bills to calculate the consumption using the
procedure outlined in Section 14.7.4 Using valid meter readings before and after
missing data. Otherwise, the Assessor may use a manual meter reading from
before or after the Rating Period to calculate consumption – but only if all of the
following conditions apply:
• The Assessor is able to reconcile the manual meter reading with a history of
meter readings that measure the consumption to a date after the end of the
Rating Period, either as meter readings from utility bills or as manual readings
meeting the frequency and data recording requirements of Section 13.4 Non-
utility meter records where applicable.
• The reading must be treated as if it was taken on the first or last day (as
appropriate) of the Rating Period, regardless of the actual period of time
between the day of the reading and the start or end (as appropriate) of the
Rating Period. 8
• The reading must clearly align with the consumption history for the meter.
If these requirements are met, the manual meter reading can be used in the
assessment without it being included as an error for the purposes of Section 2.7.2
Standards for acceptable data and estimates. If these requirements cannot be met,
the manual meter reading is not acceptable data.
Figure 14: Adjusting for gaps at the start or end of the Rating Period
14.7.3 Estimating unrecorded consumption
The purpose of this section is to enable a rating to proceed if the record of bills
throughout the Rating Period is not continuous.
Where there is an unresolvable gap in the primary billing data (for example, caused
by a change of supplier or meter) the Assessor may estimate the unrecorded
consumption by interpolating between adjacent bills – but only under the following
conditions:
• If the consumption of the relevant source is climate-independent, the
interpolation must be based on the average daily consumption figures of the
adjacent bills.
• If the utility consumption is climate-dependent, then the interpolation must use a
climate-based correlation.
Full details of the associated calculations must be included in NABERSRate. If a
climate-based correlation is used, the Assessor must provide details of the
correlation method and the climate data used, and explain why the correlation
method was chosen.
8
This means that the reading will always tend to err on the side of overstating the consumption for
the Rating Period.

Consumption data
Regardless of the interpolation method used, the Assessor must add the entire
estimate of unrecorded consumption to the relevant Potential Error.
Under no circumstances is it permissible to extrapolate outside available data. If the
bills do not cover a full 12-month period the premises cannot be rated.
14.7.4 Using valid meter readings before and after missing data
If an energy or water source is missing a utility bill, a utility bill has been estimated,
or valid meter readings are not available, special consideration must be taken.
When one or more consecutive meter readings are missing or estimated by the
utility and valid meter readings are available for the period immediately before and
immediately after the missing or estimated readings, the total consumption for the
period can be accurately determined using the method described in this section.
The calculated consumption is considered to be acceptable data and may be used
in the assessment without being added to the relevant Potential Error.
1 Energy sources other than natural gas
• Calculate the total metered consumption in the period by using the meter
readings before and after the missing or estimated reading(s), and
• obtain any relevant factor required to convert the metered consumption to actual
consumption and use the actual consumption as the total consumption for the
period.
Assessors are to exercise care when performing these calculations, and to obtain
written documentation to confirm the use of any conversion factors if not
documented on the relevant utility bills.
2 Natural gas
Missing gas consumption can also be determined using meter readings; however,
additional guidance is required due to the complexities of converting gas meter
readings to energy consumption.
In the case where a bill or a valid gas meter reading is missing or estimated, but
valid meter readings are available before and after the missing period, the gas
consumption can be determined by using the following methodology:
• Calculate the total metered gas flow in the period by using the readings before
and after the missing or estimated reading(s).
• Obtain the correction factor (CF) for the gas meter from:
− the estimated bill for the period (if available), or
− the utility bills before or after the missing period, or
− written documentation provided by the utility.
The correction factor is used to convert the metered consumption from the meter
pressure to standard atmospheric pressure. It can be found in the utility bills under
alternative names, such as pressure correction factor and conversion factor.
• Obtain the Heating Value (HV) at atmospheric pressure for the gas during the
period between the valid readings. This value must be obtained from one of the
following sources, listed in order of preference:
o written documentation provided by the utility for the period between the
two readings, or, if not available
o the average heating value for the period between the two readings, in the
case there are utility bills (estimated or actual) fully covering such period,
or, if not available
o the following default values must be used for period between the two
readings, depending on the state where the premises are located:
State/Territory Heating value (MJ/m3)
ACT 38.3
NSW 38.3
NT 40.5
QLD 39.5
SA 38.3
VIC 38.8
WA 41.5
• Calculate the gas consumption by using the following formula:
Gas Consumption = (RE − RB )× CF × HV

