We have changed some of our guidance documents to clarify and update requirements for undertaking lighting activities and in-home display activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
Updates to requirements for lighting activities and in-home display activities
We have changed some of our guidance documents to clarify and update requirements for undertaking lighting activities and in-home display activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
We have also updated our lighting product application guide to provide program participants with guidance on testing lamps with switchable colour temperatures and updates on LM80 and TM21 testing requirements.
All program participants involved in these activities in the VEU program should review the updated stakeholder documents to ensure compliance with below updated requirements.
Updates to lighting activities
We have released updated lighting activity guides, lighting product application guide, VEEC assignment form for building based lighting upgrades (activity 34) and register of Building Code of Australia (BCA) classification determinations to clarify and update the following requirements:
| Query/classification | Our position | Rationale for the change |
|---|---|---|
| What is appropriate activity classification for lighting mounted on container cranes? |
Lights mounted on container cranes should be claimed under non-building based lighting upgrades (activity 35). This upgrade would be of a type of area ‘a public or outdoor space that is not a sports field’ and be awarded 4,500 annual operating hours. |
Upgrading of these lights best aligns with the requirements set out under activity 35. |
| What is appropriate activity classification for backlit pylon signage? |
Free standing illuminated signage (e.g. pylon signage) is able to be claimed under activity 35 or activity 34. Where such a signage is installed in a public area such as a car park, accredited persons will be able to claim 4,500 annual operating hours for this upgrade. The VEEC assignment form for activity 34 has been amended to include a declaration by the installer that the lighting installed is fit for purpose when installed in outdoor environments. |
We believe that adoption of this flexible approach delivers the right regulatory outcome for the program, whilst minimising red tape for accredited persons. |
| Clarification regarding lighting upgrades affixed to structures such as wine vats, silos, conveyor belts and piping |
We note that these structures can occur in either indoor or outdoor environments. Accredited persons will be able to claim as follows:
The VEEC assignment form for activity 34 has been amended to include a declaration by the installer that the lighting installed is fit for purpose when installed in outdoor environments. |
We believe that adoption of this flexible approach delivers the right regulatory outcome for the program, whilst minimising red tape for accredited persons. |
| Clarification regarding lighting upgrades in open air car parks upgrades |
Accredited persons will be able to claim as follows:
The above type of upgrades are awarded 4,500 annual operating hours when claimed under either activity 34 or activity 35. |
We believe that adoption of this flexible approach delivers the right regulatory outcome for the program, whilst minimising red tape for accredited persons. |
| Clarification on which facilities meet the definition of health and fitness centres and gymnasium operations classified as Division R (9111) in ANZSIC with 5,100 annual operating hours | Health and fitness centres which operate based mainly on provision of time tabled classes (e.g. cross-fit, yoga, aerobics, martial arts classes) are not eligible under this space type and must be claimed as a Class 9b space type. | This position aligns with exclusions/references section listed under Division R(9111) which classifies units mainly engaged in providing sports and recreation education, coaching or instructional services as Class 8211. This position also aligns with the operating hours of many of these ‘class based’ centres. |
| We have received an increased number of lighting product applications seeking approval for lamps with switchable colours. | We have provided further guidance on testing such products - please refer to section 1.5 of the lighting product application guide for updated guidance. | Lamps with switchable colour temperatures may contain a number of internal electrical circuits. As a result, performance of the lamp may differ depending on the colour temperature selected. Accordingly, a representative result can only be accepted if specified criteria are met. |
| Clarification on product testing requirement to submit a separate IES TM21 test report | IES TM-21-11 test report required unless the TM21 information is reported in the LM80 report. | This change will reduce the testing burden on lighting applicants without compromising the product performance. |
| Clarification on product testing requirements under LM80 test standard | The test must be conducted under minimum of two temperatures. One of the test conditions must be either 55°C or 85°C. | This clarification is based on one of the test conditions of the IES LM80 standard |
The updated documentation to reflect the above changes is now available, including:
- Building Based Lighting Upgrade Activity Guide (activity 34), VEEC assignment form for activity 34 and Register of BCA Classification Determinations
- Non-Building Based Lighting Upgrade Activity Guide (activity 35)
- Lighting Product Application Guide (product category 21, 27, 34 and 35).
As noted above, we have made changes to the VEEC assignment form for activity 34 to include a new declaration by the installing electrician for lamps installed in an outdoor environment. Accredited persons must ensure their VEEC assignment forms are updated for building based lighting upgrade activities installations made from 9 March 2020.
You will not be required to submit updated VEEC assignment forms to us for approval. However, you must ensure that assignment of rights by consumers occurs using the correct VEEC assignment form. Failure to use the correct VEEC assignment form may result in compliance action.
Updates to in-home display activities
We have also updated the Appliance Activity Guide to clarify evidentiary requirements for geo-tagged photograph for installations of in-home display units (activity 30). Geo-tagged photographs for this activity must clearly show:
- the serial number of the installed unit
- the consumer's energy bills showing tariff rates
- the screen of the installed unit or consumer's IT device displaying the tariff rates which matches the tariff rates on the consumer's energy bills
- a screenshot displaying successful pairing between the app and the installed unit with serial number (for app-based in-home display units).
Accredited persons must note that all in-home display units - including ZigBee products must be physically installed by the installer and as such should not be mailed out for energy consumers to install by themselves.
Where to get help
If you have any questions or feedback with respect to matters set out in this program update, please contact VEU Support on (03) 9032 1310 or veu@esc.vic.gov.au