Melbourne’s hot box apartments fail to meet safety standards during a heatwave

A new report shows many of Melbourne’s apartments are unsafe during a heatwave, with indoor temperatures failing to meet international health standards.

The report recommended a ‘summer comfort standard’ similar to those implemented in Europe.

Construction scientist and lead researcher Chris Jensen told Ross and John there were some important recommendations.

‘One of our recommendations is that the Australian building code has a summer comfort standard that reflects our climate and our occupants tolerance for heat stress,’ he told Ross and John.

‘We have also recommended for existing buildings to have a new standard or a new requirement, a summer comfort rating which would alert new buyers or tenantst o the performance of apartments based on a heat stress requirement or condition in a heat wave.’

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