where:
RB and RE = the meter reading at the beginning and end of the period,
respectively
CF = the correction factor, and
HV = the heating value (MJ/m3).
Example
Two consecutive monthly bills have been estimated by the utility. Estimated
readings were taken on 31 March and 30 April. Valid meter readings for the period
immediately before and immediately after the estimated readings were available in
adjacent utility bills. The reading for 1 March was ‘10,000’ and the reading for
31 May was ‘12,150’.
The pressure correction factor was obtained from the utility bills and was equal to
1.1. The average heating value for all the bills between the two accurate readings
(this includes the two estimated bills) was 39 MJ/m3.
The total gas consumption between 1 March and 31 May can be calculated as:
(12,150 -10,000) x 1.1 x 39 = 92,235 MJ

Consumption data
14.8 Correcting non-utility meter readings
This section covers the steps to be followed if a non-utility metering system has
been found to give incorrect measurements of consumption when validated as
specified in Section 13.5 Non-utility metering system validation.
Where a non-utility metering system has been found to require adjustment as a

result of validation checks, the Assessor must investigate the type of fault found
and the consumption data available, and determine whether or not it is possible to
accurately calculate (not estimate) the correct values for the consumption data from
the metering system.
14.8.1 Assessments where corrections can be made

The rating can proceed where the Assessor can calculate the correct values for the
consumption data. The rating application must include full documentation of the
error found, the incorrect records from the metering system, and the calculations
used to correct the data.
In the absence of any other evidence, a correction must be based on the

assumption that the error in the metering system is applied to all data collected for
the current rating assessment.
For example, if the CT ratio for an electricity meter was out by a factor of +20%, the
overall electricity consumption data for that meter can be corrected by -20%.
Similarly, if the CT wiring of an electricity meter was incorrect but the consumption
for each phase was recorded by the meter, this can be used to reconstruct the
actual consumption and the reconstructed data can be used as acceptable data.
However, consumption data cannot be reconstructed if the CT wiring of an electricity
meter was incorrect and the meter also did not record the energy consumption for
each phase.
14.8.2 Assessments where corrections cannot be made

Where it is not possible to calculate the correct values from incorrect metering
system data, then:
• for exclusions, the rating can proceed if the consumption is included in the rating
(to ensure a conservative result).
• for inclusions, the rating can proceed if the consumption is estimated using
Section 14.4.2 Estimating small un-metered end uses. However, if the estimate
does not comply with the requirements of Section 2.7.2 Standards for acceptable
data and estimates, the rating cannot proceed and the premises cannot be rated
until a full Rating Period of accurate data has been obtained.
Figure 15: Correcting non-utility metering system data
14.9.1 Utility metering

Where utility metering data is included in an assessment, the following
documentation must be obtained by the Assessor, used in the assessment, and
retained for audit:
• utility bills showing consumption records for the Rating Period, or
• a spreadsheet or other electronic record from the utility showing consumption for
the Rating Period, with a clear indication of the meter identification and reading,
and at least one utility bill that can be shown to reconcile against the electronic
data.
14.9.2 Non-utility metering

Where non-utility metering data is used for inclusions or exclusions, the following
documentation must be obtained by the Assessor, used in the assessment, and
retained for audit:
• records of meter readings and associated factors as specified in Section 13.4
Non-utility meter records, and

Consumption data
• evidence of non-utility metering system validation as specified in Section 13.5

Non-utility metering system validation.
14.9.3 Batch deliveries

Where any energy or water supplies are batch-delivered, the documentation must
include bills showing the quantities delivered and how they were measured. If the
data does not include enough separate deliveries, then the documentation must
include any records of storage capacity readings used to estimate consumption.
15 Appendices
Summary
Appendix A – Information checklist for accredited ratings Page 93

Appendix B – Tenancy Servicing Validation Form Page 98
Appendix C – Guide to non-utility metering system validation Page 99

