Green Star FAQs

No, project teams do not have to provide access to both sides of fan coil unit coils for cleaning and maintenance purposes, provided the following conditions are met:

1. Access is provided to the upstream side of fan coil units where the coils are protected by a filter rated at MERV 8 or higher and:

• Provide heating only; or,
• Provide cooling only with the coil assembly no more than 4 rows deep; or,
• Provide dual heating/cooling with the coil assembly no more than 4 rows deep.

and

2. For fan coil units located within a ceiling void, in addition to the above criteria, the project team must fully demonstrate safe access for cleaning and maintenance. This shall include:

• Access panels in unit/ductwork is in close proximity to the coil to be cleaned;
• Access panels in the ceiling below the unit is in close proximity to the unit / ductwork access panel; and
• The upstream surface of the coil must be accessible within 1m of the ceiling panel.

For projects where a wall-mounted unit is installed, the project team must demonstrate that access is provided to one side of the coil for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The project team must also demonstrate that:

• The filter system used can achieve the same outcome as a MERV 8 filter and;
• The coil assembly is no more than 4 rows deep.

Ducted fan coil units are defined as:

• Proprietary packaged DX split systems, and variable refrigerant flow/variable refrigerant volume (VRF/VRV) systems;
• Proprietary packaged water-cooled heat pump fan coil units; and
• Proprietary packaged chilled water/heating hot water (CHW/HHW) fan coil units.

Where any unit is manufactured bespoke or otherwise specifically for the project (for example, a modular Air Handling Unit), this FAQ cannot be applied, as it is expected that access will be provided to both sides of coils for cleaning as part of its design and manufacture.

This FAQ is applicable to proprietary packaged units that are not normally manufactured with access to both sides of coils, and are small in duty.

Documentation Requirements:

Please provide the following in your submission:

• Unit manufacturers product data sheet or brochure clearly illustrating that this is a proprietary packaged product.
• Unit manufacturers product data sheet or brochure, or supplier statement, clearly stating that the filter and coil requirements are compliant.
• Evidence that all moisture-producing and debris-catching components such as cooling coils, heating coils, humidifiers and filters in the air handling unit are able to be sufficiently cleaned and maintained through single sided access.
• Section drawing demonstrating any ceiling units can be safely reached through a ceiling access panel.
• Plan drawing showing the upstream side of the coil is accessible within 1m of the ceiling panel, allowing for obstructions.
• A copy of this response.

Submit a question by selecting an option below: