| NEW 2024 |
24-0007 |
Cooling System in a Dwelling Unit |
19/03/2024 |
File No: 24-0007 INTERPRETATION Page 1 of 2
___________________________________
Patrick Shek, P.Eng., CP, FEC, Committee Chair
The views expressed are the consensus of the joint committee with members representing AIBC, EGBC and BOABC, which form the BC Building
Code Interpretation Committee. The Building and Safety Standards Branch, Province of BC and the City of Vancouver participate in the committee’s
proceedings with respect to interpretations of the BC Building Code. The purpose of the committee is to encourage uniform province wide
interpretation of the BC Building Code. These views should not be considered as the official interpretation of legislated requirements based on the
BC Building Code, as final responsibility for an interpretation rests with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction. The views of the joint committee
should not be construed as legal advice.
2024-04-03
Interpretation Date:
March 19, 2024
Building Code Edition:
BC Building Code 2024
Subject:
Cooling System in a Dwelling Unit
Keywords:
Dwelling Unit, Cooling
Building Code Reference(s):
9.33.2.1.(2), 9.33.3.1.(2)
Question:
Can required cooling facilities for a dwelling unit be roughed-in for future installation, instead of being installed as a completed system when the unit is constructed?
Interpretation:
No.
The BCBC 2024 contains new requirements for cooling of dwelling units. Sentence 9.33.2.1.(2) states:
Article 9.33.5.1, referenced above, states the method of determining the design capacity of heating and cooling appliances, except that the design temperatures shall conform to Subsection 9.33.3. In that Subsection, Sentence 9.33.3.1.(2) states:
The term “shall be capable” is not intended to mean that cooling equipment can be roughed-in for future installation. Before the dwelling unit is completed and occupied, the required cooling facilities must be installed and functional.
Note that in some circumstances it may be possible to use solutions in addition to air conditioning as part of a system to achieve the required indoor air temperature. The BCBC Notes include the following:
In areas of B.C. where the outdoor summer design temperature is sufficiently below 26°C, it may be possible to use outdoor air as part of the required cooling. Appendix C of Division B provides climatic data for numerous locations in B.C. |
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