15.1 Appendix A – Information checklist for accredited ratings
The following information may be required for a rating. It should be obtained from the building
owner/manager before a site visit, and then confirmed during the site visit and subsequent
assessment.
This checklist covers most of the information needed, but individual ratings may require additional
information or documentation depending on the individual circumstances of the premises.
Information checklist
Total and Centrally  A list of tenancies obtained from the building owner showing the Section 3.4 Listed area and
Serviced Area tenancy name, area and servicing arrangements of each tenancy. servicing arrangements
Gross Lettable Area Retail
 Floor plans indicating all tenancies listed as centrally serviced, and Section 3.5 Grouping tenancies
(GLAR) of all shopping
grouping tenancies into contiguous blocks of centrally and non- into contiguous blocks
centre tenancies and the
centrally serviced tenancies.
centrally serviced shopping
centre tenancies  A completed Tenancy Servicing Validation Form for each tenancy Section 3.6 Confirmation of central
as measured to the where central servicing was validated. servicing
Measurement Standard for  Data validating the GLAR of the tenancies requiring validation, to the Section 3.7 Confirmation of area
Shopping Centre Area, Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area. In order of
using the validation method. preference, the source of the data may be:
• a third-party survey or lease documentation that is
explicitly based on the Measurement Standard for
Shopping Centre Area, or superseded documents
considered to be the equivalent of the Measurement
Standard for Shopping Centre Area, or, if not available
• direct measurement from current plans or scaled prints,
measured to the Measurement Standard for Shopping
Centre Area.
 Documentation verifying any tenancies that were vacant for any time Section 3.8 Adjusting for vacancies
during the Rating Period.
Hours of Service:  Copies of publicly available written documentation or photographic Section 4.3.2 Shopping centre core
The weekly trading hours of evidence proving core hours. hours of operation
the shopping centre
 Copies of publicly available written documentation or photographic Section 4.3.3 Extended hours of
evidence showing trading hours for each tenant with extended hours operation
of operation.
Trading Days:  Copies of publicly available written documentation confirming public Section 5.2.2 Identifying public
The number of days that the holidays in the shopping centre’s state during the Rating Period. holidays
shopping centre traded  A signed statement from the shopping centre management or copies of Section 5.2.3 Confirming trading
during the rating period written records confirming shopping centre trading on Sundays and days
public holidays.
Number of parking spaces  Data confirming the number of car parking spaces servicing the Section 6.2.3 Conducting a site
The number of naturally and shopping centre: inspection
mechanically ventilated car • car park drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, Section 6.2.4 Dividing car parking
parking spaces identifying whether a space is naturally or mechanically spaces into blocks
ventilated and showing the parking space count, or, if Section 6.2.5 Conducting a count
not available
• a plan or schedule of parking spaces, prepared by the
Assessor, that identifies blocks of naturally and
mechanically ventilated parking spaces and records the
number of spaces in each block
 Where necessary, written evidence: Section 6.2.5 Conducting a count
• confirming any periods when car parking spaces were
out of use for more than 4 weeks of the Rating Period
• identifying any spaces that do not service the shopping
centre

