Greening the BC Building Code: First Steps

On April 15, 2008, Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman announced that new Building Code requirements to increase energy and water efficiency would come into effect on September 5, 2008. These first steps in Greening the B.C. Building Code support the province's Throne Speech commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to buildings and construction. The new requirements have been developed in consultation with industry, local governments and the public:

1. Energy Efficiency Requirements for Single Family Houses and Smaller Multi-Family Residential, Commercial and Industrial Buildings
• Insulation standards for houses and multi-family residential buildings under five stories have changed. There are new insulation standards for small commercial and industrial buildings.
• For housing, builders can choose to achieve an EnerGuide rating of 77 as an alternative to meeting the insulation requirements.
2. Energy Efficiency Requirements for High-Rise Multi-Family Residential Buildings and Larger Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Buildings
• Larger buildings must meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers 90.1(2004) standard. ASHRAE 90.1 is an internationally recognized standard for energy efficiency in buildings.
3. Water Efficiency Requirements
• Ultra low-flow toilets (6 L) and other water-saving plumbing fixtures and fittings will become mandatory in new construction and renovations.

Details on the new requirements are available in the Summary and Text of Code Changes.

Implementation

The new green requirements in the Code come into effect on September 5, 2008 and will apply to all new construction and renovations in BC.  The new requirements will apply to building permit applications submitted on or after September 5, 2008.

Education and Training

The Building and Safety Policy Branch is working with industry and government stakeholders to ensure that appropriate education and training is available to Code users. Information on education and training opportunities will be posted as they become available.

NEW!  Homeowner Protection Office Code Change Seminar Series - Greening the BC Building Code: Are you ready for September?

Coming to more than 20 communities across the province this summer and fall, this seminar will include an analysis of a sample house and will explore different options for compliance with the Building Code’s new green requirements for both small and large structures.

NEW! Introduction to Energy Modeling for ASHRAE 90.1 (2004)

Led by BC's pre-eminent energy modelling experts, this half-day introductory-level workshop from Light House Sustainable Building Centre will help designers, building officials, developers and other Building Code users become familiar with energy models and the important role they play in the design and regulatory processes. The workshop will also explore the relationship between energy modeling and the Code’s new requirement for compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004).

NEW! Building Energy Simulation Training Using EE4 Version 1.70

Using the new and improved EE4 v1.7 simulation software, this two-day hands-on workshop will show architects, engineers and other design professionals how to use modelling to comply with the BC Building Code's new energy efficiency requirements. The course will also demonstrate the benefits of designing and building to ecoENERGY New Building Designs Validation levels by using EE4.

NEW! Greening the Building Code Seminars - September 2008

The Building Officials' Association of BC in cooperation with the British Columbia Building & Safety Policy Branch, Ministry of Housing & Social Development and the Electricity & Alternative Energy Division, Ministry of Energy, Mines & Resources are delivering Education Seminars on Greening the BC Building Code across BC in September 2008. More information and registration.

Greening the BC Building Code: Next Steps

The first steps in Greening the BC Building Code will be followed by additional changes to the Code to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings throughout their lifespan.

Areas under exploration include greywater recycling, the use of lighting sensors and the reuse of existing buildings, and will involve further consultation with local governments, industry and the public.