Floor configuration  Marked-up floor plans of the shopping centre, or Assessor site notes 7.2 Determining single or multi-
Whether the shopping showing the shopping centre floor area configuration. storey
centre is single or multi-
storey  The aggregated GLAR of each retail floor. 7.2 Determining single or multi-
storey
Number of food court  Data confirming the number of food court seats in the shopping centre: Section 8.2.3 Conducting a site
seats
• food court drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, inspection
The number of food court identifying all food court seats and showing the food Section 8.2.4 Conducting a count
seats in all food courts court seat count, or, if not available
• a plan or schedule of food court seats, prepared by the
Assessor, that identifies all food court seats and records
the number of seats in each block.
 Where necessary, written evidence confirming any periods when food Section 8.2.4 Conducting a count
court seats were out of use for more than 4 weeks of the Rating Period
Gymnasium Area  Data validating the GLAR of all gymnasiums in the shopping centre, to Section 9.2.3 Determining
The Gross Lettable Area the Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area: gymnasium Gross Lettable Area
Retail (GLAR) of all • Surveys, leases, or other third-party documentation (in Retail
gymnasiums in the shopping that order of preference) identifying the gymnasium area
centre
made to the Measurement Standard for Shopping
Centre Area, or
• Assessor’s calculations based on plans or site
measurements identifying the public gymnasium, made
to the Measurement Standard for Shopping Centre Area.
 Where necessary, written evidence confirming any periods when the Section 9.2.3 Determining
gymnasium was not open to the public for more than 4 weeks of the gymnasium Gross Lettable Area
Rating Period Retail
Number of cinema  Data confirming the number of cinema theatrettes in the shopping Section 10.2.3 Conducting a site
theatrettes centre: inspection
The number of cinema • Shopping centre drawings, marked-up by the Assessor, Section 10.2.4 Conducting a count
theatrettes in all cinema identifying all cinema theatrettes and showing the cinema
facilities
theatrette count, or, if not available
• a plan or schedule of cinema theatrettes, prepared by the
Assessor, that identifies all cinema theatrettes and records
the number of cinema theatrettes in each block.
 Where necessary, written evidence confirming any periods when Section 10.2.4 Conducting a count
cinema theatrettes were out of use for more than 4 weeks of the Rating
Period
Energy and water usage  Single-line diagrams, electrical circuit schedules and water reticulation Section 11 Energy coverage
Information on sources and diagrams to ensure all energy and water sources are included. Section 12
allocations to different end Water coverage
uses in the premises to be  Evidence of accuracy and validation of high-voltage electricity meters Section 13.3 High-voltage
rated; and 12 months of and all other non-utility meters, and records of readings of non-utility electricity metering
consumption data covering meters. Section 13.4 Non-utility meter
the Rating Period. records
Section13.5 Non-utility metering
system validation
 Documentation of any agreements between building owner and Section 11 Energy coverage
tenants, to allocate costs or responsibility for consumption (for example Section 12
for shared facilities or shared supplies). Water coverage

 Calculations or documentation confirming any consumption to be Section 11 Energy coverage

excluded from the rating, and substantiating the grounds for the Section 12
exclusion. A wide variety of documentation may be required, for Water coverage
example:
• Leases confirming car parking spaces are leased to
office tenants within the building and do not service the
shopping centre,
• Documentation of the source, quantities and any non-
recycled component of externally supplied recycled
water.
 Utility billing data covering the full 12 months of the Rating Period for Section 14.7 Periods covered by
each energy or water source (as appropriate) used in the rated utility data
premises. This must be either: Section 14.9 Documentation
• utility bills showing consumption records for the Rating required
Period, or
• a spreadsheet or other electronic record from the utility
showing consumption for the Rating Period, with a clear
indication of the meter identification and reading, and at
least one utility bill that can be shown to reconcile
against the electronic data.
 Where bills are not available, permission from any affected third parties
to obtain energy or water consumption data for the premises.
 Bills for deliveries of any discrete (batch) supplies, showing quantities Section 14.5 Batch-delivered
delivered and how they were measured. If the data does not include supplies
enough separate deliveries, then obtain any regular records of storage
capacity readings.
 Documentation of any GreenPower purchases, including the allocation Section 11.3 GreenPower™
of bulk purchases.
It will be necessary to conduct a site inspection to confirm that the information provided is accurate, current and complete.
15.2 Appendix B – Tenancy Servicing Validation Form
The following form must be completed by the Assessor for each tenancy where central
servicing was validated in accordance with Section 3.6 Confirmation of central servicing. At
least one form must be printed and completed for each tenancy validated, and kept on file for
auditing purposes.
Tenancy:
Inspection date:
Inspected by:
Block number:
Block location:
Heating: Circle items applicable
• Not provided to this tenancy by any services
• Provided by hot air from central services
• Provided by electric/heat pump heating powered from central
service energy supply
• Provided by hot water from central services
• Other, please specify
____________________________________________
Cooling: Circle items applicable
• Not provided to this tenancy by any services
• Provided by cool air from central services
• Provided by chilled water from central services
• Provided by DX cooling on the central services power supply
____________________________________________
Ventilation Air: Circle items applicable
(i.e. provision of outside • Not provided to this tenancy by any services
air) • Provided by central services air supply
• Provided by tenant specific central services powered from the
central services power supply
____________________________________________
Air Movement: Circle items applicable
(i.e. provision of • Not provided to this tenancy by any services
movement of air within • Provided by fan/air supply powered from central services
the space)
____________________________________________

Appendices
15.3 Appendix C – Guide to non-utility metering system

validation
Section 15.3.1 should be used as a guide by a competent person 9, licensed

electrician or electrical engineer to ensure that the Remote Meter Reading
System (RMRS) is interpreting the non-utility meter data correctly.
Section 15.3.2 should be used as a guide by the licensed electrician or electrical
engineer for non-utility electricity meters with current transformers (CTs) to
ensure they are properly installed, functioning correctly and interpreted correctly.
Section 15.3.3 should be used as a guide by a competent person to verify that
the pressure correction factor corrects the measured volume of the non-utility gas
meter to the same pressure conditions used by the utility gas meter.
Where errors with a non-utility metering system are identified it is expected that
the non-utility meter or RMRS will be adjusted and re-tested as part of the
validation, and the adjustment documented.
If a metering system requires adjustment then this must be done by appropriately
qualified and licensed persons according to the applicable standards and
procedures for the equipment.
15.3.1 Remote Meter Reading Systems
RMRS are used to read the meters from a remote location. They are used to
simplify the reading process or because of accessibility issues with manually
reading a meter. RMRS are common for both electricity and water metering.
The RMRS can record the consumption of the meter through a pulse output or
through a protocol that directly reads the meter register. The connection to the
meter can be through a hard-wired, wireless or radio frequency connection.
Most remote water reading systems use pulse output type meters, either hard-
wired or via radio frequency transmitters. Electricity meters use a combination of
pulse output and direct reading of the meter consumption.
The RMRS can be part of an existing Building Management System (BMS) or a
dedicated system.
To ensure that a RMRS is interpreting the meter data correctly, confirm that a
unit of consumption on the RMRS corresponds to a unit of consumption as
measured at the meter.
At least two readings of the non-utility meter and corresponding RMRS must be
undertaken at the same two time periods, and the results documented. Where
the results identify a discrepancy between the non-utility meter and RMRS, the
RMRS must be adjusted and at least two more readings taken to confirm it is
accurately measuring consumption. All readings and any adjustments must be
documented.
9
A ‘competent person’ could be an Assessor with an understanding of the meter in question.
15.3.2 Electricity meters
Electricity meters can be single-phase, commonly used for residential or small

tenancies, or three-phase used for larger tenancies. They can be basic electro-
mechanical meters or fully electronic with analog (dial) or digital displays.
They are either ‘whole current’ (direct connect) where all the electricity flows
through the meter, or current transformer (CT) meters where the transformer
reduces the current flow through the meter by a defined ratio.
A whole current meter is typically used for loads up to 100 amps and CT meters
for larger loads. The more recent exception to this is where small panel-mounted
electronic meters are installed that use CTs regardless of the current flow.
CT ratios are expressed as a ratio of the primary current to the secondary
current. For example, a ratio of 300:5 means that when 300 amps flows through
the CT then 5 amps flows through the meter. If the meter does not have the
ability to program this ratio through some configuration, then the meter reading
would need to be multiplied by this ratio to arrive at the actual consumption
recorded by the meter.
This ratio is also known as the meter multiplier, meter factor or K factor. In the
case of a CT ratio of 300:5, the multiplier or K factor would be 60. As a note all
CTs have a ratio of the ‘value’:5 with the ‘value’ generally indicating the maximum
current for the circuit that is metered.
Analog electromechanical meter Typical three-phase electronic meters

available in either whole current available in either whole current (direct
(direct connect) or CT type meters. connect) or CT type meters with little to
distinguish them other than the labelling
on the meter, unless the cover has been
removed. CT type meters have 10
connections, while whole current meters
have 7 connections.

Appendices
Panel-mounted electronic meter using CTs
1 Exemption for manually read whole current meters

Whole current (direct connect) meters without CTs that are manually read, with
no interpretation by a RMRS, are excluded from these rules.
2 Checking the Current Transformer (CT) ratio and meter wiring

Record the CT ratio and verify, where appropriate, that the meter is correctly
configured to this ratio. Where the CT ratio is not programmed into the meter,
verify that the CT ratio has been correctly applied to the meter readings to arrive
at the actual consumption.
Cross check the wiring of the meter and the CTs for:
• CTs not connected
• reverse CT connection errors, which will significantly reduce the recorded
consumption
• cross phase CT connection errors, where CTs are not matched to the same
phase voltage
• phase sequence connection errors
• faulty or missing potential fuses, which can significantly reduce the recorded
consumption and may cause failure of the meter.
Record the CT ratio or multiplier that is required to convert the meter reading to
kWh.
Where it is not possible to identify the CT ratio, a qualified electrician can use a
power meter to confirm the reading by measuring the actual current flow through
the circuit being metered and the corresponding phase to the meter. The
following calculation would then apply to determine the CT ratio:
measured circuit amps (e.g. 120 amps)

The CT ratio (‘value’:5) = x 5:5
measured meter amps (e.g. 2 amps)
= 300:5
3 Checking meters in place to avoid shutdown
If wiring and CTs associated with non-utility meters cannot be safely accessed
and visually checked without a partial or total shutdown of the building, the
following methods can be used to confirm that each non-utility meter is properly
installed, functioning correctly and interpreted correctly.
If a meter checked by these methods is found to require adjustment, then the
check after adjustment must fully comply with Section 15.3.2/2 above.
A shutdown to allow safe access may then be unavoidable.
Verification using A qualified electrician can verify the operation and accuracy of the
a power meter non-utility meter using a portable power meter to record the
consumption of the metered circuit over a period. This is achieved
by taking meter readings at the start and end of that period and
comparing the measured consumption over the same time period
on the power meter.
Where the difference in the power meter and non-utility meter
readings is greater than 10% this indicates a problem with the
non-utility meter wiring or CTs, which requires correcting.
Verification from A qualified electrician can identify the average current in the circuit
measured current being metered using a clamp-on ammeter or similar device. At the
time of the measurement the consumption being measured must
be indicative of the average usage in the metered circuit, and must
be relatively constant in the usage at that time. For each phase,
select a test period of at least one hour and read the non-utility
meter at the start and end of this period.
The readings taken by the electrician within this period can be
converted to an average kilowatt (kW) value:
• divide the average amps by 1.4 for three-phase
supply
• multiply the average amps by 0.24 for a single-
phase supply.
The kW reading is converted to kilowatt per hour (kWh) based on
the time of the period and compared to the non-utility meter
consumption for that same period. Where the difference between
the value derived from the clamp-on ammeter readings and the
non-utility meter reading is greater than 10% this indicates a
problem with the non-utility meter wiring or CTs, which requires
correcting.
Where either of these methods are used for validation, the CT ratio and meter
multiplier programmed in the non-utility meter must be recorded.

Appendices
Example
A three-phase circuit with a non-utility meter was measured for one hour and the
amps were recorded at an average of 14 amps per phase. This reading was
converted to 10 kW i.e. 14 amps divided by 1.4 for three-phase supply. The
difference between this figure and the non-utility meter readings should therefore
be 1 kWh (i.e. 10%) or less over that one hour period. Any greater difference in
the meter readings would indicate that the meter must be corrected.
15.3.3 Gas meters

Record the meter pressure and the correction factor required to adjust the
reading to m³ under standard pressure. This data can be collected from the non-
utility meter and compared with the utility meter, or obtained from the gas
supplier.
15.3.4 Example of a validation record for electrical non-utility meters
Building name: Building address:
Name of person undertaking validation: Qualification and/or certified licence number:
Date of validation:
Non- Non-utility Meter Remote meter reading CT ratio Meter Power meter
utility meter wiring Confirmation of the accurate interpretation of system reading the non- (only multiplier; check (kWh)
meter ID description checked* utility meter at the same two time periods (where applicable) applicable K factor; or (only required
for CT type meter factor where it is not
(meter no. (meter brand
or tenancy / and type) Time A Time B meters) possible to
(only applicable
unit no.) identify the CT
Remote Corresponding Remote Corresponding for CT type
ratio)
Metering manual non- Metering manual non- meters)
Reading utility meter Reading utility meter
System readings from System readings from
readings meter face readings meter face
Example Example Yes Time A: 12:25 Time B: 12:32 300:5 60 1600 kWh
12357.90 12357.90 18256.31 18256.31
Time A: Time B:
Time A: Time B:
*The meter wiring check for CT type meters should check for: reverse CT connection errors; cross phase CT connection errors;
phase sequence connection errors; and faulty or missing potential fuses.
Signed to record that the above non-utility meters
are correctly configured and have been validated: ..............………………………………………………………..

Appendices
15.3.5 Example of a validation record for gas non-utility meters

Date of validation: Name of person undertaking validation:
Non-utility Non-utility Remote meter reading Meter Correction

meter ID meter Confirmation of the accurate interpretation of system reading the non-utility meter at the same two time pressure factor
(meter no. or description periods (where applicable) (kPa)
tenancy / unit (meter brand and
no.) type) Time A Time B
Remote Metering Corresponding manual Remote Metering Corresponding manual
Reading System non-utility meter Reading System non-utility meter readings
readings readings from meter readings from meter face
face
Example Example Time A: 12:25 Time B: 12:32 116.372 1.1485
12357.90 12357.90 18256.31 18256.31
Time A: Time B:
Time A: Time B:
Time A: Time B:

15.3.6 Example of a validation record for water non-utility meters
Date of validation: Name of person undertaking validation:
Non-utility Non-utility meter Remote meter reading

meter ID description Confirmation of the accurate interpretation of system reading the non-utility meter at the same two time periods (where
(Meter no. or (Meter brand and type) applicable)
tenancy / unit
no.) Time A Time B
Remote Metering Reading Corresponding manual non- Remote Metering Reading Corresponding manual non-
System readings utility meter readings from meter System readings utility meter readings from
face meter face
Example Example Time A: 12:25 Time B: 12:32
12357.90 12357.90 18256.31 18256.31
Time A: Time B:
Time A: Time B:
Time A: Time B:


NABERS Energy and Water For Shopping Centres Rules For Collecting and Using Data

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© 2014 State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage

1.1 About NABERS for shopping centres ratings ............................................................9

2.1 The assessment process ........................................................................................13

2.5 Summary of data and documentation needed......................................................... 21

2.8 Site inspection ........................................................................................................26

3 Total and Centrally Serviced Area 28

3.1 Summary ................................................................................................................28

3.2 Definitions ...............................................................................................................29

3.5 Grouping tenancies into contiguous blocks ............................................................. 32

4.1 Summary ................................................................................................................38

4.3 Determining Hours of Service .................................................................................39

5.1 Summary ................................................................................................................41

5.2 Determining the number of trading days ................................................................. 41

4 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

6.1 Summary ................................................................................................................43

6.2 Determining the number of parking spaces ............................................................. 43

7.1 Summary ................................................................................................................47

7.3 Documentation required..........................................................................................48

8 Counting food court seats 49

8.1 Summary ................................................................................................................49

8.2 Determining the number of food court seats ........................................................... 49

9.1 Summary ................................................................................................................51

10.1 Summary ................................................................................................................53

10.2 Determining the number of cinema theatrettes ....................................................... 53

11.1 Interpretation of scope ............................................................................................55

11.2 On-site generation ..................................................................................................57

11.3 GreenPower™ ........................................................................................................58

12.1 Interpretation of scope ............................................................................................61

6 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

13.1 Summary ................................................................................................................64

13.3 High-voltage electricity metering .............................................................................65

13.5 Non-utility metering system validation ..................................................................... 67

14.1 Summary ................................................................................................................73

14.3 Measuring consumption ..........................................................................................73

14.6 Utility bill units and formats .....................................................................................84

14.9 Documentation required..........................................................................................90

15.1 Appendix A – Information checklist for accredited ratings ....................................... 93

15.3 Appendix C – Guide to non-utility metering system validation ................................. 99

8 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is a

1.1 About NABERS for shopping centres ratings

NABERS ratings are expressed as a number of stars, for example:

NABERS rating Performance comparison

1.1.1 NABERS Energy for shopping centres

1.1.2 NABERS Water for shopping centres

10 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

1.1.3 Minimum criteria to rate a shopping centre under NABERS

1.2 About this document

1.2.1 Who the Rules are for

This document is intended for use by NABERS Accredited Assessors and

1.2.2 What’s new in this version

Topic Description Reference

1.2.3 Related documents

12 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres

2.1 The assessment process

An accredited NABERS rating is awarded when the NABERS National

Figure 1: Overview of the assessment process

Document or tool Description

14 NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres